I've been blogging for almost a year now...

I just noticed the other day that I began this blogging journey in March of 2010. How enjoyable and rewarding it's been for me to share my triumphs and struggles as we move towards a simpler life, with like-minded folks from all over the globe. I really have had fun, and met some wonderful friends along the way.

Since it's been a while since I began blogging, I thought maybe it would be a nice idea to do a sort of review post for those of my dear readers who are new. I myself find that sometimes when I find a new blog that I like, it's frustrating if I can't figure out what the blogger is talking about from time to time because I haven't been following all along and don't know the details of their lives.

So, for those readers who are relatively new to my little corner of cyberspace (be it ever so humble), hello and welcome! I'm happy to have you here. My name is Laura, but I often go by Laura Jeanne online to distinguish myself from the many other Lauras out there born in the 70s (I wonder if it has anything to do with Little House on the Prairie?). I live in a smallish city in Southern Ontario with my husband Chris, and our three children, Kira (12), Owen (6) and Jasper (2). We have another little one on the way at the end of March or beginning of April. I homeschool the children, which is something  I truly love to do, not only because it gives me an excuse to fill the house with books (I am an extreme book geek), but because I really love having us together all the time, and being able to watch my children grow up before me so closely. It just feels right to me.

Although we live in a small townhouse with a tiny, shaded backyard, we're trying to live a simpler life right where we are, gardening, sewing, cooking from scratch, all that kind of stuff. We'd really, really love to live in the country someday on our own homestead, and have chickens and goats and a huge berry patch, but for now we are trying to be content where we are, and learn all the skills we can so that someday when we do make it to our country home, we won't be clueless. Right now I am focusing especially on sewing, which I have discovered I love. I'm especially excited to try sewing myself some clothes after my shape returns to normal, since I have never been able to find clothes in the stores that I like.

Here's a little review post I did about the skills we learned in 2010, and another one detailing our goals for 2011.

Here's a post from way back about what simple living means to me, and another one about living deliberately.

We run a small family business, called The Wood Garden, which offers natural wooden toys and dishes. Chris handcrafts our products in our small garage, and I take care of the business side of things. We enjoy this and hope we'll be able to do it for many years into the future.

The photo at the top of my blog, I just love and I don't think I'll ever be able to replace to my satisfaction. It's a photo I took of Owen 3 or 4 years ago (I can't remember) when we were renting a lovely little cottage just north of Barrie, Ontario. I love everything about the image, but especially how the bridge seems to be leading us into a place of glowing light - it feels representative to me of the brighter future we are hoping to make for our family by stepping off the beaten path, and living a more simple, deliberate, and family-centred life.

Well, there you have it. I hope I've cleared everything up for those lovely people who might stumble across my blog and wonder who we are. :)

Comments

[Emma]

I definitely know what you mean about being clueless as to the background of the blogger. Thanks for filling in some of the gaps for me! =) Remember, it's often what you do with what you have that makes all the difference in the world. Keep learning, keep striving, and you'll reach your dreams.

Emma
City Roots, Country Life

[Leah]

Hi there Laura Jeanne. Just found your blog via Farmama. What a great introductory post! (and I love the poem in your sidebar!) I too am expecting this spring (late March or early April), so I look forward to checking back in to see how you're doing. It will certainly be an interesting year here on our little homestead too. All the best!
Leah

[marlyn dubay]

Dear Laura I have been following you for a short time. Very good review posts, which I believe will help you replenish your goals. That is always good thing. It is nice to see a young mother working hard at these goals, which most consider old fashioned. They are timeless. I am from the early '60's Ontario based as well, homeschool 7 children ( 3 at present as other graduated), and live a simple life, like my ancestors all Mennonites. I love your blog. I feel very calm when i read it. Hopefully you are feeling the same when you are typing! Have a wonderful weekend, and hopefully no snow storms. Spring has to be coming...........soon!

[Laura Jeanne]

Thanks for the encouragement, Emma! :)

[Laura Jeanne]

Thank you, Leah. I love that poem too (obviously if I posted it)--in fact I think it's my very favourite.

[Laura Jeanne]

Thank you for your kind words Marlyn...I'm very flattered that you feel calm when you read my blog. :)

As for snow, we keep getting more, and you should see the size of the icicles hanging off our roof...but you're right, Spring has to get here eventually!

[Stephanie K.]

Laura,
Saw your stuff over at Farmama this morning and felt a surge of pride for you! Way to go! April marks my blogging anniversary and I feel a bit frustrated because my children have once again wrecked the camera I was BORROWING while I saved for a new one for ME...so now I have to pay to have it repaired and have no idea when I'll be able to get a new one. Sigh. So I'm in a blogging funk. I do love your idea of a look back on the year...hopefully things will be up and running for me by April! Best of luck to you as you head out on year 2!

[Buttons]

Hello just found your blog. I love the top photo of your son. It is beautiful There is nothing like family and memories. I like your blog. One year wow I have been going for 6 months in March. B

[Kat]

I just stumbled onto your blog today - what a perfect first post to read! Nice to "meet" you. :)

[gail.firenze]

Hello Laura,
I have just popped over from Farmama and I think your blog is delightful. I have added you to my list of nice spots to visit and also wish you congratulations on your first year of blogging. Looking forward to popping by again.

Blessings Gail (from Australia)

[Leigh]

Laura, congratulations on a year of blogging. It's a wonderful venue, and there are so many wonderful fellow bloggers that it really is a community.

I love your header photo too, and may you never change it! It's sort of a signature for your blog. :)

[Amy :)]

I VERY much enjoyed reading about you on etsy this morning. :) You are doing an amazing amount of stuff, with a new little one in the house. I've only just started canning jam, getting back into art, and other things now that our youngest is almost seven!