I thought that I'd enjoy looking back over the year, with the Year in Reveiw posts here at abeachcottage.com and I thought the old Hungarian trunk was pretty much the best thing on this blog this past year…but I'm not so sure now, what I didn't realise as I surfed through my own stuff, stuff created purely and simply and mostly by me, was that I would look back over things and think…errrm….actually.
It. All. Looks. Quite. Nice.
And when I came across the post from the curtain pole I fashioned outta nothing with Mr Teenage Beach Cottage's Male Brain and help, for free, I got a lump in my silly old throat.
And I think, I surprised myself, at how I dressed this doorway to the Sitting Room for a mere four dollars.
And I liked that I did that.
I really like that I thought outside the box, eschewed consumerism, used what I have and taught my teenager (or he taught me more like) to get the cogs working in the brain to find a solution…
I like all of that.
And It brought a lump to my throat.
And that people is why I blog.
You may, or may not, have noticed the lack of advertising here, that may well change in the future…for the moment, I don't blog for that…but I have recently been wondering (as the New Year dawns and you tend to ponder things) quite why I sit here in the quiet of the evening or with a coffee in the morning and commence with what has become a virtual chat with lovely virtual friends?
I realised as I looked back at this doorway-dressing-for-a-few-bucks post, that whatever opportunities or perhaps moreover possibilities this little old place of mine may bring, whatever wonderful new friends I prattle on about white paint with, essentially, thrifting old things with a very good friend, interacting with a teenager, painting things white and nesting in this tatty old cottage is what I enjoy and what I will continue to do in 2010 as we further put down roots in Australia and make this place home..
I do hope you'll enjoy the ride
Cheers to 2010, thrifting and our future…teenagers!
and if you want to read the full post about the curtain, the thrifting with a good friend, the bamboo pole, and more photos go here).
Happy New Year, Sarah. There are times I feel like not blogging anymore. But then I am rejuvenated by a project, thought, or feeling that I want to share and it’s so nice to have a place that inspires that within me.
It’s been so great getting to know you and your home in 2009. I look forward to much more in 2010.
dearest sarah,
i am so glad that you blog! i am so glad that i found your blog and that you come into my home everday for a wee visit. i have my speculations that all of us ‘bloggers’ will someday be in therapy for having ‘virtural’ friends….but i do have a huge addiction to the dear friends i have met online. the inspiration you provide us, in my opinion, is better than any magazine. i used to be a big scrapbooker, and now i think i will just print my blog into a book and pass that down to my kids. you should consider the same, as i am sure your son would someday love to hear that he put a ‘good’ lump in your throat.
cheers! to another creative year.
kathi at traybella
Thanks for blogging and inspiring us (from the warmth of Oz instead of the winter wonderland the UK continues to be ….. more snow!)
Happy New Year Sarah!
Beautiful post!
I continue to blog without ads, after almost three years. I’ve been approached about ads, several times and I declined. I think it’s a wonderful option for others, but not for me.
When I began my first post of the new year, I wondered if I would continue the old Back Porch in 2010. I decided as long as my little journal makes me happy, then I will continue. If it becomes a chore I will end my blog. That’s been my thought, from the beginning, in 2007.
Back Porch Musings is my hobby. It’s a hobby J participates in, also. So the blog is wonderful for these two elderly folks.
I hope you continue. I love coming here!
All of those lovely bits of advice, wonderful thrifty scores and your wonderful attitude is why I stop by here every day. It’s so inspiring to see someone who literally makes something out of nothing with such style. I hope you continue to blog for a long time to come!
Gina
Great post. My mom recently asked me why I blog. A good question for an “outsider” because it seems to take so much time, so much thought, so much effort… I can’t imagine not blogging though, it helps me see our home through fresh eyes and is a great outlet for meeting others (like yourself) who are creative and have similar interests as me. It can be overwhelming at times but overall, I love it.
~Michelle
We get up in the mornings (or more succinctly, I do), make my coffee, put some fruit on my cereal, and log on, because we are of “like minds.” We get one another. We enjoy seeing what we can make out of nothing. We are the segment of the population ever so tired of consumerism. And this is our little clubhouse. Where we share our goodies and know we’re not going to be thought of as “strange” when we show something everyone else would just throw to the curb. (And sometimes it was at the curb before we snatched it.) That is why we do what we do.
Brenda
I have enjoyed the ride, and I have no doubt that I will continue to do so! So many of things you mentioned are what inspired me to start my own blog (which I did 3 days ago). Wonderful post.
I am so glad for that lump in your throat…it is why I love your blog…it is why I blog…Oh, I do hope you will keep on like you have…keep it simple…white and simple. I’ve been offered the advertizing, but that is not why I blog. I don’t like to visit the blogs that do have advertizing…they are such a distraction…like commercials…and they steal away the beauty, in my opinion. I hope you will keep on…keep on…keep on…doing what you love…and blessing us with your beauty.
i’m so happy you blog…it’s quite inspiring. and i will live vicariously through you as you make your life on the coast of australia. looking forward to 2010.
Happy New Year Sarah! It’s been great getting to know you through your blog this last year!
I blog because I love it too but the money the ads bring in is an added benefit! What I make on my ads goes right back into my home which gives me more to blog about. It’s a personal preference…I know some people do not like ads but to me it would be like throwing away free money…and it’s not just pennies!
Goodmorning Sarah!
I am so glad you blog & prattle(!). You put words & pictures together so well. My mum has often asked me how did I become so imersed in blogging & then one day I showed her you blog post on that hungarian trunk & it moved her to tears & she then said ‘Now I know’!.
Your tatty beach cottage is gorgeous but even more gorgeous are the souls that live within it’s walls.
You offer inspiration to people who have not much money & for those that do, you show them that it’s not the dollar cost that matters but the sheer delight simplicity brings.
Here’s Cheers my friend for another great year of blogging!
Sarah
Hi Sarah
I am another one who loves your blog, it is always inspiring to see what you come up with next! Keep doing what you love and we’ll keep reading about it! As for the advertising, to be honest when I read through my blogs, I never notice it so it wouldn’t bother me one way or the other.
Happy New Year
Cheers
Judy
hello Sarah … I think blogging is the cheapest, most complete form of therapy one could ever hope for
I love to read and be read, I love the conversation and connections and I love knowing there are women like me who want to make the effort to share and learn from each other. I also adore the non judgmental side of blogging and the world wide nature of it …
My best to you for 2010 and as you know we cherish your efforts, best le
ps tell me about the white stone pile in the RH front of this pic ta le
Your blog is one of my favorites to visit. I love your writing voice and your photos and your style. Here’s to another lovely year at the Beach Cottage! Cheers!
Sarah, I love your blog because it’s authentically you. I’m glad it gave you a lump in your throat – it means that you were true to whatever drove you to blog to begin with (whether you knew what that whatever was or not).
It happens to be great fun that there are so many of us who can relate to what you like and what you are doing. We come along for the ride and you don’t forget that we are here… but you still “sound” like you are writing for you and we happen to be your lucky friends who get to listen to your thoughts.
Happy New Year!
Ah, Sarah….your blog continues to be one of my very favorite. No matter WHY you do it. Just keep doing it~
Happy New Year~
Carol
This post is so sweet and it’s why I blog too. Hoping you had a great ringing in of the new year! I am still dragging from having way too much fun at the flea market yesterday! I’m looking forward to reading many more of your lovely posts this year!
Cheers stylish beach cottage lady!
xo Mary Jo
Sweet post…I love blogging, too.
Advertise if you like…altho it’s not for me, I see nothing wrong with it.
Have a happy and wonderful week…
Hi Sarah,
Your blog is the first one I came across while surfing the net one day last year, and you have become my inspiration for starting my own blog and in how I decorate my home, I love the beachy feel,stylish and yet casual and relaxed which is how I want my home to feel, not just for my family but to others as well.
Thank you for inspiring me
Lee
That curtain is too cute! Your teenager must be proud(in a teenager sort of way when his friends aren’t around) to have help you with this ingenious solution for the curtain rod! I read the old post and loved and agreed with your sentiment about not spending $40 in a yucky store. I think bargains are the reward we deserve for shopping at yucky stores, don’t you?
Although this sounds a little silly as I am typing it, I feel like I know you and have made a new friend because I read your blog daily.
I think it is really nice to be able to look back and reflect on the year that was. Having a blog is like having a diary with pictures… except all our virtual friends are reading our diary as well – LOL. I’m glad you blog Sarah. Thank you for letting us share in your renovation and sea change journey.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I started my blog because I wanted “friends” like you. Blogging has opened up my horizons considerably, “talking” to people in other countries and learning new ways to do something has made my life more interesting and more meaningful. I enjoy seeing what you do with very little money, and lots of white paint. I too have a bit of money and lots of paint. I am really glad that you blog, you have added another dimension to my life. Hugs, Cindy S.
everyone loves your blog so we are thrilled you do it!! with or without ads. but the best part is that it is something so meaningful for you, (which is how it is so powerful to us). not to mention the content is the bomb! LOVE YOU! jkj
Happy New Year!
I must confess I am a ‘newy’ to the virtual world. I have dipped my toe in and now want to jump in!! I found you by accident a few months ago and now I check in 3-5 times a week!
I love the way you write, your pictures, your ethos and I guess I can relate to a lot of what you write. Its also my escapism
Please continue…perhaps you can help those less talented on how to blog?!? how do you come up with your ideas, your projects, etc?!?
lol, M x
Hello sweet Sarah – Happy New Year! I too am so glad you blog. Over the last year I have really enjoyed stopping by for visits to see what all you’re up to. I’ve been inspired many times by the things you repurpose. I look forward to see what you’ve managed to find laying on the side of the road, taken home and made over into something beautiful.
I love your $4 curtain treatment above the door! So pretty and such a nice touch.
Blessings,
Marie
I can well understand the query as to why we blog sometimes.
I am so inspired by people out there and I love the window into people’s lives. I am often motivated to do something more here as a result.
It’s posts just like these that makes us ALL happy you blog. Cheers to you in 2010 !
I stop by every day and not one day do I regret it. I know I don’t comment a lot, but I truly get inspiration from you and your blog! So here’s wishing you the best in 2010 from all of us at Lookiloos.
?much love desiree
Dear Sarah Happy New Year to you too.I found your blog this past fall and have checked in every day since. Thank you for coming into my home each day and sharing your cottage,ideas and your love of white with me. I will continue to follow you into 2010 and beyond…watching you transform your finds with white paint.
From my little bungalow to your little cottage…safe travels and all the best in the new year.