Can you guess what my most googled blog post is? It’s this one: dare you to paint your cabinets black. If you Google ‘pictures of black kitchen cabinets’, this post is the second result. And it kind of kills me for the following reasons.
1. Black cabinets do not photograph well. Not only that, I am currently more skilled at photographing them than I was when I wrote that post. So every time I see that post I think to myself what horrible pictures. Based on those, I should totally paint those cabinets white.
2. They really do look better in person.
3. (and most importantly) My blog is not about painting kitchen cabinets.
And that is really the issue here. The truth is, I am impossible to find on Google. Really. If someone were looking for a blog like mine, they would never be able to find it. Because the truth is, people don’t search Google for blogs like mine. They search Google for information. I don’t really offer that.
For some bloggers, it is super important that their posts be Google-able. That is how they find their audience, build their business, and make their money. For bloggers like me, it can get a little fuzzy. July 2008 was my highest trafficked month ever. Some reasons for that are because I posted more often than ever that month, I did a weeklong series on babysitting that was pretty popular, I showed lots of house-y stuff and I embarrased myself in a couple of posts I would rather forget. But all of that writing brought me to now.
Even though I don’t write as informational anymore, I like to think I have found a voice that is more me. Even better than that is that I have found you. Or you have (somehow) found me. Because though traffic is important, the right traffic is even more important. In July 2008, I don’t believe I could have convinced 70 or so of my readers to link up each week and celebrate the small gifts of the everyday because I was attracting an audience who wasn’t into that kind of thing so much.
I like posting about my house every now and then. And I’m okay with the fact that ‘a house-lover’ is my most searched category. I know I would get even more traffic if I posted more of that stuff. But if I did, I would go a little bit crazy in the head. It is so important to write about the things that you love. You teach people what to expect from you in your writing. Whatever you offer, they will either come (or not come) because of it. And that is what you want. I guess I’m simply here to say I don’t know how you found me, but I’m sure glad you did.
I’m SO GLAD I FOUND YOU TOO!
once, I joined a blog party and it was then I realized that followers are only good if they care about your words. Not good if they are joining to get you to join their giveaway/read their review on free stuff they got.
And ANOTHER time I somehow got caught up in a deep desire to guest post, so I submitted something (HILARIOUS OLD POST of mine with three comments from relatives) (it needed more love, ya know?) only to realize the site that accepted it was a little risque for my tastes, and I thought “Why?” So I retracted my post. Embarrassing, but better for everyone in the long run, because I’m rarely always funny (hehe. Work that one out)…and never vulgar (if I can help it) so I would have been fishing in the wrong audience.
What I’m saying is, you gotta have standards, and you have to be honest. Otherwise, you’re a blogging politician. I’m happy in my leetle corner of the blog world. In fact, I’m currently reminiscing about the days when NO ONE read my blog, and it was soo personal. Now it’s gotten much harder not to care about what people think, therefore it’s gotten harder to be honest. I get sweaty now if I think my post is too long, but I make up for it by writing extremely long comments on other people’s blogs. Mwhahahah!
What am I saying? I love your blog. It’s you.
I don’t love posts on cabinets though, it makes me feel guilty. (Because mine are hideous)(and my bathroom is two colors because I started painting and was interrupted by the stomach flu)
the end.
.-= JoAnn´s last blog ..I Like Bugs! I Like Bugs! =-.
Well, I like your blog because it is exactly the way it is. There are a ton of decorating/housey blogs, which are beautiful and all, but your blog is beautiful because of your words. Thanks for hosting Tuesdays Unwrapped. I do so enjoy looking forward to Tuesdays because of it.
Have a beautiful day!
.-= Wendy@Almota Roses´s last blog ..Be Still…. =-.
I like it just the way it is! I have enjoyed pictures of your house. BUT that is not what keeps me coming back. It is the way you write. It is how you write. It is the reminders that life if precious. That God is the center of everything!
I used to link up on Tuesdays and really need to again. I read and love them every week! My sister passed away in early September. I have sort of been going through the motions ever since. Your posts always seem to speak to me.
I wouldn’t change a thing! I think you have a lovely froup of followers!
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Simple Sunday =-.
i think this is so right on true to why i write too. i get worried about the stats sometimes and i have to shake myself and say why do you care? i don’t have negative comments (knock on wood), i don’t have people researching my public records for my arrests, but i do have a cozy few people who i have made a connection with through writing and I LOVE THAT!
i missed it so much when i got out of college and started collecting children. and now i have it again. writing and commenting and connection and conversation.
btw, if you google tuesdays unwrapped you are the first blog to come up.
.-= melissa~afamiliarpath´s last blog ..The bigger the mess, the more you learn =-.
I’m glad I found you, too!
Like the song says, “I love you just the way you are!” Happy Wednesday to you!
.-= Kristen-Moms Sharpening Moms´s last blog ..Mother Light =-.
i like this. and i’m happy i found your blog, too!
.-= Julia´s last blog ..C’est bon =-.
Yes, ma’am! Authenticity and being true to yourself! I’d rather have a small audience and be a happy blogger than to try to please everyone and lose myself in the process.
I love hearing your heart through your blog, Emily. It ministers to me deeply.
.-= Bonita´s last blog ..Wise Words for Self-Publishing =-.
Thank you so much for writing this!!! You beautifully summarized something that has been on my mind lately….the reason that I write and blog not being for stats but for a real relationship with my readers. I love your blog because it is real…your words are real. They are encouraging and moving and I cherish them so often!
.-= Monica´s last blog ..Homeschool Field Trip…A Visit with the Dentist =-.
I am sure glad that I found it! I read because you write beautifully
I enjoy all aspects of your blog.
.-= Cari´s last blog ..Emily’s Tuesdays Unwrapped =-.
thanks for sharing. i enjoy your blog and always look forward to seeing the beautiful pictures you’ve captured.
blessings….
I found you via your sister’s blog. I stayed because I love the fact that you’re not a home decorating blog. You’re an inspirational writer who has encouraged me to sit back and think.
I’ll admit there are days/weeks when I wonder why I’m writing my blog. I’m no great writer. I don’t ever intend to be. I sometimes feel like I have nothing to offer anyone. Then I realize I’m not writing my blog to make money- I’m documenting my family life in a way that I can share with family around the world (whether they comment or not…and I wish they would comment!).
I wish I didn’t get hung up on how few commenters I get on my blog posts. Sigh. Maybe when I grow up! LOL!
.-= Astrid´s last blog ..No More Shark Teeth & Ava’s Vision:: A Tree House =-.
Totally love that I found your blog. Read it every day you post. There are only 8 that I follow and only about 5 of them post regularly. I like linking up to and reading everyone’s Tuesday’s Unwrapped, though mean old Time has not allowed me to post and link to it as much as I would like to lately.
You are an encouragement to seek the Lord in everything and to remember to be grateful and thankful always. You post beautiful photos and your children are darling. Love that you are married to the ministry to with The Man leading teens, it takes a special couple to fill that roll.
Keep writing! I will keep reading!
.-= Just a lass… Sharon´s last blog ..Happiness is… GRASS =-.
I could not be happier that I found you too!!
We’ve talked about this together, right? How those posts that are easy can get tons of traffic and comments and then the hard stuff, the soul bearing ones can get one and just that one comment means so much more than “how pretty!” to a house post. I love my house. My house is a big part of my story, but it’s not everything and I would fall over from boredom if it was all I wrote about. My most searched post is “cottage bathroom” and still gets lots of traffic a day. Makes me realize if I wanted a big old high traffic blog it would be easy, but it wouldn’t be me.
I love that you are you – soulful, beautiful, encouraging you – who happens to have a pretty house. I love pretty pictures of pretty rooms. But I love people who are beautiful inside even more and not afraid to bare some of that to the world.
xoxo
THAT was a sweet post!!
I can’t remember how I got here. I do know I saw your black cabinet post and loved it. (I’ve recently been contemplating black cabinets thanks to you.) But I love your short posts full of beautiful words that honor Christ. I love Tuesdays Unwrapped and the bloggers I’ve met through that. That weekly event causes me to pause and really consider what gift of the ordinary I will celebrate on that day. The Lord takes you where you need to go and I believe that to be true of blogs, too.
Thanks Emily.
.-= Southern Gal´s last blog ..Boys and Bikes =-.
Every time I see a new post from you in my reader I click on it. I love coming here because somehow you have created a peaceful place on a frantic web. Thank you.
.-= Shelly @ Life on the Wild Side´s last blog ..Good Reads =-.
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one experiencing this. I don’t have any decorating, shopping, or cooking posts on my blog. I have no niche, except parenting, which doesn’t seem to bring the Google traffic. My most heartfelt posts go virtually unnoticed and uncommented on. But they’re the ones I am the most proud of, because I dug deep and wrote from my heart. Traffic would be nice, but the kind of traffic where the readers care about what you write would be even better. Traffic that sticks around, not just visits for one post. I’m still trying to find that, but you give me hope that it’s out there
~Sheri
.-= Sheri´s last blog ..Top Ten Tuesday – Things my kids have said =-.
That was good and timely for me! Thank you!!
.-= Caroline@carolinecollie´s last blog ..Going Around, Going Through =-.
I visit because your blog is an authentic breath of fresh air. Stay true to your voice, the one given just to you.
Hi Emily!
Although I don’t comment often which I should because I know it is nice to read comments from readers, it helps continue ones drive to post and gives one the sense that someone out there enjoyed what you had to say that day
.
I too am glad to have found your blog and am subscribed via google reader. I found your blog via your sister’s blog. Your post today was nice to read and is so very true. It goes along the same line of friends in life, it’s not the number of friends one has that matters it’s the quality of friendship one has within their friends. And in today’s technology age, I feel like I have blogger friendships, while I don’t personally know the author’s of my favorite daily blogs I feel as though I know all of you by reading your thoughts on many aspects of your lives. It’s a pretty neat thing. So thank you for bringing good food for the soul to the outside world.
With that being said, I need to get back to my poor blog
WordPress changed something and since then I’ve been unable to upload pictures and I haven’t made time to investigate this matter and alas I haven’t posted since EKKKK Christmas. That is plain aweful!
I love visiting your blog, and I’ve noticed the change over the last two years. However, I always find so much God-revealed wisdom in your posts that is so comforting. It’s awesome to know that I’m not the only one struggling with fear or insecurity inspite of the fact that I am a daughter of Christ. And you always say it so nicely and with few words. You don’t even have to detail the point to get it across to your readers. So, there are PLENTY of “home/project” oriented blogs out there to visit ~ loving that you are staying true to your convictions!
.-= Amber´s last blog ..Girl Time… =-.
I can’t tell you what a relief it was to read this. I have often wondered how on earth anyone would find my blog from a google search, since there really isn’t just one thing that defines my writing. I mean, sure, I focus on life lived between countries, callings, and kids – but when is anyone going to google that exact phrase. And finding me via a search for those topics would be more miss than hit. So, I have just been focusing on writing what’s in my heart for the people who share the same things in their hearts too. And it feels right. And I’m so glad to hear that’s how you roll too!
~Lisa-Jo
Oh Emily you are a messenger from my own heart. I had know clue what blogging would turn into when I put “babywearing” in my title. People find me and expect an informational blog about babywearing & instead land on my still-coming-of-age-story motherhood journal. I was just thinking i’m overdue for an informational babyweaing post because the emails and questions have been rolling in lately, but I dread those posts, and end up personally replying to many emails each month instead.
I am nostalgic for the old blog world when everyone wasn’t trying to be The Next Big Thing. Because there will always be another next big thing. Quality, heart, and humility are what keep people coming back to find out more of your life story every day. Information changes over time, but your story is always true.
(I’m sure there’s many high-traffic blogs that also read more storyteller than information but as we all know, traffic isn’t tangible and is temporary.)
PS I found you that first night of Blissdom09, in the restaurant.
Love
Steph
.-= Adventures In Babywearing´s last blog ..To and From =-.
This is something I’ve thought about a lot. You say it much better than I could.
.-= Erin´s last blog ..Cutie =-.
It’s kind of like a “if you build it they will come mentality” right? Problem is trying to figure out what “it” is. (Our niche wobbles between food, travel, decorating, motherhood and more…)I wish to say that we had time to figure out google and anayltics and SEO for our blog….but we just barely achieved control over wordpress…LOL…and um, the laundry doesn’t stop and the shoes (from our 9 kids) keep piling up too That said, we have grown to love our creative outlet and the people that we’ve met online in the blog world. We keep learning from you all!! Your are our heros…if you keep truckin’ so will we!! And, love your blog! It’s a beautiful place to land!! Thanks for sharing your heart and your wisdom. It’s encouraging to know that its OK to just be your own voice..(perhaps the best place to land!)…from the still newbie bloggers at LoveFeast Table. (this comment was from Chris Ann~)
.-= LoveFeast Table´s last blog ..Lemon Souffle & More =-.
I love this post. I love the wisdom in it. On my blog I have a link with “favorite blogs” and you are under my encouragement category.
I have a *few* favorites that truly encourage me in the day-to-day and my walk with God. I am so appreciative of my online encouragers and cheer leaders!! Thank YOU! 
You so inspire me to seek the right traffic. You encourage me to write for the right reasons. To share what is in my heart and what God is doing in my life and the life of my family. I am thankful for you and your heart! And SO glad
I found you! Just know that of all the blogs I’ve come across, Yours is the one I go to every day because it whispers to me.
I have to get email reminders for me to read the other “favs”. But yours is always remembered. Never forgotten.
.-= Angela´s last blog ..That was then. =-.
Whew … I needed this post! Mainly because I just had a conversation with someone and we decided we must be the only two bloggers ever who could care less about numbers and giveaways and stats … because I’m not writing to build my kingdom … I’m writing to share what I’m learning from THE King. I just did my first review and giveaway … I purposefully did NOT ask people to subscribe/follow/tweet/like to enter … why? Because that’s not the numbers I want to see … I like the number of DMs I get that say, “Will you please pray for me?” And the comments that say, “I needed to hear that.” And the emails that say, “How do I build my relationship with the Lord? I feel so inadequate.” Those numbers are not going to land me a conference sponsorship or a high Page Rank … but I’m thinking they are a vital part of “storing up my treasures in heaven.”
All that to say, I guess my friend and I are not alone … and I’m thankful!
P.S. Oddly, the 2 biggest searches that lead to my blog are “Pastor’s Wife” (and I am one though I rarely write from that perspective) and “Moldy Shower curtain Liners” (which leads to a post about pretense in our Christian life and I imagine that’s not exactly what people are looking for but maybe it’s what they need!).
Emily, I love your blog because you address exactly the topics that are dear to my heart, in the right proportions. I was first drawn in by your posts on how to blog well, about 18 months ago. Your photography (and photography advice) inspires me, your home decor posts are in just the right proportion to add variety without losing me, and your thoughtful posts are so well spoken. Now you are writing a book, which I aspire to do someday. I follow you because the space you have created here is compelling: informational, thoughtful, and restful, all while pointing to the ultimate source of wisdom and rest. And I’m trying to figure out how to recreate that, without copying you. This is by far my favorite blog ever. Thanks for adding to my favorite category today.
I’m glad I found you too! And what you say is so true. Like Adventures in Babywearing, I too am nostalgic for the old blog world. When it was more personal and everyone’s blog wasn’t plastered with advertising (not that that’s not okay).
And isn’t it funny how our writing morphs over time? It’s fun to look back and see how a blog has changed. Mine certainly has. Although my blog still seems to be a mix of all sorts of thing, it’s the more personal spiritual stuff I love to write about the most.
Anyway, keep writing what you’re writing!
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Baby Girl’s First Gift =-.
You have done it again. I couldn’t have said it better myself… I’ve been inundating readers with deep, soul-searching stuff lately, and I know they probably started coming here to read about recipes and flowers and cute kids. But I can’t help it. I just cain’t. I have found the freedom to speak from my heart, and that sometimes means a recipe or two, but regardless, there’s no going back now.
I get it. Our highest ranked posts are the two posts where the doctors told us Burke was as good as dead. Our third highest ranked post is his birth announcement. That was 19 months ago.
Now, I write passionately about starving children who are as good as dead. I write passionately about a God who is announcing their delivery from that sentence through programs like Compassion International and Charity:Water. Somehow, those posts don’t hold nearly the same allure… :/
Okay – my version of smiley face didn’t translate….but that’s what that was up there. hehe!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Peonies =-.
My sister sent me the link to this post (she actually is a huge fan of yours and sends me your links often when she thinks they’ll “speak” to me). This one definitely had me nodding along with you! I’ve been blogging for a year now and I posted a poem that was written by a friend of mine called “Jellyfish.” The friend had found a photo and attached it to the post. I published the whole thing, photo and all. These days I get 2/3 of my traffic from people searching “Jellyfish.” My blog is about self-discovery and my spiritual journey…so people who are looking for pics of jellyfish are probably not my readers.
.-= Leslee Horner´s last blog ..Nothing is Against You =-.
i think we have the same mug
i don’t remember how i found you… i just remember that once i did, i finally felt like i had found another blogger with the same heart. the same values. and i was so new in the bloggy world, searching for a good read… and up until i found you, i wasn’t sure i was sticking around. so thanks. for sharing your heart and who you are… and for opening up your lovely space. because it is here that i have found so many other women who love what i love and who i love.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..leftovers =-.
I found you through Lindsey Nobles. You guys had met at Blissdom and you were one of the bloggers she said to watch. I liked what I read. I stuck around. I followed.
Hi Emily! I just wanted to say, that your “black cabinets” post is how I was introduced into the world of blogging. Last summer we bought a house and I was researching options for painting the existing cabinets, and I found you! But I am happy to say that I found MUCH MORE than black cabinets. {Oh and we didn’t paint the cabinets we ripped them all out and got new ones!}
.-= Megan´s last blog ..Absence =-.
I have no idea how i found you, but i am certainly glad i did.
.-= linda´s last blog ..Mama =-.
I’m glad I found you too. (and even gladder I had my man paint our kitchen cabinets black after I saw yours) I loved you long before cabinets, girl!
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Sectional Slipcover Day at The Nesters! =-.
I found you through e, myself and i and i laugh at how people find my blog too… the number one search term is “describe your family” or “how to describe your family” and it links to a post that is about my parents showing up to a restaurant in a hummer with a satellite dish on the top… and that post?
Written 3 years ago.
SO I understand. And I liked your cabinets. Because if I could? I would have black cabinets too.
.-= Heather {Desperately Seeking}´s last blog ..It’s Not About Winning or Losing… It’s About Doing Your Best =-.
Me too, Emily. Me too. You are a blessing.
Shilo
I’m glad I found you, too! Your blog blesses, encourages and challenges me…
I’m glad I found you too! I don’t comment often, but I read every post you write. You are sweet, honest, and real. I always feel refreshed after reading your blog.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Girls Gone Wise Giveaway! =-.
I am glad that I found you too. I found you through your sister’s blog. I do not have a sister only two younger brothers. And I just love the connection between two sisters. You mentioned what your most searched catagory is. So I was curious and checked mine on Google analytics and one was diapering an adult.??? Not sure why they got that directed to my blog. But I thought it was funny.
God is bigger than Google….just sayin’
.-= Stacey´s last blog ..Chair Time =-.
Thank goodness it was a friend who referred me to your site. I was drawn in for the very reasons you’ve so eloquently stated here… the blog is about YOU, and your perspective, and what you know. I almost always find the unassuming, non-pretentious blogs to be the most rewarding. Love your “voice” and am happy to be here
.-= Vicky´s last blog ..My first ever giveaway! =-.
Well I can’t remember HOW I found you but I’m sure glad I did! I painted my old kitchen cabinets black and loved them. But I really appreciate that you post from your heart… and the small gifts are HUGE blessings. Thanks!
I believe I found you from your sister (nester). Quite frankly, although I love your black cabinets, and even once taped black poster board on mine to see if I wanted to take the plunge and paint mine, I haven’t yet.
I’ve been too busy…celebrating the small things.
Thanks for reminding me.
I actually found you through Tuesdays Unwrapped links and buttons at some favorite blogs. I love reading the various posts and have been so tempted to link up myself. For now, I just keep my nose pressed to the window. I love the small stuff. The greater part of my blogging tends to be about it. I LOVE it that you set aside a special sabbath of sorts to rest in it.
I’m such a novice that I wouldn’t even think to use google to find blogs. I’d rather follow the rabbit trails and discover new blogs anyway.
When I changed my blog template, I lost the connection to google analytics. So…now I have no idea how much traffic I get or how they got there. Losing my connection to google analytics is one of the best things that ever happened to me since I started blogging. Now, I just write. And read. And smile. And grow. It’s all good.
Traffic, schmaffic. I’ll never understand the endless lure of decor-oriented blogs. Yes, I check one or two out occasionally. But how many pictures of crystal vases, or china cabinets, or seashells on a silver tray do I need to see? Answer: Not that many.
.-= Gayle´s last blog ..Tuesdays Unwrapped – Coffee =-.
Well, unless that decor -oriented blog is the Nester and then I can see it every single day….lol.
Emily – this is WHY we love you. Yep, as much as I too knows what brings in the traffic, I choose to write what I love….some Google loves, others…not so much.
.-= Jen@balancing Beauty and Bedlam´s last blog ..How did Mother’s Day Begin? =-.
Can’t remember how I found you, but I liked you and subscribed
Don’t often comment, but I love it here!
.-= janmary, n ireland´s last blog ..New Lessons and new jewelery by janmary designs with FREE shipping =-.
I think I must have found you because someone posted a link to you about the house stuff. Or maybe it was in a fit of photographic competition and I wanted to make sure your photos weren’t as good as mine (ooooh – that one makes me cringe to admit!). I have loved getting to know you here, watching you become more you, getting my mind blown at this heart of yours that seems as big as the world sometimes. What gets me is the way you believe in me too. I come back for that. Because you saw me once. And cheesy and egocentric as that sounds, you made me love you. Thank YOU for the real that is here, for the heart that won’t show up on Google, but shows up on so many of our own hearts.
.-= Kelly Langner Sauer´s last blog ..puddles =-.
I couldn’t agree more. I run and once wrote a blog about chaffing. I hate that that’s my most viewed post. haha.
.-= Jacklyn´s last blog ..What Would You Tell the Class of 2010? =-.
Emily,
Your article was confirmation for me on something that I have been praying about and working on for the last week. Wow! You will never know how much this post has affected me and given me the confidence to write about what I love…you have helped me so much over the last year to find my writer’s voice and now I have made the commitment to myself, God and my readers to go for it! I just want to be an encouragement to women desiring to follow God in the best way that they can. I pray that sharing my journey helps them to do that. God bless you!!! Thank you for being yourself and sharing who you are…you are unique and that is what makes you amazing and special!!!
.-= Mary Joy @ Snapshots from my Heart & Home´s last blog ..A wake up call…God’s doing more pruning =-.
oh…and I am so glad I found you, too! If you really want to know….I found you through your sister!! I love your heart and I love that you write! I love that you every once in a while post about your house…but mostly, you write from your heart …(and from God’s heart!)
I love that you’ve found your thing in blogging! I just started in February…and I’m still searching for my thing. I’m a writer wanna be and a decorator wanna be and I like talking about my family and our kids…and friendship. I think that makes me ECLECTIC.
I’ve tried to imagine myself focusing on one single thing…as your sister would say..a niche blog…and I just can’t. I have to be me…in the moment…and let this thing become whatever it’s gonna become.
)))
back to this post…REALLY glad I found your blog!
I think it’s more that you found me? Way back in HS, when our view of the world had a little stronger rose tint. And you were the writer. I was the procrastinator
. I am honored I know you. I love seeing your heart in your posts.
Ahh the babysitting post! good times.
Hi Emily – I attended the She Speaks Conference last year (writer’s track), but a friend puchased a CD of your talk, “Defining and Redefining the Purpose of Your Blog.” She loaned the CD to me and I recently listened to it. I found it very imformatve and helpful. We all want blog traffic, but as your post states, the right blog traffic.
I enjoyed my visit here today, and will likely be back to participate in Tuesdays Unwrapped.
Blessings,
Joan
I don’t comment either, but I check in daily. It feels familiar here …projects I could really do, friendly types who are more type b than type a and beautiful pics. Thanks! I’m sure I landed here b/c of CJane/Nie somehow.
it’s a beautiful thing…you, that is. i think this post sums up why i keep coming back.
.-= adornedlife´s last blog ..too soon =-.
I’m glad I found you too. I been a subscriber for close to a year and truly look forward to what you have to say. I must admit I do love black cabinets (have them myself), but what keeps me coming back is wanting to know what you have to say.
I’m glad I found you too. I love good writing and I love what you write about. I think we read a post or two on a blog and something just clicks. We are drawn to come and visit again and again – like a real friendship
.-= Linda´s last blog ..Why Lord? =-.
You know, when I first started blogging I was sort of schizophrenic about the whole thing. I still throw in the fun house post every so often. But over time the “trueness” of what I’m about has sort of risen to the top and there’s more consistency. I like that. It’s sort of like the blog and I are becoming grown-ups together. I don’t have much time for the blogosphere right now…real life summons very loudly these days. But this place and your sister’s are the two places I always make time for.
And for the record, I have never met a post of yours I didn’t like…and I’m pretty sure I’ve read every last one.
.-= The Scooper´s last blog ..Crazy Nest, Part Two =-.
Emily…I wanted to let you know that I am trying my very first McLinky Party!! It is a special “Snapshots Prayer Party”. In honor of the National Day of Prayer tomorrow I am doing a Prayer requests party so that we can all gather together in prayer for our national and local and personal prayer concerns. If you have any prayer concerns we can pray for please stop by…
You have inspired me so much regarding what I am doing with my blog that I decided to following God’s leading to join us all in prayer. Thanks for helping me to have the courage to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. We’ll see how it goes! God bless you for your authenticity and for encouraging all of us to do the same!!!
.-= Mary Joy @ Snapshots from my Heart & Home´s last blog .."Snapshots Prayer Party"–celebrating the Linky way =-.
Oh, Emily, I needed to read this post! It’s been a while since I’ve commented, but I just had to on this one. I get so wrapped up in wanting a bajillion people to read my posts that I end up not really knowing what my blog is about. Since I’ve had to slow WAY down (life happens, after all), I can see a little more clearly what I’m supposed to be writing about.
Thanks for the reinforcement. : )
.-= Heathahlee´s last blog ..So Long, Green Big Van! =-.
No problem, Heathalee. It is always so nice to see you here.
Who you are and what you write is quite beautifully unique. This truly has become a place where my soul can breathe – and I find there are many other breathing souls around me here too. I believe you are accomplishing your mission, my friend, and it is being done well.
.-= Imperfect´s last blog ..A Safe Place – The Glorious End =-.
Just stopped in to get a link to your subway tile backsplash–for real. I needed to send it to a girl here in town who’s deciding on a backsplash.
Anyhow, this is such a thought provoking post–what you win them with, you have to keep them with. And you are right, it’s no fun to win them with something that isn’t quite you. I used to do tutorials every week and I fried my brain and never wanted to make things again. So, I stopped for the most part.
The good and bad thing about blogging is that you get to choose your own audience, and that amazingly can lead to people that you have so much in common with. I feel like the Nesting community gets tighter and more refined with every post. I have people unsubscribe almost every day and I know that helps tweak for the right people who want to read what I want to write.
create–you CREATE your own audience, you don’t really choose. Create doesn’t even seem like the right word.
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..How to Make a Slipcover for a Sectional =-.
& i’m so glad i found YOU!
.-= paige´s last blog ..*bliss in birmingham* =-.
I know this wasn’t the point of your post, but we are talking about painting our cabinets black as well. Yours look great! Maybe you inspired me to actually follow through.
.-= Lara´s last blog ..Misplaced Hope =-.
so funny!
.-= The Nester´s last blog ..How to Make a Slipcover for a Sectional =-.
You know, if you Google “a place for your soul to breathe, chatting at the sky is the first entry. Of course, I never Googled that. Just sayin’.
I guess I found you via Nester. But I stayed via your heart. The one that you share here, whether as a house lover, a photographer, a mother, or whatever. And I’m sticking around, because I’m glad I found you, too.
.-= Richella´s last blog ..Dishing with Amanda =-.
I can’t remember at all how I found you either but I’m sure glad I did!!! Keep on chatting at the sky to our Precious Father!!!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Owls and Dogs =-.
I actually did find you by googling “how to paint your kitchen cabinets black”. LOL. I visit this site almost daily. My husband and I are under an extreme amount of stress and I find that your blog is truly a place for my soul to breathe. Your photographs alone bring a smile to my face and refresh my spirit. God bless you.
Emily,
I found you through your dad’s blog which I found by accident one day. I love your blog and I go everytime I can. I link through to yours through your dad’s and I also get to check out your sisters. I couldn’t imagine not having you as part of my blog life. Thanks for sharing your life with us. You are a wonderful writer.
I found you from Kelly Langner Sauer’s site. I clicked on her link because I liked the sound of your blog title, “chatting at the sky”. I’m glad I did.
Thank you for sharing your life and journey.
I found you through your sweet sister. (I know she’s sweet ’cause I worked with her years ago.)
I love the simplicity and depth of your blog, such a lovely marriage in writing. I am delighted to have found you and look forward to seeing your post in my reader.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..A Balcony List =-.
Found you thru your sis and BlissDom.
Funny, we didn’t even know each other and we were roomies!
Now writing sisters. So cool how God works.
Your blog to me is comfort and peace, authenticity and inspiring, encouraging and thought-provoking.
I’m SO glad I know ya! XO
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..A Beautiful Mother’s Day Gift: Save the Memories! =-.
Emily:
Thanks for stopping by the blog and leaving your kind words regarding the book. I “found” you and your blog a while back; I don’t get here often, but when I do, I’m always enchanted by the simplistic, clean beauty of your work here, as well as your words. Like you, I’ve worked hard to keep a single “voice” in the matter of my blogging adventure. I’ve only been at it for 2.5 years, and once I finally got over myself (you know… that part of us that has to wrestle with why we’re doing it in the first place, blah, blah, blah), I feel satisfied with simply writing my heart.
My heart belongs to the King, thus, my hope and prayer is that when readers log on (whether intentionally or through accidental measure), they feel the pulse of heaven. I’d love to increase the “traffic” there, but I haven’t a clue as to how to go about doing that, nor am I sure I possess enough humility to deal with the pressure of it all. Honestly, my life is full enough right now, and I’ve often found that “keeping up with the Joneses” sends me down a treacherous path of potential pride.
You are a beautiful seeker of Peace and a warm companion for the road we share. I hope to sit beneath God’s sky someday and chat it up with you, but for now, please know I’ve whispered a prayer while looking up at God’s sky, knowing that only He could weave together the lives of perfect strangers via this crazy world we call blogging.
Keep to it. Keep to Jesus.
peace~elaine
PS: FYI… the most frequent word search that lands me traffic at my blog is “seventh birthday blessing.” I wrote about my daughter turning seven last year, even posted a brief video. After I saw all the “hits” I received on this particular post, it creeped me out a bit, and I removed the video.
.-= elaine @ peace for the journey´s last blog .."peace for the journey: in the pleasure of his company" =-.
Oh so true! As a new blogger and freelance writer, I have wrestled with this and truthfully, I am like you – the only thing I have to offer are my words. I don’t have a special talent like redoing pieces of furniture or embellishing things, or scrapbooking. I am not particularly good at cooking (I keep my family alive!) and though I am interested in photography, you certainly could not call my blog a photo blog. I am a writer’s blog and like you, I’m not really sure how anyone has found me.
I am SO glad I have found you though. You have provided a great source of information for me without even knowing it – just by being who you are.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for a great post!
.-= Natalie at Mommy on Fire´s last blog ..CR: “I Will Survive”: The Machu Picchu Mix =-.
Emily, I really like your truth-telling here. I read you for your poignant words and heart-stopping photographs…not just for your decorating wisdom (though I do love your house)! I’m glad I found you through (in) courage! And your words today mean a lot to this girl, who gets a little too caught up in the numbers game from time to time.
.-= Michelle at Graceful´s last blog ..Mothering =-.
Emily, I found you through She Speaks last year when you and your sister spoke about blogging.
You challenged us to find our voice, so that is what I am working on. I haven’t quite put my finger on it yet and I am still a bit “all over the board”. I am also trying to push past the introvert in me that struggles when sharing things that are close to my heart.
I really enjoyed this post. Thank you for sharing some of the things you have learned through experience with a newbie!
.-= imoomie´s last blog ..A Whirlwind… =-.
such great words! I struggle here too. It seems like everyone just wants house stuff. I like house stuff for sure. but, i like thoughts like yours. i like to read them and i sure do have them! my highest days are always on a fab project day. it is a lot of pressure to always have a fab project. i think just being ourselves without pressure! You are real…love it!!!
.-= Mary Jean´s last blog ..Be Still Mondays =-.
Your posts are so thought-provoking and calming and reassuring that I’m not the only one out there thinking this way. I’m currently trying to focus my blog and find a writing schedule that fits into the responsibilities I have at home, and the last two posts you wrote (this one and the next one about finding each other) really helped solidify some of what I’ve been concluding.
As far as finding you, a friend of mine posted a link to one of your posts about motherhood on Facebook probably a year ago now – and then I ran into your blog again on Kelly Languer Sauer’s blog, and then I subscribed.
You’re the only reason I love Tuesdays! Ok, and maybe also because my husband works closer to home and gets home earlier on Tuesday.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..God’s Paintbrush =-.
I am somehow just now seeing this post…in God’s perfect timing. I was starting to feel silly for blogging. I enjoy it, but it’s time consuming, and after over a year of posting, I have only a small band of followers (28, but it was 14 for a year!). I don’t even know how I really feel about followers. I’ve never asked anyone to follow, never posted the followers gadget, etc. But when I see the abundant way others gather followers, it makes me feel silly for putting myself out there again and again.
But then I’ll get that one email or comment that gives me confidence that God has me writing for a bigger purpose. In my best posts, he is speaking, not me. I often get in the way, but you know…even with home decor posts, nothing is wasted if you remain open to His lead. He may draw someone in because of her interest in black painted cabinets. But imagine what else is waiting for her here: words of promise and truth.
Keep writing. Keep obeying. God will take care of the traffic.
Blessings,
Linsey
LLH Designs´s last [type] ..What Day Is It Really
oh i love this post!! and i love your blog. so sweet, sincere and encouraging. that is refreshing to this little mama!
melissa´s last [type] ..pain leads to transformation
for what it’s worth, I found your blog from a link from TheNester from a link from Making It Lovely, if I remember right…. and you don’t have to take it personally but this isn’t the kind of blog I’d normally like but I like yours and am putting it in my google reader.
What a great post! Thanks for writing the way you do.