Wednesday 4 January 2017

2016 In Review

I have been blogging consistently for three years now. For the first two years, I more than surpassed my initial goal of one post per week writing 63 in 2014 and 76 in 2015. This past year, I decided to focus on activities involving more movement. I did not set goals preferring to do as little or as much as I wanted. My plan was to focus on fun.

In the end, I wrote 45 posts in 2016 which is amazing considering we spent four weeks 'tech-free' in Cuba. I also made a few minor changes meant to improve the look and feel of my blog. 

I added a TOTAL PAGEVIEWS counter. I like seeing this number increase as it's nice to know people really do visit to see what I write. Total page views in 2014 were 17,000, 2015 ended with 45,200 (28,200 in 2015) and 2016 reached 185,500 (140,300 in 2016). In tracking these stats, it is interesting to note views have increased significantly in the last year. This increase can be directly attributed to free patterns I created and shared in 2015. I have referenced free online patterns to crochet various things over the past five years, so am thrilled to give back in this way.

To make it easier to find previous posts, I added a separate page listing my "Previous 150 Posts" by title and date in reverse order. My BLOG ARCHIVE listing ALL previous posts was moved to the left sidebar with BLOGS I LOVE below that. POPULAR POSTS appear on the right sidebar displaying only a title and image. Since my free patterns are my most popular posts, pics of my crochet creations are featured. I also added pattern PDFs for all my free patterns making them easier to print.

I admit I was not looking forward to writing "2016 In Review". I knew it would take time and effort. I spent three evenings creating these monthly collages and another evening writing. I am so happy I finally did it. Although, it often feels like I do very little day-to-day, this blog and these photos remind me it was a year focused on fun like I planned. 

Check out this series of collages providing a visual overview of 2016 at meo my crochet. I hope it brightens your day.

January (winter bog walking, prepping for 4-week Cuba trip, more Boo bears, fox hats for our grandchildren, designing fox)

February (Reddy Fox pattern posted before leaving for Cuba for 4 weeks)

March (wrote about our 4-week stay in Marea del Portillo, Cuba including biking and hiking there)

April (teal dreams ripple blanket, little crochet mouse, stash-buster ripple blanket, April birthdays, moving day for our son)

May (our son's new place, 8-hour mountain bike relay race)

June (healthy sitting, flats, copycats complaint for boo bear and reddy fox, happy birthday wishes to our son)

July (Canada Day, son's birthday, my birthday, my mom's birthday, organized spices and stuff, cracked handlebar stem)

August (new dumbbells, more on flat shoes and nutritious movement)

September (hamstring attachment injury, cleaned patio cover, son's new puppy in training, husband's birthday)

October (2-week family visit, Thanksgiving, niece's wedding)

November (reading books, Dorchester Mill Pond, first snow fall)

December (Christmas decor, crochet dish cloths, holiday housewarming at our niece's, Christmas)

To read "In Review" posts from prior years, click on links below:

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8 comments:

  1. I tend to forget how much happens in one year! Good for you for documenting your year, Beth.

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  2. I love reading your posts, good job Beth.

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  3. I can't believe how much happened in a year. Looking forward to 2017 and all the adventures

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  4. I love your blogs they are well written thoughtful and inspiring..happy new year

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    1. Thank you Karine. Happy New Year to you too :)

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