Cape of Dreams 101

This post was written earlier and scheduled to post today. I am in Costa Rica and will not have regular access to the internet. Please, DO leave comments but understand that I will not be able to respond to them immediately. Also, feel free to extend your condolences to Douglas, Kahlua and Crème, who have been left behind to guard the fort while I am away.

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On Friday, I published my 100th post making this post 101. In honor of this historic milestone, I thought that I would go over some of the most popular topics from the first 100.

According to my WordPress summary page, the most viewed post is “Bedroom Transition to Fall.” It is surprising to me that changing my bedding and cleaning out my closets would be so popular, but there you have it. I just love seeing how little Crème is in these pictures.

“Homemade Coat Rack” was at or near the top of several categories. I made this for Douglas for Christmas 2010, and it now stands proudly in our living room. When Apartment Therapy asked what DIY projects people are most proud of, I mentioned this project, and it has since become the post that has received the most referrals. It is also the most that has received the most visitors from searches. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is  my second most-viewed post.

Another post that receives a great deal of referrals from search engines is “Salvador Dalí and Me.” I only hope that people are not disappointed when they are led to The Cape of Dreams while looking for Dalí’s masterpiece.

The post that garnered the most comments was no surprise to me what-so-ever. It is also the sixth most viewed post. I would have guessed that it would be even higher. Hardly a day goes by when there is not a search that leads someone to my “Wedding DIY- Personalized Hershey Kisses.”  They were a big hit at my wedding and continue to be popular to this day.

I also asked several people which posts stand out most in their memories.

My mother’s favorite post surprised me. Her vote was for “Window Washers We Are NOT” because it was the funniest in her opinion. That is definitely a day that Douglas and I would like to forget, but if it made for a good read, I guess it was worth it.

Douglas was of course partial to “How to Refinish a Man” since it was all about him. Almost every person I asked mentioned that post. Writing it was a labor of love, and I am pleased that it was so well received.

When pressed for another post he enjoyed Douglas picked “The Headless Bicycle Man,” a Halloween classic. I do not think that it was my writing that made him choose that one. We had a blast completing that project. Also, as a triathlete, Douglas gets excited anytime he hears the word “bicycle.”

My sister could not pick just one. She voted for all of the Halloween posts. Besides “The Headless Bicycle Man” there was “How to Make a No Sew Bat Curtain” and “DIY Halloween Zombie Costumes.” I love Halloween, so I think she picked well.

D’Arcy from Our Bungalow’s 2nd Century chose “My Big Dirty Secret” much to my embarrassment. I would like to forget how awful our basement looks, but we are working to improve it! She told me that she appreciated the honesty of that post, and that sentiment was shared by several people when I published it. Most of us have some part of our house that we do not love.

Another popular post with my readers was “How to Refinish a Dog,” Kahlua’s adoption story. I still get choked up when I read it and am glad that other people liked it as well. Our lives would not be the same without that little girl. It is scary to think how close we were to losing her.

As for my favorite post, it is difficult to chose just one. I think it is similar to having to chose between your children; you love them all, but there are some you like better than others. So many of the ones that other people picked are special for me as well. Of the posts not mentioned above, my favorite project was “No Whining Over These Crates.” It was a fairly simple project that receives copious compliments.

My favorite title for a post is “I Rent Therefore I Own.” I crack myself up sometimes, but seriously, being a landlady has taught me about myself and what I want for my life.

The best part of this blog has been meeting such fascinating people and reconnecting with others. I really appreciate my blog buddies and hope that we can hang out in person someday. It is also amazing to have a record of my time in the Cape of Dreams. I can hardly believe how much has changed in just a few short months. It is great to have a record, and I am pleased to have been able to entertain some of you along the way.

Happy Homemaking!