The Cottage Smallholder


stumbling self sufficiency in a small space

Four years old today: Happy Birthday Cottage Smallholder

Photo: View from the back door today plus some potatoes that I'm really thrilled with!

Photo: A snap of the view from our back door today

When I was four, I remember going to a fancy dress party dressed as a fairy. I had a wand and glittery shoes and presumably dinky wings. A tiny part of me secretly hoped that by dressing the part I might feel what it’s actually like to be a real fairy and possibly even to be able instantly  to cast spells. But as I clattered down the road in my new shoes I seemed so human and clumpy and the wand remained just a sparkly star stuck on a stick.

When I sat down on a cold wet August day in 2006 and wrote the first post of this blog, I can’t remember what my expectations were . I know that I wanted readers but now reckon that I was hoping for a little instant magic too.

I had no idea that Cottage Smallholder would have such a fundamental affect on our lives at the cottage. Writing is a great way of automatically assessing the status quo.  Particularly events that I chose not to write about. Blogging and your responses have challenged and encouraged me to explore and question. But thinking about the blog today, I realised that the biggest change has been within me. I am happier, more content and confident and this is largely down to you. Readers are essential to the life of a blog.

Thanks to Danny we now have a great forum and it’s heartening to see so many people chatting and sharing ideas on there. If you haven’t yet visited, check it out – it’s fun and interesting. Danny has become much more involved with the site over the past year and this has been great for me. It has now become our site!

I feel so proud to be part of a burgeoning community and truly appreciate your support.

Thank you.


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23 Comments

  1. Well done for sticking at it and creating such a great forum. Great fun!

  2. Congratulations you two, you make a big difference so don’t ever stop….

  3. Happy Birthday, and thank you for all the recipes you have shared with us, and thanks from my family who have been the recipe guinea pigs and enjoyed them all.

  4. Happy Anniversary!
    Stumbled on your blog looking for a recipe having just moved to the north of the county with little experience of living in the country & growing veggies or keeping hens. Now I take a daily “peek” to give me inspiration for my little plot. Thank You so much for sharing your experiences

  5. Shereen

    Happy blogiversary to everyone at Cottage Smallholder. Thank-you for everything and keep up the good work.

  6. Toffeeapple

    Congratulations on writing for four whole years, well done! A big thank you to you both – for the blog and the forum – my life has been enriched by both. Big hugs to you!

    ps. It’s cold and wet today too, but I don’t think you planned it that way…

  7. X.X.
    You can share them with Danny,or have them both yourself!

  8. Sourajit

    Happy Anniversary! Cheers!

  9. Rae Mond

    No, Fn, Thank you, and D of course.

    Without your wonderful writing we wouldn’t have been drawn here.

    Checking in with the folk here is one of my favourite bits of each day.

  10. brightspark

    Fiona and Danny – what can I say, except that I’m happy to be sharing your boat!!

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