1 year of blogging!
I can hardly believe it's been a year since I first started Keeper of the Home!
Most of the time, it has completely flown by (though there have also been some days when I felt a bit blogged out). Overall, I've learned to love blogging, as a place to work through new ideas and thoughts, share what I'm learning and doing, (hopefully) encourage others, and even record some family memories and milestones.
I've already mentioned that this week, I'm opening myself to answer any and all random questions that you might have for me. If you haven't already commented and asked your question(s), please go ahead and do that, as I've left it open for another day or two while I start my way from the top of the list.
At the risk of being cheesy, can I also just say thanks? To all of you who have read my blog, left comments, sent emails, encouraged me, asked great questions, inspired me, challenged me, pushed me to keep studying nutrition and natural living, and especially spurred me on towards seeking God and growing in grace. Many of you feel like friends, and I so value the fact that you would keep reading so faithfully. So thank you, thank you, thank you! Because of you, I have thoroughly enjoyed this first year of blogging and am really looking forward to what's ahead, and thinking of ways that I can continue to develop my blog, new writing topics and projects and a hundred other things spinning around in my head. (Ahem… cheesiness is now finished 🙂
Would you mind doing something for me now, just to indulge me? I would love to make this an official "de-lurking" week on my blog! For those of you who are unaware of that term, it refers to someone who reads a blog but doesn't make themselves known through comments.
So, would y'all be so kind as to leave a comment, introducing yourself, how long you've been reading and how you first stumbled upon my blog? I can't wait to "meet" those of you who have been getting to know me through my rambling writings!
As well, if you have any ideas of topics you'd like to see covered in the upcoming months, please let me know. I'm always looking for new ideas for series and posts, and your comments and questions are often my inspiration!
Thanks so much, everyone! And just to give you a heads up, there's a giveaway coming, so wait for it…
Delurking here, although I have commented a couple times since first stumbling upon your blog a couple of months ago. I enjoy the posts on frugality, living simple Saturdays, and the basic homemaking. I enjoyed incorporating all those ideas into my home already but love to get new perspectives from reading others journeys into this type of lifestyle as well.
Hi… I’m Shannon and I’ve been reading for only about one month. I discovered you through “Passionate Homemaking” which I discovered by accident, through a search for a recipe. I live in Oregon and I just enjoy your ideas for simplifying your family life and creating nourishing food. There are many ideas I’m slowly incorporating in my life. Congratulations on your anniversary! Thanks for your words.
So.. I guess I’ll de-lurk 🙂 I just stumbled across your blog 2 days ago, but I already put you in my feedreader 😉 Love your blog!
De-Lurking also 🙂 I’m not sure exactly how I found your blog, I think from passionate homemaking.. Anyways I really enjoy your creativity! It’s great to see so many other women who are out there seeking to feed their families wholly nutritious food. Keep up the good blogging!
Laura
Oh my, I can’t remember how I came to find your blog. But it was soon after you started it. So I have been reading for a long while. And I just love it. Keep up all the great work!
Hi, I’m Melissa, a reader from Malaysia. Recently married. Catholic.
Been reading your blog for a couple of months now. Found it from Kimi Harris’s site and found hers from Josh Harris’s.
Find your blog very useful and informational. Love the frequent updates! Keep ’em coming!
Hi there! I’ve commented before, but only once or twice, so I’ll delurk. I originally found you via a google search, but then I noticed that my friend Alison from WholesomeGoodness.net has you in her bookmarks.
I’m a fairly new homemaker. I quit my job in March at 36 weeks pregnant to stay home with my daughter, who is now almost 7 months old! My husband and I are currently learning more about nutrition and natural living. I’m passionate about breastfeeding and natural birth, and I think I could really love nutrition, too.
Hi! This is Vanessa from a small town outside of Kansas City, KS. I have been married about a year and have been working to learn more about healthy eating.
Your blog has been so informational and inspirational as I learn to be a better homemaker. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but have been loving it for at least one month.
Thanks, and happy one year!
Hi…I’m delurking too. I stumbled upon your blog recently when I was trying to organize my kids (5, 3 1/2 & 1 1/2) piles of toys. Upon reading your blog I was amazed to see that your views are so closely aligned to mine. In today’s world (well, at least where I live) it’s so rare to see people passionate about homemaking and childrearing and nutritious eating. Anyway, I’ve been working my way through your older posts and looking forward to new ones. Thank you for being such an inspiration.
I can’t remember if I’ve commented here or not… I think I might also be “delurking”.
I honestly can’t even remember how I stumbled upon your blog. I usually keep an eye out for any along these lines… Christian women, especially those who stay home, who have a heart for home.
I’m a young stay-at-home wife and mom (soon-to-be, anyway :))- expecting our first child on January first. I am slowly getting a vision for more natural ways of doing things. As far as future posts- I am still a beginner with so many of these things, so any simple/easy/quick tips for natural living and good nutrition would be appreciated.
Mostly, I am just encouraged by your heart for the Lord and for your family. Sometimes I just love reading about someone else whose heart is stirred as mine is: to honor God in the home.
Thanks, and keep up the great work!
I found your site a few months ago and have really enjoyed reading about natural, healthy living. We are trying to increase our intake of fresh foods. I have to eat gluten free, so any posts on that subject would be highly valuable to this reader.
I’m Lindsey. I have been reading your blog for about 6 months. Please know that you have encouraged me by showing me there are other young married women out there seeking Him first! Thank you! I found your blog through Crystal Paine at Biblicalwomanhoodonline.com. Blessings!!!
I’ve been reading off and on for about 3 months. Not even sure how I found you, but enjoy your healthy take on living.
I’ve only been a reader for two days, but I’m looking forward to many more!! Happy Bloggy-versary!
Hi, I’ve commented a couple times, but I guess I haven’t officially de-lurked. 🙂 I’ve been reading for a couple months now and I think I found you off of Passionate Homemaking while searching for some Christian blogs that would encourage and guide me into healthier living. I am a stay-at-home mom (for 2 years) to three children (8, 2, and 4 months). Thanks so much for sharing!
I do have a question…what would you recommend when it comes to cookware? I need some new pots and pans and would love to know your opinion on all that’s out there.
Wow. I am Seriously (with a capital S!) guilty of the lurking thing. I have no idea how I stumbled upon this wonderful resource that is your blog, but boy, am I thankful! I think I’ve been reading for about 5 months–you’re in my feedreader. Mostly that’s why I’m guilty of not commenting. Congrats on a great first year! You have so encouraged me in my journey as a wife & mom; I have a son who is almost 3 & a daughter just born last month.
My name is Mandi, I’m 28 and have two little ones. I don’t remember how I found your site but did so about 6-8 months ago.
I have been able to make so many good changes in our house as a result of your blog.
Whenever I feel like I’m alone in my ideas and thoughts (on most everything) I log online and check out my friends! LOL
So thank you for sharing your life with us!
I have started a blog myself and I hope to encourage people like you have! come visit sometime
http://thelifeofamommy.com
Wow- you’ve only been blogging for one year? Whew. Stephanie you have SO much great info here that I can’t believe you did it in one year. Congrats and here’s to many more great years of fun! Kelly
Yes I have been reading your blog about 2 months and I have also read all your archives. I go to a SGM church in Stillwater, MN. God has totally used this blog and a friend going through chemo for breast cancer to open up my eyes to the topic of nutrition.
After your article on Coke I have been caffeine free, cold turkey. Also I have made sweeping changes in our family diet and I am excited to do more. Just this morning we made homemade whole wheat waffles instead of the usual prepackaged ones. Transitioning to whole wheat, getting rid of all high fruct. corn syrup, buying and eating more fruits and veggies, making as much as I can home made, being a savvy shopper, researching, going organic are what I have been up to since reading your blog. That is a big change for us.
My husband and I are already getting excited about expanding our garden to do canning for the first time next year.
I am a stay at home mom of 3 kids ages 4, 2, and 5 months…busy busy busy.
God bless you. Love, Katie
*I got your link through my friend’s blog
*I appreciate all your links and research…I look at about 95% of them.
I’ve commented a couple times, but as a general rule do not comment much anywhere. With four little girls (7, 6, and twins that are 2) I feel lucky to read blogs, let alone take the time to comment. I am unsure how long I have been reading or how I got here, but I do like to check in when I have the spare time.
Delurking here also… I think I may have commented before though. I’m not sure exactly how I stumbled onto your blog, but my guess is through another blog:) I enjoy the posts about natural living and homemaking. We are becoming more natural and trying to live a more sustainable life. A journey that started in January with cloth diapering.
Thanks for sharing and encouraging!
I’m a 32 yo part-time working mom of 1 struggling to learn how to make a house a home. I want to respect my husband more for GOD’s glory but I don’t find that our culture is very supportive of that. I found you through Rocks in My Dryer (I think?)
I love reading your posts, Steph! I’m a serious lurker though – I should comment more often. I really appreciate your efforts, your humility, and your ability to keep the main thing, the main thing.
Congratulations on your anniversary!
PS I found you at church! Lucky me.
Hi Stephanie! Happy Blogiversary!! You seem like a much more “seasoned” blogger than just one year. Wow. I don’t think I’m a lurker as I comment frequently. I’ve read your blog since May and because of you have started my family on a journey towards more natural and healthy living. Thanks! You gave me the kickstart I needed. I found your blog through a friend’s relative’s blog, I think. Thanks for all the hard work and research you put into all your information. You are a blessing to all of us.
Congrats on 1 year! I enjoy your posts, and love the look and feel of your blog. I can’t remember where I found you…but wanted you to know you have a reader in TX:-)
As a part of your de-lurking request I am introducing myself. Hi, my name is Tracy and I have been reading your blog for about six months now. I found your blog through a friend, in a email she sent of blogs focused on nutrition for the body and spirit. Since then I started blogging myself and have included your site on my blog roll. I never realized I was lurking and actually felt kind of creepy when you pointed it out (which I assure you I am not creepy). Please feel free to stop by my blog.
Thanks for introducing me to a new blogging term 😉
I often read and sometimes comment here. I am a sahm married to a Naturopath so I’m always thrilled to read your posts and encouraging/educating those whom may not know how to live the natural life. You explain beautifully.
I would enjoy learning more about natural cleaning. I have yet to find really, really good natural cleaners that work.
Thank you and Happy Anniversary
Hello there!
I am Kath. I have enjoyed reading your blog for around 6 months or so. I do not recall how I stumbled upon you, but I am glad I did. :~)
A very Happy 1 year Bloggy Anniversary to you!
Blessings,
Kah
As you know I comment lots…but I just wanted to comment again to say congratulations on one year of blogging. Your blog has been very encouraging to me as your thoughts and views on life are similar/the same as mine on so many issues. I am so happy to know that there is another woman out there trying to follow God with all her heart in the aspects of mothering, being a wife and homemaking. Keep it up!
Delurking as well… I’m newly married and learning what it means to be a wife… and preparing for my eventual role as mother! Love your blog!
Hi! 🙂
De-lurking….I’m Sara Joy, and I stumbled on your blog a few months ago from one of my regular reads. (sorry, I can’t remember which one!)
I do enjoy your blog and your practical suggestions. I too, am a Christian woman with an eye on respecting our bodies and our planet as gifts we are merely stewards of, entrusted to us by God.
Keep blogging!
De-lurking, huh?
Guess I’d be called a lurker then. My name is Natasha. I have a blog but I don’t have internet at my house so I’m terrible at updating.
I stumbled across your site while searching for information about a magazine called “Keepers of the Home” that I wanted to subscribe to.
Since then I have been reading and enjoying it.
I also have PCOS so when I saw your entries about that- I was hooked.
I have been married one year and my husband and I will be leaving in 10 weeks to spend a year in LoCollin, Haiti. I am hoping that I will have internet access there but I’m not sure yet.
Guess that’s about all.
Congrats on one year!
Well I’m not new around here but I definitely wanted to pop in to say congrats on one year! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog and will continue to do so.
Blessings,
Laura
I’m not delurking, as I’ve commented before. I haven’t a clue as to where I met up with your blog, but it was about 6 months ago. I enjoy reading your blog because it is educational and encouraging. Keep up the good work, Stephanie.
I stumbled upon your blog nearly a year ago through Passionate Homemaking and Biblical Womanhood. I’ve been blessed by your lessons in frugal and healthy homemaking and your perspective on simplicity and serving your family.
I have been married to my sweet husband for almost three years, and we are expecting our first in early February. This past year has been a journey of trying to weed out the harmful and dangerous things from our diet and home. I still have a ways to go, but I’m much more educated and have taken quite a few baby steps to get closer to where I would like to be. My husband is appreciative and supportive, and I’m so thankful for that.
I don’t really belong to a community of people who want to eat healthily (unless you count eating low-fat margarine as “healthy” and I don’t!), and I get daily encouragement from the young mothers like you who share tips of godly, healthy living on their blogs. I appreciate you! Keep up the good work. I need the encouragement!
I have commented a couple of times but am guilty or lurking. LOVE the site and you are such an inspiration to feel my family healthy nourishing food. Who needs books on the subject, I simply click here and find everything I need.
Just found your site looking for other happy homemakers. I’m privileged to stay home with my two children (15-month old twins!)and enjoy fulfilling my duties as wife and mother to nourish my family body and soul.
We eat mostly whole foods here, but haven’t gotten into the raw dairy or soaked grains stuff. Question for you – if you soak your grains, wouldn’t the phytic acid end up in the soaking liquid that ulitmately stays in the recipe? Just wondering if it really make a difference nutritionally to do this. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Okay I am delurking-I started reading your blog about a month ago. I linked over from Biblical womanhood. I like your practical approach to healthy living and found some new ideas I have tried with the family. (with good results). congrats on your one year, and keep up the good work.
hi Stephanie..
I have talked to you in person, but just for the record I want to say what an inspiration you are. I have been blessed. happy anniversary!
I think I may have commented a time or two, but I’ll still take the time to say how much I love your blog! I’ll be honest with you…because your posts are often quite lengthy, I don’t take the time to read them all when you post them. But sometimes when I have a day off or some extra time to myself, I like to go back and catch up on what you’ve written. I LOVE reading about your “journey” toward natural living, as it has helped me not to be so intimidated. Looking at all the things you do now, it can be overwhelming to think about making all those changes at once. But when I read how you came to be this way little by little, it’s really inspiring! I also love the way you express yourself in your writing–you are an excellent communicator! Thanks for all you do!
April
Just came here today for the first time, from Brenda’s blog at coffeeteabooksandme. I’m looking forward to reading more! Thanks
I’m Julie in Wisconsin U.S.A. I’ve been reading since the beginning, from your W.F.M.W. on Shannon’s blog about saving saving saving money by buying nothing for 30 days, it was your previous blog address, and I actually left a comment, way back when!! I enjoy reading because I like the tips and encouragement on simple healthful living, and actually, thankfully, through a link on your blog, I found an organic farm, selling raw milk just one town over, about 6 miles away!!
Happy one year!
Julie
Delurking here: I usually read you in my Google Feed Reader and rarely comment, but I’ve been reading for maybe six months or so. I wish I could tell you how I stumbled across your blog but I really don’t remember.
I feel a pull to go more natural in my life, and I enjoy reading in your nutritional stuff… it’s not at all the way my family eats, yet I really enjoy reading about it from someone who lives it, rather than another nutrition book. I’m a fellow Christian, mom of two, and PCOS sufferer, so I guess I just feel like I can relate to you in some ways. 🙂
Congrats on a year!
Hi Stephanie! I stumbled upon your blog back in May when I was setting up a cash/envelope system for my household. You explained everything so well, so I took a few minutes to “poke around.” I added you to my bookmarks and have been reading daily ever since. I am new to natural living, so I enjoy your careful research, which has shaped how I feed and care for my husband. I also found “Passionate Homemaking” and “Kentucky Kate” through your blog … so many thank yous! It has been nice to some guidance as I navigate my first year of marriage. God bless.
Hi Stephanie! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, but have only commented a couple of times. I think I found you through Passionate Homemaking. I enjoy the info and recipes you share as I am trying to move towards the Nourishing Traditions philophies of cooking in my home. I’m from Ohio, and a mom of 4 (soon to be 5). I also have been encouraged by your heart for serving God and your family. Thanks!
Hi! I’ve been reading (and occasionally commenting) for awhile, six months perhaps? I enjoy your posts on food and simplicity.
Yikes! My palms are sweaty becuse I have never left a comment anywhere…I even make rough drafts before corresponding with my family! 🙂
My husband and I met while working in Yellowstone National Park and God has since blessed us with five beautiful children, ages eight to 5 months. We have always felt a call to some type of “missions” and after much prayer and preparation we are planning to move from Tennessee to Pennsylvania next week to plant a church in a small rural community. We pray that we might glorify Christ in all that we do and to be an encouragement to those that we come in contact with on a daily basis. We hope to “live off the land” as we have gradually been changing our lifestyle to include better nutrition. While Paul writes in 1 Timothy that “godliness is profitable for all things,” he says “bodily discipline is only of little profit”. Note that he doesn’t say no profit – for God himself has chosen to dwell in our physical bodies! Wow! Thank you for addressing both aspects of our lives. The recipies are great and although I have been doing many of the things you mention, I haven’t always known why…I appreciate you taking the time to give us the reasons and to know that we might not be as crazy as everyone thinks after all! Ha! Monica
Hello! I’m delurking although I think I’ve commented a couple of times. Not enough to count I’d say! My name is Taya and I’ve been reading your wonderful blog for some time now. Unfortunately I don’t remember how I came across it! I must admit that I was really excited to learn you are from the Vancouver area as I live in the Okanagan! So nice to have a Canadian blog to read and someone so close to home!
Congrats on a whole year! Keep up the great job you’re doing!
hi steph! been lurking here the past few months, but have really loved all the great advice and encouragment and savvy writing style! i am 24 sahm with a 4 month old son and my husband and i love gardening, cooking, canning, outdoors, and most of all the LORD! we are close to the seattle area and have friends living in vancouver;) keep up the fun-you rock my socks!
Hi Stephanie!
I’m 24 and from New Zealand. I have been married for nearly 4 years and we are pregnant with our first child after nearly 3 years of infertility – yay!
I’ve been reading your blog for about 6months and found it thru “Passionate Homemaking” (which incidentally I found when I googled ‘homemade bread recipes’), I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog, love your honesty and the way you are so knowledgeable but also have humility.
May you have many more years of great blogging to come!
De-lurking here! I’m not sure how I happened on your blog, but I really appreciate the comaradrie. I go to a SGM church in Mpls, MN and my kitchen bible is Nourishing Traditions. Finding out that we have those two things in common was enough to keep me coming back! Thanks for sharing your journey with us! God bless you!
Hi! My name is Melanie. I’ve been married for almost 4 months and have moved to Taiwan and have been living here for 2 months. I love reading about your gardening -I probably found your site by googling something on being a Christian wife…. 😉 Your posts are informative and as a new wife I’m learning a lot! Thanks for sharing!
De-lurking to say hi and that I really enjoy your blog. I think that I found you through Passionate Homemaking and have been reading you for about two months or so, maybe more. Keep up the good work!
Well, I comment here often enough, so I guess you don’t need me to delurk. : ) I think that I found you through Lindsay’s site actually.
Hi. I just found you through a google blog search for “meal planning”… love your header and look forward to enjoying your posts in my reader.
I’m not sure if I have commented here before or not. I’m also not sure how I found you–could be Nourishing Gourmet, Frugal Granola or Passionate Homemaking–there’s no telling.
My husband has been encouraging me to start a blog similar to yours for some time now. However when I realized what a great job you do I decided to settle for gleening information from you instead! 🙂 Besides, the people who read my blog are more interested in reading about my children and their potty training fiascos than they are in kefir!
Keep up the great work! Happy Blogiversary!
I can’t remember how I found your blog, or even how long I’ve been reading (quite a while!) but I absolutely love it here, and all the things I’ve learned from you!
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary – looking forward to the next year! 🙂
I’m a lurker…can’t remember how long I’ve checked in on your blog, a couple months, I suppose. As to how I stumbled upon it–probably a link to a link to a link type of connection. 🙂 Happy one year!
Hello!
Sadly, this is my first comment; I’ve know about your site for many months. I found it because I was looking for gardening ideas and tips. Then I saw that we have very similar beliefs in many areas so I continued to read. Anyway, my name is Crystal and I live in Texas.
Thank you for giving your time and efforts to posting this information. It has helped me grow to be more Christ-like and to be a better help-meet to my husband. 🙂 You are doing a great work!
I started reading your blog about 2 months ago, and have no idea how I got here. I read a blog, followed a link to another blog, and found you. Kinda fun. I enjoy reading. Thank you.
Hi Stephanie! I’m delurking too, I’ve been reading for a month or so, I think I found you through Passionate Homemaking as well, but it was your PCOS stories that hooked me, been there, done that, lol, I am a 40 yr old, SAHM, also in Canada! thanks for sharing everything!
Wow, I’m so honored that you consider my blog one of your favorites! Yours is definitely one of mine! 🙂 I am so impressed that you’ve put it all together in only a year. Congratulations!
Blessings,
Michele
I read your blog whenever I am on my upstairs computer…favs or different on different computers! I started reading about 4 months ago. One of my favorite posts of yours for some reason was getting your passport pictures! It just felt like a “me” kindof day!
i have loved your grocery/coop/farmers market posts and i loved the posts on birth control or not birth control! It opened my eyes to some things that I am still mulling over!
thanks you for your blog…it is wonderful!
Hi, Stephanie!
I was recommended to your blog by my sister-in-law and have been reading it for about a month now. I’m 26 and a sahm with a two and a half year-old boy. I’ve been happily married for four years, I’m a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ and I live near Bellingham, WA. I haven’t struggled with infertility, but I have had two miscarriages since our first child.
I really appreciate all the nutritional info! Keep it up!
Hello, I can’t remember how I found your blog. I think it was about two months ago, but I have really been enjoying it. I have six children and where I live we are considered a real oddity. It is so refreshing to read a site that advocates having children and staying home with them. I’ve really enjoyed reading and learning from your posts. So much of what you say reflects how I feel. Keep up the good work.
steph woman! huge congrats to you. i love meandering through the pages of the space written here from your heart. it’s a great place to come and learn!
how’s your garden doing? 🙂
blessings…lylah
Hi! I found your blog back in the Spring, around the same time that I randomly found a whole circle of blogs that I love (Biblical Womanhood, Passionate Homemaking, Tammy’s Recipes, etc.etc.). I just turned 29 and I have 13 month old twins, with another little one on the way. Yup, Lord-willing, we’ll have three under the age of two! We are super excited. I live in Florida, and I’m looking forward to our harvest season just starting up (it seems like it’s opposite from you Northwesteners!). I’ve been a little discouraged lately b/c my energy level has decreased so much in this first trimester that I haven’t been able to do all the great ideas I’m reading about from you and others, but I know this is a short, important season to live through.
Thank you so very much for your well thought-out posts, full of such good information but so honest, too. I really love reading your blog!!
Hi, I found a link on a homeschool site, haven’t read anything yet and haven’t blogged anything yet. Looking forward to learning and having a place to talk about being a sandwiched caregiver, unschooled family life and maybe getting organized.
Congrats