When I started this blog, a year and a half and 250 posts ago, I was writing mostly for me. I had been a writer once, walking around with ink-stained fingers, beginning my days with pen and paper in hand, watching life go by and turning what I saw and felt into stories and poetry. And then I launched into the “working world” and let 8 years go by only exercising my skills when writing progress reports, newsletters, and summer camp brochures (but they were superbly well-written brochures, rest assured!) 
So I started this blog to have a reason to write every day (or at least a few times a week.) I approached these pages when I felt like it, and posted whatever happened to be on my mind (or on my camera) at the time.
But then I started to get to know all of you. I am still awed, amazed and incredibly thankful for all of you who come here to read these words I put down. You are true blessings in my life and I find more and more that as I write, I think of you. “What would she like to hear about?” “I wonder if they know about this?”
And I wonder too, about those of you who drop in but never say a word. You are mysteries to me in that I know nothing about you, but I wonder about you too. I wonder what you like to read about, and what you come here looking for.
I am starting to become more intentional about this little blog of mine. And I have big dreams for the future, what I might like it to become.
But I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you.
And so, I am asking for your help. Would you be honest with me?
- What would you like to see on this blog?
- What do you wish I wrote more about?
- What do you wish I wrote less about?
- What kind of posts are your favourites?
- Any wild and crazy ideas for me for future posts? (or simple and mundane ideas, I’ll take those too!)
- If I did some kind of sew-along/quilt-along/cook-along/garden-along would you be interested in participating?
- Any wishes I can grant? (as in “I really wish there was a blog that talked about…” or “I wish there was a tutorial for…” or “I wish Andi would teach me how to….”) I won’t promise I can grant them, but I’d love to hear them!
I really and truly want to know what you think. And don’t feel you have to answer all of the questions, and if you have something else to say, feel free to add that too!
And just as a thank-you, anyone who comments on this post will be entered to win something handmade by me. I’m not sure what it is yet, but I promise it will be something nice (maybe something from the shop, or something custom-made just for you?) I’ll announce the winner April 2nd, but feel free to leave a comment here even after that date.
Thanks for your help!
I love that the blog has snippets from all different aspects of your life – hobbies, work, and reflections on day to day tasks. Although we haven’t seen each other in years our lives ocntinue ot be similar in many ways and there tends to be something that I can relate to in each post. I do marvel about how you have the time to do so many amazing things! My favourite posts are those about gardening – because although I wish I was an accomplished gardener, I’m not, but I have big gardening dreams. I also love your reflections on daily activities, like dishwashing as they remind me to take pleasure in the little things, as life is made up of a series of little things. I look forward to reading your blog posts when I get home from work, they help me wind down from my day and refocus for the evening.
In terms of suggestions – I love the current content and I’m excited to see what types of changes and improvements you make as the blog evolves. I also really like the idea of a grow along (tomatoes perhaps??). There are so many steps to gardening that take place over the season and it would be great to have advice re. what to do and how to trouble shoot, as well as to see how other people are doing.
I came across your blog by accident. I instantly enjoyed reading it despite the fact that it was not one of the “bigger” and more “well-known” blogs.
I love that you write so openly on your blog. Your writing style makes me feel like I am sitting down with a friend, enjoying a cup of tea and having a great conversation. Over time, I feel that I have connected with you in some way and am so glad I have.
I love your sewing posts (because as you know I have been trying to teach myself to sew) and I love your cooking posts. Nana’s recipes really appeal to me as before I had my children I did a lot of geneological research on my family and learning about the ‘old life’ was so fascinating. I love that you try out these old recipes.
I love your garden posts, mostly because I am so jealous of your beautiful garden. We built garden boxes at our home about 5 years ago and they were wonderful the first year. The next year, despite the compost I had added, our garden was horribly sad looking, with miniature vegetables and some that just never really produced much of anything. My mom tested our soil and it had very little in it to help the plants grow.
I would love it if you would share more about HOW you garden. What do you do before you plant to prepare your soil? What do you do throughout the growing season? What so you LOVE to grow and what is the easiest to grow?
I look forward to seeing where your blog takes you.
Just keep on, if you are still interested it will all flow from there!
I am so grateful to have “stumbled upon” your blog through facebook!!! Whenever my e-mail says there is a new post/blog from you I read it over and keep the ones that I know I need to get back to and make the recipes or put it on my list of sewing projects to come
– there is a long list of things I would like to get to!!!
I like the cooking and sewing posts the most, but do also enjoy seeing the progress of your garden and live vicariously through you. I know there is no hope for my backyard due to Harper Lee… before her I did have great peppers and zucchinis and even some tomatoes for Carole but that is over now.
So seeing photos of yours is a lot of fun 
I always wish I could think of a way to get a box somewhere for a garden. I may join the town’s community garden. They grow vegetables in boxes and you do the gardening and the veggies produced are donated to the food bank. Usually companies take on a box and the employees take turns sharing the work… hmm… I am going to look into that maybe a friend’s company would let me help them… 
(See your blog always has me thinking – another great reason why I love it!)
suggestions? I don’t have many – keep going
I love it! Would it work to have a place to “ask Andi”? I mean I could be sewing and I just can’t figure out what such and such means or I made this and it turned out that the batter was too runny or help my tomatoes are crawling with a strange bug! Although I guess that is what emailing is for… something I thought of though. maybe it could be a tag on the right hand side of the blog?
If I think of any other suggestions I will come back and let you know
Thanks again for all the great posts! I miss writing too…
Andrea
I enjoy reading your blog. I would enjoy more articles about starting your garden from seeds or do you buy plants? I also enjoyed the articles about organizing areas of your house and the cards you made.
I’ve had a great time reading your posts! It has opened a whole new world for me! I like your posts on sewing, scrap booking, cooking and gardening!
Your gardens are amazing to me!
So as far as I am concerned you couldn’t do anything to improve what is already in my opinion perfect! Keep up the great writing!
Good evening, Andrea! I read this post several days ago and due to my perfectionistic nature mixed with my procrastination tendencies, I’ve been thinking about write to write ever since…Here goes…
I LOVE YOUR BLOG! Since we met in our first year of university, I’ve regarded you to be an excellent, imaginative writer. I’m happy that we have been able to reconnect through our blogs and stay connected to one another’s lives through our posts.
My favourites about laundryontheline:
a) your personal and down-to-earth writing style
b) posts about your teaching experiences & creative teaching ideas
c) your vegetarian recipes – especially simple, healthy recipes
d) your garden posts and accompanying photos
e) your book reviews/reading posts
I’d like to see more…
a) **Children’s Literature recommendations and reviews – I’ve always loved kid lit, and throughout the last 9 years of my teaching career, I’ve become more and more passionate about children’s literature. I’d love to tap into your expertise about children’s books that were big hits with your students (especially your former kindergarten, grade one and grade two kids).
b)**Creative Lesson Plans and Activities – All of us teachers would appreciate learning about your amazing lessons and activities. For readers who are not teachers, they can implement your ideas with their own children at home.
c)**Vegetarian Recipes – As you remember, I’ve been trying to teach myself to cook since I was in high school, and my best “cooking years” were definitely the four years of our Drama in Education program when I could learn and be inspired by you! I still have my unusual “cookbook phobia,” so easy-to-make, healthy veggie recipes would be really appreciated. I’m particularly interested in learning how to cook veggie soups, stews, casseroles, pasta and rice dishes, and other dinner entrees.
d) As I love nature and architectural photography, and as I’m longing to travel everywhere, including around the Maritimes, I’d like to see more posts featuring photos from your day trips, vacations, and excursions. I’d like to see more of your architectural and nature photos (including ocean shots!).
***
I would definitely participate in any vegetarian cook-along that you would offer! It would be amazing if you could set up an on-line cooking class atmosphere…
I’d also participate in any container-gardening-(in the shade)-along that you would offer.
Hugs!
-Jennie
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I love the grow-along idea! An indoor herb windowsill herb garden started from seeds has been a life-long dream of mine, but I’m afraid my thumb is not as green as yours, lol! it would be so nice to have fresh herbs all year round!