Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Eleven years

I just wanted to note that it has been 11 years since I began writing this blog. Things in the world and in my world have changed in ways I never, ever could have imagined. I was still in my fifties and now I am 3 months away from 70. How is that even possible?!

Since that day, there have been two marriages, three grandchildren, a child building a house on our land. Animals have died, and new ones have come into our lives. Thankfully, so very thankfully, the family is doing well. Nina (Tom's mother) will turn 90 the day before I turn 70. Her husband is now 94. My 'babies' who were 24 and 21 when I began the blog are now 35 and 32.

My immediate hopes for the blog are to write more often, and a bit more in depth. I kind of miss writing about the books I've read. I want to write more about gardening and cooking, and the little ones, Hazel Nina, Campbell Walker, and Indy Thomas.

Thank you to all my readers who are still here. I write a post and before I can blink you have taken the time to write back. I am encouraged by you and warmed by your caring. I don't get to visit any of you nearly as often as I think of you, and yet you still stop by and read any letters I have the chance to write.

I'll leave you with a photo from yesterday of the yard off the kitchen. I think my favorite time of day at Windy Poplars Farm is between 9 and 10 in the morning. The light is so wonderful.

43 comments:

  1. I so enjoy your blog. You write so well and I have come to know your family here. Your book reviews are muses for my reading. I have read books I would never have found by reading your reviews. I am amazed that it has been so long. Congrats on your Blogaversary. I look forward to another 11 years.

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    1. Oh, thank you dear Lisa. What a lovely thing to say. You are so kind.

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  2. Congratulations on 11 yrs of blogging. I enjoy how you chronicle your life through the various landmarks. I too have been blogging long but just 10 yrs. I started upon the prompting from my son the summer he started university moving to the other side of the country. And so glad I did. Interesting how blogging has been so big a part of our lives, isn’t it? Although I find it hard to keep up but why worry, I’m all for ‘slow blogging’. :)

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    1. Thank you, Arti. I like your term 'slow blogging.' That sure is me at this point! I'm really hoping I can be a little 'faster' in the coming year.

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  3. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, I always enjoy your posts and look forward to the new ones.

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    1. Oh, thank you, Janet. I hope there will be more posts in the coming year, and that I will be spending more time at my friends' blogs.

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  4. Yes, the world has changed in unimaginable ways, ways I never would have believed could happen. And so has mine. My Kiddo is all grown up and married. I am no longer a classroom teacher, but have moved on to home schooling. I am still blogging at The Children's War and also at Randomly Reading, and still get pleasure from writing about books and things. And I still enjoy reading your blog. You live a country life very different from my city life, but at their core where values lie, they are so similar.
    Thank you for sharing your life with us and I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. Oh, thank you, Alex. One of the great joys of blogging for me has been getting to know people who live very different lives, but yet we connect, we have bonds of understanding. I'm hoping to spend more time with you at your blogs this year.

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  5. Wow, hard to believe. Your blog has always been beautiful. Your grandchildren are gorgeous. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

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  6. Congratulations on the eleven years Nan. You enrich the lives of so many of us, thank you for that. xx

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    1. Oh, Carole, what a nice thing to say. Thank you.

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  7. How wonderful - 11 years of blogging! Congratulations to you. I always enjoy coming here, especially enjoy any book recommendations, sharing. And your lovely family. Hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving!
    Mary

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  8. I knew you were a long time blogger, but 11 years is amazing. I would love it if you did more book posts, one of my favorite reviews is one you did on The Skeleton in the Grass by Robert Barnard. But whatever you choose to do is fine.

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    1. It both feels like a long time and also a blink of an eye time! You probably know, but if you look under the blog header picture at book lists, and click on any that are in bold, you will see all the ones I have done book reports on.

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    2. I should have known but didn't. When I was looking for the Robert Barnard review I saw a list of book reports for 2008 and realized that there were I should look for... and I will.

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    3. Oh, Tracy, I'm so glad I thought to mention it. Over the years BG (before grandchildren!) I did write about a lot of books. There may be some that interest you. Thank you for taking the time to come back. It means a lot to me.

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  9. Congratulations, Nan. Your blog has done a fine chronicling the changes in your life, and I so enjoy reading your posts.

    What a gorgeous picture! (Even with the dreaded frost on the ground - I am less & less tolerant of winter as I age. We haven't had a frosty morning here in Nova Scotia yet this fall.)

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    1. Thanks, Debbie. And I am just the opposite. I love the cool/cold weather. I just wilt away in the summer. haha

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  10. Happy blogging anniversary to you!
    I well remember when you thought that you might not write your blog anymore and then, decided against stopping. I am glad you have kept it up.

    Love your frosty photo but like snow, I like frost better in a photo! :-)

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    1. Two of my very best friends are in your state this Thanksgiving day! Thanks for your kind words. I love frost and snow. I really should live in an even colder place.

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  11. I'm grateful you are still blogging! I haven't written anything in ages, life has changed so very much. I am hoping to write more. You inspire me!!

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  12. Happy Blogoversary, Nan!
    Whenever your blog appears on my dashboard, letting me know you have written something new, I can hardly wait to click on it and read it.

    Yes, where has time gone? I think I started in 2008 or 9, when I was 40/41. Now my 50th birthday is less than 4 months away - and I have not even written my guest list, let alone inquired about my preferred locations!

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    1. Such a nice thing to say! Thank you, Meike. Time is a funny thing.

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  13. Has it really been 11 years?!?! Happy Blogiversary, dear friend. I am so thankful for your letters and look forward to your pictures and stories about life on a Hill Farm. I'm happy to hear that you are hoping to write more about the books you've been reading, as well as the garden and grands. Hugs and love to you, my friend. xo

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  14. Nan, I started writing at 70 and now in my 80's. 70, full of life and doing everything
    and now cannot do much I enjoyed so much, seems it happened so quickly.
    Have enjoyed so many of your recipes and books you share about.
    Everyone sharing so young, enjoy as it goes by quicker then you think.
    Love you, Nan --- from the one who lives in a cottage by the woods...

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    1. Thank you so much, Ernestine. I sure do know how fast time goes by. I just try and live each day.

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  15. It’s amazing how fast time has flown by. I started a blog in December of 2007 to track my family history research project. Then it evolved to food and books. I guess if we enjoy writing it isn’t a chore and so the blogs and posts go on.

    I enjoy seeing your photos, the changing blog header, the animal photos and all of it. Your site is a pleasant place to visit.

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    1. Thank you, Tina. So, 10 years for you!

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    2. Congratulations and Happy Blogiversary, Nan! It is always such a pleasure to visit:)

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  16. I so enjoy your slice of the north country, Nan. Isn't it a happy accident that we can make "blog friends" across the miles? I'm planning to visit Sugar Hill for the lupines next summer -- I've never seen them -- and would love to treat you to a coffee or lunch if we can manage the details. Or we can just keep meeting here! Happy Thanksgiving and happy blogiversary!

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    1. I am so psyched! We can go to Polly's. http://pollyspancakeparlor.com/ The lupine festival is in early June. I am really happy you are coming here.

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    2. Oooh, can you believe I've never been to Polly's? It will be delightful! I can't wait!

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  17. I started 11 years ago too! with some fairly long blogging breaks. I'm glad you're still writing - your blog is one of my favourites! Thanks for the The Big Family Cooking Showdown recommendation - I;m looking forward to watching it!

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    1. Kathie, SO good to hear from you. I hadn't seen anything on your blog for so long that I thought you had quit. I just went over and saw you are back, so I will be visiting again! Very happy to 'see' you!

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  18. Nan, it has been a genuine pleasure "knowing" you. Though I don't visit your blog regularly, I enjoy your posts very much and I hope you'll continue to write as you do. I wish you and your family the best of everything in life.

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  19. I'm so late coming to your blogiversary party but so so glad that I scrolled back to read your posts I missed while I was away. I have loved following your life on the Hill Farm. I think of you every time I read or watch something I would have missed were it not for your wonderful reviews. Thank you for all you've shared and for continuing to do so!

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    1. You are just such a kind soul, Sallie. I'm always boosted by your words. Thanks so much.

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