Sally Cronin makes me want to stand up and salute.
An icon among independent authors and bloggers, Sally is host to more than 32-thousand blog followers, supporter of hundreds of authors around the world, author of eleven books, gardener and wife.
She and her husband David live in Ireland.
But let’s start at their beginning.
“I was assistant manager of a hotel and took David’s booking for 10 days starting on September 16th. I commented to one of the receptionists that I loved his accent and that I thought I would marry him… joking!
“He arrived and I organised some business meetings for him. He was due to leave on the 26th but booked in for another two nights. He invited me for a drink after work and we chatted for about an hour.
“He asked if I would have lunch with him the next day. We had lunch and walked along a windswept beach in the rain. That evening, he met me after work with a Chinese takeaway and the next day he came to say goodbye. He confessed that he had booked the two extra nights so he could ask me out, because he had fallen for me right away.
“We married six weeks later on November 15th, 1980.”
~~
Since that remarkable beginning, Sally and David have lived in 17 houses — some rented, some bought and restored — in countries as varied as Sri Lanka, South Africa and Spain.
“Each one has had a different location or character but all were home because we were living there. For me, home is where the heart is and that means David and me.”
They recently returned to Ireland after several years in Spain. The two share a large home office.
“I also love the kitchen-diner where I create meals and we entertain our family and friends. However, I have to say that I love our little library. Every time I walk through, I can see my collection of books from Wilbur Smith and other favourite authors.”
Sally’s own books range from novels to non-fiction, sometimes inspired by her own life.
“My first book, Size Matters, was a health and weight loss book based on my own experiences of losing 70 kilo. I have written another ten books since then. I am an Indie author and proud to be one.”
Sally took a break from writing books when her mother became ill and died in 2012. A qualified nutritional therapist, she started her blog (Smorgasbord – Variety is the Spice of Life) “as a place to write about health, humour and any other subject that interested me.”
Her blog also provides a platform for other authors — a place where they’re introduced and their books promoted.
“After twenty years as an Indie author, I understand how difficult it can be to keep your latest book in the spotlight… Nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing an author that I have promoted receiving a comment stating that ‘I have bought your book’. Job done.”
~~
At home, Sally and David always seem to have something on the go. They’ve been working on the garden. And Sally’s new book, inspired by the couple’s return to Ireland, launches this spring. It’s the sequel to Tales from the Garden.
“Tales from the Irish Garden continues the story of Queen Filigree and her court as they seek exile in Ireland in the garden of the Storyteller. The stories are linked and fall into the four seasons, peopled by new characters, resulting in some tears and I hope quite a bit of laughter.”
Her own life has included personal disasters, triumphs and suprises.
“Around every corner there has been the unexpected. I have pushed open some fascinating doors which led to where I am today.
“Although we are now well into our 60s, we still believe there are a few more doors to push open and a few more places to visit. For example, we love our current house, but in a few years it will be time to move on. As long as we are together, wherever we end up will be home.”
~~
Cynthia Reyes 
What a wonderful way you have of making us feel at home with your friends. It was lovely to meet Sally.
Thank you very much and Cynthia certainly does make us feel right at home.
🙂 🙂
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
I was delighted to be the guest of Cynthia Reyes today and was made to feel very much at home. I hope you will pop over and join us.. Thanks Sally
Thanks for a very enjoyable visit to your home Sally. I agree, home is not the building, but where one’s current base is; as soon as you set up camp, put some books on a shelf and your plants on the window sill, it feels like home.
Thank you Janet.. I think because I moved around so much as a child and since we married it is easier to keep hold of the precious stuff and let the rest go. It is people who make the difference. x
I enjoyed learning more about Sally, Cynthia. Thanks for a great introduction!
Thanks for popping in Jill enjoy your weekend. Sally
As one of the many authors Sally has promoted – and continues to promote – I was delighted to read these new insights into her life. Thank you Cynthia.
Thank you Frank very kind and always happy to share your books.. Sally
Wow, you and David had even more of a whirlwind romance than Sam and I did! Loved this post. Thanks Sally, and thanks to Cynthia for sharing.
Thank you Stevie.. my parents had a bit of a whirlwind courtship during the war so were not as shocked as they might have been.. and David’s family were amazing too. hugs
We were engaged after 3 months, but you beat us to it!
I must say that it was a while before found out a lot of things about each other.. we have rather different tastes in music, books.. he climbed mountains and loved camping… however the core of what we saw in each other was the same and we share the same sense of humour. I did go up a few mountains with him on the proviso that he hit the dance floor with me… mixed results! x
We’ve always had the same likes and dislikes. The only downside is that he’s tone deaf and has no rhythm while I’m very musical and love to dance. As we’ve got older we are so alike in our ways that it’s scary…
I agree with that one… a bit like pets and their owners! x
What to have for dinner, which packet to take off the shelf etc involves endless mental debate; but saying ‘Yes’ or deciding you like a house takes a mere few seconds!
Ha ha, yes – so true!
We have bought houses like that….and have been lucky thank goodness.. and yes ‘what to have for dinner!’
Reblogged this on Stevie Turner, Indie Author. and commented:
Enjoyed learning a little bit more about Sally Cronin. Thanks for sharing, Cynthia.
I love the story of Sally and David’s whirlwind romance and enjoyed the glimpses into her beautiful home.
Thank you Mary.. anytime you are in Ireland I hope you will visit.. hugsx
Thank you, Sally, I’d love to. You’d be equally welcome to visit in Scotland.
Thank you…♥
Just loved this post, Sally and Cynthia! 🙂 Sharing…
Thank you very much Bette… and for sharing. hugs xx
Thanks much, Bette. Wishing you a lovely weekend.
What a wonderful story of love, adventure, writing, and creating. Kudos to Sally and David for their partnership.
Thank you Brad we look forward to learning more about each other over the next decades… Sally
Well said , Brad.
Thanks Cynthia.
Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
Thank you very much for sharing Chris.. hugs xxxx
My pleasure, Sally, it’s nice to learn more about you 😃❤️
I don’t have many vices left to reveal.. better work on that! ♥
LOLOL
I smiled all the way as I read Sally’s story. Also, makes me proud to be an Indie writer. What a great way to start a Friday!
Delighted you are proud to be an Indie author Laurie.. and delighted it made you smile.
🙂
Glad to hear! Sally is remarkable.
I should say so!
Hi Laurie.. sorry it seems my original post has disappeared.. but thank you for your lovely comments.. enjoy your weekend… Sally
Oh, you’re most welcome! What an inspiring piece.
That was such a great post. I loved learning more about Sally and David, too. What a whirlwind courtship and a whirlwind life!
Thank you for sharing your story with us Sally, and thanks to Cynthia for hosting!
Thank you so much Mae and delighted you enjoyed.. it was lovely of Cynthia to invite me…hugs xx
Such a joy to read, Cynthia and Sally! A journey to celebrate for sure. 🙂
Cheers to you both!
Thank you Natalie.. I will pass that on.. hugs xx♥
I only have the utmost respect for you Sally and I don’t know you fit so much into your life. Lovely to read about you and you used two words that made me sit up -Wilbur Smith and South Africa (no, that’s 4 words). Hope you hear more about your stay there. 🙂 The best indie supporter in the world 🙂
Thank you Lucinda.. I went to school in Cape Town and then returned to England to go to secondary school.. That was in 1965 and I missed it so much I borrowed my first Wilbur Smith book.. it was his first too.. When the Lion Feeds. I went on to buy that book and every other one he has written in the last 54 years. Whatever other books I might give away it will never be his. thank you for your lovely comments.. hugs xx
Thank you so much Lucinda… my original comment has not appeared.. but my love of living in Cape Town prompted me to read my first Wilbur Smith – his first too.. When the Lions Feed and I have bought every one of his books since.. 55 years and counting. hugs xx
And he’s still writing books 🙂
What a lovely tribute to a lovely lady…thanks, Cynthia. Best wishes. ♥
Thank you very much Billy Ray.. hugs ♥
A beautiful love story, and introduction to Sally and her work, Cynthia! Thank you!
Thank you very much Lavinia.. I am certainly blessed.. Sally
Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
Thank you very much for sharing Michael..
I love the story of your courtship with David. How many people told you it wouldn’t work? That you didn’t know each other well enough? So wonderful.
Thank you Jacqui. Quite a few had their doubts but I think they were only too pleased to see me happy after my first disaster of a marriage and as soon as they met David they knew he was a very different man all together. Some friends did say it was probably just as well he didn’t know me very well!! But they did wink at the time. We still do not everything about each other even after 38 years… xx
What a lovely beginning to this story… “Sally Cronin makes me want to stand up and salute.”…I would say the same! Thank you Cynthia for sharing a beautiful picture and a heart-warming story of Sally’s life…she is beyond imagination! 🙂
Thank you very much Balroop for your lovely comment. This last five years have been amazing and I have met such wonderful people. I am doing something I love and that means everything to me.. hugs xx
Fabulous guest post Cynthia! Great word choice for Sally – icon! So glad to see Sally getting herself some attention here after all she does for others. ❤
Thank you soul sister for the lovely comment. ♥
Well deserved Sal! ❤
Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
Thank you very much Viv for sharing.. have a lovely weekend. xx
Thank you for producing such a lovely and well deserved tribute to Sally, who devotes herself so tirelessly to the community. It is nice to learn a bit about the woman behind the iconic blog.
Thank you my friend for those lovely words. And for your contribution to taking the blog to places I would not have been able to achieve on my own. hugs xx
Sally you would, because you bring the best in us all PXXX
Wonderful post Cynthia about a wonderful woman.
Thank you very much Felicity.. have a lovely weekend.. Sally
Happy to meet you, Sally. For my husband it was love at first sight. He saw me and immediately went to tell his sister-in-law: “That is the woman I am going to marry.” Took a bit longer for me but we have been happily married now for 49 years.
Thank you Cynthia.
Congratulations Paula.. I am sure every anniversary is a celebration but I expect you have something special planned for you fiftieth.. I probably need to give David an long service medal and time off for good behaviour… thank you and good to meet you too. Sally
Sally is an amazing person and I am pleased to call her my blogging friend. She does so much for the writing community and makes everyone feel so welcome on her blog. Thanks for featuring her here.
Thank you very much Darlene.. we have been working the circuit together for about four years by now.. and your friendship is valued a great deal.. hugsx
Great to see Sally on your wonderful blog! Her home looks as warm and wonderful as she is 🙂
Thank you Jacquie.. who knows one day if you get over here you will step inside for real. hugsx
What a lovely warm welcoming post. And so darn romantic too. Thanks for sharing, Cynthia. I learned a few new things about Sally besides what we already know – that she’s a wonderful author and blogger with a big heart. 🙂
Thank you Diana.. romance is the glue that keeps a relationship strong and laughter… thanks to for the kind words… hugs x
Most welcome. 🙂
How lovely to see Sally over here and see pictures of inside her home. I am always interested in learning more about people and their lives.
Thank you Robbie..me too… love meeting new people and peeling away the layers. hugs xx
A wonderful tribute to such a good human! Thanks, Cynthia.
Thanks Zoe.. you know how much I love your fabulousness… sending catnip…x
See? Good human….no, GREAT human!! :::: Cheshire grin::::
Thank you Zoe….hugs xxxx
You’re most welcome. Thank you for commenting.
I’ve enjoyed and appreciated Sally, and all she does for indie authors, since the day I first “met” her on TheStoryReadingApe’s blog…or maybe it was on Andrew Joyce’s blog, not sure but one of those! And so it is fun to read a few personal details about her, and such good ones, too–a whirlwind romance still going strong all these years later, enjoying a nomadic “home is where the heart is” lifestyle, etc. It seems clear that this post gives us just a peek of a very satisfying and interesting life. Thanks! And, Sally….love the peek at your home….just lovely!!
Thank you Emily. I feel very lucky to have been given the chance to experience what I have so far. I really hope there is a lot more to come.. exciting. hugsxxx
What a wonderful post, Cynthia. Sally is one in a million and I enjoyed seeing a little more of her person. I think the fire extinguisher in the library speaks volumes for her preparedness.
Haha John.. trust you to spot that. I may be nomadic and adventurous, but I am also slightly paranoid.. double check locked doors, gates and windows… fire alarms… and good friends. Thank you and hugsxx
Keep double checking. So far so good.
How nice to find out more about Sally! Very interesting!
Thank you very much. So pleased that you enjoyed. Sally
Sally and David sound like interesting people. “Time to move on…” Hmmm, maybe it is for me too.
Thank you Carolyn.. and it sounds like you have done a great deal of walking the talk with your camera and husband.. We too had a wonderful companion who went everywhere with us and even after 10 years find it hard to move on.. hugs.
Fabulous post about a fabulous person. And I love those photos and the story of how David and Sally met. Lovely to find out more about a generous woman I’m increasingly coming to regard as a mentor.
I think that works both ways Jessica as you are stretching my literary boundaries with your posts. That is what I love about this community, you meet people who push you to learn more. Your contribution to the blog is very much appreciated in more ways than one. xx
Aw… I need to go and put my voting gloves on now x
Cynthia, this is a beautiful tribute to Sally. You’ve captured a few rare moments and photos that add to the attractive design and flavor of this post ❤
Sally, it’s wonderful to see you featured here on Cynthia’s lovely blog ❤
Thank you Tina.. it is wonderful and lovely to meet new and old friends here. And I agree Cynthia has done an amazing job in presenting the interview.. loved it. ♥
What a beautiful story about Sally and David. The personal glimpse into their home is sweet.
Thank you very much Jan.. and you are welcome any time. xx
Wonderful post about Sally. She is terrific, and deserves all the accolades in the world.
Thank you so much Jennie.. xxx
A pleasure, Sally. In the favorite words of Debby, just sayin’. 🙂
What a great story Cynthia tells and how encouraging to see the books!! But I must say, what a parachute jump to have married someone six weeks after meeting. I think sometimes you just know!
Thank you and it was a leap of faith, but as you say.. sometimes you just know. Loved your post and the asparagus..
Thanks for coming by! I need to dump more dirt over that ditch tomorrow!
I love learning more about Sally. What a full life she and David have lived! And I love Wilbur Smith books, too. Sally is extraordinary and so generous in her treatment of other authors and bloggers. Thank you for posting! – Molly
Thank you Molly and for the kind words.. glad you like Wilbur too.. I put a note on messenger for him on Facbook last year thanking him for 55 years of reading pleasure and his wife came back to me with a response.. very special… hugs xx
Wow! The is fantastic, Sally. I haven’t read all of Wilbur’s work, so I’m sure there are reading delights in my future as I’m reminded of him.
Great Molly.. hugs xx
Thank you for another introduction to a Very Interesting Person, Cynthia. Sally and David are leading full and rewarding lives – may their homes continue to be happy, wherever they choose to settle!
Thank you very much Margaret and you only pass this way once… might as well make the most of it. I think we have narrowed down the boxes we need to tick for the last house… well perhaps!
It’s true, we do only pass this way once, at least as far as we know. So making the most of our journey is good advice – and perhaps a little touch of uncertainty about those boxes allows you to be open to the kinds of opportunities that help you do just that!
Such a fond tribute to your friend, Cynthia. I have met Sally in passing a couple of times and have heard so much praise of her.
Very nice to meet you (again), Sally!
Thank you Clare. Cynthia has done an amazing job with the post and I am delighted. Enjoy your weekend.. Sally
Thank-you very much, Sally. I hope your weekend is fun. Clare
I am out of breath whenever I think of, or come across, Sally. She does so much to support so many people over such a range from health to writing. Her stories of her father are wonderful too. An amazing woman!
That is very kind Hilary.. there are quite a few things I am leaving undone.. but I am having a great deal of fun and meeting wonderful people..xx
It is always nice to read about a fairy tale romance that leads into a happily ever after story. Thank you for sharing, and I’m off now to check out her blog. 🙂
Thank you very much Judy and I am grateful every day…
What an accomplished woman and life. Looking forward to checking out her blog. Thank you for sharing. Tina
You’re welcome, Tina. Thanks for your kind comment. Hope spring has sprung at the farm!
Thank you Tina it has been a great life mainly thanks to the people in it.
Aw! That was sooo inspirational! Sally really is such a generous soul.