These past few months Shanti and I have been experiencing this on again, off again love affair with blogging. When we started this blog we started with gusto...neither Shanti or myself had any experience with blogging, (other than reading blogs). Our goal was to create and grow a blog, and share our creativity with other mamas. This time last year we were posting about 5-6 times a week...I would dare say the majority of last summer was spent blogging our hearts out. This blog is like a little creative baby that Shanti and I have nurtured together...it's hard to just "let go"...on the other hand it feels kind of refreshing to just say, "LET IT GO!!!" Shanti and I both homeschool our kids, we both work, (at least) 25 or more hours a week outside of our homes, we garden, create and homestead. When I think about how we found the time to blog, I have to think about what's suffered in our lives as a result. While the blog has been a fufilling creative outlet for us both, there have also been times when we put so much pressure onto ourselves to get a post up, I fear that there were times when we both sacrificed precious moments of family time trying to manage our blog.
Recently Shanti went on a trip and returned home having really enjoyed being "unplugged"...after we talked, we realized that we're both on the same page with this, we need to get back into our lives again. We have both loved sharing on the blog and being part of the blog world. It has inspired us, brought us to live creatively, challenged us to grow and brought us JOY! With spring here and summer around the corner, we want to make the most of it and spend every possible moment soaking up the beauty. We want to turn off the "blog post" planner part of our brain. We want to learn how to "just be" more and slow down our lives. We want to say thank you to to all of you new found blog friends. Thank you for all the kind words you have shared, the inspiration we have received from your blogs and the opportunity to be a part of such a rich community of kindred spirits. We are so grateful.
In the meantime our blog will stay put...we don't plan on taking any of it down, and we may return sporadically, to give you little updates on our lives. We aren't planning any craft tutorials any time soon, so please refer to our archives for craft ideas. I think we managed to create something really special here...I hope that we will continue to be a resource for mamas out there who appreciate beautiful crafts for beautiful little people. We wish you JOY and we thank you for supporting us.
with all our love
xox
Maureen & Shanti
Thank you for being here as long as you were! I love your blog, but totally respect your decision and wish you both happiness and fulfilling lives with your families!
ReplyDelete~Michelle
www.falafelandthebee.com
have fun in the real world! glad you're leaving the blog for us to have as a resource. it's too good to give up! enjoy your life unplugged... : )
ReplyDeleteYou'll both be missed. But I totally understand and respect your need to focus on the really real world. Here's wishing you both the best - it's been an honor getting to "know" you. (:
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time! and thank you for all your wonderful ideas.
ReplyDeleteBecca
you do what you do when you need to do it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure this rest at this place will be an inspiration and growth in other places.
best to you both! Glad to hear that all is well.
you'll be missed, but totally understandable.
cheers
Wow! You will be missed but I can totally understand why you want to step away.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you both.
Tricia
You have listened to your hearts and to your family. That takes courage.
ReplyDeleteenjoy this season, and thank you for your gifts!!! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you for all that you have shared. I have been inspired. Keep on living life to the fullest!
ReplyDeleteblog without obligation sisters! xo
ReplyDeleteYou will without a doubt be missed, but I wish you all sorts of wonderful things in the 'real world'!! Thank you thank you for all your inspiration and a BIG thank you for leaving the blog up, I was crushed when green and crunchy disappeared and would be the same if this space did too!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings to you both!
Thank you for leaving the blog up! I have used your craft ideas so many times with my girls. Enjoy your life outside cyberspace.
ReplyDeleteI homeschool my three plus have a baby...and DON"T work outside the home....and I can barely find time to blog. I don't know how you do it. (In fact I've grounded myself for a few weeks from my camera. It's painful!) So I understand and wish you well. Thank you for leaving the blog up in the meantime...you have a few ideas I would like to take advantage of this summer! Enjoy life...unplugged!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy and celebrate the real life!!!! Also al lot of thak you's for everything you shared with us!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you warmth, love, light and inspiration.
Thank you for creating this space and sharing your lives, talent and love.
ReplyDeleteyes, it is a lot, isn't it? i am struggling with where i am at with my blog, too. congrats on doing what is best for you and your families. you are both so beautiful and inspirational!! so kind of you to leave your blog here for us to use. with love and support, rae
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed your blog tremendously over the past year! Thanks so much for posting so many inspiring projects! I was amazed at how you found time to post so much... I will miss your regular posting, but am very happy for you both that you have chosen to spend that time with your families. You'll never regret it, they grow so quickly, don't they?!
ReplyDeleteThank you for what you have given to all of us - we are grateful!
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the same debate (to blog or not to blog) daily/weekly/monthly!
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed, your archives will be used, and your honesty and talent are greatly appreciated. Go forth with your families and enjoy them!
Wishing you both love, laughter, and happiness now and always!
xoxo
pink and green mama,
MaryLea
It's so ironic...blogging is fun when you start out small, and you work towards more followers and links and exposure...and then it so often overwhelms! Does this mean we can hang out together more often? If so, I totally support your decision! :) When my internet was down for over a month, it gave me a good shake; I learned to just "be" again, and now that "blog planner" part of my brain isn't in the forefront any longer. I don't curse if I forget my camera, and can just enjoy the moment for what it is. You did create something really, really special here, and achieved what so many bloggers haven't: a space of joy, creativity, colour, heart, and soul...I've loved every minute of this journey with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the wonderful ideas. My garden goddesses are still up in the orchard and remind me of you two. Enjoy life and you're in my Google Reader just in case you pop back.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed. However, congrats on making a choice to spend more time with family and unplugged! Please keep your great posts up! I love coming back to check your archives.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your ideas and inspiration! Best of luck and much happiness! And thank you soooo much for leaving this up for now!!
ReplyDeleteI understand what are your saying..it is a struggle!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty!!and also thank you for bringing to this bloggy world such a great inspiration for other mamas like me.
I appreciate you guys are keeping your archives online..it will help to keep creating.
Patty
Good on you for reclaiming what you really want. Enjoy the season and enjoy your families. Here in the southern hemisphere we have just finished a leaf lantern and a seed mandala thanks to the inspiration from this site.
ReplyDeleteKiaora and thank you for this.
Always loved reading your magic,it is important to "Keep it real" I understand, love and light Marie
ReplyDeleteOh I'm sad for me, but so pleased for the two of you and your families. I completely get where you are coming from and have been working on a balance myself of late. Much love. xx
ReplyDeleteMaureen & Shanti thanks for sharing your great ideas and experiences with all of us :-)
ReplyDeleteI understand your reasons for time out and hope you enjoy your time with your families!
NataĊĦa
http://leptir-mojpribor.blogspot.com/
You'll be missed (tho' I hope you'll both swing by Rockin Granola to say hi from time to time) but I really respect this decision. Sometimes you just know when the time is right, and it sounds like for both of us, this is that time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all that you have given this community and for generously keeping your archives online.
Best Wishes!
Okay, instead of "for both of us" how about that reads "for both of you" LOL :-)
ReplyDeleteI had planned to blog only for a year, decided to keep going, and have, but certainly with less commitment, particularly now as we ready for a move, are very stressed, AND, my son doesn't want me taking pictures of him for the blog. So either my blog will change, or it will peter out. It remains to be seen. For the time being, it is on the back burner, and I am "spending more time with my family!" You have created something very special, and I'm glad I can revisit it anytime I want. Good luck in all that you do! love, Beth
ReplyDeleteEnjoy some time of focus and peace. Your readers will enjoy any little bits you throw us from time to time; but most importantly, you've provided a great sources for us to browse. Take care!
ReplyDeleteI will miss your great posts and creative ideas! But I deeply admire your ability to follow your mama instincts and do what is best for your family. Much love!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your creativity with us... you have inspired so many projects in this house and shown us how. You have provided so much incredible stuff in just one year. Take care of yourselves and your families.
ReplyDeletei am so proud for you and of you ... this is authentically who you have shown everyone you are ... you are choosing your lovely lives over the cyber ... knowing truly what is important for you and to you .... light - and love to you both ....Dawn
ReplyDeleteGreat decision! Your blog is great and has helped us all be "cooler" moms.. enjoy your precious little ones... making me consider turning it all of as well.
ReplyDeleteDear Maureen and Shanti,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say I completely understand:)
Enjoy the moments,
Tonya
You have created magic here, and magic lives on. Such inspiration you have given, on so many levels.
ReplyDeleteYou will be missed.
Indeed you have created something special here - so glad to have 'met' you, chatted with you and swapped creations with you ~ fly and be free... x
ReplyDeleteI totally understand and respect your decision. I've been blogging for a little over a year now, and while I love being part of the blogging community, sometimes I do wonder if it's the best use of my time. I have 4 children, I homeschool, I run a busy Etsy shop, I garden, bake, sew etc. and it's so difficult to fit blogging into all that.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your decision! :)
I fully understand and respect your decisions. thank you for such a lovely blog, I have found a lot of inspiration here. Enjoy the real world. A few weeks/month back you had posted a post about keeping a timer I have adopted the idea and really try and limit my computer time. It just takes away from family time far to often.
ReplyDeleteLove and hugs
Wow, I am so sad to see you go, but totally understand where you are coming from. Wishing you many blessings for your return to a life unplugged. Thank you so much for all that you gave us.
ReplyDeletePlease do continue to think of us every so often and then pop in to say hi! You've created a beautiful place here on the internet and I'm glad you're leaving it intact for us to continue to visit.
ReplyDeleteDear Maureen and Shanti,
ReplyDeleteThank you for everything you have shared and created here. It has been so very much appreciated and added much value to our family. I am so appreciative that you will be leaving the space available here, as I refer to it often for great inspiration.
Thankyou
Much love and light to the both of you.
ReplyDeleteSure will miss you two.
Namaste, Nicole
I totally understand how you feel and wonder whether to keep my own blog going or not, for the same reasons you shared. I bookmarked your blog a while ago and come back often to check out your lovely ideas. Best of luck to both of you!
ReplyDeleteOthers have said it much better than I could. I love this blog and I wish you the best and I will STILL be checking in often and using past posts as resources!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU FOR THE INSPIRATION AND CARE YOU TOOK WITH THIS BLOG!
Thank you for your service! It has been appreciated more than you will ever know. Congrats on your choice to do what is best for you.
ReplyDeleteOhh Dear Really ExlentYours Blog.....
ReplyDeleteOh no! But also Oh Yes! I will miss your possts so much, the craft and inspiration. But I completely understand. I too need to unplug now and then , to enjoy the moments, and just let things happen organically. I hope you are enjoying yourselves and relaxing a little more.
ReplyDeletei'm sad to see yous aren't posting anymore. i actually just discovered your blog yesterday, and fell in love immediately! i love crafting with nature but often find myself uninspired. YOU have inspired me :) so thank you.
ReplyDeletehave you considered maybe just updating once a month? hehe ;)
You are very missed, and your work continues to inspire so many of us.
ReplyDeleteHi Maureen and Shanti,
ReplyDeleteSorry to find your blog after you've stopped updating it, though I certainly understand why you did! I'm an editor at FamilyFun magazine and I'd like to discuss possibly running one of your ideas in the magazine. Can you please email me (at: deborah . way @ meredith . com ; just remove the spaces)? The address on your blog doesn't seem to be reaching you.
Thanks!
- Deborah Way
Aw! I just found you guys-and just started blogging myself! I was gonna ask about a guest post!
ReplyDelete