Friday, July 3, 2015

Week # 4: My List of Fabulous Finds

It's already time for another  “My List of Fabulous Finds” posts. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like Friday came pretty quickly this week?


Just a reminder of the reason for this series:

There is a LOT of really helpful, captivating, and entertaining information available on the Internet!  It can take a lot of time however, to sift through and find the articles that interest you. In this series, I share the links to some of the “fabulous finds" I have discovered on the Internet throughout the week. 


If you read this blog, I suspect we have similar passions. If I find something to be fascinating or useful, I think you might as well. I hope you enjoy and benefit from these links!

Here is some of what I came across this week:




This Week's Fabulous Finds:


~ ~ Helpful information for bloggers about Understanding SEO 

It is important to most bloggers that people find and read their blogs. Search Engine Optimization is a crucial factor in how well viewed a post becomes - but many of us find it pretty confusing. This post by Kelly, which I found on the SITS Girls website, offers some really helpful information. I really hope I can start applying it!

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~ ~ A Reminder to Be Kind

Life Vest Inside is a non-profit organization “geared towards spreading kindness, empowering people and building self worth." I signed up with them to be a "kindness ambassador" quite some time ago, and I enjoy seeing their inspiring Facebook posts and quotes in my feed.  Here is one I really like:


You never know what struggles someone may be facing- try to have a positive attitude towards all those you encounter.
Posted by Life Vest Inside on Friday, June 26, 2015



“Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” (Plato)

I always try to think this way.  In fact, this quote seemed quite familiar. I was curious if this comment by Plato was what I was remembering from a book that I had read. When I checked, I realized these sentences of Plato's are not word-for-word, but very similar to the passage I was thinking of from The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, A Novel. (That paragraph is quoted in my blog post, The Complexity, Joy and Pain of Human Interaction. ) 

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~ ~ Tweeting on Twitter

It is no secret that I have found Twitter to be confusing. Despite myself, I somehow fortunately keep gaining followers, and I really need to figure out how be a better tweeter! That is why I was really excited to find this article. It provides a wealth of information  - useful not just for bloggers, but anyone with a Twitter account ... or anyone who has wanted one, but hasn't been able to figure it all out!

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~ ~ A Scientific Explanation of the Star of Bethlehem? 


Venus, Jupiter, Moon,
Two planets appear as one, just to the left and slightly below the moon in the sky.
On Tuesday, June 30th, I witnessed a notable event in the evening sky. In fact, I even took a
photo of it. The rising moon was brilliant, as was what I thought was a planet appearing just under and to the left of the moon. 
I did a google search, curious to find out if the moon was completely full. An article published by Indian Country Today Media Network explained that the what I was seeing below the moon was not one planet but two - so close together they appeared to have merged.

An article by Michael Pearson, CNN suggested that this dazzling celestial occurrance could be a scientific explanation of the "Star of Bethlehem"! 

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~ ~ The Perfect Cookie Recipe for When it is Too Hot to Bake!


no-bake cookies, recipe, cookie recipe

I put this photo of these cookies on my Instagram, and I have had requests for the recipe.  I found the recipe by Shelly a while back on her blog, Cookies and Cups.  I did slightly alter the recipe, as described below. Here's the link:
These cookies are super easy to make and only need a few ingredients! No oven is required, and I even used the microwave instead of the stovetop. The process is so quick, I even made a batch one morning before my son left for school, so he could take some in his lunch!

For the batch of cookies in the photo, I followed the recipe exactly, except I use 8 ounces of white chocolate chips and 8 ounces of butterscotch chips, instead of just white chocolate. Pretty yummy, I must say!
  
It is best to firm these cookies up in the fridge; if your home is warm, they will hold their shape better if you store them in the refrigerator.

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What is your favorite no-bake cookie?
Did you see the moon and Jupiter and Venus on Tuesday?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!

14 comments :

  1. Twitter is kind of a strange beast, isn't it? After being a facebook only girl for quite some time, this blogging stuff is forcing me to branch out in social media. It's hard to keep up with it all!

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    1. It IS hard to keep up - the toughest aspect of being a blogger, I think!

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  2. Thanks so much for the tips! I pinned them to go back and read later. I'm going to be gone all next week on vacation so I hope you have a great holiday weekend!

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    1. I hope your vacation and July 4th weekend are both wonderful Rena!! Have fun!

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  3. I just joined twitter a few days ago, for the same reason because I want to reach out to people who might want to see my blog. I was overwhelmed by all the tweets that were generated from one person I had followed... is it even humanly possible...lol My welcome to high tech !!

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    1. I find it overwhelming also - and I am now your newest Twitter follower!

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  4. Kindness is a wonderful thing - as was The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. A book I loved, and have and will reread.

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    1. You are so well-read EC - and I agree, it is a wonderful book!

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  5. I am so glad I am not alone in Twitter confusion--don't even ask about instagram lol. Wonderful and informative post, Susan. Those cookies look delicious so need to give those a try. Have a great holiday weekend!

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    1. Maybe we should all form a Twitter support group! lol! Thanks Donna - and I hope your weekend is wonderful as well!

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  6. I can't believe it's Friday already! Great links this week Susan. I'm definitely trying the no bake cookies because it's been way too hot here to turn on the oven! Hope you have a great weekend!

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    1. The week did seem to go by quickly! We pick up my son in Wyoming on Wednesday - and then the summer can SLOW DOWN!

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  7. Cookies look wonderful. I like then no bake peanut butter and oats cookies. Thanks for linking up and sharing with us at Funtastic Friday. Hope you join us again this week:-)

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    1. Hi Sherry! No bake PB and oats cookies are a favorite of mine as well. I will get to Fantastic Friday whenever I can - thanks for hosting!

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