What I Have Learned as a Blogger & a Few Tips for the Newbies...

I by far do not consider myself a master blogger.  I have been at this blogging thing now for a year and a half.  And I have learned so much.  If you care to see just how much I have learned and grown, please feel free to click on over to my blog archive and look at a few of my posts from January or February of 2011.  It took me a while to find what they in the blogger world call your "voice".  But I found it, and haven't shut up since. ;)

So, what is my advice?  
First and foremost, let your blog be a reflection of who YOU are.  Not what you think other people want to read.  But what you want to write.  If your writing isn't genuine, if it is forced, do not think for one second that your readers will not pick up on that.  They will.  If you are loud and brash and that is what is comfortable for you, then be that.  If people don't like your "voice", then they do not have to follow you.  I know we all want followers.  But want followers for the right reasons.  If your writing is genuine, people will read.  

Your blog is allowed to EVOLVE.  It is okay.  You grow.  You change.  You evolve.  If your blog is a true reflection of you, then it should also grow and change with you.  So yes, that may mean a blog title change.  I have changed mine three times in the past year and a half!  But it needed it.  I changed.  My purpose for blogging changed.  It might also mean redesigning your blog to reflect the new you.  That is okay too.  Yes, it is possible that you may lose followers when you change blog direction.  But you will also gain new followers and make new friendships in your journey.  

If you are a brand spanking new blogger, I wouldn't suggest jumping right in to having ads on your blog.  I know it is tempting because a little extra cash would be nice, but you may find yourself in way over your head.  Find your voice.  Get your bearings.  Find your blogging rhythm.  Once you feel comfortable and a bit more established, then start out by adding a few ads to your blog if that is a blog goal for you.  I just started accepting ads on my page last month, and even though I felt like I delivered all that I promised (if not more) to my sponsors, I realized I also felt overwhelmed.  I had to reevaluate that for this next coming 30 days and scaled back on the ad spots I now offer.  

And lastly, if blogging isn't enjoyable, if you are dreading writing posts, then it is time to stop and figure out why.  Blogging shouldn't be a burden, right?  If it is, then something isn't quite right.  Have you lost your focus?  Your inspiration?  Have you started blogging for the wrong reasons?  Have you not allowed your blog to grow and evolve with you?  Just WHO have you started writing for anyways?  

My "experienced" bloggers out there- What are some things that you wish you had known or  wished that maybe another blogger had shared with you when you were a newbie blogger?

This blog post is part of the Summer Blog Challenge.  To see my other posts in this Challenge and to find other bloggers who are participating in this Challenge, CLICK HERE.

How I Met My Husband...

The story of how my husband and I initially met is really not all that remarkable.  But the story of how we reconnected is pretty fun. ;)  Just goes to show the universe really does work in mysterious and marvelous ways....

My husband and I first met in the 7th grade.  We had attended different grade schools in the same small town, so we didn't really know of each other until junior high.  We had a few conversations here and there I am sure, shared a few classes and a few more friends throughout our junior high and high school years.  But that was pretty much it.  

After we graduated high school, we even worked at the same restaurant together for about 2 years during college.  At the time, I was married and shortly after would have my son. 

Then fast forward 2 divorces (one for him, one for me) and about 13 years later.  In the summer of 2010, I got a friend request from Patrick on Facebook.  I accepted, and some chats would happen here and there.  Even some friendly banter.  But at that time we lived in separate states, nearly 4 hours away from each other and I had no desire for anything long distance.  I have to share with you all what happened one day after I posted a Facebook status update.  Please note at that time I had not seen Patrick in 13 years or spoken to him other than on Facebook...

Me: "Note to self.  If/when I get remarried, I will most definitely have a low key, small ceremony.  Period. I hope my future husband is cool with that. ;) "

These are the comments that followed my little status update...

Mandi: "Amen sista!  I'm thinking drive thru in Vegas baby! Hate to sound negative, but  with the 60% divorce rate f all that! ha!

Patrick: "I won't mind at all! Lmao!"

Me: "Should have known that you be the one to say that, Patrick. Lol!  I will keep that in mind in case we ever get married."

Patrick: "I never asked when we were 17 so I figured there is no better time than the present!"

Me: "I think I just got proposed to on Facebook- lol! :P"

Chad: "Congrats to both of you!"

Me: "Hey Chad... I didn't say yes! haha. :P"

Patrick: "Did I ask?  Lol!  ... I am cool with a small family deal too.  So Carrie, get it touch... I can ask in person if you want! Lol!"

Chad: "Ask her at Starbucks, it's low key but semi classy."

Me:  "Patrick, I think you are skipping a few steps here, lol!"

About three months after this status update, we would meet up for lunch after I had suddenly moved back to our hometown.  Four months after our lunch date, we would be engaged.  Less than 12 months after Patrick's Facebook "proposal", we would actually be married.  In a small ceremony, in front of about 70 of our close family and friends. <3

So, what is your love story?  How did you and your significant other meet?  (Or maybe re-meet?) :)

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 71- Introducing Mr. Charlie Binks...

Or Char Char Binks (yes, maybe it is the ears ;) ) or Charlie Buckets... He goes by many names.  Charlie is our rescue papillon.  

The day I adopted Charlie, I was actually visiting a Shiba Inu rescue shelter.  The plan was to get a Shiba.  But I have always adored papillons (just not their hefty price tag), and there he was... Scared, alone, cowering away from the Shiba Inu's as they clamored around me for my attention.  Charlie needed me more than any other of those other dogs did, and so I took him home.  

It wasn't easy at first.  According to the shelter owner, Charlie had been rescued from an Amish puppy mill. (Yes, they do exist.  Google and YouTube it.  It is sad and shocking.)

He didn't respond well to any males, but clung to me initially.  He didn't eat much that first week.  Charlie didn't bark for well over a month of being at home with us.

My how far our little pup has come...

We have had him almost 3 years now, and he barks (incessantly sometimes), and loves everyone (even men), and is so sweet with our baby girl.  I can't tell you how many times she has grabbed and yanked an entire little chubby handful of his fur, and he is not nipped at her once.

Partners in crime ;)

Buddies

I needed to write this post today.  I have been becoming increasingly frustrated with Charlie lately, and I have hated feeling that way.  I feel like I am constantly sweeping up dog fur... He keeps chewing up baby girl's favorite stuffed animals.

Charlie hasn't had an easy time adjusting to having baby girl in the house.  He has always been the "baby".  

Anyone else have a difficult time with their pets after baby was born?  Did you find ways to cope, to make it easier for pup and family?  I would love to hear your stories and suggestions! 

To see my other posts in the Summer Blog Challenge, click here.

Why Didn't I Get the Sewing Gene?? (SBC- Day 68)

Today's Summer Blog Challenge prompt is to talk about a skill that you wish that you had.  

Sewing.

I so wish that I could sew.

I have never been very skilled with a thread and a needle.  This has been my curse ever since I took Home Economics in high school.  For the sewing semester, we got to choose a stuffed animal to sew and stuff and take home.  I had decided that I would make this fluffy white kitty cat to give to my younger sister.  It looked like a cat.  But it wasn't pretty...  I felt bad for that kitty.  And for my sister. ;p

My mom is a sewing whiz.  She always made my sister and I's Halloween costumes, and they were often unique and very detailed.  She sewed baby doll clothes for our Cabbage Patch dolls.  She has hemmed almost every pair of my pants & jeans that were much too long for my 5'1" frame.  My mother even hemmed my wedding gown, removed the train that I didn't really care for, and then used the material from that discarded train to make me a matching bolero jacket...

My sister can knit and make beautiful hats and scarves.  But me?  De nada.  No crafty needle skills whatsoever. 

The sewing gene obviously skipped me in my family. 

What is one skill that you wish that you had?

Ahhhhh... To Be An Acclaimed Food Critic (SBC, Day #66)

As you may have (or may not have) noticed, I did not participate in the Summer Blog Challenge yesterday.  After much consideration (and excessive squashing of my very competitive, never say quit alter-ego), I decided to only participate in the prompts that appeal to me and that are in line with what I am trying to do on my blog here.  That being said, today's prompt was right up my alley...  


What would your dream job be?
Easy.  An acclaimed food critic.  I mean, come on... getting paid to travel around the world eating the finest cuisine for some of the most gifted chefs on the planet??  Sign. Me. Up.
I am not talking an Anthony Bourdain type of career here.  No cameras or television shows, please.
Just straight up traveling, eating, critiquing, and blogging... with a pretty paycheck. ;)


So, what career path would you choose if all obstacles were removed and sky's the limit?

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 64- Getting Through a Meltdown...

Today's Summer Blog Challenge prompt is to talk about some ways that you get yourself through a meltdown.
I used to be the queen of absolute meltdowns.  I suffered (and still do) from anxiety and anxiety attacks for years.  There was a time when I attended monthly therapy sessions and popped anti-anxiety meds daily.  Both of these things were a LIFESAVER for me at the time.  I was in over my head, and had absolutely no self-coping skills.

A few years later, I decided that I no longer wanted to be dependent on the pills.  I knew that we wanted to try to conceive soon, and I had no desire to be on any medications when that miracle did happen.  I had miscarried once before and while I couldn't for sure attribute that to my anti-anxiety medication, I also couldn't completely rule that possibility out.  


So post-pills, how do I manage the meltdowns?  Anxiety doesn't ever really completely go away.  I still have my moments.  I still have attacks now and again.  And I still have to function.  With a 6 month old, the option to just "shut down" isn't there.  (Yeah, that was one of my old coping mechanisms.)


I cook.  I bake.  Both of these are therapeutic outlets for me.  There is something about creating food that will nourish my and my family's bodies that also nourishes my soul.  The chopping.  The rolling out of dough.  The mixing of batter.  The stirring of the pot.  All of it is my culinary therapy.


I am also a long time yogi.  I really took up yoga after my anxiety got to be too much. My first time going to a class was, well... interesting.  I thought for sure that I would NEVER get my body in the positions these women were making look all too easy.  But I kept at it.  I started going to a weekly yoga class, and I kept improving.  Yoga required me to focus on the poses, trying to hold each one.  There wasn't room or energy for my repetitive anxious thoughts and worries.  And then one day, I noticed a couple of newbies to the class.  They were struggling with the poses that I was so easily holding now.  Wow... that was me when I first started.  Not that I am taking pleasure in the struggles of a novice yogi, but I felt a certain sense of accomplishment.  I was making progress.  I was getting stronger and better.  
I still practice yoga a few times a week in my home.  It is amazing how much it centers me.  
How do you cope when a meltdown threatens your zen?

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 63- In My Dream Home...

I am going to get really George Jetson here and say that my dream home would have a self-cleaning option.  You flip a few switches and voila! All clean.  Dog hair- gone!  Dirty clothes on my son's bedroom floor- gone!  Dirty dishes in the sink- done! You get the gist. ;)
But alas, that technology is not available quite yet.  Or maybe just isn't available to us regular, mainstream folks right now. ;P


So, okay what would my dream house have?

A roomy, airy retro style kitchen... love the crisp white and blue combo in this one.

Or how about more of a vintage painted wood look?  Love the prep sink in the center island!

I also adore southern style wraparound porches like the one pictured above.  My dream home would have to have an outdoor space like this.  

Love the outdoor ceiling fans and the huge hanging ferns.  I could easily see myself enjoying a hot cup of coffee in the morning sitting on either one of these gorgeous porches. ;)

What features would your dream home have?

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 62- Handmade Gifts

Okay, so I know that it is officially August today.  Christmas in July is over, but today's Summer Blog Challenge is to share with you all some handmade gifts.  So I am sharing the foodie gifts I made for my husband's brothers and sisters last Christmas.  Last Christmas was our first Christmas on a major budget.  Coming up with Christmas gifts for six siblings while on a very tight budget forced me to become a bit creative with our gift giving.  (Yes, you read that right.  I have six brother and sister-in-laws. ;) )

I decided to make each of the six families jarred mixes for the holidays...

This is the Cinnamon Hot Chocolate mix I made & funneled into Mason jars.  I included little instructions on how to mix up a mug and gingerbread man marshmallows in resealable bags.  I tied cinnamon sticks to each jar with ribbon. :)  

CLICK HERE to get the recipe I used.

I also whipped up some cookies mixes in jars for each family.  I printed out and attached instructions for what to add to the mix and how to bake them.  I also tied little metal Christmas cookie cutters to each jar with ribbon.

CLICK HERE to get the recipe I used.

To decorate each of the jars, I bought wide holiday ribbon at the craft store.  I cut pieces of the ribbon to fit each jar and attached them with hot glue.


Do you make handmade gifts for the holidays?  What is one of your favorite gifts to make?

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 61- A Photo in Black & White

Okay, you all should probably know me by now.  When I have been asked to post "A" photo in any of these blog challenge prompts, I can never post just one.  It is entirely too difficult for me to pick just one.  Especially with this much adorable cuteness... <3  

Yes, the first two photos are a bit more sepia than black & white, but who doesn't want to see tiny little newborn feet??

And cute little baby feet with a cute little baby bum? ;)

Baby girl around 2 1/2 months old. <3

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 60- Here's a Doodle For You...

I am definitely not what one would call an artist.  But I have always been a doodler.  Especially when I am bored.  I will admit it.  I spent many a teacher meeting happily doodling away in my notebook while I pretended to be taking notes. ;)  
Today's Summer Blog Challenge is to share a drawing or a doodle I have done.
I thought I would share this little gem with you all...

Yep. That is a little doodle I did of my husband when we were having a few beers at one of our favorite restaurants near Pittsburgh.  I think it is pretty darn good. ;) Don't you?

Give me beer and apparently I can draw then. (Ha!)

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 59- How Does My Life Measure Up to the Vision I Had When I Was Younger...

Honestly, when I was younger I never imagined myself wanting to be a stay-at-home mom.  In fact, that was one of THE last things that I wanted to be then.  

When my son was 9 months old, I stayed home with him for four months.  It felt like a VERY  long four months.  Maybe I would have enjoyed it more if I had also not moved over 7 hours away from all of my family and friends.  I didn't know anyone in our new city, and didn't have very many opportunities to make new friends.  (The internet was just becoming something I used on a regular basis to email my mother, but there was no Facebook, or Twitter, or blogs then. ;) )  After that short stint as a stay-at-home mother, I decided that it was definitely not for me.  I wanted to be a working mom.  And I was just that for over 10 years, mostly working as a middle school and high school teacher.  

Now, I cannot imagine wanting to be anything other than a stay-at-home mama.  I honestly cannot fathom working outside of the home at the moment.  I am hoping that if we continue to budget and scrimp, then I will be able to remain at home with my baby girl until she is ready to start school.  I actually really enjoy being a homemaker now.  (Psssssttt... the me 13 years ago would think that I am absolutely nuts now, just so you know. ;) )  I also love being at home when my son comes home from school, always being available to cheer him on at his cross country and track meets.  I feel like I am gaining all these precious moments that I know I would miss by working outside of the home and gaining a paycheck.

*I am not knocking any parent that works outside of the home, and chooses to not stay at home.  I understand staying at home is not always an option, and is not what works for everyone.  This is just what works for myself and my family right now. :)

To see my other posts in the Summer Blog Challenge, and to check out other posts from bloggers also taking the challenge, click here.

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 58- The Last Time I "Roughed It"...

Okay, I don't really "rough it".  And if I happen to then it is only for one night.  I grew up camping with my grandparents every summer, but they had a camper.  That could be locked... And that bears couldn't get into.  
My family and I are supposed to go tent camping before the summer is over.  It is on our Sand Pail List (refer to #3) after all.  But honestly, I won't feel like a huge failure if we don't end up crossing that one off our list. ;P


It is not that I don't like camping.  I love spending the day at the campsite, putting up the tent.  Exploring the trails and river or lake that is near us.  Cooking over an open flame.  And S'mores and roasted marshmallows... don't get me started on those! ;) 
But I hate the actually sleeping in a flimsy tent, on an inflatable mattress part. I wake up at every single noise.  Every snap of a branch, convinced that a crazed serial killer or bear is lurking outside of our tent.  


But I am supposed to be telling you all about the last time that I actually "roughed it".  It was September 2009, and my son and I went with some friends to the Pawpaw festival at Lake Snowden in Ohio.  We spent the day walking the trails around the lake...

We camped in a tent that night, and our inflatable mattress deflated in the middle of the night (why does that always happen??).  I woke up at every other noise.  Then we spent the next day at the Festival.  That is my son in the photo below hand churning pawpaw ice cream with the good folks from Snowville Creamery...

Yep, it has been almost 3 years now since I have roughed it.  And I am not complaining. ;)

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 57- Wind Brewed Beer

Yep, that is right.  Beer brewed from wind power! ;) 

Today's Summer Blog Challenge prompt is to write up a little something about an alternative energy source.  So, I am telling you about the first ever wind powered brewery located in the Outer Banks, the Outer Banks Brewing Station.

We visited the Outer Banks Brewing Station when we vacationed in the Outer Banks last summer.  Since I am a craft beer lover and somewhat of a tree hugger, this was on my must-do list while visiting there.  Even though I only got to enjoy a few sips of my husband's beer since I was 12 weeks pregnant with baby girl at the time. ;)

To learn more about the Outer Banks Brewing Station and their wind-powered brews, click here.

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 56- If I Could Have a Super Power...

It would be super-speed!  

But I would only use the super-speed power for all the obligatory, mundane tasks I try to get done everyday- like swiffering & mopping the floors (a must almost every other day now that baby girl is pretty mobile), and grocery shopping, and folding laundry, loading & unloading the dishwasher... you get the gist. Oh, let's throw in a daily workout with all that too. ;)

I would think that I could get my household, stay-at-home mom responsibilities done in maybe an hour each day with my new superhero power?  

Then I would have plenty of time each day to do all the things that I love. Like spending time with my baby girl and my son.  Snuggling with my husband.  Cooking and baking.  Blogging and blog reading.  

If you could have any super power, which one would you choose to wield? ;)

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 55- 3 Easy & Healthy Snacks for the Kiddos

Today's prompt is to tell about 3 easy & healthy snacks for toddlers or children.  One of our go-to healthy snacks in this house is apple slices with peanut butter.  We love that nifty little gadget that lets you core and slice an apple all in one swift whack. ;) We plop a dollop of peanut butter in the center of a bowl and then arrange the apple slices around it. Then you just dip and snack.  Sometimes we make it a little extra special and sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the peanut butter.  (Ummmm... this is also one of my favorite snacks, so it is adult friendly too?) 


We also like to do vanilla yogurt "sundaes".  We scoop vanilla yogurt into bowls, and then we each top our's with whichever toppings we prefer.  Granola, chocolate chips, banana slices, a squirt of chocolate syrup, pecans... Or a combination of any of these. ;)


And one snack that we especially enjoy during these hot summer days is frozen grapes.  Just rinse off and drain your grapes in a colander, dry with a paper towel, and freeze in freezer bags overnight.  The next day you have a healthy and refreshing snack! 


What are some of your go-to healthy snacks for your family?

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 54- A Band I Have Been Digging Lately...

I literally just stumbled upon The Lumineers this past week.  And I love them.  They have a very The Avett Brothers vibe to them.  And as those of you who happened to read my Day 38 post- Song Lyrics That You Find Some Meaning In, you know that my husband & I love The Avett Brothers enough to include some of their song lyrics in our wedding. ;)


So without further ado, please check out "Ho Hey" by The Lumineers...

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 53- We Beat the Heat With...

Water!  And lots of it! ;)

Baby girl in her first ever baby pool.  She is a water baby! :)

To see my other posts in the Summer Blog Challenge, & to read other posts from bloggers also taking this Challenge, click here.

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 52- Have You Seen My Raised Garden Bed Lately??

Today's Summer Blog Challenge prompt is to give your best gardening tip.  Well, I am not really feeling super confident in my gardening skills at the moment.  This is what my garden looked like today...

Yeah, it is not looking all that great.  *sigh* Remember when I excitedly started my raised garden bed?  So full of hope and bountiful anticipation?  (Click here if you need to refresh your memory.)

So far my garden has produced 2 tomatoes that were not really edible and 1 jalapeno pepper that I actually used earlier this week.  I have about 3 more jalapenos that may be ready in a week or two.  My poblano peppers did absolutely squat.  De nada. :/

Not sure exactly where I went wrong, but I do have one gardening tip for you.  Don't get discouraged.  And don't completely throw in the towel.  Yeah, I know my raised garden bed is pretty much a bust at this point.  But I still have my herbs growing well, and I also seem to have raised a hosta or two from what seemed like certain death by deer munching...

And there is always next year, right? ;)

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 51- A Free Family Activity

Okay, so I could go on and on and on about this one.  I mean, there are a TON of free activities you can do with your kids.  Many museums offer free admission on certain holidays.  National parks do the same.  You can stay home and play board or card games.  Cook or bake together.  Take a trip to the local public library or playground.  Yeah, this list could go on and on...  ;)  But one of my favorite free things to do with my children is to go walk around the local park here.  The walking trails at this park are built around 2 small lakes.  There is a ton of wildlife to watch, and even a dog park.  Before we moved in June, we actually lived right up the hill from this park.  We could just walk out our front door to it.  Now, we have a short 3 minute drive to this very same park.  :)

Above is one of the geese families we pretty much "stalked" all spring.  It was fun to watch the babies grow a little more each week.

On one of our walks- babywearing & napping <3

What are some of your favorite free and fun things to do with your kiddos? :)

Summer Blog Challenge, Day 50- Lottery Daydreams...

Today's Summer Blog Challenge prompt is to tell what you would do with the money if you won the lottery.  I often joke that winning the lottery is my presently my only retirement plan in place.  ;) But all kidding aside, I guess it would depend on exactly how much I would win. Let's just say it is $1 million, post tax...

• I would pay off all of our debt.  Finally.
• I would set money aside for my son and my daughter for college.
• My husband and I would buy newer cars.  Notice I don't say new cars.  Brand new cars depreciate so much the second you drive them off the lot that I don't really see the point.  But I will take a nice 2011 Audi. ;)
• We would build or buy a house.  That has my dream kitchen. 
• Travel, travel, travel.  I have so many places I want to visit with my husband and my children.  Our first big trip would be to Italy.  That one is on my bucket list. :)
• I would also set aside some of the winnings to help out family and friends, and some to invest.  If we invest some wisely, then we may never have to work again unless we just wanted to.  How fabulous would that be?  Maybe in about 10 years my husband and I would take some of our returns on our investments and open that bed & breakfast we have been talking about. ;)
• And of course we would donate money to organizations and charities that we support and believe in.

So, what would you do with the money if you won the lottery?