The 1st Annual (and by “Annual,” I mean “Only”) BooMama Blog Tour of Homes is going to be Friday, July 28th. And if you’re thinking HUH? WHA? NUH-UH!, let me explain.
About a week ago, in this post, I confessed that I find it impossible to read someone’s blog without picturing her house. And in the comments, Shannon and Carol were all, “Hey, why don’t you organize some sort of home tour and host it here?”
To which I said, “Um, okay!”
Because while I am incapable of an original thought, I am TOTALLY capable of following instructions. Plus, I’ve been trying to think of a way to help direct some “traffic” to some of the newer blogs I’m reading, and if we have enough people participate, this should definitely do that.
So here’s the plan.
First, you’ll have to get the word out on your blogs. Feel free to use the button at the top of this post; just load it as a small image because the resolution isn’t great (hey. I tried). And make sure you link to this specific post, or people will end up going straight to the main page and wondering what in the world a blog open house has to do with my latest lengthy post on “Project Runway.” Or potty training. Or how I love Jesus.
You just never know around here.
Second, participating bloggers will display five pictures (or more, if you want) of their homes on Friday, July 28th. I’ll set up one of those Mr. Linky dealies here so that everyone can be listed in one central location.
Third – and this is the most important part – this exercise (should we call it a “blogtacular”?) has two purposes: 1) to give people some insight into the “real world” of the bloggers they read and 2) to demonstrate grateful hearts for our homes – whether said home is 50 or 5,000 square feet. God gets all the glory regardless. Can I get an “Amen”?
So here are some guidelines:
1) I think it’s a good idea to refrain from large, sweeping shots of your house’s exterior. You never know who’s reading, and too many identifying features probably isn’t wise. Especially if your house numbers are involved. Since I don’t want anyone to be victimized by a Ring of Thieves, I think it would be neat if everyone’s first picture was a shot of their front door. And if there are numbers on your door, then you can either blur them in Photoshop or take your chances with the Ring of Thieves. :-)
2) Second photo = show us where you blog. Show us where the magic happens. The BLOGGY magic happens. My word.
3) Third photo = your main living area. Show us the place where your family hangs out.
4) Fourth photo = your kitchen. It is, after all, the heart of the home. And we’re not going to compare countertop upgrades or somesuch nonsense…just show us where you prepare meals for your family. Or where you unpack fast food bags for your family. Whichever the case may be.
5) Fifth photo = your choice. Could be a bedroom, or a playroom, or a favorite spot outside.
And you can post more pics if you like…but five seems like a good number because those things I listed are pretty standard. I for one could not post a picture of my butler’s pantry with a wet bar, because you could look high and low and never find those things in my house. :-)
So, it looks like you have about two weeks to get your house like you like it. But for what it’s worth, I can pretty much promise you that you’ll see toys in the floor in my pictures – because that’s how we live around here. A spotless house lasts about .483 seconds. In other words, don’t be afraid to show us the real deal.
I decided to make this a one-day “event” as opposed to something ongoing because there are so many rotating memes right now; I didn’t really want to start another one. And since Jules’ Everyday Things is on Fridays, you could tie that meme into this one and spotlight one of your favorite everyday items in your house.
Spread the word, y’all! And remember, this extraordinarily detailed information will give you something to post one day when you’re struggling with writer’s block. SERVING THE PEOPLE AS ALWAYS, I am.
And seriously: humble gratitude for what God has graciously provided…that’s what we’re after. And if there’s a neat story about how you found your home or how long you’ve been there or how God moved mountains so you could get there – by all means share.
As my mother-in-law would say, “This is going to be MORE! FUN!”
Let me know – in the comments or via email – if you have any questions. And if you’re interested in participating, let me know that in the comments, too – I’ll email you the button code to make it easier for you to use it.
I have been riding the fence on whether this was something I wanted to do or not and now as I look around a piles of laundry and toys all over the place I think why not! Please send me the button code. Just wondering, since I live in Japan I should still post my pictures on July 28?
Hi! I saw this on another blog and would love to participate … already have pictures ready to share. See you on the 28th!
Kris
I think I may do this. It’s my first time to your blog, although I do think I’ve seen your name around the ‘sphere. Send me the code, please, and I’ll try to figure out how to link it. Thanks for the idea.
Congratulations on a great idea!! I am about to leave on vacation so I won’t be participating but I will allow myself to “drop by” in august to see all those cozy homes, I am sure they are all inviting, just like bloggers are!
Cheers!
I have posted quite a few interior pics of my place already, I think this was a great idea you had, I will be visiting others that day not sure yet if I will take part though.
definitely interested … i found your blog through Sarah’s, “In the Midst of It” and have been hooked ever since. From one Southern gal (born and raised in East Tennessee) to another… YeeHaw – that’s a great idea!!!!
I’m in!
I love the idea. If I have everything put up in time, I will so do it! I just moved and all.
I’m in! Sounds like fun! Ole’lady sent me over!
I did a post like that last year, and not much (heh … actually NOTHING) has changed since then. Could I use that post? It has way more than 5 pics though.
This looks like much fun! I’ve put a post about it on my blog and am going to be frantically cleaning my desk for the next week. :)
I’m in, and I linked!
Id really like to do this! but I have no idea how to just use the photo provided, could i please have the code as well?
I’m in. This is a great idea.
This sounds like fun! I’ll be shining the place up for the tour.
How fun! Count me in. I’m very excited to show off The Dungeon (that’s what I call my house).
Ooooh me too me too! Love your blog, just found it via Everdaymommy! Hope it doesn’t take me five days to download all the pics, I have dial up. I Know, it’s a hard life out in the middle of nowhere!
I posted this to our Contest Blog http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DixonContestBlog (even though it’s not a contest) It does sound fun – and “contesty”.
HAHAHA
So, I copied your post and put it there… LMK if that’s NOT ok.
I see you have so many comments, and it looks like it is going to be fun… I wonder if I can get pics in a week. I think everyone is doing some kind of picture contest or something. Well, ok, 2 others.
Take care and have fun. Hope I can join ya’.
J
Sign me up! I am definitely interested and will do my best to get the word out.
This is a great idea!
First time here. But I’m in! :)
BooMama – I thought of you often when I was in Bham and, although I’m afraid, I wanna try this out. At least with so many participants not too many people will check out little ole me! I wanna see my house as a gift from God – not something we worked for!
Email to me (if you can) all this button/code talk is too hard for me :-)
Please send me the code too. I would love to participate!
Please send me the code as well…great idea!! gonter99atgmaildotcom
THANKS!!
Forgot to leave my email address ….
This sounds like so much fun! I would like to participate, please send me the code.
Thank you!
Kelli
I am so in! This is a great idea! :-)
Throw me a code! Im on board!
I’m in. Since I posted pictures of my kitchen remodel lately this is a natural. Send me the code. Thanks.
I’m in…but I might need some help linking to your site…new at this!
Thanks!
Wow, 129 so far? My goodness, people must like to show where they live.
OK, put me down for it too.
So I love the idea, but mt house looks like a bomb went off in it.
But I advertized for ya’ll.
Good luck, I’ll be sure to come browse!
If my camera part comes. Count me in. Send me the code.
Love the word bloggy. Don’t think I’m brave enough to do the photos. We’re moving. And things are insane.
Holy Smokes you have a lot of people signed up :) Well, add me on too please… link me up honey!
sounds like fun! I have several blogs but will put my virtual tour on vox.com because it’s the easiest place to post multiple images.
This sounds like fun – I usually just lurk, but I’m in as well. If it’s not too late?
Count me in! I’ll spread the word as well. I’ll admit I kinda don’t get the instructions about how our links will upload but I’ll come back here on the 28th and hopefully it will all make sense.
Thanks!!
Lucky Candice
I’ll play! THANKS!
Sounds fun. I’ll play too! Thanks…
Boo! I found you through HDW and Fyrchk. Me and the condo (all 600 glorious square feet) are in.
-Claire
This is such an awesome idea! I really want to do it, and I will definitely link you…is that ok?
I am so participating in this!!!!!
Sounds like fun. I’ll be joining y’all.
I could do this, maybe. I invite people over to my house to make them feel better about their own housecleaning and interior decorating abilities. As in, “at least my house doesn’t look like hers!”
Did I say I’m in??? I am. I have all the photo’s ready for friday!
Can you send me the link code when you get it? email is: Mysteriouslady01@comcast.net
I just found this today… please email me the code. :)
I’m in for the 2 or 3 people who would want to see my house. ;-)
I am planning to play along as well! With all that is going on, I’m not sure if you will be able to send the link. Please do if you can – if not, I’ll play anyway!
Still praying for all of you!
I’m in! Send me the code!
Could you send me the code? Thanks!
Hope I’m not too late – please send me the code! And there’ll be no special cleaning up around here, especially my blogging space.
I’m in! Can’t wait. (Gotta clean off my desk, though!) :-)
~TaunaLen
I’m new to the blogging world, but I’d sure like to see; I’d like to have the super dummy’s version of how-to’s….I’m a friend of shabbymama’s, so you’ll know. I’ll have to come back and see ya and your home tour! Great idea.
Hi–I found you via Geekwif’s blog and I’m grinning, thinking about this fun idea! I’d love to participate (keeping my fingers crossed that I can figure out how to do this!)
Ok wait…. that means I have to have the placed cleaned up by FRIDAY!
btw, I think this is cool!
Well this sounds fun… I already have a link to my full house tour, can I just use that??
lovely idea.
I would like to participate! This sounds fun. Please add my blog to the list and I will post pictures of my home tonight. Thank you!
I’ll do it too! I think I tried to link the icon over before, but I’m cyber challenged. Any help you can send is appreciated. Thanks BooMama.
i jsut successfully ‘trackbacked’ for the FIRST TIME EVER! I always screw it up. YEA!
Me too! I want in! :) Can you send the code on over to me if you get a chance? hereandnowblog at yahoo dot com
I would love to be part of this and am cleaning my house as we speak!!!
Very cool idea….please send me the code…..thanks
I had to put mine up a few hours early here. I’m still working on the post. I’m going to link back to you here and do Mr. Linkie!
Hope I’m not too late to join in. Hope I can find my camera cord to download my pix!
I’m in–last second, but I just finished,and am about to post it. I linked to this page, but let me know if there is a main page i should link to where tour participants will be listed or something. Did that make sense? I need to go to bed… This is fun, thanks!
BooMama, I just posted my tour post -my office. It was fun. Good luck with all the others too. THANKS!
Judy
Count me in! I am up and running! :)
count me in!
I just came here through Val’s blog. It sounds like fun and I’m gonna give this a go – just give me a few minutes (hours!!) to get it all up and sorted.
Well, I did it. I had to post it in two parts because Blogger was being a bit nasty, but it’s there. Enjoy.
great idea! i haven’t done this in a couple years. mine are up!
Ack! I missed the part about requesting the button code! COUNT ME IN!! I took the pictures and am now waiting on the code…. :o)
THANKS!!
What a fun idea!!
Blessings! ~Beckie
I’ve put my Tour up! Click “homepage” to visit :) Thanks for the fun idea!
I might be late??? But I would like to partake is this fun adventure. Please send me button/info. ~ThanX~ Great idea.
I have entered my Tour of Homes Blog.
Thanks for such a wonderful idea.
Tricia
Mine are up. Please add my link. Thanks!
I’m in! http://thespacebetweenmypeers.blogspot.com/2006/07/tour-of-homes-aka-in-which-i-embarrass.html
Is it too late to do the pictures? I would love to still join
I just finished my post. You can link it here.
http://www.xanga.com/TaunaLen/513361158/item.html
Thanks a bunch, and I can’t wait to read all the great entries!
~TaunaLen
Up, up and away. Come Check Me out!
Up and away here too… I couldn’t get the trackback to work, so bummed.
Come look!!
http://notanotherlovesong.blogspot.com
Sorry I couldn’t participate. I sold my house last year. We live in an apartment right now. You know, I am thankful for it – really I am… It is still a little hard going from 2500 sf to 800. :) I blubbered about it quite a bit last year. Don’t know how my bloggie audience put up with all that crying and snott and stuff. But that’s besides the point. I did have a point… really…
My point is… this was really a cool project! And I’m glad you did it because I got to see some neat homes and I found your really cool blog. I’m adding you to my blogroll. Yep, that’s right – my PERSONAL blogroll. You are so special.
See you around the blogosphere! Maybe next year I can have a house to photograph!
I have a home tour website if anyone would like to stop by and say hello!