My mission remains the same….share clever ideas that inspire you to be clever in your home. Blogging has given me so many amazing gifts….that I really never considered when I first began this little blog over 3 years ago. I didn’t start it to get rich, I didn’t start it to be featured in any magazine, I didn’t start it to be anything other than what I am….A stay at home mom who has a passion for creating and sharing those creations.
I know that many have lofty goals with their blogs…and I am in complete support of them for their accomplishments. But I also think, that in the effort to keep up with who is doing what/when/how…that there may be someone getting lost. The reader. Is more always better? How many Christmas crafts can one momma do? Does it get overwhelming? Seeing craft, project, beautiful rooms day in and day out from mid October through the New Year…it kind of makes me start to feel overwhelmed…and I AM a crafter/baker/doer….How about you? The thing about it is that this time of year…it is the bread and butter of blogland. More pins…more traffic…more social sharing…it all comes back to numbers. This is the time of year that people are pinning and are socially charged with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Striking when the irons hot. I get that….
I want you to be here visiting me because you like my blog…and enjoy my content. Not because you liked my page to enter another giveaway. I realize that all of that seems to be apart of the blogosphere these days….and that is all fine and dandy. Really….I am not knocking it (and I am NOT saying I haven’t participated in the past). Just my blog…my opinion. :) But really….at the end of the day….it’s just a number….and big numbers don’t always equal great content.
That being said….I really don’t pay attention to how many people follow me on facebook, twitter or pinterest. It is a number…that is all. I figure that the people who do follow me are my readers…and they enjoy reading my post…so they figure they might also like what I share on Instagram, facebook and twitter. I welcome that…I love to interact with readers on whatever social media that they enjoy interacting on. But you won’t hear me shouting out…”hey, only 9 away from 10,000….help a girl out…”….it is a number and it has nothing to do with what I blog about. My content and character should be enough…and I know it is enough for those of you who visit me every week. So thank you…
I treat my readers as friends…and when my friends come over….this is what they see. Life being lived in. Inspiration comes in many forms….and I happen to believe that many times it comes from our messiest moments. So when I show you my mantle…or any project/room/recipe/whatever…I am hoping to inspire you to try it yourself….NOT have you feeling less about yourself. That would make me feel horrible! My goal is for you to leave here thinking…”now that is clever, I think I can pull that off too!” …and ready to tattle it yourself. I hope that I have done that for each and every one of you. I am NOT running a magazine. I am writing a blog.
So without further ado….here is my real Christmas house tour….just a glimpse:) Pics taken with my phone….:)
A wreath that has been laying in my library for about 3 weeks….was supposed to go outside…the lights didn’t work…so here it sits.
Our Elf may be dead….you’d think he’d be able to get himself to the Elf hospital or something. He has been laying on the dining room table for about 4 days.
Science fair projects have taken over most rooms in the house…anyone have any glue sticks? We are fresh out….
The stockings were hung….scratch that….they are still on the wet bar. Need a drink?
Our manger….poor poor wise man….he lost his hand in between ages 2 and 3 (twins ages of course)….It makes me giggle every year though….
This is what the foyer looks like on a daily basis…at least for the past few weeks. Now there is a good idea…a dryer in your foyer closet….!!! Genius!
But I don’t mind any of it…I know that it is all fleeting…these little moments of Christmas cheer. They are gone way too soon…and that is why I will never mind the mess and I am sure to miss it when it goes….
Hope you have a messy week too;) Oh…and if you want to see a few pretty pics you can check out instagram and search #cleverchristmas :)
xo
(I must state….I do love looking at all the open house tours online too…..it is NOT my intention to dismiss those who participate.)
Thanks for sharing what your house looks like on a daily basis. It’s nice to go on virtual house tours and see all these beautiful rooms, but I often wonder what it looks like behind the scenes. Sometimes I get discouraged seeing “perfection” and then looking around at my house with what seems like 150 match box cars lined up on my dining room table and piano, and books and crayons all over the living room floor….and my couch cushions are always on the floor…WHY are they ALWAYS on the damn floor?!). But then I remind myself that this is not a house, it’s a home, and this home has small children in it and it’s often messy and chaotic. If you ask me, that’s perfection :) But I could do without the couch cushions on the floor….LOL!!!! ;)
Forts are important too;)
xo
Thanks for your friendship Amanda;)
I love this post times infinity. Too many bloggers only show this picture perfect world, which makes blogging competitive and takes away from the meaning of it all. Plus, readers look on and think ‘Oh no, I’ll never have that/be that/etc.’
I’ve seen a couple of blogs now do a real life picture sharing session and I adore it! It’s so genuine and makes readers feel closer to the blogger :) Thank you!
I don’t comment often, but I just wanted to let you know how much I needed this post today! I was feeling that somehow everyone else gets it ALL done. Obviously we don’t, and I enjoyed seeing that your “everyday” looks alot like mine:) Thanks for the honesty and caring more about readers than numbers!
Love this post, thank you!
Your post gives me a sense of relief, which I need much more right now than another amazing holiday project that I’ll never find time to do. Thank you! Let’s just all do the best we can.
I soooooo agree!!! PROJECT OVERLOAD!! :)
xo
Tracie, I’ve been a reader for quite a while now and have recently started blogging (much fun so far!). Just wanted you to know I really appreciate this post! I always enjoy your content and I love the realness here. Sometimes I get caught up in thinking “what will people think about my page design or lack of pro photography skills / fancy camera etc” and have to stop myself. I love being creative and want to share my process and interact with other creative folks. This post is another reminder that the stories I share are the important part for me, and the rest, well I hope I can learn and improve along the way!
Thanks for this post! :)