I’m very honored that BlogHer has picked up my Crockpot Boeuf Bourgignon post to feature on their website today. If you don’t see it by clicking on BlogHer, then it’s not up yet. It will appear by 9am PST (which is nearly the end of our day over here, and since we will be having dinner at a friend’s house, I won’t be able to participate in the twitter stream).
I couldn’t help but notice that most of the “recognition” I get for my blog comes from my food posts and not my writing (BlogHer – close your eyes – I’m definitely not complaining!). But it made me wonder if that is something I should be focusing more on.
If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile now, would you kindly indulge me by leaving a comment to say why you read it?
Is it the French recipes? The family and/or personal stories? Is it to “dream a little dream with me” as you’ve been a long-time francophile? Is it because I comment on your blog, so it’s only fitting that you should respond in kind? (I’m kidding – I hope that’s not the reason).
This will help me going forward – it’s not like I will stop writing on pretty much the same topics, but if I find that there is more interest in one area than another, perhaps I will make more of a concerted effort in that area.
While you’re giving that a little thought, here are some pictures of the children throwing leaves. Do ignore the chantier (means construction site – pronounced shawn-tyay) in the background.
You know how websites alternate feature stories – they flash one image after the other? And you try to click on a story but it’s already moved on to the next thing?
My life feels a little like that at the moment. There are these impressive stories that come up and grab my attention, but they don’t stay up long enough for me to be able to click over before I am presented with the next issue.
There are my six English classes – which take preparation (and vacuuming) since they are held in my home. There is my blog and social media – I care about the relationships that are made through blogging, but that also means that, like many of you, I spend a LOT of time reading and commenting. And I know many of you are way better at it than I am.
There is our dog (yes I’m very excited, but I cannot deceive myself by not recognizing that it will be like having a toddler again). There is the devastation around us – people beloved to us who have been diagnosed with cancer, who are in extreme financial difficulties, who find themselves in distressing situations too personal to recount, even anonymously. I want to be there for these loved ones.
There is our church participation – hosting weekly Bible discussions and teaching the children’s class once a month. I know I make it sound like a burden, but we do love this little group and there is joy in what we do. There is my husband’s very involved profession – even the dream jobs can be stressful. And then there are the family things that must be taken care of – cleaning, shopping, gardening, doctor’s appointments, activities, homework (it’s like trying to get a university degree here). It’s a lot to do.
And, you know, there’s my book too. I got my first and only rejection letter (I’ve only attempted one publisher), and while I’m in the throes of editing, I do have a plan for that which I will announce soon. Still, it’s another thing grabbing my attention – a feature story flashing before my eyes.
In that elusive attempt to stop and fixate on just one feature at a time,
I think it’s the children who’ve got their focus right.
hi Jennie– I started reading your blog because you are my longtime friend and we practically grew up together, but I got hooked because your writing is so engaging, delicious, moving, and funny! (does that cover all the types of posts you do?) I love the variety of posts– I would probably get bored if all you did were food posts, but I always drool over the recipes and sometimes make them myself. I like the stories about your family, and I do get a vicarious (and wistful) pleasure from your travel posts from family vacations. So, keep them coming! And a book… wow! Look forward to hearing more about it!