Jan
10
2007
10
2007
If you read any other blogs…I’m sure you have heard that it is National Delurking Week. Being that I have been traveling for the last week, and will be gone for another week, I probably won’t post any blogs for a bit.
SO, it’s YOUR turn to “blog my blog”. I would LOVE to hear from all of you that read…where you are from, your interests, how you found my blog, etc. Basically anything interesting you can think of. This is especially for those of you who never comment…but I want to hear from my regulars as well! I am so encouraged by all of your comments and I appreciate you so much!
Have a blessed week…
Posted by Sara @ 3:10 pm | Leave a Comment
11
2007
I’m Melanie in SC. Been reading your blog for two months now. Found it on the Sonlight forums through a simple living thread that was started. Love your Happy Foody blog too! I love food. I guess everybody could say that. I love cooking new ways with new ingredients and to have it be healthful and organic is a total bonus! I love Ecolips, by the way. Found out about them from you and got some as a Christmas gift from my hubby. Hmmm…what else? I’m a mom of two boys (11 & 9) and the old-fashioned kind at that. Greet them when they get off the bus, ask them about their day, have their favorite cookies waiting for them. There’s just nothing better than listening to all of their after school chatter!
11
2007
Hi Sara.
Anna here. I have commented to you before. You may have noticed…maybe not…that I am not a good lurker. I always want to comment.
I can’t even remember how I got to your blog…but I am so glad that I made it here. I have really enjoyed everything you have wriiten. Being so far from home in ministry it has meant a lot to me to read encouraging words from you and get a glimpse into the journey that you are also embarking on with your family.
I had not recyled once (ok, maybe once…) until I got to your site and then had a new fondness for the “forced” recycling in Great Britain. I think that my mind was opened a bit through your blog about our enviroment and other issues.
So thanks. Know that you have a family across the pond praying for you and your family.
Anna
11
2007
im still lurking….i plan to lurk for quite some while too….lurk lurk lurk.
hehehe
b.
11
2007
Sara, I’m from Oklahoma and I have never met a Christian who also believes in vegan eating, recycling, and saving the environment.(I thought all that belongs to the liberals!) But now I see that Christians have a responsibility to our world God created for us. I have found your views very interesting and I have read some of the books you have mentioned. I am a Christian as well and I am now interested in organic and natural living. I think you have changed my life. Thanks
Miss S
11
2007
I’ve been reading your blog for a little over a month. I am a Christian homeschool Mama who strives to live a life of voluntary simplicity. Actually, I just linked to your blog today in the post that I wrote.
Interests: My Lord, my family, knitting, reading, writing, making lots of things, treading lightly, yummy vegetarian food, and exploring the new (to me) world of podcasts!
Come by and visit sometime!
11
2007
I guess I’m an official lurker. I read blogs and hardly ever comment. It’s mostly bc/ it’s easy to click and hard to type while nursing. I follow blogs which help me be a better mama and citizen of the planet and follower of Christ.
Live Slowly Walk Wildly is my all-time favorite blog. I tell people about it all the time. I have read books on your recomendation, and loved your recipes for honey baked lentils and oat bars. We’ve basically been compacting without knowing it was a thing with a title.
I am an artist and would-be farmer. My husband is a musician and barista and would-be photographer(b&w, he has a darkroom in a neighbor’s basement) mechanic, tinkerer, linnux geek, and bible teacher (his passion).
We recently bought a diesel car more than two decades old that gets more than 40 miles a gallon. It is our only vehicle and we are hoping to convert it to run on veg oil within the year.
I have two kids under two and am working on how to wear them both so I can take the bus without killing my back! Maybe come spring I can pull both of them on my bike–I’m a bit worried about traffic with them in a bike trailer.
We live in a tiny christian community in Minnesota, in an urban and underpriviledged neighborhood. We are trying to figure out what God’s will is for our lives. (I’m pretty sure the basic idea is to love and enjoy him forever; the question is just where to do it!)
It looks like we might move to Uganda for a while. I may have an invitation from Ugandan friends to start a program teaching women to build their own sun ovens so they can cook without fuel, and develop methods of preserving thier foods. I am excited about researching this! It sounds like the church there is vibrant, and I know they would teach us a lot!
I really struggle to spend time with God, and to feed myself a healthy spiritual diet. Your post about morning devotions meant a lot to me, and helped me focus on really acting like I love Jesus.
I also read obsessively; it’s a bit of a problem, am tandem nursing, and had both of our kids at home. I don’t know what we’ll do when they are school-aged. Sorry to write so much; this is why I never comment.
Thank you so much for the blog! I count on it for the encouragement and ideas.
11
2007
Wow. You’ve got a fan club!
And all of these readers demonstrate how the Web really is a web, with all of these interconnections that lead a person from one place to another, to *you*!
Like so many, I can’t remember exactly how I found you–I just clicked here and there and ended up at your site, drawn in by the title and sucked totally in by your Compacting. That sent me off Googling to learn more. I live in a wealthy area and have always felt so out of place, being drawn to simplicity and frugality but feeling very alone in it. Thanks to you, I felt perfectly comfortable giving my family Goodwill gifts this year, and our Christmas was very simple.
I love your “About Me” list of words and phrases.
Thanks for taking the time to write. Obviously, you are making an impact.
I hope more people find you and gain inspiration. I’ve got you on my BlogLog. Maybe someone else will stumble over from me to you and find a kindred spirit.
12
2007
Hi Sara,
I am a 26 y-o mum of 4. two girls (just 4 and 2 1/2) and two boys (18 months and 4 months)
I am from New Zealand. A friend of mine told me about your “tribe” post. Since then we have started spending each Thursday working together. We take turns going to each other’s house (she has 4 kids too, 5 and under.)
I love visiting your blog, you encourage me, challenge me, get me thinking!!
Thanks! Have a great holiday,
Jess
12
2007
…“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” I think this scripture found in Matthew 5:14-16 speaks of you well. Keep on shining!
12
2007
Okay, de-lurking
I can’t remember if I found your blog after reading the MDC Compact thread or if I found the MDC Compact thread after finding your blog … but, I *think* I found your blog after reading your post on MDC about downsizing to the 500 sq. foot apartment from your house because that is something Hubby and I have talked about doing.
We’re compacting in 2007, partly inspired by you and this wonderful blog! I’m also really inspired by your beautiful photographs and your writing about family life. Thanks for a terrific spot on the web to come for encouragement!
Best Wishes!
Kara
http://rockingranola.typepad.com
12
2007
Hi Sara,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, and I love it! I found it from Mothering magazine. I live in the Washington DC area. I have a 19 month old toddler (and I’m pregnant with my second child), and I too love tea, natural living, and your beautiful photographs! Your lifestyle is inspiring to me. Thanks for sharing.
-Charlita
12
2007
Hi Sara,
I found your blog through your posts on MDC (seems like a lot of us have).
I’m repeating what others have said, but I just want to add that your blog is full of interesting ideas and perspectives about simple living, faith, decluttering, etc. I love the color of your ideas (and photos!)
Keep up the good work!
12
2007
Hi Sara:
I’ve only been lurking for a few days, possibly a week. I found you through Emme’s blog. I visited you on a whim and discovered that we have much in common; a desire to simplify, to know God, a stint in the AF. Last year I finally read The Bible from page one. My life has changed a lot since Sept. 11, 2001. I woke up and much is for the better.
Other things we have in common, a small child at home, a home birth-yours successful, mine ended up in the hospital after 36 hours of less than desired dilation, a desire to homeschool or unschool.
There’s more. I am already learning from you and appreciate the wonderful recipes and insights.
My blog is rough and newly born, so it will be some time before it is fleshed out.
Take care and thank you.
Evan
12
2007
I blurk. I’ve commented a few times but not often. I love your pictures and posts and living simply.
12
2007
Hi Sara! I have never commented here before, but I started reading your blog in Aug or Sept when someone posted a link to your blog on the Sonlight Homeschooling Forums with the byline “on the topic of voluntary simplicity”. I was intrigued because I had never heard that phrase before, and b/c it kinda sounded like what my husband and I had been doing. We have 3 small children (5.5 yr old boy, 4 yr old girl and 2 yr old boy) and when we sold our house (2200 sq ft) 17 months ago to move into my parents basement (700-800 sq ft w/ 5 people) everyone thought we were nuts. Life has been awesome since then. We paid off all debt including student loans with the profit from our sale. We paid cash to finish off the basement of my parents home. We paid cash for me to go to massage therapy school – I graduated last month. We have so much less responsibility and so much more time and energy to respond to God and his calling on our life. I am a follower of Jesus, wife of over 7 years to a great man, homebirther, breastfeeder, homeschooler, (almost licensed) massage therapist, (almost completely) raw foodist, and also a lover of life. May God bless you and your family on your new journey! Sincerely, Caroline Moon
12
2007
i just stumbled across your blog today via gentle christian mothers and i’m so excited to find it! thanks for all f your hard work and research and seriously heart-felt posts. looking forward to more good reading.
12
2007
I have been reading your post for a few months when momteacherfriend pointed me to your blog in one of her posts. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read – you’ve been an inspiration! May God bless you and guide your paths.
12
2007
Sara, I found your blog after you left some comments on mine. I find your blog to be inspiring and love to know that there is a like-minded person sharing experiences in living gently on this earth!
12
2007
I’m a brand new reader of your blog. I’m also a new blogger myself.
http://www.myislandinthesea.blogspot.com
Someone mentioned your blog on an AP parenting forum.
12
2007
Hi Sara,
I found you via your MDC signature. I think I found your Happy Foody blog first (which I love) but wandered over here sometime later.
I’m Chessa, a SAHM to one 6 month old boy, we’re in Metro Detroit.
I love your posts on compacting, simplicity, decluttering and the like, both mentally and physically. You certainly have a way with words! I also thinks it is uber-inspiring how you and your family just up and moved to a whole new state. We’re working up the courage to do the same, hopefully soon. Can’t wait to get back out west to Oregon!
Anyway, I’m an aspiring Vegan, Compactor, and simplifier in general. I have big goals for this year, and hopefully I’ll be able to stick to my guns and make them happen!
Thanks for writing. I love checking in here and seeing what you’ve been thinking about/doing lately. Keep up the great work!
12
2007
Hi Sara,
I’ve posted a few times but here goes. I truly cant remember how I found your blog but I love it.
You are real and your love for the Lord is precious.
I am Kim,wife to Chet,mama to 5. They range in age from 28 down to 7. I am also a grandmama to 4.
I’ve been married for 22 years.
I love:
jesus,my husband,my children,my family,books,vintage,green,gardens,sustainable living,nature,bob marley,psalters,intentional community,birkenstocks,ugly socks,natural beauty,avocados,pansies,red onions,chickens,sun,moon,old houses,paint chipped anything,passionate people,the smell of clothes drying outside,the back of my children’s necks,non-consumerism,Ghandi,dreads,thrift stores…….
love and peace,
kim in IN.
12
2007
Hey, Sara! It’s me! It’s so fun to keep up with how you are doing. I found you through Heth…years ago.
Even though many of your passions have changed over the years, you passion for the Lord has only grown more intense, and that is why you are so beautiful! Miss you!
12
2007
I like your new profile pic! Very cool.
13
2007
Sara,
What an unexpected blessing reading your blog has been! I don’t remember how I came across it, only that once I read it…I was hooked. Thank you for your honesty and your generosity.
God Bless,
Missy
13
2007
Hi Sara–
I noticed a lot of people found your blog through “MDC”. What does that stand for?
thanks–
kelley
13
2007
Hi Kelley,
MDC stands for “Mothering Dot Commune”. You can find it at http://www.mothering.com and then click on “discuss” in the top toolbar. It’s an amazing community of natural living/holistic mamas. I especially like the Mindful Home Management and Homeschooling forums. Hope this helps!
Sara
13
2007
Wow! Look at all your readers!
Hi Sara… I am Jackie’s (Jacqulyn’s) younger sister from VA. I am not sure if I ever met you, but I have definitely gotten to know you a bit through your blog. I have been reading it since about the time jackie started her blog… I think maybe since July/August? I love your blog, it is so refreshing! And encouraging. You simplifying the material things in your life has encouraged me to simplify the emotional baggage I have picked up and wasted time dwelling on in the past years. =) Thank you for your encouragement, and I can’t wait to hear more about your new home and lifestyle!
13
2007
I just found your blog last week, I think. I immediately added it to my favorites list because you are such a beautiful and inspiring writer. My blog is at http://www.xanga.com/benzismama.
13
2007
Wow….what an impact you are having on many people!
I am Becky, currently a SAHM to a 7yo son and a 5yo daughter. My husband is in culinary school in NY state, but we are spending our winter in Arizona for his externship!
I, too, can’t remember how I found your blog, but I read the whole thing that afternoon. I then promptly passed it on to several of my closest friends!
I have been blessed, encouraged, convicted, and strengthened by your words. Keep it coming!
13
2007
i’m not sure where i found you but i’ve been reading you a few months. i have 4 kids of my own, 12-b, 9-g, g-2, b-4 months.
i’ve enjoyed reading your thoughts on compacting.
13
2007
I think I found your blog through the “seven things” project. I have been reading since July I think. I always enjoy reading your blog and you always give me something to think about. God bless.
13
2007
Hi Sara,
found you through a link at http://www.gracefulmothering.com
I blog @
http://www.xanga.com
recipebox.wordpress.com
http://www.largerfamilies.com
uh … that looks like more than it really is! LOL!
13
2007
um … that would be http://www.xanga.com/boclark
13
2007
Hi Sara,
I’ve been reading your blog for a few months – linked from some other blog I can’t remember now.
Walk Slowly Live Wildly has been such an inspiration to me in my journey to live a greener and more simple life.
I love your writing and your commitment to environmentalism and the joy you seem to have in your faith.
Keep writing – as you can see, you have many fans in the blogosphere!
Regards,
Eugenie
=waves to the other girls from New Zealand!=
14
2007
Hi Sara! I found your blog in the last couple of days, linked from Tales of A Crafty Mama. Love your thoughts! You are motivating, thank you!
14
2007
Sara,
I found your blog on simpleliving.net. There was a thread on small homes and someone linked it to your “Home Sweet Home” article. I loved your little apartment but must admit of feeling a bit dissappointed when you moved. I love your blog and look forward to hearing of your adventures in life.
Nadege Armour
knit_fool@yahoo.com
14
2007
I am an occational lurker.
14
2007
I found your blogs through a certain daydream believer. I reside in a little valley of TN with my childhood sweetheart, two beautiful kiddos, a dog that looks more like a pot bellied pig, a fancy rat, and a hamster. I look forward to reading your posts. They are equal parts encouragement, informative, and art. You have inspired me greatly. Thanks for sharing your journey so beautifully!
14
2007
Hi Sara,
I’ve posted here before (About the ‘Under the Overpass’ book) but am introducing myself, now. I’m a mother of 4 (one homebirthed, 3 homeschooled), a graduate student (library sciences), and a follower of Christ who is trying to simplify her life. This year I’m compacting (at least for myself, my teenagers are another story), carrying my own bags (got some chicobags which have been great!), recycling as much as possible, and volunteering at a ministry which gives items away with prayers.
I was on this path before I ‘met’ you (through my sister who loved the pics of your apartment in Iowa), but was encouraged to find there are other Christians who care about the things I do.
Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Jen.
14
2007
I found your blog in October and am now a frequent visitor.
I am moving towards a simpler life and you are a great inspiration.
14
2007
Hi. I found your blog when someone linked to it saying to read about down sizing and living more simply. So I don’t read all the time, but if I miss a post or two, I usually go back to see what you wrote. I’m Amanda and I live in Ohio. Married, 2 daughters, one dog. I read your blog because it feels like you are not trying to push your ideas on anyone, you actually have a basis for your beliefs. God. And we share that. I lost my brother in the Iraq war, and kept my faith through the devastating loss. That’s me in a nutshell.
~Amanda, lurker
14
2007
I stumbled on your blog a while ago, probably through MDC. I’ve been drawn to your ideas of your impact on the environment, faith, and family. You’ve posed reflective questions that I’ve often posed to myself. Though I don’t share your particular faith, I’ve found your faith foundation inspirational while I seek my own. Thank you!
14
2007
I love your blog, so inspirational. I linked you on mine. I found you from MDC. I hope you are enjoying Montana.
14
2007
I found your blog through MDC, and it is wonderful! I love reading through the archives, and looking at your pictures
15
2007
Hi Sara-
I read your blog all the time… I have the RSS feed linked to my homepage! I started reading it after you posted the link to pictures of your apartment on MDC. You’ve made me look at things in my life I had never considered before. One good example is that I’ve made the switch to family cloth after reading your postings on MDC. I was also really convicted by the “Powered Off” post here. I’ll be praying for your ministry both in Montana and here in cyberspace
15
2007
Sara, I just found your blog a week ago when my sister in law gave me the link and it quickly became one of my favorites. I appreciate your perspectives on faith, the environment, and living a simple life. Not to mention the fact that you are an amazing photographer and have great decorating style!
xoxo Andi
andimae.typepad.com
P.S. Your food blog is awesome too!
15
2007
Hi there! I’m Stina from Germany and I love reading your blog. I don’t agree with everything you post and I don’t share your faith (eclectic pagan here), but your recipes and the pictures are really great. The thoughts on simple living are also very fascinating, and I find myself wondering about that from time to time.
I really can’t remember how I found your blog, most likely via several other links, but now it’s bookmarked.
15
2007
sara, i stumbled across your blog thanks to a christian AP mothering board that i frequent, and i am hooked. i was originally linked to your post about downsizing into your apartment in iowa, but i ended up so intrigued that i read through all of your archives in one day! anyway, i appreciate your thoughts, values, and convictions, and find them quite similar to my own. God bless you and your sweet family! lauren
15
2007
Well I found your blog through Rockin’ Granola, it was just recently too. My bil lives in Missoula Montana, Someday it would be nice to make a trip out there to visit him. I went through a few recipes on your food blog and they sound yummy, you are linked in my favs and I will be back again!
15
2007
Hello!
I’m really not sure how I stumbled accross your blog, but it’s in my Favorites. I’ve been reading for a couple of months and I find your entries to be very inspiring.