Anyway, one of the things that I have noticed is that when I first started blogging, everyone was sharing ideas and thoughts. Sharing their own, or sharing what they had seen someone else do that inspired them in some small way. There were carnivals of loveliness with introductions to what someone had written instead of just cold, unfeeling linky-do thingamaboppers. (I'm kidding, sort of… those carnivals took a lot of time, I know! And a linkz thingy is so much easier and practical, but it seems like EVERYONE has a link-up going on these days, I can't even keep track of them all.) There were new ideas to celebrate ancient feast days and also the sharing of old traditions that had been in families for generations that were seeing the light of day in other parts of the country/world thanks to the internet.
Now, the blog world has become so chockfull of ideas that it feels overwhelming to a lot of people. I really don't want to add to that overwhelming feeling and I think maybe I have unknowingly because I was still blogging based on the premise that sharing our ideas and our talents so that they might inspire someone else was what it was all about. I've always thought of this blog as a means of recording and archiving our days so that my children can look back on them someday and remember. But the fact of the matter is that it takes time to post things and if I knew that most people who still come to this place to read are just keeping up with someone they consider a family friend and not looking for ideas or to be inspired, then I would blog very differently. I was really intrigued when Sarah put up a survey and have thought of doing the same thing… but that takes time and now is not the season of extra time. So, let me just ask a quick question…
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| BigBoy's Kitchen Madonna in my kitchen. Didn't he do a great job? |
The Book Club 9-1-1 posts… are you all interested in knowing in detail what we do or is it just something interesting to read about and then move on from? For example… our most recent meeting was to study and discuss The Kitchen Madonna by Rumor Godden {affiliate link}. It's one I've done before with my big kids. Last time I did it, there was a sizable outcrying of people who wanted specific information on the talk and the craft. This year's craft was a little different from the last one but writing up tutorials and publishing documents to Scribd takes time and I just don't feel like doing it if there isn't a sizable interest (meaning more than just a passing interest). So, I'd love to hear from you and please, don't be afraid to be honest with me. If you are not in a place to be actively interested in posts like this and while they interest you as a possible future idea, you really don't think you'd ever really sit down and attempt it, please let me know. If you like seeing the pretty pictures but really don't care about details, please let me know that. If you want details like where to buy and how much it costs and want templates to print off right now, let me know that too. I know everyone is super busy, so I really appreciate your feedback!
I'm so glad you shared your thoughts on this and put yourself out there to ask this question. I'll be checking in on the comments here to see what kind of feedback you get. As we talked about the other day, I'm blogging against the grain these days (and I'm rather enjoying it). These days when I read heavily linked in and liked up blog posts I feel a sense of fatigue, remembering how much work it is for the keeper of that blog. It's so much work, especially writing a blog that serves as a resource for others. I think that you'll find you get different responses from your readers depending on whether or not they themselves are bloggers. I just don't think anyone could imagine the amount of energy and work it takes to blog - especially resource-filled posts - unless they've tried to do it themselves. And as an aside, it pains me to see a blogger get hundreds of comments on a give-away post and only a dozen on a personal post. I fear the sweet community of the blogosphere is fading into the realm of memory.
ReplyDeleteOh…and please tell Big Boy that his Kitchen Madonna is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love your son's Kitchen Madonna!
ReplyDeleteI will be honest that I haven't read many blogs lately, including yours. I haven't even blogged very much this year. I love your blog, though and would be really sad if you decided to stop blogging. My kids have read so many books that you have reviewed or listed in your childrens' reading lists. I honestly rely on blogging moms' suggestions because I never studied children's literature nor did I grow up reading a lot of classics. I read a lot of twaddle growing up and depend on people like yourself, Elizabeth Foss and Jessica Gordon to help me form my children. Thank you so much for your contributions to the blog, they are greatly appreciated.
For me personally, I don't have a need for it, though I think it is a beautiful thing to do and share with people. But it is a lot of work to post on so I totally understand and appreciate the question! I know exactly what you mean with the blogging thing. I've only been at it a little over two years which is nothing compared to some and I can see the fatigue and the way that it's changed in only that little bit of time.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katherine about the effort of it all...don't exhaust your self on account of us! For me like you said above a blog is an archive...the authentic-ness of the life you live, raising your children , teaching them, passing on your faith that is what matters... at least to me . All glittering widgets and linkups can be a distraction and a drain. A slightly out of focus snapshot of a joyous feast means more than any giveaway ever could. I have enjoyed your posts and your projects but it is your blog and it should be encouraging to work on and a gift to your children not a stress-or for you.
ReplyDeleteAnd ack! The Sweetness, tell BigBoy well done!
I'm still getting my blogging legs, but all the link-ups and how we celebrate such and such a things can get a little exhausting. This advent in particular was very overwhelming. I love the culture and atmosphere that you've created in your home, and also love that you share it with the blogging world. Blogging should add to that culture, not take away from it. Blog just as much detail as will bring you joy; after all, your blog is first in service to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I can't even count how many of the saint illustration pages I used for my class when I taught first grade. Thank you for that wonderful resource.
I love reading your blog detail and all. It's a happy day indeed when my Feedly page says that Waltzing Matilda has blogged. I wouldn't change a thing. :)
ReplyDeleteCharlotte -
ReplyDeleteI've only been blogging 5 months and I'm already rethinking it!
I've got 3 little ones - 3.5 years, 20 months, and a newborn, so I'm years away from using the "big kids" materials. I do love and appreciate your saints coloring pages (thanks to them, my 3 year old nwow asks each morning, "Whose feast day is it today?" If someone is on the calendar but we don't have a page for them, she asks why not!)
I do love reading your blog because of the range of your kids' ages and all the beautiful things you share. Your blog manages to inspire without intimidating me. Thanks for all that you do!
I know what you mean about the changes in blogging. It seems like the blogging world was a lot warmer and closer (more homespun?) during the days of the loveliness fairs than it is now with more and more blogs taking a more professional approach. Personally I prefer the older blog-as-scrapbook mode and I find myself abandoning a lot of the more pro-sounding homeschool blogs. I struggle with that with my own blog... After I moved from typepad, I lost a lot of readership, and I'm constantly torn between, do I want to try and grow my readership through all the link-ups, etc. or is my blog just a way to keep track of what we do and what I'm thinking, a way to keep in touch with a few like-minded individuals? Anyway, I think you should make your decisions about what to post based on the needs of you and your family. It does take a lot of work to post those tutorials, and I don't think you ought to feel like you *have* to keep posting them if you'd really rather be spending your time and effort in other ways.
ReplyDeleteAnd that Kitchen Madonna is beautiful. :-)
In the old days of blogging, I felt invisible. It was like everyone's dance card was full, I have enjoyed the link ups because it has introduced me to some lovely ladies and I do feel enriched my reading their blogs.
ReplyDeleteI think you should blog from a place of rest, like Sarah says about homeschooling. If it gives you peace, then go there. I value everything you've put here and I very much enjoy your blog and the way you share your family and traditions. If it is a burden in anyway, I can live without the things that burden you. I do so love your coloring pages and would hate to see those go...but, honestly so long as YOU don't go and you continue to share what feels right to you then I'm happy.
So I was basically going to say everything 9peasMom said. I have really enjoyed your ideas and I appreciate that you share your talents and gifts (for free!).
DeleteAnd while there are a lot of link-ups they have definitely introduced me to some wonderful bloggers and blogs. Especially Jen's 7QT - I love that one.
This summed up perfectly what I was thinking!
DeleteI love the details but understand that it's not always possible. I, too, am in a different season of life and blogging has taken a back seat within my current state.
ReplyDeleteDo what fits within your current state and benefits your family most.
Having said that, I'm thankful for your blogging presence and extension of friendship. I have been blessed by your sharing of gifts and your generosity, including opening your home for my daughter.
May the Good Lord reward you for your charity and willingness to share freely.
AD JESUM PER MARIAM
I don't seem to have much time anymore to read blogs, but I do check about half a dozen regularly and yours is one of them. You just seem very grounded and I like that. You show what you do without the "Look at me! I neeeeed you!" attitude (which is a vibe I get from some blogs). I enjoy your book posts and have ordered many of the books you suggested from our library. I don't look at the details of your book club because I don't personally have time and we don't participate in any book clubs (although I'd love to). I'm a crafty person, so I appreciate your (and your kids') craft and crafty birthday posts and photos. And since I don't have a baby or toddler, a photo of Cupcake always makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteThe Kitchen Madonna is gorgeous! Truly attentive work.
ReplyDeleteI do not blog and I rarely comment on blogs...time for it all is low on my importance scale though I know how much blogger appreciate hearing from their readers.
I love your ideas; they truly are inspiring without feeling overwhelming. I have appreciated your book club posts especially since that is what you asked about. Your sharing and event details have played a big role in my family starting a book club to begin in the new year. Thank you for all you share, but please never feel forced to. I, like others, love the spirit we find here.
May God bless you,
Michelle
I know exactly how you feel. I'm a little burned out with blogging and have no idea what people want either. People are busy and we don't get much feedback. If we do, it is usually negative and that really is a blow considering we put activities out there that are free. Anyhoooooooo, I have a new outlook on my blog now, I do what I want when I want. You can't please everyone so just enjoy doing your blog. I know I enjoy reading your blog and your activities! :)
ReplyDeleteCharlotte,
ReplyDeleteI am not a blogger, just a lonely mom who relishes the opportunity to "visit" with Catholic women from places I may never go. So I say whatever you feel comfortable blogging is what you should do. Just know that you would be missed.
Julie
Charlotte,
ReplyDeleteI am not a blogger, just a lonely mom who relishes the opportunity to "visit" with Catholic women from places I may never go. So I say whatever you feel comfortable blogging is what you should do. Just know that you would be missed.
Julie
I love your blog. It is an awesome place to get great ideas. I have one child, a four yr old son, so I don't use your big kid stuff, yet. But please keep posting, in detail. Anything having to do with living out the liturgical year is especially inspirational and helpful to me. Details are also helpful, but don't do something that overwhelms you or just downright takes too much of your time from your beautiful children. That's my two cents! God Bless you Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteThat Kitchen Madonna is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI don't need detailed directions about the book club stuff, but I like reading about the books you chose and seeing what you did. I live in a rural area and will most likely never be able to put something like that together myself, but I enjoy reading about it and I do find it encouraging to see what you are doing with it. I have tried to have a resource blog for awhile, but it seemed impossible to get the kind of traffic that would make it seem worthwhile (at least with the time I had to spend on it) and once I was pregnant with my fifth I just decided to let it peter out. I really appreciate your coloring pages, your book reviews (my daughter and I recently read Mr. Lemoncello's Library and really enjoyed it, although we ate clueless about the last mystery...) and your simple liturgical celebration posts. And I always enjoy seeing your pictures too. I'm always pleased when I see your blog pop up in my feed reader, it is so nice to get to "visit" briefly with another mom who does some of the things I do, especially since I don't have anyone in real life who does!
I like Amazing Grace's new approach -- do what you want, when you want it. I do hope you aren't doing this to please us -- we are merely along for the ride (or at least I am). I enjoy reading your posts and, when it's the right season, I implement the ideas. I appreciate the details but when they aren't there, I make do. I don't depend on your blog -- I consider it a place of inspiration when I need inspiration -- and, like Julie above says, I just enjoy visiting Catholic women in places that I will most likely never go. My daughter's have become followers as well -- they enjoy peeking in on your family and seeing how you all are doing and how big everyone is growing. They get ideas and perhaps will incorporate them one day (I do hope they celebrate their children's birthdays in the way you have -- and in the way I haven't!!!) Keep blogging if you can, but if you can't, as Julie also said, you'll be missed. Blessed Advent.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. Exactly. LOL As you know I have struggled quite a bit. I have noticed I get a lot more response when I just share what is going on and even feel better about blogging than when I try and share something insightful or helpful. I wore I am boring people or they won't even bother to read it and those are the kinds of posts that take the most work!
ReplyDeleteSo who knows. I enjoy your book posts and feel inspired. I would love to do something similar. It would be incredible to do something like that. But I suppose you could take a more simple approach to blogging about it? I mean, if a lot of people email you asking for the things you could post them to Scribd. But maybe just posting about it and not necessarily going to all the extra work?
I understand how you feel and have stepped away from blogging at times for reasons of feeling like I have nothing to offer to just being too busy. But I love reading your blog and seeing your family. Please keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteThe kids have read The Kitchen Madonna. One child made a Madonna for her sister all on her own accord. Glad to know your ideas are out there if I need them. I did print out all the saint coloring pages to use next year. A "one click" button to print them all would be nice ; )
ReplyDeleteWe seem to go through blogging angst around the same times of the year. Judging from the responses here, it seems there are still plenty of readers who appreciate genuine "blog what you want when you want" personal blogs. (Yeah!) Not sure about mine - going private has crossed my mind more and more frequently.
Hi Charlotte, you've already received a lot of feedback but I thought I would chime in. You and your blog have been a blessing to me, especially as a first grade catechist. Our program has changed to a homeschooling format and I only have my class once a month now. Plus, I started working so I'm not on the blogosphere much these last 6 months or when I am, I'm looking to be inspired and sadly do not take the time to thank the blogger like I used too. I'm sorry for that!
ReplyDeleteAs for the future of your blogging, pray about it and God will let you know which path to take. Merry
Christmas!
Charlotte-
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to chime in and say that I love reading your blog. I am the most un-savvy technical person, so I am not even sure if this comment will get posted. I check two blogs on a frequent basis (Shower of Roses is the other) as I get such wonderful ideas and frankly, a great dose of Catholic life in reality that I need. I homeschool our four children, and we love to read and do crafts, too, so your posts are a great inspiration many times. Thanks for sharing a slice of your life with complete strangers and encouraging us on our path to heaven.
Erin in IL
P.S. I love all the details (even when you just link back to an old post) as we attempt many of the projects
I love the Kitchen Madonna and I'm so glad that you included the picture. I'm a little crafty...so I think I could figure out how to do it, but the picture is what makes me want to give it a try! Thanks for sharing. I pinned the Kitchen Madonna on pinterest...hope that's ok! (It still says Waltzing Matilda on the pin =)
ReplyDeleteI love the Kitchen Madonna. I'm a little crafty, so I don't really need instructions, but the beautiful picture makes me want to give it a try. =) I pinned it on pinterest too...hope that's ok!
ReplyDeleteI have no comments on your important question (sorry!) as I'm relatively new here... But I did want to tell you that even before I saw the photo caption or read the second half of the post, when I saw the artwork I immediately thought, "that looks like the kitchen Madonna - just how I imagine it from Rumer Godden!" (She is quite possibly my favorite author!) So, your son's creativity must be spot on, because I could tell what it was even before I read what it was! It's beautiful!
ReplyDelete