blogging and sharing – a fine line to tread

I do show pictures of my home, but I am pretty close lipped about what's going on in my life on my blog. I love reading other blogs where they tell you all kinds of details about their life. They are entertaining to read! But I am an extremly private person and the thought of sharing too much horrifies me. I think the whole point of having a blog is for it to be a creative expression of you. So I think one should always do what feels natural and right for you and not anyone else.

Bonjour Sharon. Good questions you are raising this morning, and I tend to agree as well. So many people tend to over share nowadays (celebrities in particular,) that it almost feels like an acceptable thing to do. Even though I have shown photos of my family on the blog in the past to illustrate some of my more personal stories, I have been reluctant to show the inside of our home, just like you. I feel as if I know some of my readers and love their weekly visits and comments. Some have even become friends, I think, even though we have never met. But there are some strange people out there too, right? "I have seen too many movies…" will probably be my epitath one day 🙂 At any rate, I agree. Some things are better left to the imagination. Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)

Thank you. Everyone has to find their own comfort level, but I am always amazed when people discuss finding out their spouse has strayed and how they are now coping, financial woes of the past few years and having to leave their homes, and very personal information about family stress. I wonder what their children will think as they look back on very private moments that their parent has decided to share. I understand that these bloggers think that they are doing a good thing by letting others know that life goes on, but at what cost? Love your blog and all your beautiful pictures.

Share only what you are comfortable with, and I will continue to love reading/looking at whatever you have to show me.

Hi Sharon, greeting from NY! Have been a faithful follower for years, and am grateful for whatever you choose to share. Love visiting your blog and will be happy with whatever content you choose, thank you for the time and effort you share. Wishing you a lovely weekend:)

Sharon ~

No, you are not making a big fuss out of nothing. Privacy is a very rare commodity these days. One that we should guard and treasure. Plus it is lovely to leave something to the imagination. Thank you for your wonderful blog.

~ Christina ♥ (from Los Angeles)

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Hi Sharon, what an interesting question.
I feel that each to their own and only share what you are comfortable with. I personally am not comfortable with images of my children or family on-line (apart from my dog – Byron!), I think that I showed one quite early on, and regretted it straight away. It suddenly didn't feel quite right that their faces and names might be known to strangers across the world!. I recently came across an image of my children's bedroom on Pinterest, and although ultimately it was my decision to share it, it was still a surprise to stumble across the image by chance. However, I love interiors magazines and images, and that is mainly what my blog is about, so sometimes it's fun to play about with my own decor and share/swap my ideas with those who care to pass by.
Paula x
p.s.Btw I visit you because of your wonderful style of writing and your take on life, as well as the gorgeous images!

Hi Sharon, This question and your thoughts around it are very well stated. I agree that it's a fine line, and how far one should cross in it depends, I think, on ones personality and goals of the blogger. The thing about your blog is that although you don't make it "about you" in the sense that you're not publishing photos of you or your family or lots of little details about your home, I get a very strong sense of the person you probably are. It's in the beautiful photos of your flowers, the way you write, the things that interest you. I've never felt that you weren't sharing enough of yourself. The filter I try to use with my own blog is "will this interest my readers" – especially when it's something about my own life. I want my blog to me more about my readers than about me, if that makes sense.

I think you should just keep doing what you're doing because, truly, yours is one of my favorite blogs out there! XO

I only post on Facebook, which doesn't constitute a blog. When I do post there, it's about where I am or pics of where I'm at or been because I'm a Flight Attendant. Private life is just that. Yours is the ONLY blog I read daily. Please keep the photos and thoughts flowing our way. Happy trails!

Hi Sharon, I've thought about this many times since I started blogging only a year ago. Blogging to me isn't about revealing myself and my family, it's about sharing interiors, art and whatever I feel I would like to share with those few people who take the time to read my blog. I have wondered about bloggers who share 'everything' and in fact I've just read a blog where everything is always revealed…hhmm in this day and age, I think being able to keep your privacy is more difficult than getting it all out there due to the social media world we find ourselves in. But having said that, many bloggers want that kind of interaction….each to their own…Have a lovely weekend. Sharon

Anon….why caouldn;t you state that without the veil of anonymity?

I don't do pictures of my home or family and have only posted photos of my dogs too! I guess I only do that so as not to be identified… I bare my soul and write with complete honesty which I find a huge release. I guess most of us have boundaries on our blogs and those are mine x

Exactly Lisa, each person has their own comfort zone
x

You know Veronique, it's not even the weirdos that worry me, it's just that this is our space, and home is a sort of sanctuary
xx

Thank you, yes I also worry about the effect on the children. I think blogs are made for sharing the happy stuff. Superficial maybe but it's what suits me
x

thank you Amelia, that is my intention
x

Thank you Sweet Sue, I'm still amazed that anyone wants to read me!
x

Thank you Christina, I think you hit the nail on the head, it's privacy that needs protecting
xx

Thank you Kim, I also like to get to know the person, but that doesn't mean I need a tour of their home
xx

thank you Geli, all these wonderful comments are most encouraging

Hi Sharon,
I love your blog! One of three that I check every morning. I admire your restraint in not baring all. There are some blogs out there that share to much information. In this day and age, I think especially, when children are involved we must be very cautious how we use online media's.
I grew up in a family that valued it's privacy above all else and I am often startled by what some people feel is appropriate to share with the world.
I am completely charmed by everyone of your posts.
Sincerely,
Miranda
San Francisco Bay Area

WOW Noelle! thank you, I am honoured to be your only daily read. I'm sure that as a flight attendant you'd have a load of good stories to tell
xx

You are so right, today it is easy to get the word out, than … keep it in!
But ou are right, many bloggers are looking for that interaction
xx

I totally agree with your philosophy. I don't feel comfortable showing inside of my house. That is why I future most of the time my garden and outdoor space.

where would be without our dogs Lottie?! 🙂

xx

Thank you Komali, everybody loves to see a a lovely garden
xx

I agree with the stance you have taken. Once you let everyone totally into every aspect of your life there is no getting it back. I read your blog every day, I enjoy your stories of life in France and other aspects you discuss. I don't need to see into your private living space to fill in any blanks. I think many people over share and surely some must have regrets about doing so further down the line. I actually think it is quite rude that people would believe that they are entitled to see what is beyond your front door. No-one is paying you to read the blog so all we are entitled to is what you feel comfortable sharing.

Pienso que cada uno muestra lo que desea o lo que necesita mostrar. Lo demás se lo tienen que imaginar.

I have only been blogging for a few months and your blog was amongst the few I started to read & still do. I look forward to seeing your loot shoots & seeing your dogs along with the flowers from your garden. It amazes me that people should need to see inside your home which is the private part of your life. I say keep doing what you do, & after reading some of the other comments I am not alone. I love to see where you've been on the early morning trips looking for your loot & knowing it's what other people would like to own. Have a lovely weekend & enjoy your family.

Actually Vicki, I don't think it was meant in a rude way, more an enquiry to know if pictures were available somewhere. As you say though, the problem is that once it is published, that's it! no going back
xx

gracias Silvana, you're right it's for others to imagine
xx

Hi Barbara
Thank you, it's amazing how many people like the loot shoots!
a lovely weekend to you too
xx

Really, the best stories are of how wonderful people have been all over the globe. I've only been doing this for 6.5 yrs, after raising 3 daughters into adulthood. It's been so much fun to see our Nation, as well as my favorite…Europe. My husband has basically learned to live the single life since I flew the coop (literally) when taking this job in 2006. He's gone with me, but mainly looks forward to vacations when I take him to places he's heard about, but never seen. My favorite location is France and my secret desire is to come and spend at least 6 months there when I retire–whenever that may be. Having too much fun right now to entertain that! Thanks for all you give me and others daily. It's the fix until I finally can say hello in person. Life is an adventure, for sure.

Hi Sharon,
Yes, I am shy…..if my comment offended you, I apologize. It would be lovely to see your home. Maybe a magazine editor will call you and request a photo shoot!!!

I totally agree with you darling Sharon. I have a blog and a family, and I've never shown my image or the images of my sons or husband. To me there is a privacy that must be preserved. A
Surely I love to dream and imagine, when I visit other's blogs.
Hugs from Italy
Silvia

I'm so sorry that you were stalked, how horrible!, if I think about this for too long, I'll really start worrying!
xx

Hi David,
how nice it is to have you 'back in action'. As you know you actually have your own fans who come over to my blog, just in the hope of finding you loitering among the comments! 🙂
I've never read Paltrow's blog, but I guess it's all just a marketing ploy.
You know that you're welcome here for a little peace and quiet whenever you wish
xx

Its quite amazing though that when you bring up something quite personal the comments do come flooding in. I agree a fine line and really that's whatever you are comfortable with which once again is individual. I do love it when you show me what you cook, then again I do have a food bias!

I think it depends on what you want your blog to represent. I find it endearing and interesting when people write about experiences and events in their day to day lives. But, I also remember the wise words of what my grandfather once told me: "Never discuss politics or religion", topics I try to stay away from because the backlash is so very harsh.:)

Have a great weekend.

I completely understand where you are coming from and if I were not in the business where publicity is a must,I certainly would not share my home. I am however very private when it comes to my personal life and my family.I had to almost beg a client to convince them to let me send pictures of their recently finished house to the press. Because of our great relationship, they gave me the OK. Not only was the house immediately picked up by Luxe magazine, but made the cover !! I am totally nervous, as the first thing my clients will see is their living room on the cover. Of course, places and names are totally anonymous…

I agree your blog is your own to do with what your want I think of a blog like a magazine and in magazines there are pictures of homes peoples stories and pictures of themselves so those are the blogs I tend to follow more I do not want to read anything too personal but do enjoy the happy decor stuff, don't want to know if someones husband is cheating etc….magazines have had this since the beginning of time I don't really consider it new to our age. just more people are blogging than those that were chose to be published in magazines. I enjoy your blog and guess I never thought about the fact that you are not really ever showing your home or face until you just mentioned it. Your inspirations are fabulous!

— Agreed. 🙂

Hi Sharon,

Keep doing what you are doing – no need to see your kids dirty socks, (I have my own leaving them everywhere). Maybe that's why I love your blog, the sheer escapism and fantasy that someone else's home with kids is still elegant.

I admire that you don't bring them into the public eye – and after all its your blog, not theirs.

M.M.

I like blogs that reflect the blogger. Since you are private, I like it that you share sweetly about the public parts of your life and passion and keep the rest to yourself. Because it is you.

I love your blog! I've never really taken notice that you don't show pictures of yourself or your family members, probably because I'm enchanted by the pictures you do post of the outdoors, architecture around where you live and you leave out the bits that let me fill in my memories of travelling in France. I agree there is a very fine line when it comes to Social Media. I work at a radio station and listeners get the feeling that they know those of us "on air" and that they should be able to "friend" us on Facebook and see more about us. I won't "friend" listeners and have not posted pictures of the inside of my home (my dog is the focus of the adorable pics that make it on my page)
You have made your blog a "dream" and for that I am grateful and for that I stop by!

I think that it is lovely that you keep your private life private. I love reading your blog daily and looking at the beautiful pictures you post of all the different experiences you have and are happy to share. I am fairly new to your blog but have not missed a day since I found it as I just can't get enough of the beautiful Normandy countryside and lifestyle. Your photos are absolutely beautiful (especially all the pink roses— My favourite of all flowers!) and I love the blogs you post. I do have to admit, when I first started reading your blog, I did have a look to see if there were any photos of your interiors, not because I want to know what you have or know what your family does in your private life or because I felt a sense of entitlement to do so, I simply love looking at the different architecture and interiors of the buildings in France in comparison to Australia especially when they are dressed for Christmas. I would never ask you to post photos of something you were uncomfortable with sharing and I totally agree with you that it is very invasive letting thousands of readers into your home. It is a choice that you have made to keep that part of your life private and as a reader of your blog I respect your decision. I would be wary to do it as well. I admire the fact that you do not post photos of your family in private situations. Nobody likes to feel pressured into having their photos taken and it would be even worse if they found out they had been posted on a blog and shared with thousands of people around the world. I personally hate having photos taken of myself and recently a friend took photos of my husband and I and posted them on Facebook after I had specifically asked them not too… Needless to say, I was upset and now I do not trust that friend with her camera. I enjoy reading about the ideas you post, ie- setting the table for your parties and about your brocante tours etc…. I think it is way too personal and you are asking for trouble if you start posting details about your family life. So a big cheers to you for standing your ground and keeping to your morals, your family will be relaxed in the knowledge that nothing they say or do will make it on to your blog. I find your blog a breath of fresh air and I am happy that you do not include the drama of everyday personal life, I find it uncomfortable to read about the private life of someone I don't really know and have stopped reading many blogs because they have taken that path. Keep up the beautiful work, Michelle 🙂

Sharon… you keep doing what you have been doing. It works beautifully. At one point when we were starting to plan a trip to France, i was on your site looking to see if we would stay in your cottage, and what my boys could expect when we were all there. Part of what we loved about it was the fact that we had to be there and experience for ourselves what your home and village and country had in store for us. You share just enough. Enough to bring us to a point of wanting more but not enough to spoil what is really waiting for us. The life that you live is beautiful and special and you tell us how much you appreciate it every day by what you show us. Thank you. Sometimes, you even make us thankful for what we have too.. If you would like to share more, we would welcome it, but in the meantime… you always keep us wanting more… and more. Pam G.

Sharon

I agree completely with what you said. I think to show the entrance area, a chair near a fireplace or baked goods on a table and your house in the garden is more than enough. You don't need to show everything. You've shown us pics of your guest cottage (which is gorgeous) because you rent it out.
It's interesting what David Terry said about giving a grand tour of a house. I'd always thought it ok to expect to be shown around a friend or relatives new house. Not quite snooping for the guest and not quite showing off for the host, but now I realise it's up to the host whether it's ok or not and not something to be expected from the guest. In some cultures giving a grand tour could be seen as showing off and asking for a tour seen as extremely rude.
In my house showing a dinner guest the location of guest bathroom is giving a grand tour (small house).
The world wide web has become a stalkers paradise so I think keeping some things private is important.

Bonsoir Sharon, I enjoyed reading your post this evening and I have to totally agree with your comments on blogging….You have to be able to protect yourselves,your family and your daily village life from some of the not so nice elements that can exist in the world…and I mean to say you would not want your idyllic village or surrounding countryside brocantes bombarded with hoardes of followers from your blog or facebook – Followers of your blog should also respect your privacy – Your blogs are so well written and photographed that is a sheer pleasure to drift off into a little fantasy world and wish it was me living in your lovely corner of France….Have a wonderful evening…Kindest regards Julia (NZ)

Sharon, I agree with your philosophy perfectly! There is a fine line [with blogging and internet access] and I certainly respect your privacy! You share so much via your blog and I enjoy reading/visiting. Please keep up the good 'work'.

Dear Sharon, I am completely with you regarding privacy and the interior of your home. I have a little suggestion however – if it pleases the masses and retains your privacy. When I chose a holiday cottage, I always choose it after having studied intensely the interior shots. When it comes to holiday homes, for me it has to be beautiful,stylish and classic. Perhaps I am looking for the home I haven't got for a week's treat (I seem to be always restoring houses and nothing is ever in perfect functioning order). Perhaps your holiday Cottage could be your interior. You could be free to 'dress' it as you saw fit, demonstrate your style without opening up the privacy of your own home. I suppose, like the other commenter said, people are to a certain extent voyeurs. They want to see dreams, and perfect homes. Just an thought!

Great topic which I know has been discussed on other blogs too. For me I am happy to share some parts of my home…since I started with many on this journey of my home buliding I felt almost an obligation to share things as they progressed. There are ceratin areas in my home I do not share however. I also agree with you on not showing picturse of yourself or family. It might be my own personal hangup for no real valid reason but I too am not comfortable wiht that and yet I so enjoy those blogs who do show them as it really helps me connect to them on a more personal way.
In the end it has to be what we are each comfortable sharing and giving. People like blogs for different reasons and make connections to some over others. I like so many and some are more for the pretty pictures, others for a peek into living in another country, some for foodie chat, others for travel excursions, and yet others talk more about their personal lives and those no doubt captivate me. There is something for everyone…that is for sure!
Finally thats the beauty of having a blog, its your blog to do as you choose…..you get to make the rules and we just follow along (happily I might add) I think what you are doing is perfect…so just keep on doing it Sharon:)

I so agree with your position as there is a fine line with what we need to share and for that matter know about another's private life. Living in the US where it is very common to bare all I sometimes wish for a little more personal restraint. Thank you for sharing what you do!

Yes! It's your blog and you run it however you want!! I have often thought of blogging about my passions but I just don't think I can take the invasion of privacy! They'll take it all if you let them.

My blogging has a bit of my home, lots of my thoughts, and a few pictures, however, I'm uncomfortable sharing everything with people I really do not know. Besides, a woman always needs a bit of mystery.

I see what you mean Karen, but the guests to the cottage don't get a tour of our house! 🙂
x

🙂

thank you Nancy
xx

Hello Sharon,
I read this post yesterday and was just posting a few glimpses of my house at the time and it made me think maybe I should cut them, but I didn't. I think it is right to keep the mystery for you, as it works on this wonderfully romantic blog. It is true I imagine you may have a Farrow and Ball 'radicchio' painted dinning room some days but other days, it's white and there goes your charm, you make us all dream and we actually don't want that spell broken. As a 'bloke' I was 'trolled' because I showed some flowers I had dried in my home… they didn't 'like' that which made me feel sad, but I think we have to take these things on the chin and people like that can just blog-off. So in the words of Billy Joel – 'Don't go changing, we love you just the way you are!'
Ivan

Sharon:

I agree that there is a fine line, and in my opinion, too many people cross it these days.

I have shared pictures of my home, but mostly they were taken when I first bought the house, or they are pictures of my stitching/crafting/blogging room – my own little sanctuary. I don't think I'm invading anyone's privacy when I share those pictures.

I have posted the occasional picture of my family, especially as my young son travelled to Australia by himself this past summer, and I was a proud mama, but I don't like having my picture taken, and my blog isn't about my family – it's about my passions 🙂

Love your blog (and your dogs)~~ as is!!!

I completely agree with protecting the privacy of the most important people in our lives, our family. I have recently started a blog and have been given the same encouragement on divulging all! The best part of the blogging world for me is the generous sharing of information in particular areas; interiors, recipes, fashion, art… Congratulations on a wonderful blog and exercising caution! I thoroughly enjoy it, Jen X

Yes, I agree preserving your privacy is important – protecting your personal space and home-life is essential for your own peace of mind. Use modern forms of communication for sharing ideas, inspirations, thoughts about things that interest you and your individual take on life etc, etc by all means. But don't be 'pushed' into feeling guilty about sharing more than that.

Oh really!! but… if you sent message in facebook about your apreniation .. you need modificate the date, the principal analisis and change the doctor and donor of sperma! dear DEBBIE!!

I think the amount of your private life you show (including the interior of your home) is perfect. For me, you have encouraged my imagination to run wild thinking of French country living and you have inspired my thoughts and mindset, without imposing your life on me, or feeling as though you have given away too much. Well done, keep it going.

It is such an interesting dilemma you have raised and one that I have considered from when I first started blogging. I do have pictures of myself and my husband and parents and friends as none of them mind being on my blog – however we all have fake names. My oldest son and his wife also don't mind being on the blog, but our youngest two will only allow their backs to be on the blog (along with fake names). I do post pictures of our home and it is funny, but I have an easier time thinking about strangers seeing them than family members – especially if I'm posting about a particularly ugly 'before' shot and I think about my neat-freak aunt seeing it. I have not told anyone at work about my blog as I want a complete separation between work and play. I also only post rather sanitized parts of my life. I know that is what I want to read in other blogs so I try to keep my blog as my happy place.

I firmly believe you should only post what you feel comfortable posting. To be honest though, I find it odd not to be see a picture of who is writing a blog. I hope you don't mind me saying that. I guess I'm a visual person and I feel like a blog is a conversation so when I there is no photo of the blogger it is like they are behind a curtain while we are talking. I hope that didn't offend you – just the feeling I get.

I have the opposite problem mate. If MOTH had his way, there would be pics of him wielding the sledge hammer in the next room to be renovated in his jocks. He knows no shame. And his self-inflated ego concerning the group of Hedgies he reckons adore him is embarassing.

In all these years I haven't wondered for a nanosecond what Mr. MFCH or the MFCH kidlets looked like. Or the inside of your house. Thank your lucky stars that Mr. MFCH isn't always craning his neck & pushing his way into all your posts. You do what you want here & never bow to some dodgy request from a person you've never met.
Millie xx

Blog owner Elaine, at Sunny Simple Life, just posted similarly about the nature of blogs, and whether or not they can be too "happy" among other things (and, what precisely, is wrong with "happy" (!!!). I'm going to go back in and read more about what she says in total, but I think she goes by "my blog, my rules." There are so many zillions of blogs out there, I think bloggers should just sift through and find what interests them. It's not our business as bloggers to tell a blog owner how to run their blog! I have two blogs which turned me off. One was a "travel" blog (expat in Europe), or at least I thought it was about travel…but what it really seemed to be was a way for the blog owner to "say her say" to estranged relatives who might be reading her, making me feel like an interloper (awkward!). Another was a Down Under "design" gal who I felt was using her blog to complain about her partner a little too much; it put me on edge.

Personally, blogs to me are like going for your favorite subjects at the library, bookstore or magazine shop…but I've found I also enjoy the camaraderie of bloggers making their comments to a post. At first, I thought a cyber "relationship" thru blogging was sort of pathetic…but, now, in a day and age where people are somewhat walled off from others due to work constraints, distance or even reticence to "get involved" when life is already so complicated, I enjoy going into blogs which I've read for awhile, looking forward to the owner's posts, sometimes seeing the same commenters sharing their thoughts/responses, all centered around a subject/theme we share, or else we wouldn't even be on the site. Kind of weird, but welcome to a new age. I've likened it to my great-grandmothers, isolated out on their farms, but getting together from time to time to quilt with their women-friend neighbors, sharing tips & hints (and maybe a little gossip), maybe some humor, maybe some worries. Humans will find their ways to communicate.

I have come to really enjoy the blogs on my Favorites list; blogging is a great way to decompress and you can do it on your own time. I've learned a lot on a variety of subjects both from blog owners and fellow blog readers. I think it's fun to be a part of "the big world" out there and get a glimpse of how other people live all over the world. It's almost like armchair traveling or having a pen pal in a far-off land. Gives us a broader view in more ways than one. I think blogs are a conduit to self-expression; we all seem to have something to say and a need to say it. (Some can do it in concise, fewer words; alas, 'tis not moi.)

For the record, Sharon, my opinion has never wavered. You have one of the best blogs out there. You tirelessly post and keep everyone engaged, which I think must be a big job and I hope you don't suffer burnout from it. I absolutely LOVE My French Country Home! I don't think you should reveal more than you do about your personal life. I feel you have to be careful of that, for your privacy and maybe even your safety, as sad as that sounds. I don't think you should mess with a good thing…your blog being the good thing and completely fine just the way it is!

Hi Sharon, Do what you feel comfortable with and if it is not what some want then so be it. I enjoy your blog every day all the way from Australia and agree that people must have a certain amount of privacy. Love your shoot looks and intend to come and viisit one day. Keep up the lovely work. Avantisouthernhighlands.

Two Points:

1. I really appreciated "Vicki"s thoughtful response. A longtime friend of mine (who doesn't read any blogs, but who has noticed my mentioning severalof themover the past year or so) asked what the "attraction" was. I should emphasize that he's well-aware that I don't watch television, rarely (if ever) go to movies, and am scarcely the sort to buy books or subscribe to glossy magazines as a sort of "fantasy" escape-outlet. I told him (having asked myself the same question a while back) that reading blogs (and the readers' responses) was fun and very interesting (for me, at least) in exactly the same way going to a chatty, conversation-filled bar used to be fun for me when I was in my twenties and thirties…I do happen to like people, and you "meet" some very interesting/surprising ones on blogs (obvously, not ALL blogs).

2. I should also emphasize (in reference to my previous posting) that my mother and mother-in-law are the ones who're taken rather aback at requests to be given "The tour" of their houses.

Personally, I couldn't care less…but, then, I'm not a woman; my bedroom isn't even marginally a "private" zone (just for the record, I sleep with three dogs every night), and folks seem to simply EXPECT that men don't keep very clean/tidy bathrooms. I've lived with two different women (one for three years and another for seven years) who would begin furiously scrubbing the bath-tub and toilets the moment they heard someone was coming just for dinner. Whenever I said "Ummmm….these folks aren't going to want to take BATHS here, you know?), all I would get is that "What sort of fool ARE you?" look and the declaration "Excuse me….women ALWAYS notice whether the bathroom's clean!". This would be followed by a fierce directive such as "Whatever you do, do NOT let them in the bedroom…I haven't got time to get in there and straighten it up…".

Of course, I still got my tail in trouble when I'd be showing folks around and say something like "Well, you can't see the bedroom. It's a mess"…..and I'd be in hot water all over again for having said that.

In any case, i'm more than happy to give folks the tour at this 220 year old, rambling house….although I spend most of the time telling them to Watch Your Step (the house is built on five different levels, discounting the three staircases) or Watch Your Head (about half the doors are precisely 5'6" tall, which suits me just fine since I am also).

Level Best as Ever,

David Terry
http://www.davidterryart.com

Wildfire is the word! and you are so right, nobody knows how they'll feel in 10 year time
xx

thank you Elizabeth et bisous à toi aussi
xx

UGH!! my children's socks on the net, now that would be a challenge for my readers!
xx

thank you Glenda
🙂
x

I really don't think there was any rudeness meant, thank you for your kind words
xx

thank you Debbie, you are so kind
xx

Thank yo so much Bobbi!
xx

Gracious Julia, I hardly think that is about to happen, I don't have that many followers! thank you for stopping by
xx

I agree Lynne, we are in a very kind and polite blogosphere
xx

The great thing about showing 'corners' of rooms Delaine, is that the rest of the room can be a disaster and nobody will every know! 🙂
xx

thank you Joey Lea, I just stopped by your blog, you have some beautiful things to share!
xx

thank you so much Sarah, warmest to you both
xx

a strange age indeed
x

thank you Paula
xx

Thank you all so much for these amazing comments!!! My intention was to reply to each and every one, but I'm afraid the day is just too short, please forgive me if I haven't left a 'reply' to your comment. I have read and enjoyed every single word!
xxx

Dear Sharon, I do feel like Karen, that your guests coming near you as a real person in real life seems to be a bigger step to me, too, than if they became acquainted with any piece of your furniture. To me privacy seems much more to be what "I am" than what "I have". – Nevertheless I do agree with most people here, that one has to do, what feels natural and comfortable. Starting my own blog Country Charme only some weeks ago, there were many thoughts about German law forcing on bloggers to give their full name and adress…I had much less problems with my picture, as I had been an editor of a magazine for 20 years and were thus already known to many people.- Your blog is wonderful and you must be perfectly right, seeing all that response you get! Kind regards Christel

I think everyone blogs for various personal reasons. There is nothing wrong with "leaving a bit to the imagination". I must tell you that your blog always makes me wish I were in France ( i have never been, but hope to one day visit).You are right to do what is comfortable for you….
Ciao, and Happy Sunday…

You are absolutely right!!!! I don't show any photos of my family or home either in my blog. My family and home is private… You don't have to do what other bloggers tell you..you have your own right to decide what is right!

I think it is a personal option to each. I read blogs with tons of pictures of their kids and homes and others with none. Your blog should contain the content you want. Don't ever feel pressure to share any more than you feel comfortable.

I know the blogs that share more about their personal life and the ones who do not. I feel like I know them on a different level than I would know you.

Each person that visits a blog again and again does so pretty much knowing the content the blogger provides.

Perhaps they visit for pictures or for learning content. (such as a blog that contains more DIY or a cooking blog). Your blog seems to me to be more about the things you love and not so much about the inside of your home or your family. I enjoy this type of blog too. I have a blog but cannot hold down a full time job and contribute to the blog and have a family life too. I started it when I was laid off of work. I choose to spend my time reading blogs (like yours), rather than trying to keep up on mine. I get enjoyment from your blog and that is why I come back again and again. While I would LOVE to see pictures inside your home and of your family, I understand your need for privacy and respect it. I will continue to follow you and enjoy the beauty you post. 🙂

~ Lisa ~

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