Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Keep Calm and Blog On

During my unintentional leave of absence from blogging, I have been thinking of what direction I want to take with my blog. Or, if I even wanted to continue blogging. It seems as if most blogs have a purpose – decorating, cooking, needlework, etc. When I started mine, I wanted to take part in everything! For the most part, however, I wanted a place where I could just post ‘things’ of interest to me. Especially tablescapes, easy recipes and small projects.

When we sold our acreage last fall and moved everything to our lakehouse, we did downsize a bit. I quickly discovered that a house half the size of the previous house doesn’t hold as much stuff! Cabinet, closet and storage space is now limited.

One of the downsizing items I am referring to are my dishes. I did not realize how much I had until I tried to hide it all put it all away at the new house. I found out just how large my collection is! And to my chagrin – so did my hubby!
When I ran out of storage room in the kitchen, living room and most of the closets, I found myself putting sets of dishes in the bathroom storage areas. Hubby found me putting dishes in there, too… I finally had to admit that I had too many.
I blame my mother. She passed on the “dish gene” to me. And when my mom passed away three years ago, her dish collection came home with me.
The majority (but not all!) of my dishes and accessories now have new homes. It felt pretty good to lighten the load in my cabinets, too!
Along with the dishes, many other items now have new homes as well. At the old house, I had multiple projects planned – refinishing a few pieces of furniture, painting a few things, updating and refreshing other things… it was a rather long list. And they were fun projects to do – not necessary ones. Projects I wanted to photograph and blog about. But those projects (along with the large basement to do them in) are no longer around to do now. And you know what?? So far I haven’t missed a single thing!
So what have I been doing all these months?? I’ve been reading – a lot. Or rather, a lot more than usual. I bought a Kindle a couple of years ago (and have upgraded twice) and it goes everywhere with me. Over the weekend, I counted how many books I have read since September:  24 fiction books, 8 books on faith and God, and 3 non-fiction books. I also started 13 other books but quit reading them about halfway through from lack of interest. (I even caught up with a year's worth of Wine Enthusiast and other magazine subscriptions that had been ignored!)
Along with books, I've been reading blogs and have kept up with each and every one that I like to follow -- I may not comment very often, but I read them all and look forward to new posts!
I’ve also renewed an interest in an old hobby of mine – cross stitching. Just after I was married 25 years ago, I started cross-stitching and literally spent every spare moment I had working on something. We have many framed pieces I completed over the years… When my daughter was born, her nursery was filled with items I had made. I continued to stitch until she was about five years old – then abruptly quit to learn and take up quilting. I’ve missed it and am enjoying working on new pieces!
Continuing from my first paragraph now, I think rather than defining an actual purpose for my blog, I am going to "blog on" as I have been. I enjoy posting about the lake – and, well, whatever else comes to mind!
Thanks for continuing to hang in there with me and I’m looking forward to blogging again!

Thanks for visiting!


13 comments:

Susan said...

Welcome back!! I've been an avid follower of yours and I was hoping you'd return. I enjoy reading blogs, too, but my interests vary from day to day so I'll look forward to reading about "whatever's on your mind". Congratulations on your new home.
Susan

RHome410 said...

I was happy to see you back! I'm jealous of all that reading you've done.

I am constantly thinking and rethinking the blogging thing, and wondering 'what am I here for?' (in the blogging world) I, too, have decided to write about whatever occurs to me, and whatever seems important to me at the moment... And maybe not be so hard on myself if I don't get a post done every day of every week. I enjoy reading your thoughts and contributions.

Entertaining Women said...

Glad that you're back, and I look forward to future posts...and whatever is on your mind that day. I agree. I refuse to be controlled by the thought that I need to blog every day...I usually post only once each week. I continue to be a happy follower! Cherry Kay

Unknown said...

Hi Carolyn, I too have had those thoughts about blogging. Some days I want to give up the entire thing and delete them both. But, as you see, I'm still tagging along! I don't look for thinks to blog about, its just whatever comes up. This is your blog, do what your want or like. If you like it...blog about it! Especially about little Holly...the cutest girl! Hugs Loretta

Anonymous said...

I always wondered if I hit on too many random topics in my blog, too. But, after reminding myself that there are a variety of reasons I blog to begin with, I'm keeping it like it is. No one HAS to read it, right?!

I love yours just the way it is! I'm so happy see you back; calm and blogging on!

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Hi Carolyn! You may not remember me but I am happy you are going to blog on! I totally share your attitude about blogging and have been there a time or too myself. I may have been drawn to your beautiful tablescapes but it was always the view of the lake behind your dishes that I loved the most. I am such a lakel, or that lakie? I also use to cross stitch back when my little ones were young. I haven't done so in years. Now days, it's much harder to see that small and my hands seem to hurt (cramp) a little sooner too. Oh the joys of aging! You sound like you are enjoying things very much and I am looking forward to seeing and reading your posts! Welcome back!

Full Circle Creations said...

Welcome back! I've missed reading what's going on in your neck of the woods. Write whatever you want and we'll read it!

Holly

Full Circle Creations said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kathy@ Gone North said...

Well, glad to see you post...
I too, almost always read, but don't often comment on many blogs..
I did not inherit the dish gene.. I wish I did & was really looking forward to getting new dishes for our new cottage, picking out really great ones... then someone gifted me 12 settings of a new Corelle pattern... nothing wrong with them, but I wanted really, really cool ones.. guess with 2 kitchens, I can still get great ones.. I just need to use these, as they will know.. : )
& I love to see what is happening on your lake... post whenever... we will be reading.. : )

Penny said...

Glad you are blogging on. We have that lake thing in common. We head back to the lake next week. Although I blog mostly about food, I try to get other things in there too. No need to limit what you talk about. You still have us followers.

Anonymous said...

Great to hear from you, Carolyn! Glad you're having so much fun reading and stitching. Take care! Mary Crabtree

Jodi said...

Glad to have you back, and I look forward to seeing more of you around. :)

jodi

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity said...

Good for you for downsizing and taking it easy. I say share whatever you are interested in on your blog. If you are keen on it then there will be others who will like it as well. We are about to sell our present house and move to a slightly smaller house in the country and I'm wondering if I'm going to find that I have fewer projects too. Not a bad thing, just different.

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