Finding My Niche; What's In a Name?

   One of the first things bloggers are told to do is find their niche, and figure out who their audience is. Hmmmm....I have a blog called Manitoba Gardens that's a lot like Canadian Tire...we're so much more than our names convey! If you're not familiar with the Canadian Tire store, judging by their name, you would think they sell only tires. But no, they sell just about everything from hardware to sporting goods, and yes, tires! Manitoba Gardens has been around for so many years....although mainly as a tribute to Dad, and the garden he and Mom created together...so changing the name of my blog just didn't seem like a good idea. But at the same time, Manitoba Gardens doesn't really tell readers what we're about.... So, what is my niche? Who do I write for?  Who is my 'tribe'? And how do I figure this out?

  Well, in many ways, I write for myself. I write about things I enjoy, places I like...gardens, yes, but other places too. I post projects we've done for our own home and garden, craft projects I've done with my kids, and foods I make. In other words, I share bits and pieces of our life and activities, and hope that someone out there enjoys hearing about it. But how do all of those things fit into one package?

  I guess the first place to start in figuring this all out, is to ask, "Who am I?" I'm a wife, and an 'older' stay at home mom, and very happy to be so. Some of my eight kids came by birth, others by adoption...they range in age from 38 down to 10. I'm a grandma of sixteen, and yet I'm still homeschooling. Yeah, I'm used to not really fitting in the usual Mom box. But I have a friend I talk to every day who is my oldest daughter's age...and another friend, twenty years older than me, who is helping raise her three grandkids. So in my world, age is just a number. Nope, I don't write for a particular age demographic. Even though I'm an a adoptive mom, I don't feel that my children's stories are mine to tell, and although I may touch on homeschooling here, it's not my focus. I'm also a Christian, but I don't write specifically for people of faith....I have another blog for that! (Lyric Devotions) There we go....that ruled out a few niches already!

   Just as important, I think, is to look at who or what am I NOT? As much as I love gardens, I'm not a real gardener.....If it wasn't for creative camera angles, you'd know this...well, maybe you already do know, and you're just too polite to tell me... 

  No, I am NOT a gardening blogger. (but I have friends who are, and that's what counts. haha)

Now and then, I do post a recipe that I've prepared, but I'm not a food blogger...

My kids will tell you the kitchen is not my favorite room in the house. 

And I'm certainly not a homemaking blogger!

I also do DIY and craft projects... 

.....but I'm not  a DIY or craft blogger. 

    My son would say that I'm a dabbler...a little of this, and a little of that!

  Judging by what I've read from pro bloggers...I  sound kinda pitiful as a blogger. I can't help thinking of an old expression, "Jack of all trades, but master of none." But when I look at my posts, I can see that there is one common thread that runs through many of them:

Pallet Walkway Cheat

DIY Patio Planters

Got Cucumbers? 4 Easy Salads

Simple Stuffed Peppers

  Can you see it? The theme doesn't show up in all of the titles, but it's there. I post things that are...I was going to say, "Inexpensive" but I'll just say it like it is....I post things that are CHEAP to make! Most of our projects include materials that we have scavenged from other jobs, or bargains we've found. Many of these posts are still on the drawing board, but just wait, eventually I'll get them out there. 

  Not only do I post cheap; I post EASY. As I said, I am not a food blogger. I don't want to spend a lot of time in my kitchen cooking up gourmet meals. I want something that's, yup...cheap and easy! My favorite cookbooks are community group cookbooks...the ones that are full of tried and true recipes that ordinary people eat, or the one my daughters made for my birthday many years ago. 

  But more often than not, I just wing it, and throw together whatever I have on hand, and surprise, every once in a while, I come up with something I think is worth sharing! 

  Even my Featured Gardens and other tours fit this theme. Think about it.... What's easier and cheaper than touring someone else's beautiful garden, or visiting the local Farmer's Market to buy produce and baking? And Manitoba Sky Monday? Can't put a price on the beautiful heavens that God has created!

  So, have I found my niche? The Cheap and Easy Blogger? Hmmm...not sure I like the sound of that...How about "Practical Living Under Beautiful Skies"? I'm not sure that's a niche, but it sounds better!

 Now, who is my tribe? Well, since you're reading this, I'm hoping you might be a part of it. Yes, Jamie, I see you waving! I know you are my biggest supporter, and I appreciate it! Anyone else out there? If so, I'd like to hear from you. What brought you here? What kind of posts do you enjoy? What would bring you back?