The Cottage Smallholder

Photo: A snap of the view from our back door today

When I was four, I remember going to a fancy dress party dressed as a fairy. I had a wand and glittery shoes and presumably dinky wings. A tiny part of me secretly hoped that by dressing the part I might feel what it’s actually like to be a real fairy and possibly even to be able instantly  to cast spells. But as I clattered down the road in my new shoes I seemed so human and clumpy and the wand remained just a sparkly star stuck on a stick.

When I sat down on a cold wet August day in 2006 and wrote the first post of this blog, I can’t remember what my expectations were . I know that I wanted readers but now reckon that I was hoping for a little instant magic too.

I had no idea that Cottage Smallholder would have such a fundamental affect on our lives at the cottage. Writing is a great way of automatically assessing the status quo.  Particularly events that I chose not to write about. Blogging and your responses have challenged and encouraged me to explore and question. But thinking about the blog today, I realised that the biggest change has been within me. I am happier, more content and confident and this is largely down to you. Readers are essential to the life of a blog.

Thanks to Danny we now have a great forum and it’s heartening to see so many people chatting and sharing ideas on there. If you haven’t yet visited, check it out – it’s fun and interesting. Danny has become much more involved with the site over the past year and this has been great for me. It has now become our site!

I feel so proud to be part of a burgeoning community and truly appreciate your support.

Thank you.