About a year ago(and it really was a year ago, as I just went to check the correct link for the post and it was Sept. 23,2008!), I was over at Holy Experience reading about how to make and keep a journal.

I have kept various journals since I was a teen.  Writing my thoughts comes easily to me, easier than saying them aloud.  At times, when I was young, I would write for hours, late into the night.

Back then I didn't have young ones who would expect my full attention first thing in the morning.  And sadly, as I got married and as more children came my journaling decreased.  I would write and then months would go by before I would write again.

When I saw Ann Voskamp's Homemaking Journal,
the idea really appeal to me.  The scrapbooker(something else that has fallen by the wayside!) in me loved the creative aspect to it and I love pretty pictures in magazines.  I also have a knack for expressing my thoughts.  When things happen during the day, I re-play them in my mind as if I was writing a story(that may sound strange, but I've always been that way, so I'm used to it!).

So, I bought the blank notebook, found some magazines at a thrift store and began to snip away.  I worked on it for a few days, getting the first few pages done.

And then life took over and it sat.  And it sat, eventually to be tucked away in a drawer.  Another really cool project that I didn't have time for.

Also about a year ago, I joined Twitter.  I could quickly type out the events and thoughts of my day, just as a means of expressing myself.  It was fun to share cute quotes from my toddlers or what we were having for dinner.

Then, about a month ago, while again reading more about journaling,
I had a 'light-bulb-moment' and I finally got it!

All of the things I was sharing on Twitter, I could put in my journal.  Here I was telling the world(my mere 30 followers or so) all about my day, when I could capture those snippets of life for my children, for my family.

Wonderful! I've keep journals since high school, but since I started blogging and twittering I don't write in them nearly as much. Mostly they contain my prayers and things I can't write about online.

But what if I kept it out like Ann suggested? On the kitchen counter for all of us to contribute to...A commonplace book chronicling snippets of our family life. I like that idea!

Let us know if you keep it up!

Peace to you,
Renae
http://lifenurturingeducation.com/

Wow, how beautiful! I have had a similar desire to write down things because I am afraid that my blog will get lost in cyber space for future generations. I love the idea of magazine pictures. I would love to be able to draw, but usually am not very happy with my efforts.
Jenn

Thank you for sharing...very inspiring and what a great idea! I now how life just takes over...and you have 6! Have a wonderful day!

I LOVE IT !!!! I am going to start one too ! You are sooooooo smart. ((hugs)) I sure wished I had this idea about almost 17 years ago. Well, each day is fresh and with new beginnings. I will start tomorrow. [0=

Miss you and tell me when a good time to ring ring is good.

Blessings and ((HUGS)) my friend and SSiC

That is so beautiful and encouraging. I just realized last night I need a new journal. I always get lined ones, truly because I'm so rigid and want things perfect (straight lines etc...). But the picture of your journal, no lines, little things written here and there with pictures seems fun. Could I break out of my box (my lines) and be that unscripted? Hmmm, maybe just maybe I can. Thanks for the encouragement. :)
JoAnn

I started a scrapbook journal after seeing what Jewels did on her lovely blog.

This year I'm writing down what worked and did not work in the garden. I've put all kinds of things in mine, even the menu and a few recipes from my son's homeschool graduation.

Aren't they wonderful?

I am inspired to get one of those lovely journals I always drool over at the bookshop but never buy because I know I could never keep one up. I want to leave it out for me to jot down those thoughts that pass during the day and invite my girls to add their thoughts too. They often tell me "Ooh mum, you should put that on facebook!" Now it will be much more personal and cherished too.
Thank you.

Thank-you all for your kind comments! Who knew that journaling would create quite a stir?!
Please stop by here again and let me know if you start one or post pictures if you already keep one. I love seeing how individual they are!
Blessings to you all!

Thanks for sharing this wonderful interpretation of beautiful Ann's idea. I love it!

(I came here from Ann's blog.)

Amy @ Hope Is the Word
http://hopeistheword.wordpress.com

You have inspired me to pull out my journals...we do indeed journal in a way on the blog and such but not in a permante way. Your journal is beautiful!

Beautiful journal. What a special thing.

Cathy

I LOVE your journal! I keep thinking I may just print out parts of my blog but I often miss so many things because there just isn't time to blog them. I could easily carry a journal around. I may have to give the journal idea some more thought!

I can't tell you how much I looooove this idea! I, too, have let the scrapbooking and regular journaling fall by the wayside. There are never enough hours in the day to do all I want to do.... But this is something I think I could handle, and it would accomplish the same purpose. Thanks for sharing!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS IDEA..THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS..LEENA