Saturday 7 June 2014

Thoughts on a Saturday and a bit of a vent . . .



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Amongst the many wonders of June, there is the putting away of Winter stuff . . . I think we can finally concede that Summer is almost here and it's time to moth ball the old wool blankets and bring out the lighter duvets and covers.  As a child all of our Winter clothing would have been tucked away in the attic until October, but alas . . .  today's budget restraints mean that I wear the same things all year round, adding a sweater during the colder months, and the only thing which really changes would be the weight of my coat.  

When I worked at the Manor, the changing seasons would mean several weeks of bringing down clothes and shoes from the attic and returning clothes and shoes to the attic.  I have never seen anyone with so many articles of clothing or pairs of shoes.  I helped the housekeeper to do this on occasion as it was a very time consuming and difficult chore to cope with.  Furs also had to be sent to cold storage.  Whilst I was there I instituted the practice of photographing the many pairs of shoes.   Because the shoes were also seasonal and there was only a limited number of shoe boxes  I began the practice of placing the photograph of each pair of shoes which was in the box in a clear envelope which I stuck on the end of each box.  Sometimes when my boss was travelling to another climate,  she would require several pairs of shoes which were off-season.  It was a nightmare trying to find the right ones.  The photographs helped.

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The garden is coming into her glory at the moment, with more gorgeousness to follow.   All of the roses are in bloom.   We have quite a few different ones.  I think that roses have to be one of my favourite of all the flowers . . . but then every time I spy a new bloom on another plant, I fall in love with those . . .

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I think I just love flowers and nature full stop.   In June I am delighted no matter which way I turn . . . but then again I find that with every season.  They all delight my soul in their own unique ways.

I was a bit upset this morning as someone left a comment on my food blog saying that they used to love coming to read the recipes each day, but they felt all my posts now were about things I had been sent and how lovely they were.   I felt a bit stung by that comment.  I don't really think it was a fair statement to make, and a bit exaggerated.  I do post a recipe every single day which is a lot more than most food bloggers do.   Sometimes, yes it also has to do with something which I have been sent, but then again . . . I normally include a recipe in those types of reviews as well so that I can show my readers how I've used what I have been sent.  And always, always my reviews are honest and I tell it like it is.   I cannot help it if I always get sent nice stuff.  If it's not so good, I let my readers know.  I let them know all of the pros and cons.

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Occasionally I will have a sponsored post.  This is a post I have been paid to put up.  It doesn't happen very often and it's normally very easy to tell which are the sponsored posts from the regular posts.  There is usually not a recipe title on the post.  All of my recipe posts have recipe titles in them.  With rising costs food blogging  is an expensive venture these days.   Back when I worked at the Manor I was able to show new and exciting things on two blogs every day of the foodie nature.   That was because I was cooking in two locales every day.  Now, I only cook here at home and it's a lot more difficult and harder to manage presenting new and delicious things each day, but I do, and if sometimes that means I have to do a sponsored post, then so be it.  Nobody has to read them if they don't want to.

And yes, I get sent free stuff to try out sometimes.  Normally food stuff.   And stuff that we all see in the grocery stores and wonder about buying.   I use those foodie ingredients and occasional appliance/tools which I get sent to make recipes and then I share what I have made with my readers as well as my experience in using the tool/equipment.  I always thought those posts were helpful and informative.  That way the reader can decide if they want to try out the same things, or not.  Again, I try to be completely honest in my posts.  There have been the odd things that I did not like or find useful and my readers know it.

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At the end of the day, this isn't a job, this blogging lark.  I don't get paid to do it.   It's a passion and I enjoy every minute of it.  I love sharing my thoughts and findings with my readers.  On the food blog I love sharing the recipes which I try out and enjoy.  I enjoy sharing my experiences in trying new things/equipment/tools/products.  Nobody has to read my posts.  The world won't end if they don't, and I'd probably still be doing it even if nobody read.  It is a form of journaling for me.   I enjoy it for what it is.  The bonus is my readers, and they mean the world to me . . .  but mostly I do it for me.  It is not meant, nor was ever meant to be an exercise in boosting or massaging my ego.  Yes I do enjoy the interaction with the readers very much . . . but when someone says something cutting, not so much, especially when I think it's unfair or unkind.  This is what was said:

"I know this post is probably not popular but every time I come to your blog it is about something you received and now tell us how wonderful it is. I loved your recipes but now not so much."  

I assume she meant her comment by the word post . . .  and this is my question to you.   Do you think that my food blog has become all about things I have received, or am testing?  Is it all about new products and tools?   Is this a fair statement to make?   Hit me with it.  I have my big girl panties on.  ☺  

A thought to carry with you through today . . . 

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..
(¯`v´¯)
 `*.¸.*´Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
  ¸.•´¸.•~♥♥♥~•.~  


"No work or love will flourish out of guilt,
fear, or hollowness of heart, just as no
valid plans for the future can be made by
those who have no capacity for living now."
~Alan Watts  

`*.¸.*✻ღϠ₡ღ¸.✻´´¯`✻.¸¸.Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ..  

Today you get two recipes.  One which accidentally posted last night when it shouldn't have, and a new one so that I didn't miss posting a new one today.  

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Deliciously simple Barbecued Frankfurters, so simple and so tasty!

Magic Custard Cakefrom The English Kitchen 

Deliciously simple Magic Custard Cake.   This is a real winner, but then again so are the hot-dogs!

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░L░O░V░E⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
 ═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════   

I wish for you a wonderful Saturday.  Remember, kindness costs nothing.  

18 comments:

  1. I am a very frequent visitor to your blog Marie & I really appreciate when you test new appliances & give feedback on food you have been sent. Her comment is exaggerated, take no notice & keep up the good work.
    Margaret

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  2. Ignore it and move on. As you say if they aren't happy then hey can move on!

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  3. I agree. Don't let one person's opinion discourage you. I live in the US, where a lot of things you receive and blog about aren't available, but I still love reading about them and the ways you find to use them. You have a lovely, lovely blog. It brings a lot of pleasure to a lot of people. Thank you.

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  4. Marie many of the things you write about are not easily available in Australia and that does not bother me one bit. I love to visit your blog and most times I leave inspired or happier for the experience. Sometimes people write to gain a reaction and it seems to me it can be negative or positive. It is almost like a naughty child acting out because their behaviour screams…love me, hate me, just never ignore me. SO ignore them and have fun for you.

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  5. You are right it is your blog to do as you please. I wouldn't spend a second worrying about it. I love seeing the different recipes you post and your daily post on this blog too. I enjoyed the roses in your pictures today and I too finally have some buds coming on my rose bush here. It almost died out over the winter and a lot had to be cut away, but it's now growing ! I have a change of seasonal clothes here and have finally completed the job...We have such bitter winters and warm summers that it is a totally different way of dressing. Glad that job is done. Hope you have a super Saturday!

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  6. Marie I recently had a conversation with a friend about a post she put on Facebook, then took down because one person put a negative comment. I believe our path in life is set by our Father and He surely gave you the gift of cooking wonderful food and then sharing both the food and the knowledge of it with others - hospitality. Don't let anyone take you off the path or even become a bump in the road! blessings, marlene

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  7. Geesh..
    It gets back to being kind..
    Be happy someone receives something from a sponsor..The sponsor picks people that will highlight their products..it's a sticker for good work.
    And you deserve it.
    So to the poster who complained..I made two things last week from Marie's recipes..LOL

    I think she's still sharing all her recipes..
    It's more work for Marie to add sponsors..
    You don't have to read those..or just skip along if you are too buys..
    GEESH..and geesh to having so many clothes and shoes it takes weeks to move them..I live in Siberia..kidding,,then the tropics..kidding again..but that sounds like QC..so I do keep winter stuff and vice versa in the attic.. but I go up and down the stairs twice and it's done.
    How brilliant of you to categorize Imeldas shoes..(Ok that was NOT so nice of me..:) )
    I am only a Goodie One shoe.

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  8. hahaha Monique, you made me laugh. It is so unlike you to say something unking, but knowing the person I was talking about, you hit the nail right on the head!! You made me smile and thanks so much for your other comments. I am so encouraged by them. I am a goodie one shoe too! I know if I lived in Canada still I would have to have more seasonal clothing because it's a lot colder there than here! I am glad it's not that cold here, but I do miss the sight of snow!

    Thank you everyone for your very kind comments. Marlene, Pam, Suzan, Margaret, Linda and Eccentric! You have all been very encouraging to me. I was worried that it had become too much about the things I was sent and I just wasn't seeing it. I am grateful for your feedback and also to know that that negative commentator was off base! Whew!!

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  9. If I see a posting that I am not as interested in as I normally am, I don't spend much time looking at it or I skip that day. If I no longer liked what a blog had on it, I would stop looking at it. I have done neither with your blog. A blog belongs to the blogger and the reader's time to his/herself. Each needs to be using common sense. PS I love both of your blogs! I'm sure that a number of the products that you test would be difficult to get in the US. I am still interested in them. Continue on as normal. :)

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  10. Marie.....I love your blogs! I actually refer them to other people who love them too. Don't let other comments bring you down. From what I see, you are a wonderful person. I often think of a phrase by Dr. Seuss, when others get me down and it goes like this: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. Keep the blogs coming for those who matter...Love them!

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  11. Thank you so much Laura and Marsha! You've both made me smile with your comments. I truly appreciate them! xxoo

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  12. First off, that custard looks WOW! Second, I enjoy this blog daily (immensely, I might add), but the food blog I only check a couple times a week. Of all my stops over at your food one, I have seen one post where it was something you were sent to try out. ONE. So I think someone had a bit of an exaggeration problem.

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  13. I love your blogs Marie and have been following you since your aol journal days. You're a part of my life now! You can't please everyone so let her move on.....it's her loss. Much love xxx

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  14. Marie some people just aren't happy if it isn't all about them. Ignore it and move on. If she doens't like it then she doesn't have to visit the blog. I appreciate everything you do - it's all informative and inspiring. Keep up the good work. And it's your blog after all - you can post about anything you wish.

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  15. Awww, thanks Anna, Kate and Brenda! You, too, have made my day. It is so encouraging for me to know that the problem is hers and not mine. I will put that sleeping dog lay now! (Is that a phrase? Or did I just make it up??)

    Kate I had no idea you had followed me since my aol days. That's a super long time! I'm glad that you have stuck around with all of the changes through the years.

    Anna, that custard really is wow! I hope you will give it a go!

    Brenda, I try to make my posts informative and interesting. I do know that sometimes what I write isn't everyone's cup of tea, but who says it has to be right?

    LOVE you all! xx

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  16. Dear marie our recipe for chicken thighs choppers and salsa came in very handy on Friday had some chicken and didn't know what to do with it everyone loved it also ham and spaghetti a big sucsess thanks pat in devon

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  17. I'm so glad everyone is backing you up!! I completely agree, I don't think your blog suffers one bit from sponsored posts and gadgets to try! In fact, it makes me happy to see those random sponsored posts, because I know that they mean you're getting a bit of help for your blogging endeavors! Keep it up, and to heck with the complainers :)
    *hugs*

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  18. Awww...thanks Pat, so glad you enjoyed. The Ham and Spaghetti is really good!

    Thanks April. I am glad you support me. We need to talk girl! SOON!

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Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!