I’m convinced I’m the least read, most well known blog out there. Everyone knows I blog, but no one I know seems to actually read it regularly. I’m not complaining mind you – it’s sort of weird to put yourself out there and have virtual strangers walk up to you at school and tell you how much they liked that post you wrote where you admitted to pregaming PTO events. Sometimes I think I prefer the readers I don’t know, because it’s much easier to put things out there when my audience is complete strangers and not people you run into around town.
I started this blog four years ago with the idea that documenting my various projects would help keep my creative mojo that had taken a run for the hills during the previous crappy ass year around. It worked. It also helped me find new creative outlets as well as an entirely new career path. I just wanted to be inspired to use my then-new sewing machine. Turns out, I still don’t use it as much as I could, but I have at least gotten used to it finally. I think.
I’ve never bothered myself much with my ‘stats’ – the numbers & details of who is reading me. For the longest time, I didn’t tell anyone about this little blog. When I did, I didn’t bother promoting it too much. I’ve shared some personal stuff here over the years. I’ve also shared what I feel is probably more than my fair share of motherhood, dinner & canning fail. My friend Mark tells me this is one of the things people like about my blog – that I’m honestly imperfect. The recent tale of roasting chicken fail was one of my most commented posts to date, so something about it clearly struck a nerve.
I’ve noticed as I look at my stats, when I figure out how to look at the breakdown of where you good people are located, that I seem to have regular hits from the same countries. I’ve would appear to have some international followers! South Africa, you are second only to the US in readers! Canada, the UK, Ireland, Brazil & France are also worth a mention. (Guatemala, I know who you are!)
I know the general style of my posts doesn’t always leave one with a comment – my better half tells me this. But this one is different. I want to know who YOU are – how you found this spot, why you come back & what your favorite posts are. Don’t be shy. Don’t want to leave a comment? Shoot me an email. After all, you all know lots about me. You know my child off gases glitter. You know I hate to clean. You know I can & will pickle everything in sight. So spill it. Tell me what you like about this blog and what you want to see more of.
And hey, while I’m at it, thanks for reading.
Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers 
Our longstanding friendship and mutual appreciation for the fundamental aspects of living life keep me coming back for more. Cheers to you and your wonderful family!!! Slainte!
Thank you kind sir. Your friendship is certainly one of my most treasured. Slainte!
On Fri, Mar 28, 2014 at 11:21 AM, Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers wrote:
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I started writing under the pseudo SuziCate and only told my hubby, sister, and one friend about my blog. After my sister told everyone and many of them started reading it I finally connected to FB. I don’t pay much attention to stats, but as far as people being quiet; less than five percent of my subscribers comment. I do find it funny how many people from far away places read though.
For the record, I like your blog just the way it is, sort of random yet includes DIY and recipes, informative, and entertaining!
Thank you! It took me years to connect the blog to a FB page. I don’t often comment on your blog, but you do always strike a chord and leave me food for thought!
On Fri, Mar 28, 2014 at 12:33 PM, Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers wrote:
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I love reading others who live in the same town. Admittedly, I frequently do it when I don’t have time to comment – a failing that I try off and on to remedy. I love the food posts, it’s where our interests most intersect. By the way, it’s weird to have local readers (I find). I try not to let it censor me but it’s almost automatic when I think “Oh that man from work knows more about me than many of my friends.” It’s only a little awkward though and not enough to stop me. Do you also have folks that read your blog (or who might) that you see regularly? Do they mention something they’ve recently read or not? I wonder what the balance is there. Do I repeat myself or assume that they’re reading? Thoughts?
It is sort weird to have local readers! I do have people I see regularly that read the blog – how I got to know Kitchen Intern was her walking up to me at a school event & telling me how much she liked my blog. It does make me censor things just a bit knowing I have local readers, although there are certain things I’m just not going to put up for everyone to see on the internet. I think Edie reading the blog now has had more of an effect on what I write about than anything else though.
On Fri, Mar 28, 2014 at 12:41 PM, Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers wrote:
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Hee. You know who I am. I found you through Marijean, I think? Or maybe through Jen McDonald Brecht? Can’t remember exactly. I do read regularly – you’re in my Feedly. I keep coming back because I like you and you’re local to me and those are good things. I love reading local blogs, because it helps me keep up on town news, and I love reading blogs of people I like because it keeps me up on their lives. My favorite posts are about Edie, I won’t lie 🙂
Now that Edie is a reader, I definitely think twice in posting about her. She’d rather I not post all of her wonderful accomplishments – although she had no control over the last newsletter from the superintendent of city schools that contained both her photo & her name for winning a math tournament at The Village School that was emailed to every parent on the city schools mailing list. (See how I worked that in to brag anyway?) I also try to keep in mind that if she can read it, so can her friends. I definitely try to not embarrass her & try to keep the mama brag to a minimum these days.
That said, I definitely have been kicking around a post I’ll get up soon about some of the highlights of having an almost teen in the house.
On Fri, Mar 28, 2014 at 1:47 PM, Chicken Wire & Paper Flowers wrote:
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I don’t really care if you put my accomplishments on there! Also, I literally just read one post. But now I’m going through looking for pictures I like of me which means I need to read the blog post too. 😒
Sad face for reading? Really? Sigh. Love you girly girl.
I think I found you because you commented on my blog first. Then we met at Ben’s birthday party and you introduced yourself (you had baked the cake) and I put the pieces together.
As your friend said, I like your blog because it’s honest, and also there’s variety: a nice mix of canning, recipes, personal stuff. The way you mix things up keeps it interesting.
Thank you. I stumbled on your blog and thought there could only be so many Seamuses in this town, so it was sort of easy to figure out who you were from there.
Well I started reading after taking one of your canning classes. Now we see each other at Swaps etc. but you inspire me to try recipes and baking which I suck at which is why I love your blog. Speaking of which we need to plan some swaps I have been talking it up and people have asked when they will start so drop me an email.
I’ll be in touch shortly! We totally need to get some swaps planned!
I read most of your blogs. You know where we met. Mostly i read to try to be a better cook, but I like all your posts.
I miss you!! Thanks for reading.
i found you through dahlia’s facebook, and i enjoy your blog because it feels honest and your writing is good. i like that the topics jump around–that’s just what life is like.
-a fan from brooklyn, ny
Thank you for reading and commenting! Life does cover various topics, doesn’t it? There are some details I leave out because you don’t want everything on the Internet, but it is true that I once cleaned Dahlia’s kitchen after a party. And then sat in the backyard drinking wine with her wonderful husband until the wee hours. That really is how I roll.
I feel the same about local v. Non local readers! And your know where I live. And my birthday 🙂
As do you!
Post writing is also a excitement, if you be familiar with after that
you can write otherwise it is complex to write.