“Give what you have. To someone else it may be better than you dare to think.” -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This is one of my favorite quotes. I’ve been keeping what I call “Idea Journals” for about ten years now (a place to jot ideas, just like it sounds!), and I have this written on the front page of my current one.
It was only five months ago that I sat staring at this quote and thinking about what it really means. The calendar had just turned over into 2008, and there’s nothing like a fresh, new year to make you ponder your life and what you’re doing with it.
Give what you have, even if it doesn’t seem like much.
The question was, what did I have? What could I possibly contribute? As Eleanor Roosevelt famously said:
“When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.”
Well, I wasn’t ready to die yet! Yes, I contribute with my writing jobs, but I wanted to contribute something of myself beyond business.
As I was sitting with my Idea Journal that day, trying to imagine what on earth I could possibly give, I found myself writing: “I could start a blog about houses for people who love them as much as I do. I’d call it ‘Hooked on Houses.’”
For once I didn’t think it to death. I just went with it. I love houses. I know houses. I would write about houses for anyone who cared to read about them. That would be something I could contribute.
Today I saw that Longfellow quote again and it struck me how true it really is. I didn’t feel like I had much to contribute to the blogging community. What could I possibly show or say or do that hadn’t already been shown, said, or done? But that wasn’t the point. The point was simply to share a little of myself and my interests.
I had no idea how rewarding it would turn out to be!
I am amazed by how many of you continue to encourage and support my efforts here by visiting and commenting and linking to Hooked on Houses from your sites. That’s why I like to take a moment at the end of every month to thank you.
First of all, thanks to all of you who take the time to leave comments. Do you know how rare it is? For example, one of my recent posts had 500 visitors, but only 30 of them left comments.
This is why I say you, my faithful commenters, are SPECIAL! I never, ever take you for granted. I know it’s much easier just to lurk. Thanks for making the extra effort. I’m trying to create a community where everyone who loves houses can come and have fun talking about them together. Without the comments, there is no community!
And if you’re still lurking, it’s time to come out of hiding. Trust me when I say it’s more fun when you join in the conversation!
Second, thanks for adding Hooked on Houses to your blogrolls in June! These are all fabulous blogs, so check them out! (Please let me know if you’re not on this list and should be. I don’t always know if you’ve added me.)
BLOGROLLERS:
Karen Harvey Cox’s Scrapbook of Inspiration
Rue’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Life
I also want to thank everyone who mentioned Hooked on Houses this month, bringing many new and wonderful readers our way, including:
The Scotsman–as in the newspaper in Edinburgh, Scotland–named Hooked on Houses “The Website of the Week.” Wow. How cool is that? Welcome all Scots who love looking at houses as much as we do here.
Tina at Housewife Hiccups mentioned my mantel in a post about hers. I’m glad it inspired her!
Dana Hammond wrote a post about Dolly Parton over at The Vacationer and steered her readers over here to see my post about Dolly’s Childhood Cabin.
Iamnotastalker gave Hooked on Houses a nice shout-out. She finds “famous houses” on the West Coast to post on her blog, so you’ve got to check her site out. Lots of fun.
Thanks to Reynie at Southern Girl Rambling for telling her readers about Hooked on Houses. I loved her description as a blog for people who love houses and TMZ!
Abbreviated posted a stone house on her blog Buried in Legos, just for me! And I loved it.
Cindy at Home Simple Home told her readers to check out Hooked on Houses. Thanks, Cindy!
Trend Office said something about Hooked on Houses, but I don’t know the language. See if you can figure it out!
Stephanie at The Written Word (great blog for book lovers!) mentioned my post about Brad and Angelina.
Courtney at Nesting Instincts gave me a “Major Award” in a recent contest where we voted on what we thought she should name her beautiful new stationery line (my suggestion: “Nest Ink.”) Thanks, Courtney!
Jen sent lots of her Sanctuary Arts readers this way with a post earlier this month. Thanks, Jen!
Kathy Koops mentioned my Fantasy Open House Series recently in a post on The Cincy Blog called, “Are Fantasy Open Houses the Next Trend in Real Estate?” She has some great ideas for house-hunting in the future.
And finally, I have to say thanks to Susie at Hillcrest Acres for giving me a You Make My Day Award! You made MY day with this award, Susie. I appreciate it!
I hereby pass it along to 5 new blog friends I’ve enjoyed getting to know this month: Jen of Sanctuary Arts at Home, Darla at Ultra Beauty Boutique, Rue of Rue’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Life, Leigh Ann at The Bird’s Nest, Susie at Bienvenue, and Laura at Shorehouse Chic. Oops. That’s 6. I got carried away. But they all make my day with their comments and their blogs, so I think I’ll just have to break the rules. (Please don’t tell the Awards Committee!)
Today is my dad’s Big 70th Birthday Bash, so I’m off to get ready for the party. We’ve got over 100 people coming to help us celebrate. Cross your fingers for me that everything goes smoothly. I really want this to be a special day for him.
However you’re spending your weekend, I hope it’s a good one! -Julia 
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Happy borthday to your father. May it be a wonderful weekend for you all.
We are all so happy to have you in blog world. Your posts enrich my life and add a great deal of fun and joy to it. It is always such a treat to visit and see what wonders you are showcasing today!
Thank you for being there for all of us!
Love,
Sue
I have enjoyed so many of your posts. Thank you very much for being hooked on houses!
Have a great weekend!!!!
And oh man… as much as I love a great blog… I can’t take on another one! Why oh why do you tempt me so? However…thanks for all the yummy new links.
) I’m sure I’m going to be checking them out. I’m sick like that.
I’ve started checking your blog *before* I check my friends blogs- I hope they don’t read this
Thanks for all you do.
Give your dad a Happy Bday cyber hug from me !
It was a very happy day when I discovered Hooked on Houses! It is a joy to read every day. THANK YOU for all the time & effort it takes to make it so wonderful!
Your dad is turning 70 (HAPPY Birthday to him!) and my husband just turned 70! We are a few decades apart in age, but so alike in our love of beautiful homes of all styles and sizes! Isn’t blogdom a wonderful place?
Oh my gosh!! *YOU* make my day! I’m speechless (and since you read my rambling blog you know that’s not easy!
When I started my blog this year I had no idea how fun it would be (I look more way more forward to writing about my random projects and uploading photos than to my “real job”) and how many great blogs and people I’d “meet” (albeit virtually) along the way. So thank YOU – coming from you it’s a total honor.
Happy B-day to your pop!
all the best,
laura
Julia, I like so many others are very happy we found your blog. I enjoy my daily visit. You make me smile.
Happy B’day to your Dad, I know it will be great !!!
(((hugs to you))))
xox
Kathy
Julia, your blog is inspirational, insightful and a breath of fresh air! Hope your dad’s 70th is the happiest of all!
NO WAY! Thank you for that award! Could my day get any better?! I don’t think so!!!!!
This is a great blog and I hope you continue to publish it. I don’t “do” blogs myself but I so admire those who do and love to read them.
You do a wonderful job of showing houses and I regularly come by to see what house your showing next!
Happy 70th to your dad and here’s hoping he has many more.
Starr
I love your blog Julia and I look forward to your comments on my blog! Like you said comments are so rare it’s nice that at least a few people took the time to leave them.
Hope your dad has a great birthday! I’m sure everything will go off without a hitch. We’ll be celebrating too with our 1st anniversary.
Robin
P.S. I sent you an e-mail the other day so if you don’t get anything check your spam. : )
Happy birthday to your dad! It seems like yesterday (it was, right?) that he was dissecting T.S. Eliot poetry in our dorm room.
He’s a special man. Hope the party went well; you’ll have to report back.
Oh, what a special day! Enjoy the celebration with your dad!!!
And, yes….for all who “lurk” trust me…it is more fun to comment.
(Yes, I speak from experience;))
Thanks for sharing your love of houses with us, Julia.
Happy birthday to your dad!
I’ve only just discovered your blog and LOVE IT! Thank you for the link love back to my site
Hope your dad has a wonderful birthday!
I about jumped out of my chair when I found your blog! Someone who loved houses as much as I do and here she is posting all the pictures FOR me! I could spend hours, days weeks, looking at homes and dreaming. But with 3 babies under 5 years old I don’t have near the time to even think about that anymore. You having this blog has given me a favorite hobby back in a unique way where I feel like I am making a friend too!
Thank you!!
Happy Birthday to your Dad and Congrats on the well deserved award!
Janet
You so deserve it. All the best to your Dad.
Thank YOU Julia.
Mark
Thank you Julia for doing what I love!
I love driving around looking at houses, taking pictures and dreaming about what the inside might look like!
I love historical home tours and new home tours!
I am so glad I found your blog….. it has been so fun to come and visit!
Keep up the good work!
Hugz,
Dolly
Love your blog — we built a new home last year and it’s so fun seeing what others are doing! I’ve barely gotten started with my decorating (three little ones keep me busy) so all this ‘idea getting’ is helpful! Thanks again…
Thank *you*, Julia! Not having my own blog, I can only imagine how much time and energy goes into one. I know that I appreciate it tremendously and obviously so many others do, as well!
Congrats to your father on his birthday and I hope you all had a wonderful time this weekend!
Thanks for the link love (I’ve gotten a lot of hits from it!) and for putting together such interesting and entertaining posts.
I’m thrilled I found your blog because I love being a peeping tom
Thank you so much for the award!! YOU make my day too 
rue
Hi Julia
I am so happy you decided to blog. I try to come by daily! And always try to comment. I appreciate comments. The feedback is great!
I have you on my blog roll, but I don’t remember how long ago I added Hooked on Houses.
Keep blogging, you’re a treasure.
Happy B’day to your Dad!
Pat
Wow!! I feel very celebrityish!! I mean, I was excited when you first mentioned me as a newbie, but when I got an award??? That was almost too much for me to handle!! Loved it!! I’m so glad I found you, and I look forward to being hooked on houses with you in the years to come!!
You are so nice to take time to thank your readers! Thank you for making this a fun place to visit!
What a wonderful showcase of friends and bloggers. Love your idea of actually sitting down and digesting a quote.
Hey… thanks for adding me to your posting… I feel so special! I love your blog and I love that you visit me and make comments!
Happy Birthday to your Dad
I love how you thank people at the end of every month
Fantastic picture on the front of this post! Love how your necklace matches the blue in the background. I can’t believe how many lurkers you have! wow…. I hear you on the comments…it’s so fun to get a quick little comment!
Julia, I want to thank you for sharing that quote. I have been a blogger for three years, but recently my life has turned upside down (husband and I have separated). I started a new blog called Lemonade, but I’ve continued to talk myself out of posting because I wasn’t sure if I had something to offer, but your post has inspired me. I will “give what I have” and see how it goes.
I am really loving your blog, btw. I linked over just because of the title! I thought I was the only one with this addiction!
You deserve all the acclaim, your blog is great! I know it’s late, but hope your dad had a great 70th birthday!
What a great blog you have. Well deserved.
Hi, Julia,
You have a wonderful blog with so much interesting information and ideas! And I so much agree with your both quotes above! What I have posted on my blog – in Bulgarian – is about “Famous houses and the houses of the famous” and have used some of your pictures that inspired me for that post. I am an interior designer and journalist and obviously have a lot in common with your interests:) – beautiful houses are my theme, too. What I think I am contributing with my blogs, is information about news and trends in home furnishings and design.
Btw, you are so right about lurking and comments, too. I wish that my readers comment more, especially when they use the information from my posts. In this way we are more useful to each other.