blogging Archives - Keeping With The Times

Five Things Friday | June 8

June 8, 2018 by Barb 6 Comments

Welcome to Five Things Friday where I share what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment. First up, a little May 2018 review from Instagram.

Month of May in Review

Lilacs, anemones, rhubarb, Marsh Marigolds, and pansies filled my feed last month. Trying to post an image every day is quite challenging, but in the end, I love to look back.

On a side note, I’m also starting to ponder the fact that if Instagram disappeared (or more likely my account) I would lose years of consecutive moments …

I’m trying to find my blogging voice again and let me tell you it’s hard. But I need this space, I really, really, need this space! So let me start with some behind the scenes work I’ve been doing on my blog.

I’ve Been Working on Making my Blog GDPR Compliant

The EU’s new data privacy law, the General Data Protection Regulation, goes into effect on May 25, 2018 and applies not only to EU-based organizations, but also to anyone who has customers or contacts in the EU.

For me, that means creating a Privacy Policy as well as informing and obtaining consent from existing subscribers to my newsletter that yes, they still do want to receive mail from Keeping With the Times. So a newsletter will be forthcoming. I can honestly say I’ve been paralyzed by all this but also that I’m proud to be working through it all.

What I’m Reading

I became obsessed with the TV series Outlander about a year ago after finding the first season on sale at Target. I remember handing the DVD to the hubs and remarking that “oh, this is supposed to be good”. Little did I know, I was going down a rabbit hole!

After we devoured the entire 3 seasons, I decided I had to read the books as well (I just wasn’t ready to let Claire and Jamie go ;)

So … I can check book #1 Outlander off my list! It’s a huge one and I thought it would take me until the end of August … but nope (I’m already on book number 2 :) I loved it! It was very similar to the TV series and I could see Claire and Jamie quite vividly. A great summer read my friends!

What I’m Loving

Do you use Goodreads? It’s a fabulous resource for booklovers! You can:

See what books your friends are reading.
Track the books you’re reading, have read, and want to read.
Check out your personalized book recommendations. Our recommendation engine analyzes 20 billion data points to give suggestions tailored to your literary tastes.
Find out if a book is a good fit for you from our community’s reviews.

~Goodreads~

What I Discovered

While some people dream of having a fresh flower farm and growing their business, I dream of finding that person with a fresh flower farm and helping them grow their business ;) and find them I did! Woo hoo!

Lovely Jen @farmfreshflorals in Leduc County, Alberta, grew these amazing “Finola” tulips. She also found a way to deliver them to me virtually hassle-free. Having them harvested with the bulbs was an extra special bonus, i.e. photo op!

I’m looking forward to getting more local, fresh bouquets.

So that’s it for Five Things Friday for June 8th! If you stopped by, I thank you! xo

Stumbling Blocks (and why I became afraid)

March 25, 2018 by Barb 12 Comments

Stumbling blocks (and why I became afraid)

stum·bling block:
noun; a circumstance that causes difficulty or hesitation
synonyms: obstacle, difficulty, problem, hindrance, snag

About a year ago my blogging mojo took a huge dive (in case you hadn’t noticed) and I’ve been puzzling over it ever since. As time went on and no posts were forthcoming, it became harder and harder to show up in this space. I felt empty, depleted.

The good news is I didn’t lose interest in my photography, but Instagram took over my life. Instagram became the perfect microblogging outlet, which in turn, contributed to the lack of posting here.

So to be honest with you my readers, I thought I’d share a few insights as to what has prevented me from blogging (beginning last June)

loss of a family member
minor health issues
blog issues
losing my IT guy and not being able to find another one (my behind-the-scenes blog issues are messy! and I hate that)
SEO pressures … always, always, trying to optimize for Google is exhausting
a few unsubscribes from my newsletter
feeling overwhelmed by other blogs which I deemed were better/more interesting than mine
not knowing what to write about that could possibly be different, and/or interesting
after at least one incident last autumn, I became fearful of people stealing images and content in ways I couldn’t challenge (this is a big one for me)
Instagram is easier and more engaged :(

So there you have it dear friends. I don’t know what I’m going to do about it, but clearly I’m not ready to let my little blog go. A few of my “stumbling blocks” have been resolved (thankfully) and I do feel slightly more inspired these days. So here’s hoping!

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Five Things Friday | September 22

September 23, 2017 by Barb 6 Comments

Welcome to Five Things Friday where I share what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment.

September 22 was our Autumn Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere! It began at 2:02 pm MST and I welcomed it with open arms.

Our trees are just beginning to turn colour and a few leaves have fallen. But this image is where I’m at right now—bringing plants indoors to save for a couple more weeks. I love this geranium basking in the sunlight on my garden table. It was one of the first plants I purchased last May … a zonal geranium (Pelgardini Vancouver Centennial.) I like the variegated leaves and how the flowers remind me of fireworks.I’m so grateful for the abundance of apples (from our friends’ orchard)
.. and I love baking with them …

Five Things Friday | September 22

What I’m Reading

Since my last “Five Things” post, I finished A House in the Sky. It’s a tremendously well-written powerful read, and at one point, so hard to take I had to skip a chapter (near the end.) Having said that, I truly recommend reading it. She does get rescued, and she does go on to live a life helping others. Her actions that led her to be captured became controversial and thought-provoking but I’m on her side.

I also read The Picture of Dorian Gray … now that’s a weird read … enough said ;)

What I’m Watching

Lately I haven’t had time to sit down and watch anything, however, I’m starting a list of shows I want to watch:

Law and Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders on NBC on September 26, I love everything Law and Order, and I love Edi Falco (from The Sopranos)
This is Us (of course)
60 Minutes (you laugh!) but Oprah!! ;)

What I Discovered

Caution (brag alert): one of my photos was featured on Instagram. Insert every shocked-face emoji you can imagine. My account had been absolutely stagnant for months and months and suddenly I was inundated with new followers. Yes, some are weird (some are not.) But hey … I was featured on Instagram.

But what I discovered is that the growth (while amazing) was not meteoric. And contrary to popular lore, the minute I posted another photo my followers did not fall off like flies. I’ve probably lost about 5. It’s a strange experience. I could hardly sleep the night it happened, but life goes on and it’s practically over… my fifteen minutes of fame is over. Side note: my photo on Instagram got more likes than Steven Colbert (lol ;)

What I Love

My hair. At my age there isn’t much to love anymore ;) but seriously I found a hairdresser who gets what I want and she sticks to the plan. I did show her a few photos at first so as to have no confusion. You just cannot beat a good haircut ladies.

What’s Inspiring Me

My daughter and her husband have a new blog This Big Adventure and it’s chock-full of valuable information on travel etc.

We are the Rooneys, an Albertan family of five. We believe adventure can start the moment you step out your front door. From exploring our hometown, taking day trips, weekend camping excursions, or long haul vacations, we love to do it all! Stick around as we set you up with all the tips, tricks, and hidden gems that we find along the way!

It’s amazing how first-hand advice about something can make a world of difference in making travel easier and I highly recommend checking it out!

So that’s it for Five Things Friday for September 22. Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely weekend.

If you liked this post, you make also like these:

: 3 Minute Easy Baked Apple

: Apple Pie/Cheesy Rustic Crust

: Gingerbread, Apples & Caramel Sauce

: 5 Wardrobe Ideas

: A Different Kind of Power

Field Guide to Everyday Magic Blog Hop

August 24, 2017 by Barb

Hello, and welcome to the Field Guide to Everyday Magic Blog Hop hosted by Bella Grace Magazine!

The hop consists of a group of about 15 writers who are willing to share their ideas, stories, and photography to help launch the new field guide (and I’m beyond thrilled and truly gob-smacked to be included!)

Inspired by its sister publication, Field Guide to Everyday Magic is filled entirely with the worksheet-style prompts, captivating photographs, and inspirational quotes that Bella Grace Magazine has come to be known for
~Bella Grace Magazine~

I hope my contribution today inspires you in some small way, and if my words resonate with you, please make sure to leave a comment to become eligible to win a copy* of this beautiful guide. PLEASE NOTE: CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

I Will Not be Afraid and What to Do in Case of Fear (My Story)

It was autumn, about two years ago, when I first started thinking about how easy it is to become afraid of anything and everything.

I remember the morning so clearly; I’d headed out on my usual walk along the secluded country road I call home, the unconfirmed report that a cougar had been spotted in the area running through my head.

It was clear, peaceful, and beautiful as ever.I stood quietly, listening to the rustle of leaves and peering into the shadows of our beautiful boreal forest. I scanned the tops of the trees (cougars are a cat, after all) but only saw a friendly raven. It croaked a quick “hello” and flew off.

I pushed the thought of the cougar to the back of my mind until I rounded the bend where I could no longer see our house.

I stopped. A flicker of unease ran through me.

The road ahead was deserted but that cougar was definitely prowling around (if only in my head) and I couldn’t control my fearful thoughts: cougars stalk their prey … you never see them coming … they can run at speeds of 60-80 km/hr …

I suddenly wanted to turn around and go back, so I knew I had a decision to make. Was I going to turn back to the safety of my home and become a prisoner of my fears? or was I going to continue on my walk and remain free? After a few minutes of inner struggle, a small voice whispered “I will not be afraid.”

Was it possible there could be a cougar lurking in the area? Yes of course. Was it likely? Not really. I’d heard of cougar attacks on humans and the thought is horrific. (Note: after a bit of research I found there has been only one fatal attack in Alberta since 2000 and it was in the mountains.) I do not want to trivialize that terrible statistic, but how likely was it that it would happen to me, on this day, in this place? Not likely.

I went ahead and finished my walk that day, even taking a shortcut through the trees where a beautiful path winds its way to the lake. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel a tiny bit apprehensive (I did), but my bigger fear became how my world would shrink if I gave in!

Don’t let your fears distort your thoughts to the point they paralyze you …As I stood taking in the gorgeousness, I thought about other things that have scared me throughout life: plane crashes, illness, bear attacks, people attacks …

Our biggest fears are related to things that are difficult to predict (and I might add, control)
~Philosopher and Psychiatrist Damiaan Denys~

Later I decided to purchase bear spray and bear bells and I now carry them in a small backpack whenever I walk. It’s a small bit of reassurance and gives me a sense of having control … especially over my fears.

Does this mean I am never afraid? Of course not. Not ever being afraid is not possible. Our brains are hardwired to see threats everywhere, but I take steps to minimize wild imaginings, and move ahead despite the fear.

What to do in case of fear:

sit down with a cup of tea and write down your fears
analyze (what are the chances?)
prepare (carry bear spray)
trust (all will be well)
have faith (faith makes you feel strong)
stay quietly strong and repeat “I will not be afraid”
move forward

What are some of your fears, and how do you deal with them? I’d love to hear!

Simply leave a comment on this blog post by Thursday, August 31/2017 to become eligible to win one free copy of Field Guide to Everyday Magic.

*Please note: contest is open to U.S. residents. International participants are eligible to receive a free digital edition of Bella Grace. But wait! I also have a secret surprise of my own to send to a runner-up no matter where you live, and I know you’ll love it ;)

I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened
~Mark Twain~

Many thanks to Bella Grace Magazine for including me in this blog hop and for generously providing me with a copy of the guide for the contest.

Good luck everyone!

*DISCLAIMER:

This is simply a personal account. Do not attempt an activity of any kind based on this blog post. Exercise caution in all activities and do so at your own risk. Keeping With the Times does not accept responsibility for anything related to this story.

COMMENTS CLOSED! WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED MONDAY SEPTEMBER 4th!

August Blogging Schedule Update

August 23, 2017 by Barb 1 Comment

Hello, I believe it’s time for a little August blogging schedule update …

… but first, here’s a peek at my Instagram grid as of today: it’s filled with dahlias, coneflowers, cattails, globe thistles, succulents, daisies and sunflowers (may I never take you for granted ;)
Earlier this month I wrote the blog post What Happened? outlining my planned posts for August.

So far … so good. Except I’ve decided to postpone the market garden list. It’s sitting there in draft mode and I want to add a few more locations. And truthfully I got behind in my research … oops! But what fun research it is … so I will get it together!

Note: I put a calendar on my sidebar that shows which days I’ve posted, and let me tell you it’s a tremendous motivator. I look at it every morning and it’s painfully obvious there were no posts last week. But, I did publish two in the first week (pat on the back :) As you can tell, I am struggling a bit but still hanging in there.

And just a little reminder, I have a post going up tomorrow (August 24th) in collaboration with Stampington and Bella Grace Magazine and there will be a giveaway! I’ll also be sending out a newsletter with a little reminder.

Thank you for stopping by xo

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy these:

: A Different Kind of Power

: Dealing With Distraction

: Plant Your Own Garden

: Gentle Encouragement

: Late Summer Floral Arrangements

Five Things Friday | August 4

August 4, 2017 by Barb 7 Comments

Welcome to Five Things Friday where I share what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment.

I haven’t shared a Five Things Friday since May … but I’m starting to get back on my feet after 2 months (gasp!) of not posting at all. I totally lost my mojo and tried to explain why in my post What Happened? (if you care to have a read.)

I’ve been picking lots of wildflowers, as I truly prefer a free bouquet :)

It’s also interesting that whilst in Arizona last year I paid for goldenrod (solidago), which is growing in great heaps in our ditches at the moment. You can see the bouquet I purchased at Trader Joe’s for proof.

So without further ado, here is what I’ve been up to in the last little while:

Five Things Friday | August 4

What I Discovered

I discovered that I am capable of solving a technical glitch. After a WordPress update in May, my blog posts were a total mess (behind the scenes). Tons of extra html and gobbledy-gook were lurking inside every post, and while you, my dear readers couldn’t see it … I could, and I cannot stand a mess because I figure it will eventually bite you in the butt. So after my tech guy kindly and (finally) took a look and didn’t see anything, and after contacting HostGater who although helpful in other ways, did not diagnose my problem, I set out to figure it out myself. To make a long story short, there are two editing views in WordPress: Visual and Text. I used to be able to switch seamlessly between the two views but now they counteract each other and cause all kinds of havoc. Apparently this is not news. It happens. So I disabled the Visual Editor and now only work in HTML. It sounds complicated but actually, it is not. I would be happy to share more and write a post if anyone’s interested … let me know!

What I’m Reading

I’ve just started reading A House in the Sky. It’s the true story of Amanda Lindhout and her kidnapping while acting as a reporter in Mogadishu, Somalia “the most dangerous place on earth.” I find it especially interesting as she’s a Canadian from Red Deer, a city about 2 hours drive from where I live. So far it’s a very good read … describing places and events I only want to experience from my sofa.

What I’m Watching

Well, I’m not really watching anything … but last night the hubs took me out for dinner, and to see The Phantom of the Opera. Oh I can’t get that musical out of my system … I’ve now seen it 5 times! 3 times in Edmonton, once in Calgary, and once in Toronto. Last night’s performance in Edmonton was spectacular and the music was extraordinary. I’m still buzzing. After the show we drove home in a gentle rain … the entire evening was magical.

What I’m Loving

Well, I love it when a company sends me fabulous product to try … and when Vintage North asked if I’d like to have 3 lovely plant pots, and perhaps to share them on IG or my blog … I’m like wha? ummm, yeah!! I absolutely adore them (they’re a perfect compliment to my lovely succulents I think.) I’m thinking these will be showing up time and time again :)

My Favourite Leaf

By August my garden is quite the hodgepodge of flowers, seedpods, grasses, and weeds. But also leaves … and although I’ve always loved my hostas, I’ve never used them in still life photography. So I set out to remedy that. So here is my Hosta Big Daddy: a huge, sturdy, ruffly, quilted, textural beauty that is also slug resistant! It also lasted several weeks in a cut flower bouquet!

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your Friday!
xo

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy these:

: Late Summer Floral Arrangements

: Backyard Bouquets

: Apple Pie/Cheesy Rustic Crust

: 5 Wardrobe Ideas

: Rosemary Thyme Shortbread

15 Ideas to Help Make Your August Amazing

August 1, 2017 by Barb 34 Comments

Hello and good morning! As promised in my post of July 31st, I’ve compiled a list of 15 ideas to help make your August amazing . And because I’m going easy on myself this month, I decided to only come up with 15—as opposed to 31 (which would be my usual.)

Many of these I can hardly wait to accomplish, and some will be a bit of a challenge … as in the tent one (I may sleep in our new trailer instead ;)

15 Ideas to Help Make Your August Amazing

Buy bottles of bubbles and spend a morning photographing them as you blow them into the light! If you have children or grandchildren to help you … all the better! If not, just place your camera on a tripod, set the timer, and bubble away!
Visit greenhouses and shop for mid-season clearance items, or for new arrivals such as late summer coneflowers, huge pots of mums, and dazzling dahlias. I used to restrict my flower purchases to spring, but now stores like Home Depot are bringing in fresh pots (and ideas) daily.
Cut back flower pots that have become leggy and fertilize with a 15-15-30. My daughter gave me this tip, which she learned from a horticulturist at Lowes. This will give your plants a huge boost and make for an amazing last hurrah!
Visit U-Picks for fresh veggies, berries, and fruits … these days a person doesn’t have to have a garden to enjoy the bounty that surrounds us!
Shop local craft stores and/or attend markets (post coming soon)
Shop the ditches!! I’m surrounded by wildflowers that make the most amazing bouquets! We have tansy, fireweed, cow parsley, clover, purple vetch, chamomile, oxeye daisies, and grasses growing with wild abandon. Just a word of caution though—you might want to check a wildflower guide or search online to make sure it’s OK to pick a certain species. On my foraging adventures I also see wild orchids and tiger lilies and I am well aware they are not to be picked. Not only is it illegal, but it’s also just not right. Everything I pick is a “noxious weed”.
Make bouquets using only 3 items and sprinkle them around your house.
Have a picnic in your own back yard, on a blanket, under the trees. Gather up a few lighthearted books, and magazines, and a pillow (just in case.)
Sleep in a tent in your own back yard. Make it as comfortable possible (even drag a mattress outside if necessary ;)
If you’re in North America, mark this date: August 21/2017 to watch the solar eclipse! You might not be able to see the total eclipse, but even a partial eclipse will be amazing (and magical.)
Take social media breaks … not just for hours, but for days … gasp!! yes you can!!!
Switch up your photography style: if you do mostly still life, try capturing macros or landscapes or simply dreamy light. It takes the pressure off (if you put pressure on yourself :)
Make homemade ice cream (again, post coming soon) … this is life changing people ;)
Read a classic, but keep it simple. I picked up Classic Tales of Horror by Edgar Allen Poe and after reading one story, I found myself so intrigued I was searching online for answers … very stimulating. I’m still thinking about it.
Connect with someone you’ve lost touch with … it may change your life in positive ways you never dreamed possible.

So there you have it! My first of 4 (promised) posts for August.

I’m limping along here, but not giving up.

What Happened?

July 31, 2017 by Barb 27 Comments

Hello friends. It’s been a full two months since I posted on my blog. In seven years of blogging, that’s a first. What happened?

Well, I didn’t see June coming. June was definitely not the best month as we lost a treasured family member after a lengthy illness. But there were other things. Small things, bigger things … life.

I also had (have?) a slight problem with my blog and WordPress. After an update came down, every time I tried to write a post all I got was gobbledygook. My tech guy was not around and I felt defeated so I let things slide. All the doubts I have about blogging as in who cares? who’s reading? what do I have to offer? (on and on) were swirling around in my head.

I lost momentum.

Along came July and things improved. I could have written a list with 200 (or more) things I have to be thankful for. My life is good and rich and full.

And yet … I didn’t write a thing. I started to ruminate as to how us bloggers put so much of ourselves into our blogs. We share our recipes, our tips and tricks, and our life … and that makes us vulnerable (especially that life bit.) A simple gratitude list reveals so much! I’ve gone over a few of my gratitude posts and there’s a lot of personal information in those seemingly random lists. But that is the life of a blogger and we choose to share.

July came and July went.

So here we are at July 31st and and I’m back (at least for another month.) I know this for sure because I spent the last two weeks of July preparing 5 new posts! Ta da!

In order of appearance:

15 Ideas to Make Your August Amazing (a fav standby style of post)
All Things Ice Cream
Tips on Getting the Most out of your Local Greenhouses, Markets, and Eateries
Bella Grace Blog Hop (August 24) and a Giveaway!
That Chippy White Door I Found in Saskatchewan (a Reveal)

I’m hoping I can break through this blogging block with five simple posts and get back on my feet. Then I’ll be ready and full of enthusiasm when my favourite and most inspirational month of September rolls around.

But remember, even this veteran blogger doesn’t have it all figured out and I’m finding it increasingly hard to blog (and share) these days.

If you’re still with me … thank you from the bottom of my heart xo

Blogging Month in Review for May

May 31, 2017 by Barb 16 Comments

Time for another blogging month in review!

I find the simple act of looking back on the month-that-was helps tremendously in planning for future blog posts and/or updates to my blog in general.

It was a month of flowers, herbs, and gardening. It was a month of learning, sharing, and putting myself out there as I worked through a blogging class. And it was a month of personal reflection on how I want to spend my time (a constant struggle.)

So I turn to my blog … my little space on the inter web … my little space that has always brought me joy and forces me to keep on learning (even if my head wants to explode at times ;) and without further ado, here we go!

Blogging Month in Review May 2017

I wrote 12 posts (compared to 8 posts in 2016)
According to Google Analytics, page views are down from May 2016 :(
My most popular post for May of 2017 is How to Care for a Fresh Rosemary Plant and shockingly, it was the same for May 2016! I wrote that post 3 years ago, which proves old content is valuable. It also tells me what people are coming to my blog for … and it isn’t pretty photos :(
It also tells me that people like gardening posts; therefore, I shall strive to serve up more gardening advice with pretty photos :)
I fixed the problem with my WordPress Gallery plugin (woo hoo for my brilliance)
I posted 25 photos to Instagram (a few were throwbacks, which I think is perfectly acceptable (ahem) and am sticking to my commitment to add a landscape image here and there. Even though people don’t respond well, I think it makes my account less claustrophobic
I took care of my electronic housecleaning as I said I would in my post A Bit of Electronic Housecleaning and am actually finding this task to be very doable, and satisfying
Kept up with my blogging class with Emily Quinton of Makelight
Sent out a newsletter

The biggest lesson I learned by doing this blogging month in review is that I need to pay attention to my most popular posts and make sure they’re in tip-top shape. So, I updated my post on caring for rosemary:

First of all, I deleted old images—images that really had nothing to do with caring for rosemary (such as focusing on the vintage pot the plant was in, and also a few Christmas shots!) I’ve been advised by my technical guy that removing images from a post does not affect ones that may have been pinned. I believe him, but I’m not advising you to do such a thing … you have to check this out for yourself. So I went back to my archives, found the original images and edited them. Then I added a few new images, including a properly sized image for pinning
I rewrote the text to make my instructions as clear as possible
At the time I wrote the original post, I wasn’t into SEO, so I updated keywords, meta description, and added appropriate links
I tweaked the title, but NOT the perma-link. Do NOT tweak the permalink unless you are a technical expert and know how to redirect posts … I am not an expert
Then I pinned, tweeted, and posted to Facebook

I also learned that nothing is ever going to be perfect; good enough is good enough; and that life goes on.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to see you in June xo

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy these:

: Top 5 Perennials for Partial Shade

: 3 Tips for Blogging Regularly

: 30 Ideas to Make June Magical

Why Would I Start a Blog?

May 28, 2017 by Barb 3 Comments

Why would I start a blog? What could I possibly have to offer that would be any different from the thousands upon thousands of other blogs out there in the world?

That’s a question I’m very happy I didn’t ask myself (in 2010) when I started this journey!

Turns out, there are many reasons to blog, but Keeping With the Times was born because I literally wanted to “keep with the times”. I hadn’t worked outside the home for many years and felt out of the loop. I wanted to learn how to do this mysterious blogging “thing” I’d been hearing so much about.The technical aspects of blogging, and dealing with an on-line world which is ever-changing, challenges and inspires me. I’ve learned the ins and outs of social media. I’ve studied other blogs, asked questions, and then tried things for myself. I knew I wanted to have great photos to post, so I purchased a DSLR and went from not knowing how to turn the thing on, to shooting in Manual mode.

Keeping With the Times is where I practice my mantra “learn something new, try something different” (convince yourself that you have no limits) a quote by Brian Tracy.

While I may not be convinced “that I have no limits“ I do know that I can learn something new, and I can try something different, and this has not only changed the way I look at life, it has changed the way I live life. Incredibly, having a blog has given me permission to take on all sorts of exciting new ventures.

Should I buy that new camera? Yes.
Should I take that photography/editing class? Yes!
Should I attend that amazing retreat? Yes, yes, and yes!

Now when I talk about my experiences, I like to tell people “so far, nothing has blown up” in other words, don’t be afraid to try something.

I’m reclusive, and a bit of a homebody, but after seven years of blogging I’ve become much more flexible. When I have to leave the comfort of my home, and the familiarity of my surroundings, I pack my computer, a few treasured inspirational books, and hit the road with a sense of adventure rather than fear.

An airport terminal, hotel lobby, or hotel room becomes my office. I grab a hot coffee, find a comfortable place to sit, and connect to the Internet.

Instantly, there’s my blog. It greets me like an old friend, and as I look over a few posts (there’s my beautiful garden, my lovely barnwood side table, that pot of lavender I couldn’t resist, and the yummy Rhubarb Strawberry Coffee Cake I made last summer), I’m filled with a sense of accomplishment and pride

I may decide to share a moment with my readers and take a “from where I stand shot.” My feet are in an airport, friends, and I can’t wait to show you where they’re going! It may be Toronto to attend Blissdom, a conference with my daughter, or Arizona where I’ll be meeting several blogging friends for the first time.

Or, perhaps it’s California to attend “Gather California” along with twelve beautiful souls from around the world!

Attending Gather California in November of 2014 changed my life in ways I never thought possible. In the company of like-minded people, I felt I was seen, heard, and validated, and let me tell you that is powerful. I made lifelong friends, forged strong connections, and broadened my horizons. To read more about my experience from Gather you might want to check out my post Why I Was Crying in the Shower

Starting and maintaining a blog is hard work … hard, but rewarding. I get up in the morning with new ideas spinning around in my head, eager to get out there and capture the perfect image to express my love of food, photography, blogging, and life. There isn’t enough time in my day to accomplish everything I’m dreaming about.

This is reason enough for me to blog. I do have something to offer the world. It may not be huge or earth shattering, but its mine, and I’m very passionate about it.

A big thank you and shout out to Emily and Stef at Makelight for encouraging us all to live our best lives and then to blog about it! I’ve enjoyed their blogging class more than I can say!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

Five Things Friday | May 19

May 19, 2017 by Barb 4 Comments

Welcome to Five Things Friday where I share what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment.

The view from our dock this year is pretty spectacular. We’ve had a lot of snow and rain since October and while it’s not been the best weather for our farmers, the lakes and streams are loving it.

Someone said this looked like an infinity pool and I thought that was quite apt. However, I only give you the perfect “visions” because, as this weekend wears on, there will be boats galore speeding around just outside those narrows … big boats with people who enjoy their skiing, surfing, and music (ahem). I hate to say it but sometimes I can’t wait for Sunday evening …

Five Things Friday | May 19

What I’m Loving

Magical light, shimmering through the aspen, bouncing around the kitchen/dining room, onto my little garden table that seems to have taken up permanent residence by the window.

The amazing ready-made lettuce pots available everywhere right now.

What I’m Reading

I finished The Handmaids Tale. It’s probably not a book everyone would love, but I really enjoyed it (again.) Margaret Atwood is a genius.

Now I’m reading Nearly Normal by Cea Sunrise Person. I’d already read her first book “North of Normal” and I must admit I was skeptical as to how she could add to her previous book and make it fresh. Well, she’s doing an amazing job of it. When I study the cover of this second book, my heart breaks for this young, innocent, baby girl.

To quote the inside cover: Drawing connections between her early experiences and later life mistakes, Cea identifies how her family’s extreme and often selfish behaviour contributed to her downfall.

I’m truly enjoying it and I would highly recommend reading both books.

Blogging Bits and Bytes (Gentle Encouragement)

Did you realize that if you wrote one post per week, you’d have 52 posts you might not otherwise have?

I just thought I’d throw that in as I’m preparing to send out a Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter :)

What I’ve Discovered

Have you heard of Medium

Every day, thousands of people turn to Medium to publish their ideas and perspectives. Leaders. Artists. Thinkers. And ordinary citizens who have a story to tell. Posts range from scrutinies of world affairs to deeply personal essays. Medium sifts the best of these for you and delivers them directly onto your home page.

I first learned of it in my blogging class with Emily and Stef of Makelight. I haven’t quite figured it all out yet (we’re still learning about it) but there is some incredibly great writing going on there. I was particularly interested in this post Practicing the Subtle Art of Detachment by Shreya Dalela. I thought you might enjoy it as well.

My Gratitude Journal

I’m grateful for a daughter who keeps in touch via text as she travels the world
I’m grateful she’s now home :)
The sweet wrens are back, frantically chirping and building their nest … take a look at this real estate, honey :)
I’m grateful that I finally got in to have my shoulder x-rayed and examined by ultrasound. Not so grateful that they discovered fluid and at least 3 tears (of what I’m not sure) but will be seeing my doctor in June
I worked (carefully) in the garden yesterday, with no ill effects (see above point)

Here’s to a peaceful long weekend, my friends.

If you liked this post, you may also like:

: 3 Tips for Blogging Regularly

: 15 Tips for Surviving #nablopomo

: Gentle Encouragement

April Roundup on Instagram

May 2, 2017 by Barb 2 Comments

Time for my April roundup and a little food for thought.

April was a crazy month with us travelling between Alberta and Arizona, but despite ALL the distractions I managed to keep taking photos.

What is driving me? I just don’t know. No wait … if I’m going to be honest with you, it’s Instagram.

It seems I spend my life arranging still life images and sharing them online, and I’m starting to question my motives. What else might I be doing … blogging perhaps? Sharing more meaningful content?

But for now, these tiny squares give me a sense of time and place … as in … oh yes, I remember … we were in Arizona and I had these lovely little succulents that I ended up taking apart and photographing before leaving for Alberta. Oh, and there’s that poor little rose, ravaged by cutter bees. And there’s that book Succulents: The Ultimate Guide by Robin Stockwell that I found at Barnes and Noble (one of my favourite places on earth.)

I guess there is a story in here somewhere. But I have other stories as well, which I want to share/record, which is why I keep showing up on my blog.

I hereby vow to post about our most recent day trips in the Phoenix area, because I have tons ‘o pics and they haven’t seen the light of day :)

Keep on blogging my friends, you won’t regret it.

Five Things Friday | April 21

April 21, 2017 by Barb 2 Comments

Welcome to Five Things Friday where I share what I’m reading, watching, eating, making, or just plain loving at the moment.

I may have mentioned a few times that this past month has been a tough one for our family, but a person can only take one day at a time, and for now I’m simply happy to be back with my five things.

If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine
Morris West

The hubs and I were recently in Arizona enjoying sunshine and a slower pace of life. A few slow morning coffees, quiet lunches and/or dinners on patios, and leisurely walks after sunset went a long way to settling frazzled nerves.

I found this lovely chamomile at Trader Joe’s and even though my mind was reminding me that this stuff is a noxious weed at home and that I can pick it by the armloads in the summer, my heart was telling me to go for it!

July is a long way off and what’s a few dollars for handful of joy!
I also had a big bouquet of pink ranunculus but for some reason, I never did get around to photographing them … until I noticed this one turning white!

The leaves had become papery and translucent and really very beautiful:

Five Things Friday | April 21

What I’m Watching

We finished Season 4 of House of Cards and while we’re completely wrapped up in this series, the last episode felt a tad weak. However we now can’t wait for season 5 … once you’re hooked on House of Cards, you’re hooked!

What I’m Reading

I picked up The Time Traveler’s Wife at a garage sale for $.50 and thought what the heck!

It’s the love story of Clare and Henry who met when Clare was six and Henry thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry thirty. Totally fantastical right? But Henry suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets and he finds himself pulled suddenly into his past or future.

Each chapter Clare and Henry are at different ages and at different stages which can cause you to either

put the book down because you can’t follow it, or
forget about keeping track of their respective ages and simply focus on the love story (which I decided to do) at which point it becomes very interesting and even a bit thought-provoking

Right now I would recommend reading this book, but won’t have my full analysis until I finish it …

What I’m Loving

Have you heard of Sky Guide? It’s an app you can use to view stars day or night. It’s a ton of fun for $2.99!

Apple Watch: Sky Guide can send you a notification when an event is about to happen in the skies above your location, like when the International Space Station is due to fly over. You can also keep tabs on the latest solar activity.

The first night I put it on my phone it was a full moon and I took a screen shot:… and then we went for a walk … or was this before (I can’t remember :) but no matter, it was all magical!

Best Spam Comment of the Week (from Vincente)

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Well thank you Vincente, I’m very pleased my authored subject matter is stylish ;)

What I’m Learning

I’m very excited about a new blogging class being offered by Emily Quinton. I watched her video Blogging for Business Growth and a Better Life and even though I’m not a business, her enthusiasm about how blogging makes you want to live a better life really resonated with me.

I’m a real advocate for blogging and bloggers and I started Blogging Bits and Bytes for just that reason. I’m hoping this course from Emily will reinforce my own enthusiasm and perhaps even help me get back on track with my blogging series … in my own way and my own words of course.

My Gratitude Journal

I’m so very grateful to have had a couple of weeks in Arizona to finish off this difficult month
Spending time with our daughter and her family here in Arizona
Taking our daughter to the Grand Canyon when she came through (again) on her way to a blogging conference
Spending time with our other daughter and her family, even though it was cut short (we will be back :)
Flowers from Trader Joe’s
A great haircut … never scrimp on haircuts my friends!
Arizona landscapes and succulents at Costco!

Thank you for being here! and have a wonderful weekend my friends!

7 Powerful Blog Goals for 2017

January 1, 2017 by Barb 5 Comments

Even though I’d known for quite some time that January 1st was fast approaching ;) I didn’t write down any blog goals for 2017 … until this morning … oh my goodness … ya gotta laugh sometimes.

But first, a big hello, and a Happy New Year everyone! I hope you had a lovely New Year’s Eve and are now ready to face the new year head on!

I myself am getting a wee bit excited.

It literally took me all day to get this photo, which in turn, led to this blog post (late in the evening I might add.)

7 powerful blog goals for 2017, lightroom, photoshop, camera, tripod

The text for this image is really and truly printed on paper … not added in Photoshop. I plan to share a bit about my process this week.

Of course I wasn’t actually physically working on this photo for 12 hours, but all day my mind was spinning with ideas, and plans, and goals, and … well, you get the picture!

I’m quite thrilled because for the last 10 days I’ve been in a funk due to a cold/flu that left me exhausted and drained. I was sleeping 8-10 hours and feeling a tad sorry for myself (and my lost mojo.) Even so, I was constantly working in the background; taking photos, scribbling notes, writing draft posts, and fluffing up my blog … I just wasn’t feeling too thrilled with any of it.

I’ve also been taking a few classes and doing a lot of thinking which led me to come up with this tiny but powerful list:

Blog Goals for 2017

Take risks.
Be brave.
Take classes. Learn. Work Hard. Grow.
Share.

I have a much longer list scribbled on a scrap of paper, but some things you really need to keep to yourself, if for no other reason than to avoid disappointing anyone (self included.)

I will tell you that:

I won’t be posting Sunday Sundries on the blog anymore, however it will continue on Instagram with the hashtag #sunday_sundries. I also have a new hashtag #stilllifeisreallife, and I’ll be combining both tags for the features.
I’m working on a new series to post here on Sundays.
This Wednesday I’ll be doing a review of my new tripod (squee!)
I plan to get Blogging Bits and Bytes back on track.
And I’m not going to get ahead of myself with any more promises tonight ;)

So there you have it! 7 powerful blog goals for 2017 and a few easy promises!

How to Double Pageviews in 30 Days

November 30, 2016 by Barb 19 Comments

With 2 years of experience participating in National Blog Post Month, I believe I have enough experience/evidence to give advice on how to double pageviews in 30 days.

I’m a huge believer in blogs and blogging and bloggers.

People are blogging for many reasons. For some it’s simply a creative outlet, for others it’s a business, and sometimes the two collide. But whatever the reason a person is blogging, I think they really do want to be heard. I know I do.

In the past I used to judge my readership by the number of comments I received. Well, that seems to be the past … not many people are commenting and I wrote about that in my post Blog Comment Pressures which ironically got a lot of comments!

I still enjoy blogging and my blog is my baby. Last February I confessed to a failed attempt at keeping up my blogging schedule in Have You Hugged Your Blog Today?

My main message in that post was that it’s OK to fail. Just get up, hug yourself, and keep on keepin’ on.

So what is the secret on how to double pageviews in 30 days?

It’s kind of simple … Post every day. Simple, but not easy. And the effect only lasts as long as you keep on posting.

Both Novembers where I posted every single day, my pageviews doubled. How do I know that? Google Analytics. I have solid evidence that when I posted every day my pageviews doubled over the month before, as well as the previous Novembers (when I didn’t post every day as in 2014 and earlier.) I even had the hubs corroborate the evidence.

Was it easy? NO. Some days it was painful.

But has it been satisfying? Tremendously so. Perhaps I can only say that now that I’ve reached my goal of posting every single day in November for #NaBloPoMo. Some days were downright awful, but when I look back I can see that I shared some pretty kick-a** posts (yes this Grandmother of 5 swears ;)

I wrote posts that I most likely would not have shared otherwise, and will probably bring in traffic for years to come … how do I know that? Past experience and Google Analytics.

So there you have it. The secret on how to double your pageviews in 30 days is to post every day for 30 days.

OK. So I posted every day for 30 days … what else did I do? There is always more to the story, right? I’ll share that in an upcoming post. But let me just say, that for the most part it was about posting every.single.day.

Thank you to anyone who followed me on this journey; leaving comments and clicking “like”. I appreciate you more than you could know.

Day 30 of Posting Every Day in November! High Fives all around.

#NaBloPoMo

Tips For Working When Away From Home

November 7, 2016 by Barb 4 Comments

Today I have a few tips for working when you’re away from home.

Now some people may not call what I do “work” but that’s how I view it. More and more I find myself referring to what I do as work, as in “I have work to do”.

Just because I love it, and it’s my passion, and I’m not earning a living from it, does not make it any less important (to me.) Or any less work for that matter. I get up every day knowing I either have to style photos, take photos, edit photos, write blog posts, or all of the above.

And more and more I’m doing sponsored posts. Not huge sponsored posts, but important sponsored posts, and when I accept a collaboration from a company, I want to do my best.

Hard work pays off. I recently was paid for an image I took a few years ago … paid quite a bit actually, and to say I was dumbfounded would be an understatement.

My point is: show up, do the work, let it go, and you just never know what wonderful things may happen.

I could not have known when I took the photo of the trees on the lake that morning, just how much it would match this one I took whilst in Arizona ;) too fun!

We travel a lot (it seems) and if I used that as an excuse I would have had to quit “my job” a long time ago. So how do I manage it?

Tips For Working When Away From Home

Prepare as much as possible before you leave home. One weekend I went into overdrive, doing all my house and yard work. I made a list of everything I wanted to finish up before we left and methodically crossed off tasks as I finished them. But that’s not the best part. The best part is that it left the following Monday and Tuesday wide open for me to get a few still life images under my belt. Images that carried me through the first week we were away. It’s all I did from the moment I got up, until around 5:00pm when the light was fading, and so was I.
I work strictly on a laptop. My lifestyle has dictated that. Edit photos while on the road. In airports, on planes. Know your camera, your editing programs, and how to work with Lightroom Mobile. You see? it’s work, it’s preparation. (ps … I have a large screen at home and one here in Arizona.)
We have a condo here in Arizona so I’ve been able to collect a few props and backgrounds. Nothing too large, spectacular, or expensive. I’ve gathered props from local craft shows, thrift stores and garage sales. That makes it easy to give them away when I’m done with them. I simply donate them back.
Make it a priority. If making and taking still life images is important to you, make sure your significant others know it and respect it. Set a time that you know works best for you, and claim that time. Make no apologies.
OK. So set a time, but also set a time limit. I can’t be doing this all day. It would be unfair, and I don’t want to.
When I travel by car, I often carry this wood photography background, it’s been a lifesaver. I actually have three! One stays at our home on the lake, one is my travelling background, and I have one here in Arizona!

Alrighty then, my time is up. We’re heading out for the day … the beautiful desert awaits.

#NaBloPoMo

Blog Comment Pressures

August 5, 2016 by Barb 43 Comments

Are blog comment pressures stopping you from visiting blogs?

Hello! and how is your summer going?

I’m having a great summer, but I have to admit my blogging schedule has gone off the rails, and the main reason is Instagram. Plain and simple: I post a photo on Instagram and the interaction is almost overwhelming (I love it), but on my blog, not so much …

…. and the reason for that? I am not interacting on other blogs as much as I used to …

This is not a complaint, its a fact. If you want interaction … you have to interact, which is what I do on Instagram because it’s so easy to follow a beautiful account, admire the photo, and then a quick double-tap, and maybe even a two-word comment and you’re done. That’s it, that’s all. Fun and easy!

So when the sweet Linda Hoye mentioned me on her blog and I received a few extra comments from other bloggers, I was thrilled! I answered each comment here on my blog, then I visited their blogs and left a comment, as well as a “thank you for visiting me” and I truly enjoyed the interaction.

But … it got me to thinking … what if people are reading my blog, but don’t have the time or energy to write a detailed comment (which I totally get btw). What if some days you feel like writing a comment, and other days you just want to press a button (or not ;)

I won’t know you’ve been here and it can get discouraging.

So I’m trying something new … a LIKE button! The one I’m using is LikeBtn a WordPress Plugin.

It’s an experiment … I’m not looking for thousands of “likes” and I’m not asking you to share, I simply want to know if you’ve been here! A little encouragement goes a long way and who knows where it will take me? I’m going to be reviving my Blogging Bits and Bytes series in September and this will be one of the first things I want to talk about.

Click the “Like” Button ↓ if you like ;)

A Different Kind of Power (and a giveaway)

March 18, 2016 by Barb 60 Comments

I’ve always had a pretty healthy outlook on aging. Growing up, I had an amazing role model in my Mom who insisted that for her, growing older was not a bad thing. She was a no-nonsense woman, and I can still hear her saying “for the most part, I’ve been healthy. I have all my senses, I don’t get headaches, I’m quite agile, and I’ve lived a good life.”

Even after everything life threw at her, she was quietly defiant, completely unapologetic, and fiercely independent right to the end, and I loved her.

For years I was greatly influenced by my Mom’s positive outlook, and other than a few minor glitches I felt quite well-adjusted.

Turning 50? no problem … what’s the fuss about?
55? … still OK …60? … hmmm, now you’re getting my attention! I’m not sure I like the way my body is behaving. It used to let me garden from sunup to sundown (not just from 10:00 am to noon.) My knees and hips didn’t hurt when I got out of a chair.

It used to let me eat whatever I wanted without causing some kind of discomfort, and when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t used to cringe a bit. Mom didn’t talk about this.

A Different Kind of Power, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

Photo: Barb Brookbank, Lightroom Preset: kk_Soft_Light Kim Klassen

As a blogger, I’m often reluctant to reveal my age. I don’t know why. If people like what I post, age shouldn’t matter. Just don’t expect any goofy selfies here … oh wait … maybe one!

… because I’ve always wanted to do this …

I’ve come to learn that life is about letting go. As a mom I’ve had to let my children go as they started kindergarten, went through school, university, and eventually made their own lives and built their own families. I’ve had to let go of my position as the centre of their universe.

Now I’m having to let go of my youth and all the beauty, power, and dreams that that magical era brought with it (avoiding a mirror helps.)

Photo: Barb Brookbank, Lightroom Preset: kk_DarkDay Kim Klassen

I often feel as if I’m drifting down a river, knowing I’ll never see the same scenery again. But that’s what makes life more beautiful and precious than I could ever have imagined when I was in my 20’s, 30’s, or even 40’s.

Photo: Barb Brookbank, Lightroom Preset: kk_Chocolate Kim Klassen

And something in me has shifted. I’m able to sift and sort through life’s curveballs, figuring out what I have control over and letting the rest go.

It comes from years of experience and a “been there done that” sort of attitude. I don’t mean to sound uncaring, I’m not. But instead of trying to control every situation (like I used to) I watch and wait and let it unfold. I’ll say what I think (or not) and let whatever is happening take its course, remembering I’m not responsible for every single thing that swirls around me on a daily basis. However, if it’s something that hurts me and is about me, I’m not going to sit there and say it’s OK. Nope. You’re going to get a blast.

It truly is rather freeing.

“It’s this freedom that’s the key to becoming visible again.
Not caring what others think is freeing.
Expressing yourself any way you want is freeing.
Having opinions, emotional wisdom, spiritual understanding…these things free you.
And in freedom, we find power.”
Jane Tara, The Happy Endings Book Club

Photo: Barb Brookbank, Lightroom Preset: kk_Midnight Kim Klassen

GIVEAWAY!

This post is part of the Grace Notes blog hop. Grace Notes is the new blog companion to the stunning and inspirational Bella Grace magazine. Much like the magazine, Grace Notes is devoted to discovering life’s ordinary magic.

I adore this magazine and am thrilled to be able to host a complimentary give-away of Bella Grace magazine Issue 7!

Simply leave a comment saying you’d like to win this copy, and perhaps share a personal story of how you deal with change.

Here on my blog the competition is open world-wide—yay!

Contest closed Thursday, March 31st.

Blogging Bits and Bytes: Gentle Encouragement

March 4, 2016 by Barb 8 Comments

As part of my Blogging Bits and Bytes series I randomly send quick notes to subscribers containing what I call “gentle encouragement”.

The simple definition of encouragement is:

♥ the act of making something more appealing or more likely to happen
♥ something that makes someone more determined, hopeful, or confident
♥ something that makes someone more likely to do something

This month I ‘fessed up as to how I was doing on my goals:

TRUTH:
I succeeded on keeping an editorial calendar, but I dropped the ball on my goal of posting every day in February, and you can read about it here.

REVISED GOAL:
I’m now aiming to post twice a week until I get back on my feet (one post will be my Sunday Sundries series.)

Blogging Bits and Bytes: Gentle Encouragement

In times when I’m having trouble blogging, I find doing a bit of blog housekeeping is akin to cleaning my house and putting it in order (which always makes me feel better.)

So here are five things to think about when it comes to blog housekeeping:

Stand back a few feet and look your home page. Examine it on your computer; I use a large screen, and a laptop, so I check both. Now, do the same on an iPad, and a phone … have a friend check it on their devices. Does it fit on the screen? Is it easy to read? More and more people are reading blogs on their mobile devices and if it’s hard to read … well, quite honestly, they are going to move on. As well, Google does not like it. To analyze your blog, try this Mobile-Friendly Test. I’m only asking you to think about this one because to switch to a mobile-friendly theme is not a quick fix, and I had a professional do it for me. He recommended Lifestyle Pro, a mobile responsive Genesis theme. OK! Let’s move on to four gentler ideas!
Spiff up your header. Add a seasonal touch. Last month I changed the colour of my font, and added little hearts.
Check your sidebar! Do you have widgets that are no longer relevant? Old memes that have faded away? Remove them!! They are clutter, plain and simple.
Worse yet, do you have widgets that are too large for the sidebar? Ones that stick out and don’t seem to fit? I’m assuming you knew how to put them there in the first place, so you most likely know how to resize them … take them into an editing program and reduce the dimensions, then add them back to your blog. If you have questions, shoot me an email.
Try a new background! Backgrounds are a personal preference, but they are fun to play around with. Changing them keeps things fresh (but remember, keep it simple).

If you keep your blog clean, and switch things around from time-to-time, readers may not realize why, but when they visit, they know someone is home.

If you would like to receive my Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter you can subscribe here. You will also be able to access all previous newsletters on this page.

If you would like to receive only updates from my blog, you can subscribe from the right side panel on my home page.

… lotsa “Ifs” there :)

Have a wonderful day!!

Have you Hugged Your Blog Today?

February 18, 2016 by Barb 26 Comments

So, what in the world do I mean by “have you hugged your blog today?”

Recently I wrote a post “Hello February” wherein I announced to the world that I was going to blog every day, just like I did in November for #nablopomo.

But now I’m here, hat in hand, to announce that I have not blogged every day this month. Not.even.close. In fact, one night I purposely decided I would NOT post, and told my hubby I was done. He was so distressed (bless him xo).

So here’s the deal. Despite having been on a bit of a holiday (a lovely sunny holiday) and then coming home to nice weather, I went into a slump … I lost my mojo big time. Nothing seemed worth blogging about. I felt indecisive about what photos to post, and what to say about them. It hasn’t been fun. I kept posting to Instagram but I’m ashamed to admit it became a source of great stress and frustration … nobody likes my work she cried (no – actually you didn’t like your work Barb). So strange … I wasn’t doing anything different, I just wasn’t loving it.

So what was I doing with my time?

After spending a whole day putting one foot in front of the other, alternately napping and sitting on the sofa eating nuts and bolts (actually I only ate the cheerios) and watching episodes of “The Young and Restless) I went to bed (very early).

I’d like to say I’m completely recovered, but I’m not. It must be the mid-winter blahs. I’ve talked to several people who are having the same issues, so that does help to know I’m not alone. I feel so guilty because my life is good people!

Which brings me to this; maybe I should be asking if you’ve hugged your blogger today, your own blogger self?

Take her out for a walk. Go get a good haircut. Rummage through an old book store. Don’t spend too much money. Try to eat something healthy. But above all, just let your blogger self be.

But the good news is, I’m working on a Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter to give you some ideas on how to hug your blog and I’ll be including the word art … yay! at least I made some word art :)

I think I’m going to make it … thank you for listening!

Blogging Bits and Bytes: Setting Goals

January 28, 2016 by Barb 23 Comments

Setting goals is an amazing way to keep on track no matter what it is you want to accomplish.

Have you found it hard to get back on your feet after the busyness of December and the slump of January? I know I have.

I was going over my archives and it seems I posted 9 times in December, and it’s been about the same for January. Not bad … hmmm … but I want to post more frequently.

So, with a new month around the corner, I’ve decided that I’m going to start setting goals:

My first goal is to post every single day in February.

This is what I did in November for National Blog Posting Month. In a weird way I find it gives me permission … permission to post the everyday “stuff” along with the more meatier content.

And I want to let you in on a little secret. During the month of November when I posted every day, my traffic increased by a whopping 27% from previous month(s) as well as from the month of December, which is when I typically see my highest traffic. I must admit I was pretty surprised when I saw those numbers in Google Analytics … so I guess you have to post something if you want readers ;) and it doesn’t have to be earth-shattering.

My second goal is to use my editorial calendar.

Every September I purchase a planner and by February it’s buried beneath a pile of magazines and well, you know: outta sight, outta mind … . It’s too bad because it could be a real life-saver for me. Not only for scheduling blog posts, but if I wrote all those cryptic notes-to-self in one place, at least I’d be able to find them (reading them is another thing … so today I vow to write more clearly and concisely as well.)

My favourite planner type is an 8 1/2 x 11 Flexi Planner from Orange Circle Studio. I like the large size, but they come in smaller sizes as well. My favourite thing about it is the coil binder—having it lay flat is essential. I also like the double format for each month: large squares of the month view with another section for writing more extensive notes (by month.) I can’t quite remember where I found this one … perhaps Walmart, or Chapters Indigo … however, now that I’ve found their site, I may start ordering right from them.

Do you use a planner? Do you have a favourite? and if you do, why is it your favourite? Do you use it for setting goals?

Also, starting this month I’ll also be sending out little emails with what I call “Gentle Encouragement“.

The simple definition of encouragement is:

♥ the act of making something more appealing or more likely to happen
♥ something that makes someone more determined, hopeful, or confident
♥ something that makes someone more likely to do something

… but please don’t worry, I won’t inundate you with email :)

Gentle Encouragement: Setting Goals

Set a few blogging goals this month and write them down.
Commit to writing a certain number of posts. Maybe it’s every day in February, maybe it’s twice a week. It’s up to you of course.
Find a planner you love, and use it. Write down ideas, thoughts, and musings. Use it as a journal, an address book, an appointment book. If a friend calls, make note of what they’re talking about so you remember. If nothing else, simply write down their dog’s name … the idea is to use it so often that you can’t be without it. Keep everything in it … like receipts, clothing tags, photos (something like a Smash Book) and I guarantee that by the end of the year you’ll have a treasure that you never saw coming … and you may also be blogging more regularly. I’ll keep you up-to-date on how it’s going for me. If you decide to do this, and would like to share your posts, please feel free to add them to the link-up here as we’d all love to see them!

Have a wonderful day!

PS:

I included the above word art as a free printable in my Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter. If you’d like to receive future newsletters and access to the occasional freebie, you can sign up here.

Looking forward to February …

I believe I can do it ;)

National Blog Posting Month – 15 Tips for Surviving It

November 30, 2015 by Barb 14 Comments

Today I’m celebrating and sharing 15 tips on how I not only survived, but thrived, during National Blog Posting Month!

Woo Hoo! Happy Happy Dance over here … I did it! I posted every single day in November.

High Fives all around. Time to party!

I wish I could say I had been organized and prepared, with tons of content squirrelled away, ready to go … but I cannot.

I did not even know I was going to participate until November 1st when I saw Xanthe Berkeley’s post on Instagram … in fact, I’d never even heard of National Blog Posting Month. Then I saw that Kim Klassen was also participating, and it sounded like a great challenge, so I jumped right in with my first post NaBloPoMo Otherwise Known as Madness. It seems like ages ago … .

So how did I do it? First of all I was determined … then …

15 Tips on Surviving National Blog Posting Month

Commit. Set your intention. Be positive … see it as an exercise that will strengthen your blogging muscle.
Give yourself permission on really hard days to simply post a photo and say “Hi … how are you? I’m so happy you’re here reading my blog, thank you!”
Use prompts. I used one prompt from the BlogHer prompt pool. My post What I Did This Morning (and most mornings) and What Does Goatsbeard Have to Do With It (take that Google) was a result … a bit silly and goofy, but I got it done (and had a little fun.)
Rely on your strengths. My strength is photography. I have no problem taking a photo a day. Once I have a photo, the rest will follow.
Dig into the photo archives and bring content out of the dark that may never have made it otherwise. Don’t worry that it may be old content. I shared a mushroom and wild rice soup recipe I’d been meaning to post for months and months.
Start first thing in the morning (or when you feel the most productive). You may not finish it, but by the time you go back to it later in the day it won’t be so daunting.
Write at the same time every day.
Set a time limit. This eliminates agonizing – get it done already. Ignore SEO. SEO drove me crazy this month. I’ll explain later … hey! another post idea!
Write about what you love. Write down everything you can think of – throw it on the page – editing comes later.
Get that title figured out.
Edit photos in down time.
Try to work ahead by at least one day (I’ve already admitted I did not do this).
Write a heartfelt post, reveal some inner thoughts, share your vulnerabilities.
Just start. Follow leads. Search online. Join memes. Instagram is endless inspiration.
On an extremely busy or hectic day, put in a “place holder” … a paragraph with just enough info, explain your dilemma, then go back later (maybe even a day later) and elaborate. At least you have a blog post holder for that day. I would not recommend doing this too often … once maybe when you are desperate (which I was one Sunday … we were visiting family and I didn’t want to lose one precious moment).

So there you have it! How I survived and thrived whilst posting every day for 30 days. Will I do it again? I am not sure :)

DAY 30 #NABLOPOMO WOOT!

Renaming Photos in Lightroom

November 20, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

Renaming photos in Lightroom is very easy, and today I’m going to share this process for my Blogging Bits and Bytes series. You can find links to previous newsletters, etc. if you check out the tab on the Main Menu here on my blog.

I’m moving on to crafting a blog post from conception to completion. Keep in mind that it may sound like too much work, but I promise you, it’s worth it. You just need to be organized.

In the 7 Ideas for Kickstarting a Blog Post I revealed my top secret for “getting it done” which was to simply come up with a name for your post. You may have the idea, you may have the photos, and you may even have started writing it. But for me, once I settle on a name, it all comes together so much better since my work flow is smoother: I know my keyword, and I know how to proceed on renaming photos.

The next few lessons are about crafting a blog post, and each lesson will build on the previous one. I have a Crafting a Blog Post checklist which I’ll share with you at the end of this series. I use WordPress (self-hosted) but these tips are applicable to any platform.

So here’s the plan for this (imaginary) blog post. I came up with an idea, the photos, a name, and a keyword:

Name: Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas
Keyword (s): thanksgiving table setting

Now it’s time to show you how I re-name my photos, and I have a video for you! Ta da! Always living and learning here! The video is about re-naming photos only. It’s not about the edits, or resizing, or using Lightroom. I simply am doing the work in Lightroom.

Renaming Photos in Lightroom

*Please make sure you’re viewing this in HD and the expanded screen.

*

Day 20 #nablopomo

NaBloPoMo Otherwise Known as Madness

November 1, 2015 by Barb 13 Comments

Little did I know when I woke up this morning, I would find myself committing to NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) on BlogHer.com. I tend to feel most inspired when I first get out of bed, which may explain why I’ve jumped in so impulsively, plus I immediately thought it would tie in beautifully with my Blogging Bits and Bytes series.

I won’t try to explain the round-about-way I found this challenge … it confuses even me … but to recap:

I’m going to post daily on my blog for the month of November.
I’m going to participate with BlogHer only as much as I am able. I am not going to sweat it. But there’s lots of great info over there – you should check it out.
Every post will not be a blockbuster (we talked about that).
Some days (maybe most days) it will be a photo, and a quick wave before I take off on some adventure.

If you’re thinking of jumping in – do not stress that you’re starting late … it does not matter. What does matter is that you use this to stretch your creative muscle. Dig back into your archives and bring forth the posts that are sitting there, waiting to see the light of day. Don’t worry about BlogHer or anyone else. Just do this.

I’ve been reading Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert who says over and over if you have an idea and don’t run with it, someone else will. Well, there are thousands of people running with this idea, but at least I’m one of them. There’s room for all of us here.

The next Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter is scheduled to go out early next week but if you missed the first two, you can find them on the Blogging Bits and Bytes page (check the tab at the top of my blog.)

And I’ll be back later with my Sunday Sundries feature! TWO posts in one day!

3 Tips for Blogging Regularly

October 15, 2015 by Barb 27 Comments

Today I have 3 tips on how I keep blogging regularly. I’ve been blogging for five years and my schedule developed rather intuitively … it just feels right, and it works for me.

*Blogging Bits and Bytes” newsletter subscribers will have already received this information, as well as a free Lightroom Template (for personal use only).

*free Lightroom template for current subscribers

I read a few interesting posts and comments generated by the first newsletter I sent. One that caught my attention was from Petra of Sharing my Reflections. A certain subject was brought up in the comments, and Petra answered with something I’ve always thought but never had the courage to say! Here it is:

Susan, thank you for the praise. Once I read somewhere that a blogger should never start their post saying they are sorry for not posting that long and I heartily agree with that. I also used to think I should apologize when posting after longer time than usually but I’ve changed my attitude. Firstly, I would have to apologize all the time, and secondly, it’s really annoying when you read these apologies on other blogs, exactly as you’ve mentioned. We all have our lives, not just the blogging, right?

Petra

Oh my goodness … every time someone apologizes I cringe, which I why I sneakily wrote in my first newsletter “You are the boss of your blog. NO apologies OK?” I didn’t have the nerve to say what not to apologize about. Ha! that was it! Thank you Petra.

My schedule is quite loose. There have been weeks where I’ve blogged every day, and a (very) few where I haven’t blogged at all … yikes! So I did a quick calculation (keep in mind I’m not a genius mathematician) but so far this year I’ve averaged 3 posts per week. Interesting, because I start to feel uncomfortable if I don’t get at least one post up during the week as well as one on Sunday. So my gut tells me 3 posts per week is best, 2 is OK.

So here are my top three tips on how I continue to blog regularly:

Every post does not have to be a blockbuster. You don’t have to write a novel, a poem, be wise, or have secret inside information every single time! No. A simple “hello, here’s what I was up to last week, and here’s a pretty photo to go with it” will be enough most of the time. One week I wrote 5 posts about a trip we took. Not earth-shattering, but I now have a journal of that trip which is part of what my blog is about. Remembering my life.
Create a series. It’s a great way to keep on track. It could be weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly. But it’s something. And it doesn’t have to last forever and ever. If after a few weeks you find interest is flagging, perhaps it’s time to switch gears. Go with it. I’ve had several series that ended, and at first I felt it was a failure. Not. In fact, I now start a series with the end in mind.
Create one big post every so often. Put as much effort into it as possible. It could be a crafty tutorial, a behind-the-scenes description of a photo shoot, a recipe … teach your readers something! Then, after you hit publish, start promoting it. I tweet it, post it to Facebook, Pinterest, and sometimes Instagram. I also have a list of blogs I link up with when they have their parties (but remember, you should only link a project once.) Then I keep promoting it. If I have a post that seems to resonate with people, I’ll promote it weekly as well as yearly (if it’s seasonal.) Just because a post is a year old, doesn’t mean it’s not relevant. It most likely is. My 5 Wardrobe Ideas (for Women of a Certain Age) has been popular, so I’ve already pinned my “pin-worthy” image more than once.

Just a note on #3. Why bother to promote? I do not get tons of traffic, and I am not making money on my blog, so why would I bother to promote a post? The short answer is that it’s fun! and it’s encouraging! When I see that my stats have gone up on a certain day, I feel good about it … new people are finding my blog, and hopefully liking it enough to return.

#3 is how I grow my readership, and you never know who is watching! I’ve had a few sponsored posts by some great companies and I enjoyed the attention and the little bit of merchandise that came with it. A few (bigger) bloggers have come across my blog, liked my stuff, and promoted it on their site. Recently one of my favourite magazines noticed my blog, and now I have an article in the upcoming winter issue of Artful Blogging (my heart and head bursts with that one!)

Everyone says they are not about lots of readers … that’s fine, but we want some right? But don’t stress about numbers. Enjoy them … big, small, huge, minuscule, medium. One new reader is one new reader.

So, have you ever written a “big post”? one that teaches? Did you promote it in some way to grow your readership?

If so, how’d you do it? I’d love to hear! I’ve created an Inlinkz link-up on the “Blogging Bits and Bytes” page if you want to link any posts related to to this series.

I hope this will encourage you to define what blogging regularly means for you, and then to become comfortable with it. Your schedule will be different than mine, and you need to decide what works for you. It may be one post a week, it may be five. But it’s your blog so don’t apologize!

I’m off to do a bit of promoting …

#BlogShareLearn at Living With Batman

Blogging Background Bits

September 30, 2015 by Barb 27 Comments

Hello, and welcome to “Blogging Bits and Bytes” a free mini-series designed to motivate and inspire you on your blogging journey. I’m thrilled you decided to join me!

Blogging Background Bits, Keeping With the Times, Barb Brookbank

Photo: Barb Brookbank, Bouquet: Barb Brookbank, Composition: Brenda Kearns, Lettering: Kylie Letters, Location: Kim Klassen | The Studio, Rivers Manitoba

If you subscribe to the Blogging Bits and Bytes newsletter, a note will have arrived in your inbox which included a prompt for writing a blog post as well as a little freebie download. I haven’t decided on the exact length of the series, but I’m aiming for the end of November.

I believe there’s a place for everyone in this vast blogging world, and I refuse to listen to the naysayers who declare that blogging is dying/dead. Changing, yes … but not dead.

To that end, I want to share what blogging means to me, and why I do it. In the process, I hope to inspire you on your personal blogging journey. Although this is not a technical course, a few techie bits will be included.

Quite likely most of you either have a blog already, or have some basic understanding of what a blog is. It is simply a frequently updated online journal. And it’s your journal, to do with whatever you please.

YOU are the boss of your blog. NO apologies OK?

Now, for my first bit of advice if you are just starting out and trying to define your blog. Consider the name very, very carefully. It may:

take you where you want to go, or
hold you back and haunt you forever.

So what did “Keeping With the Times” do for me? Well, I’d have to say both … at times I deeply regretted the name, but ultimately it has taken me places I didn’t know I wanted to go … .

I chose a name and started posting. I posted recipes, DIY tutorials, home decor. Then a bit of our travels, then a bit of landscape photography, then a bit of still life. It was a creative hodge podge.

Early on, I began to have doubts about “Keeping With the Times” … what exactly was that? Here, I must backtrack and tell you it started out as “Keeping UP With the Times” but when I tried to purchase the domain name … it was taken (note: a bit of cautionary advise right here) so I had to switch gears and change it to “Keeping With the Times” which was confusing and a bit of a bummer … but it’s OK … it’s all OK.

I remember laying in bed trying to define what my blog was about … what was I trying to accomplish? I knew I was using it as a learning platform, but did anyone else? Starting over wasn’t an option, I’d already invested a ton of time and effort and love.

So I began searching for quotes that suited “Keeping With the Times”, and after several weeks of unsuccessful attempts, I came across “learn something new, try something different” by Brian Tracy. Bingo. That’s it! This is what my blog is about people! I’m living, and learning, and keeping with the times … (cue the trumpets!) … I’m learning how to use a camera, create new recipes, and make crafty projects, as well as how to navigate the online world of blogging and social media.

If you’re struggling to come to terms with the name of your blog, or why you even have a blog, try finding a tagline that suits it. Write down all the reasons you started blogging in the first place. This seemingly small effort will give you confidence, and will validate what you already know in your heart. It may just be the encouragement you need to keep updating your online journal.

Next in the series: Inside a blog post … and beyond …

7 Ideas for Kickstarting a Blog Post

August 27, 2015 by Barb 36 Comments

Today I hope to inspire you with 7 ideas for kickstarting a blog post, and in doing so, reveal my top secret for “getting it done”.

Can you believe it’s almost September? How’s your summer been? Or winter … depending on where you live? I follow lots of people on Instagram that are from Australia, and they’re so excited about spring’s arrival … posting images of gorgeous pink tree blossoms … such an amazing world, isn’t it?

But for me … I’m looking straight into the face of autumn, and it’s my favourite time of year. I’m dreaming of colourful leaves, scented candles, and crispy apples.

I had an amazing summer … so full; family, lake time, bonfires, gardening. But through it all, I managed to keep my blog pretty much on track. In July, I published 11 posts, and so far in August it will be 12 posts … a bit below average, but not much. I also posted to Instagram every day … well, I may have missed one or two, but some days I posted up to three images.

And why do I do this? Because I love it. And I want to inspire you to love it.

So coming this fall, I’m starting a series on blogging …with the cheesy title of “Blogging Bits and Bytes (with Barb)”. I’m working on the first “course” and it should be ready by the end of September.

**UPDATE** First e-mail will be sent September 29th 2015

I use WordPress to write a blog post, but if you use a different platform … no matter … this is not a technical course, but rather me showing you how I do it, and you taking it from there. Oh, and did I mention? Its free. But if you want to be kept up-to-date on all the happenings, you can subscribe to receive all information as it becomes available. Subscribe here.

7 Ideas for Kick-Starting a Blog Post

Do something! Bake, cook, craft, travel, read, garden, paint, draw … you get the idea.
Learn by reading. Go to the library, a used book store, or buy a book.
Share your process … people love to know … “how’d she do that?”
Leaf through a magazine … but with intention. Vow to come away with one idea, then make it your own. If the magazine isn’t yours, simply pull out your phone and take a photo of the page.
Read blogs for inspiration … get the spark and run with it. Make it your own … of course your “take” will always be different.
As you’re doing research, think about what you would call your post … that one little thing solidifies an idea, and makes it seem like you’ve already started. Write it down.
Watch for challenges on Instagram or weekly link-ups from other blogs and participate!

So what do you think my #1 secret for “getting it done” is?

Well, it’s # 6 “think of a title and write it down” … writing it down makes it real. I’ll be talking about why this is so important, as well as how this ties in with not only getting a blog post written, but also on promoting it … because you need to promote your blog posts! It takes a lot of work to put a post together, and you have to let the world know about it!

I hope I’ve inspired you with my 7 ideas, and I encourage you to join me in my new series coming late September. Let me help you write a great blog post!

If you’re not interested in the blogging bits … you can always just subscribe to my newsletter (see sidebar).

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Blogging … Where are you Going?

August 18, 2015 by Barb 4 Comments

This summer I’ve been thinking a lot about blogging … some people say it’s dying … others say it’s changing. I happen to agree.

Blogging, Echinops, Keeping With the Times

Echinops on Sunday Suppers

I just recently became aware of the term “microblogging” which is …

blogging done with severe space or size constraints typically by posting frequent brief messages about personal activities

Merriam-Webster

I guess microblogging has been around for quite some time, as the definition includes services such as Twitter and Facebook … I just didn’t see it that way. I only came to see I was microblogging when I realized Instagram is just another form of it … .

This week I decided to try something new, and I created a story on Steller using photos from my Rosemary Thyme Parmesan Shortbread what a blast! … how cool is that!? Steller liked it ;)

Click on the image to see the story:

So I don’t know where blogging is going, nor do I know where Instagram is going … nor Steller … nor Facebook … nor Twitter … .

So I do as I like … and I do it because I like it. And when I don’t like it, I won’t do it … I’ll move on.

Oh, and I’m not saying the end of my blog is near … it isn’t. Because right now, I still like it … and I wonder … was this a micro post?

Contact Cards for Bloggers

June 17, 2015 by Barb 2 Comments

I am in desperate need of some new contact cards.

In September I’ll be travelling to Brandon, Manitoba, Canada to take part in “Finding Stillness|Autumn 2015” with Kim Klassen and about a dozen other creative souls from around the world (insert squeal here) … it feels so surreal …

Among other things, I’ll be participating in 3 days of styling, shooting, and editing still lifes in The Studio (Kim’s new real-life, bricks and mortar studio.) I can hardly type this without getting up and jumping for joy … but it’s a few months away, and instead of jumping around fruitlessly, I need to get prepared.

When I was planning for Blissdom which I attended in November of 2013, I created business cards and had them printed at Costco. Now, nothing against Costco … they did a superb job of printing and delivering my order … it was my design that stunk … truly stunk … in a word … boring.

Not long after, Kim wrote a post about using Instagram photos for contact cards … I was thunderstruck! What an amazing and creative way to share information … one side was printed with a photo from Instagram, and the other side was for contact information such as your blog url, IG feed, Twitter account, email address … etc. It was brilliant. Who’s going to throw away a tiny piece of art? I would hope no-one would be able to bring themselves to do that! I mean, I could randomly sprinkle my cards all over town, sharing my mini-masterpieces and spreading the word about my blog.

When I attended “Gather California” in 2014, I didn’t have any new cards with me and I regretted it wholeheartedly. But not this time. This time I’m going to have plenty of lovely images to help spread the word about Keeping With the Times.

There are many companies that print contact cards: Social Print Studio, Moo, and Artifact Uprising are just a few. I’m doing a bit of research and will be happy to report back when I’ve made my decision and had them printed.

Thank you so much for stopping by, and have a wonderful day!

Review Blog Posts of 2014!

December 29, 2014 by Barb 7 Comments

You should review blog posts of 2014 before heading into the new year — it’s a valuable tool to help you in your blogging journey.

If you have a widget that allows you to search your blog by month, put it on your sidebar and go through it. Pick a post for each month that stands out for you and ask yourself what it is that you like about it. Is it the photo? the writing? the comments you received? Make a note of it, and then watch for patterns.

As I sifted through my posts for 2014, I chose one for each month and I also made note of two others that were close seconds. As a result I have 36 leads for new content … for example, although it didn’t make the top 12, I really enjoyed my “Interview With a Neighbor” … hmmmm, maybe I could find another creative to interview. I also noted that I enjoy sharing tips and techniques, so expect to see more of that in the new year.

In the process I learned quite a bit about my blogging self:

I love photography and I take a photo almost every day, whether its with my Nikon, or my phone.
I love still life photography and I’ve been doing it for years through Texture Tuesday with Kim Klassen.
I’ve conquered Lightroom (woot) … now that’s a huge accomplishment for me! (I feel a post coming on).
I love to write … maybe I could take some classes …
I write from the heart … which prompted me to start a newsletter.
I love food … hey! I love food photography more, which led me to a new gig at Kim Klassen dot com writing a monthly column called Food Photography Meets Still Life Photography (I’m bursting here).
I love to share tips and techniques.
I love meeting blogging friends in real life, first in Arizona, then in California! It’s truly amazing to have met all these incredible people through blogging and shared passions.
I love Instagram and Pinterest … not so big on other social media.
I enjoy the technical stuff of blogging (if its not too complicated). I employed the help of a techie guy who gave my blog a checkup and fine tuning, and explained a few thing to me. I like to know how things work, so it was well worth the money.
This year I averaged 14.5 posts per month. I’m pretty pleased with that.

So, by reviewing my blog posts of 2014, I’ve come away with lots of new inspiration that I hope will carry me into the new year with enthusiasm and energy.

I hope this has been helpful for you … let me know if you do something similar and how it helped you!