It’s taken a little longer than I expected, but the “new and improved” From the Desk of Janet Barclay is finally here!
With a quick glance, you’ll probably only notice the clean new design (based on my favourite Builder theme), but there’s more here than meets the eye.
1. My original blog was created on a platform that didn’t have an export option, so that old content was just sitting out there in cyberspace getting dusty. I discovered quite by chance that the site was being phased out, and as a service to their users, they made it possible to create a backup which could be imported into WordPress. As a result, this blog now goes back to the very first post I wrote, in November 2006. I was surprised to see that I wrote some pretty good stuff, even back then!
The two blogs had different categories, so I had to consolidate them – you’ll see an updated category list at the bottom of the page. I didn’t take the time to check each post individually, so I apologize in advance if anything seems misfiled or if there are any broken links. If you happen to spot anything like that, please let me know and I’ll be happy to fix it.
2. I also imported some recipes I’d posted on a site that’s being shut down, placing them in a new category called Repeatable Recipes, just like my Pinterest board with the same name. If you subscribe to my RSS feed, you may have already had a sneak peek!
3. Speaking of Pinterest, I’ve created a page to show you what I’m doing there and on other social media sites, and another page all about my other blogs. This replaces the Lifestream page on my old blog, which never worked quite the way I wanted it to.
4. The site has been moved to a premium WordPress hosting service, so I think you’ll find it much faster than before. It also means I can spend less time on maintenance and more time blogging!
While working on my blog revamp, I took some time out to attend WordCamp Toronto, where I learned about some great WordPress tools and techniques that I’d have loved to implement right away, however, it’s time for me to move on to some other projects. You can be sure there will be more enhancements to come – a good website is always a “work in progress” after all!
Thanks for sticking around! I’ll be back again soon with some more news.
Photo © Renata Osinska / Photoxpress
Janet, your new blog site looks great. I decided to take a quick peek beyond your home page and … well, “quick” wasn’t quite as quick as I intended! I ended up subscribing to one of your “other blogs” and I love how you’ve described, in words and pictures your “life”. Setting up your “new and improved” may have taken you longer than you expected it to, but I’m sure the result will prove well worth the effort.
Kathy, I’m glad you found the new content worthwhile – hope others do too!
Love the new look and am strangely smitten with your font!
Heading over to Pinterest now…
Pauline, I’m glad you like the font. Although I wanted something fun, I was a bit worried it was too “cutesy.”
I just had a peek at YOUR blog, and I love the new design and the way you now focus on writing. You need to connect with Kathy (previous commenter) who is also a writer and lists a lot of resources for writers on her website.