Saturday, September 18, 2010

Of blogs and blogging


I almost titled this post The things I do for you but that sounded too much like complaining.  You see, I had promised long ago that I'd take a picture for the recipes on that blog when I make them (as I did not have a digital camera when I posted the earlier recipes).

I made these pumpkin bars to take to the Parent's Day celebration where Christopher lives on campus.  I had them all nicely covered with Saran Wrap when I remembered... the picture!  Fortunately, it came off easily and I could keep my promise.

I LOVE this pumpkin bar recipe and so does everyone I've served it to, you can find it... here.  Since I stock up on cream cheese when it goes on sale, it is a very inexpensive way to serve dessert to a lot of hungry people.

I am so glad that Anna is blogging again.  I missed her.  I recently found out Bloglines is shutting down soon and while I switched to Google Reader, I had recipes saved on Bloglines.  A lot of them were from Pleasant View Schoolhouse! 

I don't mention often enough how much I appreciate you all who read this blog.  Your kindness, generosity, and friendship are so valued.  From your kind words, to your generosity, to taking the time to enter Amazon through my widget (which adds up!).

My son was asking me recently how many people read this blog.  I don't know exactly but the numbers I do have access to surprise me as they are high for this type of online journal... for I break many of the rules of having a successful blog.  As I told him, I write about my life and my interests instead of concentrating on one segment of Blogdom.

I have watched the numbers go up and then drop suddenly when people who come by to read about one subject... for instance deepening the pantry... suddenly realize I'm spending a week about books to be followed by pictures of tea cups and even the occasional homeschool post.

Then there are those who decide to Follow or Subscribe during the week and they hit Sunday Afternoon Tea which quotes... the Bible For Goodness Sake!  :-)

What have I learned in these years of writing?  To just be me and people will either stay or go... and over time more stay than leave... becoming friends... even those who lurk.  If I were to write to please, then this would no longer be easy or fun and I'd have given up long ago.  It would require too much thinking.

I have turned down multiple offers to increase the traffic of Coffee Tea Books & Me (nothing was a good fit) and I even stopped reviewing books for publishers when it got in the way of reading for enjoyment.

Except for writing quite often, I break all the rules and who is left in this fifth year of blogging???

You

I do take blogging breaks from time to time but life has a way of giving me something to talk about... in the midst of good times and bad times, seasons of tears and seasons of laughter, holidays and everydays... I appreciate you.  Thank you, muchly.

25 comments:

Becky K. said...

I am in full agreement with your Blogging mentality. Blogging for the joy of it is the best way to be...unless one is in it for business...I guess.

I tend to gravitate to blogs such as yours that mix it up and share from the heart and family.

Becky K.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I forgot to mention in my last comment that I love your header. Your porch looks so nice.

I will check out the pumpkin recipe...love to cook with pumpkin this time of year!

Vee said...

You're welcome muchly. It's always fun to visit here for I feel as if I am popping in for a cup of tea with an old and dear friend. We really can't worry much about the numbers. One day they peak and the next they tank. We can ill afford to hang our spirits on such things. Now don't drown any more frogs!

Little Penpen said...

I love your blog... very inspiring. I used to get worked up over the "numbers" game with blogging and then decided it doesn't matter anyway... it's really just for me! :o)

Mrs. White said...

Such a pleasant visit! I love your style of blogging. It is like visiting your home.

I have been trying to cut back on book reviews too. Once I get through my current stack, I need to be much more selective!

Blessings
Mrs. White

Connie said...

I too appreciate your blog. Honest, interesting, funny sometimes, just like life. Thanks for sharing your life with me.

Tracy said...

I love your blog because you are real and share from the heart about what is going on in your life. Thank you for blogging and for being uniquely YOU!

Debbie S said...

I don't comment often, but I check in nearly every day. It's like dropping in with a dear neighbor to visit.

I've also found so many good authors from your book reviews! I just finished the Oxford Chronicles and yesterday Jillian Dare arrived. Can't wait to start it.

Thanks for all your work in blogging.

Vintage Girl said...

And I appreciate you. I read every one of your posts and always go away refreshed! Thank you. Blessings, Heather

Donnie said...

I feel the same as you. I'm new to the blogworld but I hope to stay around as a journal of me. I have good friends in Florida who keep up with what we're doing in the summer and my sons enjoy knowing their mother is still ticking.....lol....but where did you find pumpkin!!

Deb said...

I will try this recipe, for sure.

~~Deby said...

I think you summed up what I feel too. A bit of this, a bit of that..I think those are the kind of blogs I gravitate too...oh..there are blogging rules (sigh)...must have missed those...
keep on Brenda, you are a treasure.

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

I think you have to be authentic (which you are) and please yourself as far as your subject goes. If you don't please yourself, it is unlikely that you will really please anyone else. I'm trying, but failing, to recall a good quote I read along these lines. I think it was about redoing your house when it is time to sell it. But, oh well, it's not coming.

I happen to be interested in all the things you talk about and I think many women would be. Keep up the good work you are doing. And thank you!

And are you sure it was a frog and not a toad yesterday? I've more than once found them in the dirt of flowerpots and it always scares me to death that first moment when it moves!

Dolores Lynn said...

I love your blog just the way it is. I look forward to reading it because of it's diversity. I only read a few blogs a day and yours is definitly one of them.

hmsclmom said...

Brenda,
I enjoy our blog so much because you are "real". You open up your heart and home and share things that matter to you. There are man of us I'm sure that can relate to you with health struggles, tight finances, that undying love and closeness with our children and a love for beauty on a tight budget. ;) I am blessed to be able to come to your "home on the web" for a much needed visit when my own day is stressful. There is a peacefulness here that I so love.

Blessings,
Debbie

Anonymous said...

Hi, Brenda. Like Becky, I enjoy the mix of subjects you post about. It makes your blog so interesting.
I look forward to your posts so much that I check your blog morning and afternoon-before and after work when I have my tea.

Your recipe blog is great, too. I am trying your lasagna this week! It looks easy and delicious and those peanut butter chocolate chip cookies are on my to bake list today. (I have given up on my to-do list, but I will never give up my to-bake list). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and recipes with us.

D in NY

Annie said...

I really enjoy reading your blog! I just started reading blogs about a month ago, and yours is one I come back to over and over. It's like a little visit over a cup of tea. I am enjoying getting to know you a bit. And I too enjoy the book reviews you do, as I am a bibliophile, although my time to read is very limited.
Carry on!
Anna Belle

Sherry said...

Oh, Brenda, not only are we birthday twins and fellow readers, I feel as if I can read your rule-breaking posts and always find some nugget of truth or encouragement to help me through the day. Keep doing and writing exactly what you enjoy, and let the Lord use your words to bless whom He will.

happy momma said...

As so many others have already stated I enjoy your blog because you are real. There are too many people trying to be like everyone else, and what we need are honest, true people being themselves. I for one, love the fact that you stand for your faith even if it cost you readers. Thanks for letting us in your home and life and making us feel like welcome friends. God Bless

Anita said...

...and I appreciate you...

Cheryl (Copper's Wife) said...

Your blog has always been a favorite of mine, Brenda!

Deb said...

Hi Brenda...I enjoy your blog but I have to admit that I don't always read your posts when you write them. Today I'm catching up on 35 posts! Me bad. :) But I do eventually get to them...I could never push that "Mark as Read" button.

I am sad that bloglines is closing down. I have over 3000 saved recipes, quilt patterns, and interesting posts saved to go back and refer to. I have 48 recipes saved just in your recipe blog.

So I've been busy scanning and reading as fast as I can before Oct 1st deciding which to eliminate of 3000 and which to copy and paste into a document to continue saving in my recipe file, etc.

I'll have lots of yours in there for sure! Thanks for taking time to write.

kelly said...

Brenda,

Could you please share how to go about changing from Bloglines to Google Reader? I can't even seem to get Google Reader to load on my page...

Thanks so much,
Kelly

Lallee said...

If I could just reach through the monitor to help myself! The pumpkin bars look so delicious, Brenda. Alas, I will be sure to make my own. Keep blogging just like you are!

Unknown said...

Thanks for being here Brenda. I usually read your blog every day and am always encouraged. Keep up the good work!

Marsha