RESULTS OF THE STONEGABLE READER SURVEY

WINTER IN THE LIVING ROOM-flowers-white-pottery-stonegableblog-2

Do you remember way back last month when I asked all my StoneGable readers to take a survey and let me know how I’m doing… how you think StoneGable is REALLY doing? Remember I said by taking this survey you would help me tailor StoneGable better to suite your interests? My goal is to make StoneGable the first thing you want read in the morning, and go-to source for all things home and garden. I want StoneGable to inspire you and teach you and encourage you and help you make your home a lovely sanctuary for you and all you love! I feel like this post is sorta the STATE OF THE STONEGALBE UNION ADDRESS about how StoneGable is doing and to let you know I am listening to YOU.

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Well, I sure found out a whole lot from you and I thank you so so much! Here’s what YOU told me…

I found out that 67% of you read StoneGable daily! And 30.7% of you read StoneGable a few time a week. Wow! That’s a wopping 97.7% engaging with StoneGable each week. 

Thank you so so much! These numbers inspire me to keep working harder and smarter for you! 

Did you know that I post every day… and usually twice on Sundays? I do. That’s 8 times a week. You can read a new post daily!

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Let’s talk about the StoneGable newsletter…

56.5% of you read StoneGable’s newsletter daily. I love sending my daily newsletters to you! It is packed with lots of great, valuable and fun content.

I hope you are enjoying newsletter updates of the current posts and archived posts that are seasonally relevant. Did you notice that I try to include one decorating post, one recipe and one fun diy in every newsletter?  And have you noticed that I am now adding popular StoneGable Pinterest pins and facebook shout outs you might like?

I’ll be adding more “behind the scenes” at StoneGable too!

If you have not signed up you can sign up right now. Just fill in your email address below and click “subscribe”.  You will get a newsletter confirmation. Confirm your subscription and you are all set!  

Subscribe to StoneGable’s Newsletter

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More readers like decorating posts than all other posts combined.  I also found out that you like a variety of post. Diy’s, painted furniture, home tours, recipes and Sunday Scripture Lessons. 
I must admit I sorta knew that from the amount of comments I get on a decorating post. I’ll be posting with an emphasis on decorating because you asked for that, but since I post daily I’ll also add other posts too!
 
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Again an overwhelming majority (99%) said that StoneGable was easy to read and attractive, updated and has lots of pictures. Last year I made the font easier to read and the lettering darker. I hope that helped!

I’ll continue to find ways to make StoneGable blog attractive and inspiring! I will keep the layout the way it is because I think it is the most reader friendly.

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I wish more of you would leave comments. Over 50%  of readers don’t! I love to hear from you! Comments are an important way to interact and have a sense of community!  I love reading what you have to say… and so does everyone else. Just remember, be nice! If you don’t know how to leave a comment you can find out how to HERE.

The StoneGable sidebar get a workout. Almost 80% of StoneGable readers say that they click on the images to go to the post. That is awesome! I’ll do a better job changing them to bring the best of the StoneGable archives to you.

Over 70% of you have tried a recipe or a diy project. That’s wonderful! Most of your were very pleased with the outcome. For the few percent that found the outcome not satisfactory I am truly sorry! I’ll keep working on the directions to make them better. 

Only 31% said they would buy an e-book StoneGable cookbook. Heard you! No e-book Cookbook!

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My social media readers are around 30%. I’d love for you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram! And don’t forget bHome if you have a smart phone or ipad. bHome is a wonderful online community of all your favorite blogs! You can access all social media from there too!

Some of you commented that you don’t have Facebook or Instagram. But those of you who do, please follow me!  I bring my best game to those social media outlets too!

I love the conversations we have on Facebook. Keep on commenting!

StoneGable’s social media outlets grow daily. I’m trying to make your visit to any of my social media outlets inspiring and worthwhile!

Thanks to all my pinning friends! I love love love when you pin my posts to Pinterest. I just can’t thank you enough!!! Keep pinning! And a huge hug to my StoneGable readers who have a “StoneGable” Pinterest board! xo

You can follow me here… and I hope you do!

bHome (remember to click on my star!)

Facebook

Pinterest

Instagram

Twitter

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Here’s what else you told me…

Some StoneGable readers said it was hard to find archived posts. I know! They are a mess! Oh, goodness I’m sorry!  I’ll work on making it easier for you but it’s a very slow process. I’ll be starting to archive SPRING posts first. I want you to know that I’m hearing you and will make these changes. There is a “search” bar on my blog. It’s by the picture of me on the right sidebar.

Some of you said it was difficult to print out old recipes. Yes, you are right. For the last year I have used a printer friendly recipe plug-in on my blog. But before that it’s cut and paste! I can’t promise anything because it takes a lot of time, but I’ll try to work on those too. I have over 100 recipes so again it will be slow!

A few of you said that I post the same post over and over. Not so! I almost always have fresh new content for you. I do however use archived images if they go with a decorating post. There are only so many ways I can style my home. So I may reuse an image as an illustration, but my content is new!

A few readers asked that I make my print bigger. My print is standard and you can change how big it looks on your computer! Easy peasy solution!

Some of you would like me to bring back my weekly menus. I would like that too! But the numbers don’t support bringing them back. Sad!

Thousands of you said such wonderful and sweet things. I thank you so so much! I will continue to work hard and find interesting content and try to take beautiful pictures to engage, inspire and keep you creative!

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There’s one more issue I want to address.  A little more than some of you commented about the ads on StoneGable. I know that some of you don’t like the ads and they can be distracting. I get that. But ads are a part of blogging life. Without ads and sponsors I could not keep StoneGable alive!

Let me be very candid, It take a great deal of money to run StoneGable. Most readers don’t understand how much goes into publishing a blog, nor should they. Think of it like an iceberg. You only see 10% of all it takes to put together StoneGable.  It is VERY expensive to produce a good quality blog. I would never be able to put StoneGable together on my home budget. 

Thank goodness I have a few revenue sources that pay the bills. I am so grateful for companies that want to sponsor my blog and posts. With the help of my ad tech company I think I have come to a good balance of ads and content on my blog. I review ad balance from time to time and make adjustments as needed.

I hope this helps you understand why ads are an important part of blogging. And I thank all my readers who, in good faith, see an ad and click on it to make a purchase.

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Now here are some things you may not know…

  • I work every single day! 365 days of the year.  What a joy. I think I have the best job in the world!
  • I am very intentional in what I post. I just don’t throw a post together!  A post MUST do two or more of these four things: entertain, teach, inspire or give you something. I don’t post just to post!
  • I do lots of research and and try to stay current in home decor trends. This is so fun! I want to be an “authority” of sorts in homemaking for my readers.
  • StoneGable has over 900,000 pageview a month. I have grown by over 200,00 page views since last year. Thank you!
  • I don’t do “show and tell” post anymore. You know, “look what I got posts”. “Look at my new sofa”. “Look at this cool lamp”. Yes, I bring new things into StoneGable all the time to keep it fresh, but I like to present them in a way that we all learn something. A post featuring a new “whatever” is all about learning. Like “HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT ACCENT CHAIR” when a fabulous new chair came to live at StoneGable. Or “OLD WORLD VEGETABLE SOUP AND A GIVEAWAY” when a company had a gorgeous heirloom quality soup ladle they kindly gave away to a StoneGable reader.  Or the post “LUCITE LOVE… A CLEAR WINNER” when I was able to get a pretty lucite side table from World Market.
  • I answer all emails sent from readers!
  • I try to look at and “like” or reply on all facebook comments. Disclaimer: I’m taking care of my son right now. He’s recovering from a major surgery so I’m just hanging in there right now by the ends of my fingernails. So for now I am just doing the “basics”. For all those who have asked how he is doing…  Christopher is doing very well! His prognosis is excellent but it’s a very long road ahead! Keep praying… thank you!
  • I am a horrid speller and an even worse proof reader. But you know that already, don’t you? Thanks for reading StoneGable in spite of these terrible shortcomings… especially for a writer! I have gotten better over the years, but I’ll never win a spelling bee!
  • I look at StoneGable as a home/laboratory. Things are always changing and evolving to bring you new and updated content. It is so much FUN!
  • I’m working on creating better and more beautiful images for you.
  • I work with other bloggers behind the scene all the time! I have amazing, fabulous blogging friends. We support each other and love each other and talk on the phone and share new technologies and when we get together (in Atlanta once a year) we are like a crazy, hugging, loving, loud, fun, learning, partying sorority of nice girls. Oh, I love these girls!!!!!!! You probably know their blogs and love them too.
  • I love to help new bloggers! There are some very talented women out there!
  • Sometimes I work in my jammies until noon. I told you it was a great job!
  • I have a virtual assistant to help me with some social media. I just could not do everything anymore.
  • I have a friend that works as my assistant to keep things organized around my home. You can’t believe how many things get moved, changed and brought up and down from the basement… especially when seasons change or a holiday is coming up. My knee caps are still a little issue so I brought in some help. 
  • I’m working to make my basement look like a “store”. Rolling shelves in isles so I know where things are when I need them.
  • We are making over our main hall bathroom. our master bedroom and my study right now.
  • We do a lot of the makeover work ourselves and we are s-l-o-w! I’m amazed how patient we are to live in the middle of construction!
  • If you ask me to pray for you I do! Even if you don’t I pray for my readers.
  • I LOVE my pinners! Pinning StoneGable content on Pinterest really helps my blog! Thank you so so much!
  • I get offers from companies all the time to promote their products. I am VERY choosy about a sponsored post. I only choose those items that I love love love and would never promote a product that I didn’t think you would love too. I do love to bring things to you that make your life easier and better and your home more beautiful. I could never do this on my own. So I am thankful and really have great relationships with my sponsors!
  • You can ask a question in the comment section and I’ll personally answer it. Come back to see what I said.
  • WE ( you and I) ARE MORE ALIKE THAN YOU THINK!
  • StoneGable the blog is 6 years old.
  • StoneGable the home is 20 years old.
  • I have so much more to tell you but that’s enough for now!

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This STATE OF THE STONEGABLE UNION ADDRESS is long enough. StoneGable is looking forward to a great year and some fun and reader friendly changes. Nothing drastic… just tweaking! I’ll tell you about them soon!

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Let me end by telling you that YOU ARE THE VERY VERY BEST!!!!

I genuinely love and care about you and care about what you have to say. StoneGable has become a brand and a community and a bunch of wonderful friends that have never met! I believe this blog is God ordained and I am so so blessed by you!

Thank you for reading StoneGable, being active on StoneGable social media outlets, supporting my sponsors, being kind when you comment, sending me emails, being part of the bHome family, and being so so caring and supportive! I just can’t thank you enough!

I’m looking forward to what 2016 will bring! 

Love and blessing to all!

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129 Comments

  1. Just made that lemon bread the other day and it was fantastic……when ask about the recipe I told them I got it from a blog I read and I can trust anything she posts! No need to respond, just get your son well and I will be praying……

  2. Pat Groom says:

    Hello Yvonne,
    Your blog really inspires me, and brought to mind how much I love white ironstone, blue and white anything, peace, calm and things that bring serenity. And that your blog is. Keep up your wonderful work.
    Pattie

  3. Martha Whitten says:

    Thanks for the update. Looking forward to all that you will be sharing in 2016.
    Blessings,
    Martha

  4. Yvonne,
    Every morning I get up and check to see what fun idea your will post on your blog over the past few years! Looking forward to all your upcoming ideas. I will pray for your son Christopher.
    Kelly

  5. Joyce Mulloy says:

    I love reading your post and learn so much from it. I try to read it every day but sometimes that is not possible. Thank you for showing us all the nice ways to make our homes and life a little nicer

  6. Yvonne, I live in NE PA. So I’m not that far from you. In addition, I think you’re only slightly younger than I am. So I think of us as peers. Your blog is my favorite! I love, love, love your home and how you’ve styled it. I like that you are traditional and up to date, but not too trendy. I love the new trends, but can’t afford to waste time and money on something that won’t be around too long.

    Keep up the good work.

  7. Melissa Leach says:

    Thank you for the State of StoneGable Union address! Keep doing what you are doing. I am looking forward to your “behind the scenes posts 🙂

  8. Lisa Bates says:

    Such a great post, thank you for all you do…..looking forward to more great posts in 2016!!!

    Have a terrific day!

  9. Audrey Kickham says:

    Yvonne,

    I so enjoy your spirit and integrity. Your postings are heart-felt and positive, but you also tell it like it is. I found this survey results post so refreshing; not just a bunch of “sweet lip service.” I definitely have been inspired by your style and display. I will continue to view your posts every day. I have never posted here before, but you asked for those of us that haven’t to do so. So, here you have it. Thank you again, and I hope your son continues to recover. I will keep him in MY prayers, as well.

  10. Thank you for all your hard work, Yvonne. I love reading Stonegable daily — and cannot redo my whole house but you do inspire me in my colors! My husband has passed away recently and I am heartbroken, but you are keeping my spirits up with decor posts and spiritual posts. So while I am cleaning out and rearranging I think of you and your great ideas. Even now that I am eating again, I am thinking making some of those wonderful lemon bread posts!!!
    Sons are wonderful and a joy so my prayer for you and Christopher is to keep working for his rehab. I would be totally lost and devastated without my son – I know how loving they are! Thank you for everything again —

    1. God bless you Diane! I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that God comforts you. And I am in tears that StoneGable brings you even the littlest bit of sunshine in your day!

  11. Anne E. Schwartz says:

    I love your blog and was one of the fans who completed your survey. I honestly do read you every day that I can get to my cellphone or Kindle, which is pretty darned often! I truly appreciate your typographic comments in this post and understand the pressures involved with their timely publication, but as a retired professional proofreader, I do hope to caution you that sometimes a message’s meaning is changed or even lost along with that missing ‘s’ and encourage you to look at that sentence “one more time”! In the vernacular of my hippy days, Keep on Truckin’, and most of all, keep up your wonderful work! God bless.

    1. Oh my gosh! I ‘m surprised you can even stand reading it. So sorry!!! But so happy your are reading StoneGable in spite of all my typos and mistakes!

  12. Your blog has become an indulgent part of my daily routine- it’s like a small pick me up at some point in the day when I need a little inspiration. Not that decorating itself is an obsession, but it’s just nice to see something pretty or read something up-lifting. Thank you.
    Janet

    1. love Janet’s comment…”your blog has become an indulgent part of my daily routine” . I feel the same and look forward to the daily posts…always a bright spot and welcome diversion in my day. The temperature is about 0 here in NJ today and I am going to make your chicken noodle soup recipe for dinner…will let you know how it comes out….keeping your son (and you) in my prayers.

  13. Your blog is the first thing I read in the morning. We would be such good friends if in the same town. Being a decorator, I totally understand all that goes into doing a wonderful blog and trying to please everyone. I really enjoy how you change out your homefor the seasons. Also enjoy your Sunday sessions. You and your family is in my prayers. I thank you for bringing such joy everyday.

  14. You’re my favorite!
    Keep on blogging, please@

  15. I really enjoy your blog even though here in New Zealand it is high summer with long hot days of sun and not a hint of cold anywhere. So when you are decorating for wintering am thinking summer and vice versa but I store your ideas away . Blessings to you and your family.

  16. Jo from Az says:

    I’m always amazed at the criticism people give re blogging. It’s obvious the hard work you put into the blog. I did not know you post everyday I rely on bloglovin and I don’t see daily posts From now on I’ll check the blog daily. I love your style, I don’t mind the ads, not too many and tasteful. Same goes for the sponsored posts. I don’t comment much I’ll try to do better because I truly appreciate your blog. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day. I hope your son is doing well and knows how lucky he is to have a mom like you!

  17. I love reading your Newsletter Yvonne, I always feel so encouraged and inspired with good ideas and good recipes that are flop proof. I would like to bake the jam filled puff pastry hearts for Valentine’s Day on Sunday and I know they are going to be fabulous. My son was hinting for coissonts or puff pastry filled with apples like an Danish apple – there is always something for everybody to try. Be richly blessed always.

  18. Thank you for your postings. I enjoy all the different subjects you cover. Sunday is extra special. I feel I am visiting the Holy Land with you. Keeping your Christopher in prayer. May each day be a better day for him and all who love him.
    Smiles

  19. Yvonne – your blog and everything about it is wonderful. I look forward to reading each and every day. Thank you for enlightening us on what goes on behind the scenes. It’s all so interesting on how you get from there to here. In my book – your one of the best! Keep truckin’ girl!

  20. I read you every day and I appreciate all the hard work you do. You are a wonderful, talented and sweet woman.
    Thank you very much!

  21. Kathi Layfield says:

    Yvonne, you blog is awesome. It is such eye candy as well as informative, inspirational and friendly. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into your blog for all of us readers. I pray Christopher’s recovery is swift and complete.

  22. I love your blog because you have very much the same taste/style as I do! I use many of your wonderful ideas and follow you on FB and Pinterest. I particularly love your table settings, since that’s the one thing that can be changed monthly. (I’m a retired kindergarten teacher, so I’m used to changing bulletin boards every season or month! ?) I enjoy your blog and my Southern Living magazines very much!

  23. Tonya LeMone says:

    Just want you to know I wish you lived closer I KNOW we would be best friends not only in decorating but also in the garden! Thank you for all your hard work and that your posts are appropriate and that you do not rant! you are always positive and uplifting

  24. Hi Yvonne.

    Thank you for your dedication to your craft. I just love viewing all of your photos and learning from your easy DIY tutorials.
    I love the simpleness in your Farmhouse style home. You make everything sound so easy and “doable”. Keep on doing what you are doing! & Thank you! It always feels like we just shared a cup of tea/coffee between old friends. 🙂
    Regards,

    Carrie

  25. Lauren VanderVelde says:

    Thanks for your blog!! Love your decorating style! Keep up the good work!!

  26. Your blog is my very favorite Love your decor, etc. it’s amazing.

  27. Thanks for the update and all the hard work! We love you too!

  28. Your blog is like eye candy. It’s refreshing, delightful to read and kind. Thoughts and prayers for Christopher and you. Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing with us.

  29. Yvonne, I’m really sorry I didn’t get back to answering your survey. Your blog is my go to blog sometimes daily but always several times a week. It’s good to hear how your son is doing. That’s a long road for all of you and especially him. You mentioned ads and why you have them. Definitely understand. I find reading your posts on my old iPhone 5 is hard with the ads. That might be what causes some of the complaints. But that’s my fault for not getting a newer phone. It gives me more money to tweek my home with some of your ideas! I’m thankful I can read them on my iPad. I’ve been following you for 5 years, and it’s been time well spent. I still share your blog with family and friends. They laugh at me when I say, I saw this or that on that blog I love, Stonegable!!

  30. Yvonne,
    Amazing State of the Stone Gable Union Address!!!
    You, dear friend, are totally awesome!!!
    Yes! I’m still praying for Christopher! Thank you for the update!!!
    There is no better medication on Earth than that of a Mother’s love!!!
    I’ll be watching as your changes take place on Stone Gable!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat
    P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

    1. Pat, you are a darling blog friend! Thanks for your prayers for Christopher. That means so much to me!

  31. Thank you to your dedication to this blog. I check it everyday and am always inspired. I pick up decorating ideas from the pictures, I look at every little detail, and have found some great ideas that aren’t even mentioned in the post. I am especially grateful for your faith and your willingness to express your faith in such a beautiful way.

  32. You had a woven ceramic egg pictured in a few posts ago ….. I have looked everywhere for a similar egg. Please tell me where to look for an egg as you posted. Easter is right around the corner and I’d love to have one as a decoration.

    :o)

  33. I do not rush to read your post first every day…I save my favorites for last! Then I can go quickly through my list, checking to see if there is anything I am interested in. Only after clearing my email, do I open those special blogs . It’s called savoring…holding back to treat myself with anticipated pleasure, a very few blogs that usually delight me. I don’t care too much for a lot of recipes, I skip clothing posts, and I don’t read the scripture ones. Although I’m a believer, I don’t read blogs for that reason. My children are grown, so I have little interest in decorating kid’s rooms. I like that posts are titled, so I can decide quickly whether or not they contain something I am interested in. I don’t expect every blog a person writes to have relevance to my life; I just pass over those that don’t . I have ordered from advertisers on blogs and I understand that they help pay for your time and effort. I think your home is lovely and that you are more affluent than I, but that’s life and envy just makes you bitter. I’m interested in how people make their spaces a home, whether they are in a mansion, apartment, farmhouse or cottage. Thank you for sharing yours.

  34. What a lovely post and what a caring and giving person you are.

  35. Laurie Davis says:

    You’re so fabulous and such a neat person. Thank for your DAILY inspiring, down to earth posts. I feel like you are a girlfriend. I pray for you and your family (especially Chris) often and hope to have your blog to read for many years to come.

  36. I believe your Sunday posts are the best . . . I loved the stones . . . we are always standing on Holy Ground! A powerful thought to carry with me in my daily walk/talk! I also appreciate the recipes . . . however, I must say your decorating style is now how I decorate . . . but every once in awhile I see something that catches my eye, like the pillows you had from Society 6. Keep up the good work, and I will pray for your continued inspiration that guides you!

  37. Wendy Hall says:

    Yvonne,
    You are a means of grace in so many ways, but what I love most is your heart that shines through your giftings. Thank you for blessing us with your time & talents.

    You are a treasure!

  38. Judith Coulther says:

    I do love reading your posts…..you are such an inspiration! Looking forward to reading all your beautiful posts in 2016! Photography is exceptional, too!

  39. Gail Shafer says:

    Yvonne, Great post! I just joined you this year and look forward to your post every day! I am so sorry I have missed almost 6 years of post! How can I catch up?

  40. Carol Davis says:

    Honest to goodness, I do not see how you get everything done for the blog, decorate, cook, etc. I read the blog everyday and even though I rarely comment, please know just how much I appreciate all of it. P. S. The lemon cake is wonderful. Used lemon oil from Wm. Sonoma. it has a very rich taste.

    1. I’m so glad you are engaging with all of us! I also used “citrus” oil in one of my Lemon Cakes! YUM!

  41. Linda Tucker says:

    I didn’t participate in your survey because honestly I love it as it is. It would be like asking my friend to change part of her personality. Love all you do. Thankful God is your God. Will try to comment more-I still teach school, but when I retire you may hear from me more often. REALLY wish we could have a bite of lunch together and get to know each other more personally. Thanks for ALL you do for all your followers. You really are a treat to us. Praying for your sweet son and glad for his progress thus far.

  42. That sounds like you received a lot of good feedback. So glad your son is doing better. Will continue to pray for him and all of you.☺️ I so enjoy. Your blog just know if I don’t get to read in the am I will get it that day .
    Have a bless day!
    Hugs

  43. Congratulations on your success, Yvonne! I remember when you started. I didn’t realize your son had surgery again, prayers for his recovery.
    That was very interesting. I know blogging takes up a lot of time. I couldn’t justify it, so I am an occasional blogger. I cherish the friendships I’ve made, but I felt it was not good for my health and family life to devote so much time to blogging. I am happy you are enjoying it so much, and so many enjoy your efforts. As for me, I post once in awhile so I don’t lose touch with the wonderful ladies out there in bloogland.
    I will be back for the 8th Annual St. Patrick’s Day blog crawl. I couldn’t let that tradition die!
    Have a wonderful Valentine’s weekend!

    1. Yes, we have been together since the beginning! So happy you are still an occasional blogger!

  44. Yvonne-

    Love reading your blog. Always refreshing and thought provoking. I tried to explain to my husband one day about reading a blog and realized I was describing a relationship! You have opened your home and your heart and we are there to received. Thank you for what you do, a bright spot.

  45. Gloria Gates says:

    Yvonne, I must tell you how your Stone Gable Granola blesses my day each morning. I have long been a Granola lover and have experimented with many recipes over the years. When I tried yours a few months ago, I knew I didn’t need to keep trying other recipes!!! I look forward each morning to my Stone Gable Granola and coffee. I like it without milk so I put it in a glass and eat it “as is.” YUM! as you say. It’s the best time of day – I have a view of my beautiful back yard and I can start my day praising the Lord and also being thankful for people like you who share of themselves to make others’ lives more blessed. Thank you! Gloria Gates

    1. I’m so thrilled you love the StoneGable granola! Thanks for letting me know!

  46. Yvonne, your blog is the first one that i open every morning. I’ve only been following you for this past year but, wish that i had found you sooner so that i wouldn’t have missed so much. Thank you for always brightening my day.

  47. Yvonne,
    Thank you for posting quality photos, DYI, recipes, and commentary every day. You continue to inspire me with your ideas and how you present them. Ads are necessary to support the cost of publishing quality work, and I think you have improved the placement of ads over time. Look at any magazine for an example of how ads support magazine publishing costs.

    Keep up the outstanding work. It takes courage and a real desire to improve to ask readers for their opinions.

    Judith

  48. Thank you for your ‘State of the Union’ post. As a Canadian who always watches your President’s address’, I appreciate your report.

    As I was finishing reading your post, I remembered the time that you reassessed your commitment to your Blog. I recalled how ‘devastated we all were, and how I visited my ‘saved’ posts of your Weekly Menus for my Yvonne fix!

    Aside: I am sorry that is not a feature that you current readership is interested in…tried and true recipes from a ‘seasoned homemaker’. Your taste buds and mine are the same.

    And then…you announced that you had, after prayer and a great deal of thought, you were coming back. Such JOY!

    As I approach my 70th birthday, I am going through all my cupboards and beginning to downsize. An Urban girl, I do appreciate your Farmhouse style and do incorporate your ideas at our Lakehouse.

    Keep up the good work…

    PS: Please forgive errors…I am not sure that once I post the comment, I will be able to edit it!

  49. Yovone,
    I read a lot of blogs,and yours is my favorite. Your home is lovely and so inviting. We have “sized” down,but I still enjoy changing and bringing in new and fresh things into my home. I love your Sunday posts,it so refreshing to know there are people who know what really matters in this crazy world.
    Continued blessings
    There sure are a lot of Diane’s reading your blog. It was a popular name way back when!???

  50. Patty Moore says:

    Thank you for all your wonderful work!!!! I can tell you put a lot of effort into all aspects of this blog. I don’t notice misspellings or ads. Your content is what gets my attention. You have wonderful ideas and I pin a lot of them. I also appreciate your encouraging words and scripture on Sunday!!! Hope our paths cross soon — maybe when spring comes.

    Patty

  51. Lynn Wolf says:

    This was fun to read about some of the ins and outs of how you and Stonegable work.
    I’ll be thinking positive thoughts for your son Christopher and your family. Please keep us readers updated when you have time 🙂

  52. Eleanor, Virginia Beach says:

    Thanks for sharing. I love all that you give us on your blog. I learn so much. But, I really love hearing about your family too. It does make us become friends. Not sure my husband understands but he knows it makes me happy to check out “my decorating blogs”. I think you were the first I discovered and I checked into some others. Like you referred to in your message to us, I am choosey who I connect with as far as blogs. I love your Sunday devotion to us. When I come home from church I always check you out next. We can never have to much encouragement and to much of God’s word. Thank you for opening your home to all of us. I love, love your house.

  53. Marilyn Clark says:

    I LOVE your blog. It is so well done! The wonderful photos would keep me coming back even if you didn’t say a word,
    So glad you do share your talents with us. I love my home and love all things “home” I appreciate your work!

  54. Linda Gardepe says:

    Thank you so much for your update, it was really interesting and I learned a lot, especially about blogging! I truly love your site and I just want to say that you are a lovely and amazing woman. I wish we lived near each other and could be friends!

  55. bobbi duncan says:

    Yvonne, it is so evident how much you truly care about your readers and want your blog to be the most informative and fun that it can be. It is hard work finding new and interesting things to bring to your readers…I couldn’t do it…but I am most appreciative for all YOUR effort. Thank you! I am looking forward to all your blogs in 2016.

  56. Thanks for the update and your devotion to your fabulous blog. I have to say it is my favorite and I read it everyday.
    I always find something useful and wonderful. I’ve tried many of your recipes and find your instructions easy to follow and the result is delicious. Some have become family favorites! I both pin and print ideas.
    Prayers for Christopher.
    Blessings to you and yours.

  57. Love love your blog. Looking forward to you more great ideas. ☺

  58. I read your post everyday and really look forward to it! Your very informative and i love your pictures! Thank you for all i have learned reading your posts and most of all for your prayers. You are a blessing!

  59. Thanks so much for your daily posts. You inspire me to try new things around our home. I pin more from your blog than from all of the others combined.

  60. Lora Helton says:

    All I can say is…thank you! Thank you for all you do. I am encouraged and inspired by your gifts. Your gracious, loving way of communicating makes you feel like a great friend. 🙂 Your faith is evident as you use your gifts to bless others in so many ways. I always look forward to reading your newsletter!! You’re my favorite!

  61. Thanks for the update and, more importantly, for sharing your home, family, and faith with us. You invite us in to your world and make us welcome. Please just dont burn yourself out with your busy schedule! I do look forward to seeing a Stone gable post pop up in my email. Keeping your son, and family in prayers. Thanks again for including us in our life.

  62. Linda Smith says:

    All I can say is you are so amazing Yvonne! Love your blog and feel like you are a good friend!

  63. I don’t think I’ve ever commented here before but your blog is a must read for me. I especially love your how-to-decorate posts like how to choose sofa pillows and such.

    I don’t even have a blog and I need me one of those assistants to do the heavy lifting and moving. Often times I don’t do something because I am not strong enough to be lugging things up and down from the basement and attic.

    Personally, I like the show-and-tell posts as long they don’t come across as bragging, which yours haven’t. I like seeing what great new thing someone bought and from where.

  64. Yvonne, your blog is wonderful, with beautiful images, interesting posts and great style you have absolutely inspired me to ‘faff’ about in my home and it’s looking utterly gorgeous.

    Thank you and keep up the great work.

    Have a good weekend and blessings, a speedy recovery and good health to Christopher.

  65. Love your post. You do a great job. Love your decor & all the tips you offer. Thanks, Yvonne.

    Cindy

  66. Thank you for all your hard work on your lovely blog. Glad to hear your son is recuperating well, taking care of him is a priority that we all understand .

  67. Cheryl Thomas says:

    Hi I love your blog BUT it does not appear on my feed anymore. In fact several of my favs like dear Lilly and savvy southern style no longer appear either. I re apply to receive posts and the say I am still subscribed. What can I do

    1. I took it off the RRS feed. I don’t like the way my blog appears. You can get my blog newsletter in lieu of the feed.

  68. Debra Boyer says:

    Jusy sayin’………I LOVE YOUR BLOG. !!! Current content and BEAUTIFUL pictures.

  69. Such a nice post. I am just getting started and you are one I love to follow on Pinterest too. I am still trying to understand the Instagram thing. Lol. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you.
    SUMMER
    Country Charm and Decor.wordpress.com

    1. Hi Summer, Email me with your phone # and a couple good times to talk! We can get good ideas from each other! You are on the most marvelous journey!

  70. Hi Yvonne – I responded (VERY favorably!!) to your survey and read your blog every day. I am really amazed and impressed that you would take the time to type this in-depth State of the Union address!! This shows us readers what kind of caring and truthful and devoted person you are and, frankly, I’m really quite touched you would go to all this trouble. I really am!

    I used to work in Marketing for a large company and without ads, we would have no blogs, no magazines, no tv shows … nothing! I never mind ads, myself, as I like to learn of a new store or new product on the market even though, living in southern Ontario, Canada, we may not have some of your brands and products. Keep up the very good work, Yvonne, and I’m praying for your son’s health.

  71. Jeri Ann Thompson says:

    Yvonne,
    Thank you for sharing the results of the reader’s survey. For the record, I read every single post. I really don’t know how you do all that you do, but never doubt how much you are loved and appreciated by your readers. You really are like an old friend. That’s how warm and welcoming your blog is. I’m so glad I discovered it a little over a year ago. Keep up the good work! Happy Valentines Day! Continued prayers for your Christopher.

  72. Yvonne, I love your blog, home and YOU! Happy Valentine’s weekend!!

  73. Leslee Rau says:

    Dear sweet Yvonne, thank you for encouraging me to respond to your marvelous posts. I have been quietly in the shadows for so long now wondering what could I possibly comment on compared to your other readers lovely words. But I will try to be more supportive, especially after reading your State of Stone Gable Address. You are an amazing work machine! I am a passionate fan of yours . Thank you for coming into my life. P.S. Your Christopher is a lucky man to have a Mom like you to care for him.

    1. I am thrilled to hear from you Leslee! Thanks so much for your dear comments. I am a lucky mom to have a son as wonderful as Christopher! He’s my joy!

  74. Susan Nicholson says:

    Hello Yvonne, thank you for sharing your family life, home, recipes, crafts, and all the talented areas of your life! Every morning I have coffee with my sweet little dog near by and enjoy reading your blog, stirring so many ideas to fill my days. I stumbled upon a picture of your fabulous kitchen on Pinterest and followed it to your blog, have been a fan since, reading as often as I can. I also have a black and white kitchen with a love of Mackenzie Childs and white ironstone. Your home is lovely and inviting. Please keep doing what you do,

  75. Ellie LaJuett says:

    I always read your blog they are creative insitvile and often make me hungry. You are very talented and my favorite decorator. I just connect to your style.Best wish and continued success.

  76. I agree that God ordained your blog, and some other Christian women’s blogs that help us in HomeKeeping. I think that what sets you apart in blog land is the consistent quality of your content because it is a higher calling for you. I very much appreciate you using your gifts, skills, know how and talents to bless and encourage me each day.

  77. Yvonne, I subscribe to your newsletter and follow your blog everyday. I love everything about both and have made many of your Diy projects and have been so pleased with their outcome. I enjoy seeing your creativity and inspiration in your lovely home and gardens, that you graciously share with your readers. Sunday posts are extra special. I haven”t commented before. Thank you for the time, effort and caring you put into your posts. Your ” behind the scenes” posts will be fun to read. Thank you .

  78. Oh My Goodness, how I love love love your blog. The content is fabulous and the photography is beautiful. All is so inspiring! Also, I’m so impressed and blessed with your spiritual content. What a witness you are. Thank you so much for the time you spend. It is greatly appreciated.

  79. Wendy Howell says:

    I look forward to your posts each day! Glad to hear that your son is doing well, and I’m sure everyone understands that family is most important. Make sure to take some time for yourself as well. Looking forward to your Spring time posts!!

  80. My husband and I have been slowly redoing our house, and I do mean slowly because we are on a tight budget. Long story short, about 8 months ago I began surfing around online to get ideas on decorating. I stumbled upon Stonegable and have been hooked ever since. I look forward to all of your posts and ideas. You have inspired me in so many ways. Thank you for all the time and love you put into SG.

  81. Debbie gelpi says:

    My friend you are a superb angel to me. Your blog is of excellence and positivity. I enjoy you each and every day, especially on Sunday’s. I truly believe YOU are everything God created you to be and live your life accordingly. Blessings, Debbie gelpi

    1. Oh Debbie, it would be so wonderful if that were true! I’m saved by grace and a big work in progress! Thanks for you very kind words!

  82. Thank you for the update. I hope you will consider sharing with your readers just how you are organizing your basement, along with photos, and step by step instructions. I love seasonal decor of all kinds, and really struggle with organization. I bet I am not the only one who needs help in this department!

  83. Greetings to you Yvonne from South Africa… I am a new subscriber to your blog and so so love it! I love you ‘just the way you are’. Am so looking forward to future posts this year and will definitely go through your past blogs. All the best to you and will pray for your son that he recover speedily, God love and bless you all.

    1. Oh Mary! I love my South Africa readers!!!! Thanks for being a loyal friend! Hugs!

  84. Judy Lincicum says:

    Yes, I believe your blog is God ordained too, Yvonne. Because of my faith, I always gravitate towards women and their blogs that bring honor and glory to Him, and you do that so well. For this I want to thank you, because it encourages, inspires, and emphasizes these Godly qualities for women of faith. For those who are without, it is a wonderful testimony to what God can do in your life.
    I am the one who keeps bugging you for the tutorial on how to make a plate hanger for your aprons. Each time I come on to StoneGable, I am subconciously looking for anything that has to do with that beauty!
    I made your sugar cookies and shipped them to my brother in California this Christmas, and they were a big hit!
    I am one of your readers who always reads your blog faithfully each day, but hardly ever posts a comment. Sorry for that, and I will try harder to be a better reader and fan. Actually I excel in the fan department, just not the comment department. LOL Much love and blessings to you, Yvonne, Judy Lincicum

  85. I read your blog every day and make an attempt to catch up when out of town!!! You have one of the best blogs!!! It is the best source for ideas. I love your home decor choices, furniture placements, Christian connection, love for people, honesty and your willingness to share. You are my friend girl online (although we have never met). Many times your blog content provides a pick me up, new idea or inspiration for my own home. I pray for your son’s full recovery and blessings to you and your family❤️❤️❤️

  86. Yvonne, I have enjoyed reading your blog the past five years. I just read all one hundred plus comments given to you as testimonials to your great enthusiasm and endurance writing Stone Gable. Prayers for Christopher’s speedy recovery.

  87. Karen VanLoo says:

    Yvonne, I can’t even imagine the work that goes into running a daily blog like you do. You inspire me every single day! That alone is a great thing…to inspire so many of your readers with your beautiful home, decorating ideas and tips, recipes, and devotionals. You bring joy to so many lives! What a gift you have. I’ll continue to read daily, pray for your son Christopher, and be inspired by you. I wish you all of God’s blessings.

  88. Yvonne thank you so much for truly listening to your fans! You have a beautiful blog and I get so much inspiration from you when I’m redecorating or thinking of how I want to remodel my next project. Praying for Christopher’s recovery. Be well and look forward to your posts everyday! Happy Saturday! Lourdes

  89. Cindy Hjerleid says:

    I did the survey and was impressed you were so specific with the results. I’m also impressed the results are personal to you (that comes across clearly. Thank you. This is the first comment I have left, although I thoroughly enjoy your blog.
    Cindy H.

    1. Hi Cindy! I’m so happy you joined in! I hope to hear from you a lot more!

  90. I really do not care what you put on your blog!!!!! It is the best of all that I read, first that I read also. Everything you do is wonderful and helpful. I can not wait to read yours EVERY MORNING, YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT INSPIRATION. Thank you so much for all you do for us.

  91. Yvonne, I just love the way your upbeat personality comes through in everything you write! While I love your home decor content and all the visuals that go with it, I am most inspired by your gracious approach and presentation. I have read other survey results just this past week where the blogger was not quite so gracious and I have to tell you, your attitude is inspiring and infectious! It makes me delighted to see you succeed and grow and I can only hope to learn from it. I especially loved this: “Sometimes I work in my jammies until noon” because I do that all the time!! My blog is only a year and a half old but I have already learned a lot from you and my other favorite bloggers. I hope to be in Atlanta this year to meet everyone in person… 🙂 Keep up the great work and please know it’s not just your lovely decor that inspires people! (I am also awed by how prolific you are! Daily posting? Wow!!)

    All the best,
    Lory from Designthusiasm

  92. Janet Jordan says:

    I love opening your newsletters, seeing the beautiful images, and reading the well thought content. I find inspiration in one form or another from every post.
    Thank you for all your efforts which make yours one of my favorite blogs.

  93. Yvonne……I love your blog and read it every morning with my Earl Grey Tea! Your inspiration, your down to earth personality and your great posts!
    you inspire me……My prayers are with you and your son………always look up and someone will smile down on you……

    Lois

  94. Lanita Anderson says:

    Hi Yvonne – I loved that you posted the results of the survey, as well as the State of Stone Gable Address, and that you were so honest and candid! I love your blog and it’s these things, along with your great posts that keep me coming back. Blessings to you….

  95. Judy Sinclair says:

    You said you were trying to create better & more beautiful images for us, I just wanted to say that I love your blog, it is a visual treat I look forward to. Thanks for your efforts!

  96. Yvonne, you are doing a wonderful job of bringing beauty and down to earth warmth into our homes every day. Don’t change a thing!

  97. Pam Grineri says:

    Wos…thanks for all the information. Very interesting! Your love for your readers and the effort you put into your blog is obvious in every single post. Each one is a gift. Thanks so much.

  98. Hello Yvonne, I have never commented on a blog before and have just realised that it’s quite rude of me. I have been reading your blog for awhile now, not every day but when I get a chance I always go back and see what I have missed. I LOVE your style. My husband and I are empty nesters now and have been slowly renovating our Australian home we have lived in for the last 25years. We also do most of the work ourselves and I use your site for decor inspiration. Stone Gable seems to have a lovely homey feel that comes across on your blog and that is what I like my home to be too. My children and grandchild love coming ‘back home’ and that’s how I want it to stay forever. I already follow you on Pinterest but will also look for you on Instagram too (I’m not a Facebook kind of girl).
    Best wishes to you and your family from down under.

  99. I love that your faith and love for the Lord shines through your blog. I’m looking forward to reading your newsletter that I just now subscribed to.

  100. Dear Yvonne,

    I read many many blogs. You are so gracious, talented, and real. Your blog is the most professional looking one in blog land. You truly are sincere and I can tell you are a sweet and gentle lady.
    I recently suggested something different to do with an item another blogger had displayed and she came back with a hateful remark. I was only suggesting another idea in a nice way to use her find. I immediately thought of you and how differently I knew you would have responded. I no longer read her. You are a shinning example of class and sofistication! Keep up the great work and I pray for a speedy recovery for your son.

    Blessings

  101. Yvonne, I’ve only been reading your blog for a few months and don’t get to it every day. But when I do I am always rewarded with some wonderful eye candy and some information or ideas that I can use or just ponder. However, I had NO idea having a blog was SO much work! Thanks for sharing the experience of writing one. I’d been thinking that I might enjoy writing one myself and now, thanks to you, I’ve been educated in that area enough that I don’t think I could do it! I think that you so a great job and honestly, I don’t see that many typos or mis-spellings in your writing at all. I am an English major and I am usually very aware and quite critical of those things, but I don’t think you need to worry much about them. Also, I don’t mind the ads at all as they are always something interesting and not really intrusive to me. I can look at them or not, as I wish.

    Well, to conclude, I want to tell you that I think you are doing a great job, I enjoy your blog very much and appreciate the hard work that you put into it. And I appreciate who you are–a talented, compassionate and sweet soul who is concerned about doing her best for her readers. What more could we readers want?

    With that, I will close, sending prayers for healing for your son and hugs to you. Remember to take care of the care-taker, too.

  102. Thanks Yvonne for the update. I love your blog and have visited you for 5 years. You are truly gifted and an inspiration.

    Excited to see what 2016 brings, it’s been a challenge for me the last 3 years (My Mother’s dementia and death and health issues of my husband), so allot of things around the house and garden (3 acres of flowers and veggies) were not attended to as much as I would have liked. But, prayer kept me centered.

    But, things such be better this year (hubby is doing great now) I’m looking forward to remodeling my kitchen and dining room (house was built in 1937) and getting out in the yard to get my hands dirty. So, I’ll be visiting you for inspiration.

    God Bless you,

    Ann

  103. God bless you Yvonne; what an amazing woman you are. I just don’t see how you do it all. If I could I’d just reach out and hug your neck right now. Continue to take care of and love on your son. As a mom I know you need that but he does too.

  104. Vicki Lay says:

    Yvonne,
    Reading your Blog and enjoying my first cup of coffee have become a ritual each and every morning. I so love every aspect of your writings, home decor, recipes, and DIY projects. I so look forward to seeing all your tablescapes and vignettes. Your Sunday Inspirations are wonderful. The joy you share with your readers in every post is awe-inspiring.
    My husband and I love Lancaster, PA having visited Sight and Sound Theater each time a new Christian Bible Story is produced. Awesome!
    We will continue to pray for your son, Christipher’s, full recovery. God is good. Thank you for giving of yourself to all of us. Keep up the good work.
    Blessings,
    Vicki

  105. Cecilia from Georgia says:

    I was captivated by this older post-survey! I can’t even imagine how many long and strenuous hours go into a blog. Your blog is so well presented and it reflects your har work. Thanks for being in my in-box every day; you are an important part of my morning coffee and give me so much inspiration.