A couple of questions for you guys
(edit: Ack! I just realized that this is the second day in a row that I published a post without a picture. So, here's a photo of my niece and my brother, just so we're spared from a picture-barren blog post.)
Ok, that's better.
You all know I like to pepper you with questions every now and then, and today is one of those times.
A link question
I have a question about links that I post on my blog. I often link to old posts, and every day I link to my 365 blog and to Joshua's as well.
What I'm wondering is this: Do you prefer links that open up in a new window or do you prefer for them to open up in the same window?
In case you're confused, here's an example.
If you click on this link: How to make homemade grape jelly, it'll open in a new window.
If you click on this link: How to make homemade grape jelly, it'll open in this window (you'll have to hit your back button to come back to this post)
I personally have always preferred if it links open in a new window, and so I've made pretty much all of my blog links do that. However, some blogging authorities say that that's a cardinal sin and that you should make links open in the same window, and that readers who want a new window can just hit shift when they click on the link (that makes the link open in a new window).
Since I'm not the one using the links in my posts, I want to make them user-friendly for you. So, what do you all prefer? Instead of having you all respond in the comments, I'm putting a little polling dealy-bob here so that I can get an accurate idea of what you all prefer.
_______________________________
Me in photos
I was reading an older post over at I Heart Faces about the importance of getting yourself into photos. I'm definitely guilty of hiding behind the camera, mostly because it's kind of a pain to get photos of myself and because I feel like I'm not that interesting as a subject.
But I also can see and agree with the idea that someday, my family might be happy if I showed up in more than a few photos per year, especially because I like to see pictures of my mom and my grandmothers when they were young.
I feel a little silly taking pictures of myself for no reason though, and while I was mulling over that, I came up with an idea that I wanted to run by you guys.
What if I did a month-long project where I take a picture of what I wear each day?
That way I wouldn't feel quite as silly taking and posting pictures of myself, and it might be sort of an on-topic thing to do since most of my clothes have been frugally obtained.
So, would you guys be interested in that? If you think it would be boring, I won't be at all offended!
If you are interested, do you think I should use those photos as my 365 photos for a month (which would mean that my 365 blog would be a wardrobe blog for a month), or should I just add them as an additional post here?
Speak now, or forever hold your peace! ๐
Today's 365 post: Look what hatched!
Joshua's 365 post: I spy more green!
I absolutely agree with getting your own pic up on your blog more often but I am also guilty of not showing up on mine - I do all the talking and the vast majority of the picture taking in our family so I only occasionally get caught in front of the lens! Instead of the clothes thing how about getting your kids to take a picture of you every day? I love the pictures that my two take of me (and of other adults) because we look at them differently than we look at other adults taking our picture. Also, we are more likely to play around and be silly with them and so show our real selves! So how about each day letting a different child (in rotation obviously!) take a picture of you at any time they want and let them choose the best one (if vanity allows!). You might be surprised at what they choose! I did this with my Alexander when he was about five and it was really interesting to see how he captured me - I saw myself quite differently after our experiment!
I second this idea! ๐
I love this idea as well! Kids have a completely different perspective, and it's always good to see things from a different perspective. ๐
I third the idea - maybe even a regular feature - not necessarily every day for a month - of your kids taking a picture of you! Might end up with a few pictures of only your knees, though!
Great idea, Laura (and Kristen, obviously!)
I'm also guilty of preferring to be behind the camera but nothing will change my mind about that being the better place for me, personally.
That said, I love seeing everyone else's family photos and that includes Mom so I'm all for it ๐
Letting the kids take the photos and decide is a way of making it more fun
i love this idea!
Love this idea!
And it is so important to get yourself in pictures. This may be a little too morbid, but my mother died at an early age (48) and I wish she and I had been in more pictures together. She was behind the camera alot and took great pics of me, but I want to see pics of her. I personally think it is about your own personal photo journal as well as your family's history.
I love this idea, too!
Another thought I had was to take a picture of yourself once throughout the day doing something fairly typical for that day - doing your menu plan, something homeschool-related, a pic of you looking at stuff in the grocery store on a shopping day, pulling weeds in the garden, washing dishes, etc.
Just a goal of getting one photo of yourself per day for a month should be enough of a purpose. I'm personally not that interested in what you wear each day, but it would be kind of cool to see photos of you going about your daily life!
I second this one! Seeing you go about your daily life each day for a month would be great!
I agree, I'd enjoy seeing your activities more than your clothes. It would seem more "natural" to catch you in those poses than just showing you standing there in your clothes.รขหยบ (And we would still see your clothes, anyway.) I'd like to see it as an additional picture in your daily blog, not devote your 365 to it. I would miss all of the different topics you share in 365!
Also, it doesn't make any difference at all to me where your links show up. I just take note of whether the back button is grayed out or not, to know whether to go back or to close the window to get back to your blog.
I take lots of photos of myself - vanity - lol!
I take part in "Frocking Fridays" on facebook, where lots of people wear a dress and post a pic each week. I have also heard of "What I wore on Wednesday" which has a nice alliterative ring to it. I think a photo every day might get a bit dull, but if you do it weekly you will see more variety due to changing seasons etc.
I was going to recommend "What I wore Wednesday" too. It's semi-regular, but it's not everyday. And it's a little incentive to have a day where you "craft" a "look." (I put these in quotes because I'll never be that type of person even though I admire them greatly.)
Yes, seeing you would be fun but do you really want to add the "Outfit of the Day" to this daily "To Do" list? I rather like Laura's suggestion above. My inital thought was rather than "Outfit du jour" how about a weekly Frugal Finds/Thrifty Threads or just a "Hi there, it's me!" from this past week.
PS - love the picture of DB and little missy! I'm getting old!! I remember him hauling snacks and mops around at VBS....
If it were me, I wouldn't HAVE 30 different outfits to show in the same season! That's how frugal I am!! รขหยบ
I like new windows....I like to read the post through completely, then go back to what you've linked. It's helpful when I get side tracked and step away from the computer. The link that I have left to read is still waiting for me when I come back.
I think the 30 days of your daily duds is a great idea. I'd rather see it here, on the main blog.
And there is my .02...:) Happy Wednesday Kristen!
Oh, please don't switch to links opening in the same window!! That is one of my biggest pet peeves. I frequently start clicking on links as I'm still reading the post, so it's really frustrating when it opens in the same window--especially because I often start clicking links in the post I clicked on.
I would be interested to see what you wear everyday. I would put it on the 365 blog.
That's exactly how I feel, but I just want to make sure all of you feel that way too! So far, the poll is leaning strongly towards having them open in a new window.
YES! NEW WINDOW! I want to read lots of your stuff and don't want to lose my place. ๐
Yes! Outfits--great idea, but no on the 365 blog...I like to see what you come up with each day.
I'm the same! I click on the link and continue to read - if I don't I forget to scroll up and then 2 hours later think 'Crud! I wanted to read that link!!". I have gotten in the habit of right clicking and opening it in another tab just to make sure it doesn't open in my current window.
Thank you so much for your daily sunshine blogs!
Personally, I like the option of opening a new TAB in the same window. That way, I can click over, but it won't be in a new window. I also feel that this is a compromise between the two options you offered.
I would like to see more picture of outfits you wear from second hand clothing stores!
Her posts always open in a new tab for me, not a new window (though tabs and windows are often conflated)...maybe it's the browsers we're using?
It's likely buried in your broswer settings, along the lines of "clicking on a hyperlink: ReplacesCurrentPage/OpensNewWindow/OpensNewTab."
I like the outfit idea, but don't think every day is necessary - a Thrifty Threads addition to the weekly blog list might be fun, include a couple different pictures from the week of you AND the kids. IE, take a picture with Sonia on a Tuesday and Zoe on a Friday and post BOTH the following week for TT. ๐
Love your blog, btw.
I voted using your poll thingy but I wanted to add here that I like that the ''You Might Also Like'' appears in the same window, and I like that the 365 posts appear in a new window. Any links that you include within the current post - I prefer that they appear in a new window as well. Sorry to be difficult!
I also like a previous commenter's suggestion of getting the kids to take the pictures. I don't think it would be boring for us readers at all! They can take real-life pics of you doing your day-to-day activities (say for example flipping burgers at the grill or playing the piano). Looking back ot our old pictures, I always like those kinds of pictures better because they are actual snapshots of our life history as a family. I think you should stick to your current mish-mash of 365 pics because its fun and interesting to see random things from the FG household. But instead of making a separate post everyday of your outfit, how about just tacking the pic on to the day's regular post?
I like that your links open in a new window, so I agree with the others to keep that ๐ And I love the idea of a wardrobe blog!
for the most part, i prefer links to open in new windows, but i usually make sure to open them that way anyway. not a huge deal to me. i DO love the idea of seeing your wardrobe (and learning how you've come across your finds, any crafty elements, etc.) as a new post on this blog.
Like Cate, I like to click on links then go back to read them. One of the problems with not opening a new window is that if you forget that it was a link and close out the window after you read the link, you can't go back to the original web site. Not a problem for me, since yours is one of the blogs that I actually remember the name, but for newer readers it might be a problem. And, I'd venture to guess I'm not the only one who's never heard of the "hit shift while you click on the link" thing.
As for outfits, and this is in NO WAY - not screaming, just emphasizing ๐ - a dig in any way, but I'm not really interested.
I'm very camera-shy but recently my husband and I decided we should try to take more pictures of ourselves so that we'll have a record of our younger selves for our future kids. If you think you'd like more photos of yourself for any reason, they should just be *your* reasons - don't knock yourself our doing it because it's what you think may be expected - although it is fun to see the star of the blog now and then! I also *love* the outfit idea, but agree that if every day is too tough to keep up with, maybe just do your favorite outfits. I always get inspiration from seeing what real, normal people love to wear.
I think it would be nice to see your face on the blog once in a while. It's nice to see others doing what they do with their day. Not a fan of "what am I wearing today" subjects on blogs. I usually skip over those days on blogs I read. I do enjoy the occasional clothes you show us that were a bargain or that you altered or made from something.
So show us playing with your kids, doing a piano lesson, or baking. Real life stuff that is effortless(!) and natural for you. It's always nice to see the real person behind the blog. Thanks for listening.
I dislike it VERY much when links open in the same window. Most of the time when I click a link it's in the middle of something I'm reading, and I want to finish what I'm reading before I go on to the next thing. I also like the idea of seeing your wardrobe - and maybe here where you've bought your clothes from - but I don't really have an opinion on where I'd prefer it. Most days I read both blogs so either is fine.
Its actually one of my biggest blog-reading pet peeves when links open in a *new* window. It makes me end up with way too many windows open. If people don't like when it opens in the same window, the shift trick is super easy, but there's no equivalent trick that I know of to get a window to open in the same window when it is set up to open in a different window.
The juxtaposition of your comment and the one before is cracking me up. Two very different opinions!
Your browser may allow you to open in a new tab. The exact sequence depends on your browser & preference settings, but I can confirm that it works even when the site's default is to open in a new window.
If you tell me what browser and version you're using, I may be able to tell you how to make this happen.
It does open in a new tab right now, but i'd much rather it stay in the same tab. Do you know of any way to do this? I like to use the "back" and "forward" buttons as a log of the sites I've recently visited so it drives me nuts when it opens a new tab because then its not logged on the back/forward list of sites once I close the window.
btw, I use firefox on a mac.
I could care less about whether a new page opens or not with links, although if I had to choose, I'd say new window.
And an outfit a day? Sure, sounds like fun!
Katy
Honestly, I middle click EVERY link so it opens in a new tab in Firefox so I'm probably not the best one to ask.
I vote for OTHER: I strongly prefer a new tab in the same window. I do this without thinking so you don't need to make any changes to accommodate my preferences.
I like the idea of having your kids take pix of you.
I am not interested in outfit of the day but your deciding to post them won't drive me away.
Yeah, I think my browser must be set that way, because when I click on a link on my blog, I just get a new tab.
I am also an OTHER. When I view blogs on my PC, I prefer a new window. But, if I view blogs on my Android, I cannot open another window...then I just have to wait until I am in front of a computer!
Can we have both options? ๐ (please don't hate me for that suggestion!)
Also, I think it is a fun idea to have the kiddos take photos of you in action! (I'm just not sure if I would want my kids to take pictures of ME!) ๐
I think you should definately get more photos of yourself. Not that interested in the clothing but it would be great to have shots of you cooking! You could incorporate them into you recipie pictures and the kids would have pictures of you doing something you love and they remember.
Also not sure which vote is which on the voting thing but I vote new window.
At work our rule is same window if it's linking to a page within the same site and new window if your linking out to another site. That's usually how I prefer to read, too. If it has to be either or I would definitely pick new window. It really bothers me when a link to another site opens in the same window, and I didn't even know you could hit shift to open up a new window.
I'd really enjoy a photo series on clothing - perhaps a 6-week long one, one week for each person in your family. And maybe once a week, so every Thursday is thrifty threads day or something. And you take the pictures, so the ones of you are in a mirror. But not on the 365 blog, please - that's for random birdy and niece pictures.
For Q1. My vote is straight down the middle, I prefer to have links open up in new tabs. As I believe no one is using IE3 anymore or Netscape, most of us use browsers that have the ability to use Tabs and that is much more convenient that having a ba-jillion windows open (which slows down the computer) and having to go back and forth in the same window a lot. But if it HAD to be one or the other, I choose same window, because then I can always hit the back button and right click the link to select [open in new tab]. With the new window open I have to go over, select the window, then move over to hit X to close it. (I still voted in the poll but had to add my comments anyhow!)
For Q2. We WOULD! like to see more of you. However you want to work it! I love to see pics of my mom and Grandmother, like you said, when they were young or before I Was around. Your kids (and potential grand-kids) will want the same of you!
Would it be easier to take the mentality, I'm taking a pic of myself to please future generations? That's what I have to do or I would only have pics of my dog to pass down to future children, lol.
I always view getting my picture taken as a painful experience to be avoided as much as possible but I would be willing to join the project if you needed the moral support (just for you).
I love new windows being opened as I can easily flip back and forth to the various subjects I'm interested in.
As always, thanks for the lovely blog.
I am totally interested in a Thrifty Threads (Tuesday or Thursday) to see what you and your family are wearing (and maybe where the clothes came from) but I would keep it on your main blog not on the 365. Maybe it could become a weekly topic? I also agree that the girls should be taking some pictures- they might find it fun using Mommy or Joshua's camera. And we could see the world through their eyes.
As far as the links go, here is my two cents. Links that go back to post on your own website and your 365 blog I prefer to open in the same window. However, links to outside sources, other blogs that you have included (although not that often) I prefer to open a new window.
I love the idea of frugal clothing for a month. I would put it in your 365 with just a short decription. If for some reason a particular outfit leads to a longer topic post I would include in your regular blog and spice up the 365 with another picture.
Thanks for the wonderful content and blog!!
I agree, seems that I'm always stuck behind our camera too!
I CTRL + click every link, so it doesn't much matter to me. I also have my browser set to open windows in a new tab. (Guess who hates having multiple windows open....)
And yes, more pictures of you! ๐
Ah...I didn't think there was a way for ME to make everyone's links open in new tabs (I just have the code option for same window or new window). People just have to set their browsers so that links open in new tabs instead of new windows. Good to know!
same here -- i right click *every* link i want to open, and the first option upon right clicking is "open link in a new tab." do what you want with this one, as it won't affect me either way.
what you're wearing daily...boring, really. sorry. ๐ when you're wearing an especially frugal outfit, please take a pic and post in a new topic called something like "frugal frocks." then tell us how you acquired such a cutie outfit on such little money. win, win.
I voted for new window in the poll.
As for clothes--I don't need to see them every day on either blog but I am interested in seeing them occasionally. Maybe a week's worth of outfits posted on one day?
And it seems like a fun idea to have the kids take pictures of you sometimes, just ot shake things up.
Poll - I LOVE links to open in SEPARATE WINDOWS. I hardly click on links, but right click on them and tell them to open in a separate window. I feel like, most of the time, I am not finished with the current page I am viewing and do not want to go somewhere else (top then have to come back and figure out where I was)....make any sense?
I think you could take a picture of yourself each day and then tell us what clothing you thrifted/cost (at least that is something i would enjoy). I could really use some motivation/inspiration to strive to be more thrifty when I go shopping (though I am not really shopping right now b/c I am not loving my after-baby body).
I prefer to have links open a new window, but a new tab would also work for me.
I agree with all those who think you should have your kids take pictures of you. Daily, weekly, whatever is easy for you. Frankly, I don't see how you get everything done that you do, now.
Totally love your blog!
I definitely love the way your links open in a new window. Although, like many people said, I naturally do it anyway, so if more people prefer it the other way it's not a big deal.
As for the pictures- I definitely love when bloggers put their own pictures. I think pictures make us feel more connected to you, and more apt to keep reading. However, I think (as some people mentioned) I'd rather see you with the kids, doing everyday activities, etc... than clothes. But, that's just a personal preference, and I wouldn't stop reading if you featured clothes! ๐ And, that's not a cut on you! ๐
first, i like links to open in a new window.
second, i would LOVE to see what you wore each day. in the past, i had been taking a picture of what i wore each day and joining the blog party at the pleated poppy on wednesdays. i think it's kind of fun!
third, i would like it on your main blog and not the 365--but either way is fine!
Seems like you have your answers but I was inspired enough to pop over to the blog from email so I might as well have my say!
Definitely new window although I do it myself automatically because I use "command" and the link so I don't automatically go to the new window yet it's open. This is a mac thing, don't know if PC has something similar. I like to finish my reading and then see what the references where. Less back and forth the better.
And my first thought was, "every day?", that seems like a lot. Why not weekly? Seems I'm not alone on that one too!
(I didn't take the time to read the 44 previous posts, so perhaps this is redundant.)
Thinking from the perspective of your kids once they're grown: Yes, it will be nice to have more photos of you from this stage in your family's life. But I think it might be nicer to have photos of you DOING something, and not just modeling your clothes. What if instead you took photos of you doing something frugal-y (which could include showing off your frugal outfits, but could also be you blogging, baking, wrapping a present, hanging out laundry...just every day life stuff). In 25 years, seeing your outfits won't bring back many memories, but oh the stories they'll start telling when looking at pictures of you living life!
Joshua already has his blog & photo project; would Lisey be interested in being your photographer? And, if every day for a month is too daunting, what about one photo per week, for a longer period of time? And they don't all have to be posted on your blog. Don't put any more pressure on yourself than is necessary!
Side note--we were hiking recently and I was taking tons of pictures of hubby & kids, but realized there were none of me, so I handed my camera to hubby for the remainder of the hike. ALL the photos he took were of me from the back. At least now I know that those jeans are too baggy and they're in the Goodwill pile now. Sigh.
I am cracking up at your comment about your hubby's use of the camera, Michelle. Why do they *do* things like that?
Maybe he likes the rear view?? ๐
Beat me to it.
Since, your blog is one of the highlights of my day, I would love to see more pictures of you and your family. I am very guilty of not posting any pictures of myself (and rarely my kids) on my own blog ( I am not very photogenic). After, reading other peoples blogs, I have realized that half the fun of reading them is getting to know them with pictures (put a name to the face, so to speak). I guess I must rectify this myself! Love your blog, as always, you are a total inspiration!!! ๐
I've thought about that too...I LOVE to see pictures of the people who write the blogs I read, but for some reason I feel so hesitant to post pictures of myself. It makes no sense.
Silly, isn't it? ๐
I'm not sure if I have a setting that is 'off' or if it is just something inside windows7 but...when I click on either one of the links it brings up a new window. To me it just doesn't matter.
Would love to see more pictures of you.
Do the month-long project, but on your 365 and keep blogging on here as usual.
My 2 cents.
Kristen, it would be great to see more photos of you and you should let Joshua take some at random. When you are older you will be pleased that you were in more pictures. There is something about your smile that is healing and joyful!!!
When I look at old pictures of my mom I always love to look at what she was wearing at the time. She had some amazing clothes and great style. So I don't necessarily think pictures of your daily outfits would be boring to your kids in the future. I like the idea one commenter had, which is to take daily pictures and then maybe put them together as a collage for one weekly post.
Not crazy about the pic of clothes a day, so if you do it, put it in your 365. BUT, another idea would be to do a weekly clothing round-up for a month. Take a family pic each day and then one day of the week, post the week's pics and share where/how you obtained the cheap clothing. That could go in your regular blog. I'd read one post a week about your wardrobe.
Awesome idea!~
Links in the same window please ! And I love seeing more posts from you, so any new posts will be nice ๐
HI, i like it when it's opens a new page, so i keep track on i was reading before.
And, yes that would be a good idea, to see you more often, and to know how you find your clothes in a frugal way. Love your blog, it's a real source of inspiration, and when things are going wrong , i just clic to the frugal girl for 5 or 10 mn, and i feel better. So don't stop, it's great!
I kinda had to laugh that the poll itself opened in the same window! ๐
60 comments is a lot to read through so I'm just going to put in my two cents with out seeing if others already made the same suggestions.
#1 I see I'm in the minority of prefering a link open on this page. I tend to get lost sometimes with multiple pages open because I kept clicking links.
#2 Do you have a tripod? If so you could take a timed shot of yourself baking or whatever.
#3 Help Joshua learn more about photography by having him take pictures of you doing what ever it is that your post topic is for the day.
#4 I'm not opposed at all to seeing you every day for a month. It would be thrifty threads every day of the week. But after a month you'd be back to no pictures of you. The idea I think is to have pictures that cover an expanded period of time.
my choice is new tab, not new window
but I almost always right click to open links in a new tab, rather than wait and see how they'll open in reality...
For all of those who don't like their picture taken, I have this quote for them: You are as young and as beautiful as you are ever going to be! Since I don't have any children yet, there are only pictures of me and my friends on my blog. But that is my life right now! I also like seeing pictures of my parents and grandparents so I hope that one day my children and grandchildren will feel the same!
I realize I did not answer your question. Yes, I would like to see more pictures of you in any way, but I especially like the idea of your kids taking the pictures. I have enjoyed the pics Joshua takes of you on his 365 project. And I answered the other question in the poll. ๐
Yes, new page on the link question...sometimes I click on links that I want to read after I'm done reading a post.
And wardrobe sounds fun...although I don't get to look at your 365 page every day so my vote is to put it in with the daily regular posts. That's just my opinion, though!
I like the link to open in another window or tab, whatever. I learned a couple of new tricks reading through the comments to make sure that happens! As for the pictures, I would love to see more but think daily may be too much. Weekly or even a special post of the 1st and 15th of the month or something like that would definately be fun! Thanks for a great blog and caring about your readers so much!
Great idea - I'm looking forward to it.
Kate
Joshua takes great pictures, from what I've seen on his 365 page. Maybe you could have it a project between you and him?
I always right click and open links in new tabs so that I can look at the link when I'm done with the post that I'm currently reading.
I also think it would be a great idea to encourage your children to take more pictures of you!
I'm at work and can't vote in the poll, so here's my non-poll two cents on two topics:
1. Open in same window, unless it's an external link. If it's to your own stuff, keep me in this window, please.
2. Definitely do the wardrobe posts. Definitely.
2. a) keep 365 for the things you like to photograph, and (more work for you) do them as a separate series here (more fun for us). YAY!
I mean, "please?"
Looking back through our pictures, there are so few of myself and my husband. Usually one of us is behind the camera and neither of us is that keen on photos of ourselves! it seems the dogs and the kids are much more interesting subjects! I dont mind if I dont see the blog owner in the photos more than once in a while, but it is good to be able to put a face to the typist!
I already voted...but I'm interested in seeing where you got the info that said people prefer same window? In school, we were told that it's better, in general, when designing websites to make links open in outside tabs/windows. You want folks to stay on your site as long as possible and be able to easily come back to it. If they click into a different site, their only option to getting back to you is back-browsing.... which is just a waste of time ๐ So YOU should want folks to open a new window/tab as much as we want you to anyway!
And for the photos... I'd like to see your kids taking photos of you doing things (because it'd be seeing you through their eyes which is just adorable). But I'd also like to see your clothes. Everything you've shown so far has been super cute (and super affordable...!) and would be inspiration for me to stop buying pieces that either deteriorate after one wash or cost me my first couple new borns.
Lots of pictures in general is good. Maybe swap things up? You have 4 kids, theres 7 days of the week... so three days of clothes, 4 days of kids/action shots? ๐
I say commit to posting a pic of yourself at least once a week for 2 months. I don't think it'd be fun for you to do one every day for a month, and I don't think it'd help your kids, since it'd be such a limited time frame. That's why I recommend you do it weekly. And since I don't think you really want to, I recommend you commit to do it that way for two months, and then hope that you start having fun and it sticks!
I think your polling has been skewed since you told your readers what you prefer.
Readers of a blog are very likely to side with the writer.
I know I'm in the minority but I really prefer links that open in the same window. I hate having all those extra windows open when I'm done reading something. It's not something I've ever discussed with anyone and I always assumed everyone else felt the same way. I rarely comment but I was so suprised by the responses I felt I had to chime in!
I like it fine the way this sight is. What a beautiful photo. Wow.
More photos of you doing everyday things (baking, teaching, etc.) would be great.
PLEASE dont have them open in the same window. Nobody (ME!!) knows the "shift" trick...I click on links as I read posts...so I can go check them out later. When you have them in the same window it messes me all up and I often lose the original window in the process! :o(