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Thursday, September 29 - to Huntsville for Benjamin's birth!
Benjamin Robert Matthews - 3:51 PM, 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Birthdays and Birthin's
Wednesday, September 28 - to Oxford for Caroline's First Birthday!
Thursday, September 29 - to Huntsville for Benjamin's birth!
Benjamin Robert Matthews - 3:51 PM, 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thursday, September 29 - to Huntsville for Benjamin's birth!
Benjamin Robert Matthews - 3:51 PM, 8 lbs 10 oz, 21 inches long!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Blog Exercise #7
Write a link post.
Someone asked Darren Rowse (the author of this Build a Better Blog series) how readership was built at first on his blog. One of the answers he gave was that he was generously linking to other blogs. Seven years ago blogging revolved around the link. One blogger would write a post and hundreds of others would link to it with posts that built upon the initial post’s ideas in some way. The result:
* Ideas spread across the blogosphere quickly
* Relationships between bloggers grew with each link
* Everyone’s blog grew
Nowadays Facebook and Twitter have taken over the social networking role and bloggers rarely link to other blogs on their blog because they’re either doing it elsewhere or they feel they’d be helping a competitor. Me... I'm still terrified of Facebook and Twitter and would love to let you know what I read weekly.
I have found that I am not alone in the fact that my evenings are spent catching up on emails and blog posts. While Ben is watching football and hunting shows, I sit right beside him on the couch and read blogs.
First, I check in with Sweet Mondays, to snag new pictures of Anna and Caroline.
I have to see what Shay Brannon 's thoughts are, To See the Nations Worship, and also Olivia's (Shay's daughter) ongoing recap, Chronic Collegiate Senioritis.
Dedra Herod's Just a Chick has one of the best blog rolls ever titled Love These Voices and includes The Preacher's Wife, I'm Just Saying, and A Holy Experience.
Beth Moore's blog is great. She calls her readers 'siestas' because at the beginning she was writing ' dear sistas', as in 'sisters', and the internal spell check inadvertently changed it, ha!
Style Blueprint gives me my hometown Nashville fix and is a blog award winner.
Tina Adams really helps my pitiful wardrobe skills. This girl is good!
Nancy Franke's Musings on Painting inspires me.
Joel Rosenberg teaches me.
Voice of the Martyrs keeps me out of my comfort zone.
Ligonier makes me want to read and take anything RC Sproul teaches.
Urban Grace makes me want to redo my house.
Are you a blog reader too? Please send me some of your favorites!
Someone asked Darren Rowse (the author of this Build a Better Blog series) how readership was built at first on his blog. One of the answers he gave was that he was generously linking to other blogs. Seven years ago blogging revolved around the link. One blogger would write a post and hundreds of others would link to it with posts that built upon the initial post’s ideas in some way. The result:
* Ideas spread across the blogosphere quickly
* Relationships between bloggers grew with each link
* Everyone’s blog grew
Nowadays Facebook and Twitter have taken over the social networking role and bloggers rarely link to other blogs on their blog because they’re either doing it elsewhere or they feel they’d be helping a competitor. Me... I'm still terrified of Facebook and Twitter and would love to let you know what I read weekly.
I have found that I am not alone in the fact that my evenings are spent catching up on emails and blog posts. While Ben is watching football and hunting shows, I sit right beside him on the couch and read blogs.
First, I check in with Sweet Mondays, to snag new pictures of Anna and Caroline.
I have to see what Shay Brannon 's thoughts are, To See the Nations Worship, and also Olivia's (Shay's daughter) ongoing recap, Chronic Collegiate Senioritis.
Dedra Herod's Just a Chick has one of the best blog rolls ever titled Love These Voices and includes The Preacher's Wife, I'm Just Saying, and A Holy Experience.
Beth Moore's blog is great. She calls her readers 'siestas' because at the beginning she was writing ' dear sistas', as in 'sisters', and the internal spell check inadvertently changed it, ha!
Style Blueprint gives me my hometown Nashville fix and is a blog award winner.
Tina Adams really helps my pitiful wardrobe skills. This girl is good!
Nancy Franke's Musings on Painting inspires me.
Joel Rosenberg teaches me.
Voice of the Martyrs keeps me out of my comfort zone.
Ligonier makes me want to read and take anything RC Sproul teaches.
Urban Grace makes me want to redo my house.
Are you a blog reader too? Please send me some of your favorites!
Monday, September 26, 2011
A few more details
Here are a few more details regarding the Asbury Women's Conference to be held Friday evening, October 21, 6:00 - 11:00 PM.
The conference is titled FOR IT IS TIME... to seek the Lord, based on Hosea 10:12. I will be speaking twice that evening. Both talks will be on Hosea and the seriousness of our day, our time, and the need to return to our God. Starting next week, I will post weekly on Coffee Tea and Thee to help prepare for the teachings from Hosea.
Tickets are $5.00 and you can get yours by going by the The Dwelling Place (Asbury's Bookstore in the Hope Building) or online here. You sure get a lot for you money - great worship and fellowship and we'll practically have a slumber party together. I hope to see you there!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Blog Exercise #5 and #6
Email a blog reader. And a few must-read tips and tutorials for bloggers.
It will strengthen your blog to comment to a commenter. When you pay personal attention to a reader it significantly increases the chances of them not only returning to your blog, but also spreading the news of your blog through their network. Email them or respond to the comment ON your blog. Sending the email is great for making an impression on the individual person, but leaving a comment in your own comment section shows other readers that you’ll engage in conversation. It also helps build comment numbers, which can build social proof and show your blog is active.
One day when you need mindless information to accumulate in your brain for future reference, have fun with these blog experts.
Seth Godin's blog - How to get traffic for your blog
Skelliewag's A Complete Guide to Finding and Using Incredible Flickr Images
and 25 Paths to an Insanely Popular Blog
Liz Strauss from Successful Blog 10 Reasons Readers Don't Leave Comments
Jeremy Schoemaker from ShoeMoney My Top Ten Worst Ideas to Make Money
It will strengthen your blog to comment to a commenter. When you pay personal attention to a reader it significantly increases the chances of them not only returning to your blog, but also spreading the news of your blog through their network. Email them or respond to the comment ON your blog. Sending the email is great for making an impression on the individual person, but leaving a comment in your own comment section shows other readers that you’ll engage in conversation. It also helps build comment numbers, which can build social proof and show your blog is active.
One day when you need mindless information to accumulate in your brain for future reference, have fun with these blog experts.
Seth Godin's blog - How to get traffic for your blog
Skelliewag's A Complete Guide to Finding and Using Incredible Flickr Images
and 25 Paths to an Insanely Popular Blog
Liz Strauss from Successful Blog 10 Reasons Readers Don't Leave Comments
Jeremy Schoemaker from ShoeMoney My Top Ten Worst Ideas to Make Money
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Blog Exercise #4
Analyze a top blog in your niche.
As little as 15 minutes and the questions below can help shape your own blogging strategy. Strong strategy lends to blog success.
First, select a successful blog on the same subject as yours or a related subject. Analyze, using these questions:
What topics are they covering?
What topics are they ignoring?
What voice/style do they post in?
How often are they posting?
What topics generate the most conversation?
What styles of post seem to connect with readers best?
What questions are readers asking in the Comments?
What complaints do you see readers making in the Comments?
What’s your first impression from their design?
What have they done well? What have they done poorly?
What options do they give readers to subscribe?
Two quick words of warning:
1. Maintain the Focus on Your Own Blog.A trap some bloggers fall into is spending so much time watching their “competitors” that they spend less time actually building their own blog. This analysis is useful to do every now and again, but don’t let it be at the expense of other core activities on your own blog.
2. Be Unique.Another trap some bloggers fall into is virtually replicating every aspect of another blog. While there’s a lot we can learn from others and lessons we can take from what others are doing, if you simply copy everything another
blog does you fail to differentiate yourself and potential readers have no real reason to read you instead of others.
As little as 15 minutes and the questions below can help shape your own blogging strategy. Strong strategy lends to blog success.
First, select a successful blog on the same subject as yours or a related subject. Analyze, using these questions:
What topics are they covering?
What topics are they ignoring?
What voice/style do they post in?
How often are they posting?
What topics generate the most conversation?
What styles of post seem to connect with readers best?
What questions are readers asking in the Comments?
What complaints do you see readers making in the Comments?
What’s your first impression from their design?
What have they done well? What have they done poorly?
What options do they give readers to subscribe?
Two quick words of warning:
1. Maintain the Focus on Your Own Blog.A trap some bloggers fall into is spending so much time watching their “competitors” that they spend less time actually building their own blog. This analysis is useful to do every now and again, but don’t let it be at the expense of other core activities on your own blog.
2. Be Unique.Another trap some bloggers fall into is virtually replicating every aspect of another blog. While there’s a lot we can learn from others and lessons we can take from what others are doing, if you simply copy everything another
blog does you fail to differentiate yourself and potential readers have no real reason to read you instead of others.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Blog Exercise #3
Promote a blog post.
The Premise: If you select one of your best blog posts and promote it, your blog will take an upward bump in readership. And, some of those readers will stick around.
The Promotion: 11 Ways to Promote a Blog Post
Note: please be careful in using these techniques. Don’t use them all with every post you write. Choose your best posts and promote them selectively, in ways that are helpful to other people.
1. Pitching to Other Bloggers—ask another blogger to consider linking to your post.
2. Social Messaging-like Twitter and Facebook.
3. Social Bookmarking
4. Internal Links—rather than just promote your post on other people’s sites, think about where you can link to it from within your own site. Perhaps you’ve written on the topic before and can add a link for further reading, or maybe adding a section in your sidebar for “Latest posts” could work.
5. Newsletters
6. Other Blogs’ Comments Sections and Forums
7. Email Signatures
8. Follow-up Posts—write a new post on your blog that picks up where your last one left off. This builds momentum and if you inter-link the posts, drives more page views.
9. Advertise Your Post
10.Pitch Mainstream Media
11.Article Marketing—if you do this do not submit exactly the same article you’ve posted on your blog to article marketing sites (this can get you into trouble with Google where you could face penalties for duplicate content).
Hands down the best post I've ever written is Peanut Butter Balls in June of this year. I'm not comfortable with very many of the above suggestions, but I did create an email signature with my blog address, as well as an internal link. If you missed the post, settle in for a good read!
The Premise: If you select one of your best blog posts and promote it, your blog will take an upward bump in readership. And, some of those readers will stick around.
The Promotion: 11 Ways to Promote a Blog Post
Note: please be careful in using these techniques. Don’t use them all with every post you write. Choose your best posts and promote them selectively, in ways that are helpful to other people.
1. Pitching to Other Bloggers—ask another blogger to consider linking to your post.
2. Social Messaging-like Twitter and Facebook.
3. Social Bookmarking
4. Internal Links—rather than just promote your post on other people’s sites, think about where you can link to it from within your own site. Perhaps you’ve written on the topic before and can add a link for further reading, or maybe adding a section in your sidebar for “Latest posts” could work.
5. Newsletters
6. Other Blogs’ Comments Sections and Forums
7. Email Signatures
8. Follow-up Posts—write a new post on your blog that picks up where your last one left off. This builds momentum and if you inter-link the posts, drives more page views.
9. Advertise Your Post
10.Pitch Mainstream Media
11.Article Marketing—if you do this do not submit exactly the same article you’ve posted on your blog to article marketing sites (this can get you into trouble with Google where you could face penalties for duplicate content).
Hands down the best post I've ever written is Peanut Butter Balls in June of this year. I'm not comfortable with very many of the above suggestions, but I did create an email signature with my blog address, as well as an internal link. If you missed the post, settle in for a good read!
Friday, September 16, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
My List Post
Gifts: Top Five Faves
I love gift giving. It is one of my love languages. Better than receiving, I like to give gifts... especially little gifts, treats and surprises, in fabulously wrapped packages. Yet, sometimes I draw a total blank, run out of ideas, run out of time (or money), or simply do not know the recipient very well. That is when I default to my trusty list of best gifts ever. Here are favorites in no particular order to give you ideas for your next occasion.
Wedding Gifts
1. Michael Aram - any piece at all; Harpeth Gallery in Nashville, The Registry in Franklin
2. An oil painting - especially for the kitchen
3. McCarty Pottery - worth a trip to The Gallery in Monteagle, Tennessee
4. Monogrammed pillowcases - Sarah got two sets, I was so envious!
5. Southern My Way by Gena Knox - my new favorite cookbook, tie a Rosti spoon or two on top
Birthday Gifts
1. Tin birthday cake carrier by Department 56; on ebay, everywhere I take mine I get compliments!
2. Tea towels - by Le Jacquard Francais; Lawren's
3. Leather jewelry roll - from Pottery Barn; find someone who does leather stamping to add a monogram
4. Lafco candles - the best! Named for rooms in the house - try Master Bedroom, Power Room or Den
5. Tervis tumbler - everyone needs one!
Baby Gifts
1. Sleep Sheep - babies love the sounds and it's cuddly
2. Bla Bla knit stuffed animals - whimsical, fun, and for lots of babies I know this is their favorite hold-onto
3. Little Giraffe blanket - the softest there is
4. Sleep sack - I've bought several and they come in three weights and 2 sizes; Helen's in Nashville
5. Judy Toles' taggies and burp pads - adorable!
Sympathy Gifts
This is where I use my list often... when I am always caught off guard and always in a hurry!
1. Apricot pound cake - I keep a yellow box cake mix and apricot nectar on hand just for this recipe
2. Books - you can't go wrong with these - Good Grief; A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis; A Year with C.C. Lewis, devotional; The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion; Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, Recovering from Losses in Life
3. Roses - take a clay pot you already have, put in a big cube of soaked oasis, buy roses and galax leaves, cut roses short, overlap galax leaves around the edge, stick roses in side by side starting in center(use an odd number), and there you go!
4. Paper plates & napkins - always appreciated and needed
5. Handkerchief - include a verse about tears... The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces Isaiah 25:8
... and finally Things that fit in a card
Sometimes you just want to send a card with a little extra.
1. Bookmark
2. Cross - there are lots of little ones that fit in an envelope
3. Starbucks gift card - $5 treats your friend to a cup of coffee or tea on you
4. Thymes bath salts - they come in an envelope that easily fits ion an envelope
5. Gigi’s Cupcakes gift card - $3 and delicious
I love gift giving. It is one of my love languages. Better than receiving, I like to give gifts... especially little gifts, treats and surprises, in fabulously wrapped packages. Yet, sometimes I draw a total blank, run out of ideas, run out of time (or money), or simply do not know the recipient very well. That is when I default to my trusty list of best gifts ever. Here are favorites in no particular order to give you ideas for your next occasion.
Wedding Gifts
1. Michael Aram - any piece at all; Harpeth Gallery in Nashville, The Registry in Franklin
2. An oil painting - especially for the kitchen
3. McCarty Pottery - worth a trip to The Gallery in Monteagle, Tennessee
4. Monogrammed pillowcases - Sarah got two sets, I was so envious!
5. Southern My Way by Gena Knox - my new favorite cookbook, tie a Rosti spoon or two on top
Birthday Gifts
1. Tin birthday cake carrier by Department 56; on ebay, everywhere I take mine I get compliments!
2. Tea towels - by Le Jacquard Francais; Lawren's
3. Leather jewelry roll - from Pottery Barn; find someone who does leather stamping to add a monogram
4. Lafco candles - the best! Named for rooms in the house - try Master Bedroom, Power Room or Den
5. Tervis tumbler - everyone needs one!
Baby Gifts
1. Sleep Sheep - babies love the sounds and it's cuddly
2. Bla Bla knit stuffed animals - whimsical, fun, and for lots of babies I know this is their favorite hold-onto
3. Little Giraffe blanket - the softest there is
4. Sleep sack - I've bought several and they come in three weights and 2 sizes; Helen's in Nashville
5. Judy Toles' taggies and burp pads - adorable!
Sympathy Gifts
This is where I use my list often... when I am always caught off guard and always in a hurry!
1. Apricot pound cake - I keep a yellow box cake mix and apricot nectar on hand just for this recipe
2. Books - you can't go wrong with these - Good Grief; A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis; A Year with C.C. Lewis, devotional; The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion; Moments with the Savior by Ken Gire, Recovering from Losses in Life
3. Roses - take a clay pot you already have, put in a big cube of soaked oasis, buy roses and galax leaves, cut roses short, overlap galax leaves around the edge, stick roses in side by side starting in center(use an odd number), and there you go!
4. Paper plates & napkins - always appreciated and needed
5. Handkerchief - include a verse about tears... The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces Isaiah 25:8
... and finally Things that fit in a card
Sometimes you just want to send a card with a little extra.
1. Bookmark
2. Cross - there are lots of little ones that fit in an envelope
3. Starbucks gift card - $5 treats your friend to a cup of coffee or tea on you
4. Thymes bath salts - they come in an envelope that easily fits ion an envelope
5. Gigi’s Cupcakes gift card - $3 and delicious
Monday, September 12, 2011
Blog Exercise #2
Write a list post.
A what? A post with some kind of list in it.
If you would like to see how effective lists are, take a look at the Hotlist on Delicious. People are as attracted to reading lists as they are to reading bulleted points. It is a great blog style. And it sure is nice to know that I'm not the only one addicted to lists!
So, here's an example of a good list...
List posts are popular because:
1. Lists are scannable.
2. Lists keep posts succinct—there is something about a list that keeps you as a blogger from rambling.
3. Lists look neat.
4. Lists can be comprehensive.
5. Lists are persuasive.
6. Lists can add to the ease of writing.
7. Lists go viral—lists can start epidemics of ideas. For the above reasons and more, bloggers and social media aficionados seem to love sharing lists and, as a result, they spread quickly throughout the web (and beyond).
8. Lists break down the complicated.
Warning: limit your list posts. They can be incredibly powerful but readers can become frustrated with them if that is all you do.
I took the author's advice and started by writing down as many different kinds of lists that I could think of. I was surprised - they all would be pretty good topics, but one stood out above all the rest. It is a list I have been writing, adding to, and actually using for years. My list post tomorrow...
A what? A post with some kind of list in it.
If you would like to see how effective lists are, take a look at the Hotlist on Delicious. People are as attracted to reading lists as they are to reading bulleted points. It is a great blog style. And it sure is nice to know that I'm not the only one addicted to lists!
So, here's an example of a good list...
List posts are popular because:
1. Lists are scannable.
2. Lists keep posts succinct—there is something about a list that keeps you as a blogger from rambling.
3. Lists look neat.
4. Lists can be comprehensive.
5. Lists are persuasive.
6. Lists can add to the ease of writing.
7. Lists go viral—lists can start epidemics of ideas. For the above reasons and more, bloggers and social media aficionados seem to love sharing lists and, as a result, they spread quickly throughout the web (and beyond).
8. Lists break down the complicated.
Warning: limit your list posts. They can be incredibly powerful but readers can become frustrated with them if that is all you do.
I took the author's advice and started by writing down as many different kinds of lists that I could think of. I was surprised - they all would be pretty good topics, but one stood out above all the rest. It is a list I have been writing, adding to, and actually using for years. My list post tomorrow...
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Blog Exercise #1
Write an elevator pitch for your blog.
A what? “An elevator pitch is an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride.” —Wikipedia
Lesson 1 says that as a blogger I need to have thought through and crystallized in my mind what my blog is about. If I am fuzzy on what it's about, it’s unlikely that anyone else will have a clear idea either.
Well, I have been fuzzy about what it's about. Coffee Tea and Thee started in March 2010 as a place to post additional commentary to a Bible study I was writing. It grew into a hodge-podge of family events, prayer needs, inspirational stories, and a relay of information. But mostly it is written for and about our Lord. Coffee Tea and Thee... the name just came to me one day and I love it. I like to think of having a cup of coffee and conversation with Him.
Further, the blog experiment suggests keeping the elevator pitch short, clear, intriguing and energetic. Once you've got your elevator pitch you can use it elsewhere... in your tag line, on your 'about' page, in real life conversations, on business cards and in email signatures.
I finally decided that my blog is about whatever you and I would talk about, with Jesus joining us, over a good cup of coffee or tea. All the subjects of life are under His great big umbrella. Well now I have it - it's on my sidebar.
A what? “An elevator pitch is an overview of an idea for a product, service, or project. The name reflects the fact that an elevator pitch can be delivered in the time span of an elevator ride.” —Wikipedia
Lesson 1 says that as a blogger I need to have thought through and crystallized in my mind what my blog is about. If I am fuzzy on what it's about, it’s unlikely that anyone else will have a clear idea either.
Well, I have been fuzzy about what it's about. Coffee Tea and Thee started in March 2010 as a place to post additional commentary to a Bible study I was writing. It grew into a hodge-podge of family events, prayer needs, inspirational stories, and a relay of information. But mostly it is written for and about our Lord. Coffee Tea and Thee... the name just came to me one day and I love it. I like to think of having a cup of coffee and conversation with Him.
Further, the blog experiment suggests keeping the elevator pitch short, clear, intriguing and energetic. Once you've got your elevator pitch you can use it elsewhere... in your tag line, on your 'about' page, in real life conversations, on business cards and in email signatures.
I finally decided that my blog is about whatever you and I would talk about, with Jesus joining us, over a good cup of coffee or tea. All the subjects of life are under His great big umbrella. Well now I have it - it's on my sidebar.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Blog Challenge Begins
I am going to try it. 31 Days to Build a Better Blog began when author Darren Rowse asked on Twitter how many people were interested in a month of concentrated teaching and practical exercises on improving blogs. Over 13,000 bloggers signed up!
The idea is simple. Almost all bloggers want to improve their blogs but many never quite get around to it. That would be me. I read several blogs almost daily. I skim lots of other blogs. I recommend blogs and talk about blogs. I have entertained the idea of going to a blog conference. Yet when it comes to actually writing and being intentional about the focus of my blog, nah...
By the end of this challenge I hope to have learned and relayed to you 31 aspects of blogging and put them into practice. This challenge is designed not only to fill our heads with knowledge ABOUT blogging but also give us some concrete things to actually DO.
I am sure I will take more than 31 days, but interspersed with my main blog topics, there will be a blog building exercise. Fire up your blogs and help me with mine! Starts tomorrow...
The idea is simple. Almost all bloggers want to improve their blogs but many never quite get around to it. That would be me. I read several blogs almost daily. I skim lots of other blogs. I recommend blogs and talk about blogs. I have entertained the idea of going to a blog conference. Yet when it comes to actually writing and being intentional about the focus of my blog, nah...
By the end of this challenge I hope to have learned and relayed to you 31 aspects of blogging and put them into practice. This challenge is designed not only to fill our heads with knowledge ABOUT blogging but also give us some concrete things to actually DO.
I am sure I will take more than 31 days, but interspersed with my main blog topics, there will be a blog building exercise. Fire up your blogs and help me with mine! Starts tomorrow...
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