Blog Interview #11

Creativity isn't always defined by brushes and paints. In Karyn Hutchinson's world, it often takes shape through her candid photography, scrapping and living life to the fullest with her family and friends around her.

Thank you Karyn for joining us today, would you please tell us a little bit about yourself ...
I am wife of one, mother to 5, mother in law to 4, Gramma to 6 (soon to be 8). I spend more time than I should interacting with folks in the blogging world. I home schooled my children for 19 years - this is my first school year without school and I've been using it to catch up on caring for my home. I love to take photographs of the people around me (mostly candid photos) and the world around me; telling the stories of the photos through blogging.

Why did you decide to blog?
My daughter and her husband introduced me to blogging in 2006 when they left for a 5 month trip to my son in law's home in Zambia. My husband and I were impressed with how they could share their experiences and photos with all of us at the same time then the rest of the family could respond in the comments. Jim (hubby) put out a challenge to the rest of the family to create their own blogs. Everyone blogged fairly regularly for most of the first year but I am the only one who has continued on a regular basis; although my daughter and my niece have begun to post again and my hubby has always posted once every few months.

What is the name of your blog?
I actually have 3 blogs. My main blog is Musings From Me. I have [another] that I started for the "Project 365", a photo-a-day challenge that is so popular called Karyn's Project 365 ~ I know, not too original. And I maintain a weight loss blog called A Failure's Journey to Success.

The first two blogs have pretty obvious names, can you tell us about A Failure's Journey to Success?
After trying and failing to get control of my weight for my whole life, I was a failure in that department. In December 2007 I made a decision to quit being a failure and start down the road to being a success in this area of my life. Thus, the name - for which I have taken some flak for being too negative; I think it is a positive name, however.

What date did you start blogging?
Friday, June 30, 2006

What did you talk about on your first post?
I posted about my youngest son working for 4 hours pulling ox-eyed daisies from our fields.

Do you prefer to blog with words or pictures or both?
Both...some of my posts are centered around a photo, some are just words, some have a photo included to support the words

Have you met people through blogging?
The readers of Musings from Me blog are mostly family, although I have recently joined 2 challenges through which I am learning to know a few regulars. My Project 365 blog is quite new and as far as I know, only a few family members look at it (and Arlene, although she counts as family). I have met many people through my weight loss blog ~ too many to link to ~ some of the people I've met here have become folks that I truly care about. The subject matter requires some pretty personal postings, allowing relationships to develop quickly.

Describe a friendship you’ve established through blogging?
My friends in the weight loss community of bloggers have been a source of support on my journey as well as a source of inspiration. A few of these folks have become my 'friends' on Facebook, giving me a larger picture of who they are and of their lives. I don't want to single anyone out because they are all important to me. I know that I could write to these ladies about any happening in my life and I would receive caring, thoughtful responses. Many of them would also pray with faith for me.

Did you design your blog or did you have it professionally done?
My blogs are my own work although I utilize "The Cutest Blog on the Block" to add backgrounds that I like.

Have you ever been featured in Artful Blogging?
No ... I wouldn't call myself an "Art Blogger" although I love visiting Art blogs from time to time and I have enjoyed the magazine at least once. I also love to learn new ways of expressing myself artfully although somehow, art never seems to make it to the top of my list of things to do.

What does your "About Me" read on your blog?
I've learned to embrace change as an adventure - even when I do not want a change....

What do you like the most about your blog?
I enjoy posting for Friday's Favorite Five because it requires that I pay attention to the little things in my life that bless me. I also like to post a random photo, either from my computer archives or a scan of an old photo, and then write about whatever memories the photo brings to me. I love comments, too, although most of my readers on Musings From Me do not comment.

Do you ever blog when you don’t "feel like it" ?
The only time I blog when I don't feel like it is when it is time to post my weekly weigh in on my weight loss blog (I call it my fat blog, BTW)....otherwise, I always 'feel like it'. And just to clarify, there haven't been many weigh in days that I did not want to post about.

What adjectives or themes would best describe your blog?
My Musings From Me Blog is pretty varied, but mostly it is about my family, my 'adventures', and sometimes my thoughts on living a faith-filled life. Obviously, my fat blog is about learning to change my lifestyle to incorporate healthy eating and activity with an end to a healthier, smaller body.

Do you have any interesting future directions in mind for your blogs?
Not at this point.....I'm just trying to balance my 'blog worlds' with everyday life. Who knows what things could be in my future, however? I'm open to change.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
First, I'd like to thank you for interviewing me. I like this idea of featuring other's blogs on your blog - I've already enjoyed visiting the blogs of your previous interviewees. (Wow, how many times can I use the word "blog" in one answer?) I would love to have new visitors to any of my blogs and I enjoy getting to know folks through this medium. If someone leaves a comment, I make a point of visiting their blog and learning to know them - I love making new friends from all over the world. Also, I'd like to tell your readers (in case they don't already know) that you, Dawn Supina, are a person worth getting to know. I always have fun when you are around - it is a special gift that you have.....wish I could hang out with you more often. I am thankful that I can always see what you are up to through your blog(s).