It all began HERE 1000 posts away, Our New Life in the Country documented (when the Internet will allow me) on an almost daily basis.
The original newspaper clipping that lead us to this way of living and is framed for posterity on the living room wall. This Blog was to be a continuance of my 'Lavender's Blue...' Blog that talked about the day to day life in the 'smallest shop in Cumbria'. I had truly caught the Blogging Bug and decided we would chart every step of our great big adventure as it unfolded before us.
The adventure that was switching from town life to country life, with the excitement of getting new gadgets and big boys toys to make that life easier. The acquisition of more four footed and feathered family members, because, YES, all our animals and birds are members of this extended family.
And then one by one you started to follow our adventures, joining in with encouraging comments, asking questions that tested our new found knowledge (sometimes to the limits), but day by day, week by week with the help of family and friends and good Blogging buddies we have made this wonderful journey, and to celebrate the 1000th post I decided that there just had to be a giveaway. I'm not even sure what you will get yet, there will be handmade soaps and cards for sure, something suitably chickeny and something that will be picked from the house that sums up our journey.
All you have to do to be in with a chance is to be a regular reader or Follower on this Blog, and leave a comment saying which was your favourite ever post, you have 1000 to choose from. All of you who left us ideas for using up the Stew Packs will have your names included in the hat 3 times as Lovely Hubby liked ALL the suggestions, so we will be slowly using each and every recipe idea.
Thank you for taking the time to read each day and for being there with your words of help, encouragement, advice, commensense and expertise whenever we have needed it. Thank you for supporting us through the tough times, through hardships and sadness, and thank you for being there when it all goes right and you tell us what clever little sods we are, or how well we have done something, we need all the encouragement we can get as we are now moving into the final stages of Our New Life in the Country ...
..... we may have found our forever home!!
So hopefully even more exciting times ahead, which of course we hope you will continue to join us in.
Thank you.
Sue and Lovely Hubby xx
Thank you.
Sue and Lovely Hubby xx
Sue, believe me the pleasure has been OURS!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember a favourite post but I still keep the email you sent when we lost the hens- those words of kindness meant more than you knew
x
Congratulations !
ReplyDeleteI always refer to you as polytunnel lady. I remember a post where you were in the polytunnel and I spied a Quality Street tin...I'm still convinced it was a secret stash..ooo ooh, and the post when lovely hub shaved off his beard...and the one where he had tractor parts all over the kitchen table!
Please don't make me choose a favourite,Sue!
Jane x
PS And Thank You for YOUR kindness when Dad was so very ill. Jane xxxx
Congratulations Sue - I can't even remember what I did yesterday! let alone a favourite post - but when I'm having a day from hell at work and I'm about to throw my lunch time sandwich down my neck - your's is the blog that I log onto - to see if you've been on and updated us on what's happening with the chickens or the dogs or the garden or the shopping - it helps ease my stress levels and reminds me that there is life outside those 4 office walls! Thank you - you restore my sanity each day!! Count me in please xxxx
ReplyDeleteI have to be honest and say that I enjoy everyone of your posts regardless of it subject or content, I honestly could not choose a favourite. I would love to go into the hat especially if the give away is something lavender, its my favourite scent of all time. Reminds me of my childhood and going to Nana's chest to smell the linen she stored in there layered with lavender......I have to admit I do the same. I very rarely iron anything if I can get away with it, but I have to iron my bedlinen, I love to get into a bed with clean, freshly ironed sheets smelling of lavender.
ReplyDeleteNana also made her own polish which she scented with lavender, there was always a very faint smell of lavender everywhere.
Well congrats and all that ....its an awful lot of word my dear.
ReplyDeleteAnd ....just fancy you living in Ulverston! I use to live just on the outskirts at Pennington .. small world!
Anyway onwards and upwards ...
Vicky x
Oh my goodness, how can I pick a favourite post, it has to be the one I am reading whether it is current or a dip into the archives. Many congratulations both for the post count and the forever home. I have to say that I copied your "veg pack" idea and even made some menu specific packs for pasta dishes and some for curry. It has saved so much time, both in meal prep and shopping. I hope the inspiration keeps rolling out.
ReplyDeleteFor me it was the first post I read that got me into following your blog, It was a couple of months back and you wrote about how you love the guests that come to stay but come and 'muck in'. It changed the way I think and feel about our guests that feel the need to wash up or offer help, you made me see it as not an interference or them telling me that we obviously cant cope. Instead to accept graciously and see it as a positive, as it means less jobs for myself and that it not only gives me a break but maybe it gives them a break too as they arent doing their day to day but my day to day...isnt the saying 'a change is as good as a rest'
ReplyDeleteSince then I love to read your posts and I have taken into account your advice and try to live our family life a bit more thriftly but not quite upto your standard but we are getting there and we have made some changes that I wouldnt of thought of without your inspiration.
And when our back garden is finished in the spring, I will asking and searching for help when we get our chickens xx
1000 posts, wow, well done (you don't half talk a lot!!). I've enjoyed them all Sue, have loved reading all about your life at Jointers Farm and the move to your present home. As you know, husband and I wanted to do something similar when it became clear we would have to leave our previous house, and you were kind enough to answer my email giving us ideas. We are now settled in our new place and have loads of plans for the garden next year, chickens included! I always enjoy your chicken posts (looking for pointers). I was particularly interested though in your post showing pics of your veggie plot with all those raised beds which Lovely Hubby constructed, and the tyres containing fruit trees - very inspiring and such a clever idea. I also enjoyed and admired your posts during your Living Below the Line week.
ReplyDeleteI've been a bit down recently and reading your blog (plus a couple of other favourites) helps to keep me going.
Thanks so much, Sue - here's to the next 1000 (ooh and you've found your forever place?!)
Sooze xx
Hi Sue, I haven't been reading for a very long time so I don't know of a favourite post but congratulations to you and your Lovely Hubby on a great blog, and on 1000 posts! Awesome!! Cheers Judy xx
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog and always look forward to it xxx
ReplyDeleteHi sue..i have to say my personal favourite post was from January this year..the poem you wrote for your parents..it touched me very much as i was going through a tough time myself...it really helped me try to come to terms with all that happened.
ReplyDeleteBut as a family our fave post is when the chicks hatched and you named them Fern and Iris..they were so thrilled and so excited..told everyone they had watched the chicks hatch and then they were named after them...poor chickens ...bad fox.
thank you for your lovely blog and emails..
love
sara,fern,iris
Congratulations on your 100th post! That is quite an achievement! Looking back over you posts I like the one dated 16 Dec 2011 titled Farmers Markets, Craft fairs and Giveaway results. Wares for sale, talk of the shop you once had in Cumbria, the lovely things you sold at the markets such as eggs, worm tea, compost and orders for pork. Looking ahead to your hopes of self sufficiency in the future. Wonderful happy and productive times!x
ReplyDeleteOops! I meant 1000th posts!!!
DeleteOops! I meant to write 1000th post!!! Silly me!
DeleteI'd have to plump not for a specific post, but the enthusiasm you go at your various challenges with. Your £2012 in 2012 challenge is a fabulously ambitious plan, and you're either going to do it or come far closer than you might have expected, aren't you! 1000 posts is a wonderful achievement too - I noticed earlier on that I'm a third of the way there so one day, who knows!
ReplyDeleteI'm a late starter, only found you about a year ago. But from you, I have discovered the world of many blogs, so thank you very much!! I also, could never choose a favourite post!! But maybe today's, with it's hint of some excitment to come on your final stages to a contented life in the country!! I wonder what you have in the planning stage?!!
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Heather
congrats on reaching your 1000th post.
ReplyDeleteGill
Congrats on your 1000th post. I discovered your blog a couple of months ago and read it from start to present day. I love so many of your adventures. Selling worm tea (are you still doing that) and the great bacon butties-I could almost smell/taste them! I'm also quite jealous when you talk about your great bargains from 'Approved Foods' as we have nothing like that here in Canada. You've left us with another little teaser. You're very good at that! Can't wait to hear about your maybe forever home.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 1000th post. Hip hip Hooray!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sue! Excited to hear more about the forever home hunt! :)
ReplyDeleteDear Sue
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your milestone! Your posts are always interesting and I did particularly like the posts about 'upcycling' your chairs - very inspiring.
Best wishes
Ellie
Hi Sue
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 1000th post. My favourite type of posts are your food related ones, particularly the shopping ones. I am always interested to see what you are going to do with the ingredients.
I love your approach to life Sue. You are enthusiastic and positive about everything you do. You also replied to my email about a problem with chickens when I was looking after our neighbours chickens when they were on holiday, which was very kind.
Here's to the next 1000!
Donnax
Hi Sue
ReplyDeleteCongatulations on your 1000th post
As a new follower maybe 4 months I enjoy your shopping and food related posts and your makes from ingredients.Also enjoyed your veg you chop and freeze one I have copied as did realise potatoes froze that easily.xxx
Congratulations on your 1000th post, but more importantly congratulations on living your dream!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sue. I have loved reading about your new life. I especially like hearing about the chickens ! Thank you for your help when I had mine.
ReplyDeleteBlogging forms a wonderful community- thank you for allowing me to be part of yours xx
I have followed your blog for 2 years now and cant wait for the next chapter! Yes, it is like reading a book, divided into chapters, parts 1 2 and 3 etc, with a forward and a prologue, full of interesting characters,including mums dads four legged and feathered friends. It has sorrow, romance, great joys and achievements and I love it. Congratulations, Sue in my eyes you are a brilliant author and long may you continue. Best regards.
ReplyDeletePS I think my favourite posts (cant think of a particular one) are food related, especially the meals you stretch, as I often have to do the same!Also I absolutely love "chicken world" and I love the short videos youve done of them in the past.Kind regards x
ReplyDeleteI discovered your blog a long time ago. I remember commenting on one of your free range piggies posts. I have enjoyed travelling your journey with you...
ReplyDeleteOn searching back for the post I first commented on (which I haven't found yet lol) I realised that I have missed out on so much more. I guess I have a lot more reading to do... You certainly do have a lovely blog Sue.
xx
Many Congratulations on your 1000th post... that is some achievement. I always look forward to reading your posts and have learned so much from them.... Long may your blog continue.
ReplyDeleteMuch Love to you and yours...
Jane xxxxxxxx
Don't remember if I left a comment, but here's another if I already have.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations fellow Manc!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the posts !
ReplyDeleteI think my favourite must be the one about where we all met at Yeo Valley!
Would love you to come over here, some time :-) My hens,cats, LH and DD etc would love to meet you!