You made it! Bloggiesta is coming to a close and you made it to the end!  We officially had over 250 bloggers join the fiesta.  Improvements, new skills and incredible changes were taking place.

A shout out to the incredible ladies who hosted mini-challenges: Amy from My Friend Amy (@myfriendamy), Tasha from Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Books (@heidenkind), Jen from Devourer of Books (@DevourerofBooks), Jenn from Jenn’s Bookshelf (@jennsbookshelf), Callista at SMS Book Reviews (@callista83), Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? (@trishheylady), Hannah at WordLily (@Wordlily), and Jennifer at Teach Mentor Texts (@mentortexts).  And thanks to Danielle from There’s a Book (@the1stdaughter) who helped me input names into the shared RSS feed and to those who hosted the flashback mini-challenges from years past.

Watch my blog in the next couple of days for prize winners.  If you posted a finish line wrap up post, feel free to link it up here on the Mr.Linky.  A post isn’t required this year but I know some of you would still like the Mr. Linky to go blog hopping. Which I highly encourage – the blog hopping that is.

New this year is an end-of-event survey which I would like to ask you to take the time to fill out.  In Bloggiesta’s of the past, I have not conducted a survey before.  This year?  This year I am craving your input, your thoughts, and general demographics.  So have at it!

And when is the next Bloggiesta?  I’m thinking June, so stay tuned for details!

Note: There is a survey embedded in this blog post. You may also complete it with this direct link.

Ole!  Now that we have all had a fantastic fiesta, Pedro is off for a siesta!

Copyright 201. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

Harper Perennial

SEPARATE KINGDOMS by Valerie Laken Short stories, 5 Advance Reading Copies, US & Canada shipping

Lee & Low Books

YUMMY by G. Neri, illustrated by Randy DuBurke- 1 copy, signed by author, US shipping

YASMIN’S HAMMER by Ann Malaspina, Illustrated by Doug Chayka – 3 copies, US shipping

AMAZING FACES by by Lee Bennett Hopkins, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet- 3 copies, US shipping

Walden Media

GUYS READ: FUNNY BUSINESS ed. by Jon Scieszka – 3 hardcover copies, US  Shipping

THE BILLIONAIRE’S CURSE by Richard Newsome – 5 hardcover copies, US  Shipping

THE FOURTH STALL by Chris Rylander – 3 hardcover copies, US  Shipping

COSMIC by Frank Cottrell Boyce – 1 hardcover copy,  US  Shipping

JUNIPER BERRY by MP Kozlowsky – 1 ARC, US  Shipping

Maw Books

In addition to the above books, I will also be throwing in three $15 gift certificates to the store of your choice (or to a book of your choice from Book Depository) to our international participants or those who may have their interests elsewhere.

Jenn at Jenn’s Bookshelf

Jenn has also generously offered any book up to a $20 value from Book Depository shipped to any of our international participants as well. Thanks Jenn!

After Bloggiesta is complete, I’ll randomly pick winners from the Mr. Linky at the start line as well as from those who participated in the mini-challenges (one from each current mini-challenge and then one combined from the flashback mini-challenges.   I don’t know if that makes sense to you but it does to me).

Many of you are already wrapping up your festivities. I’m flying by the seat of my pants this weekend, so as soon as I actually complete making the end-of-event survey, I’ll get it posted.

Carry on! Ole!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

I am so, so, so thrilled with energy of Bloggiesta. It is amazing! The starting line post has almost 250 people signed in and Twitter is going nuts. I really enjoy watching everybody accomplish and learn so much. Seriously. It’s a little thrill when I see somebody learn something new that they didn’t know before or conquer some aspect of HTML.  Plus, you are listening to great music, and sharing fantastic food! What’s not to love about that?

Just a bit of housekeeping. I am really trying to visit and comment on everybody’s blogs. Do check to see if your name is in the blogroll in my sidebar for the shared RSS feed.  If it’s not, let me know, otherwise I’ll miss reading your posts.

Just a heads up though that if you are on Blogger and do not have the option to comment under a Name/URL then I am having a lot of trouble commenting. I’m logged into a different Google account during Bloggiesta than what I want to comment under. So I have been reading the posts but unable to comment. (As an aside, you may want to reevaluate how easy or not it is for people to comment on your blogs.Perhaps a future mini-challenge?)

Also, watch the blog today for two different posts going up.  One will be the prize list! Yay! The second will be the finish line post which will include an end-of-eventsurvey that I really, really, really would love for you to fill out.

Now back to the Bloggiesta! Is it really closing in on the end?  About 24 hours left! Make the most of it.

Ole!

And as for Pedro’s sister’s name . . .

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

But right now Pedro is hungry!!  All this work has his tummy rumbling for some yummy Mexican recipes.  So in full fiesta spirit, I invite you to share your favorite Mexican recipe with us in the comments.  I’ll pick one lucky winner from the comments to receive one of our publisher sponsored prizes!

Don’t let me down now!

Mmmm . . . yummy.

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

Pedro!!

Plan.  Edit.  Develop.  Review.  Organize.

How to Party!

Bloggiesta begins now and runs  through Sunday the 23rd (technically the wee hours of Monday morning).  You can really start whenever you want within that time but official hours are 8am to 8am (wherever you are).  The hours spent on the challenge do NOT need to be in a row. Use the entire 72  hour time frame and see what you can do with it.  It’s your call as to how much you want to put into it.  But you have to put something into it or it’s not a challenge.

When you begin the Bloggiesta challenge, sign in with Mr. Linky (at the bottom of this post) and link directly to your Bloggiesta post. That will let me and everybody else that you have officially begun and we can go share our mariachi tunes and cheer you on.

If you have just discovered this challenge, it’s not to late to sign up.  Join us anytime!  (No need to sign up on the sign up post – just sign up with the Mr. Linky on this page. Just do me a favor and tell me in the comments you just signed up so I can add you to the shared feed & Twitter list.)

How many times (if any) you choose to update is up to you, but you should keep track of the hours spent on the challenge as well as the tasks you have completed.  I’m all for making it work for how you best work.  You do not need to write a new post for each mini-challenge completed, but do give your awesome hosts some link love.

On Sunday, I will post a finish line post. In a change from last year, you do not need to link up a Bloggiesta summary post.  Instead I will have a survey that I’d love to have you fill out so I can implement your feedback better into future Bloggiesta’s.

How To Connect With Other Bloggers

• To connect with other Bloggiesta participants subscribe to the shared Bloggiesta RSS feed (this is different from the one we used in July).  The nice thing about this feed is that you’ll have everybody’s blog updates at your fingerprints.  Feel free to subscribe to your new favorite blogs and then unsubscribe from the shared RSS feed after the weekend. Please do visit some of your fellow bloggers!

• Follow @Bloggiesta on Twitter, and use the hashtag #bloggiesta to join the chatter.

• Follow the Twitter list of this edition’s Bloggiesta participants.

• Feel free to utilize the Blogging Tips forum as well.

• New this year are quick links in my sidebar to the links I just listed above as well as the mini-challenges. You’ll also see in my sidebar a blogroll of all those who signed up for Bloggiesta.  If you see yourself not listed or have a correction, just let me know.

Mini-challenges!

In addition to your individual tasks, there are also mini-challenges which will help us learn more about blogging and hopefully stretch us a bit.  All the challenges will be up for the duration of the Bloggiesta, so you have the entire weekend to peruse and complete them.  You don’t have to do them all, nor may they all appeal to you, but for each one that you do complete with a comment on their post, your name will be entered for a giveaway.

We have eight new mini-challenges this year!

• The new year is a perfect time to reevaluate your blog. On blogging goals- Amy from My Friend Amy (@myfriendamy)

• Bloggiesta is about helping each other out.  Take some time to meet new bloggers while giving a lending hand. – Tasha from Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Books (@heidenkind)

• Do you find Google Forms confusing?  They won’t be now. – Jen from Devourer of Books (@DevourerofBooks)

• How do you organize your books? A book lovers dream! – Jenn from Jenn’s Bookshelf (@jennsbookshelf)

• How do people make their own buttons and banners anyways?  – Callista at SMS Book Reviews (@callista83)

• Email out of control? Not staying on top of it? Email best practices and solutions. – Trish at Hey Lady! Whatcha Readin’? (@trishheylady)

• 10 things bloggers should not do – Hannah at WordLily (@Wordlily)

• Not sure how to use Mr Linky? Not anymore you don’t.- Jennifer at Teach Mentor Texts (@mentortexts)

.

Flashback Mini-Challenges

Because the skills that we learn build on each other, it would be remiss of me to not also link to the mini-challenges which we covered in the first three Bloggiesta editions.  Feel free to check out the wealth of information found in these posts.  And yes, upon completion of these challenges, leave the host a comment, and I’ll pick prize winners from the comment sections.

• Do you have a review policy? Do you even need or want one? - Jennifer at Girls Gone Reading (@girlsgonereadin)
• What is RSS and how to make it so your feed is easily discoverable. – Sarah at Puss Reboots (@pussreboots)
• Be brave in your writing and push the limits of what your comfortable with – Pam from MotherReader (@MotherReader)
• Do you know what programs you can use to discover your stats and what the heck do they mean anyways? – Danielle at There’s a Book (@the1stdaughter)
• Getting out from underneath the feed reader. – Rebecca at The Book Lady’s Blog (@bookladysblog)
• Using categories & labels to find what you’re looking for. – Beth from Beth Fish Reads (@BethFishReads)
• Do not lose it all!  How to back up your blog.  – Jackie from Farm Lane Books (@farmlanebooks)
• What the heck are favicons and gravatars and why you should have them. – Trish from Hey Lady! Watcha Readin’? (@trishheylady)
• Anchor text. How to make the most out of your link love. – Michelle from GalleySmith (@galleysmith)
• Blogging takes time & I’m sure we’d all love to blog faster.  Using a cheat sheet is just one idea of how to save time. – Danielle from There’s a Book (@the1stdaughter)
• There is nothing worse than seeing your post on somebody else’s blog.  Talking about blog copyright and what you need to be doing to protect yourself. – Pam from Bookalicio.us (@bookaliciouspam)
• Got some old material?  Taking time to update key pages and posts.- Jen from Devourer of Books (@DevourerofBooks)
• Blogging buddies! You should get one! – Amy from My Friend Amy (@myfriendamy)
• Got nothing to say (not likely – that’s why you’re blogging in the first place!) but here is an opportunity to brainstorm blogging topics. – Jenn from Jenn’s Bookshelves (@jennsbookshelf)
• Creating list and opinion posts. – Beth from Beth Fish Reads (@BethFishReads)
• The dreaded 404 error pages.  It’s time to go on a dead link hunt! - Karin from Karin’s Book Nook (@kperry)
• On vanity alerts. – Emily from Emily’s Reading Room (@emsreadingroom)
• Deborah from Books, Movies, and Chinese Food (@beatccr)– Do you have an elevator pitch? You should be able to talk about your blog easily.
• Learn from the authorities.  Take time out to learn some new blogging tips. – Drea from Book Blather (@awaitinserenity)
• You have some great content.  But can people find it?  Show off your best content – Chelle from Tempting Persephone (@persephonereads)
• Have you ever had your blog anaylzed? Now’s the chance! – Ruth from Bookish Ruth (@bookishruth)
• Getting your blog listed in several blog directories. – Lynn from Chronicle of an Infant Bibliophile (@I_Bibliophil)

Prizes!

There are prizes!  But wait for a separate post for the reveal.  You are eligible for Bloggiesta prizes simply by participating!  That’s it!  There will also be winners chosen from those who complete the mini-challenges and leave a comment on the hosts post.

Start the Fiesta!

Link to your starting line post so everybody else knows you’ve got a fiesta going on at your place!

Have a fantastic fiesta!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

Some of you may be asking what is Bloggiesta? In short, it’s a blogging marathon.  A opportunity to cross those nagging items off of your to-do list and improve your blog while in the good company of other awesome bloggers doing the same thing. Our awesome mascot Pedro (Plan. Edit. Develop. Review. Organize) is ready to break out the nachos, enchiladas, drinks, mariachi music and whack a pinata or two!  It’s nothing short of an awesome fiesta!

What to do during the Bloggiesta?

• Write reviews.
• Write backup posts for a rainy day.
• Write that great post idea from three months back.
• Work on series posts.
• Write guest posts.
• Put out invitations for guest posts.
• Conduct and edit author interviews.
• Create template posts for your future reads (ie: title, images, linking, tags, etc,) so you can open up, write review and post without being bogged down with technicalities
• Clean up your tags, archives, books reviewed list, etc.
• Create a text file (or Google Doc) of cheat sheets (html codes, post url’s, etc)
• Improve your blog template, clean up sidebars, add a favicon, install those plugins that you’ve been meaning to do.
• Add or edit your about me page, review policy, disclosure policy, privacy policy, create landing pages (for example – an about me for Twitter readers page) or any other pages you might have.
• Any bloggy type housekeeping that you’ve been neglecting.
• Clean up and update your challenge lists.  Link up your posts with hosts.
• Make sure all of your social network profiles are up to date.  Be consistent in those profiles with color scheme, images, etc.
• Go get a gravatar.
• Visit the Blogging Tips group on the Book Blogs Ning and find ways to improve your blog.
• Work on any specialized projects that you may have going.
• Clean out and organize your feed reader and blog subscriptions.
• Create an elevator pitch.
• Make business cards.
• Find a blogging buddy.
• Analyze and re-evaulate your blog.
• Back up your blog.
• Learn more about blogging, read great articles, get inspired.
• Make sure you have properly copyrighted your blog and know what to do when somebody reposts your material.
• Brainstorm blogging topics.
• Manage your feedreader.
• Help other bloggers, answer questions, share your expertise (let’s face it – this is the best part of Bloggiesta!)
• The sky’s the limit!

How to play:

1. The date is Friday, January 21st  Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd. You can really start whenever you want within that time but official hours are 8am to 8am (wherever you are).  That is a total of 76 hours, the hours spent on the challenge do NOT need to be in a row. Use the entire 76 hour time frame and see what you can do with it.
2. It’s your call as to how much you want to put into it.  But you have to put something into it or it’s not a challenge. So stay up all night or sleep and take care of kids when you need to.
3. When you start the challenge, come to this blog and  to the “starting line” post and link to your specific post about beginning the challenge which is posted on your blog. That way I’ll be able to track participants and know who’s really at the party.
4. How many updates (if any) you want to do is up to you.  Make it work for you.  Personally, I like making a to do list and then crossing off items as I accomplish them.  There will be bloggers hosting mini-challenges as well.  These are great to learn new information.  To get an idea of the mini-challenges last time, check out the list.
5. If you are on Twitter, use the hashtag #bloggiesta to join the chatter.
6. Your final summary post needs to be posted no later than end of the day Monday, January 24th. Come back to the finish line and link to your specific summary post (again- can be that same post you’ve been updating).  Your summary should include the number of hours spent on the challenge, what you accomplished, links to mini-challenge hosts if you completed them and any other experiences you’d like to add.
7. Sign the Mr. Linky now if you intend to join the fiest so I have an idea of how many people are participating. (Now that Bloggiesta is underway – go straight to the starting line post). Subscribe to this blog, so you’ll be notified of  future bloggiesta posts.

*Sign Up (Name and Blog url):*

(Now that Bloggiesta is underway – go straight to the starting line post to sign up).

Who can play?

• Anybody!  While obviously hosted by a book blogger, I’d love to welcome anybody who has a blog who would like to write content or improve their blog to join in.  In addition to adult, kidlit, YA, romance, mystery, historical fiction, non-fiction, and publishing book blogs  any other bloggers are welcome.  Movie blog?  TV blog?  Mommy blog?   Gardening blog?  Photography blog?  All are welcome!

Will there be prizes?

• I hope so!

What can you do to help?

• Spread the word!   The more we have join the challenge, the more moral support we’ll have during the challenge!  And lets face it.  It’s going to be one awesome party! fiesta!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

Thank you so much for everybody who participated in Bloggiesta.  I never imagined that an event like this would take off like it would.  And heck, even got a mention in the LA Times!  I love seeing how everybody learned something new and made blog improvements.  Bloggiesta just keeps getting better and better because of all those who participated. Thank you!!

I wish I could reward everybody with a bookish prize but 15 lucky people did.

Winners chosen from the awesome mini-challenges:

• Jacqueline’s Jabberings
• Emily at Emily’s Reading Room
• Carina at Reading Through Life
• Lizzy at Cornucopia of Reviews
• Books in the City

There were about 20 flashback mini-challenges that participants could also complete.  Five random winners:

• Tara at The Bodacious Pen
• Callista at SMS Book Reviews
• Lydia The Lost Entwife
• Rikki at The Bookkeeper
• Madigan at Madigan Reads

But Bloggiesta is about more than just the mini-challenges! Five winners simply for participating:

• Monica at The Bibliophilic Book Blog
• Shonda at Me, My Book and the Couch
• Mari at Bookworm with a View
• Stella at Ex Libris
• Samantha at Runner Sami

Congrats everybody!  Contact me with your mailing address and top 5 book choices in order from the list below.  I will do my best to get you your top choice.  If you are outside the U.S and would prefer a $5 gift certificate (I know it’s not a lot) to the online bookstore of your choice, let me know.

• Sick City by Tony O’Niell (ARC publishing in August 2010)
• Bound by Antonya Nelson (ARC October 2010)
• The King’s Mistress by Emma Campion (ARC July 2010)
• An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin (ARC November 2010)
• The Sweet By and By by Todd Johnson
• Up from the Blue by Susan Henderson (ARC October 2010)
• The Aristobrats by Jennifer Solow (ARC  September 2010)
• Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson (Audio MP3-CD)
• Clementine, Friend of the Week by Sara Pennypacker (ARC July 2010)
• The Mullah’s Storm by Thomas W. YOung (ARC September 2010)
• Handle with  Care by Jodi Picoult (hardcover)
• The Last Will of Moira Leahy (hardcover)
• Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel (ARC April 2010)
• That Went Well, Adventures in Caring for My Sister by Terrell Harris Dougan (hardcover)
• The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff (ARC September 2010)
• Virals by Kathy Reichs (ARC November 2010)
• Theft: Stories by N.S.Koenings
• The Measure of a Man by by Sidney Poitier
• Vinegar Hill by A. Manette Ansey
• Virals by Kathy Reichs (ARC November 2010)
• The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais (ARC July 2010)
• The Chisellers by Brendan O’Carroll
• Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica (ARC November 2009)
• Spooner by Pete Dexter (September 2009)
• American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson (September 2009)
• Airhead by Meg Cabot
• I Used to Know That: Stuff You Forgot From School by Caroline Taggart (ARC March 2009)

Thank you so much for everybody who participated and being patient with me in getting the winners listed.  Mark your calendars for January for the next Bloggiesta!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

I hope you enjoyed the mini-challenges from:  Kim and Jackie at the Blog Improvement Project (@kimthedork and @farmlanebooks), Jennifer at Girls Gone Reading (@girlsgonereadin), Sarah at Puss Reboots (@pussreboots), Pam from MotherReader (@MotherReader), Danielle at There’s a Book (@the1stdaughter), Cass at Bonjour Cass (@bonjourcass).   Thank you ladies for hosting.  I couldn’t have done it without you!

With my blog issues this weekend, I have failed to list what the prizes are!  Don’t you just love working without knowing what you’re working for?  I haven’t forgotten and still plan on getting a list of prizes up.  If you participated in Bloggiesta, you are eligible for prizes.   Bloggers who completed mini-challenges will have extra chances to win.  Expect winner notification by the end of the week.

Please sign the Mr. Linky again (I know, again!) with the direct link to your final summary post. This is a totally selfish move on my part and helps me make sure I don’t miss any of them.  I really want to read your feedback!  Let me know how many hours you spent on the challenge, the mini-challenges you participated in, how many comments you left other bloggers, what you accomplished, what you liked best and any constructive criticism you might have.  I have some ideas on things I need to change to make administration a little smoother on my end, but, all in all, I’m pretty happy with how things went. I also need some ideas for mini-challenges for the next Bloggiesta which is in January.

After signing the Mr. Linky to your final summary post, leave me a comment and tell me what one thing you accomplished that you are most happy about.  And remember . . . Plan.  Edit.  Develop.  Review.  Organize.

Hasta la vista!

P.S. You have until 8am on Monday to continue the Bloggiesta!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

This is me, obviously eating a taco.  And that’s my little guy enjoying his margarita via sippy cup (yes – it’s virgin!).

Samantha @ Runner Sami (@sami131) – Fiesta Time!

Emily @Emily’s Reading Room (@emsreadingroom) – Me and My “Mexicat” hard at work hunting dead links

Michelle’s Masterful Musings (@whatsheread) – Guacamole and chips, book, gift card to favorite indie store and laptop – It’s Bloggiesta Time!

Lydia at The Lost Entwife (@lrpresley) – I attach the Favicon… how?!

Gwen from Chew & Digest Books (@chewdigestbooks) – Spending #bloggiesta time digging up the books that I haven’t reviewed yet and getting ‘em done.

Angela at Bookish Blather (@angelacraft) – I got started on my Bloggiesta-ing during work – in a neighborhood that is sadly lacking Mexican-food options. However, as I work in the heart of New York City, one thing we’re never lacking is pizza!

Carin B. at A Little Bookish (@bowlieb) – One of my New Year’s Resolutions was to try new things. Making a fool out of myself intentionally….DONE! #bloggiesta

Suey at It’s All About Books (@SueySays) – I’ve got my hat, I’ve got my salsa, I’ve got my computer. I’m ready to Bloggiesta!!

Kristin at Peace, Love and Muesli (@kristinglas) – Looking very fresh after 3 weeks of bathroom renos and 2 days of non-stop blogging. Taken by my 6 year old.

Kristen @ Bookworming in the 21st Century (@bookgoil) – Handwriting reviews because the computer is making me sleepy.

Saskia at Tea Mouse (@tea_mouse) – It’s cold over here in Australia, and my most valuable bloggiesta lesson learnt thus far: how to type with mittens on!

Stella at Ex Libris (@Stella_ExLibris) – We made some yummy guacamole for tonight’s dinner that we ate with tortillas. Love this avocado salad! Have a perfect and simple recipe: with avocado, yoghurt, tomato, onion and coriander.

Lizzy at Cornucopia of Reviews (@Cornucopiaofluv) – Wearing some Hello Kitty ears while holding up my Bloggiesta Festivities List

And my apologies to Sherrie at Just Books I couldn’t access your photo!   I had my husband choose a number to determine the winner of a $15 gift certificate to a bookstore, and the winner is Lizzy at Cornucopia of Reviews!  Congrats!

I had so much fun being invited into your homes during the Bloggiesta!  Fun, fun, fun! I loved them!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.

How about a good piñata whacking?!

Shoot.  You missed?  Try again!

Well, I am overwhelmed with the amount of work that people are putting into their blogs.  And I’m completely overwhelmed with the number of people who have signed up.  We hit 160 people! I’m still trying to leave comments on everybody’s blogs but you are posting faster than I can read!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the enthusiasm that I have seen.  And I LOVE LOVE LOVE how many new bloggers are participating and how many new-to-me bloggers I’m meeting.  This community is huge and this event has really made me realize how comfortable I’ve become in my little bubble and the circle of bloggers who I usually turn too.  But it’s time to break that bubble because I’m totally astounded by everybody’s awesome blogs!

I hope that you are having a great time!  I certainly am.  After tacos last night, I had nachos tonight.  Mmmm . . .

Yesterday, I called for photos in a surprise mini-challenge.  I had hoped to have those up for you this morning but as luck (and irony) would have it my blog was down for a good 8-9 hours yesterday with server issues. Don’t you just love that timing?   I feel lucky that I got to post this update at all.  I’ll get post those photos and the prize list sometime today.

If you want to join in Bloggiesta today, you still can.  Check out all the details.  Don’t miss the fantastic mini-challenges either.

Don’t forget, to connect with other Bloggiesta participants subscribe to the shared Bloggiesta RSS feed. There are some serious fun posts in there full of Spanish  music, Mexican hat dancing and a super secret Margarita recipe!  Follow @Bloggiesta on Twitter, and use the hashtag #bloggiesta to join the chatter. Miss Remmers’ was kind enough to put together a Twitter list of participants.

For those of you who are finishing up, I will post a finish line post where you will link up to your final summary post. Tell us how it went, what you liked, what you didn’t like, what you got accomplished, how much time you put into the challenge, etc.  Watch for that.

¡Olé!

Copyright 2010. Maw Books Blog

Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.