Spot the Differences (a fun game for Friday)

I guess this game has become a weekly thing!  Since I keep receiving such positive comments I thought why not.  Nothing better than ending your long, hard, and tedious week with a fun game right?  Honestly I’m not sure if it’s more fun for you or me.  Aside from the fun I have making the changes to these images in Photoshop (it makes me feel so clever and a little bit sneaky), my favorite part is receiving your comments letting me know how many differences you find!  Even more, though, I just love that you guys are playing along!  It really makes my week so THANK YOU!

Preserving the Memories

Hey there!  Glad to see you’re back!  I hope you enjoyed yesterday’s Guest Blogger, Barbara, and her Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream post!  Well guess what?  Yep, I have another Guest Blogger for you today!  You can usually find her blogging over at The Sassy One!  Hillary is a wife and mom to an angel and two princesses!  She loves craft related things like scrapbooking, card making, and knitting!  Since photography is a hobby of mine, I was immediately drawn to the amazing images in her posts!  And being that it is a guilty pleasure of Hillary’s, I thought no one better to blog about it than her!  Makes sense right?  So, here it is.  Have fun ooohing and aaahing!

Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Hey there!  Guess what?  Yep, I’m still on my bloggy break!  Go me!  Don’t worry though; I have you covered!  I’ve got another great Guest Blogger for you today and something tells me you are really going to like this post!  I think the post title says it all!  Who doesn’t love ice cream especially in the hot and humid Summer months?  When I first saw the pictures, my mouth immediately began to water!  Although it was tough, I managed not to drool all over my key board.  I’ll give myself a little pat on the back for that!  Now let’s see if you can do it!

Oh and if you missed yesterday’s post, Propagating Basil is Easy by Marci, don’t forget to check it out!

Propagating Basil is Easy

I don’t know about you, but I love having fresh herbs to cook with.  If you feel the same way, than you are sure to love this post by Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures!  For those not familiar with Marci, I’d definitely recommend stopping by especially if you are interested in sewing, crafts, recipes and gardening!  She even has an entire page dedicated to things you can do in and around Northwest Arkansas (which is great if you ever plan to visit or vacation there). Honestly it could be so easy for me to go on and on about all my Guest Bloggers if I wasn’t so focused but, since I am, I’m going to stop right here and let Marci take over.  Enjoy!

 

And if you missed my previous Guest Blogger’s post, A Nautical Theme Kids Party, I sure hope you’ll check it out! 

A Nautical Theme Kids Party

In case you missed last Friday’s post, This Mama Needs a Week Off, this week I’m taking a much needed bloggy break!  Don’t worry though, I would never leave you high and dry!  It’s just not my style!  In fact, I’ve got some great Guest Bloggers lined up for the entire week that I’m confident you are going to love!  So here it goes:

This Mama Needs a Week Off!

So here’s the deal!  Starting tomorrow, I’ll be taking a week off from blogging to spend some much needed time with family!  The hubby was able to get some time off and we have some exciting outings planned for the entire week!  I hope to have some wonderful pictures to share with you when I get back. 

Since I promised the family a blog free vacation, I just want to say “THANK YOU” for any comments you may leave while I’m away and I apologize in advance for not being able to respond to them personally.  And although I’m looking forward to this break, my bloggy site and all of you will be missed terribly!  As much as blogging can be hard work, time consuming, and a PIA (pain in the a#@) at times, I actually love doing it and I’m quite certain I’ll go through some blogging and social relations withdrawal!  Don’t worry about me though, I plan on checking my email at night.  The family has got to allow me a fix otherwise it’s just plain cruel!

How to Make your Website Visually Appealing!

Just think PRETTY.  As a blogger, I am always searching for ways to improve my website design to attract new visitors and keep it visually appealing for the ones that visit on a consistent basis!  Let's face it, Blogging is a shallow business. A lot of it is based around looks and first impressions.  If you don't have a well designed website, you may as well retire it.  If your following is not increasing, than consider this: your website design may be to blame!  It's unfortunate because I'm sure you are putting a lot of time and effort into researching topics, creating, and writing fresh content for your site and even still it is not making a difference.  It can get quite frustrating!  With that said, I'd like to help!

Bull Ride? None for me thanks!

We went to a local carnival this past weekend and wouldn’t you know they had a bull ride!  It didn’t take long for it to get the ol’ hubby’s attention and before I knew it, he was holding on for dear life!  I’m so happy I had my camera with me (can’t believe I was actually debating on whether to bring it)!  The expressions I caught on camera were priceless!  While I was snapping away, his sister was timing him to see how long he could stay on!  It was a freaking riot!  Alivia watched with what could only have been confusion !  I don’t think she knew what to make of it!   Bull Ride? None for me thanks!  I sure had a heck of a time watching my husband on it though!  I even busted his chops a little when he fell off.  Accused him of having (how can I say this nicely) girl parts if you know what I’m saying!  Of course, who am I to talk?  I didn’t even have the courage to try!  It’s amazing how much of a wimp I’ve become in my old age!  If it were 1o years ago, I would have been riding that thing like there was no tomorrow!  Okay, okay, I have to give the hubby props!  Go baby!

Does your Child Stutter?

Over the last month I've noticed my little one, Alivia, stuttering quite a bit.  At first I didn't think anything of it, but as it started to worsen and become more frequent I grew concerned.  In order to establish whether she had control over it, I would remind her to take her time and think about what she wanted to say before she said it.  This seemed to help.  When I reminded her, she would pause for a good 5 - 10 seconds and then out her statement would come stutter free!  This eased my mind a bit.  Of course, being a first time parent, over protective, and a worry wart of sorts, I put a call into her Pediatrician anyway.

Toddler Clothing: Recommendations from an Experienced Shop-a-holic!

Do you have a shopping addiction?  I sure do!  Before I had my first child, Alivia, it was a handbag and shoe addiction.  Now that I have Alivia, it's an addiction to little girl's clothing!  The beautiful colors, enticing trims, fun prints, and soft fabrics always seem to call my name when I walk by.  And because Alivia loves clothing, shoes, and accessories just as much as me if not more makes it almost impossible to fight the urge to buy her pretty things!  Let me tell you how bad it's gotten.

Intermittent Exotropia: Considering Surgery

It's been awhile since I blogged about Alivia's Intermittent Exotropia.  If you missed my last update, Back to Patching, feel free to catch up.  Additionally, I have a page dedicated to all of our Intermittent Exotropia updates (including resources) so if you haven't checked it out already, have at it! 

Potty Training Tips: the Potty Prize Basket!

Before I get into my post, I just wanted to turn your attention over to the poll I have displayed in my sidebar to the right.  I am trying to establish which topics readers find interesting.  I hope you'll take the few seconds to vote.  I would appreciate it very much and thanks in advance if you do!

Organizing your Workspace in Photoshop with these 6 Toolbars

Are you new to Photoshop or does Photoshop frighten you?  C'mon, you can tell me.  It frightened me terribly when I first opened it so trust me when I say I understand completely!  Can I tell you a little secret though?  It’s not as scary as it looks.  That’s right.  In fact, with a little workspace organization, you will be up and running in no time!  Promise!

Spot the Differences (a game for Friday)!

Are you ready?  The lucky number today is 9!  Can you find 9 differences between the following two photos?  Don’t forget to open the game in a new window to view at it’s original and LARGER size!  In case it’s too large for your screen, you can view smaller by choosing one of the alternative sizes.  Can’t find all 9?  No problem; just click on the answer key to see what you missed!  No cheating though!  Oh, and don’t forgot to leave me a comment.  I’d love to hear how many you get! 

Book Recommendations for your Toddler

In case you didn't see it, I posted a poll in my sidebar (to the right).  I hope you'll take a view seconds to vote!  I would really appreciate it!

Lately, the little one (Alivia) and I have been doing a lot of reading.  And I mean A LOT!  10 books in one sitting wouldn't be unheard of in our house and not just once but at least twice a day.  At least!  It's a good thing Alivia has good taste in books or I may have considered this a monotonous task to read the same ol' books over and over again!  Instead, we have such a great time during our reading adventures.  I love to use silly voices and get really animated while I read to her.  I'm pretty certain she appreciates my efforts or I don't think I'd be getting as many smiles, giggles, and requests to read them just one more time!  Reading is such a great opportunity to bond with your children.  As a bonus, they get to learn as well and there is nothing better than that!

Nature Photography & Alvin and the Chipmunks

My little one, Alivia, has taken a liking to Alvin and the Chipmunks!  She is obsessed with their movies (they have 3 out)!  After she went to bed last night, and while I should have been drafting Wednesday’s post, I was entranced with Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakquel.  Just when I thought I was the only one, I looked over at the hubby to find him laughing his butt off when, yeah, he should have been doing something else as well (homework)!  It was a nice and much needed break for the both of us! 

Inspiring Blog Headers (a collection of my favorites)!

See the poll in my sidebar (to the right)?  Feel free to take it if you’d like!  It would really help me out!  I’d love to to know what topic appeals to you most!

BLOG HEADERS THAT WILL INSPIRE

Thinking about a facelift for your website?  I think about it all the time.  Not because I don't like my current design but because I have a tiny obsession with creating new things!  I like to push, challenge, and test myself artistically.  It aids my growth and, yes, feeds my obsession quite nicely!  Design has always been a passion for me.  In my blog hopping ventures, I've come across quite a variety of gorgeous designs. Some so beautiful that I can't help stopping over repeatedly just to gawk at their blog header (mouth wide open in aw and eyes bulging from my head included).  Yes, they have that much impact on me!  I guess you could say I'm a design stalker of sorts.  Don't worry, I'm harmless I promise.  I just love and appreciate anything that inspires me!  To me, it's the best feeling in the world!

Famepack (genius or ridiculous)?

Before you move on to my post, can you take one second (okay maybe 5 seconds) to check out my poll located in my sidebar to the right?  Your vote would be greatly appreciated!

First, I want to clarify that the following are ONLY my opinions and in no way should be taken as factual data. This is just a collection of thoughts I choose to share.

I received an email last week from this website, Famepack, and I was pretty amazed.  Apparently you can purchase likes, follows, and subscriptions for your social network pages.  Specifically for Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.  Really?  It's crazy to think you can purchase just about anything these days.  If you need something, I'm sure it's being sold somewhere!  On one side, I think the idea has great potential depending on how it was executed.  On the other side, I'm not quite sure what to make of it.  I can imagine it would appeal to those eager for exposure who can't put in the time to network themselves. Let's face it, we don't always have the time to put in and I'm pretty sure we all know the benefits that social media exposure has on our businesses, communities, organizations, charities, blogs, etc.

Spot the Differences (a game for Friday)!

Take a look to the right of this post.  See anything different?  Yes, that poll is new!  Since I constantly wonder obsess about what topics interest my readers the most, I thought what better way to find out than a poll!  If you have time, I’d greatly appreciate your participation.  I’m very curious to see the results at the end of the week!  More importantly, I can’t wait to start publishing content that will appeal to you personally!

Now onto the fun stuff!  If you’re here for my Spot the Differences game, than you’re in luck!  Yep, I have another one for you today.  This time with 8 differences.  Think you’re up for the challenge?  All you have to do is click on the OPEN NEW WINDOW text below to view it at it’s original LARGER size!  Oh, and don’t forget to drop me a comment.  My favorite part is finding out how many you get!  If you get stumped, no worries.  Just click on the answer key.  No cheating though!  Good Luck!

Just images!

Okay, I’m going to be honest, sometimes (and only when I'm lost for words which let's face it isn't often if you know me well), I actually like Wordless Wednesday and will use it as an intermission (so to speak) between blog posts.  It's the only time I feel like I can get away with not having anything to say, share, or contribute!  I'm sure as a blogger, you can relate knowing the challenge of coming up with interesting content to post every day of the week.  So, being that I haven't taken advantage of a Wordless Wednesday in quite some time, I'm using this Thursday as my intermission.  Nothing to say really.  No points to make. Nothing exciting or new to share.  No tips or tutorials.  No freebies.  Just images.  Now that I can do!