Surprise! I'm back ... for good this time. Instagram became an impossible place for me. They kept sending me messages asking if I'd make my page available for advertisers! Of course, I said no but that didn't stop them. It's such a change from what Instagram started as. But enough of that, the important part of this post is to explain why I returned here instead of taking my writing offline for good. For a few years Grandma Donna and I have talked online face-to-face and it's been such a pleasure for me to get to know her. We have a lot in common. We both feel a responsibility to share what we know with others. With the cost of living crisis, learning how to cook from scratch, appreciate the work we do in our homes, shop to a budget and pay off debt will help people grow stronger. The best place to do that is our blogs because we have no advertising police harassing us, the space is unlimited, we can put up tons of photos when we want to and, well, it just feels like home. I will close my Instagram account. 🎈
When I decided I'd come back I knew I had to do some work on the blog and make it welcoming and as clear as it could be. There are still some things I'm not happy with but I'm putting the blog back up today and I'll work on the problems when I have time and behind the scenes. All the big work is done and I doubt I'll have to shut the blog again.
A few years ago there was a facility in Blogger to notify my readers that there was a new post ready for reading. That was taken away and not replaced with anything that worked but now I want to recommend Feedly Classic <- Apple iPad and iPhone version to you. Clicking on the link will take you to the download page. This is the link for Android They are both free apps. I don't know why there is a new version because the older version, Feedly Classic, is better. When you download the app, all you have to do is to transfer the URL addresses of the things you want to read. I'd like you to download the app and add my URL address to Feedly so you know when a new post is waiting for you. This is my URL https://down---to---earth.blogspot.com/
This is my beautiful grandson, Jamie. He'll be 15 next month. 😳
There is so much information here that I hope you can use to help you live a simplified and comfortable life. There's a lot about gardening, baking, cooking from scratch, housework, families, storing food and saving money. If you look at the bottom of this page, some popular posts are there to help guide you. Or you can do a search in the side bar for a topic you're looking for. The search feature works best with a one or two word search enquiry.
I've been removing a small selection of posts from the blog because they're no longer relevant. I've brought back the comments section - I read through some of the comments and it was so motivating for me; I thank all those who do leave a comment. I spend most of my time offline now so I won't be writing frequently like in the old days when I had so much to share, but there'll be a couple of new posts up every month. My topics will be the same but different. 😉 I'll write more about how I live and what I do to make it work. If you can't find what you're interested in, and you've tried what I suggested above, put it in the comments. That will take longer because there will be days when I don't come online and I always have my notifications turned off.
And finally, a word about my wonderful sidekick, Gracie. She's been well but she's slowing down, like me. She'll be 10 years old in August and I'll be 78 in April. She still acts like a puppy most of the time, still does her zoomies, still loves the grandchildren visiting and still loves sleeping. She's the ideal companion and I love her dearly. There's a new puppy next door with the kelpie, their old dog has gone to heaven. She watches them from the verandah but will only go over to sniff the other dogs when I go to the fence to talk with my neighbours. We'll see how that develops
So there you have it, my friends, we're back here where we started nearly 20 years ago. If it's your first time here, welcome, if you've been here before, welcome. Let's put our aprons on and get to work.
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27 Comments
Hi from Bernie
ReplyDeleteSo good to have you back here!
ReplyDeleteSo glad your back forever
ReplyDeleteMade your delicious plum cake recently, was thinking of you and your newsy blog. Lovely you are back.
ReplyDeleteFabulous to see your post Rhonda ❤️
ReplyDeleteSo happy that your blog is back. I've loved your advice and inspiration for years.
ReplyDeleteSo very good to have you back again Rhonda. I've really missed you and your wisdom 🤗
ReplyDeleteOh, what a joy to see you are back Rhonda! I discovered your blog around 2012 as a very young woman first living out of home - I was 19-20 then, and I’m 33 now. Your blog was such a source of comfort and affirmation for me of the kind of simple life I wanted to live, and am happy to say have continued to develop.
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to have you back. I have missed you and wondered how you were doing. Your blog has helped me in so many ways to get where I am now.
ReplyDeleteHilde in Germany
So happy to have you back Rhonda. Been here since the early days and read all your posts. Kate Xxx
ReplyDeleteWonderful surprise to see you are back Rhonda, I’m so happy……Sharlene
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Jamie is almost 15?? I remember when he was the age in the photograph.
ReplyDeleteI understood when you stepped away but I am so glad that you are back. Your writing has made such an impact on so many lives and now will continue to do so. Thank you for all your work in helping others (and definitely me!) CJ
What a surprise and a blessing you're back, Rhonda! All those nearly twenty years I kind of grew up with you(r blog).
DeleteWelcome to my life again, you are of great and wonderful inspiration to so many people('s lives) no matter one's age. Always offering support by sharing wisdom from your heart, home and experience.
sending love and blessings from the Netherlands,
Jeanneke.
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh Rhonda. How wonderful. It's like meeting up with an old friend. Feeling emotional.i look forward to your posts lile a letter from a dear friend.
ReplyDeleteWelcome back! Your wise words are definitely needed Rhonda. I’m about to make your soap recipe again this week, never fails .
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see you posting again, Rhonda! Your blog looks lovely, and I am looking forward to reading your posts again.
ReplyDeleteNice to see Gracie too! And Jamie! I can't believe its been 15 years!
Welcome back to your blog! I’m pleased you are making it work for you, while still keeping in touch with everyone.
ReplyDeleteI regularly return to your posts and books for inspiration; and have done so for many years. I often pass your blog on to others too.
Oh Rhonda! So happy to have you back! I've been longing for a return to the old blogging days. I'm on Substack now, but so tempted to wake up my old blog as well.
ReplyDeleteYour plan to be mostly offline and just "pop in" sounds like a good one.
Welcome home! Jackiex
So great to have you back blogging again Rhonda. Thanks for all that you share.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're back! I don't often say something but i'm reading ....
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to be able to read your blog again Rhonda! I agree with you about Instagram, it's a haven for advertisers now. Feedly is a great find too!
ReplyDeleteHello Rhonda so glad your back 💐Sandi
ReplyDeleteHallo Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you are back!!! I am living in the Netherlands and love reading your blog!
Thanks you for coming back.
With love Mariëtte
Great to have you back! Greetings from Holland.
ReplyDeleteMarian
Thank you Rhonda! So pleased to see you're blogging again and the layout looks great. Nice to have an update on Gracie too. Very much looking forward to travelling along beside you again.
ReplyDeletePenny
Great to see you back! You've always been a mentor to me. I walk past my laundry and see my knitted washcloths and think of you! I made some of your recipes. Jenny in Wollongong.
ReplyDeleteI welcome readers' comments. However, this blog never publishes business links or advertisements. If you're operating a business and want to leave your link here, I will delete your comment .