Hi J.!
Congratulations on breasfeeding for 5 months and counting! As far as solids go, I've heard that introducing new textures and tastes is recomended by the ninth month, not for any real nutritional reason, but to develop the palate to accept new things.
As far as people seeming surprised...that's just a given, no matter what you do! :)
I was only able to breastfeed for a short amount of time, and was very sad when I had to come to terms with the fact that I just wasn't producing as much milk as my babies (we have b/g twins) needed. When I stumbled upon the book "Super Baby Food" it was like a Godsend, because it described how, what and when to make your own babyfood to nourish your baby. (It was like I was able to provide them with the best of the best again.) I am able to choose organic foods, it's SO much easier than you think, it's REALLY cost-effective, and it all tastes like real food! It's also thrilling to make something with love and tender care, and see how they take to it. (or not...sometimes it's not so thrilling to realize I just made 3 ice-cube trays of homemade chicken soup and neither one of them like it :P.)
I don't know if you have any time or inclination, but just as one example: a bag of frozen peas ($1.59), in the microwave for like 5 minutes, mash with a stick (hand held) blender, pour into ice-cube trays...yields 28 2oz. servings...saving $12.00 over the jarred organic variety. (And, I don't have to shop for, cart in, or get rid of a dozen little glass jars.)
Bananas are another huge savings, and so so easy...we use bananas every day, and a hand of bananas makes like 3 trays. Using organic bananas figures out to be about 50 cents more expensive than using regular, but when you factor in that I'm saving like $10.00 over jarred, it's still all good.
Anyway...that's what we're doing. I was anxious to start, so started my kids at 4 months, and we're growing strong...now 9 months old/20.5 and 19.5 lbs, 28 inches each. You'll find people in every camp, everywhere you go...go with your gut.
Good Luck! peace, A.