New Look for the Blog
Welcome to my blog’s new look. It is a work in progress, meaning you can’t judge too harshly for a least a month. (So says me.)
Why change things? Most blogs are built on a templates or platforms that make it easy for the blogger to share his or her two cents with the world in a timely and colorful manner; photos and videos are embedded, links featured, stories told. Protocols are usually standardized so switching to a new look can be as simple (in theory) as selecting different stationery when you write a letter. (Letters, you know, words written on paper and sent via the postal service.) I loved my old WordPress template circa 2008, but if it were a vehicle, the tires would have been bald, paint faded, engine pinging, electrical system shorting out, and chassis cracked (much like my truck). It was time for a new ride, one with greater dependability and better standard options that could get me a little farther down the road and in a more stylin’ fashion. (Ease on down, ease on down the road.)
So today I launch a new look, of which I ask you to weigh in on. Feel free to comment and suggestions are always appreciated. What would you like to see on the site? (Be gentle.)
I love the font choices. How daring of you to go with a serif font. I am looking at this via my iPhone screen and all your lovely pics are cut off. Otherwise, it is simple and straightforward – very clean.
Thanks Deborah, I’m a font forward. 😉 Since I have kiddie trac fone, I’ll have to check it out on yours and see what’s going on.
Ha! The two ads that showed up on this post are: Train Any Dog in 6 Days
Potty Train Any Dog in 6 Days. Plus Solutions To 19 Dog Problems!
http://www.TheDogTrainingSecret.com
AND snorgtees with a babe wearing a tshirt that says “meh.” I would give your new effort better than meh. Keep up the good work!
Looks really nice!!! And, I especially like that first pic of you and the two! How fun is that!!!!
Looks fantastic ! The pictures are wonderful ! Thanks again.
Love it. Great work.
It is not an easy task to change a website/Blog. It looks very nice! Very easy to read and user friendly.
Happy Halloween!
Congratulations on getting the new format together! I love the clean look, and the menu organization at the top. Having done this blog revamp thing once or twice myself, I now just how much work it is. Much more complicated than changing stationary! 😉
MUCH better! Easy to find things, nice on the eyes, the photographs (which are always wonderful) really stand out. I give it a “10”.
Sorry I’m going to be the lone negative voice. So far I’m not impressed, I liked how your old blog was set up. Given time I’m sure I will come to love this one. Of course, so long as you continue showing the lovely and beautiful bullies, Gracie and Boz, that will keep me coming back.
Hi Terrie, no worries, I appreciate your opinion. After I tweak some things and make a few changes, let me know what you think. thanks. TC
I love the soft grey tones. I would like to see a more colorful photo behind your Title band. I get the Puget Sound image but, for me it doesn’t represent the vibrancy of you, your writing and life here on Vashon. It’s just not enticing enough for me. Otherwise, I like the layout and the picture placements. well done!
Nice look. What are Boz and Gracie dressed as for Halloween?
Laura, Boz and Gracie are going as spoiled, doted-over bulldogs. 😉 Although their friend Tamara just drop off a bumblebee and pumpkin costume…hmmm
I’m a sans serif kind of girl myself. I’ll adjust to the new view in time, I guess. I’ve heard that change can be good! And now I don’t have to practice my math skills when I post a comment. I am NOT a spammer!
The top menu bar could be bolder font, but the remainder is great Tom. Keep up the amusing wit and parables? Hahaha!
Tom – the new look is great…love it! Love the hugs picture too! 🙂
Did you get a haircut?
Brion, why yes I did. Francisco’s Barber Shop to the rescue. Made me look respectable.
Brilliant as always…
Get’s my vote!!!!
Muy elegante. I look forward to seeing what you do with it. Cheers.
Tom – I like a lot about your new look; the background, photo borders, and banner header. Nice job! If I were to change anything, I would; use a bold weight for the titles (including Tall Clover Farm in the header) and maybe that same font (sans serif bold) for all captions. Also, because bad letterspacing makes me lose sleep, can you tighten up the spacing on the header and titles? Oh and one more thing; on the header, maybe move the subtext line down so it is all in the water area, it would be easier to read. Admittedly these are all picky things but you asked for picky, didn’t you?
Hello Tom
Good to see you back again- new haircut or not. You could write on toilet paper with charcoal and I’d still love it.
” Easy reading is damn hard writing.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne
and/or
“Writing itself is an act of faith, and nothing else.” EB White
Mr. Berend, Great tips, I may have to muddle through but I’m eager to try out your suggestions.
ok, I knew somethng was different
Brion, ah the eye of the architect, nothing gets by you my friend.
Tom! What a shock to come to the site today after a week of no power [I live in NJ… oh yes, electricity is something I sorely miss…] and see your blog with a whole new layout!
I only have one minor concern, but I find it very hard to read against a patterned background. I prefer having actual content over a white or solid color, and then having a background otherwise.
I am currently viewing your site on my work computer, where the resolution is only 1024×768 so the edges are being cut off. Not a huge deal, but it looks like you have a neato photo in the BG and I’m missing it!
Will have to wait till I get power back at home to view it…
[I just hope it’s a photo of the pups!]
Hi Donna, hope things are getting back to normal for you. Glad to hear you are well, and now warm. Thanks for the feedback, I’ll see if I can customize the background color and ask smarter friends of mine about the cut-off issue. Thanks for the feedback! Stay safe.
OoOoooOhh… as the replies keep going the BG get’s less and less opacity! spiffy! hehe.
Hi, Tom! I like it! Having just started a new blog after 576 posts on my previous one, I can understand the challenges! Sweet Journey Home is still a work in progress too. I’m now in the Midwest and enjoy seeing your photos of the beautiful Pacific NW as always.
LIKE the new layout very much. Not I don’t have to do math when I post to prove i’m not a spammer! HA!
Oh I know Chris, that drove me crazy too.
I don’t care how it looks – as long as it makes it easy for you to keep writing, I’m happy! Keep writing!!
I really love your new blog & lay-out!
2 lovely pics too! 🙂 You all look cute & happy! 😉
Tommy Tutu,
I’d like to see a warmer color for the background, which we already talked about. The little squares remind me of the small, pale blue girds on the layout for the school paper. I would lose the grid look too. I have to admit I liked your old heading with the photos of you and your farm at the top. It was kind of steady and happy reminder of the person and place where all these stories are cooked up. I think it’s impo. to have easy access to all of your past writings-especially since I’m archived in them! I can’t say I like the new look yet. Give me time.
Dear Tamara, tell me how you really feel. 😉 I think yours are all valid points and I shall look into each, and play around with some new headings, too. You do know heading pic is one I took from the ferry to Vashon. Pretty spectacular wouldn’t you agree?
Dear Tom- The blog is great- masculine/eco/chic.
I would like a larger picture behind the title – That view is great just too small. I would also love to see blogs more often!
Love the new look. Use your maple syrup dressing so often!! Think you might some day..find a bottle of the local delivered..just sayin’.
Hi Bren, um um um, maple syrup my favorite! I’ll keep my eyes open for a special delivery. 😉 Thanks for the kind words
I really love your new blog & lay-out!
2 lovely pics too! 🙂 You all look cute & happy! 😉
Just stumbled onto your blog today and haven’t been able to stop reading. You have such a wonderful way with words.
Thanks Liz, appreciate the kind words and your visit. Tom
I love the comment of 3 old dogs!!!
Training your dog can be the best time to have some bond with them. They don’t only learn from it, they also enjoy the time with you as their owner. They will feel that love that you have. And that would make them happy and look more adorable.