Tag You're all it!!!

Well hello there Bloggin' Friends

I just wanted to check in with an overdue post....

I have been given Two Sunshine Awards this past month and I would love to recognize those sweet gals who sent me them.  I was offline for the past couple of weeks and then my daughters birthday came up so quickly I had to put her special birthday post up, so I am overdue on a  thank you post, lol. 

First, my sweet friend Linda from Prairie Flower Farm sent me one,  and then I received another from Toni over at The Tattered Cottage.  Thank you both for the award, I appreciate all of your kind words and the time you take to come here.  I also appreciate the beautiful posts that you put up on your own cute blogs and the inspiration you give to me as well. 

I love all my bloggin' buddies, thank you gals!

Now I understand that I have to choose a few people to pass this award on to.  I just don't think that I can follow that rule though, I'm sorry.  While I have graciously accepted this award I want to give it to all of my readers.....I can do that right?  How could I not?

Your visits do bring me Sunshine, and it's even brighter when you take the time to comment! 

So, I am putting the button up here for you all.  I'm sorry if this isn't a part of the rules....

I hope not to upset anyone.

I'm grateful for all of my followers, you all bring me sunshine!

Answered Questions (also overdue)

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on BLOGGING....

It is funny sometimes, blogging can be such a fun and creative outlet but alot of work goes into each post.  It is very time consuming too.  I don't know how people are able to post every single day or even every couple of days for that matter, it takes me a long time to complete a single post.

I have been asked by several readers if I would be posting more frequently, I thought that was so sweet, but the answer is not really.   I have a family, The Mercantile, a part time job (one day a week), and a house to run so that is not practical for me to do at this point in my life, I just couldn't fit it in any more than I already do and still have fun with it. 

I am sure there are people out there who can....so whats your secret gals? 

Perhaps someday but right now that all takes precedence. . 

I was also recently sent an email by a new follower, Deb, asking for tips on starting her blog. I have been asked similar questions by a few others as well so this post is to answer those questions and a few others.  

 Well, I have to start out by saying that I myself have only blogged for a year now and there are so many more qualified bloggers out there to answer that question but I will certainly let you in on how I run my blog and perhaps some of my readers would like to share some of the things they do to keep their blogs updated regularly and how they continue to post? 

The first thing that I have to do in order to come up with a post is find inspiration.  I for some reason feel that I cannot complete the lengthy task of posting without something truly worthwhile posting about (I hope my readers agree) for instance, a holiday, a milestone, a new fleamarket find or makeover, etc.  If I find a recipe that I like I will tuck it aside in my minds filing cabinet and make a post around a particular recipe or find a recipe that goes into that post.  I don't always include a recipe either.   I don't know what it is but I think that the post might be the backdrop for me.  I hope that makes sense.  There are some great blogs that I read that have recipe blogs as well and I get some great ideas and recipes from them, I guess I just don't feel qualified enough as a cook to post a recipe each time only the tried and true ones I know are good, does that make better sense?  I pick my topic as most people do and run with it really.

Once I have found inspiration I have a notebook that I jot my ideas into.  Remember your english teacher telling you to brainstorm?  That is what I do.  Well creative writing 101.....I have found my inspiration and then I brainstorm from there, whatever comes to mind for me when I am thinking on a particular topic or subject.  Brainstorming can come at any given time too....online at the food store, half-time at a soccer game, while brushing my teeth, shower! 

It's hard to tell the deli clerk that you didn't notice him calling your name because you were thinking how a post on your newly painted flea market find would be a great idea, mmmm, hmmm lil nutty I know!  I have a small notepad I jot things into when that happens, geesh you would have thought I worked for the press hehe, but if I don't jot it down right then and there it will be lost forever since my life moves in fast motion for the most part!

Sometimes posting is all about a feeling, for instance the joy of baking with my young son, or a craft I have completed with my daughter, the melancholy you feel when your child has hit a birthday....oh boy!  Those are simpler posts, things, feelings, and times that I want to remember.  I started this blog as an online diary afterall, those are the things that are closest to my heart and I write about those things first when the opportunity arises. 

Like most bloggers, I take alot of pictures, when something looks pretty; like my tomatoes growing in the garden or the twinkling lights on a christmas tree, clothes drying on the line and flapping in the breeze My neighbors secretly  think I'm crazy, I'm sure.  You would you think the lady next door was loopy too if you saw her following her chickens around with a camera like they were in a fashion photo shoot....mmmmhmmmm!   Anything for the ol' blog though, hehehe!

Sometimes the pictures are the inspiration for a post and sometimes they are just a part of the story.  I also have a collection of vintage images, postcards, books, photos that I like to put into my posts to tell the story, they are like another type of medium to me. 

As far as comments on my posts, well sometimes they are there and sometimes they simply aren't  Sometimes people are too busy.  I don't keep a counter on my blog to see how many have visited, if they want to stop by then they will.  Dont get me wrong...the comments are of course the icing and 

the icing makes the cupcake sweeter, lol. 

There are a few people I know who tried to start a blog but gave up because they thought no one was reading it... don't give up!!  I think that if we post for ourselves first and then share it with others, if they like what we have to say we will hear some feedback most of time and if we don't well then how nice to have recorded it for ourselves and our family to look back on.  Being kind and considerate to others is very important and I don't want to sound selfish when I say that I like presenting something I really enjoy to others and getting positive feedback, but even if I don't I have to find the joy in the process anyway.  That is just how I look at it. 

I understand how easy it is to get wrapped up in just reading and catchin' up on blogs, believe me I could sit here all day reading them if I had the time to but I don't.  You're probably just about fed up with the length of this post already lol!!  I have a few I check in on with my morning coffee most days.  It changes every day but with some I have gone a few weeks before having the time to really read and absorb them the way I want to due to lifes schedules.  Sooner or later I will find a little time to myself and go back and catch up on all the posts I've missed.  Sometimes I will go through a whole month's worth of posts and feel compelled to comment, I like to put my cents in too, maybe a little late, but it's there! 

Having word verification on my blog may inhibit some from making comments but it is there for a reason.....
It is really only a matter of typing in a few letters/numbers to verify...that is your choice, I like having it.

I would have to say that one book I think has helped was Blogging for Bliss.  There are some great tutorials in there.  I have also learned so much in the past year by trial and error on how to manipulate my pictures, enhance them and group them...I would in no way be able to teach anyone because like I have said I am an amateur...trial and error.  Don't be afraid to try, and try again.  Good luck to you gals, I can't wait to read your entries and I hope that I was of some help to you.

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And a few other questions I have been asked by readers...

The pot rack in my kitchen is actually a shelf from an old wooden shoe rack from an old shoe factory.  I picked it up at a festival for a song, put wrought iron eye hooks into it and hung it from my kitchen ceiling by some wrought iron hangers. 

The door on my kitchen pantry is really a screen door and I painted the Fried Green Tomatoes on it, my favortie movie.  Since the picture was taken it was moved out to my garden though.  I changed the pantry into more of a baking center and will be putting another screen door on, with another saying on it...still thinking on it though.

The quilt hanging in the upstairs landing is from Gooseberry Patch.  I purchase it about two years ago, I'm so sad they aren't selling their goods anymore, but I am still a huge fan of their cookbooks.  So, no I didn't make that quilt, it was purchased.  I wish I was that talented, lol!

My pictures are taken with a Kodak EasyShare Z650 I have had it for several years now.  I think it takes decent pictures but I am only an ameteur and still learning how to use it after almost 3 years lol.  I am just now learning how to use a few programs to enhance my photos, amateur though.

My signs are literally painted at my kitchen table....I am working on finding an inexpensive (fixer upper)shed/outbuilding currently so I can have an out of the way area to fill my orders.  During the holidays they are literally on every flat surface in my house....oh the memories my kids will have of manuevering around signs! 

Yes, my front screen door does slam!  It is creaky and it's the real deal....wood.  All the kids let it slam too, doesn't bother them one bit, you should here it going all summer long, it probably could make someone nuts, I don't mind it (too much) though.

 I know I have been asked several more questions in email and in comments so I will be answering more of them soon.  Anything else I can answer?  I don't want anyone to think that I am ignoring their questions or emails....thank you for taking the time to ask. 

Sharing Some News...

I have openend an ETSY shop for Farmhouse Mercantile.  It has been up for a little while, I am a little cleared out now but I will be adding more signs soon.  You can also search for me as Farmhousecountrygirl.....be sure to HEART me, lol!!

I also now have a Facebook account, I would like to try updating that more frequently between posts with news on the Mercantile or my blog..or whatever inspires me! 

You can search for me on FB as Farmhouse Dee....

Well I am off to finish my next post and I will hopefully get it up in a few more days.   I have some Links and blog buttons to add to my sidebar as well, if you have one let me know. 
I will be putting up a page of my blogging neighbors soon
(see the top pages, they're currently under contruction, but I have plans!)
 

I wish you all wonderful Springtime weather!

Take Care,

Dee