Blogtalk {I've been featured!}

I am honored that 

The Everyday Home

is being featured at Blogtalk.

What exactly is Blogtalk?

Blogtalk is a group of some

inspiring and knowledgeable Bloggers 

which I am honored to be a part of.

Blogtalk's home is on Facebook,

and is the sister site to Hometalk.com.

****************

Many of you may not know that I 

actually started blogging in Nov 2008.

I had been following several other blogs 

for several months.  One of the first blogs

I found was Susan at 

Between Naps on the Porch.

From there, I discovered other blogs...

....and even more blogs.

... and even more blogs.

And them I was hooked.

I posted my very first post on Nov 8, 2008.

It wasn't even a post but a simple paragraph

that said "Welcome to Grits and Glamour."

My first "picture"post wasn't until

two days later when I featured my

Formal Dining Room.

I look back at my old posts and cringe.

The photographs were tiny and dark.

Did I mentioned they were dark?  :)

My blog used to be named Grits and Glamour.

Because of my Southern roots, I wanted my

blog name to be reflective of my heritage.

A few months ago, I decided to change my

blog's name to The Everyday Home.

I felt this was more inclusive of my design

platform - to share and create designs and

projects that could be included in

"The Everyday Home."

I took a hiatus from blogging several years

 ago, for about a year, when both my son and 

daughter-in-law, US Soldiers at the time, 

deployed to Iraq at the same time ...

- and me and Grandpa were

blessed to care for our then 3-yr old Grandson.

During my Bloggy break, I realized

how much I missed it.

Not just the projects and the tablescapes

and the wreaths and the floral arrangements.

But, the people.

The faithful readers who checked in on

me by email when I was sick.

The fellow Bloggers who knew as much 

about me as some of my own family members.

Bloggy Friends who have watched my

grandchildren grow ...

and be born...

THIS is what I missed most.

I am happy to say that within a few short weeks,

I will officially become a full-time Blogger 

and I could not be more excited.

Since Nov 2008, I have had the

opportunity to travel as far as California

to meet other Bloggy friends -

- and I also attended my first Blog Conference

 in Atlanta, Ga - Haven - this past June.

Haven inspired me and several others to form

the Southern Bloggers Conference,

where we will meet this October.

(I am also happy to say that Hometalk

will be a sponsor!)

It's funny when I tell people that I blog,

they either have no clue what a blog is -

or they think I am a political junkie.

(which I am, but not here!)  :)

I try to explain it to them, but to be honest -

you either "get" blogging - or you don't.

All I know is that blogging has changed

my life.  I am blessed to have made

lifelong friends.  Some I have met, many who are

friends by name only.  But friends just the

same whom I care for deeply.

It has also opened a door for

me to create a new business venture - 

my online shop "...details!"

My goal is to post at least 5 times a

week when I become a full-time Blogger.

I hope to expand my Crafty Projects

section and also add 

"Design Tips."  I have so many ideas to

make The Everyday Home a better blog.

I have received emails from several Readers 

asking me for advice on how to start a blog or

grow their blog.

Here are a few bits of advice I would give:

1) Take the jump!  Your blog may not have all

the whistles and bells as other bigger blogs,

but you can win Readers over with good 

content and great pictures. 

(something I am STILL working on!)  :) 

2)  There are some great articles and

Blog Posts about How to Create a Blog 

and how to build a blog.  

I have a Pinterest Board with

several great pins, and I even wrote a post called

9-Easy Steps to Creating a Blog Header.

3)  If you are concerned that you don't have

 enough time to blog with your busy schedule,

keep in mind I have been working full-time

running a Real Estate Brokerage.

There are no rules about how many times

 you need to post.  Make a weekly schedule

to help keep you focused.  My weekly schedule

has now progressed to a monthly schedule.



posts for Monday, Wed and Friday.

That leaves Tues and Thurs open for my

"whims."  I am all about my whims.  :)

4)  Always look for a Blog Post!

My husband absolutely refused to take 

pictures of me just before I had my

colonoscopy.  He said some things should

not be blogged about.  hahahah!

Well, okay - maybe he was right -

but I am always looking for something

to blog about.  Never leave home without

your American Express?  Ha!

NEVER leave home without your camera!

:)

5) Finally, if there was one thing I wish I

had known when I started out was...

ASK!  

When I started, I was afraid to ask other

 Bloggers for help, because why would 

anyone want to give me their tips and advise? 

 I mean its a Blogger Eat Blogger World right?

Absolutely NOT!

I met so many HUGE Bloggers at Haven,

and they were all there with one purpose -

to help other Bloggers grow!  Even now,

if something stumps me - I will send a

quick email out to one of my Bloggy friends

and know they will give me their honest

opinions and advice.


That is also why I love Blogtalk.  The main

goal of this group is not to promote your

blog, not to share your latest project -

not to showcase your newest sponsor.

But, to offer encouragement,

information and recommendations

that will help each of us be better Bloggers.

Not a selfish soul among them.

*********

So while I am very proud and honored to

be chosen as a Blogtalk Blogger -

I am more proud of the fact that so many 

years ago,  I hit the "create" button at

Blogger.com and entered a world I was

absolutely clueless on.

***********

Thank you so much to all of my many faithful

Readers - both old and new, who keep

reading my posts (why I still don't know).

:)

I look forward to the next few months 

as I transition into a Full-Time Blogger.

Blessings My Friends,

xxoo