When I started this blog 6 years ago today I had no idea what joy it would bring. I started out on Blogger with a blog called Beth Ann’s Musings and in 3 years time I migrated my blog to WordPress and renamed it It’s Just LIfe–Finding the Extraordinary in the Ordinary. I have never looked back.
Over the 6 years we have been on a bit of an adventure. I have posted 1866 posts and have recorded 22,824 comments on my blog posts over that time (that includes my own comments/responses). I have blogged about travel, teapots, spiritual matters, family, and random things that cross my mind.
Why do I blog? I guess if I am honest it is because it is an outlet for me. Writing has always been a great way for me to communicate and it feels good to have others read my posts and leave positive comments. And for the most part the comments are always positive and affirming. I may feel differently if you guys were mean to me.
The best thing I have done on It’s Just Life is Comments for a Cause. If you are new here the idea is simple. For every comment made on my blog during the month my husband and I (we are a team, after all) will donate 50 cents to the cause of the month. This month our cause is Make a Wish of North Iowa and I am pretty excited about it. You can read all about it if you click here. If you wondered what other “causes” we have supported in the 3 years I decided today would be a great day to include a list.
- National Parkinson’s Foundation
- UMCOR
- Meals on Wheels
- National Down Syndrome Society
- Tree of Life Ministry
- St. Rita’s Hospice
- UNICEF
- Burrito Bikers
- West Ohio Food Bank
- KIVA
- Crisis Intervention Center
- Humane Society of North Iowa
- Ada First UMC
- Operation Shower
- Thorne Family Mission
- Classroom Supplies
- Donor’s Choose
- National Diaper Bank Network
- Rez Dog Rescue
- Hurricane Sandy Relief
- Josh’s Yolka Project
- Hedin Family
- Care of Creation
- Carolina Cross Connection
- The ONE Fund–Boston
- Habitat for Humanity
- Operation Mend
- Second Life Bikes
- Samaritan’s Purse–Sudan
- Breast Cancer Research Foundation
- Carolina Cross Connection—sponsor trip to orphanage
- UMCOR
- Dave Courtenay–The Walk
- Global Arts Therapy
- Make a Wish-North Iowa
So there you have it!!! In honor of my 6 year Blogaversary I decided I needed to have a giveaway. Everyone loves a giveaway and I will make this one super easy. No jumping through too many hoops to win. Just leave a comment on THIS post telling me what your favorite book is and you will be entered into the giveaway. I will use a random number generator to select the winner out of all the entries. Easy peasy. No other requirements PLUS you will be helping Make a Wish of North Iowa –our March Comments for a Cause recipient. The giveaway will run from today until March 25th—I will announce the winner on my blog on Wednesday, March 26th.
Oh and if you want to know what you are going to win in this giveaway—–let me tell you—it will be a bag of wonderful items including a signed copy of Lemonade and Holy Stuff- Collected Essays by Miranda Gargasz, a candle from Soyphisticated Candles , some handmade cards and coasters made by yours truly and some other wonderful little items all tucked into a goodie bag. If you want to enter simply leave a comment on this post and you will be in the random drawing. I will ship internationally to Canada and England if the winner is one of my wonderful international readers.
Thank YOU for your support and for coming back to read. I have the best followers here and am thrilled to have you all along for the ride. Please feel free to share this post to give more people the opportunity to win some great things.
(Actual cards and coasters may vary from ones pictured.)
It's Just Life 
Woo Hoo Beth Ann! Thank you for all you do ~ I am so happy we’ve connected! I am hard pressed to choose a favorite book. There are so many wonderful ones to choose from ~ but I guess You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay wins since it changed my life. ♥
Thanks for joining in the fun!!! And for being such a wonderful and faithful follower! I love how we have connected and am glad you are here!!!
Well, being a newcomer to your blog, let me say that, first, I didn’t know you’d been blogging that long. Congrats on your blogaversary! Second, what a wonderful thing you’ve done to support all those causes. (I did that once for the Humane Society where we found Sundae.) My favorite book is Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Ann Hoffman. (I actually won that book in a blog giveaway a couple of years ago.) Congrats again!
That is one book I have not read yet but it is on my list! Thanks so much for coming over and commenting and joining our little family here! I am so glad you are part of it!
My most recent favorite book is “A Year on Ladybug Farm.” Congrats on your blogging career! What a wonderful difference you have made in many lives.
Thank YOU so much for stopping by and commenting. Another book to add to my list. It never gets any shorter, that is for sure!!! Great to have you as part of our family here!
Favorite book is a toss up between Toni Morrison’s ‘Sula’ and Wally Lamb’s ‘I Know This Much Is True.’ Wow, 6 years is a long time and this is a great idea “commenting for charity.”
Thanks so much! I have not read either one of those!! I am going to have so many books to add to my list to be read which is a great thing, don’ t you think? Thank you for your support and comments!!! It is great to have you all on board!
I really enjoy “Perks o Being a Wallflower.” So simply written but perfect. Congrats on 6 years!
Thanks so much, Ani!!! I love that book,too !!!! There are some that stick with you and that is certainly one of them!!! Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Beth, I’m so glad my daughter, Sam, introduced me to your blog. I’ve only been reading it a few weeks, but I really enjoy it. I am such an avid reader that I find it hard to name one favorite book, but if I had to it would be ‘The Shack’ by William P. Young. This book really pulls you in and makes you think about life and death.
I am so glad you left a comment, Sandy!!! Thank you! It is very difficult to pick one book, isn’t it? But your pick is a great one!!! I read that one and it stuck with me for a long time!!! Thanks!
Congratulations on six years of blogging, my friend! This is fabulous and I’m delighted I “found,” and then met, you. You have been an incredible blessing to me. Yes, you have.
As for favorite books, that’s tough. But I am going to return to my childhood and tell you that Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books are an all-time favorite. Her descriptive and detailed writing with some of the books set on my native Minnesota prairie endear these stories to me.
The feeling is mutual, my friend!! Our paths were meant to cross! I love that the Little House books are your favorites. That is an great choice and I can understand why!
God had a role in this, I believe. And I know you would agree. Blessings always to you.
There is no doubt in that, Audrey. No doubt!!!
Ok…I guess I do have a favorite—Little House! Loved every single one.
Those are good ones, for sure!!
Congratulations, Beth Ann. You’re still going strong.
I am. Some days stronger than others. What’s your fav book, Christine? I know you have one!
Congrats on your 6 year blogaversary! That’s an impressive feat and your list for comments for a cause is even more impressive!!!
It’s hard to pick just one book as my favorite but in recent memory I have to say it would be “Bloom” by Kelle Hampton – it’s just stayed with me ever since I’ve read it! Have a wonderful weekend!!!
You told me about that book and after I read it I became a huge fan! You were totally right about it. It was one of the best ones I have had the privilege to read. Thank YOU for telling me about it.
Happy six years! Incredible to see the list of organizations supported by Comments for a Cause. My favorite book is Chasing Dreamtime by Neva Sullaway. It’s my favorite travel memoir ever. I’m enjoying reading everyone else’s favorite book, too.
Thanks, Jeni!!! I have not read that book so now another to add to my list. I am going to have a whole bookshelf full to read after this post, that is for sure!!! Thanks for the sweet wishes! I can’t believe it has been 6 years!
Congratulations on 6 years of blogging- that is AWESOME! I have to say that I love START by Jon Acuff! It’s one of those books that makes you look at why you do what you do. Jon is a blogger, so he “gets” me! What a fun giveaway.
Thanks, Sara!!! It is the one thing, other than marriage, that i seem to have stuck with. 🙂 Love getting everyone’s book suggestions. I will have quite a list by the time this is over and that is a very good thing!
Beth Ann, Congrats on your “blogiversary”!! Wow, you’ve done a LOT of donating to worthwhile causes during the past six years — way to go! Favorite book? Probably sounds crazy, but I’d have to choose the Bible. I hate reading lists of names and such, but there’s so much wisdom and advice between its covers, and it’s the book I turn to again and again!
Thanks!!! Your choice is perfect! Simply perfect. There is much to learn from this one, that is for sure!!!
Congratulations on your 6 year anniversary. Such an impressive journey! Dear heart, I do not have a favorite book. However, since Stephen Chbosky author of Perks of Wallflower just autographed Cole’s bug, took the time to write him an encouraging note and share about the green bug in the movie….well, I love him and his book is my favorite–does it matter if I have read it? I could have Cole enter it…. 😀 Cheers to another 6 years and beyond.
Thank you! I am thrilled. I think your choice of Stephen Chbosky is a great choice even if you have not read that book –he sounds like a spectacular guy!
You do a wonderful thing here Beth Ann! Congratulations on your Bloggieversary!!!
Hard to decide on a favorite book.. so many! I really loved Little Bee. And Under the Tuscan Sun, so different from the movie. AND you know I love That Quail Robert! I can’t decide on one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That Quail Robert is now one of my favorites, thanks to you! Thank you for being such a loyal follower. Your comments always make me smile. Always!
I probably don’t actually have only one, but Jane Eyre is clearly a top runner.
Congrats! My favorite book of all time has to be, “To kill a mockingbird.”
Ah—another great one. My great niece is named Harper because that is her mom’s favorite author!!! Great book! Thank you for stopping by!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Beth Ann.. Keep them coming.. As far as my favorite book goes, I can’t single out one but I remember that I loved “Trinity” by Leon Uris.. Recently I have begun reading again on my new KINDLE and I have finished “Command Authority” by Tom Clancy and it amazingly mirrors the events now happening in Ukraine and Crimea.. Also “Mystic River” by Dennis Lehane is a thriller that holds the reader’s attention to the end. I have yet to see the movie though and now I would like to see it just to see how close they followed the book.. Again congratulations on your success..
Thanks, Jake!!! I love how everyone has such different books to recommend. I don’t think the hubby has read “Command Authority”—he is a big Tom Clancy fan so I will have to recommend that to him. “Mystic River” also sounds intriguing!!!
I know he’ll like Command Authority.. It features both Jack Ryan Sr, (POTUS) and Jack Jr.
He just told me he has it on audiobook so it is on his list!
Great..
Congratulations on 6 years of blogging and all the wonderful causes you have supported. My favourite book is Emma by Jane Austen. What a fabulous prize pack, just winning some of your delightful cards would be great! It might be fun to see how all of us met you originally. You have built such an amazing community here.
Thanks, Darlene. Thanks so much for your continued support and encouragement. This is so not about me! It is about all of you that I have discovered along the way. And to think that Andy the Armadillo brought us together!!! Chris says I need to build a spreadsheet that details all of you blogger friends and how we met, etc. 🙂
It might be a fun post to ask everyone to comment on how they met you and who they’ve met through you. I have always been thankful to Andy the Armadillo!
And I am so thankful for Andy and Lenore, too! That is a great idea to make that a comment. 🙂
You are doing such a wonderful thing here. Bless you and your husband! My favorite book is “The Great Santini” by Pat Conroy.
Thank you, Rose, for stopping by and commenting!!! I have never read that book and it is so neat to find all of these great books to be put on my list to read some day! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Happy Blogaversary to you! I love your comments for a cause; it’s such a wonderful way to give back by blogging. I used to volunteer for Make a Wish in Georgia. So many amazing stories to tell from my experience as a “wish granter” — maybe I should write a post about that. 🙂
It’s so hard for me to choose a favorite book! I guess I’ll say that my favorite book right now is a classic — The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. But ask tomorrow and you may get a different answer. 🙂
That is amazing that you were a wish granter!!! You definitely need to write a post or two or three about that!!! Amazing organization. I am just like you with picking a favorite book—could you tell I didn’t’ put one of my own up there????
I was the lucky recipient of some of Beth Ann’s wonderful coasters & cards in an earlier give away & I can tell you they are too beautiful to use, they are more like treasures. I do use one of her coasters every day, but it’s a work of art! My favorite book? The Stand by Stephen King. It’s a long, long, long book but you get to know each character thoroughly – some of them you don’t like in the beginning but they surprise you.
Thanks for the sweet comment!! I never would have thought Stephen King would have been the author of the book you would have picked for some reason. I may have to check that one out!
I am a huge fan of Stephen King & have been for many years. I’m not so sure it’s the horror aspect of his writing that draws me in so much as his character development & the strange twists in his stories I admire so much.
He is a master at character development from what I have read!
I was unable to get into the Stand when I tried to read it forever ago (about 10 years at this point). It probably didn’t help that I had the extended version, like that book really needed to be any longer. I read a ton of King for a long time, maybe I should get the edited version of the Stand and give it another try. I didn’t dislike it, just lost engagement with it. I still remember some scenes vividly.
And yes, King’s character development is what kept me coming back to him! Though I have to admit I do have a love for both the interesting plot turns and the horror aspect of his work too.
I am not a huge King follower but have great respect for him and his accomplishments. He is very prolific!
I have the extended version of The Stand as well & it’s got a bunch of things the edited version didn’t have to help the story along!
Wow, six year Beth Ann; congrats on 6 years. I know in my short time here I have so enjoyed your blog, especially Tuesdays!! Thanks for your daily inspiring words as you never know what type of day someone is having. My favorite book – that’s a tough one. I’m a Debbie Macomber fan so I guess her Cedar Cove Series I.
I have not read any Debbie Macomber for a long time so this is one I need to add. Thanks so much for your kind words—I am loving meeting all of you guys!
I have a favorite author,Richard Paul Evans, and he wrote 3 books about a man walking across the the coutry and the good and bad that happened. I read the last book and decided he had to have another book since he got back to his home and it was just left in the air how things wouldl be for him. His fourth and last book in the series will be in May so I guess I will choose that one as my favorite. He always seems to have a surprise for the reader. I do not like books that you read and you know right away how it will turn out in the end.
I always liked his books, too. I have not read this series but I am sure one of these days I will. I have A LOT of books to read. I need to get busy.
Hi Beth Ann,
What a wonderful idea! I have a little friend who was able to go to Disney World on a Make a Wish.
So you understand what a great organization it is! There are just so many out there that do such great things, aren’t there? I am finding all kinds of people who have ties to this one.
Yes, it’s a very good organization. You can find more information on my little friend at http://www.stansgotafrog.com.
Thanks!!! I will definitely go check it out. BTW—what’s your favorite book?
Well, the Bible is my first favorite. And, well, nothing stands beside it, but you probably guessed that already. At least I hope that people can tell that I’m a Christian.
Let’s see…there are just so many…
To Kill a Mockingbird would top my favorite list. I really like Victoria Holt. I’ve collected many of her books. The Road to Paradise Island is one that I read over and over again. I also really like Rebecca by Daphne de Maurier.
My good college buddy, Melanie Dickerson, has good re-purposed fairy tales.
Love Little Women and all of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books. Still.
What about you? 🙂
There are so many, aren’ t there? I would have to say the ones that stick in my mind are the most recent ones like The Goldfinch and The Comfort of Lies but then I think about one by my great uncle “I Travel By Train” that might be up there for the sentimental factor.
I’ll have to give The Goldfinch a go. I know that I’ve seen it as available in Kindle at our library. It’s had lots of good reviews. I need to try these out!
It is a worthwhile read!
My favorite “book” is anything written by Janet Evanovich…they are ‘laugh out loud’ funny!
I love her books, too!!! Thanks for stopping by, Sandy! Great to have you here!
Happy blogaversary!! What a pleasure it’s been to meet you and follow your blog. I have lots of books I like but the one that come to mind is called “Night” Written by Elie Wiesel. 🙂
I have not read that one either!!! Sorry—I missed this comment when it came in so finally responding!!! Yikes!
No worries! It’s a really good book if you like history. It will move you to tears.
Congratulations on 6 years! I think my favorite book would be “The Storyteller” by Jodi Picoult.
Oh that is another great book! I do love her writing style. Thanks for stopping by!!
You are wonderful. My favourite book is: The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. I read it when I was 14, and love it still.
Oh my goodness—I read that book when I was young, too, and it begs to be read again. I had a picture with a quote from it on my wall for all of high school and college!!!
Wow – what an amazing difference you made in the lives of so many with your Comments for Cause (I promise, I come here because I love you — not just to support the cause. ha) I think I have reached the 6 year mark myself, and I cannot believe how the time has flown!
Favourite book is Pride and Prejudice. Probably always.
Thanks, Les. It is because of great folks like you who keep coming back. Can you believe I have never read Pride and Prejudice???? Maybe I had better change that.
Congrats on your anniversary! 6 years is something – it’s how long I will be married in September this year – hahaha. I really do love your comments for a cause. Makes me wish I had a more active blog to do the same…My favorite book? I don’t really know, I have read many and I admit most of them for pure and light entertainment, no heavy cost. I love everything fantasy, so I will go with Marion Zimmer Bradley and Web of Light (I read it in German, but I think this is the one) 🙂
Thanks so much for your kind words! I am loving seeing what everyone has listed for their favorite book! It is so difficult to pick one. And you read that book in German? Very impressive, my friend, very impressive!
Congratulations on six years. Yes, you’ve made a career of blogging! 😉 My favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird
I guess it is a career!!! :-). Great book choice!
Congrats! 6 years is a long time! As far as a favorite book, I really can’t pick one, but the one that keeps coming back to my mind right now is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It might be because it was adapted into a movie and I recently saw an ad for it on Netflix but it still stands as one of my favorites. It’s dark and sad at times but pretty spectacular and uplifting in a weird way. I remember reading it on my subway rides home from work when I lived in New York and frequently bursting into tears in public.
Aw— I agree that it was that kind of book. Not one to read in public places if you are prone to tears like I am. 🙂
Congratulations on your Blog Anniversary. The Great Gatsby or Perks of a Wallflower.
Thanks, Cole!!! Great choices!
How nice of you. There are so many good books but if I could have only one, it would be the Holy Bible so I guess that would make it my favorite.
Yep–that is a very good choice, Karen. And a very wise one.
Thanks to Camille Lee for pointing me to your blog, and congratulations on your 6-year anniversary. I love your idea of donating to worthy causes!
I am hard-pressed to name a favorite book – much like choosing a favorite child (I only have one child, so that makes it easier). I love, love, love memoirs. Especially from amazing people emerging from crazy difficult circumstances: The Tender Bar, Glass Castle, Angela’s Ashes. I don’t have much time for fiction, when real life is so fascinating. Cheers to you, Beth Ann!
Judy— thanks so much for stopping by! Aren’t Camille’s products fabulous??? You came up with some great books! There are so many out there! Thanks again for stopping by! Spread the word!!!!
Congrats on 6 years, Beth Ann! I love so many books, but my current favorite just so happens to be Miranda’s. It’s amazing. Love the give-away!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
It is such a great glimpse in to motherhood, wifehood, life in general. She is very talented and I have always just loved everything that she has written on her blog so I knew this was a no brainer. 🙂
Hi Beth Ann! This is my first time here. I just followed you over from The Women of Midlife Facebook page where you put your link. And wow! What a great idea to donate to your favorite causes based upon the number of comments you get. That is an awesome way to pay it forward. I too have been blogging for about six years now . I started on a joomla website and blogged about the environment and all things green for about 3 years. After that I decided I REALLY wanted to blog about things near and dear to me and started in on my current blog. But as you say, there are so-o-o many great rewards to doing it that now that I’ve found the courage to write solely about what I really care about–I’m hooked. Congratulations on your six years and look forward to the next. ~Kathy
Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and comment! I love that we all manage to find our place in the blog world, don’t you? It is amazing to me how many fabulous blogs there are— so much talent everywhere. I am blessed by people like you who take the time to stop and comment. Thanks!
Love your comments for a cause idea – I’ve done that on a few occasions myself on my own blog. Nice to pay it forward. Congrats on six years of blogging – I’m only just in my third year. Thx for a little inspiration.
Thanks do much for stopping by! Yes–/ comments for a cause is the best thing I have done!!! 3 years is great– keep it up!
Congratulations on 6 years of blogging, Beth Ann! I am impressed! My “favorite” book this year was Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, written by Immaculee Ilibigaza with writer Steve Irwin. I put “favorite” in quotes because favorite sounds a little too cheerful. It is however very uplifting the way Immaculee’s faith in God grew in spite of her dire circumstances. Her positive outlook in facing the fears and horrors of the war there made me feel even more grateful for the life I have been allowed to live. Congratulations again, my friend!
Sounds like an interesting book and one I have not heard of before I love the positive so I am sure I would love this recommendation! Thanks, Mary Ellen!
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. A book that made me cry so hard, but I smile when I think about it!
You told me about that book and I agree—-it was a “have a box of Kleenex handy” kind of book. Definitely one I will go back to read again.
Congratulations on six great blogging years, Beth Ann!
Hmmm…my favorite book. It has always been “Women Who Run With the Wolves” by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Beautiful writings based on Indian folklore which, I feel, represent the true spirit of all women.
Looking forward to your next six years!
Patty
Wow—-I have never heard of that one, Patty!!! I will have to check it out. I am getting such great ideas of books to add to my ever growing To Be Read list! Thanks for stopping by!
I thought I’d already posted but maybe I just read all the comments and book titles! It’s so hard to choose a favorite. Although there was some controversy about the author, I loved Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools. Building schools in remote regions to bring education to those without, especially girls, was inspiring to read.
I loved that book, too, Allison, and was sorry about all the controversy also. My mom had the privilege of hearing him speak years ago and was really impressed. Did you ever read the book The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz? I bet you would like it, too. Here is a link that tells a bit more about it.http://acumen.org/bluesweater/
Favorite book, that’s a tough one. How about several favorite books?! Anything by Richard Paul Evans, anything by Nicholas Sparks, To Kill a Mockingbird, Where The Red Fern Grows, I’ll Love you Forever, The Grapes of Wrath, The Thorn Birds, Gifted Hands, I could go on and on, but that’s probably enough.
Congratulations on 6 years of blogging Beth Ann!!
Thanks, Roxann. You have a lot of your list that are my favorites, too! It is amazing how many great books there are out there to read and there is so little time to read them but I certainly am trying!!! Thanks for stopping by!