Holy cats, have we really been blogging for six years?!
It feels like Blogiversary 5 just happened, and that it was mere months ago that it was 2007 and we were posting tiny pictures and writing a few sentences each night about whatever was going on under our roof. All of the years of this adventure have been exciting, but the last 12 months in particular have brought things we never could’ve expected when we started this site: a book that somehow landed on the best-seller list, a lighting collection that we designed right here in Richmond with a local company, a short film on Oprah (what?!), and probably the most exciting thing of all to us… a new house in a neighborhood that we’ve dreamed about living in for longer than we’ve even been blogging.
For our sixth blogiversary, we wanted to start things off with a twenty piece orchestra to serenade you while you eat your Toaster Strudel and scroll through this post, but the logistics were a little tricky. So we decided to go for the next best thing: a week of blogiversary fanfare and behind the scenes banter (just like we’ve done for the past few years here, here, here, and here). And the festivities start right now. Here are a few of the things that we have on tap for this week:
- a day in the life post full of pictures & details about an average day for us (just keep scrolling for this one!)
- an awesome giveaway that just happens to involve plane tickets
- a mathy medley of pie charts and blog stats about how we spend our time, where our money comes from (and where it goes), along with a few pretty intense facts & figures (some of which even surprised us)
- a Q&A video full of answers to tons of personal questions that you guys submitted via Facebook
- a behind-the-scenes post about our recent Oprah stint (there’s a pretty funny story about how that day started out…) along with a clip for you guys
- a post about a side gig that didn’t work out (you win some, ya lose some, so we thought sharing something that didn’t work would be a fun pulling-back-the-curtain moment)
- a chance for you guys to tell us about yourselves, which John can’t wait to spin into an infographic-tastic recap for everyone
So on with the show! Some of our favorite blogiversary posts to look back on are our “Day In The Life” rundowns, since it’s fun to look back at what times were like in previous years – especially to see how our surroundings and our family has changed (click there to read the ones from 2012, 2011, 2010, & 2009).
But documenting yourself all day can make an already long day that much longer (ex: setting up the tripod to capture laundry folding), so this year we instituted an iPhone pic-only policy so that our day would be less filled with camera set-ups and more, well, like a real day in our lives. So forgive the crummy quality of some of the pics. That’s real life, yo.
6:15AM: John’s up. Today he goes for a run around the neighborhood, but some days it’s the gym (and some days it’s just staying in bed). Once back, there’s even a little bit of time to respond to a few emails before us girls wake-up.
7:45AM: Clara’s awake and she and John start the day slow with some playing in her room (they made a Lego dragon). I’m out of the shower and getting dressed, and Burger gets out of bed, but only for a second for a potty break. Then it’s back up to bed for him.
8:30AM: Everyone’s downstairs. Breakfast is eaten in various places, including Clara’s morning cup of yogurt while she takes in some Jake and the Neverland Pirates after some magnet-doll playing with me. I get a jump on reading, approving, and answering comments that collected overnight while John squeezes in a shower & a shave.
9:00AM: Running a bit behind schedule for school, I get Clara dressed quickly while John tosses her snack into her school bag. John and Clara are off just in time for the 15-20 minute drive to preschool (depending on lights). I hang back to proofread and double-check that morning’s post before it needs to go up at ten – making sure links work, all the images are in, and doing some last minute tweaks.
9:45AM: Clara’s dropped off at preschool so John runs a couple of errands on the way home, namely stopping at the grocery store to replenish the fridge. I steal a few minutes to respond to emails before hitting publish on the post at 10.
10:30AM: John’s home from the grocery store and I’m busy doing comments on the morning post. Once the food is put away, John takes advantage of the quiet house to focus on some computer work: backing up photos, responding to emails, and starting to select and size pictures for a post later in the week. I take some last minute photos for an upcoming post since the sun finally decided to come out and then I do some emailing about the showhouse before starting on a post for the next day.
NOON: Time to pick-up Clara at school. Since we’ve got a meeting right afterwards, we both head out. Once Clara’s picked up at 12:30, we swing by Jason’s Deli to grab a quick lunch before of our 1:30 meeting.
1:00PM: Back in the car to make the 30 minute drive to our appointment, which is photographing the Massey Street of Dreams for the quadruple House Crashing post we shared last week. This is already starting to feel like one of those days where we live in the car.
2:15PM: John’s photographing the homes while I gather info from our guide, Justin. I also steal away to publish the afternoon post from my phone at one point. Justin’s 10-year-old daughter was there so Clara spent most of the time playing with her new friend, although they eventually both ended up resting since we were close to Clara’s nap time, and Justin’s daughter was under the weather (hence not being in school and tagging along with us).
3:00PM: We leave the Street of Dreams to make the 40 minute drive home. I use the car ride to catch up on the comments that built up while we were touring. Clara reads a book in the backseat and John checks in with her periodically to make sure she hasn’t fallen asleep. Can’t lose a real nap at home by letting her drift off for ten minutes in the car!
3:45PM: We’re home and Clara is down for a nap. This is usually prime project doing-time, but I have a phone interview in a few minutes related to the Super Soul Sunday clip, and a showhouse call with the builder and his team afterwards. John gets changed into work clothes so he can caulk the sunroom’s trim & nail holes while I juggle two phone calls, a few emails, and attempt to finish the post I started earlier that day.
5:30PM: Clara’s up from her nap, so I go up there to grab her and we play in her room for a little while.
6:00PM: Family walk time! We don’t get one of these every night, but this weather is too gorgeous to skip one today. We talk about Clara’s school day, the upcoming posts we’re both writing, and what projects we each hope to get done the next day.
6:45PM: Home from our walk and time for dinner. Tonight’s a family favorite – chicken squares (update: here’s the recipe). Clara puts her mixing skills to work with me while I check in on comments again and finally finish the post I’ve been working on sporadically throughout the day. The thing about sharing 7 posts in a 5 day period is that we’re always working on finishing some that are already written, writing new ones, and answering questions for the ones that are already up.
7:30PM: Dinner is ready so we sit down to eat together. Clara gets her tomatoes and veggies down with minimal encouragement and even eats half of a chicken square. I clean up after dinner while John tackles a few emails that have built up throughout the day. Then Clara and I snuggle on the couch for a few minutes, finishing up the episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates that she started before school.
8:15PM: Bedtime for Clara. She votes for a different mix of helpers each night, but tonight it’s Mommy on teeth brushing and PJ changing duty while Daddy is in charge of reading the story.
8:30PM: With Clara tucked in bed, it’s time to squeeze in a few more hours of productivity before we stow our laptops for the night. John finishes the post he prepped pictures for earlier in the day while I catch up on any questions that came up on Facebook or Instagram during the day along with sending some book outline stuff to our publisher (yes, we’re officially working on Book Two! Ahh!). Eventually the TV gets turned on and we’re sort of half watching as we finish up some last minute emails, comments, and miscellaneous computer work. We can’t believe other than John’s sunroom caulking, we haven’t done much DIY at all, which means tomorrow will probably be a project-heavy evening (after Clara’s all tucked into bed) to make up for it.
10:00PM: To resist the urge to keep working, we clean up and turn the lights off downstairs, put our computers away, and head up to watch TV in bed. Our current routine is trying to catch up on old Scandal episodes on Netflix (John’s 70% into it and I’m about 120% into it thanks to his sister getting me addicted).
11:30PM: John has already fallen asleep a couple of times mid-Olivia-Pope tirade, so the TV goes off once that episode is over. With teeth brushed and contacts out, John has a second wind and reads a few pages of a book while I decompress with some Pinterest browsing on my cell phone along with some late-night texting with Katie Bower and Roo. Burger finally comes under the covers to snuggle between us, and the lights are out by midnight.
mitchypoo says
Congrats on your short film on OWN! It was so great to see you, I said, hey I know them! Well I know you from enjoying your blog daily and commenting and you even taking time to answer a few comments. Anyway…it was great and Happy 6 yr. Blogiversary!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Mitchypoo!
xo
s
Charity says
One of my favorite posts in a long time! (And I now know 10am is YHL time as much as I still remember 4pm is Oprah.) love you guys.
And I’m glad I’m not the only sleep crazy woman – no premature naps in car!
Patti says
Happy Blogiversary YHLovers!! Love you guys so much! Totally off topic, I got an issue of this month’s Garden & Gun magazine (in the mail by accident) and was so surprised to see you guys in a 3 page spread about visiting Virginia Beach! It was so well done!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Patti! It was so crazy when VA tourism asked to profile us for their “real Virginians” campaign. We had so much fun!
xo
s
GreenInOC says
I love Blogiversary posts!
You guys work so hard, it’s inspiring!
Scandal – love it!
Theresa M. says
At 7:44am, John looks like he could use a cup of coffee. Reading through the comments (I read most of them, is that weird?) I had to skip the Dexter section. We don’t get Showtime and have to wait for Netflix to have it. It seems so wrong to be entertained by a serial killer. I needed a nap after I read the post. Happy Blogiversary!!
Beth says
Yeah, Scandal is pretty much my cocaine.
Maria M. says
Sherry, are you still gluten-free?
YoungHouseLove says
I’m low gluten but no longer gluten free. I worked it really “gently” back into my diet after about a year without it. Just wanted to see if I could still enjoy bread and pasta! Turns out I can if I don’t overdo it.
xo
s
Tassi says
I am exhausted reading this. Instead of chicken squares we call ours chicken pillows. My kids love them. Congrats on six years.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! I love the pillows moniker!
xo
s
John @ Our Home from Scratch says
Congrats guys!! Six years is crazy! Here’s to six more! (pretend I’m raising a beer glass in your honor. And the imaginary beer is delicious.)
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
Yay for book #2!! I have your first book on my coffee table. :) This was a neat look into your daily lives, thanks for sharing. I always kind of figured it went something like that but really had no idea you guys were so go-go-go every second of the day-your energy and productivity are amazing! You make a great team and seem to live a balanced life and it’s obvious that at the same time you are great parents to Clara too.
Like many other readers, I had recorded Super Soul Sunday as we normally do and then perked up even more when I saw Oprah’s preview and you guys were being featured on it! How cool is that?!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Karla! It was such a crazy moment to hear Oprah say our names. Ahh!
xo
s
Megan says
We got hooked on scandal and burned through all the seasons. Cannot wait for the new season to start.
Erin C says
Happy Blogiversary! Is it too stalker-ish that I’ve been looking forward to Blogiversary week since the beginning of September?
I’m hoping the subject of the next book will be about blogging or something along those lines. Can’t wait to pre-order the next book!
Oh, a question, do you just use the WordPress app on your phone to moderate the comments or do you have another app since your site is so big?
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, just the wordpress app. Usually works well and if it’s being glitchy we’ll just log in through Safari and do it manually that way.
xo
s
Chelsea says
Happy Blogiversary guys! I have read your blog off and on for years, but this past year its been an every day read (well, I miss some sometimes but always catch up!) I have found quite a few other blogs out there, but no one seems to be as personable as you. Thank you for what you do, keeping us all entertained and informed in a relatable way.
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
I totally forgot to wish you a Happy 6th Blogiversary! I also wanted to say that I think it’s amazing how responsive you guys are with readers’ comments/questions! You have tons of readers and I don’t know how you keep up with it all! I have nowhere near the readership on my blog/FB but I have adopted the same type of communication. I think the connection with readers is so important. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Karla! I love chatting with you guys and John’s favorite job ever was working at the Info desk at college (he loves answering questions). Haha! Maybe it’s coded into our being!
xo
s
Devon says
Hi you two!
A question about backing up photos etc- where do you save them? To an online server? Or a physical hard drive? I’ve been eyeing one at Costco that saves photos etc from anything that transmits over wifi, and since most of my photos are on my phone that seems so practical. Would love details on this non-DIY part of your life!
Devon
YoungHouseLove says
We have so many photos that we use a combination of paying to host a lot of them on amazon.cloud, also using free sites like flickr (and youtube.com for videos) of the more personal stuff, and we also have an external hard drive.
xo
s
Margarita says
Congrats on book #2! I love these ‘day in the life’ posts, I find them so interesting!
Victoria says
Happy Blogiversary! I wish you all the best and many more years of teaching us and connecting to us with your kindness, wisdom, and common sense.
I so respect you and I am not surprised at how popular you are – your intelligence and humanity shine through every post you write. (and your lovely sense of humor).
I love that Clara has both her parents around. My Dad was a dentist and his office was only 2 houses away so I saw him a lot every day especially as he came home for lunch along with his office manager, my Aunt Ruth. As as child it was so wonderful to have Mommy, Daddy, and Aunt Ruth around almost every day. I cherish that time and I know Clara will too.
I have implemented many of your budget tips (I am terrible at budgets) and several of your design tips and diy’s.
Thank you so much for sharing yourselves with us. We love you.
YoungHouseLove says
I love the story of your dad and Aunt Ruth! Sounds like a perfect setup to see the family!
xo
s
Rebecca Ford says
I love Scandal! My husband rolls his eyes when I tell him what I’m watching though, so atleast John will kinda watch with you. ;) It’s almost as good as Grey’s Anatomy!
Newlyweds on a Budget says
This was great! And I love the IPhone photos, definitely makes it look more real.
I am obsessed with Scandal too! So good. Do you guys ever think of scheduling your posts to publish? Then you don’t have to do it by your phone, and you don’t have to worry about missing it.
YoungHouseLove says
We used to consider that but now since we get so many questions when we publish it helps to be “on” to answer them right away since that seems to cut down on the repeat ones (if we’re not there to answer them right away we might get a dozen of the same ones, but if we’re there with the info people seem to appreciate that and then we don’t get too many duplicates that way).
xo
s
Rachel says
Thanks for sharing your life with us for the past 6 years! We appreciate you every day. Xoxoxo!
YoungHouseLove says
We appreciate you right back!! Couldn’t do this without you guys!
xo
s
Stephanie, Sandpaper & Glue says
happy blogiversary! you guys are actually the first DIY blog I started reading… before I knew what DIY blogs were and right when we put in offer in on our very first house and I was desperate for help. It’s opened me up to this whole group of awesome DIYers all in the same boat as me :)
kim says
I’m so sad for you and the amount of time you spend on comments!! No one will be mad at you if you just auto approve and answer questions at the end of the day!!!! And schedule your posts!!! You’re life will instantly be better!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the suggestions Kim! We’ve experimented with both of those suggestions and when we publish posts without being there to answer the questions as soon as they come up or auto approve comments and then wait til the end of the day to try to catch up with them, we get way more duplicate questions than if we address them right away. So this method actually saves me gobs of time!
xo
s
Diana says
Wow! That makes me realize I could probably get more done in a day! You guys just continue to inspire, in more ways than just home decor!
Katie says
Random question and in no way related to this post so I apologize for that. We are at the stage of starting to baby-proof our house. I am a long time reader and never remember a post on this, I even checked Baby Center but only found one on outlet covers. Did you guys babyproof kitchen cabinets, door handles, etc? Any tips on accomplishing a safe home not completely covered in baby proof gadgets would be greatly appreciated!
YoungHouseLove says
We actually never did! We anchored furniture and leaning mirrors to the walls, but our kitchen cabinets had kid-safe stuff in the bottom ones that she could reach (no knives or dangerous cleaning products or anything) so we just made one cabinet “her cabinet” with fake pots and pans and wooden spoons in it and redirected her to that one when she went into ours and that worked!
xo
s
Julianne says
Your success couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple! Having been a blog follower for a couple of years now, it comes as no surprise to anyone that you have become an ‘ultra-power couple’ due to your hard work, focus & dedication to your craft. :0) I must add that your day does sound exhausting though…lol. Kuddos on your 6th year of being so inspirational & sharing your DIY adventures with all of us!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Julianne! You’re always so sweet!
xo
s
Karen Q. says
Yay congratulations on 6 years! Happy blogiversary! That’s amazing! What a fun post- holy busy days (and I thought we were crazy busy!) Don’t know how you rock it everyday! I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone when I say how much we adore and appreciate you! I totally watched your segment on Super Soul Sunday yesterday and it was too sweet- loved it! When I heard Oprah say your name I about jumped out of my seat geeked out! So exciting and amazing- couldn’t have happened to a better family! And congrats on Book 2- can’t wait to hear more and have it in my hands someday!!! :) Cheers to 6 and many, many more!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Karen! We couldn’t believe when she said our name. Perfect pronunciation and everything! Haha!
xo
s
Francisca says
I loved the photo of you and Clara watching TV together on the couch. Such a special moment, and so very loving!
Rian says
Sherry, where is your black sweater from?
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! Banana Outlet!
xo
s
Avone says
I can’t believe Clara is ready for bed three hours after waking from a nap. I have great sleepers, but that is crazy!
Michelle says
Congrats on your blogiversary! I’m tired just reading about your day. I really must be tired because the whole time I thought I read Super Bowl Sunday instead of Super Soul and was thinking you were really tired when you wrote the post. Sorry I missed it. I’ll have to see if it will be one again soon. I just have to say I love your blog and again congrats.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo
s
Erin @ E So Sweet says
Congratulations! I love these posts. Is Burger getting up earlier in the mornings these days?
YoungHouseLove says
On days that Clara goes to school he seems to get up earlier just because he hears people going in and out and the garage door going up, but on other mornings he still sleeps until at least noon. That dog has the life!
xo
s
Ellen says
I have to say, my favorite photo is the 12:35 in the car shot. It’s so “exactly how I picture you guys running around town”, that I just love it! Seems like a pretty sweet, albeit busy, life. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Lindsey says
Happy Blogiversary!! I love these weeks. I think some of your best posts have came from them :)
And what’s that I hear about a second book?!? LOVE IT!
Thank you for all that you do!
Robin says
We eat chicken squares all the time! And, you are the only other person that I’ve heard call them chicken squares, most people have some other crazy name for them. So delicious!
Noelle @ noelle mullins design says
Thanks for sharing your day! It’s so fun reading how a non-traditional job day goes :)
Dominique says
Based on your recommendation, I’m making those chicken sqaures for dinner tonight! I love finding great recipes for simple, weekday dinners. Kudos on six years of blogging!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re going to love them! Addicting I tell you!
xo
s
Chasity says
Wow, I’m tempted to never comment on your blog again. Definitely not because I don’t want to, but because I got tired just reading about your day and imagining you trying to stay on top of all the comments you guys get plus write new posts! I really loved this post :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Chasity! We love hearing from you, I promise!
xo
s
Anna, Sydney says
And THIS is how we find out book two is already in the works?!?! That I think would’ve been a post all by itself?! I was going to fire away questions about what it’ll be about but can see in the comments you’ve already replied to that and that we’ll just have to wait, boo.
Well you just let us know when we can pre-purchase, ok! Good heavens how exciting. Maybe a competition about the concept before reveal? Competition for kudos only of course since several readers could be correct.
Happy blogiversary, and thanks for sharing your journey.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet! That would be fun! A guessing game with YHL bonus points for the winners. Haha!
xo
s
Kristin says
Congrats on six years, YHL! You guys are the best!!
karen says
what did you think of the Dexter finale? I just deleted everything i wrote because i thought what if they haven’t seen it yet!
YoungHouseLove says
I was cool with it (sort of expected a few things) and thought the scene with Quinn & Batista watching that tape back was awesome/hilarious. The scene of him getting Deb out (don’t want to give too many details for those who haven’t seen it) was crazy unrealistic since there were so many people around when he rolled her out, but otherwise I was pretty into it. John is still not sure about it.
xo
s
Alyssa says
Loooove the day in the life posts :) can’t wait for the rest of the week’s posts!!!
Completely off-topic, but I just had to tell Sherry – I got 2 of the Tazo Chai’s for a total of $2.75 this weekend (each one is regularly $3.49 at target here). They were on sale (not sure if they still are) and I used 2 coupons. Won’t let me copy and paste but I got them off coupons.com. Just had to share with a fellow Tazo girl :)
YoungHouseLove says
Sweet! Thanks for the tip Alyssa!
xo
s
Brandy says
What’s crazy to me is that I’ve been reading your blog for FOUR years!!! There’s no other website (well, besides Pinterest….;) that’s ever held my attention to this degree. I’m so proud of u! I remember Blogiversary 2 and here u are, working on BOOK 2! So cool.
You guys inspire me. You’re an example of how believing in yourself, loving what you do, and GOING for it can & will pay off. I just started my own lil store on Teachers Pay Teachers (it’s an Etsy-like site for teaching resources) after 2 years of hem-hawwin’ around about it! I finally bit the bullet & put some things out there. I know that if I stay true to myself, instead of trying to emulate anyone else, I’ll succeed. Thanks for reminding me of that:)) Congrats on six crazy awesome years!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks so much Brandy! You’re so sweet! All the best with TPT! Sounds really cool!
xo
s
M says
Happy blog anniversary.. I missed the short on OWN but watched it on good old YouTube. I got teary eyed for you.. It’s awesome to know how far you’ve come. Looking forward to this weeks posts. I discovered you three years ago don’t remember where but it was a link for DIY weddings. What got me hooked was your desire to live with less. I still remember the comment drama about “art”… This person mentioned that what you say is art is not he/she was very nasty about it. Keep on doing what makes you happy in your home.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks M! That was Bob! He loved to debate the definition of art! Oh those were the days.
xo
s
Erin says
Congrats YHL from our family to yours :) After blogging for just a week now I can see how much work, but also how rewarding it is! Keep up the good work!
http://www.4halls4walls.wordpress.com
Isabel says
Happy “Petersixth” to the blog! (*facepalm* …I am so sorry).
Congrats on the Super Soul Sunday feature! It was such a sweet video. Also, super excited to hear about the next book when you’re ready to tell us!
I didn’t realize how long I’ve been following your blog until I realized I remembered your previous “Day in the Life” posts as they were posted. Thanks for sharing your house+life journeys with us for so long. I think I might’ve said it before, but your blog really is such a happy place on the internet that I love visiting. So congrats again! I can’t wait to see where you guys take YHL in the next year :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Isabel!
xo
s
Laura says
One–your schedule makes me tired. :) But I’m glad y’all are hard workers so your readers can devour a post every day!
Two–I started watching Scandal this past April. In about one month’s time, I had finished all seasons and was up to date. I was slightly obsessed. Still am…I’M READY FOR THE PREMIER FOR THE LOVE!
Gnome Lover says
I loved this post! Congratulations! I felt immediate, “Doh!” When I saw your split bedtime duties. Immediate regret. Why didn’t we think of that? Our kids are much older now, so it is too late to implement, but I hope other young parents take note. It is a great tip. And I bet it means things actually get done!
Congratulations on six years!
Jenni
M says
Back to the chicken squares… Did John follow the recipe exactly, I hate how food photos never look like the outcome.. Darn food stylist. I would love to try this one.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, he follows it exactly. So good!
xo
s
Megan Poletti says
I loved this post! Does that make me stalkerish? Thanks for sharing a peak into your lives… It makes me want to work from home full-time! (I’m only working partly at home these days.)
YoungHouseLove says
Not stalkerish at all, just sweet!
xo
s
Libby says
WOW 6 years, congratulations guys! You have achieved so much in such a short time. I love reading your day in the life posts, its so interesting to see how you manage your blog, Clara and everything else in between.