Compost on the bed in the foreground, potatoes in the bed in the background
Well, apparently it was The Snail of Happiness blog’s second birthday yesterday. In those two years, there have been more than 25,000 visits from 118 countries; I’ve written more than 300 posts and there have been more than 3000 comments. Oh, and the filters have prevented more than 7000 spam comments appearing!
I’m not sure what the appropriate way of celebrating is, but perhaps spreading compost on the garden and planting potatoes (which is what we’ve been doing today) is appropriate for a blog about sustainability.
Some of my diploma work
I started writing this blog at round about the same time I embarked on my Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design, partly as a way of sharing some of the information I gathered. It was a happy coincidence, therefore, that yesterday I finished drafting my ninth design for my portfolio. My tenth, and final, design describes my learning pathway and really just needs tidying up and rounding off as this has been an on-going project throughout the diploma. In addition, the Masterpiece blanket, and associated scrapbook, are going to form a tangible representation of my learning. My tutor, Looby Macnamara, is going to give me her square for the masterpiece at our final tutorial on 15 May. I have, therefore, decided that I won’t add any more squares to the blanket after the end of that week… so that’s your deadline if you are planning to send something for inclusion. My final presentation (assuming that all goes well with the assessments) will be in September at the UK Permaculture Convergence… where the masterpiece will have a starring role!
The end of my diploma does not, of course, mean the end of blogging, but it might free up a bit more time for the garden… which has been somewhat neglected over the past two years what with studying, family illness and voluntary work. I am hoping for an abundant summer in 2014 – lots of fruit and vegetables and lots of crafty activities, so lots to write about here. I hope you will keep reading!
The Snail of Happiness 
Nia Russell
/ April 13, 2014Well done, Jan. Have also got my potatoes in. trying a new method – no chitting! Will let you know how they develop.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014Ooh, that’s interesting… I’d love to know how they do!
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nerdinthebrain
/ April 13, 2014Happy birthday, blog! 😀 I look forward to reading lots more from you…and seeing all of that awesome gardening!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014Fingers crossed for good weather this year to help my crops along 🙂
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fallfromgrace349
/ April 13, 2014Happy blogoversary! 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014Thank you!
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Map of Time
/ April 13, 2014Congrats on your second blogiversary!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014Thank you… here’s to the next two years!
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davidprosser
/ April 13, 2014Penblwydd Hapus Blog. When you reach he end of the course there will be plenty f other things to post about, not least the gardening. We’ll be here, waiting to read whatever you write about,
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014Now, that’s a great promise… thanks for your continuing support!
xxx
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Nice piece of work
/ April 13, 2014Congratulations. I don’t believe I’ve missed a single post of yours, even if I don’t always have time to comment. Thought of you today, particularly, because of the Lithops. I don’t think I can add an image here, can I? I’ll have to find another way to show you my new girl.
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014No I don’t think comments can include images… you can always e-mail. I’m very touched that you’ve read all my posts x
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Nice piece of work
/ April 13, 2014just writing a new post, my little Lithops will be featured !
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 13, 2014Hurrah!
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katythenightowl
/ April 13, 2014Well done with the Blogging anniversary, Jan – and I hope we all have many more of them to read 🙂
It actually made me look to see how long I’ve been blogging, and I was astounded to find I’d been writing stuff on here for 8 years! Lol
I can’t wait to see your finished masterpiece! 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 14, 2014Wow… now that is an achievement!
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Karen B
/ April 13, 2014Congratulations on sustaining such a professional and fascinating blog. I am only sorry that the Belmont Rooster is not able to wish you well too. I feel that he helped us both by his encouragement and support.
I wish you happiness, as I know that this has been a sad year for you and I look forward to more of your great posts..
Karen
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 14, 2014Thank you… yes, I do miss Lonnie, I just hope that he is ok and will turn up with another fascinating gardening blog one day.
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sarahfoto
/ April 14, 2014Wohoo! Well done! I very much enjoy following your blog, keep at it.
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katechiconi
/ April 14, 2014Happy anniversary, dear SoH, I am missing our usual free interaction while I’m away, so will have to make a Skype appointment on my return! I am gnashing my teeth on a daily basis here, looking at all the wonderful plants, seeds, bulbs and cuttings I COULD have brought home if Australia didn’t have such draconian laws about importing plant material… I passionately long for a black velvet-leafed taro… Anyway, congratulations on your blogiversary, and talk to you soon, I hope.
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narf77
/ April 14, 2014I just started to twitch there when I saw that bit about finishing your Diploma and slowing down in the blog…eek! I only just found you! But then you salved my fears and I see you plan on keeping on with the blog “whew!” that was a close one! Kudos on the Diploma. Steve and I managed to tuck a Diploma of Horticulture and a Diploma of Landscape Design in our belts. Not entirely sure what it did for us but at least we now call “dirt” “soil” (after being thrashed to within an inch of our lives by our angry lecturer 😉 ) I guess that’s something? I would have loved to tackle a Diploma in Permaculture but it just isn’t available here and we don’t run to the funds to be able to afford to tackle it via a commercial site. I guess we will just have to trawl your back posts (hope that doesn’t sound too painful, we promise to be non-invasive 😉 ) and see what we can glean. Happy birthday and here’s to many many more 🙂
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 15, 2014I’ve enjoyed doing the diploma, but I’ll be glad to finish… it has taken up lots of time and I feel ready to move on to other things now. Don’t worry, though, I seem to be addicted to blogging!
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narf77
/ April 15, 2014It is addictive. I started and not so long ago got a message that I had been doing this for 3 years. I was very surprised! Every Wednesday I manage to pull something out of my brain that keeps me coming back. I think it’s more for my dear constant readers than anything else to be honest 😉
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narf77
/ April 16, 2014I just found this lovely series of snail photos that I thought you might like to share
http://news.distractify.com/culture/arts/macro-photos-of-snails/?v=1
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 16, 2014They are lovely!
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gentlestitches
/ April 24, 2014Happy Blogaversary!
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The Snail of Happiness
/ April 24, 2014Thank you!
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