Posts Tagged ‘Top Ten Tuesday’
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I really enjoy blogging. And over the last year as I’ve started to intentionally blog, I’ve learned a lot. So last night when a friend asked me a question about my hosting site, I thought I’d pass along my wisdom {I use that term very lightly} on becoming a blogger
1. Pick a good hosting site – I originally started with Blogger, but moved over to WordPress at the beginning of 2009. I’ve loved WP. The layout is easy, leaving comments/pingbacks are easy. The only draw back compared to Blogger, it’s not as easy to find “cute” templates. Maybe I’m not looking in the right spots, but I’ve never had much luck finding cute, free, page themes.
2. Pick a topic – I can’t say much about this, since I’ve realized I don’t have just one topic. But, if you start with a topic {baking, savings, mothering, etc}, stick with it. Explore the topic and get creative.
3. Be creative – Blogging is just like any other creative outlet, you can have good posts and bad posts. But when you’re creative and unique, those are the ones that are the best. Just be yourself and people will enjoy it.
4. Blog. A lot – If you blog it, they will come. It’s true. Once I really started blogging {several times a week}, my readership shot up. People will read if you write. Especially if you’re creative.
5. Tweet – Unsure of Twitter? Think it’s just another Facebook? Think again. Twitter is an amazing resource for bloggers. It hooks you up with other bloggers, it links you with an entire blogging world facebook just doesn’t offer. And just like writing a post, if you tweet it, they will come.
6. Use pictures – Pictures are worth a thousand words. And if you use the right picture with the post it’s like adding peanut butter to chocolate. You just made things that much sweeter.
7. Be personal – Add a picture of yourself. Write an “About Me” page. Be personal when you write, allowing your readers to know the real you. You don’t have to be detailed and overly open, but give your readers an idea of who you are so they can feel like they know you.
8. Read other blogs – Follow bloggers who are similar to you. Follow bloggers who make you laugh. Follow bloggers you enjoy. You’ll learn a lot about them, but you’ll also learn a lot about blogging.
9. Leave comments – I can’t stress this enough – people like comments. Plain and simple. And a lot of people will start reading your blog just because you left them a comment. I don’t always do the greatest job of leaving comments, because sometimes life gets too busy and I don’t get to read as many blogs. But when I do, I always comment. So when in doubt, leave a comment. If for no other reason than to make that bloggers day.
10. Enjoy it – I once had a friend say “I want to blog, I just don’t like writing”. It made me laugh, because blogging shouldn’t be one more than you have to do, it should be something you want to do. Write because you enjoy it, not because you think you need to.
What are some tips you have for blogging? Anything “big” that you’ve learned since starting?
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Snickers, Butterfinger, Caramello – Just a Few of My Favorite Candy Bars
Posted on: December 7, 2010
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Thanks to Mary at Giving Up On Perfect for her Coke post, I felt I could finally come clean and admit: I have an unending love for candy bars. Even though I typically eat healthy, wholesome, natural foods, I can’t say no to a candy bar. And try as I might to act like I don’t like them, given the choice, I’d eat one every day {hanging head in shame}. Here are my all time favorites:
1. Snickers – Perhaps the quintessential candy bar, Snickers embodies everything a candy bar should be.
2. Hershey’s bar – The bar that can do anything. Without Herhsey’s we wouldn’t have such joys as S’mores or Kisses.
3. Butterfinger – I ate a Butterfinger every day in my last two trimesters with Julia. It was worth every extra pound I gained.
4. 3 Musketeers – The “healthier” option with 30% less fat. A light and fluffy candy bar that is even better when frozen. Hmmm…
5. 100 Grand – I didn’t discover this candy bar until college. Whoa! What was I missing?!? Chocolate. Caramel. Crispy rice. Heaven.
6. Dove bar – I always feel a little luxurious when I eat a Dove bar. Like I should be eating it at a spa, not my pjs right before bedtime.
7. Crunch – I think Crunch bars are the forgotten candy bars. But when I scored a good deal on Crunch bars for Halloween candy, I renewed my love for this chocolatey-crunchy bar.
8. Milky Way – A bar of many choices. Milk chocolate. Dark chocolate. Caramel. Much like a 3 Musketeers, these bars make great frozen treats.
9. Caramello – Yummy chocolate caramel goodness. Not to mention it’s made by Cadbury, the makers of the Easter goodness known as Creme Eggs.
10. York Peppermint Pattie – While not a “bar”, I think the York deserves to stand in the candy bar category. A refreshing, delicious treat that makes this girl happy pretty much any time.
What are your favorite candy bars? Which ones do you think I should have added to my list?
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Top Ten Holiday Highlights
Posted on: November 30, 2010
- In: Life
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Our Thanksgiving was quite the event. Lots {lots} of traveling, eating, shopping and time with family. It was a wonderful time and made me so thankful to see what our future will look like being in the same state with family for the first time in six years. Here are my top ten highlights from our week:
1. Flying with the girls – I’ll admit I was a little timid about flying solo with both girls, but they did amazing. However, I gave them a candy cane towards the end of the flight which lead to extreme hyperactivity. Never an easy thing when confined to a 3×2 foot space. But at least it was only the last 20 minutes and most of the passengers thought it was cute/funny.
2. Eating Mexican food – I’m sure having Mexican food will eventually get old. But nothing starts off a move to Texas quite like fajitas, queso and warm, fresh tortillas.
3. Baking, baking, baking – I love baking. My sister-in-law loves baking. Put us in the kitchen together making Thanksgiving goodies and we were two happy little mamas.
4. Shopping, shopping, shopping – My SIL, brother and I decided that it would just be a fabulous idea to stay up all night Thursday night/Friday morning to participate in Black Friday shopping. Yeah, maybe that idea ranks up there with giving the girls sugar on a plane.
5. Being with family – I adore my brother’s family. My two nieces are precious and I love seeing them and their interactions with my girls. It’s pure delight. *sigh*
6. Drastic weather change – When I left Iowa it was freezing, hailing and rainy. When I got to Texas it was 85. Now, I’m not thrilled about no longer having winter-ish weather, but I think come January I’ll be pretty happy.
7. Texas – I’m not sure there’s much to say other than “It’s good to be home”. Although, I do feel like I’m on vacation, since we’re still with family while Jonathan is in Austin this week starting work and waiting for the movers to deliver our belongs. Still, just being in Texas is a sweet, sweet thing.
8. Coffee – My SIL makes coffee several times a day. Yesterday we had coffee at breakfast, coffee again after the girls got up from naps and then again when my brother came home from work and made up ice cream lattes. Ah, I could get use to this kind of coffee drinking.
9. Being with family – I know I already said this one, but it’s so warms my heart. I just love the closeness, the familiarity, the feeling of belonging that comes with being with my family.
10. Reliance on God – Despite all my highlights, the last week hasn’t been a cake walk. But God has shown me His continual faithfulness in the midst of trials. Things haven’t gone according to plan, Jonathan is in Austin while we’re in Ft. Worth, our stuff is on a moving van somewhere in the Midwest and life happens. But it’s allowing me to constantly rely on God and not myself.
How was your Thanksgiving? What are your highlights?
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Top Ten Favorite Movies
Posted on: November 9, 2010
- In: Life
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I love movies. I think it stems from my great love of watching television. But I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t watch movies on a regular basis. Jonathan and I have spent a lot of time discussing our all time favorite movies {which is actually almost as fun as watching them, since you get to relive it!}. Without further ado, my top ten favorite movies of all time:
1. A Christmas Story – I quote this movie more than any other movie. And thanks to TBS’s movie marathon on Christmas Day, I’ve seen it more than any other movie.
2. Elf – Will Ferrell. In Tights. Enough said.
3. Meet the Parents – An equal favorite for Jon and I both, this movie is a classic comedy of showing just how wrong everything can go when you first “meet the parents”.
4. You’ve Got Mail – Such a happy movie. *sigh* Maybe I’m a sap, but I just love Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks together.
5. Labyrinth – The main character shares my name. My younger brother had just been born and I was struggling with the adjustment, just like the movie plot. Expect the Goblin King never did take Fletcher away.
6. Ocean’s 11/12 – Both movies are funny, action packed but not too crazy and just plain witty.
7. Bourne Trilogy – I’m a fan of action thrillers. Ones that make you think and stay with the plot line. And the Bourne movies do that so well.
8. Love in the Afternoon – I had a huge thing for Audrey Hepburn when I was younger. I watched so many of her movies, and LitA was my favorite.
9. Harry Potter Series – While I’m waiting on pins and needles for the 7th movie to come out {next week!!}, the first 6 have been really great {though not as great as the books}.
10. Family Stone – A dysfunctional family getting together for Christmas. Yep, pretty much sums up my entire family experience.
Pretty random list, I know. What can I say – I like a variety of movies.
What are some of your favorite movies?
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It’s hard being a mama. And some days I can focus too much on the hardness, and forget just how amazing this journey is. Being in Texas I had the chance to remember all the reasons why I love being a mama to my two precious girls. There are plenty more than I listed, but here are my current top ten:
1. Laughter. There is nothing so amazing as hearing my daughters laugh.
2. Walking into the kitchen to find Julia eating cooking dough straight out of the bowl.
3. Hannah’s tight hugs right before bedtime.
4. Julia’s inquisitiveness about everything.
5. All the dancing and twirling that comes with young girls.
6. Squeals of excitement each time Jonathan comes home from work.
7. Requests for “snuggles and kisses”.
8. Julia’s confidence that she is loved.
9. Hearing “Jack! Jack!” followed by giggling, running and laughter.
10. Sisterhood. A bond that is beautiful and wonderful to see grow.
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Top Ten Posts from October
Posted on: October 26, 2010
Since we are enjoying some family vacation here in Texas, I thought this week I’d keep my top ten pretty easy and let you enjoy reading through my top posts from this month.
1. Potty Training Your 1- Year Old
2. The Gospel of Christ – A Post That Changed My Life {My Personal Favorite}
3. Top Ten Ways to Start Christmas Planning Without Going Crazy
4. Try New Adventures – Learning Spanish as a Family
6. Headache, You Give Me Such a Headache
7. Day Four and I’m Beginning to Wonder “What Have I Done?”
8. Top Ten Fall Recipes I Love
9. Coffee is a Cheerleader in a Cup {Hilarious Video}
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{Be sure to check out my Fall Apron Giveaway!}
There are some of you who don’t even want to think about Christmas yet {after all Halloween isn’t even here}, but the planner in me can’t help but start making Christmas lists. Of course it doesn’t hurt that I just so happen to love Christmas. But, here are ten ways that you can start planning for Christmas without feeling like you’re slightly Halloween and Thanksgiving.
1. Christmas Cards/Pictures – Take your family Christmas picture in October or beginning of November so that you can have your cards ready to mail by December 1st.
2. Name Swap – Does your family do a name swap for presents? If not, I highly recommend it {especially if you have a larger family}
3. Gift List – You can start this early, writing down gift ideas for individuals; It helps you make sure you have everyone covered.
4. Shopping – I bought all the girls’ Christmas presents in August. I found some great deals at random stores and garage sales and have just stored them away for later.
5. Craft Ideas – Want a new Christmas wreath? Or does your husband need a new stocking? Start making your Christmas crafts now so that you can get good deals at hobby shops and don’t feel the holiday pressure come December.
6. Baking – I love to bake during the holidays. And for me, that means baking October – February. One trick I learned last year was to bake several batches of cookies, breads or pies and freezing most of it to bring out for parties or events.
7. Plan Parties in Advance – The holidays book up fast. And between family, work, church and friends it’s hard to coordinate larger events. One way to help is by setting a date early and send out invites a few weeks in advance.
8. Meal Plan – Along with planning parties, it’s important to start listing out a menu. This is where baking and freezing can really come in handy.
9. Check Lights/Locate Decorations – You can wait till closer to December {or November if that’s when you start decorating} to check your lights/find your decorations. I wish I’d done this last year when half way through decorating our tree I realized several strings of lights were out. 
10. Enjoy the Holidays – I remember Christmas being a carefree and wonderful time as a child. As an adult I can’t help but feel slightly overwhelmed at times. But I strive to enjoy the wonders of the time; the snow, the time with family, the magic of it all.
What are ways you prepare for Christmas?
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Top Ten Fall Recipes I Love
Posted on: October 12, 2010
- In: Life
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Despite a heat wave putting a slight damper on the awesome fall weather, I’m still cooking like it feels like fall. I’m a big fan of soups {easy to make during naptime} and of course all the sweets I can eat. Or could eat. Here are some of my all time favorite recipes.
1. Maple Dijon Chicken – This is one of my personal favorites because of the sweet potatoes. It’s a great crock pot meal that is tender and juicy.
2. Baked Potato Soup – I’ve been making this recipe for years and it’s amazingly simple {again a crock pot meal}.
3. Spicy Chicken Soup – Jonathan loves this soup. Add in cheese and serve with some hot rolls.
4. Cider Baked Butternut Squash Soup – I just made this for the first time two weeks ago. If you can get past the orange color, the taste is divine {I kid you not}.
5. Cream of Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwich – A fall/winter staple for me. Easy, perfect for lunch and great with pepper jack cheese.
6. Beef Chili – Chili. Cold weather. Need I say more?
7. Easy Chicken and Dumplings – Nothing like Southern food made easy. Refrigerate biscuits as dumplings. Makes for good leftovers too!
8. Pasta Fagioli – This soup taste just like Olive Garden’s. Hmm… garlic bread sticks.
9. Apple Pie – Can’t make a fall food list without apple pie. I love apple pie. Which might explain my apple orchard obsession.
10. Pumpkin Bread – I use to think I didn’t like pumpkin. Oh, I was sorely mistaken. I LOVE pumpkin. Love. It. And pumpkin bread smothered in butter {or whipped cream} is mouth watering.
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My Top {Ten} Non-Sugar Sweets
Posted on: October 5, 2010
- In: Life
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I spent some time last night figuring out good “sweet” options for this month’s no sugar/no coffee diet. After being so tired all weekend and then taking a 2 hour nap yesterday, I realized I need something to give me a pick me up. So here’s the list I decided on as my sweet alternatives:
1. Granola – A faithful standby, I love granola. I got some from the co-op last night that is their house special {rather than baking my own}.
2. Peanut butter – You have to be a little mindful, since most peanut butters either have high fructose corn syrup or sugars, but those that don’t are a great sweetener.
3. Honey – We have raw honey we bought from the farmer’s market this summer. It is finger lickin’ good {yes, I have actually just put it on my finger to eat it – don’t judge ;)}.
4. Agave – Since my no sugar/no coffee diet I haven’t baked anything, but in the past agave has been a great substitute for sugar and I’m hoping to bring it out again over the next few weeks {I’m missing out on all the awesome pumpkin recipes this month!!}.
5. Grapes – More so than any other fruit, I think grapes are super sweet. Which is good, because I never feel too bad if I sit down and eat an entire bowl of grapes. Unlike when I eat an entire bag of cookies.
6. Fruits – Someone posted in the comments yesterday that apples supposedly give you a boost much like coffee. I’ve not researched it, but I do know fruits help give me a little something.
7. Yogurt – Similar to peanut butter, you have to read the ingredients on yogurts. Ours has evaporated cane juice, which we agreed tonight might be okay to try, since it’s not processed {like sugar}. We’ll see how my body react to it over the next couple of days. Worse case, I go to plain and add honey.
8. 100% Juice – Along with fruit, just having juice or making yummy popsicles to snack on.
9. Fasting – Ok, since the whole idea of my goal this month is to avoid sugar, then fasting will take place.
10. Your ideas – Whatcha got?? Throw them at me!
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God is amazing and overwhelming. I’ve been battling with some crazy heart issues lately – wanting to control my own life, being angry at the girls, frustrated with abnormal laziness/fatigue. Most glaringly is my desire to chase after things of this world. Daily I feel the prickling of God’s Spirit warning me when something flashy catches my eye. Sadly, I don’t always listen. I tell Him “not now” and indulge. Even when sin doesn’t seem ugly or “bad” it is. It starts off all pretty but ends in heartache. And that’s where I am – in heartache. I’ve chosen things of this world over a God who loves me.
But it’s not hopeless, it’s not over. The next chapter has begun. And here are the ten verses that I have been meditating on lately:
1. Hosea 14:4 {NLT} – “The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever.”
2. Proverbs 28:13 {NLT} – “People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”
3. Psalm 65:3 {NLT} – “Though we are overwhelms by our sins, you forgive them all.”
4.Psalm 4:4 {NLT} – “Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.”
5. James 1:19 {NLT} – “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters. You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
6. Psalm 62:5 {NLT} – “Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.”
7. Psalm 39:7 {NLT} – “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”
8. Psalm 13:5-6 {NLT} – “But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.”
9. Proverbs 19:21 {NLT} – “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.”
10. Psalm 118:24 {NLT} – “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Clearly I’m a big fan of Psalm – I do actually read other books in the Bible. Promise.
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A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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