Post-Challenge Reflections: A to Z Blogging Challenge

I am so thankful I took the time out from my busy schedule to participate in the A to Z challenge!  The growth I have experienced has served to define who I am and how I can best interact with the public in the future.  If you have not planned to write a Reflections Post, and you have been part of the Challenge in April, please do...it will help us all!  Click here to see the details.


Reflecting back on the Challenge, here is my summary:

Things I've learned:

Ins and outs of running a blog (I have far to go in this category)
Turning off word verification
Scheduling a post
What draws people to my blog and make comments
I.e.photos, part of my story, memoirs of travels


It was extremely helpful to receive tips from the A to Z Blogging Challenge hosts beforehand, which smoothed the way...thank you one and all!


I have immensely enjoyed: 

Meeting new people, viewing a variety of blogs, and following those that had similar interests to mine and from whom I could learn.

Commenting on other's posts, and replying on mine...it strengthened my communication skills


I'm so grateful for all my new followers...although I did not reach 100, I did more than double my readership!  With their help, I will develop content that will benefit many.


I was disappointed because:


Not everyone visited or commented on my blogposts...had all participants visited 10 blogs a day, and commented on every one, as was requested, I would have received at least ten comments a day.  I was faithful to visit 10 a day (in order), comment on each one (even if I couldn't fully appreciate the post or theme of the blog), and reply to all the comments left on my posts.

A few sites had suggestive images...

On average, one out of 10 blogs I visited had no intention of participating in the challenge, or, gave up early on, yet their links were still on the list.  I wasted precious time visiting them, when I could have been commenting on a faithful participants post.  


Since this has been such a positive experience for me, I will continue to:

Visit 5-10 blogs a day (from the signup list) when possible, leaving a comment, and following those who are "kindred spirits."

Post 2-3 times a week, as I discover what content would draw and keep followers.

Join the Challenge again next year!

Congratulations to all those hard working bloggers who made it successfully to the end!

Before I say goodbye, I would like to share links to a few participants who's blogs I have enjoyed and am following:


Joy2journey for BJ's love of home decorating
31 days Early I Rise for Elizabeth's love of Biblical Wisdom
2encourage for Pam's love of God's Word
1st Writes for Dawn's love of Lizards
Up on Haliburton Hill for Joanna's love of all things Victorian
AtoZmommy for Tracy's jump into the Blogosphere
The Slow Dripped Life for Carrie's love of wellness
Bible Bloggers for Brianna's clever Bible Character Diaries
Kylie's Creative Play Place for her love of the "Very Hungry Caterpillar"
W.I.P  for Lynda's love of photography

Thank you, friends, for sharing your treasures with me!

What was your favorite part of the Challenge?  Or, which of my posts did you enjoy the most?  What would you like to see in the future?

Getting to Know Me: Another Q and A

I was tagged by Debbie a while ago, from "Writing While the Rice Boils" to host my own "Q and A."  I love name of her blog, and also the fact that she homeschools not only two (like me), but four teens (wow!) and still has time to blog about the craft of writing.  Stop by her blog...she has some very helpful tips and links to share! 

The idea is to answer the following questions on your blog post, and then tag a few bloggers to do the same.

Enjoy!

1. Book or movie and why? 

Although my desire is to read the original (and unabridged, for that matter), time does not allow me to read classics or other literature as I would wish.  So, to avoid being totally ignorant of the works, I will watch an "original movie version" of a book, hoping it's as close to the intent of the author as possible.  There will be a time in my life where I will inhale all the books I have put aside as I have home educated our children.  Fortunately, we have listened to many of their required readings together or listened to them via audiobooks, so all is not lost!

2. Real book or e-book?

Both, but the majority are real books...dozens of them piled under a table, all categorized, waiting to be read.  I have downloaded a few e-books on the craft of writing, but I like to underline and mark up my books for future reference!  I like the e-books for convenience, because I can carry my iPad everywhere, but the real books have my vote for the many-faceted experience of reading that folks have enjoyed through the ages!

3. Funniest thing you've done in the last 5 years? 

While in Patagonia this January, our family had the opportunity to go horseback riding.  No big deal, you say?  Well, that was the problem...the Patagonian horses are enormous, and I was less than graceful in climbing into the saddle. I said to our guide, in an apologetic tone, "Honestly, I really DO know how to mount a horse!" You would have thought I was pulling myself up on the back of an elephant!
On that same trip, I gathered courage to hop over a little glacier stream, as if it were a huge expanse.  I'm afraid of heights and the possibility of  slipping down the icy slope.  So, being less than athletic, it looked rather funny.  Both experiences had my family chuckling!

4. How would your best friend describe you?

Excited about everything in life (especially when we were younger), and always trying something new...sometimes a fad, sometimes it stuck. I love variety.  While she would order a vanilla ice cream cone, Becky would say that my choice was a 'peanut butter pistachio bubblegum' conglomeration!

5. Do you put yourself into the books you read/write or the movies you watch? 

Come to think of it, subconsciously I do.  I'd love to be the heroine, if her life is lived well.  Or sometimes, I wish to be another character who could warn the heroine, "Wait...don't do that! Be patient...it will all turn out okay."  Any character that could change the course of history in context of the story is whom I would like to be.

fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net

6. Favorite kind of car and why?

I am attracted to the unusual, so, the Nissan cube (in moss green 2010),  a Mini Cooper in reef blue, or VW pea (I found on Pinterest) is my kind of vehicle.  Of course, it would only fit me and one other person, so I will wait until the "empty nest" stage to consider one!

7. Would your choice of party be a catered meal or barbecue out back?

That's a hard one...of course, it would depend on the season here in the Midwest.  I love steak, so let's just say the BBQ.

8. What's your favorite season and why?

My favorite time of year is Spring.  My name "Jarmila" is Slavic, and means 'lover of Spring'.  Yaro, the masculine form of Jarmila was my father's name, so I am left with pleasant memories of him as well as his name!
It's the fresh warmer air after winter that I love, along with the promise of new life.  The budding of flowers and leaves, and the birth of insects, birds and mammals are part of the scene.  It's Creation coming to life anew every year!

9. What specific lesson have you learned - Spiritual, educational, occupational? 

I'm always learning, but, I think in the context of writing, it's the idea that "my time will come."  I need to be faithful in reading and writing what God has ordained for me each day, and He will work out the timing.  My books and articles will be published when it will benefit me, and most importantly, others, the most.  I must be patient!

10. Besides writing, what's your favorite thing to do when you get some extra time? 

I love to travel and visit new places.  It could be a new store or museum; it doesn't need to be exotic.  I also enjoy wandering through boutiques or museum shops, admiring new products and clothing.  Stopping in at our local resale shop is also a relaxing and enjoyable diversion.

11. What's one place you can be found at least one time every week?

Definitely at church...I can't imagine a week without worshipping God and fellowshipping with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Second would be our local library...can't imagine a life without books!

Since I know everyone is quite busy, I will tag only three bloggers, whose posts I enjoyed during the A to Z Blogging Challenge.  They have the privilege of posting a "Q and A" whenever it is convenient...congratulations, ladies!

Pam at "2encourage"
Elizabeth at "31 Days of Devotion"
Bj at  "joy2journey"

Zooming in Zealously on Life: A to Z Blogging Challenge

It's with regret, as well as relief that I write this last post..."Z"  I am running out of steam, but have just enough oomph to reach the finish line!

I will share in about a week, all the things I have learned and loved about this Challenge. Since I plan to continue posting in the months ahead, I will want to know which posts you have enjoyed the most and why.  If you have other ideas for future posts, share those too!

So, on to "Zooming In Zealously On Life"!

I love my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ5!  My camera has accompanied me all around the world, and I must say, it has taken some amazing photos in difficult circumstances.  Low light, quick moving targets, and catching a shot from on top a camel challenged the "motion sensors"to the 'nth' degree.  So, I shouldn't have been surprised to find that I could "Zoom In" on life, without the use of a special lens.  Below are a few shots, mostly of living things, with a few inanimate objects to end the show.  I will not caption or comment, but let you guess what they are...the majority are obvious.

Not spectacular, but, a closer look than usual...I hope you've enjoyed zeroing in on God's Beautiful World!  If you have a favorite, let me know in the comment section.

If you are not following my blog yet, but like what you have seen, feel free to follow in any of the ways offered.  Stay tuned for my After-Challenge post next week...I'd love to hear what would keep you coming back for more!


It's been a pleasure to get to know so many fellow bloggers...I have appreciated each and every comment you have left.  Keep up the good work and your ZEST for the Art of Blogging!

Yearning for Yesteryear: A to Z Blogging Challenge

Have you ever longed to live in another century?  I have.  Not that I am dissatisfied with who and where I am today, but, I'd like, just for a short while, to live in the Victorian/Edwardian Era...along with Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, and, of course, Queen Victoria.

The times were not ideal, so what attracts me?  Maybe it's the manners and dress, the architecture and the furnishings, or the dances and social gatherings.  Come to think of it, my reasons are rather frivolous, which is not typical of me!

Below are some photos from that Era, and a few websites for you to peruse:

A Chicago Brownstone

Galena, Il. antique shop

Victorian Day Dress: V and A Museum, London

A Lovely Garden in the Cotswolds, England

Lehmans Country Store








Victoria's Past:  Explores a Victorian Home and all pastimes and routines connected with it!








"All That's Vintage" Shop in Galena, Illinois
Features items from the 30's, 40's and 50's






The Nourished Kitchen: Reviving Traditional Foods

















Victorian Trading Company: Fashions, Collectibles and items for the Home and Hearth

Long Ago: Vintage Costuming Pattern Catalog

What era would you like to visit?  What is it about that time in history that attracts you?

Xenophile...X Marks the Spot: A to Z Blogging Challenge

Dictionary.com defines "Xenophile" as: 'a person who is attracted to foreign peoples, cultures or customs.'

I have travelled to 6 of the 7 continents with my family in the last 10 years, and I am always fascinated with the differences in the cultures...what they eat, wear and drive, where they live, and what they say!  I have taken photos of signs in many of the countries that tickle my funny bone, or make me pause to consider.  They are so unlike our culture, and yet so similar.  You don't need fiction to make you laugh...the jokes are out there in real life.  Here they are below:

ENGLAND:

                          The Cotswolds, England: Boys will be boys!

The Cotswolds, England: All right...pay up!

 London, England: The Victorian and Albert Museum...Tributes to Man's Best friend.

      The Tower of London (England): While awaiting execution....someone made his mark.

PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA:

                   Haberton Estancia, Gable Island: Think about this one for a minute..

              Peninsula Valdez: This was the exception to the rule in Argentina!

THE MIDDLE EAST:

                            Cana near Bethany, Israel...that's what I call aged wine!

                                               Sea of Galilee, Israel: Say what?

                                                Near Petra, Jordan:  How late?

                                          Sardis, Turkey:  Or is it "Fake Genuine"?

                                 Top of Mt Sinai, Egypt: Frappuccino, Anyone?

                                                Bethlehem, Israel: Stolen Identity

Which one did you enjoy/relate to the most?  Why?