Showing posts with label Bloggy World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bloggy World. Show all posts
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.jpeg "thirteen...caravan sonnet is a teenager")
This beautiful space, Caravan Sonnet, turned "13 years old" today.
It is almost impossible to believe that it was 13 Years ago today that I wrote my very first post which tenderly makes me smile- so many things have sweetly changed and some have stayed the same. You can read it HERE!
I am sitting here absolutely speechless that we are now at 13 years...
13 years of growing, learning, and sharing...
13 years of perseverance, dedication, and hard work..
13 years of pushing through despite severe illnesses ...
but mostly 13 years of becoming and 13 years of humbly connecting with this beautiful and faithful community of love and support from all around the world.
Since I posted the picture above and started writing on this little space in January 2013, the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. At the time in 2013 many blogs that I followed and connected with were writing to share their personal lives with readers... a way to connect outside the world that we each lived in. Everyday stories mixed with some practical tips and ideas about how to live fully abounded and it was a sweet time to join "bloggy world". In the midst of so many amazing bloggers and authors who were pouring their hearts out I felt immediately embraced into the "blogging club" and think back to precious friendships (that have sweetly continued from those days) and those early days often.
For me personally I started this blog as a way to reach out from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months and years to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I had no idea that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, or a myriad of other complicated and serious health issues.
At the time I started there were no other chronic illness bloggers nor were there people talking and documenting their health journey's. I often felt a bit out of place, especially in those early months of starting when I was still desperately searching for clear answers on my health.
In a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013- in very brief details. At the time I did so only because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and wasn't sharing my diagnosis out of concern for my former students. At that time I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and was not aware of that component of my health journey.
I recently spent some time re-reading back through those first few months of the blog. I remember beyond my words that I was writing with tears behind the scenes, curled up in bed, slowly and painfully typing letter by letter a post, the extreme daily pain that I was in, the intense stomach issues that left me spending any free time away from my bed curled up on the bathroom floor, the lack of support from the medical community, the inability to walk without help, the questions, the confusion, the questions in my faith, the loss of friends and independence, the fear, the unknown, and a desperate yearning to reach out and to grab life despite all of these things.
At the same time there was a beauty to that time period that is impossible to explain unless you have walked through a complete crisis in your life. The complete resoluteness of knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and knowing that despite all circumstantial evidence to the contrary your faith remains in tact. That you can say without hesitancy ... "and if not... he is still good". It is a coming to the end of yourself... the end of what you envision for your life to be and coming to a peace and acceptance of the ways and walls of God.
This has been a road that I never would have asked to walk. Yes, there is a deep sadness after "losing" so many precious years to Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease and other health issues.
I recently have had to really examine this term again due to a very personal situation. So I am placing the word "losing" in parentheses because in the past month I have realized once again that while I used to think that I had lost my thirties (what some have called "the best years of your life") nothing is lost when it is in the hands of our all loving God. And how do you determine the "best years of your life"?? Is it a certain age or decade? Or is it the gentle confidence that your life is not defined by age, but by the loving God who knows the hairs on my head and has ordained the best years...what I am living right now.
I think back to what I wrote in 2013 about learning to be faithful in this new assignment of sickness... and what I have learned is that God has been faithful despite all of my times of unfaithfulness.
The story... I have learned is not about me... but is once again about Him. Some have asked what this looks like for this new season- and how my health is... and I am overwhelmingly grateful for my stable health which just continues to improve day after day and year after year. Are there somethings that after nearly a decade of intense treatment followed by extreme grief and loss that I am working on? Yes. But am I Lyme free, Cancer Free, and healthy beyond what doctors said would ever be impossible (not including the fact that some of the most well known medical clinics said I would never live to see 40)?
Tearfully yes.
As this blog has changed and morphed into the global influencer brand, shops, and blog with more than 5.9+ million readers I often- on a daily basis- am humbled and grateful for your love and blessing and support along the way.
Over the course of these last thirteen years it is not just the blog that has grown and morphed- but I have grown as a woman.
It is not only in the outward areas of writing books, running the shops- Caravan Sonnet Shoppe, The Map Letter Club, Caravan Sonnet Parcel Post, Caravan Sonnet Market, December Caravan and others, speaking to audiences around the world, and so many other things...but in the deeper aspects of life-by processing in this space through a variety of topics that include life, faith, and love, grief, and loss.
I don't think that you can write vulnerably, deeply, and passionately in a space for thirteen years and it not change you. Being sick and fighting for my life has taught me to go beyond the surface and to understand a persons story - their history and who they are and the journey that has brought them to the place in life where our lives are intersecting.
The same is true for this place on the blog- and how I share about travel experiences -the history and the story behind a place and a building- the stories here are significant too. In many ways it feels like the blog is coming into a new season in a deep full circle way. Some people say this type of blogging has gone away but I see every single day that it is very much alive in beautiful ways if you have the courage to share vulnerably your story.
As I move forward friends into this thirteenth year here on the blog I just want to take time to say thank you again for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last thirteen years.
Y'all leave me speechless with gratitude.
This community has been a huge blessing and built into my life in rich and deep ways. Thank you so much to the brands and press that have partnered with Caravan Sonnet and to the brands and press that will be partnering in the days and months and years ahead! Thank you friends- I can't wait to continue this journey with you and see what beautiful new adventures and days and blessings will meet us in this new year.
%20(1).jpg "twelve years of caravan sonnet")
THANK YOU for a beautiful 13 years...Here's to many many more...the best days and years is the one today and the ones to come!
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This beautiful space, Caravan Sonnet, turns "12 years old" today.
It is hard to believe that it was 12 Years ago today that I wrote my very first post which tenderly makes me smile- so many things have changed and yet so many things have sweetly changed. You can read it HERE! I am sitting here absolutely speechless that we are now at 12 years...
12 years of growing, learning, and sharing...
12 years of perseverance, dedication, and hard work..
.12 years of pushing through despite severe illnesses ...
but mostly 12 years of becoming and 12 years of humbly connecting with this beautiful and faithful community of love and support.
Since I started writing on this little space in January 2013, the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. At the time in 2013 many blogs that I followed and connected with were writing to share their personal lives with readers... a way to connect outside the world that we each lived in. Everyday stories mixed with some practical tips and ideas about how to live fully abounded and it was a sweet time to join "bloggy world". In the midst of so many amazing bloggers and authors who were pouring their hearts out I felt immediately embraced into the "blogging club" and think back to precious friendships (that have sweetly continued from those days) and those early days often.
For me personally I started this blog as a way to reach out from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months and years to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I had no idea that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, or a myriad of other complicated and serious health issues.
At the time I started there were no other chronic illness bloggers nor were there people talking and documenting their health journey's. I often felt a bit out of place, especially in those early months of starting when I was still desperately searching for clear answers on my health.
In a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013- in very brief details. At the time I did so only because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and wasn't sharing my diagnosis out of concern for my former students. At that time I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and was not aware of that component of my health journey.
I recently spent some time re-reading back through those first few months of the blog. I remember beyond my words that I was writing with tears behind the scenes, curled up in bed, slowly and painfully typing letter by letter a post, the extreme daily pain that I was in, the intense stomach issues that left me spending any free time away from my bed curled up on the bathroom floor, the lack of support from the medical community, the inability to walk without help, the questions, the confusion, the questions in my faith, the loss of friends and independence, the fear, the unknown, and a desperate yearning to reach out and to grab life despite all of these things.
At the same time there was a beauty to that time period that is impossible to explain unless you have walked through a complete crisis in your life. The complete resoluteness of knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and knowing that despite all circumstantial evidence to the contrary your faith remains in tact. That you can say without hesitancy ... "and if not... he is still good". It is a coming to the end of yourself... the end of what you envision for your life to be and coming to a peace and acceptance of the ways and walls of God.
This has been a road that I never would have asked to walk. Yes, there was and still are deep questions about the future with certain areas of my health and there is a deep sadness after "losing" so many precious years to Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease and other health issues.
I recently have had to really examine this term again due to a very personal situation. So I am placing the word "losing" in parentheses because in the past month I have realized once again that while I used to think that I had lost my thirties (what some have called "the best years of your life") nothing is lost when it is in the hands of our all loving God. And how do you determine the "best years of your life?? Is it a certain age or decade? Or is it the gentle confidence that your life is not defined by age, but by the loving God who knows the hairs on my head and has ordained the best years...what I am living right now.
I think back to what I wrote in 2013 about learning to be faithful in this new assignment of sickness... and what I have learned is that God has been faithful despite all of my times of unfaithfulness.
The story... I have learned is not about me... but is once again about Him. Some have asked what this looks like for this new season- and how my health is... and I am overwhelmingly grateful for my stable health which just continues to improve day after day and year after year. Are there somethings that after nearly a decade of intense treatment followed by extreme grief and loss that I am working on? Yes. But am I Lyme free, Cancer Free, and healthy beyond what doctors said would ever be impossible (not including the fact that some of the most well known medical clinics said I would never live to see 40)?
Tearfully yes.
As this blog has changed and morphed into the global influencer brand, shops, and blog I often- on a daily basis- am humbled and grateful for your love and blessing and support along the way.
Over the course of these last twelve years I have grown as a woman.
It is not only in the outward areas of writing books, running the shops- Caravan Sonnet Shoppe, December Caravan and others, speaking to audiences around the world, and so many other things...but in the deeper aspects of life-by processing in this space through a variety of topics that include life, faith, and love, grief, and loss.
I don't think that you can write vulnerably, deeply, and passionately in a space for twelve years and it not change you. Being sick and fighting for my life has taught me to go beyond the surface and to understand a persons story - their history and who they are and the journey that has brought them to the place in life where our lives are intersecting.
The same is true for this place on the blog- and how I share about travel experiences -the history and the story behind a place and a building- the stories here are significant too. In many ways it feels like the blog is coming into a new season in a deep full circle way. Some people say this type of blogging has gone away but I see every single day that it is very much alive in beautiful ways if you have the courage to share vulnerably your story.
As I move forward friends into this twelfth year here on the blog I just want to take time to say thank you again for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last twelve years.
Y'all leave me speechless with gratitude.
This community has been a huge blessing and built into my life in rich and deep ways. Thank you so much to the brands and press that have partnered with Caravan Sonnet and to the brands and press that will be partnering in the days and months and years ahead! Thank you friends- I can't wait to continue this journey with you and see what beautiful new adventures and days and blessings will meet us in this new year.
THANK YOU for a beautiful 12 years...Here's to many many more...the best days and years is the one today and the ones to come!
Happy Thursday friends! Today I am so excited to share that I shared an instagram reel over on IG!! You can watch it by clicking HERE!
Thank you again for all of the kind and encouraging comments of reaching the milestone of ten years. I am so grateful for this community!
You may wonder why I mention the instagram reels that I create and why it matters about watching, liking, saving, commenting, and sharing my reels. I wouldn't know about this either if social media wasn't part of my job, but each time that you watch one of my reels, like them, comment on them share them or save them I make a small commission which adds up to help me. It doesn't cost you anything, but it does help me. THANK YOU! Just watching a reel and liking it are huge helps!! Thank you again for everything friends! The best is yet to come!!
From the very post picture in January 2013...
till ten years later ...
it has been a beautiful and speechless journey.
Thank you for being the most amazing and supportive community for this past decade of the Caravan Sonnet blog and brand. I could never have imagined what this last decade would bring when I started the blog...
I am so grateful for this community, the brands who have collaborated with Caravan Sonnet, and the support of each of you. Thank you for being part of one of the biggest blessings and adventures of my life. I am so incredibly grateful...
PS- Last night I posted on Instagram a sweet and simple reel trying to convey my gratitude for this beautiful community. Please click HERE to see it! Thank you so much again for everything.
Caravan Sonnet, my little blog space turned "9 years old" last week. It is hard to believe that it was 9 years ago that I wrote my first post (you can read it HERE!).
I am speechless that we are now at 9 years...
9 years of growing, learning, and sharing...9 years of perseverance, dedication, and hard work..
.9 years of pushing through despite severe illnesses ...
but mostly 9 years of becoming and 9 years of humbly connecting with this beautiful and faithful community of love and support.
I started Caravan Sonnet as a way to reach out to the outer world from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I did not know that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, and a myriad of other health issues and in a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013. And I still had no idea that I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and 4 other serious health issues.
As the blog has morphed into what it is now, I remain so grateful for your love and support along the way.Over the course of these last 9 years I have grown not only as a person, but as a woman. I don't think that you can write vulnerably, deeply, and passionately in a space for 9 years and it not change you if you let it.
As I move forward friends into this 10th year here on the blog I just want to take time to say thank you again for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last 9 years.
Y'all leave me speechless with gratitude.
Thank you so much to the brands and press that have partnered with me and the brands and press that will be partnering in the days, months, and years ahead! I can't wait to continue this journey with you and see what beautiful new adventures and days and blessings will meet us in this new year.
THANK YOU for a beautiful 9 years...Here's to many many more!
PS- If you would like to see a new reel about these last nine years click HERE! It was so humbling to look back on so many beautiful experiences!
Happy Wednesday friends! I hope that this finds you doing well! Today, I am sad that I have to address a situation that occurred with someone stealing a photo of mine and sharing it without credit over this past week. If we are connected on instagram than you might have seen a bit about this, but because of the serious nature of this situation I knew it was important to share here in this space.
As a professional blogger who has been blessed to work as a travel writer and social media influencer over the last 7 years, I have had (a few times) someone use a photo of mine without crediting my work. Typically in each of these situations, I have contacted the source, they have apologized, given proper credit, and we have all moved forward. In fact, in closing in at almost a decade of full-time blogging, I have never had someone not apologize and credit me with the work.
What occurred over this past week was anything but that. It has been disheartening, eye-opening, and disappointing.
On Friday night (after a long day of travel to pick up our keys to our condo and work on some moving stuff), I was scrolling through my instagram messages and realized I had several from people screen-shotting me the above image. Several people were questioning that they recognized the image from my Prince Edward Island trip in 2017 and were concerned that this particular blogger didn't credit me with my photo.
I knew instantly that the photo was mine and was surprised that this particular blogger (whom I have known in "bloggy world" since 2013 and even have met in person and have had an acquaintance relationship with over the years) didn't credit me. I also knew that this particular blogger was aware of this special trip because we had expressly discussed the trip in numerous conversations. I also knew that this person has expressly commented on my posts from PEI, instagram posts about press and places my work has been seen in, etc. The whole thing I assumed was an accident.
I admit that I was disturbed (a similar situation with this same person had occurred last year that I did not make public) but I assumed it was once again an honest mistake. Last year this person had even sent me an apology gift for the situation (which I stated and shared was unnecessary) and again just assumed that maybe this was also a mistake.
I was confused why there were numerous pictures (from multiple sources) not credited and I was also confused why the copyright in the right corner was cut off, but again, tried to believe that this was just a mistake in the course of being overly happy about posting pictures of PEI. I know some of you are smiling that know me well, but yes I do try to believe the best about everyone. *smiles*
I reached out, did what I have always done, expressed concern, requested that I be credited with the photo or it be removed, and planned to move on to a very busy weekend with moving.
I saw that the message was read but didn't receive an immediate response and had received so many messages about the situation that I finally made a story post addressing the situation which I posted in my instagram stories.
On Saturday morning I woke up to a bit of weird message from this person where their response was the following:
Hi friend. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Honestly, I google imaged “Anne of green gables” (and as most were via Pinterest or tourist websites) I didn’t even think to look twice. I also genuinely didn’t notice any water marks. Truly, if I would have seen it was your picture I would have given you credit. The funny thing was that I would have loved to share your AOGG posts in my stories, but wasn’t sure if you’d want me to do that. I should have just reached out to ask you, but honestly felt so bad about what happened last year that I didn’t. I feel as though I’ve deeply offended and wounded you and I am truly sorry. Nothing about this was intentional at all, but I take full responsibility for my mistake. I’ve reposted it with a credit to you, but I can absolutely delete the post if you rather. I’d also love to share your pictures and point people to your trip so they can read about everything you did, but if you’d rather me not just let me know!! You were the first friend that I knew who did this trip, so would love to point people to your blog about it, with your permission or course 🤍 And again, no worries if you’d rather me not.
What struck me as odd in this message were many things, but specifically the following things concerned me:
(1) They googled images for Anne of Green Gables but didn't think to credit the sources (which is copyright infringement). As a photographer and blogger, this is widely known. Even if you aren't a photographer or blogger, it is illegal to just post pictures of others work as your own with no credit or disclaimer. As this person has claimed to be both over the years I can't understand why they wouldn't want to cite the source (or if unknown just say "source unknown").
(2) They stated that they didn't know the picture was mine, yet based on previous conversations we had discussed this exact same picture. In fact, I have screenshot comments on the original IG post plus email conversations about this same picture. I get that we are all busy, and things can be forgotten, but the watermark is obviously there and has been cropped out.
(3) When I put in "Anne of Green Gables" or "Anne of Green Gables Museum" into Google the picture that was used is directly is linked to my blog or has a credit to me or my blog in the description... again with the watermark.
(4) They admit that I was the first "friend" that they knew did the trip, but were unsure if I would want my blog posts to be known?? What blogger is ever upset about this?? Especially a professional blogger whose trip has been shared thousands of times, across numerous social media venues, etc. Again, What blogger is ever upset about this??
(5) They tried to create a weird situation by stating that they had "deeply offended or wounded me". For the record, I didn't feel any of those things, but did feel that this situation had quickly become inappropriate with something else that was going on with this blogger and trying to turn it back on me. I wrote back the following response:
__________, the situation that happened over a year ago was very different then this one (although both times there was no credit given) as that was a time where you used a gift that had been specifically created for you in a giveaway. This is copyright infringement when sharing a picture of mine without permission/credit. To clarify- I am not "wounded" but it does baffle me why as a photographer and a blogger you wouldn't think to either cite that the pictures have a source unknown or take the time to find the source of the pictures.
To also clarify I have NEVER been offended to have my blog posts and stories from PEI (or other travel writings) shared as they have been shared thousands of times and even have been shared in magazines, travel books, and various press over the years. As you stated I was the first blogger to discuss a trip like that to PEI and have remained that way and so I have always been honored and humbled when people share (with credit). As a professional travel blogger it is always an honor to have our work credited through other bloggers, press, etc.I appreciate the re-posting of the picture with proper credit. I hope you have a wonderful weekend ___________.
I sent the message, assumed that this strange situation was over and went about my day. A little while later I received an instagram story from her showing that she had re-posted the original picture with credit to me. I was busy with lots of moving details, didn't respond and planned to respond later to thank her, and went about my day.
As Saturday continued though I started getting new messages that there were other pictures being shared - again with no credit. I tried to go to her page and realized that she had blocked me. I was baffled by the entire thing and still am. I tried to reach out via Facebook, but she had unfriended and blocked me there and it was honestly the strangest situation in my years of blogging.
In the midst of the stress of moving, it was unfortunate that this had to happen this way also. While I wish her the best, it was a reminder to me that we don't know what is going on in another person's life and why they chose to do the things that they do. Sadly on line we get to know only one side of a person's life and we really don't know what is going on behind the scenes in her life. I can honestly only imagine if this is the way that she chooses to handle a person simply asking for credit for a photograph that is legally mine.
I feel sad that they felt that this was the way to handle a situation with someone that they had known for so many years, and have questioned a lot of things now about the pictures on their blog (whether the photography from her that I have always admired is really hers, etc.), their social media venues, etc. Having this situation happen one time (last year) was a genuine mistake I believed, but this pattern was concerning in so many ways.
After making a formal complaint on Instagram, I can only hope that this blogger can learn from their mistakes and that they see the seriousness of this situation. Instead of blocking others who may request credit to their rightful pictures, I hope that they can learn from this and I truly hope that in the future that they can find the beauty and joy of their own life instead of trying to just share others.
We each have so much to offer with our unique experiences and lives to the world. It is beautiful to share things that inspire us, but let's be women who encourage and champion each other not try to steal from each other. It is always beautiful to share inspiration from others (with credit *smiles*), but today and each day I hope that this situation can encourage each of us to find the joy and love and gifts of the beautiful sacred now in our personal lives.
PS- I have had so many people requesting me to share more about the PEI trip from 2017 that over the next few weeks I will be re-sharing some of my favorite posts. I hope it inspires you to a fun and beautiful trip to a truly beautiful place on earth! Happy Wednesday friends!
Happy Friday friends! Today I am so honored to be featured over on Annaliese's blog, Southern Belle in Training! It is a joy and privilege to be able to call Annaliese a friend and I was truly honored when she interviewed me for her "Inspiring Women" blog post today! Those of you who have been around the blog for a long time will remember a very fun adventure with Annaliese back in 2017 when we met up at the Vermont Country Store! You can click HERE to read more about our fun adventure that day!
It is truly a joy to call her a friend and she has been a beautiful friend behind the scenes with encouragement, prayers, and lots of support over the years! Please check out the interview and if you aren't already, follow Annaliese's incredible blog! Click HERE to read the interview!
Happy Friday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day! I am driving down to Albany today to pick up our keys to our new apartment!!!
This beautiful blog space turned "7 years old" this week. Happy Birthday to Caravan Sonnet! It is beyond amazing that we are now at 7 years... 7 years of growing, learning, and sharing... 7 years of becoming and 7 years of such a beautiful and faithful community of love and support.
Since I started writing on this little space in January 2013 (you can read my very first post HERE which just makes me smile), the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. At the time in 2013 many blogs that I followed and connected with were writing to share their personal lives with readers... a way to connect outside the world that we each lived in. Everyday stories mixed with some practical tips and ideas about how to live fully abounded and it was a sweet time to join "bloggy world". In the midst of so many amazing bloggers and authors who were pouring their hearts out I felt immediately embraced into the "blogging club" and think back to precious friendships (that have sweetly continued) and those early days often.
For me personally I started this blog as a way to reach out from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I did not know that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, or a myriad of other health issues.
At the time I started there were no other chronic illness bloggers nor were there people talking and documenting their health journey's. I often felt a bit out of place, especially in those early months of starting when I was still desperately searching for clear answers on my health.
In a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013- in very brief details. At the time I did so only because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and wasn't sharing my diagnosis out of concern for my former students. At that time I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and was not aware of that component of my health journey.
I recently spent some time re-reading back through those first few months of the blog. I remember beyond my words that I was writing with tears behind the scenes, curled up in bed, slowly and painfully typing letter by letter a post, the extreme daily pain that I was in, the intense stomach issues that left me spending any free time away from my bed on the bathroom floor, the lack of support from the medical community, the inability to walk without help, the questions, the confusion, the questions in my faith, the loss of friends and independence, the fear, the unknown, and a desperate yearning to reach out and to grab life despite all of these things.
At the same time there was a beauty to that time period that is impossible to explain unless you have walked through a complete crisis in your life. The complete resoluteness of knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and knowing that despite all circumstantial evidence to the contrary your faith remains in tact. That you can say without hesitancy ... "and if not... he is still good". It is a coming to the end of yourself... the end of what you envision for your life to be and coming to a peace and acceptance of the ways and walls of God.
This has been a road that I never would have asked to walk. Yes, there was and still are deep questions about the future with certain areas of my health and there is a deep sadness after "losing" so many precious years to Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease. I put the word "losing" in parentheses because I have realized that while I used to think that I was losing my thirties (what some have called "the best years of your life") nothing is lost when it is in the hands of our all loving God. I think back to what I wrote in 2013 about learning to be faithful in this new assignment of sickness... and what I have learned is that God has been faithful despite all of my times of unfaithfulness.
The story... I have learned is not about me... but is once again about Him. Some have asked what this looks like for this new season- and how my health is... and right now I am working on writing more about that ... but wanted to share a deep moment of gratitude for your support, your love, and the community that has been built over all of these years here at Caravan Sonnet.
As this blog has changed and morphed into what it is now - more of a cozy luxury lifestyle inspiration and travel blog, I remain so grateful for your love and blessing and support along the way.
Over the course of these last seven years I have grown as a person and a woman. It is not only in the outward areas of writing books, founding Twenty History Lane, and starting two etsy shops (December Caravan and December Lane), but in the deeper aspects of life-by processing in this space through a variety of topics that include life, faith, and love, grief, and loss.
I don't think that you can write vulnerably, deeply, and passionately in a space for seven years and it not change you. Being sick and fighting for my life has taught me to go beyond the surface and to understand a persons story - their history and who they are and the journey that has brought them to the place in life where our lives are intersecting.
The same is true for this place on the blog- and how I share the cozy luxury travel aspect -the history and the story behind a place and a building- the stories here are significant too. In many ways it feels like the blog is coming into a new season in a deep full circle way. Some people say this type of blogging has gone away but I see every single day that it is very much alive in beautiful ways.
As I move forward friends into this seventh year here on the blog I just want to take time to say thank you again for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last seven years. This community has been a huge blessing and built into my life in rich and deep ways. Thank you so much to the brands and press that have partnered with Caravan Sonnet and to the brands and press that will be partnering in the days and months and years ahead! Thank you friends- I can't wait to continue this journey with you and see what beautiful new adventures and days and blessings will meet us in this new year.
Since I started writing on this little space in January 2013 (you can read my very first post HERE which just makes me smile), the world of blogging (or as I affectionately call it), "bloggy world" has changed significantly. At the time in 2013 many blogs that I followed and connected with were writing to share their personal lives with readers... a way to connect outside the world that we each lived in. Everyday stories mixed with tips and ideas about how to live fully abounded and it was a sweet time to join "bloggy world". In the midst of so many amazing bloggers and authors who were pouring their hearts out I felt immediately embraced into the "blogging club" and think back to precious friendships (that have sweetly continued) to this day.
For me personally I started this blog as a way to reach out from beyond my bedridden existence at the time (due to illness) and as a simple way to keep friends, family, and loved ones informed of what was going on with my confusing health story (which ironically was only going to get more complicated in the months to come). When I started writing in January 2013 I did not know that I was dealing with Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease, Skin Cancer, or a myriad of other health issues.
In a twist of irony, I didn't even really write about my health issues on the blog (except for some very general terms) until March 25th, 2013- in very brief details. At the time I did so only because there was a rumor going around that I had Cancer and wasn't sharing my diagnosis out of concern for my former students. At that time I was still a full month away from my diagnosis of Skin Cancer and was not aware of that component of my health journey.
I recently spent some time re-reading back through those first few months of the blog. I remember beyond my words that I was writing the tears behind the scenes, the extreme daily pain that I was in, the intense stomach issues that left me spending any free time away from my bed on the bathroom floor, the lack of support from the medical community, the inability to walk without help, the questions, the confusion, the questions in my faith, the loss of friends and independence, the fear, the unknown, and a desperate yearning to reach out and to grab life despite all of these things.
At the same time there was a beauty to that time period that is impossible to explain unless you have walked through a complete crisis in your life. The complete resoluteness of knowing what you believe, why you believe it, and knowing that despite all circumstantial evidence to the contrary your faith remains in tact. That you can say without hesitancy ... "and if not... he is still good". It is a coming to the end of yourself... the end of what you envision for your life to be and coming to a peace and acceptance of the ways and walls of God.
This has been a road that I never would have asked to walk. Yes, there was and still are deep questions about the future with certain areas of my health and there is a deep sadness after "losing" so many precious years to Advanced Late Stage Lyme Disease. I put the word "losing" in parentheses because I have realized that while I used to think that I was losing my thirties (what some have called "the best years of your life") nothing is lost when it is in the hands of our all loving God. I think back to what I wrote in 2013 about learning to be faithful in this new assignment of sickness... and what I have learned is that God has been faithful despite all of my times of unfaithfulness.
The story... I have learned is not about me... but is once again about Him. Some have asked what this looks like for this new season- and how my health is... and right now I am working on writing more about that ... but wanted to share a deep moment of gratitude for your support, your love, and the community that has been built over all of these years here at Caravan Sonnet.
As this blog has changed and morphed into what it is now I remain so grateful for your love and blessing and support along the way. Over the course of these last six years I have grown as a person and a woman. It is not only in the outward areas of writing books, founding Twenty History Lane, and starting two shops (December Caravan and December Lane), but in the deeper aspects of life-by processing in this space through a variety of topics that include life, faith, and love.
I don't think that you can write in a space for six years and it not change you. Being sick and fighting for my life has taught me to go beyond the surface and to understand a persons story - their history and who they are and the journey that has brought them to the place in life where our lives are intersecting.
The same is true for this place on the blog- and how I share the travel aspect -the history and the story behind a place and a building- the stories here are significant too. In many ways it feels like the blog is coming into a new season in a deep full circle way. Some people say this type of blogging has gone away but I see every single day that it is very much alive in beautiful ways.
Along with this has come a new season and change in the blog design (very overdue in some ways I am sure *smiles*). I thought it would be fun to take a look back for a minute...
This picture above was from one of my earliest edition designs (actually it was its third approach at that point)... fun and creative design tabs at the top and creative fonts... bloggy world was just starting to change with these fun additions and I had purchased this design from a friend off of Etsy (she no longer sells designs) and I was so thrilled with it. *smiles* I purchased that design in 2013 and kept that design through 2014 in the summer when I purchased my next design off of Etsy...
This one I really loved and it was a delightful design to grow and change with as the blog started to change. The girl that designed it was so sweet and helpful and although she doesn't do design work anymore I am grateful for her time and help. I kept this design for the next 4 and 1/2 years...
And the design worked well... but moving into this new season with some exciting new changes coming up I knew it was time to make the change... and I am so grateful for Eve's work in designing this beautiful space and helping me to see the vision come to be. If you are looking for a gorgeous and professional design I can't recommend her shop enough. Eve has now designed both Twenty History Lane's website and made the custom changes for Caravan Sonnet. She is professional, extremely generous, and patient beyond words. She helps you create those custom websites that you dream of as an entrepreneur but that you can't necessarily afford. Without sacrificing quality she allows you to build the dream site you are wanting. I can't recommend working with her enough - you can find her shop HERE.
As I move forward friends I just want to say thank you for following along, for joining this community, and for all of your love and support over these last six years. This community has been a huge blessing and built into my life in rich and deep ways. Thank you friends- I can't wait to continue this journey with you!
Anyone who knows me understands that one of my favorite places for relaxing, hanging out with family and friends, curling up with a good book, and for gazing at the beauty of the lake and the woods happens from our porch at camp.
For a number of years the porch was used as a "catchall" for children's toys, swimsuits and towels, and a place where as teenagers we would "hang out" while playing countless card games and planning our next adventures. The porch has had many "duties", including being a stage for us to perform our a"ward winning" childhood plays.
My parents were wonderful and allowed the space to be completely lived in as we used chairs that have been passed down from different generations. But unfortunately, while this was quaint it did not provide a very comfortable or relaxing sitting area which was something both my mom and I desperately wanted. We searched and searched but nothing was in our price range that was the aesthetic that we were hoping for and nothing really fit the rustic and open air porch that we have.
Enter in a wonderful find at Goodwill! Don't you just love thrifting? I adore thrifting and finding unique and wonderful pieces at affordable prices! It took some time to wash, clean the chairs, repair rips in the fabric, and get everything set up but after three years (and two summers) in the years of 2010-2013 the porch came together like a dream! *smiles*
For a number of years the porch was used as a "catchall" for children's toys, swimsuits and towels, and a place where as teenagers we would "hang out" while playing countless card games and planning our next adventures. The porch has had many "duties", including being a stage for us to perform our a"ward winning" childhood plays.
My parents were wonderful and allowed the space to be completely lived in as we used chairs that have been passed down from different generations. But unfortunately, while this was quaint it did not provide a very comfortable or relaxing sitting area which was something both my mom and I desperately wanted. We searched and searched but nothing was in our price range that was the aesthetic that we were hoping for and nothing really fit the rustic and open air porch that we have.
Enter in a wonderful find at Goodwill! Don't you just love thrifting? I adore thrifting and finding unique and wonderful pieces at affordable prices! It took some time to wash, clean the chairs, repair rips in the fabric, and get everything set up but after three years (and two summers) in the years of 2010-2013 the porch came together like a dream! *smiles*
My mom and I first found the chairs for the porch at a half Price Thanksgiving Sale at Goodwill in 2010. There were four large chairs and three matching footstools. While they were in "struggling" condition we knew with a lot of love they would be the perfect thing for our front porch.
You can see our excitement in the pictures above with our find! *smiles*
My mom stored the chairs in the garage at my parents house and once the 2011 summer arrived we went to work on the first two chairs that we took to New York. The first thing that we did was take out the original stuffing from the cushions and then work on the sewing projects that we needed to fix from some of the ripped material. Next we washed every cover twice. I had done some research and had learned that it was best to stuff pre-made fabric cushions while the fabric is still damp. This allows the fabric and the stuffing to mold together. [You don't want the fabric to be wet- just damp.] I am not going to lie it took some energy to stuff those cushions!
My mom stored the chairs in the garage at my parents house and once the 2011 summer arrived we went to work on the first two chairs that we took to New York. The first thing that we did was take out the original stuffing from the cushions and then work on the sewing projects that we needed to fix from some of the ripped material. Next we washed every cover twice. I had done some research and had learned that it was best to stuff pre-made fabric cushions while the fabric is still damp. This allows the fabric and the stuffing to mold together. [You don't want the fabric to be wet- just damp.] I am not going to lie it took some energy to stuff those cushions!
After we stuffed the cushions we set them in the sun to dry while we went to work on vacuuming the chairs and washing the wood.
After everything was dry we set up the porch with the first two chairs for the 2011 summer. [*happy sigh*]
We loved the two chairs that we had brought and had originally intended to use the other 1/2 of the set at my parents house but everyone loved these chairs to sit on so we quickly decided that we would need to bring up the rest of the set the following summer.
So in the summer of 2012 we repeated the same process of cleaning and stuffing that we had done in 2011 and ended up with our finalized porch chairs.
I had also found some additional (small) pillows that matched the chairs (at a Goodwill in another state!). And our porch started to evolve from there...
I had also found some additional (small) pillows that matched the chairs (at a Goodwill in another state!). And our porch started to evolve from there...
As the years have passed we have loved these chairs more and more. This old porch that was originally built in 1901 has been refurbished but kept its original charm and these chairs that we found at Goodwill have only added and not taken away from the charm of the porch.
As time has passed we have enjoyed so many conversations with friends and family, played numerous board games and card games on these chairs, spent quiet time with the Lord here, and I have written books, worked on school work, and written numerous blog posts from these porch chairs. (In fact, the title of my personal health updates, "Notes from the Porch" was inspired by this location!) They have truly been a blessing!
In recent years we have added lights to the porch (y'all know my love of white lights! *smiles*), more cushions and some cozy throws and we end up spending numerous evenings out here on this porch, listening to the sounds of the water and seeing pretty sunsets in the evening.
While we have lots of "cozy spots"... this place... this spot is my favorite of all! Thanks so much for reading today friends! Do y'all have a favorite cozy spot in your home?
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