Sunday, May 17, 2015

A Give-Away Heads Up and thoughts from my last post...

First, I want to tell you about a Give Away that I'll be starting (tomorrow) Monday...it's really good and you'll be surprised what it is. I don't do a lot of Give-Aways because sometimes people just don't find them compelling, and sometimes people think they're too much trouble, but I think you'll love this one. Because this one is going to be a new take on something you might never have thought about doing.




And now, I really want to thank each of you that commented on my last post about "blogging". Many of you that left comments are No-Reply bloggers, and I so wish that I could return your individual comments because they have meant so much to me. That's why I did the post on "Friends tell Friends when they're No-Reply Bloggers", just so I can at times give a personal note in response to a specific comment. Thank you all for the thoughts and insights about a subject that is timely and so very important...to not forget who we are as bloggers.

The most important take-away from all your comments has been this: to blog about what you love and enjoy; what feeds your creative soul. Don't get caught up in "the machine" of blogging. To be authentic in each post, and not be afraid to share your thoughts and feelings. I may have ideas for blog posts, but I never do any in advance. What you see on my blog is what's happening in my life, in real time. That a blog post doesn't HAVE to be a major production. Sometimes a photograph and a short thought is all that is needed. Let's give each other permission to take the pressure OFF.

And bottom line, I think we all need to remember that we're here sharing our passions, not engaging in a competition. Let us not be afraid to "be the individual" that God has called each of us to be.



Saturday, May 16, 2015

A Garden Girl, some Hydrangeas, and thinking out loud...

 This is one of those posts that is a little of this and a little of that...
just some small things to share with you.

Blogging has changed so much from when I first started almost 6 years ago.(You hear that every day, but it's really true) It used to be that you could confidently share a pretty photo or vignette, how you made a small change on your kitchen counter, or a new "whatever", without feeling like you were supposed to be entertaining everyone. We were excited to show our latest flea market and garage sale finds without feeling "less than". I still love those kind of posts, because honestly, it's those kind of "everyday life" posts that let us in on the real person that's blogging. It really intimidates me that blog posts now are expected to be some kind of major "production", elaborate DIY, or fabulous room reveal. And that if they aren't, then what you may post might be considered as irrelevant, blah, or boring.


(found my sweet little fountain last week)


Don't get me wrong...
I totally love a great DIY, Room Reveal etc.
but I have to tell you...
my life is just not that darn exciting,
 or productive, for that matter.
...and I really don't need or want it to be.




So today, 
I just want to show you where I put my little French Girl fountain,
and that I bought some Hydrangeas...
one pink, and one blue.
Now I just need to pick the right place to have hubby plant them.





 and that for right now they are in my black goat cart 
that I finally found, 
and sitting on the front porch.



'Endless Summer"...
they bloom all summer long 
and then have the most amazing colors come Fall.



 I can't wait to get them planted.
Last year I really missed having Hydrangeas
and Peonies, and Roses, and Black-Eyed Susans...


 Hydrangeas are my go-to flower.
They're beautiful in any season.







 and that my "Little Miss Muffet" is sitting on her tuffet...



taking a bath.


sorry for the cord in the pic.
I'm keeping it real today.



Try as I might, I just can't get "into" Facebook or Instagram.
I know Instagram has real possibilities,
 and it seems like so many bloggers are heading that direction
 because there's less "pressure".
Even there, many blogger photos look "professional",
 and that my little phone pics look silly in comparison.

Oh well,

Let's not miss out on sharing the sweet small things 
of everyday life on our blogs.
Let's not let blogging turn into a "Professional" sport.
Here's to feeling that as people and as bloggers,
 we are "relevant"
...no matter what.

linking here:


xoxo,


New Posts in Your In-Box