Unbelievable! You are so the best! I've been having this huge smile from ear to ear all day today and since I posted yesterday.
I expected a few answers to my question and so far eightysix (!) of you have taken time out of your busy schedules to comment.
I expected little short answers like "I found you on so and so. Full stop." What I got was better and so much more than I ever imagined. I've been blushing, smiling and giggling at all the sweet and sincere comments you've made. I feel really, really happy that my blog is inspiring to you. It's all I want.
The fact that you think my home looks homey and comfy and that my family comes across as happy and my son sweet is all so true and I'm glad it shows in my posts.
I've printed your post wish list and I promise I'll address each and everyone in the weeks to come.
The photo above is a rare thing. I want you to know that. I hate having my photo taken, I always make faces, my lip's crooked and I'm generally uneasy in front of the camera. Not at all like Wille and Martin who've both modeled and look great in photos. I just got off my bike from work, combed my hair into a ponytail at six this morning, never wear makeup ( which is probably part of why I don't look good in photos) so what you see is what you get :) Enjoy...
I didn't respond to your question yesterday, only because I was at home and couldn't remember my TypePad login! :) But I'll answer now...
I think I found you when you added me as a contact on Flickr. I immediately went to look at your photos, and fell in love with your checkered kitchen floor and all of your amazingly well-organized storage! I love your blog, I love seeing how much progress you've made in your home over the years. It's so inspiring.
I also love this photo! You are beautiful (I wish I looked so pretty without makeup!), and your happiness comes through so brightly in your smile. I'm smiling myself just looking at it!
Thank YOU. :)
Posted by: Anna @ D16 | June 23, 2008 at 02:33 PM
You're a natural beauty! What a smile!
Posted by: Helen | June 23, 2008 at 02:54 PM
makeup schmakeup! :) i don't wear it either, so I'm always glowing red in photos, but so what? :)
also, yesterday i forgot to say where I'm from - I'm from Croatia.
Posted by: koryanshea | June 23, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Vilket trevligt glatt ansikte som säger hej i din blogg idag! Vilken härlig blogg du har!. Man får myskänslor! Kram!
Posted by: Lindzi | June 23, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Jag hittade till dig och ditt fina hem genom Kicki - I Veras hus! Och det är jag väldigt glad för, tycker du har så fint och så mysigt! Får alltid inspiration när jag tittar in till dig. Och vilket fint foto av dig själv - kul att få ett ansikte bakom bloggen!
Posted by: Victoria | June 23, 2008 at 03:53 PM
I think you look really beautiful. who need make up anyway. (well maybe my gay brother does *lol*)
Posted by: manon | June 23, 2008 at 03:55 PM
You come across in your photo in a way very similar to your home - fresh and put together, yet casual and approachable. {Hopefully that makes sense!} And you're even wearing white!
Posted by: Jean | June 23, 2008 at 03:59 PM
I see a face with beautiful blue eyes, and a dynamite smile. Thanks for posting! (and I have the same type of camera-phobia, too.)
joan in louisiana
Posted by: joan | June 23, 2008 at 04:02 PM
Hej! Har inte besökt dig så länge än, kommer inte alls ihåg hur jag hittade hit. Gillar din blogg JÄTTEMYCKET!! Du är så otroligt kreativ med fina alster och fina foton. Härligt!! Förstår verkligen att du fick många svar och har många besökare.
Posted by: StrandviksVillan | June 23, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Jean hit the nail on the head--you look just like your home! And really, what better compliment is that? So many people surround themselves with things they think will please other people. I'm guilty of this, but getting better. :)
Posted by: Jules | June 23, 2008 at 05:35 PM
I missed the post from the other day. So...
I first fell in love with your home browsing through pictures in Flickr. Then... when you finally started your blog (I had been anticipating it for quite a while), it felt like almost all the design blogs I read announced it with great excitement, so I can't remember which one I read it on first.
And you look great even without make-up!
Posted by: Annady | June 23, 2008 at 05:35 PM
You look genuine. And pretty. I think it is awesome that you have a whole new set of "fans" from Crazy Aunt Purl. She rocks and we follow. Now we know that you rock too.
Posted by: Molly | June 23, 2008 at 06:33 PM
You are so pretty. You should have more pictures of you in your home than just your home.
Posted by: KnittingKnutty | June 23, 2008 at 10:03 PM
You seem quite warm, easy and approachable in the photo. Glad to meet your natural beautiful self!
**i have been sucked up on your blog today! I love it!**
Posted by: lucy | June 23, 2008 at 11:07 PM
I agree. You come across just like your home...natural, inviting, easy going.
Thanks again for letting us all peek into your life and home, it's always a pleasure!!
Posted by: Monica | June 24, 2008 at 07:06 AM
SOOOOO beautiful! I love seeing your face......thank you!
I didn't get a chance to comment yet, but that was because I was trying to remember how I found you......the link trail has faded, I'm afraid, but you're firmly on my favorites list!!
Posted by: MrsMK | June 24, 2008 at 02:18 PM
I would have a huge smile from ear to ear if I looked like this without make-up. :)
You're gorgeous Benita!!! So glad that you went for it and shared your lovely photo with us. It's so nice to put a {friendly} face with the name {and home}. xo ~suzanne
Posted by: S.HOPtalk | June 24, 2008 at 06:24 PM
You look wonderful and I read your blog as often as I can and I love it! Thank you for all the inspiration... you're a wonderful organizer and I wish one day I'd have my stuff even almost so neatly organized as yours. Still only dreaming about that... ;)
Posted by: memmu | June 25, 2008 at 04:40 PM
Oh shush: you look great, period! Own it, sistah! ;)
Posted by: Eliane | June 26, 2008 at 01:10 AM
You have a face worth photographing - one with character, very pretty, actually. A so-called perfect face would be dull and actually I've never seen a perfect face. You love to take photos, and when you snap someone else, you'd love for them to relax, right? Now, do that yourself and enjoy it. And by the way, you don't need makeup!
I've just today discovered your blog and I have to say it's totally interfered with my morning plans. I keep reading and reading and looking at all the pictures. I love organization and containers but am not in your league at all. You are very inspiring! Thanks so much for a fabulous blog!
-Denise (Atlanta, Georgia)
Posted by: D Casey | July 17, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Thank you so much!
Posted by: Benita | July 23, 2008 at 05:53 AM
I like your photo. It's natural and real. I don't like make up. I like your smile and the freckles. I have them too. They're really visible mostly during the sommermonths. Guess why? :) Thanks for sharing this wonderful photo.
Posted by: Franziska | December 19, 2008 at 06:13 PM