Green Jello

One Year :: Winner

Thank you for the kind comments you left for my one year anniversary; it makes me feel that doing this is worthwhile. I will read them again on days when I am wondering why I am spending so much time on the computer when I should be learning Kung Fu. This is the fun and the not so fun part; announcing the winners. I wish you could all win, and if gas prices weren't $4.19 a gallon (price today), there would be prizes for all.

The winner of the picnic basket full of goodies is Brit. Congratulations!

The winner of The Wee Garden book is Patty P. Congratulations! (Thank you again Jill for donating the book).

I will email you for your addresses. I have to find boxes because I am never prepared.

If you didn't win listen to this and you will feel better.

The boys are still trying to decide where Bad Puppy should visit. I forgot that they usually only make decisions based on two choices, now they have to contemplate if Puppy could get stuck by a cactus.

One Year

This blog started with the arrival of the cicadas. I couldn't figure out how to use Typepad then, and a year later I still can't figure it out since they recently changed how we compose posts. Typical. I started this blog with the goal of learning something new and as a way to record the little things for my kids. What I didn't expect was the instant connections I made with so many of you. We have a need to be accepted and listened to, and blogging provides those needs. I know this sounds sappy, but this blog has helped me inch closer to the person I want to be because it forces me to pay attention to the positive moments in my life.

Your blogs are inspiring and beautiful; the photographs, crafts, ideas, and funny stories have opened my eyes to a whole new world. So to say thank you for reading and encouraging me, I have a put together a giveaway. The first prize is a picnic basket filled with goodies;

This picnic cookbook that I had to restrain myself from keeping:

...and a Japanese craft kit; everything included (except directions in English), to make a cute tote. Just think how mysterious you will appear sewing at a picnic reading Japanese;

I dusted off the sewing machine and made these picnic place mats. As a side note, my sewing skills are weak, so please understand that if you win;

The second prize was donated by The Wee Garden; a garden book full of ideas and one miniature watering can to get you started. Thank you so much Jill for providing such a lovely gift:

To enter, leave a comment by Sunday, June 8th, 5:00 p.m. central time. I will announce the winner Sunday night or Monday. If you are new to this blog or have never left a comment, please don't feel shy. Good luck and thank you for sharing this year with me.

What About Blog?

The other day I was trying to catch up on my blog reading, and went to Rockstarmommy, she had a note that said she was closing her site so that she could spend more time with her family and live in the real world. I understand why this happens, but part of me thought, "shouldn't there be a going away party or something?" Blogging is a strange thing to do; we write at times very personal parts of our lives, but we also keep many things private. I feel instant connections with many of you, but I really don't know you. Sometimes I worry that doing this is narcissistic, or that I portray a fake version of my life-one that is full of cute fabric and well behaved children. I feel that I share too much, but also hold back. But even with these conflicts, for some reason I like doing it. As a mom, I feel less isolated, and I enjoy laughing with you when your kids write on the wall, or say something funny. We don't have to reveal everything or be BFFs, well maybe BIFF. So I came up with this meme (not sure if this is the correct word), not so you have to reveal your deep secrets, but as a way to learn about your blog. (I know some of you do not like the term blog, but for this purpose I used it rather than type: blog/personal website/on-line diary/Internet embarrassment tool).

1. Why did you start your blog?

2. How did you come up with your blog name?

3. Do your friends and family know about your blog? What do they think of it?

4. How to you write posts?

5. Have you ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments?

6. Do you check your stats? Do you care how many people read your blog? If you do care, how to you increase traffic?

7. What kind of blogs/posts interest you?

8. What do you like and dislike about blogging?

My answers:

1. I started this blog to exercise my mind, and as a mini diary for my children. I like to write, but I don't kid myself with the belief that I am good at it. I butcher the English language with fragmented or run-on sentences; too many commas or not enough, and overuse of the word that. But that said, the only way to improve is by practice; this is my practice. I also tend to be rather negative, and I thought this would be a good way to practice being positive. (I don't think I've hid this well)

2. Blog name; when we were taking care of my mom with cancer, all that tasted good to her was green jello. Also, when my sister became a mom, she told me that suddenly all she wanted to do was stay home, take care of her child, and make Jello. So, it's a tribute to both of them.

3. A few of my trusted friends and family members know about this blog. None of them read it.

4. Sometimes I write my posts in a notebook, but end up typing something completely different. Some weeks I can think of something to say, while others I struggle. I usually cringe after reading my posts, so I try not to.

5. I hope that raising this question does not make it happen, but no, all of my comments have been encouraging and kind.

6. When I started this blog, I did not care if anyone read it, but then I found myself compulsively checking the stats, only to be discouraged when 2 people visited. Worse, those two people never came back. My first comment was spam, but I was so happy that I didn't delete it. I check my stats occasionally now, but I don't care about traffic. Would I like 1,000 visits a day? Sure, but this isn't that entertaining. I have no idea how you increase traffic; use dirty key words? (Not that you would want those type of visitors).

7. I like many kinds of blogs, but my favorite are parenting/craft/photography blogs. Some of the blogs I read are so well written and funny, they should be published. A couple that I read are sad; they are going through personal tragedies, but I care about what happens to them, and I find that people are their true selves when all the other stuff is stripped away, and I find their words insightful and inspiring.

8. What I like most about blogging is what I mentioned above; feeling less isolated. I enjoy reading other blogs and especially love your photos; so many of you are quite talented. What I dislike about blogging is the time it takes. Time I don't have really, and our house suffers because of it. I try to balance as much as I can, but there are weeks when it is difficult to justify being on the computer. It's good to have a break and we can't wash dishes 18 hours a day, so as long as I enjoy it, I will keep doing it.

I would like everyone to participate, but I am supposed to pick people per the law of the Internet. So, I am tagging 10, because 8 would make more sense:

(collective sigh) Gravity Failed

Beebee Mod

Chik Austin

Else Where Living

Auburn Doll House

Ram in the Thicket

Still Life in Yarn

Near by the Sea

Linaloo

The Rinrins

Danish Pixies

I ordered a Danish Pixie from Fjorn to watch over the house this Christmas. My Grandfather was Danish, so I try to find items like this to incorporate into our holidays. They also have some nice advent calendars, and the Norwegian hand knitted items are beautiful.

Jenny from Allsorts posted a Scandinavian Blog Tour, which has some great links. A word of caution; you will spend a lot of time drooling over the various blogs with great photos. Enjoy.