Ten Years of "House at Forest Manor"

Hello Friends!  In January of this year, I began my tenth year of blogging -- I can hardly believe it.  In some ways it seems like it hasn't been any time at all since I published that first post in 2011; then in other ways, it feels like I've been doing this always.  I've noticed some of my blog friends have also been writing their blog for ten years; I didn't realize that so many of us had started around the same time.  I just always assumed that everyone else had been at this a lot longer than me.  :D        

 

   My goodness, haven't we seen some changes around here?!  When I first started out, it seemed like everyone was on Google Blogspot.  Then so many of you moved your blog to WordPress -- I'm still at good old Blogspot because I don't want the hassle of trying to move everything.  😜  A whole lot of folks are advertising on their blogs, many of you have had your homes featured in magazines, and some of you have written (and published) books.  I'm truly impressed and amazed.      So many of the people who were writing blogs when I started out have stopped; some just disappeared with no explanation, while others lost interest or had to stop blogging due to life events.  I must tell you that I still miss Kathleen at Cuisine Kathleen, Alma at The Tablescaper, Marigene at In The Middle of Nowhere, Debbie at Words on Wheels, Alycia at Tablescapes at Table 21, Rose at Second Hand Rose, Barbara at Two Birdies and a B, and Judith at Lavender Cottage.  I'm really thankful for my old friends who are still blogging, though like me, maybe not quite as often now.      Writing a blog has been such a joy and a real creative outlet for me.  I can't begin to tell you what a difference it has made to me in many ways.  I've learned more about computers 😉 and photography, and hopefully a little about writing, as well.  I started House at Forest Manor when our son was a sophomore in college; he graduated  in 2013, and he's been out on his own for six years now.  When I started my blog, our Scottie, MacDuff, was the official blog dog.  We lost him in 2013, and now we have Duncan, our funny and feisty Scottie.  I shared pictures of him before he had his eyes open (e-mailed from the breeder) and he turned six years old last month.  Hard to believe!   

     I've learned so much from all of you -- decorating tips, book recommendations, how to "shop the house" 😀 and the list goes on.  It's a treat to read your DIY posts, home renovations (I love before and afters) posts on crafting, fashion, gardening, and family.      I feel like our house has changed a lot in these ten years (for the better I hope) and we're planning to get some more improvements made this summer.  I was looking back at my first two tablescapes, and boy has our dining room changed.      

   This picture was actually taken in 2010 and shared on my blog in 2011.   

   Same spot in 2017 with new-to-me mirror and lamp.     

   A wider view of the room in 2011,   

   and basically the same view in 2020.  New chandelier, new floors, new bar cart/buffet, better lighting, better camera 😉 and better photography.  I've been making a lot of the blog pictures this past year or so with my new Sony mirrorless camera.  I love, love this camera!   

   I shared the journey of our kitchen renovation with you here on the blog.  Meet the old kitchen -- so much clutter in there!      

   and Honey -- that backsplash!  😲   

      

    The new kitchen!  Eight years later, I still love it.   

    

     The final improvement in the kitchen was hardwood flooring.     

      

   In 2016, we got new windows   

     

       and in 2017 we got hardwood floors.      

   It's been so nice to have like-minded people to share these things with.  We're a group of nesters who like to make our house a home, right?     

        We don't often do big renovations, so it's usually about the little things that make a house a home here at Forest Manor.  That's just fine with me.  :)            

   I've shared travel,       

       

       

     

         

  

  

  

  

  

              

   and books I'm reading,        

           

    recipes,          

  

   music,     

         movies, and family with you, and I've so enjoyed reading what you share, as well.  I've gotten acquainted (online of course) with people from different parts of our country, as well as across the Pond.  It's been painful to read about some of you losing your spouses, parents, siblings, friends, and family pets.  I lost my dad in 2018, and we lost our last remaining grandparent (Hal's paternal grandmother) who was 100 years old.  It's all part of life, isn't it?     I've said before that this blog is somewhat like a journal for me.  It's a way to record my life, with the added bonus of pictures.  I never imagined others would be interested in this little "journal" of mine, but I sure am glad you are!    I want to thank each of you who has corresponded with me during these ten years, and those of you who still do.  Your kind comments and e-mails really make it so worthwhile to work on House at Forest Manor.  As busy as all our lives are, it's sometimes hard to find the time to keep this up, but I certainly plan to do so for as long as I can.  Thanks for your visit today, and here's to a good year in 2020!       Linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.  Thank you for hosting, Susan!     Blessings,