Blog Update

Thank you for your patience as I've gotten my blog an updated look over the past week. This was one of the things that came up in our writing retreat earlier this year. I've been using a free template for years and honestly it wasn't great especially if you looked at my blog on your mobile device, then you know what I'm talking about!

Also, with my books, I needed to make things more cohesive and use my name to tie them all together. All the previous content is still here, and hopefully just a cleaner experience and more simplified.

I'm still trying to figure out a couple of sidebar things, but the rest of it is done I think! So let me share some of the features with you!

First, let's talk about the header! At the very top are some quick links that are pretty self-explanatory! The photos will auto update with the most popular posts from the past 7-30 days. You can click on any of these photos and it will take you to the related post - which is a fun feature!

On the side, you'll see quick options to search and a drop-down box to look for past posts by date. Categories are also a little farther down on the sidebar - you can click one of those and read all posts with that tag.

To leave a comment - click on the post title and at the end of the post you'll see the "post a comment" option.

Instagram photos are in the sidebar and scrolling across the bottom.

I bought this new template very reasonably from BD Web Studio - I thought this was going to be an expensive, difficult process but for less than $25 and some of my own time, I got this all updated. The directions here were great and doable and I was so pleased with finding this option!

I hope you enjoy the refresh and update and that you will continue to visit this slow and peaceful place! Thank you for your friendship and encouragement!

Pardon the Dust!

Good afternoon!

Popping in to let you know that I'm going to be working on refreshing my blog in the days ahead just in case things get a little wonky unexpectedly! I hope to have things smoothed out as soon as possible!

Meanwhile, my domain has changed to www.monicalwilkinson.com and while it should auto re-direct, I just want to let you all know!

Thanks for visiting here!

Input Please!!!

Friends, I am humbly asking for your help! Many of you have left comments saying I should write a book about Slow and God was laying the same idea on my heart as well. I have finished a rough draft of  a book about slowing down and finding beauty in that slow!!! Yay! BUT, my platform is tiny in the world of publishing. I have a literary agency who has cracked the door open the tiniest bit - would you help me show them there is interest and/or a market for this book? I am terrible at self-promotion, but God has put this message on my heart - so I pray it will become whatever He has in mind. Thank you in advance!

You can do any of the following to help:
- leave a comment here sharing why you think this book is needed in our day and/or why you would read it
- leave a comment here sharing why I should be the one to write this book
- follow me on Instagram
- subscribe to my blog
- like my Facebook page
- leave a comment on any of the above to show support or interest for a book on this topic

Here is the premise from my book proposal:
Most women are running through the race of life at break-neck speed. As a result we are stressed out, worn out and missing out on celebrating the everyday beauty of life. The purpose of this book is to come alongside my fellow sisters in the race with practical ideas to equip us in slowing down both spiritually and in our daily lives thus being able to reduce stress and joyfully embrace life.

Wonky

Well, my blog went completely crazy on me today! Sorry about the crazy background - I'm working on it but figuring it out as I go along :) Thanks to those of you who let me know and I'll keep at it!

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Update: I'm still trying to get my previous design back - but in the mean time at least you can read the words here! Thank you for patience and understanding!

Out of town

We're at the beach this week - while David attends a work conference! Will be back next week!

Have a great week, everyone!

Home

2800 miles, 11 days and 9 states later - we are home and busy catching up! Thanks for all of your comments, I'm looking forward to sharing about our trip!

Have a great day!

Catching Up

We've been out of town all weekend and I'm playing catch up today! I'll get back to posting in the next day or two. Hope you all had a nice weekend!

I'm back!

Hi, friends!!

We are having a wonderful time in Colorado - I have tons of pictures and lots of things to update! I'm sitting in Starbucks right now while Daddy is with the napping little ones at my parents house and I'm planning to sit here and write lots of new posts! I've been anxious to check in with all of you!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Love,
Monica

Merry Christmas!

Good morning!

We are safely in Colorado and enjoying our family!!! We're headed up to a cabin today for the rest of the week - so I'll be away, but look foward to catching up next week!

Wishing all of you a Merry & Cozy Christmas!!

Housekeeping

I've heard from several of you recently about having trouble finding past posts here - so, wanted you to know I've been working to remedy this!

I've added a search function at the very bottom of the left sidebar. This should be a big help on finding posts using key word searches.

I am wondering what you'd prefer on the sidebar. The archives list is getting quite lengthy and I wonder if we need the monthly archive, plus the category list and a search function? What would be the easiest and most useful here? What do you use?

If I keep the category links up - I'd like to make sure they pull up all the posts within that category and not just a certain number. Any input on doing that?

Thanks for your patience - hope these little things will be a help!

Linking to a Post

Good morning, completely off topic - but I've had a few questions lately about how to link directly to a post here.

Since I have this lovely design of my own - I am using the old Blogger which means my title does not become a direct link for you to copy.

If you're interested in linking to a post here - try this:

When you see the post you want, go to the comments. Then, you will see the title of the post at the top in orange letters - click that and it will take you to a link just of the post you chose.

I hope that helps! Thank you!

Comments

An update on comments, I'm sorry but I will no longer be able to allow anonymous comments. I know that there are a few of you who faithfully read and leave edifying comments this way - and if you need help in setting up an account where you can post your comments, please let me know. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Thank you...

...for all of your lovely comments! I have just arrived home and will look forward to catching up in the next few days!

Note: comments for this post have been closed.

Comments

I am sorry that I even have to address this issue ~ but after repeated incidents, I have decided to enable comment moderation.

I will not publish any comment that defames my character, the character of God, questions His Word or is not glorifying to Him.

Currently, I am out of town - but will address this when I return home if necessary.

Thanks to all of you who do leave edifying and encouraging comments!

PS...

I forgot to mention that if you are planning to attend my Pampered Chef party this weekend - we are going to postpone that as well. We'll reschedule it sometime in the near future - we have a very yummy menu planned!!! So, be watching for details.

Thank you, ladies!

Award!

Both Mrs. Decker and Miranda gave me this lovely award! Thank you, ladies for your thoughtful kindness!

These are the rules to accept the award:

1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.

3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.

4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award. (there was no link provided, so I don't have one to include)

5. To show these rules.

Now, the fun part! I get to choose five blogs to award this honor to!

In random order, here are my picks - I tend to always honor the same favorites, so this time am broadening my horizons on sharing the award with others who are a blessing to me!

A Snip of Goodness: this is one of my in-real-life friends; I am always encouraged by what she shares, I appreciate her gentle and quiet spirit and am pointed to the ways of God by her words. Thank you, Amy - for sharing of yourself.

Biblical Womanhood: you all probably already know how much I love Crystal and can't wait to meet her in person in a few weeks! Her love for and commitment to the Lord are such an inspiration and blessing to me as I desire to live a life of Biblical womanhood in my home.

Joy In Small Packages: I love the smiling children Annmarie shares here! This family knows how to have fun together and share the sweet moments of life. They celebrate the little stuff and I tell you, these smiles just warm my heart!

Nest Sweet Nest: Elise has become a sweet blog friend to me - we e-mail back and forth and share crafty ideas and things. She is creative and loves the Lord and her family. She is a kindred spirit! I am excited because she just started her own blog - yeah! Welcome, Elise! And, she made these dresses!

Blessed Femininity: Katie's heart for the Lord is obvious in everything she shares. I appreciate her commitment to Him and to honoring Him through her blog and even in the comments she leaves on other blogs!

Upcoming Posts

Hi Ladies! (and the occasional male who visits too!)

I'm a bit behind in responding to all the questions and ideas for posts lately! So, I thought I'd let you know that I have posts in mind on the following:

* my bathing suit: where I got it, why I love it, answering your questions
* books I've read lately, especially after you gave such great suggestions
* book review of A Life That Says Welcome
* hospitality with littles

Am I forgetting any? Want to add an idea to my queue?

Thanks so much for your friendships and for reading here regularly! I appreciate you!

Questions

Good morning!

I have been out of town for the weekend, so am not ignoring your questions left the last few days! I'll work on answering some of those this afternoon ~ thank you!

Respecting Privacy

Just a quick note about blog privacy. Each of us have different comfort levels with what information we share on our blog. Some of us real names, some use code names, some of us give out our city and state or address and church name, some of us are more vague.

I've noticed through personal experience and reading other blogs, that sometimes when we know the other person in real-life, we can get more relaxed about what we share even in the comments. And, this can be an opportunity to share information that the blog owner would have preferred not to share.

I just want to offer a friendly reminder for not only my own blog, but the whole blog community. Please do not include city or town names, church names or last names of friends or family in comments. This puts the blog owner in an uncomfortable position of having to delete your comment or let their info remain on the comment. If there is any doubt in your mind about including a word or name in your comment, please do leave it out.

This is not directed at anyone personally, so please don't be offended. I just want us to be consciously respectful of one another and the information we share on our blogs.

Drawing!

Mrs. Wilt is hosting a drawing for a gift certificate to Christa-Taylor! So, this post is entering me in a second chance!