I’ve been blogging here since November of 2007, which basically makes me an old lady in blog years. During the past 98 months (I did the math) I’ve written about topics ranging from marriage to eczema to homeschooling to parenting to healthy eating. And also butter. Obviously. It all goes hand in hand. (Not literally though.)
You know what I learned the hard way several years ago in my blogging career? Never write about something I don’t know much about.
See, what happens is that when I write about a topic – any topic – many people assume I know much and oodles and aplenty about that topic. I mention the word “run” and the people start asking questions as if I’m some sort of an expert on running. They ask my advice and trust my opinions and before I know it, everyone thinks I must be some running professional. I’m left screaming at my computer screen, “Wait! Stop asking me about running! I’m not a runner! When I said ‘run’ I meant run…to the grocery store for food. The real kind. That is what I know. Real food. I always run toward real food.”
That was a bad example because no one has ever actually accused me of being an expert on running or asked me questions about it. Here’s an actual example:
I posted early on (March, 2009) about how to make mozzarella cheese. I’d made it a few times in my life, it’s not terribly complicated, and I thought it would be a fun post. It was. But then all of a sudden everyone thought I was a cheese-making expert. The questions started pouring in. Can I also share how to make cheddar? How about Gouda? What makes Swiss so holey? What supplies are needed for making Parmesan? Why did someone follow my recipe exactly and end up with mush? What if someone did not have the exact enzymes I recommended for mozzarella making? What might be a good substitute?
I became Mrs. Cheese Lady and all of the cheese questions were asked and people expected me to know all of the cheeseness.
That’s me, skillfully stretching my cheese curd in 2009.
I’m only slightly exaggerating, but suffice it to say that I quickly learned that while there are many topics I’m interested in and love learning about, there are only a few I am qualified to write about and offer advice on. Anything that I’m interested in but have not researched thoroughly or experienced muchly needs to be left to other people who have thoroughly researched and muchly experienced.
(It is clear by now that I have spent a good deal of time making up words and am therefore undoubtedly qualified to write them frequently and…muchly.)
What I’m good at (besides making up words):
- Cooking real food
- Keeping real food simple
- Finding good deals on real food
- Creating simple recipes with real food
- Saving time in the kitchen
- Saving money while eating real food
- Sharing our home school experiences
- Sharing what I’m learning in the areas of parenting and wifing (why is wifing not a real word?)
- Sharing what I’m learning about scripture and serving others
What I love but don’t know enough to write about:
- Essential Oils – I love them. I use them daily. They are fantastic. But I don’t know enough about them to answer questions or offer advice.
- Natural Remedies – Like essential oils, I love and use natural remedies instead of conventional medicine if at all possible. But I’m a novice. I have to look everything up every time one of us gets sick. Please don’t ask me how to make a tincture.
- Homesteading – The idea of having chickens and growing herbs on my windowsill intrigues me. Unfortunately, our fish only lived one week, so we don’t plan to get a goat anytime soon.
- Parenting Teenagers – Except for the prayer part. Trusting God with our kids – this is what I know. Otherwise, I know nothing. Ask me again in ten years.
- A bunch of other stuff that is relevant to most of us but not within my realm of knowledge. I don’t even know where to start on this list.
So what I want to know from you during the next few days is:
- What do you love reading about here at Heavenly Homemakers?
- What do you want to learn from me? What kind of information do you want me to share?
- Want more recipes? More scripture encouragement? More tips on saving money? All or none of the above? Something else entirely?
All I can promise is that I’ll do my best, but I won’t write about making cheese or making a poultice for your toddlers scratched elbow. I would love to continue sharing relevant topics with you, as long as it is something I can share confidently. So talk to me! Tell me what you love reading about here the most!
Continue to follow what the Lord places on your heart to share. He knows what we need best. You are a blessing Laura…….Happy New Year!
I second this!
I love your blog and have been reading and following along since about 2008 or so! I would love reading about day to day, day in the life, type posts. I also love the encouragement I get from your scriptural and faith posts. I love how you keep it real! I’m excited to see what the new year brings! Thank you for sharing your life with us! :)
I love your wittiness… keep it coming because it keeps me laughing! Just keep it real. :)
I was actually going to ask about an update on the eczema journey (and if I missed a post regarding this, just direct me there). Has it gotten better/gone and did you ever discover a “trigger”?
I really enjoy what you post all ready. You are a hoot! Maybe consider a Bible study for us to do with you. And, I love your printables. Happy New Year!!
I enjoy what you post now. You are a hoot. Maybe consider doing a Bible study that we can do with you. I also enjoy the printables. Happy New Year! Thanks.
I would be interested to hear about the appliances and small “cooking equipment” that you use and love. Do you have a favorite mixer or or cutting board or a wonderful knife? I enjoy researching and using quality kitchen utensils that last and work well and would love to see what you love.
I have enjoyed you and your blog for several years, so I will read whatever you post :)
That said, the things I personally would like to read more about are raising boys to follow after God, gardening (What are you growing, when do you plant? How’s it going?) and recipes (the simpler the better). And maybe jars…I love jars too :)
Best wishes to you and your family as the new year approaches!
I wholeheartedly second this!!! Especially the part about raising boys…I have 4 also. =) And the recipes…need to keep those boys fed!!
Thank you so much for your willingness to share whatever the Lord puts on your heart. It’s a huge encouragement to me.
I always love the day to day and homeschooling posts. Schedules, how things have changed over time, curriculum, etc.
Number 1, wifeing is TOTALLY a word. I use it often.
“What’d you do today, Molly?”
“I wifed.”
“Ok….”
“You know, I took care of life. Fed the animals, walked the dog, dishes, food, errands, laundry, chores. You know, wifed.”
“Did you make pie?!!?”
“Yes.”
“Bonus wife points!”
Number 2, I like gratituesday-type posts, posts detailing what you serve people (iced coffee, the soccer team, the huddle group), and the “what we ate today” type posts. I’d also like to see a post where you take us through your day with essential oils – I understand you’re not an expert, neither am I, it’s just fun to see how other “regular” people use them. For instance, I diffuse a combination of balance and lemon most mornings because it helps me calm myself and have a productive day.
Have a wonderful day!
After so many years of getting dinner on the table, I am now on the journey to eating and cooking real food. It is astounding to discover how much I did not now about cooking and food outside of cans, mixes, and boxes—I don’t mean fancy chef stuff; I mean cooking in my kitchen. So that is my main topic to read and study.
I also love essential oils, but, as a complete noob, I barely know where to start.
My kids are grown–son is a doctor, and daughter is just about to finish her undergrad. My oldest grand-daughter is 13, so…egad! The teen years again! As for writing about tips on raising teens, the best I could do, even though mine are successful, is to say some things that worked, some things that didn’t, and those only apply to my specific teens in our exact situation. So good luck! However, having said that, I am always on the lookout for what is popular with the kids of all ages—I do want to be the “Hot and Hip” grandma. (Do kids say “hot and hip” any more? lol)
I thoroughly enjoy Heavenly Homemakers. Thank you, and here is to another great year!
BTW: I now keep quarts—quarts!— of vanilla extract on hand. Thank You! I always want to hear about good deals on vanilla beans.
My idea for you about topics for you to write about…. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. You have many followers so what you are doing is good. Keep up the good work.
The thing that I love most about your blog is that you are real and transparent. Part of keeping it real is sharing those first time ventures (mozzarella cheese making) and the things that are part of your life (that you might not necessarily be an expert on, like essential oils). Some people might jump to the conclusion that you are the expert and pepper you with questions that you can’t answer. But there are others, like me, who simply find it refreshing, inspiring (“Hey, she’s trying to make cheese for the first time! I can do that too!”), and encouraging. For those looking for a “professional”, this might not be the blog for them. But for those of us who want and friend/sister-in-Christ who is “doing life” with us, this blog is such a blessing! Please keep on sharing your heart – that’s what people love about you!
I love it when you write about what is happening in your daily life. There are things we NEVER talk about to one another because we think we will be judged or we are weird and NOONE else ever has had this things happen to them. I am learning I am NEVER the only one who has thought, done or experienced something and it is comforting to know that there are other weird people out there, just like me. Thanks for bring real, not only with your food, but with your life and your struggles. That is what helps me. :)
I love your recipes and tips for keeping real food simple and easy. I would love to continue to read more about homeschooling and raising your kids to love and serve God. Thank you for your writing and sharing!
I visit your blog because you make me laugh and I’ve learned things about cooking and homemaking along the way. Love your simple, healthy recipes. And mostly, because you’re REAL. I appreciate that you don’t act like an expert on topics you’re not an expert in! Seems like some bloggers write about things just to write something, when in reality all they did was gather information from, well, probably other bloggers! lol That said, I agree with another commenter that you could post about things that are new to you…without claiming to be an expert. Maybe you don’t know enough about essential oils to sell an ebook about them, but perhaps you could share how YOU use them. I personally would love that.
All of it! Healthy food, deals, scriptural encouragement, parenting, homeschooling…
I agree with all of the posts above. I’m happy with what you already do. I also have 4 boys and another 3 girls who we homeschool, so I love to hear how to keep the food budget friendly and also how to homeschool on top of all the cooking we do! I feel like I live in my kitchen, so ways to streamline this would be wonderful. Tips on how to keep everyone going in one direction (during homeschool) and avoiding chaos would be great if you have ideas there. I also love your push to be low sugar. We are sugar free in our house, so if you wanted to try some dessert recipes that use honey or maple syrup exclusively, we would enjoy making those too.
Thank you for asking what we’d like to hear! Whatever you come up with, I’m sure we’ll enjoy :).
Regardless the topic of the day, I love your humor! To get more specific, though, I appreciate your time saving ideas in the kitchen the most. I enjoy your recipes because so many of them don’t take too much time and they are delicious. Like you, I’m also seeing the need to cut way back on sugar so your low sugar recipes have been great.
Your ideas on raising boys and homeschooling would be so helpful, too. Even if you’re not an expert, your encouragement as a “regular mom” is always welcome. I also enjoy hearing about your blunders!
Keep up the great work, Laura!
I second all of the comments that say they enjoy reading your posts. They are the only blog I follow and so well worth it! I liked the idea of you telling us some more about what you use in the kitchen. Sometimes I’m looking for new ideas or tried-and-true products and I really like to have the opinion of someone that has used them… very helpful before I spend anymore money on a kitchen item!
Also, yes, RECIPES!! I had been sitting down before my menu planning/grocery list making and working much off of your menu. I so appreciated that and it sure brought delight back into my meal planning!
Thanks so much for all your hard work. It is so very appreciated!
I love your articles, don’t know how you could improve it anymore really….did like what CELESTE said, she said it all….and BTW if you could number your comments, then when we email you re:one of them, we can say the # instead of the name….I know some blogs do number their comments….just an idea……that I find is very helpful…..love hearing what you do in your daily life, love hearing about your family and what all the boys are doing and your husband…..
Maybe one day a week, let us offer you suggestions on this and that :)
I have a good one…..if we have a “personal question” to ask you, and you answer it without putting our name, so no one will know who asked the question but the one who asked it and of course you….!!!!!!kinda like “DEAR ABBY” :)
That’s my 2 cents :) lol
Did think of another thing…..you could do for us….give us an EDIT button……that would be wonderful…….:)
I am a relatively new follower, and I absolutely love your blog! I really enjoy the recipes because even though I have raised two children to adulthood and have wifed for years, I am just now learning how to cook “real” food. Your recipes are easy to follow, have ingredients that are easy to find, and are very tasty. Please don’t change a thing!
The ready to eat now series for crockpots has been my fav this year and the sock filled with candy idea. I love hearing good ideas. I’d love to hear about how you divide chores too. Thanks! This is my fav blog!
I have been reading everything you write for YEARS. Over time, I have ‘watched you’ grow, experienced similar seasons of life, and stepped outside my comfort zone (thanks to you). What would I like to see? I’d like to see you continue to do what you do best, be yourself. Write what is on your heart, stay real and stick to your guns. ;o) *due to health issues, I stopped writing on my blog for a while, but thanks to you, I will be getting back to blogging in 2016. Keep up the good work and thank you for being, and helping us all to be, a heavenly homemaker.
I would be interested in homeschooling, more about simple real food. I’ve been following your site for years, many, many years. I have to admit, I liked it better in the beginning. It was more…real. Less ads, less affiliate posts, more about you, and cooking, and schooling, and life. I really enjoyed it. Not that I don’t now, but it’s just different, more commercial. I find myself scrolling past a lot of stuff.
Been following this blog since 2010, when I got married and was looking for recipes and learning how to cook something other than toast! Five years later, we have two little boys– newborn and two years old. Would love to just hear stories from your journey raising your boys. High points, low points and funny stories (which you are great at telling!). Maybe a few tips on how you’ve kept your boat afloat with so many male littles running around. I enjoy reading your writing… It is light and entertaining yet it has substance… And it is very practical (lots of cooking/food stuff!) so I’ve learned a lot from you over the years. Thank you and keep it up!!! :-)
Laura, you are loved just the way you are! Four of my kids and their families were here for a few days last week. It was fun to hear them talk of things they read on your blog. We all love you and Matt and the boys. Have a wonderful new year!
I love all of it, especially the encouragement as a wife and Mom. All of the recipes, laughter, and stories are a great bonus! In cooking, I would love to see a post about the very basics of cooking veggies such as how long to steam? What to do with them? Combinations you like for just day to day. I feel like I know your family and that you are an understanding sister in Christ. I tell everyone about your blog. Thanks for being a blessing!
Hi Laura, thanks for your blog! I’m a big fan! I was so thankful for you today as we ate lunch. We had gotten home late last night from family Christmas and had limited food items in the house. I was able to pull a tomato soup out of the freezer (your recipe) and make some quick cheesy biscuits because I had some basic muffin mix on hand(also your recipe). Easy, healthy and delicious! You inspire me to try to do the prep work to have real food ready for our family, thank you!!!! I would love to see more recipes and day to day life with your family. Thanks!
I enjoy everything. I look forward to how you feed your family and save money. :)
I love your recipes, although it is frustrating to see such good recipes that I mostly can’t use due to allergens (my son can’t have any of the major allergens and many of the non-major allergens). If you come across ideas for major allergen free recipes, that would really help me. I also enjoy hearing about great deals on real food that you come across. Thank you! Looking forward to following along in the coming year.
Definitely keep the simple, real food recipes coming! Many have become regulars at our home and favorites for my 13 year old daughter to fix by herself.
Love to hear about your homeschooling journey.
And, those funny random life posts. I think I laughed until I cried at the mannequin post! My kids loved the cat saga. The other day my son asked me how Wiggams was doing!
I love what you already do and agree that following the Lord and what He puts on your heart is the best thing and can’t go wrong. As for something specific I would enjoy more information on scheduling and time management. I have raised 6 boys, 2 still at home, but I am just now beginning the homeschool journey. I have mostly cooked from scratch over the years but the grinding wheat and making sauces and mixes from scratch are new to me. These changes call for totally restructuring my time. I would love practical advice on getting it all done a staying sane lol. May God bless your home and family!!!
You’re doing great! I love your posts and how your personality comes through. I would like to hear more about the NAET treatments. My son had them and would like to know your experience with them.
I was wondering what popcorn maker you use. I’ve switched all my appliances and pans to stainless steel or cast iron, but I still have a stir crazy or something popcorn maker. Please give advice on popcorn makers you’d recommend or what you use. Thank you!
I have loved your blog for many years, and I would love to know more about your own personal food journey. How and why have your views on real food changed over the years? How do you deal with picky kids (in a purely hypothetical example, say a 2 year old who doesn’t like veggies)? How do you talk to others about switching to real foods without coming off “holier than thou?” What do you do when you try to fix healthy real foods, and no one in your family will eat it (and some won’t even taste it)? I’d also love to know how Malachi’s eczema is. Does it still bother him now? I remember a few years ago you tried to go gluten free, but it ended up not helping.
And please please keep the simple real food recipes coming!
I agree with most of the posts above. However, I enjoy reading the posts where you tried something new (making cheese, oils, etc.) and seeing how it worked for you. I know your not an expert but it helps knowing that someone else tried it and it worked. I am adding cheese making to my 2016 list of to dos… Wish me luck!
Thanks for all that you and brightening our days with you humor and keeping it real!
I would love to hear more about homeschooling boys–how it looked in your home throughout the different phases. Also raising boys in general…help…! :)
Oh, and please have a post about cleaning cast iron! I’m still not sure I’m doing it right!
I totally agree with this! I have a couple pans, and I’d love to use them more, but I feel like I have no idea how to really clean them, so I hardly ever use them!
I love the day to day life stories, the funny experiences that you share, watching your family grow and the homeschool stuff. I would love to hear about raising a Christ centered family. I love and use your recipes a lot, but it’s the other stuff that has kept me coming back to your blog nearly every day for many years and why I consider you a good friend, even though we’ve never met.
I LOVE your site as is. I also love your humor, I have been following for over 6 years. However I would love to know more about your budget. What you cut out to help you more afford the healthy eating. Since you stay home, homeschooling. Your husband is self employed I believe so things like medical insurance, medical bills, budgeting. I know this isn’t your thing but as a mom of five who tries to feed whole foods and is on a budget, I most identify with your blog.
Instead of writing what I want you to write about. I’m going to comment on what I DON’T want (because that’s helpful too, right?!)
I don’t want a bunch of “contributing writers” or “guest posts” — I understand that occasionally you need a day off, so I won’t pout if, once in a while, someone else writes. But please please please don’t bring in someone else to write a cheeselady essential oil post. Just be you – because the world needs you.
I would like to know how you make your children feel loved, i.e. special rituals or anything that lets them know they are important to you.
I would like to know how you have taught your children to see each other as real people, to treat each other with respect, to realize that each of them has emotions that can be built up or torn down.
I love your blog and have been reading since 2009. While I enjoy almost anything you post, what keeps me coming back is your food. I’m constantly referring back to your recipes and menu plans each and every week!
I really love recipes and your food posts.
Then, and I know you say you aren’t an expert and that’s fine with me, but I like to hear about visits to the holistic doctor, what supplements you take (I want to take them all but I try to discern what are the very most important ones,) medical info that has helped your family, etc,
Thanks for giving this blog to us as a gift!
I love reading what you have, but I’d love some posts on how to choose good produce at the store. I feel like I should know this (my parents tried hard to teach me this all growing up) but it apparently didn’t stick as much as I thought. Also, if you have some tried and true crockpot recipes. I LOVE using the crockpot, and would love to add to my collection of recipes :) I love the posts on Wifing and mothering, they give me such encouragement in my efforts, so more of those would be great.
….And how to live/teach/grow more of a Christ centered family. Those are great posts too and something I want to get better at.
I am a regular reader of many years and my family is always being served “heavenly homemakers recipes,” but I somehow missed this post! The irony is that I keep thinking to myself, “I wish Laura would blog about essential oils, but she probably doesn’t want to go there because it involves people’s health ad safety.” I want to hear from you about this subject because so many oil reps promote taking them internally, and I know you disagree with that. I do too! But I don’t know where to turn for advice on how to use them. Everyone I know takes them internally!
You say you use them every day–how do you use them? How have they improved the health of you and your family?
Laura, every time I read your blog I feel like you are talking to me as if we were face to face as good friends. I love the way you insert humorous side notes such as “I’m a canned biscuit…scaredy cat, chicken.” You add so much needed laughter to my life with your funny stories about your failures and about your precious family. Also, you encourage people to try new recipes by the way you emphasize how easy the recipe is to make. My main reason for joining this website is because I want to eat healthy foods. Speaking of that, could you please post a healthy way to make “Shaken Bake” for pork or chicken?
Thanks so much for your religious influence on me and many others!