My 10 year blogging anniversary

In July 2008 I made my first hesitant steps into blogging. This was partly as a way of promoting my photography and publicising articles I'd written as a freelance journalist, and partly in the hopes of being "discovered". I shudder a bit now as I look back over those first steps into blogging. I really had no idea what I was doing. 

I hope over the last 10 years my blogging has improved. I know it has changed over time, and now encompasses travel, mostly Western Australia travel, photography - travel, food, wildflowers, lifestyle, and a few "how toos", recipes and photography tips. 

In that first 6 months of blogging I only wrote 10 posts and in 2009 only 8 posts! I certainly wasn't going to be "discovered" at that rate. 

It has been interesting in writing this post to look over my past 10 years of blogging. 
So I thought I would share with you a brief summary of those 10 years. You can click on the links to go to individual posts, or just go to my Blog Archive in the side panel, or the Index in the top tabs if you are looking for a particular topic. 


2008 - 10 posts -
You can click on the link here to read my first post 19 July 2008: Walking the Bibbulmun Track  which was a short excerpt from an article I had written for Go Camping magazine published in the winter 2008 edition, about a short walk I did with 63 year old, "End to Ender" Bernard Glasson from Perth and my friend Trish Gibbs from Donnybrook.

2009 -  8 posts - 
My "marathon" eight posts still tended to promote my latest magazine articles, like this one in January 2009 - "African Experience Soft Option" - an excerpt from my article in Australian Vital magazine from May 2004 about our amazing stay in Jackalberry Lodge in the Thornybush Nature Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. Undoubtedly one of our best, if not the best, international trip we have ever done. 

Comments on my posts were thin in the ground, I certainly wasn't being "discovered".

I updated the pics on this article a few years later and even managed to receive a comment, (woo hoo! I got a comment!!), from my blogging friend Joe Castro at Lifestyle Fifty. Thanks Jo for your support in this blogging world over the years. It's a tough world out there in blogland, and we bloggers need to stick together.

2010 - and 12 posts. 
Looking back, my early posts were little more than a few words, accompanied by a few photos. They've changed a bit since then.

In May 2010 I started contributing to the linky party Mosaic Monday. Mary who was running the linky party back then was so encouraging about my photography and Mosaic Monday gave me the opportunity to link with other bloggers all over the world, make new connections and hopefully receive comments to my blog. I've been contributing ever since. Thank you so much Mary.

Here is that first post, not much of a post and I don't know where the Mosaic was. Just as well my blogging improved.  Dreaming of France - Little Red House Mosaic Monday

2011 - 70 posts!!! - it seems like I stepped up the pace.

2011 was the start of my early delvings into food photography when I started working a 4 day week and had a day to myself to indulge. Every Monday my husband would come home from work expecting to eat what I'd cooked for my latest food photography project. It was my passion back then, and I did lots of food photography. I thought food photography might become my career, but somewhere along the way it hasn't happened, although I have had a few food photo gigs.

2012 - 64 posts - you can click here to see my round up for 2012 
In 2012 I had my first outings with my camera in an underwater housing.

And an emotional time with the passing of my mother in July.

2013 - 49  posts - 
I think I realised that blogging once a week was as much as I could handle. 2013 was the year that I joined the Photography Group of Bunbury and a new journey through photography started. 

2013 also seemed to be a year of travel - in Western Australia along the remote Holland Track and then a 6 week trip through South Australia. We also took our family to Singapore.

Garden by the Bay, Singapore

I even managed a cover shot from the Holland Track on the Go Camping Australia magazine.  August-September 2013 edition.

2014 - 45  posts - 
2014 turned out a lot different to what we expected, as we watched my father and my husband's mother slowly fade away.  During 2014 I was doing a 365 challenge - one photo a day for 365 days - and I know I found a comforting focus and solace in my picture taking during the heart breaking family times during 2014.

In July we managed a road trip up to the Pilbara, where we met up with a couple from Busselton who are now close friends. And in October we took a trip to Penang, which had been booked earlier in the year, and now came at a perfect time as I mourned the passing of my father. 

In 2014 I opened my "business page" - Life Images by Jill - on Facebook. I've learnt over time that Facebook is necessary these days for businesses. If you are on Facebook I'd love you to hop over and "like" my page. Thanks! :)

I was also invited to join the team at Communal Global. A collection of women from all around the world who host a linky party "Wednesday Around the World". 

2015 - 49 posts
Early in 2015 I was offered redundancy at my place of employment, and I was happy to accept, and helped along by a small inheritance from my father, I retired from paid employment. This allowed me time and space to explore other things I had been wanting to do - mainly in photography and arts. Some of these art explorations were through the Stirling Street Arts Centre, and the free workshops run at our local library. This has been the best part of my retirement, exploring arts, which had been somewhat put on hold during my working and child rearing years. 

I always remember that my Mother had done beautiful art work and sang and played the banjo when she was younger. Unfortunately she seemed to have given these up after marrying my Dad. I don't want to be like that.

I know my Dad would have been pleased that I had retired. 

 There was more travel around Western Australia, and I was also excited to be involved in a local book project - Ferguson Valley Plated - launched in October 2015, through a collaboration with Kim Wesley from Peppermint Lane Lodge. What an inspiring dynamite Kim is, the way she had that book organised and published in under 6 months was truly amazing.

I was also involved in the 25th Anniversary show with my Spanish Flamenco group - Sol y Sombra. What a huge night it was and first time I had ever been on stage like this.

2016 - 46 posts
Reading my last post for 2016 it seems like I was reflecting on the sorrows people in my life were going through, and all that I had to be grateful for - good health, family, friends, groups that I am involved with, and the travel which we are able to enjoy. 

In January I was introduced by Jane Flower from Folios and Fibre into the wonderful world of Eco-dyeing with leaves through a workshop I did with Jane at the Stirling Street Arts Centre summer school.   A couple of years on this art has become an absorbing passion.

And in March I started up my page at Red Bubble, promoting my photography through the range of products that Red Bubble sells. You can even buy leggings!

My husband retired from teaching in the first part of 2016 after 40 years in the profession.  After the last 6 months pleasing myself with what I did with my day, was there room in my days for him? But his retirement has given us the opportunity to reconnect.  

And there was time for reflection: Ease your stress by following your passion in life

It was also a year for travel. We took a return trip to Coral Bay in May and then along the Gibb River Road in our remote Kimberley region of Western Australia in July/August, and in November my husband and I went to Rottnest Island - just off the coast from Fremantle, and for me my first visit to this historical holiday island. 

  In August my writer's group launched their first anthology - The Runaway Quill.

Encouraged by various friends, I took my first steps into Instagram  in December 2016. I post irregularly and I'm still not sure what it is all about and what all those followers really mean. Do you do Instagram? What's your experience of it? 

2017 - 42 posts
2017 started with my being grateful for life in the retirement fast-lane. This post certainly resonated with many in a similar age-bracket.  

And a trip to Sydney, Australia.

And I found inspiration at the Tree Street Art Safari, the International Women's Day talks, the Dardanup Art Spectacular and Art Trail, and TedX Bunbury.

And more opportunities for travel, camping, exploring and taking photos through our amazing state of Western Australia. Hunting for wild orchids

I was also one of the contributing photographers to a new book put together by my friend - another inspiring dynamite - Catherine Curnow - who donated the proceeds of the book to a local family whose daughter suffered a life changing injury.  The Photo Book of Bunbury -  Loving Where We Live - Glimpses of Bunbury through the eyes of the locals.

And to top the year off - in November 2017 I was awarded the Colour Image of the Year Award at the Photography Group of Bunbury, with this image I took when walking along our local estuary, which was entered in the April topic "Breaking the Rules". I was also runner-up in the Photographer of the Year on accumulated points from the monthly club exhibition nights. 

And so to 2018 - so far 29 posts
As each new year dawns, I wonder what the year will bring. So 2018 began with a question - What will your inspiration be in 2018?

Life continues to be inspiring. I attended the International Womens Day event entitled "Identity and Transition", and hosted by the South West Women's Health and Information Centre. What a wonderful and inspiring group of women speakers and attendees came together that day.

I had a very successful day exhibiting at the Tree Street Art Safari in March, and was surprised, thrilled and overwhelmed to win the "Emerging Artist Award" at the Dardanup Art Spectacular in May, with this leaf print on paper.

 I've had some work this year relieving in our local primary school library which I've very much enjoyed, and my husband has had some teaching work. It is great travel spending money. During the month of May we enjoyed a trip to Spain, Malta and Italy. You can see various posts about our travel on my blog.  I'm still working through sorting the thousands of photos.

 I wonder what the rest of the year will bring. Be sure I will blog about it here as my blog is in many ways a journal of my life, travel and photography. 

The other day I found a quote in Kate Morton's book, The Lake House, that resonated with me.  "Life was like that, doors of possibility constantly opening and closing as one blindly made one's way through."  Through my own life, I know this to be true. I've certainly never felt like I've had any particular plan.  As John Lennon said "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans".

Along my blogging journey I have met many wonderful bloggers, women mostly, from all over the world, and my readership and comments have increased.  But I wonder sometimes what is it all about - this writing, reading, commenting - it can be stressful at times and sometimes I feel that all this social media is taking me away from the creative side of me that is trying to find time between it all to do other things.  But I know these connections are important to me too. But I guess in all things we need balance, and try not to let blogging and social media take over our lives. There are other things that should be placed in higher importance like family and being true to ourselves.

What strikes me the most is despite our cultural backgrounds, and no matter where we live, women are going through similar issues.

Making contacts through blogging creates a little “community” which we might never have had. I have discovered that the posts that create the most interest and feedback are when I talk about real life issues and circumstances.

Being truthful really connects with women, who then are willing to share back to you what they have gone through. Perhaps being slightly “anonymous” helps us be more open.

I am certainly grateful for the host of inspiring women that have come into my life over the last few years. And to all those people who have encouraged me and visit me at my blog and social media pages. Thank you for helping me feel that I am contributing something "relevant".

I hope you have enjoyed reminiscing with me over the past 10 years, and that you will stop by again and meet me on the porch.

 Thank you so much for stopping by and thank you to you the reader, my contacts, my little community, who make this blogging life mean something. 
I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
All Seasons
Mosaic Monday 

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 

The Lovin' Life Team over at: Deep Fried Fruit and 50 Shades of Age
Little Things Thursday

Life in Reflection

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

If you are a blogger you can link to Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global right here! 

An InLinkz Link-up

Chocca lotta

It's beginning to feel a bit like Easter around here with Easter eggs and Hot Cross Buns in the shops (well actually they have been in the shops for weeks!), so today I decided to share with you a Chocolate Tart recipe I made a few years ago, and have just searched for again. I haven't made them since, but I think I will have to as they were delicious!

 The recipe says only 20 minutes prep time, but it took me longer than this. So allow 1 hour preparation, 30 minutes chilling, and 35 minutes to cook. 

Here's the recipe: (from Woolworths Fresh magazine, July 2012)
Chocolate Tarts

1 1/2 cups plain flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
125g butter, chopped
2 eggs
2 pears, peeled, cored, thinly sliced 
2/3 cup cream
200g dark cooking chocolate, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons roughly chopped roasted hazelnuts

 Process flour and cocoa in a food processor for 30 seconds. Add butter and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add 1 egg and process until mixture comes together.

Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide dough into 6 even portions and form into balls. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease 6 individual loose bottom fluted flan tins (approx 8cm x 2.5cm deep). 

On a lightly floured surface roll each piece of dough out until 3mm thick. Press into pans and trim off any excess dough. Place plans onto a large baking tray. Line each with baking paper and fill with baking beans or dried beans (not that I bother to do this). Bake tart shells for 10 minutes. Remove beads and paper. Bake for 5 minutes more or until pastry is just cooked. Set tarts aside to cool.

Arrange pear slices into each pastry shell. Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until small bubbles form around edge. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and stir until melted and mixture is smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in remaining egg. 

Pour mixture over pears and sprinkle nuts on top. Bake for 15 minutes or until mixture is just set. Stand for 5 minutes before removing from pans. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm or cold. 

Sit back and enjoy the compliments. 

If that sounds just a little bit like too much work when you are trying to have a relaxing Easter too, try this recipe instead. 

I've often made a quick chocolate self saucing pudding in winter, but this one is cooked in individual dishes. Have you ever made the one made in a mug in the microwave? I haven't. 

Quick Chocolate Self-Saucing Puddings (recipe from Woolworths Fresh magazine, June 2011)

Prep time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 30 minutes. Makes 4-8 depending on the size of your pots. 

125g margarine, melted
1/2 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
2 cups self-raising flour
2/3 cup cocoa
1 cup milk
3/4 cup caster sugar, extra
2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons icing sugar
thick cream or ice cream to serve 

Preheat oven to 180C. Grease 8 x 1 1/4 cup capacity ramekins or ovenproof dishes. Stand dishes in a large roasting pan. Whisk melted butter, sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Sift flour and half the cocoa over mixture. Add milk and whisk until smooth. Divided evenly between prepared dishes.

Place remaining cocoa and extra sugar in a bowl. Slowly add boiling water, stirring constantly until well combined. Pour cocoa mixture gently over each pudding. Pour enough boiling water into roasting pan until water comes half way up the sides of the pudding dishes. 

Bake for 30 minute or until puddings are cooked when tested in the centre with a skewer. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve with a dollop of thick cream or ice cream. 

Here is a pic - they shrunk back from the sides of the dishes when they came out of the oven and started to cool. 

 PS - I had a question about caster sugar which is readily available in Australia, but might not be in your country, or might be called something else. Here is an explanation I found - What is caster sugar and does it make a difference in baking?

Thank you so much for stopping by. If you celebrate Easter I wish you a safe and happy one. Do you have a favourite chocolate recipe? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.  

You might also like:
Winter days and an energy bar recipe 
Making and photographing blueberry pancakes
Melting moments and hydrangeas in my garden

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

   
All Seasons
Mosaic Monday 

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

ThroughMy Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 

The Lovin' Life Team over at Deep Fried Fruit
Little Things Thursday

Life in Reflection

Hello there! I love reading your comments. If you scroll down to the bottom you can comment too! I would love to hear from you.

If you are a blogger you can also link your blog to Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global.

The Quince - symbol of love in ancient Greece and Rome

I have had a love affair with quinces since I was introduced to them a few years ago, so I wasn't surprised to read that in Ancient Greece and Rome, the quince was a symbol of love and fertility.

According to -  ABC's Gardening Australia - Quinces originated from Persia, now Iran, and then spread throughout the Mediterranean. (click on the ABC link to read their informative facts sheet and learn more about the quince)

They are a hard fruit which you cannot eat raw, but oh my, the gorgeous aroma of them cooking and their flavour nearly leaves me swooning. Have you tasted them? If you haven't I encourage you to do so.

Quinces seem to be an old-fashioned fruit that you might only see in an old orchard. The quince grows on a small deciduous tree, a member of the apple and pear family. Here you can see a tree and the fruit on the tree.

This tree below is in the Balingup Tree Park was planted in 1982. See how it has had to be propped up? But despite this it seems to be doing well. (please click on the link to read my latest blog about the Park).

I always look for quinces this time of year and I was able to buy some a couple of weekends ago at the Boyanup markets.  I cooked them today in preparation for making a tart tomorrow.  You can just poach them in a saucepan with a little sugar and water, but below here is the simple, yet delicious recipe I used (if you have a little more time for the preparation - or do this the day before making the tart). 

 For about 4-5 quinces - peel, core and quarter the quinces (or thinner slices if large quinces). 

Put in an oven-proof dish, with juice and zest of 2 lemons and 1 orange (although I found that just one lemon was enough)
1 or 2 cinnamon sticks  (1 is enough for this quantity)
1 and a quarter cups of raw sugar
and about 500 mls water, enough to cover the fruit. (quantity dependent on the number and size of the quinces you have).

Cover with a piece of damp baking paper. Bake at 160-170 C for about 2 and a half hours. Turn off oven, and leave them in the oven till cool. The longer you cook the fruit the pinker they become, or sometimes not....

You can just serve them like this with a dollop of cream or icecream or make a pie.  



 Do you remember the poem by Edward Lear - "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat' -
   "They dined on mince, and slices of quince, Which they ate with a runcible spoon,
   And hand in hand, on the edge of the sand,  They danced by the light of the moon"....

  The recipe for the tart I found in "Spice" magazine a few years ago. Everyone loves it. 

Quince and Browned Butter Tart

3 quinces, poached in sugar syrup until cooked and rosy pink
1 x 26cm unbaked tart shell
2 eggs
half cup of sugar
50g flour
125g butter, cooked until golden brown and then cooled. (though I don't really do this - I just melt the butter and simmer for a few minutes)

Drain the quinces and lay them in the tart shell. Beat the eggs and the sugar until light and fluffy, fold in the flour and lastly the browned butter. Put over the quinces and bake in a 1280C oven until golden brown and set - about forty minutes. 

Serve at room temperature with a dollop of cream. 
You could also make this recipe with other fruits ie apples, pears, peaches, apricots.

This is my tart photo from a couple of years ago. As you can see the fruit is quite red-pink colour. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, but however it looks it still tastes and smells divine! 



 I seem to blog about quinces every couple of years, so you might also like:
And slices of quince which they ate with a runcible spoon
Autumn arrives in Western Australia

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have you ever tried quinces? Do you have a favourite quince recipe? Perhaps you'd like to share in the comments. 
 I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!

Mosaic Monday 

Our World Tuesday

Pictorial Tuesday 

Through My Lens 

Image-in-ing
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global
Travel Photo Thursday 

The Lovin' Life Team over at 50 Shades of Age

Sky Watch Friday

Life in Reflection

Hello there! I love reading your comments. Just click down here to comment too!