After much contemplation, writing, photographing, observing, and living, Slow Family Online began exactly six months ago. It started by using the model of the Front Porch, as a way to encourage people to literally take a break from busy lives, sit, breathe, share, craft, play, and watch the kinds of activities in nature that one might enjoy from a front porch rocker.
Six months ago, I posted about my burgeoning deck garden in spring; the nesting robins; our traditional milkman; and my discovery of Facebook, which has since led to a wonderful extended community of far-flung friends in Australia, Canada, New York, Seattle, and even closer by who I just don’t see often but can now keep up with somewhat regularly.
In addition to being a forum for observation, expression and tips, Slow Family Online has also quickly become a community. Longtime friends and new readers from as far away as Swaziland, Italy and the United Arab Emirates have exchanged tips and comments on subjects ranging from nostalgia, childhood, biking and books to gardening, sustainability, and cheese.
I thank everyone for contributing to the richness of this site, and I hope many more will continue to do so.
Just today, Slow Family Online passed 3,500 visitors. By far the most popular post remains my rundown of Tulips in the deck garden — and it is just about the time again to browse tulip catalogs and garden centers, to choose the most promising bulbs and refrigerate them for planting later this fall.
What else has been popular? My instructions on how to make a tie-dyed laundry bag, my ode to our milkman, our trip to the local tidepools in June, tips for riding San Francisco’s famed cable cars, the cheese reviews, the newborn deer, the Baroque Pearl perfume launch, and, I’m happy to report, the linked blog sites of friends.
What are some ways people find us? Some subscribe on Google Reader, some follow Slow Family on Facebook and Twitter, some regularly stop in, and others are seeking specific information via search engines. Some of the most interesting search-engine terms people have used to arrive at this web site include:
Daffodil hunter, world’s smallest deer, largest lettuce, retro flower, balsamic vinegar, erotic tulip, extreme tulip, bee gardening, pumpkin container, daydreams, red things, white trails on lettuce, helicopter parents, old filing cabinet, silk screen, sea squirts, starfish, delphinium seeds, signal flower of love, sweet peas and trains, repurpose old T-shirt, folding bike, gouda slice, movie themed cupcakes, western themed cupcakes, Italy TV dinner, tulip mania, Pugs Leap Farm, processed cheese, Pullman porters, caveman blue, milk delivery, perseid meteor Brooklyn, gold country fair pigs, Irish bar end of cable car route, vintage swing nightgown, fondant cake, pear brandy, perfumers box, cheese winner, victorian ad, fisherman’s wharf, do locals take cable cars, hand sewing, coast starlight, peach fruit, and the rather poetic undersea world.
What’s in Slow Family Online’s future? More seasonal and holiday ideas and rituals; fun crafts, activities and observations; ideas for slowing down and gaining quality time; news about sustainability and the greater Slow Movement; garden, nature and city fun; and community among other readers who have similar values and desires regarding the quality of family and neighborhood life.
Slow Family Online is on Facebook, too, as a way of extending the conversation. Please let me know if you’re inspired, curious, dubious, or just have something to add.
Warm regards, Suz
Photos by Susan Sachs Lipman
Each of the cute 12″ plush dolls comes snuggled inside a chrysalis, the way a real butterfly is. It’s a great idea — The chrysalis provides further play, teaches about nature, and doubles as the dolls’ packaging as a way to cut down on waste. Each doll is cutely designed in a color-coordinated outfit and bright wings, and each has a nature-inspired story, whether the doll be a protector of nature, a bird keeper, or a planter of seeds.
