Grow Your Blog Party....plus a 'GIVEAWAY'

WELCOME EVERYONE...hey let's Party!!!
Just when you may have hit the January blues and recovering from all the holiday festivities, we have another invite to a party! Yay!
This one is a blog party and everyone is invited.
It's the brainchild of the lovely Vickie over at 2 Bags Full.

Grow Your Blog Party

 There's even a 'Giveaway'... a kind of party bag for the lucky winner.
So let's get started....

Let me introduce myself...I go by the blog name of 'Neesie' (a nickname that my brother has called me for as long as I can remember) but my name is Denise...not a lot of people know that!

(Initially when I started blogging I wanted to be anonymous)

I love to natter and some say I could even talk under water, so hence the name Neesie Natters!
I first started blogging back in 2009 which is a revelation to me when I checked back to the initial date, because it just feels like it was yesterday.

My daughter suggested that I start to write a blog and I have to admit when she first mentioned it, I hadn't a clue what a blog was never mind how to write one.
And so the steep learning curve began...I've had my ups and downs, my success and my disappointments especially when things didn't go as I thought they should. But that's all been part of an immensely satisfying journey...and one I want to carry on with for as long as I can.
I've met some amazing people along the way and formed some wonderful friendships that I hope will last.
I've also be so incredibly inspired.
I'm trying to improve my writing and photography skills too and when I look back over my posts I can see the progress I've made but it's an ongoing process.

(This photograph was taken in South Africa a few years ago) 

So what else can I tell you....?
I've been an expat for the last 24 years or could that be 25 now? I've been travelling around the globe with my hubby and family. I have one daughter aged 27 years old, who now lives in Edinburgh and a son aged 20 who is here with us in Melbourne.
I love nothing better than to have my little chickadees all in one nest at the same time and we've recently been lucky enough to have spent Christmas in Canada together on a wonderful winter wonderland holiday.

I've posted lots of recipes like my Classic Lemon Tart ....

....but my artwork seems to have taken priority lately. That's not to say a recipe might appear at any time.
I'm happy about finally being able to dedicate more time to my art, so I'm a happy bunny!
Here's a little peak into my studio.

And so onto the diva of the family ~ Muffin or Mufftypup ~ our mini shuh tzu.
She is an expat too...flying on her own all the way from the Middle East to Melbourne to be with us.
If you want to see her story then click here. 

Muffy loves nothing more than doing tricks for some fresh chicken and so when I mentioned that I was going to do another 'GIVEAWAY' she immediately volunteered to take part.

Muffy will once again pick the winner of the 'GIVEAWAY' for all my visitors who leave a comment attached to this post.
She had such a great time last time and don't worry she was well rewarded for her participation.
If you'd like to see her in action click here

So let me show you what's on offer....it's a 2013 calendar containing some of my designs.
I realise that January will be over by the time the winner actually receives this, but hopefully the remaining months will make up for missing January.
Here's the front cover....

So let the party commence...but don't forget to leave a comment below to ensure you're in with a chance of winning.
At this point I should say to all my regular visitors the giveaway is for you too...how could I not include you all....just take a moment and add a comment below and I'll pop you in the draw.
Good Luck everyone!

I'm off to visit all the other party animals now...but why don't you join me? 

Click here to link with Vickie our lovely host over at 2 Bags Full and see lots of other party people.
It's going to be lots of fun!