Meal Plan Blog Reorganization

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dearbarbie/387713582/

If you have been following my blog for a while, you will notice that I have not been publishing my meal plans over the past month or so.  There is a reason for that, and it is not just laziness.  I had some fellow bloggers review my blog (just minimally, but they did review it), and I have decided to follow the advice that one of them gave me.  I used to just always use the pictures that were posted with the recipes--that seemed fine to me.  And I plan to still use these to a degree.  But it was suggested that I take pictures of my "creations."  This idea came from a food blogger, but if you haven't noticed, those are some of the most numerous blogs out there.  I honestly wasn't sure if I was committed to doing this, and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to.

But now I am ready to make a change.  Here is the plan.  I plan to publish my meal plan, and I will probably use the pictures on the website (if there is one).  However, I plan to take pictures as I can of each of the recipes.  This is a new discipline for me, but I plan to do my best.  I plan to then upload my pictures of the recipes.  This way you can see how mine turned out.

I can't promise that I will always do exactly what I should in this area.  But I am going to do my best to be committed to doing this.  Be patient with me as I implement these changes.  Look for a new meal plan within the next couple days.  Thanks so much for supporting me and continuing to read my posts!

Summer Vacation--Blog Time!

You might notice over the next couple months that I am posting at odd times and really spending time on my blog.  I am officially on summer break, and I am really going to devote the time to cleaning up my blog and really making things better around here.

Some of the things you might notice:
1.  more reviews/giveaways
2.  cleaning up my buttons and ads on here
3.  possibly moving my blog to a different host
4.  more sponsored posts/tweets
5.  more commenting on other blogs
6.  cleaning up my pages, fixing links
7.  mini-challenges??

We'll see what happens, but I just wanted to let you guys know. More than likely, you won't notice any changes, but I will certainly feel better about things.

My goals for the summer:

1.  Drop my Alexa rating below 100,000
2.  Facebook and twitter followers--10,000 each
3.  Actually make money on my blog--in all fairness, I actually have made some this year, but I have put everything back into my blog.
4.  Do fewer self-hosted giveaways!

If anyone has suggestions, leave a comment here.  I would love to hear your suggestions.  While I appreciate hearing you say more giveaways and stuff like that, the more specific you are, the better.

Two Free Events for Bloggers!

I have two giveaway blogger opportunities that are free (but you may purchase additional links).  As I have said before, I absolutely love these blog hops, and they work!  I have missed some, but I am making sure I do not miss these!

The first is:

Free Blogger Event :Madame Deals Louis Vuitton Event

You’re Invited

This will be an event to build our following and guess what the hosts are going to vote on the social media option so will it be Facebook, Twitter, Blog Frog, Email, Pinterest bid to decide?

Here are the Rules:

1) You need to sign up in the form below

2) You need to promote this event sign up starting on NOW I want time to make sure the bloggers in the Mission Giveaway group and the Madame Deals Free event group get in first.

****** You will need to  grab this button here and code to put it in a post and/ or your side bar at ASAP. The blogger that brings in the most people will get a space after the folks that bid to sponsor the flash giveaway prizes and blogger prizes. (We will have a spreadsheet set up for your links in the document section of the madame deals events group) in case you forget to click on the link for the form HERE

and here is the page you need to link it to so they can sign up

(The more people you get to sign up the bigger the event and Louis Vuitton for FREE will be a huge traffic source and you will be on the first page)

3) The prize is a  Louis Vuitton Purse  because I recently bought a Louis Vuitton and well now I want to give one away.

4) The Event will take Place May 12- June 12th <————————

5) If you would like to be a host. I am accepting 5 others you may bid on the honor. Your name and blog link will appear in the html and you will hold one of the first five spots. (not required)

6) The money will be used as prize money for the bloggers and flash giveaways for the  event. I (Madame Deals) will cover the cost of the purse. I will also have my team manage the event and advertise the event.

JOIN the Facebook group to receive your html

You must be a FAMILY friendly BLOG

https://www.facebook.com/groups/184006161717989/

Fill out the Form make sure you scroll to the bottom to submit. If you are not sure if it worked do it again.

Second Event:

Blogger Sign-Ups for the iPad and Tuxedo Case Giveaway!

Here is another great opportunity for bloggers, to participate in an iPad Giveaway for FREE!

Details are simple 

• Create a post about the sign ups for this event, and link back to the form here.
• Get a Facebook entry for FREE
• Don't want to post? Send $1.00 to contact@mvmgroups.com for your first Facebook link
• Additional links are available: Twitter and Email Sub for $1 ea.
• Event goes live on May 7 at 12:01 AM EST and ends 5/20 at 11:59 PM EST
• You will find a link to all posting information in your form confirmation, so you can schedule right now!

My Apologies--We Are Growing So Fast!

I know I haven't done anything terrible, but I wanted to take a moment to let you know a couple things.  Over the past month or two, things have been crazy around here.  On the surface, it may seem like I am doing fine.  My blog has been growing so fast that it is almost overwhelming! So, why am I apologizing?

I feel bad because I have "flaked" without meaning to a couple times.  I have prize packs that need to go out (needed go out a month ago in some cases), and I have missed a couple giveaways for which I have signed up.  The combination of personal issues and my blog growing has made this pretty difficult at times.  My e-mail has been overflowing for weeks, and I am just getting to some of the stuff I have needed to do.

I am normally an organized person, and it bugs me to no end to see things get out of control.  (I am not organized in housework, but I keep my life organized.)  I am finally coming up with a system to keep me on the ball so I will not get so behind again.

I was talking with my mom, and I am sure many bloggers experience this.  You want to grow, and then when you do, you realize how crazy things are.  One night I had to stay up late to get about 6-8 posts done, and it was overwhelming!  And I still realized that I missed a couple things!  And then posts I had scheduled didn't post!  Then I got confused on the dates for a book review.  And then...the list goes on.

Thank you so much for your support of my blog, and I think over the next month, my blog should be better organized.  If you are awaiting a prize pack from me, please know that it is coming!  I promise!  God bless every one of you!

Changes in Blog Posting

If you have followed me for a long time, you might have noticed lately that my posting schedule has changed.  I used to do certain themes and topics that related to the day.  I had one for every day of the week.  And I did my best to keep up with that schedule.  As my blog has continued to grow, I have decided to not hold myself to that schedule.  I used to not know what to write about, but now I have enough content to keep things going.  So, I have decided to just go with things as they are now.  I will do my best to publish "This Day in History" each day, since that is what my blog is most known for.

I will get back to publishing my meal plans--I have been taking a bit of a hiatus with that due to domestic issues.  And I will still publish personal posts here and there--mainly about my spiritual struggles and things with my mom and daughter.  I plan to rethink my blog a whole lot this summer and possibly even look at making a change to a different blog platform--even though I honestly love blogger.  I am grateful to every one of my faithful readers.  You keep me going!

More Extra Entries!

Okay, I took the plunge.  I joined the Picket Fence, and now you can vote for me here!


I am working on a blog frog community, so watch for that in the near future.  I have a couple more reviews and giveaways to post within the next day or two!  I am sorry about not posting last night, but I am working hard on getting this blog where it needs to be.  Notice how nice the buttons look at the bottom of my blog!  I was so excited to figure this out.  So take advantage of the new extra entries!  You guys are great!

By the way, my vote button is on the sidebar, too!