Three Sites To See

I am truly thankful for this season of the year and this week I celebrate the creative, talented writer who share with us each week.



#1. I have to celebrate this week my friend Octamom. Many of you read her posts faithfully. She is the mother of 8 and her 4th child of 8 has a hearing loss. She is a precious and smart girl with a very wise soul. This week, Octamom was guest writer for Rocks In My Dryer (What I'd Like For You To Know) series and she posted about her experience having a child with hearing loss. I am so proud of Octamom for her ability to put into words for us her journey of discovery. If you are not a faithful reader you should be! Check out her article here, then go to her site and leave her a special message and tell her Avtcoach sent you!



#2. Back Porch Musings is a wonderful site that provides very creative decorating ideas. This is the perfect time of the year to take advantage of those ideas with family and friends coming and going. This blog won the Blogger "Blogs of Note" award for October 2008!



#3. South Breeze Farm. Leah from Iowa hosted a Giving Thanks Challenge this month and she is a very funny woman! Check out her post this week on why she is thankful for all of her blog friends. I laughed out loud! Leave her a comment and tell her Avtcoach sent you!



Abundance is....a life of thankful living!

Three Sites To See #8:

I hope you all have had a great weekend. I sure have and I have enjoyed reading many of your posts about your weekend adventures. This week my Three Sites To See just fell into my lap. Sometimes when I am trying hard to find just the right site, I struggle with the decision. But when I read the posts of my blog friends and really "listen" to what they have to say, they lead me to other posts that amaze and impress me! That has happened this week! I have been inspired! You know I look for blogs that share personally what it takes to have an abundant life. Oh my you will not be disappointed this week!


This week the sites are all about the men. It seems we women pretty much dominate the personal blog world. We participate in blog carnivals, share our stories of our families and create ways to be together. We do giveaways, exchanges, and twitter nights! We all have more blogs on our blog roll than we can possibly visit in one week.

As I write this I am certainly aware that pointing out these wonderful blogs because they are men might appear segregating. I don't mean it that way. I simply found these particular blogs worthy of mention and since they are men I chose to have a theme. It is good to find these male bloggers who are communicators, interacts well with others, love there families and write about them, takes great pictures, and sees the value in bonding with the personal blog community regardless of gender. It is also good to have a male perspective sometimes. Especially on meaningful topics of family and work. I have chosen these sites because they represent the best of what this blog community has to offer and that is how I choose the sites every week!


So, I have found two such men! One I have known since my first Photo Story Friday and the other I just found out about this weekend from Caroline at The Zen In You.



#1. Many who participate in Photo Story Friday know Chris of Life..or a Reasonable Facsimile Thereof. There is a long list of nice attributes for Chris. First, he loves his family dearly, see his post for a recent family photo. Second, he loves his own family history and values what he has learned from it. Third, He has many fun things that he likes: Peanuts, Indiana Jones (see blog for photo of Chris with whip), Photography (amazing photos!) and many others. Another gift of this man is that he is a great communicator/writer. Even when I have not participated in PSF on a particular week he will occasionally drop by to read a post. He also makes meaningful comments on other posts. Now that is a Man of Blog! Go over to his place and check out his blog. Or at least read this post of 100 things about Chris. Even if you are a regular reader, I encourage you to mill around in some of his archives and see what he is about, then be sure and leave a comment or two. What a blessing for Chris's wife and children to share life with this man of blog.


#2 Lance at The Jungle of Life is a new to me, amazing find. I was very impressed with the depth of his posts about all areas of life. He is a thinker and a doer. He honored his amazing family in his 100th post about life. He writes about the title of his blog, "Life can seem like a jungle sometimes, overgrown with all the “things” that are in our life. The animals that consume us (debt, busy-ness, work, family, etc) lurking around every corner. Here at “The Jungle of Life” I’m looking for you to walk through this jungle with me as I look at ways to tame this jungle we call our lives. Join me on the journey as we discover more about who we are and what makes us each unique."

Lance recently posted about "believing in yourself." You must watch the video on this post about Nick Vujicic. You will be changed by this short video and will get off of any pity party you might be on and you might just believe! Lance a Midwest father of three also posted with his wife about the "soundtracks of their lives." This family lives life the way we all strive to live it, with gratitude, joy and abundance!



#3 Mandy is not a man but this blog is associated with men. Men of the military. Mandy is the wife of a military man. On her blog (Mandy, Michael & Megan) she describes them as "a military family that has learned to take one day at a time and cherish every moment they have together." Sounds like abundant living to me! Mandy recently posted about her husband, (My Husband, Soldier) their military life and the difficulties of some who share that life. She also posted about sharing in the holiday spirit with a soldier who is overseas. She lists websites that are resources for giving to a soldier this holiday. I went to each site and they are amazing. You will want to visit Mandy, leave her a nice comment and then check out the sites from her post.

Abundance is...sharing our human experience and supporting each other.

Three Sites To See #7

This week has kind of an educational theme for all ages.


#1. Preschool Express:This is my favorite themed preschool site. I get lots of craft ideas. They have calenders, songs, short stories and plenty of theme based activities. I also like it that you can copy theme shaped patterns for early coloring practice. (Ages 2-5)


#2. Wacky Web Tales: This is an online reading/word game for elementary children. It is like mad libs. Kids type in the part of speech then it formulates a written tale using the words that they have chosen. It is a fun way to learn grammar and how words enhance the meaning of a story. Great for reading practice. They can even change the words and make a whole new story. (Ages 3rd grade and above)



#3. Mimi Writes: I am new to this site so I missed a wonderful blog event on November 6th. She sponsors "Blogblast for Peace". Check out this site and see whats up! Even though I am late I so believe in this cause I am going to download my own globe and do this for myself. This is such an awesome way to spread the word of Peace throughout the world.

Something for everyone this week! Please check out my Saturday post. You can find out what AVT means and get a bit of info about what I do 8 to 5.



Abundance is....finding a new way to learn!

Three Sites To See #6

I read throughout the week at least 30 new sites. Most are personal blogs. The network from one blog to the other is really quite fascinating. There are many great blogs but I find that those who read my blog really have probably seen at one time or another most of the blogs I find. There are only a few degrees of separation from one site to another, especially for those who participate in the weekly "blog games" such as Wordful Wednesday or Photo Story Friday.

I found myself looking at a broader group of sites this week. I guess there is a fine line between personal blog sites and professional websites but this week I am posting about three "sites" that I think are worth reading and marking for future reference.

#1. The Inspired Room: This site has a variety of posts but my favorites include one post of the "20 Little Attitudes of Gratitude" the will prepare us for a Thanksgiving Holiday. Also, this site posts about a cool low cost family activity. The bigger the family the more fun! Also a great idea for birthday parties, class field trips to the park and play dates. See "Creative Activity for Families". If you do this activity please post on it and let me know about it so I can read how you adapted it for your family!!



#2. Zero To Three: This is not a blog site but it is a great resource for all kinds of great information about child development. This site is for parents and professionals. Click on the parents icon and you can read articles on brain development, play, and language development among many others. I reference this site a lot in my work and have even signed up for their e-newsletter. If you go to this site and like a particular article email me and let me know about it.



#3. All Things Christmas: I did find several Christmas blogs I like but this is a more general site. This is another cool resource with lots of different types of information. Carols, crafts, gift ideas to make and buy, recipes, descriptions of Christmas traditions...etc. A fun site to just look around. There is even a separate kids section. Let me know what you think about this site and which part is your favorite.



Abundance is...preparing our hearts and minds for family gatherings...for play and for holidays.

Three Sites To See #5

Happy Monday! This is week #5 for "Three Sites To See" and it is harder than it would seem. I am looking for blog sites that help me in my everyday life. I look for sites with themes that may make living a bit easier or more fun! This week I went for an "economic" theme, a "cooking theme", and an "inspirational" theme. I hope you are enjoying this feature! Give me some feedback so that I will know if it is something worth continuing. Have a great week!

#1. I have spotted a number of blogs that focus on "going green", "sustainability", and "frugal" living. The price of goods and services continues to rise but our pay checks do not. Beyond that, I think living abundantly means not focusing on "buying stuff" and making attempts to be good stewards of our paychecks.

The blog site is Simple Green Frugal Co-op. A variety of guest writers post on this theme each day. They all have their own websites which are sited on the blog. I never look at just the latest post. I scroll thorough to see if the overall theme remains interesting. I think this site has ideas that help us think about living within our means and simplifying.

#2. I am not a cook. I do enjoy finding good recipes, easy ones. And after reading so many cooking blogs I am inspired to "think" about cooking more. Okay, at least I am at the "thinking" stage!

So #2 for this week is a cooking blog. You will like A Year of Crockpotting. Who can't use a few new fall and winter recipe that you just throw together. It's not just the traditional crockpot stew recipes although those do look good. Check out the desserts and fun holiday ideas!

#3 I continue to look for sites that include themes that make me think and help me be a better person. Genny at My Cup 2 Yours sure meets this criteria. Her inspirational blog has a theme going for this month. She had read the book One Month To Live by Kerry and Chris Shook and she is applying this to her life in a really neat way. My blog friend Mandy at Discursively Happy is participating too but I didn't see any other familiar names on the list. Check this one out, I hope your week is enriched from reading some of her posts!

I also have to say CONGRATULATIONS! to my co-worker Tami and her husband Patrick. Tami and Patrick are now Mimi and Pops and the grandparents of Theron Jay Roberts. Their daughter Erin and her husband Tim delivered their new baby Saturday. Please visit Tami's blog at Verbal One and wish her congratulations! This is her first grandchild and she has been waiting for this season of her life for a very long time! You will also love her blog, she has very interesting posts!

Abundance is...becoming a new Mimi and Pops!

Three Site To See #4

I am really having alot of fun looking for Blog Sites I love. I do know that there are alot of ways you can find out about new sites. I am looking for sites that peak my interest so I hope you like them too. I am going for variety this week. Enjoy!

1. I love sites that give great ideas for low tech, low cost activities you can do with your children. This may be one many of you already know about but it is one of my favorites. I have shared this with many of the families I work with. Try out "No Time For Flashcards". This young woman has found a simple way to provide creative activities for her child and he is under 2 years. She outlines each project and provides photos step by step. She also provides videos of songs she records herself, provide the words and includes her favorite book lists!

2. I love wine and rarely have time to figure out which ones are best. Even then I don't want to spend alot of money. So, in my search I have found a great blog that speaks for itself.. "Good Wine Under $20". Enjoy!


3. There are some amazing posts out there by people who offer such great recipe ideas. There are several of you who post weekly with wonderful recipes. Most of my readers know who they are. Here is a new one I found and she has two recipes for this season that look great. The site is "Pinch My Salt". Check out her Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread and her Apple Galette: The No Fear Apple Pie.

Okay, so this week you can do a craft with your kids, fix a snack or dessert for your family then kick back with a great bottle of wine!! It doesn't get any better than that!


"Abundance is...providing room in your day for that Abundance.!!"

Be sure and check back tomorrow...I have a guest joining me for Tuesday Tales!!!

Three Sites To See #3

I hope you are ready to stretch your thinking for this week's "Three Sites To See." I have some wonderful sites to share with you!! In keeping with my wish for an international perspective, all three sites this week are from around the world.


1. Jerusalem Hills Daily Photo: I found Dina because she found me. She is a reader of the first blog I posted about, Mashad Daily Photo and she visited my site. She read about my husband and sent me the sweetest post. She is an archaeology fieldworker living in the west of Jerusalem, Israel. Her posts are about her faith and her work. Her photos are wonderful, you feel like you are there in her community. What a spirit she is, I felt her prayers from Israel. Be sure and read through her posts for September to see the variety of themes she writes about. Please leave her a comment and tell her avtcoach sent you!


2. These Days In French Life: Riana is an American food and travel writer living in the South of France with her French husband and child. She has been posting since 2004. This past year she was inspired to refrain from consumerism and committed to not purchase anything. She writes, "Only food and that was severely limited to the farmers markets and the organic co-op store. This year, we are doing an all-out No Shopping School Year: September 1st thru June 15th, we will not buy anything, not even food. We will use what abundance we have: what we preserved this summer, our garden, foraging, bartering, trading, living off what mother nature gives us."

This is a fascinating blog about her experiences. She is an excellent writer and has challenged my thinking about what I spend, how I spend it and what is possible when you simplify your life.
Please leave her a comment and tell her Avtcoach sent you!


3. Abundance Blog: Marelisa is from the Republic of Panama. her blog on 25 Simple Ways to Simplify Your Life got my attention. As you know, I am committed to creating for myself an Abundant Life and to do this I believe I must seek to be inspired, simplify my daily practices, engage in thoughtful conversaton with others and seek to learn more about my world. Marelisa's various posts just might get you to thinking about what "abundance" means to you. Please leave her a comment and tell her Avtcoach sent you!


Enjoy!!


Abundance is...prayers from a stranger, following through with a commitment to change, and simplifying!

Three Sites To See #2

Last week was the first post of my new feature, "Three Sites to See".

I have read some incredible posts and I learn something new and amazing about my world every day. I stretch my thinking, learn about those who are different and yet the same, and see some wonderful places from my living room.


I hope these "Three Sites To See" will enrich someone else who reads my blog. ENJOY!!!


1. Planet Nomad: This is the site of a family who have travelled the world. They have recently moved to Morocco from Portland, OR. They post about the historic sites of the area, their experiences adjusting to the community and the amazing culture they live in. Their children (11 and 13) also post from their perspective which is a nice addition. I for one will never experience Morocco first hand so they will be my eyes as I learn more about Africa from their lens.

2. The Zen In You: This site by Caroline will give you some food for thought about how you can take care of yourself. She has many great posts. Some of my favorites are Living With Less and
If You Live In Fear. There are many others! She also is a photographer and has an Etsy Store.
Regardless of the style of your day you will want to meet Caroline and life from her perspective.

3. Vintage Children's Books My Kids Love: This site by Scribbler posts daily reviews of timeless vintage books for children. Many are quite old but still so wonderful with old style illustrations and great story lines. I am somewhat of a preservationist. I love "old stuff" so when I happened on this site I was thrilled to combine my love of children's literature with a love of preserving what those before us created.

Abundance is...taking a journey without having to buy a ticket.

(Please give me feedback after you view these sites, I would love to hear what you liked about them!)

Three Sites To SEE!!!

This blog community has changed me! Before, what I knew about blogging was that people who had something to say that could not be printed in an editorial set up blogs to rant about their views.

I thought I was in tune with the world. I read the newspaper, watch cable news networks, and surfed the web. The problem ...I was becoming a cynic and began avoiding said media so that my mind would not be trashed by cynicism.

Then my friend shared her blog. The rest was history. I thought what a great "new skill" for me to pursue. I had thoughts, I had something to say and I needed a creative outlet. This fit the bill.

Oh Wow! It is so much more. I have joined several post groups and you know how it goes, "they tell two friends, then they tell two friends, then they tell two friends...." pretty soon, you have more "friends" than you could possibly blog in a week. Expecially if they are wordy like me!

What I have learned from this community is there is incredible goodness, love of life and profound respect for the human experience.

I have read some incredible posts and now I learn something new and amazing about my world almost every day! I now have a way to stretch my thinking, learn about those who are different but yet the same, and see some wonderful places from my living room.

So, each week I am going to share with you the my top THREE SITES TO SEE that just might enrich someone else who reads my blog. I also love it when you share them with me so share your links in the comments.

#1 AUTHORBLOG : David McMahon is an amazing photographer and journalist from Melbourne. He participates in Photo Story Friday which is how I was introduced to his site. You will not want to miss his photos on our world on the road less travelled!

#2 Middle Age Ramblings: Miruspeg's site I found in perusing of comments for Octamom. Her new post is about her trip to Rwanda and the joyful faces of children from this country will bring a smile to your face and a tug at your heart!

#3 Mashad (Iran) Daily Photos: This site is committed to sharing their part of the world with us. The photos are amazing and I was inspired by their willingness to teach the world about their culture. One quote from their site: "I hope that you'll learn something more about Iran other than what the media would always like you to believe." That spoke volumes to me. The young 22 year old man who authored the site has just moved to Portland, OR this week and will post about his experiences in the US. Sara will continue the posts about Mashad!

ENJOY!!!

Abundance is...seeing the world from the iris of another's eye.