A Haven for Vee

Friday, March 2, 2012

A Bit of This and a Dab of That

Sounds like a recipe...

I've been watching Jennifer at Our Southern Table for some time now. I hang out there daily and am constantly amazed by the quality of the work she has on her blog. I'd love to see more folks visiting because she is an excellent teacher with lots of experience. Her latest post introduces a new project she has in mind—getting back to the kitchen. She states her case so clearly that I couldn't help but nod in agreement. The other thing is, Jen and her family have just moved to a new home and she's already created a working kitchen...from boxes...in just a few days. I think she might have things to teach me.

She says, "A few things I would like to cover include a little about decor, what you do and don't need, stocking the refrigerator and pantry, casual entertaining, menus, and clever storage ideas."

Jen's link will be on my sidebar making it easy to pop over and see what's going on. I think this will be a fun series!

Our Southern Table

***

~Beyond My Portal~

The snow ended last night and will return tomorrow. John said, "Honey, the house looked so cute and cozy when I came driving down the street this morning. It's wearing its little blanket." And he says that he's not a poet! ;> 

***

So many of my blogging buddies are away on March breaks. I will miss you all, of course, but wish for you amazing times. There seems to be a general lull in Blogdom. Is it just me or have you noticed it, too?

So, on that note, what things are of interest to you these days? Is the glut of information so great that you are sometimes overwhelmed? Is Pinterest, Olio(board) or some other thing taking more of your online attention? 

For example, I found a deliciously beautiful blog last night. No, I'll not tell you (unless you beg). It was a peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich, a regular magazine of a blog with page after page of images with nary a word about the blogger or her thought process or anything that would draw me there again. I used that blog for an hour's entertainment and walked away without saying a word. And I thought how sad. For you see, blogs are more to me than fluff and stuff. Though I like a Fluffernutter every now and then; I wish also to find the heart and mind of the one who laid those pages down. Without that, it's not enough.

What do you think?

31 comments:

  1. Good morning! I just couldn't agree more. I love a blog where you can get to know the person in such a meaningful way. Where you feel like you have sat down and had a little chat. Laughed along with them. Shed a tear or two. Been encouraged, or impressed, or learned something valuable. There are just soo many of them. Have a good week-end Vee! Oh, and your husbands remark was just darling!

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  2. -clapping hands- Is it Spring yet? It most certainly is! Here at The Haven.

    Precious! Background and Header too. Love it!!!

    "I couldn't have electricity in the house, I wouldn't sleep a wink. All those vapors floating about."
    ~Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

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  3. When blogging the word to use is not "beg" Vee. It's "bleg". You'll not tell us about the beautiful blog you found unless we "bleg" you. :)

    We've had lot's of snow here too in the last week. Our kids had the last two days off of school! Yes, thank goodness they are back. They still have one more week and then they have their March Break. Tony will be off to Spain that week!

    Love the sounds of the "Our Southern Table" blog! I'll have to check it out later. I've got tons to do today so, I'm not really here. :)

    ((Hugs))
    Laura

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  4. Yes, John is a poet. He put what-he-saw, into the loveliest of words.

    Perhaps we all should try this... More often... Make word-pictures of what we seeeeeeeeee... Maybe? :-)

    "I couldn't have electricity in the house, I wouldn't sleep a wink. All those vapors floating about."
    ~Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

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  5. Our Southern Table sounds like a great blog...I will head over for a visit after posting here.

    Your snow is beautiful and John does sound liked a poet. My post today is about signs of spring around here.

    Funny you should mention what interests bloggers. I just put a poll on my side bar - though I have not mentioned it in my blog yet. I will explain why in my next post...
    Hugs,
    Penny
    p.s. have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. THANK YOU for touching on a choice of mine, in Pretty Blog Land. You wish to find the heart/mind of the blogger, whom you read. Just pretty pictures, is not enough.

    Oh yes! Thank you for saying it! See, when you say things, and ask other's opinion too, it sounds nice and calm and not pushy.

    Where as, were I to ask the same "what do you think?", it might sound like I was grumpy over blogging with just pics. Or grumpy over blogging with just pretty out-of-doors pics. Or of just blogging with table settings.

    But I wouldn't mean to sound grumpy! Lots of people must love those *Just* blogs. But I want more. I want to kind of peek into the life of the blogger. And not just into her tablescapes or garden. :-)

    Thank you!

    Perhaps I'll get brave and ask myself. Perhaps....

    "I couldn't have electricity in the house, I wouldn't sleep a wink. All those vapors floating about."
    ~Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham

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  7. I love blogging too - like you. And try to always stay active. I've found there are lulls in people blogging - just not sure why. I enjoyed your little of this and a little dab of that! Thanks for following me. sandie

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  8. The snow looks so beautiful, and here the key word is looks. I love to read blogs that introduce me to a person. I do follow some that are info only, they are more like reading a magazine. I BEG you to share your new blogging friend. Have a wonderful day.

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  9. Oh...so pretty over there in the snow!

    On blogs...I like words to go with the pictures...and some thoughts as well. On pinterest...just give me a good photo and some instructions.

    Thanks for the link to 'kitchen matters'.

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  10. I agree! You do recommend good blogs. I have to leave now and go over and visit the blog you recommended. I took a peep and now I'm convicted about doing something in my entryway. We'll talk later!
    Deb

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  11. I visited the blog and, you're right, it is lovely. It will be fun to visit as she discusses what we need and don't need. - - Some of my kitchen items are definitely not needs; they're wants. Like the red and white polka dot bakeware that I rarely use. They take up much needed room, but they make me smile.

    How wonderful that John loves the home you share. The more I get to know John - through your blog - the more I know he's a really great person.

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  12. I love your new background, it looks so spring-like! Love the snow scene and John definitely sounds poetic.

    I also like to read blogs where you can get to know the blogger a bit. I've noticed a lull in blogging, too. Do you think people are getting tired of it? Maybe it's just the time of year and our attention turns to spring cleaning or other pursuits.

    I will go check out the blog you mentioned. Have a great day!

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  13. Love your new header and also how John described your cottage. Sweet!
    I have noticed some waning in blogdom. Then of course I'm a little distracted around here, too.

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  14. Oh, dear, Vee...I am afraid now that I am just all FLUFF and not enuf coming thru about my personality. Am I not allowing anyone to 'know who I am'?
    So sorry about that...I must work on another approach to blogging. I am so used to just 'doing what I do' here in my every day life...I should do something different...what?? I don't know HOW to do anything different. I don't have any deep dark secrets....nor anything unusual going on in my life. I am what I am, I guess....oh, dear......

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  15. I am totally IN LUV with your beautiful header. My but you are getting good at this....:)

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  16. I don't like just fluff either!

    I am going to visit the blog you have linked to, it sounds like fun.

    I guess there is a lull - I have been busy with some other things, though I have been trying to get around to my usual reads.

    John is a poet - How we keep our homes does matter to our husbands. Yours is a happy man!

    Thanks again, for your help with my blog!

    Deanna

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  17. OH! Vee,
    The sweet words of what John said about your home is what it's all about. As women our heart's desire is to fill our homes with so love and warmth, for our husband,family, and friends and to have them take notice and tell us about it is the icing on the cake.

    As far blogging I alway enjoy reading about a person's day to day life, which I always find so enjoyable here at "haven", you know "the real stuff," rather than having a lot of fluff and stuff, which btw floats away with the clouds! ~smile~
    Enjoyed catching up on your previous posts.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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  18. I took a break from making blood donor calls and tried to find Olio. I googled it and still don't think that I found the right thing.

    So, please let me know what Olio is. I do like Pinterest, as you already know!! Is there something else as creative out there?

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  19. I too like getting to know the person whose blog I read.

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  20. Oh, it is indeed looking cozy at your haven today.
    Thanks for the link to kitchen matters. It sounds interesting and I plan to stop by for a visit.
    I have stayed far away from Pinterest because I know I can't afford to spend any more time at the computer and I know if I go over there I will probably get hooked. I'm not familiar with Olio.
    I have noticed a change in blogging. I wonder if some are more into Facebook and Twitter now?
    I received a little package from your magnet factory yesterday. Thank you very much. It is darling and making me smile every time I open the fridge.

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  21. Aww, what a sweet comment from your John. When my most unpoetic husband comes up with such words, I hug them to my heart for the sheer joy they bring.

    Maybe it's the winter doldrums that has bloggers slowing down. For me, I'm wondering why I should carry on. It's a feeling that comes from time to time and I usually get reenergized.

    I enjoy getting to know the person behind the blog - otherwise I might as well read the back of the cereal box.

    Off to explore Our Southern Table.

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  22. Vee
    Any man whose eyes are open to see natures beauty as John has, has to have a warm heart. Just my opinion.
    I, too, love a blog that makes you feel like you have really visited their home. And you'd feel comfortable sharing a cup of tea there, as well. Got your pot on, Vee?

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  23. Thanks for pointing me to Southern Table. I will be sure to visit there and see what she is up to.
    I also love to get to 'the heart of the matter'. Fluff has it's place, but give me some substance too. It has seemed rather quiet lately.....I think it's the time of year....new things will be popping up soon.

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  24. Hi Vee!

    Oh boy, I have missed your blog! I just love your new look, very Springy! Jen has a great blog - thank you so much for sharing her blog - I can't wait to see and read more of her ideas.

    There is a lull, and I have been one of them... :0) I think that you are right about Pinterest taking more of our online attention. I only look at it once in a while, but I can see how so many could get caught up in it. It's a little too impersonal for me, but sure has lots to offer.

    I think we might have the same stove! I even thought that when you showed a picture of your new one. If so, I love mine, and know that you will love yours too!

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  25. Yes, I agree that a blog has to have some personality to it and 'conversation'. I'll check out the Southern Table blog. I won't be going anywhere for the break. Oh, I forgot, we're going to Moncton mid-week for the Chris Tomlin concert! And some shopping. But, I'll be around here. I hope you have a good weekend and don't get snow again. I think we're getting snow then rain. :( Hugs, Pam

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  26. What do I look for in a blog? How do I choose which to read?

    There are two things that bring me back to a blog over and over again. Some blogs have one of those things; some blogs have the other. A few have both.

    1. I read to learn...decorating, cooking, creating, etc.

    2. I read because I have found a kindred spirit, an online friend. (You kind of know as you read their words, over time, that this person feels as you do about key issues, that you would be friends in person if circumstances allowed. You would love to chat over a cup of tea.)

    ***

    Love John's description of your home sweet home!

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  27. We are SO on the same page, Vee! I'd rather a blog with grainy, blurred photos and heartfelt writing than one that is all eye candy. I need to feel a connection when I read and that only comes with the words.

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  28. First of all, your header is beautiful and so hopeful of spring. Yes I've seen a lull, and thought maybe its only the ones I follow...and that possibly people run out of things to write about. I'm at the point where I wonder if I am repeating myself, but I guess it doesn't matter; it's what is on my mind today. I have "slowed" down but only because I am so terribly busy right now with my jobs, grandkids, mother, etc. I find when I have a day at home and some quiet, then the creativity flows again.

    All that aside your husband IS a poet, and your words about blogging are so right on and beautifully written and expressed. Have a good weekend!

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  29. Hi Vee, as you know I am as sporatic a blogger as they come. It's not Pinterest (though I do savor time spent looking at pretty pictures.) It's not FB. Too much drama and drivel there. In part it is because I have looked too often at the really pretty blogs and thought I could not compete with that. Then I come back to the truth of it, which I always find here. Your blog (and YOU) hold a warm spot in my heart. Blogs that tell a story are still the best. And you tell your story (edited though it may be--smile) the best of all. ~Kathy

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  30. Pinterest. That's the second time I have come across that word today and have no idea what it means!

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