Tuesday, June 17, 2014

5 Ways I Have Recently Been Influenced By Other Blogs

For the past 12 weeks, usually on a Tuesday, I have written a post called "Seven Ways to Make the Most of a Moment." While I enjoyed writing it, and will continue to do so, I have decided to focus on that topic less than once-a-week, at least for a while.

I love reading other people's blogs, and get lots of good ideas when I do. Today, I've decided to list five things from other blogs that made a difference in my life in the past few weeks.  Instead of agonizing over choosing the very best, I am just writing about the first five things that come to mind.  Here goes:


Five Ways Other Blogs Influenced Me in Recent Weeks:

1.This made me laugh, and reminded me of what being pregnant is like!
There are certain people though, who are always allowed to touch your pregnant belly!
(My daughter just found out that it “was almost time” when this photo was taken.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
    2. I discovered a website called "What Should I Read Next?"
    • This site provides recommendations based on other novels or authors you already like. I may never worry about trying to find a good book to read again. (That doesn't mean I still won't be interested in good suggestions by friends and bloggers though!)
    _______________________________________________________________________________

    3.  I made Strawberry Rhubarb ice-cream.

    • I wanted to try this recipe, from A Cookie Named Desire ever since I mentioned it on my blog on 5-7-14. I made it this weekend, and it was delicious!

    I followed the directions exactly, and my ice cream turned out perfectly. Isn't it pretty?
    _______________________________________________________________________________

    4. I added a "back to top button" to this blog! 
    • Thanks to a tutorial from My Bloggers World, this tool was very easy to add - even for someone with my limited computer skills!  I am hoping this icon will make navigating my blog easier for my readers.
    (Click on the icon that looks like this at bottom right, to return to top of this blog.)


    _________________________________________________________________________________

    5. I wore my jean jacket.
    • I planned to wear a particular skirt to a fundraiser last week, but I couldn't decide what to wear with it.  Then I remembered the post “Sneakers and a Dress ” on Two Teens and Their Mama. It had reminded me of the jean jacket that I own, but never wear. This jacket was comfortable, the perfect weight for the weather, went well with the skirt, and just the right amount of casual for the occasion. There are no photos of me from that evening, but here's the outfit I wore:
    This photo proves I don't have any experience with fashion photography!

    _________________________________________________________________________________


    That's five ways - although even before I finished typing this I thought of many more.  I know I promised to just list five - but I can't finish this post without mentioning one more way I have been influenced, which is really best of all.  
    • That, of course, is the support I've received from readers and other bloggers. Special thanks to  +Rena McDaniel+Lana L. and +Becka M, for showing support of nearly every one of my posts - but many thanks to everyone who took the time to even just read one!)  All of the comments, shares, likes, and Google Plus +1's on my blog posts have given me the confidence to continue writing, and I am grateful for every one. 

    Can you think of a blog post that made a difference in your life?


    17 comments :

    1. Blogging and bloggers have changed my life, too, Susan! It quite literally has been a whole new world!

      ReplyDelete
    2. Trying again to comment. Stupid computer! :)
      Blogging and bloggers have changed my life, too, Susan! What an amazing world I've discovered!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Hi Diane
        I agree - a world I never knew existed, but that I'm really glad I found!
        I really enjoy your blog. Even though I didn't live on a ranch, it frequently reminds me of the rural area outside of Calgary where I grew up. You have been so encouraging to me - your name was originally at the end of this post along with several others, but I felt it was too many for today.
        Even your duplicate comment here is encouraging - it is nice to know that such a competent blogger as yourself has some of the same issues with which I struggle!

        Delete
    3. The jacket looks GREAT with the skirt!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thank Carol. I was happy to have it in my closet!

        Delete
    4. Although I can see why you picked each one, your last is a favorite of mine. The friends I've met, the support I feel, the interactions through blogs and social media are all like a daily virtual hug.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. A daily virtual hug - what a great description! My guess is a lot of people who have visited your blog have been on the receiving end of that Karen!

        Delete
    5. Love the picture of you with your daughter! I'm so glad you stumbled upon the reading website - I know I will make great use of it! Thanks so much for mentioning me - your fundraiser outfit turned out cute!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks Lana. She is just the picture of joy isn't she?! And thank you! I was going to be late, and was thinking I was going to have to change my whole outfit - then your post popped into my mind, and I realized I had the perfect jacket! :)

        Delete
    6. Love this post. Love the outfit you wore...I would totally wear that. I'm going to check out 'what to read next' also. Hate to cook so I won't be making the ice cream...lol. ;-)
      http://whosaprettygirl.com

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thanks for the compliments Darlene. I think you will like "what to read next". I think it is pretty helpful! I'm glad you have visited my blog!

        Delete
    7. Thank you so much for your sweet words Susan! When I started blogging (just this past January). The two main reasons were that I felt so alone, isolated and depressed (okay that's 3 sorry). My daughter suggested FB and Pinterest so I could keep up with my old friends that I was missing so much from back home. I started writing, the more I wrote the more energized I became. It was amazing but then I started to meet ladies like you. I never knew this world existed I have made so many new friends and I cherish every single one of you. You have made me a better person and also a better caregiver I look forward to every single post and hope I can continue to cheer you on!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. If you had told me three months ago that I would be making friend on-line, I would have said you were crazy! But, I too, have been doing just that! I am glad you have found blogging helpful Rena, taking care of a relative is an important job, done willingly and with lots of love, but it can be very taxing all the same. I can tell you must be an amazing caregiver!

        Delete
    8. I actually visited and stayed in Ottawa with a Canadian travel blogger I met on line. The travel blogger is 3.5 pound long haired chihuahua. Fortunately, his people weren't ax murderers. In fact they are coming to see my hometown of Philadelphia next month. I've met up with other travel bloggers all over the world. I agree with the other commenters. The virtual community of bloggers is quite amazing.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I remember your comment about this on my post “Neither of Us Was a Catfish” 6-2-14, Suzanne. It made me laugh then, and now I really want to get to know more about this blogging chihuahua!

        Delete
    9. Ooh, that reading website is fabulous. It's always so sad when I end a good book and then feel empty handed with nothing else to read!

      ReplyDelete

    If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you share it on your social media sites and with your friends!