Twelve months ago the 'winter of my discontent' with blogging was just starting. I had just been informed that my blog domain choice was not a wise one. And while it may have finished off a less stubborn person, it was only because spring was around the corner that I had any optimism left at all.

It's always good to look back and reflect on your blog and what you've achieved. I've enjoyed asking, and reading, some of Kathy Purdy's comments as she celebrates her blog's 5th birthday. What a great ambassador, and pioneer, of the gardening blogosphere!

Well, it's time to reflect on what happened in the Winter of 2006 downunder at GTNI. Here are some of the highlights;

1. I produced my first video that was intended for this blog. My friend, Peter Ravenscroft, let me into his viticultural world to film how he prunes grapevines. To date it's been shown more than 3,500 times and scarily enough it features me with facial hair (well...my attempt at it anyway!).
2. Last August also brought my series on Home Garden Design in 14 Days and I realised why I don't DO series - I'm just not that structured! But, for those who have used the tips they have been helpful.
3. And, I opened - and closed - my new Gardening Forums in the space of 1 month. It taught me some valuable lessons on offering ideas to readers. More of the same is not always going to help them in their gardening pursuits.
4. One of my most successful posts here on GTNI has been 10 backyard landscaping ideas in a weekend that was written by a landscaper - not even by me. I've had plenty of linkups, emails and pirates about this post - yet to date, it still hasn't had one comment.
5. And finally, one of my favourite posts was Using colour in the garden which Kim from Study in Contrasts picked up and ran for a while.

Now that winter is behind us here in Oz, the optimism has peaked and I'm keen to get back into the garden and resuscitate some of my plants. Hope you enjoyed the round-up as much as I did looking back over my old posts.

BTW - This is a scheduled post as I'm up in Perth treating my wife to a weekend away and tickets to Cirque du Soleil's Varekai for her birthday. Have a great weekend.