5 year birfday

it's my birthday today....5 years in this place! i had no idea when i decided to try the whole 'blogging thing' that it would become a comfortable routine in my life, and for at least a few of my friends, who have visited almost 50,000 times in the last five years!

blogging is wonderful in so many ways. i love that so many of us are journaling our lives in unique ways. for me, the idea of blogging was always connected with my love of gardening. the original inspiration was to capture the beauty of my garden(s) in some way for more than just a fleeting moment.

'the back forty' has actually become more than that to me. although i have mostly tried to keep a light-hearted touch to my writing. i have discovered a whole little water-cooler community, those who we share the smallest of things with on a daily basis. sometimes, i venture into deeper waters, but for the most part i have wanted to show simplicity in an increasingly complex world, beauty, and the joy in living with Jesus as my guiding force. i hope that i have done that! i hope that i have honored my parents and grandparents, who taught me to love and respect growing things and living things and simple things. i hope that i have honored Jesus, who has given me the life that i have, and the voice to share how truly amazing He is.

thanks for meandering down the path with me! now, i think i might actually bake some strawberry muffins in celebration :)) happy tuesday!