Happy last day of the first month of the new year!
Happy thirty first blog post of the new year!
Last year, in 2014, I posted 74 blog posts and here I am in 2015 with 31 up my sleeve already, I'm pretty happy about that.
In truth taking on the blog-a-day project over the summer holidays has had its pros and its cons. The pros being that the girls have been around making my photos prettier, we've done a lot more fun activities to blog about, and the routine has been more relaxed allowing for more time for photography and writing. The cons are that my blog ate up a chunk of time every night often making bed-time very late indeed and the fact that the girls are always flitting around me during the days chatting and distracting me meant that the only time I could ever put aside to focus on my blog was after they were in bed, which was never any earlier than 10.30. And while I am a night person, I don't think I am necessarily an articulate at night person. So often the great and wordy blog posts I had planned during the days, would end up simplified and shortened. I'm hoping that I'll be able to carve out a chunk of time a few days a week when the girls go back to school to write during the day and I hope to see the difference.
I think the fact that the blog-a-day made me take photos every day has been a great thing for my photography. There were some days that I panicked at dinner-time that I hadn't shot anything yet that day and made the girls come out walking with me, but most days I captured what was going on in real time and that makes me happy. It also makes me happy that I didn't break my own personal - no Instagram photos on the blog - rule.
Late last year when I did make the commitment to balance my life better by writing a blog a day in January, I also made a commitment to try and start an online Lightroom course. I did the first class the day I made that statement and haven't had a chance yet to get any further than that since. Hopefully that will change when the girls go back to school too.
I guess there were only about three days that I really struggled and almost didn't follow through but now that it's done I'm really am thrilled that I persevered and I'm pretty pleased that I have the record of this chunk of time too.
I'm grateful that you guys came along with me, encouraging me, joining in with the conversation and never letting on that you found my posts tedious or annoying. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, your kindness means the world.
So what happens to my blogging from here? I guess only time will tell. I just told farmer Bren that I have a few photos that I haven't used in this post that could easily be a blog tomorrow and he just raised his eyebrows. I'd like to post a blog two or three times a week from here on in, but we'll just have to see where this year takes us to see how that goes.
So, see ya soon, and thank you, and love.
My first new year's resolution - tick!
xxxx
I can't imagine anyone thinking that your blog is tedious and annoying, far from it. I love to peek into your world, it's one I and many others would probably love to live xx
ReplyDeleteKate, I've really, really enjoyed sharing January with you. It's a big committment, thank you. Hope you have just a fun filled, love filled, creative February :) xxx
ReplyDeleteNot at all tedious! Especially for those of us upside down from you, enduring short winter days and living the school routine. Well done for taking on such a public commitment and seeing it through to the end. It's been great! Have a socktastic February!
ReplyDeleteXX
Awesome job..loved the little journey with you. Xxxx
ReplyDeleteI've loved reading your daily blog posts seeing what you guys are up to on your summer holidays and all about the spoon making... I agree that your blog is never boring..... Have a good week. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane
ReplyDeleteYay! Well done. xx
ReplyDeleteWell done you! I could never have done it so hat's off! What about blogging every other day thru Feb? Or 1 day just pics and the next pics and words? Or make Feb a "no words" month and just tell your stories thru pics??? So many choices...... xxx
ReplyDeleteThe farmer hands with the plums-priceless!
ReplyDeleteThe farmer hands with the plums-priceless!
ReplyDeleteenjoyed every single one!
ReplyDeleteThat "tick!" must be so satisfying! Congrats, I really enjoyed reading during this project.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations - thanks for taking the time to share your January with us. I love the photos of your fruit trees - the pears look delicious.
ReplyDeleteBumper crop:) I've found committing to a time period tough, I've only ever done a week, I'm blown away at a month. Know what you mean about improving your photography. Look foward to seeing what you write in the upcoming month
ReplyDeletePara mi siempre son muy interesantes tus entradas , solamente el mundo que nos enseñas a través de tu mirada ya es precioso.... Gracias por compartir´...¡¡ Cuanta abundancia de fruta y que sabrosas deben de estar así recogidas del árbol !!! Hasta la próxima.
ReplyDeleteI could easily read your posts every day, i love your photos, i love your writing. I have loved reading every day this month and have made time to do so even if its been 5 minutes on my lunch break!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Kate...I have loved them all x
ReplyDeleteWell done to you kate! I have loved popping in every day knowing there will be a new post -and they have all been lovely. Do keep the regular posts, I shall miss our daily "chats"
ReplyDeletexxBrenda
:) :)
ReplyDeleteKate I have HONESTLY LOVED each and every one of your posts!!!! I like to see the everyday moments. They make me feel more 'normal'. When people only put the exciting stuff on their blog I feel like I'm not doing enough or my life is a little boring or monotomous. I like to hear your thoughts, the ups, the downs, the inbetweens. I will miss catching up with you everyday. Much love xxoo
ReplyDeleteJulie has said just what I was going to say, probably more succinctly than I would have.
DeleteLOL Kate @simplelife xxoo
DeleteThank you for your commitment - I have thoroughly enjoyed my daily peek into your life on the farm. You've inspired and challenged me to write every day in February - let's just hope I'm as determined! if you're interested, you can follow along at https://teadustandstitches.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the rest of your bloggy year :-)
Wowee! This was an awesome New Year's resolution. I loved seeing what you posted every day and your photos were always gorgeous. Well done and thank you!
ReplyDeleteEvery blog was so enjoyable to read. A huge Thank You for sharing the photos and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteEvery blog was so enjoyable to read. A huge Thank You for sharing the photos and thoughts.
ReplyDeleteLoved every day Kate :) Taking photos and drumming up blog ideas just makes you more mindful too don't you think?
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to where every 2015 leads you!
Jan x
It makes sense that when the girls go back to school, you will be able to go to school for you with your light room course. School holidays can be tricky, more relaxed on one hand but harder to get things done on the other. I have enjoyed your posts for the first half of January but have not had a chance to read the rest of your January posts due to all the back to school activities etc. So I am starting today from the 31st working backwards. It is a big commitment to post daily, especially when you have such an active life already. Amazing work, Kate.
ReplyDeleteJust look at all that lovely fruit! :)
ReplyDeleteWonderful month's worth of reads; thank you, Kate, for going the distance and making it so incredibly interesting.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to have found your beautiful weblog - such wonderful imagery!
ReplyDeleteIt has been lovely to read all of your posts this month.
ReplyDeleteKatie Writes Stuff
Congratulations - It's been a fabulous journey. I've loved every post, every day.. Didn't comment much, but the photo's were gorgeous, the summer was adventurous and your and your family are so creative... Loved the spoon carving episode, the hat made from a skirt and the beautiful photo's of plumbs. Try not to question what you do, just keep doing it...
ReplyDeleteWell done, your posts are never boring or tedious, imho. Really happy for you that you kept your resolution, but also, selfishly, happy for me as I love reading them every day and of course seeing your beautiful pictures! :)
ReplyDeleteWell done, it has been a real joy to catch up with your lovely family every day this month. I am sure it was very time consuming, but so interesting to see what everyone was up to,also strange to see the girls in tights and jumpers when we are getting a few 30 degree days every week up here.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I'm gonna miss your daily blog. January is my favourite month ( my birthday is the 16th), here in Argentina we are on vacation too and for that reason I feel it is a very long month.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed to be part of your lovely life, as a spectator, and I share a lot of your thoughts and feelings.
I hope I have written all well and understood.
Love from Argentina
Verónica
I love reading your blog. so as many posts as you feel like doing, I will read
ReplyDeleteWhat a bounty all that amazing fruit from your trees...I love your pictures with all the amazing details, right down to the bandaids on your mans fingers.
ReplyDeleteI have so enjoyed your blog post a day. I love the simple things you have shown and the day to day life you have let me in on. Life is so crazy sometimes, it's nice to come here and see kids being kids and families being families. Thank you for sharing this with me.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your 31 days very much! Glad that you stuck with it!
ReplyDeleteWell done Kate, that was a lot of blogging! and I know what you mean about the 10.30 slot, that's what happened to me in the end! X
ReplyDeleteThank you for a wonderful month of posts, Kate. It's been delightful. Hugs x
ReplyDeleteI loved reading every single one of your 31 posts. It really needs commitment to do this and your posts never got boring! Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Austria
Emma
Those grapes look so yummy. We had a grapevine in our backyard when I was growing up. We mad jam with my parents and then sold it at crafts fairs and church markets. It was so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI am a mother of three and the only time I have to blog is at night as well. But, I'm a night owl, and prefer the quiet nights to the quiet mornings. I usually do a every day blog post in November, but skipped last year because life was insanely busy at the time.
I have enjoyed your posts since finding your blog last week. Looking forward to seeing and reading more from you! Enjoy your week :)
It's been so enjoyable. Thank you. I do think you need a wee break now though, it must have been rather exhausting even though it was also fun x
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