I’m joining the fun this week….
Sitting on the porch and answering random questions about everything under the sun….
Joyce asks the questions.
We answer the questions.
1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today)
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| BBQ Dinner |
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| My Husband and I |
We hosted a housewarming and fireworks party. Friends from work, church, camping adventures, the Atlanta Tall Club and our new neighbors joined us to celebrate our new home and the Fourth of July. We had food, fun, and fireworks. I went to the fireworks store for the first time, it was awesome! I never realized how much I liked blowing things up until I was surrounded by mega heaps of explosives. I had to use the "other" credit card...you know, the one your husband doesn't see right away...hoping that after the party, he would think it was an awesome purchase too! (giggle, just kiddin', he knew how much I spent). You know us southerners "Watch this"--- "KABOOM" --- "Whoops-a-daisy" --- get the garden hose. LOL
2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing?
RED - The red barn down the road from our house (I love Barns, see my pinterest board filled with cool barns - https://www.pinterest.com/lorisglassworks/barns-great-and-small/). WHITE - Vanilla Bean Ice Cream (my guilty pleasure) with fresh fruit and cool whip. BLUE - Hydrangea blooms outside the front door.
3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain.
The red white and blue waves over our house since we moved in 8 weeks ago. Down the road is a house flying many flags that we consider tasteless and some are even racist. We want our new neighbors to know we only fly one flag and we're proud of it.
4. According to Cond Nast Traveler these are the seven best places to visit in July-
a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria
If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why?
I love to travel and would love to visit them all! I have been to Riviera Maya Mexico, but never swam with the sharks. Mexico is one of my favorite destinations, friendly people, wonderful food, and easy access to so many fabulous ruins. Most of our extra cash is used for travel adventures.
5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed?
Oh my, I love them all, but I'd have to say my favorite is pimento cheese. I'd only had Kraft Pimento Cheese in the little glass jar before I moved to the south 30+ years ago. Southern style spread is a little chunky, a little smooth, and a whole lot of yummy!
6. What makes you sweat?
Party Anxiety... I'm basically a shy person; I'm good one-on-one, but large groups of new people can be very uncomfortable for me. I also get anxious when I'm hosting a party; I'm always afraid no one will arrive....it's never happened and I've been told we have great parties, but I still get anxious. Parties make me sweat!
7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort?
Apollo 13 (1995) - ''Apollo 13 grabbed the heart of not only this nation, but the heart of the world.'' said Gene Kranz, the lead flight director for Apollo 13. What a great film!
8. Insert your own random thought here.
I want to grow my blog readership; any suggestions on how to go about this? I've had a blog for awhile but I'm just getting serious about writing several times a week. I just retired from the corporate world and now have time to work on my blog. Any suggestions or critiques on my content or style? Thanks!
Cheers!
Lori in Blue Ridge, GA
Posts
I think the best way to grow readership is to comment on lots of blogs. You'll generally get some commenters back. If you love pretty barns you should definitely visit Cranberry Morning's blog (Judy). She lives in WI and is linking here today...always lots of gorgeous barn photos on her blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips, and thank you for coordinating this fun survey!
DeleteLori
Thanks for visiting me...I am going to add you to my reading list...enjoyed your answers and what fun you had on the holiday. Write what you feel--does that make sense? Nice to meet you. smiles
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding me! I always wonder if anyone reads what I post...I will work on just being me.
DeleteLori
Hi Lori, I visited your blog from a mutual friend, Terri D. from Florida. I love the North Georgia mountains...well, I love mountains period! Hoping we can become blogging friends.
ReplyDeleteLinda in Tennessee
Hi Linda, looking forward to having a new blogging friend. Thanks for visiting my Blog today.
DeleteLori
One of the best ways to grow readership, as I understand it, is to visit other blogs and comment on them, build relationships with the people, and trust. As often as you can, find new blogs to visit and follow and visit them on a regular basis. I sometimes find new blogs to follow by clicking the other commenters on blogs that I visit. I often read all of the comments on a post that I've visited and then click on one or two of the other commenters. If their blog seems to fit with me, I comment on their posts, too. Joining linkies/memes like Wednesday Hodgepodge and others are also a great way to build readership. Although this isn't always the case, I generally try to stay away from hot topics such as politics. While it can generate a lot of attention, it isn't always desirable attention and who needs the grief?
ReplyDeleteI am a very shy person, too. I don't host parties anymore and don't go to them either. I've become a real homebody. I did host a party once many years ago, a bridal shower, and absolutely no one came to it although everyone that the bride wanted there received an invitation and said they were coming. She got mad at me. I did my part. It was typical for this couple, though. The groom didn't even show up for his own bachelor party.
Your barn board is awesome! There are so many beautiful ones there, but I think that my favorite one has to be the one with the sunflower in the foreground. :)
Thank you for commenting on PS Annie! Have a blessed day.
I agree politics can be a turnoff for many readers I steer clear whenever I can gracefully avoid it. Thanks for all the tips, building relationships is what I need and want to accomplish. Glad you enjoyed my Barns Great and Small pinterest board, it's my favorite!
DeleteLori
Just keep writing and join a few link ups like this one. It's a good way for people to realize you're out there. Make sure to follow other blogs. Also i think blogging about 4 times a week helps. Since my hip surgery I've only blogged the Hodgepodge. Readership drops precipitously when your blog doesn't show up in their daily feed, so often is better. Happy to meet you. Enjoyed your Hodgepodge.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the blogging tips, and visiting my blog today. Happy to meet you too!
DeleteLori
Hi Lori, this is my first time visiting your blog. I enjoyed reading your answers to all the questions. I will follow your blog and would love for you to visit me at A Grandma's Blessings.
ReplyDeleteFrom one Georgia girl to another,
Sylvia
Hi Sylvia, I will be right over to visit your blog, we Georgia Gals need to stick together! THanks for stopping by.
DeleteLori
Hi! Visiting today from the Hodgepodge and am now following your blog. Your new home is so beautiful. I agree, vanilla bean ice cream is delicious :)
DeleteHi Theresa, Thanks for stopping by my blog and following...I always wonder if anyone actually reads what I post. Hodgepodge is as lot of fun, I look forward to future questions.
DeleteLori
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a comment on my blog :) I agree, writing, visiting others, and leaving comments is the best way to grow your blog.
ReplyDeleteYour party food looked wonderful, as did your decorations. Your new home is beautiful, and I know you're enjoying it!
I'm a 'southerner', too, and live in southeastern Georgia. You're right, we do love our fireworks :)
I'm glad you decided to join us for The Hodgepodge! We're a friendly bunch, and I met most of my long-time blog friends through the Hodgepodge, several years ago. We hope you'll join us again :)
Kathy
Looking forward to joining upcoming Hodgepodge posts. We Georgia Gals need to stick together, thanks for visiting my blog.
DeleteLori
Nice to meet you and thanks for stopping by. Lots of good suggestions here. Blogging regularly is a definite must and developing your own style. Maybe find a particular subject or theme you can do each week (e.g. I always try and post on Fridays about news items I've noticed.) Visiting other blogs will give you ideas. One thing I would look into is can you make your comments more easily accessible in your blog theme? I didn't find it easy to see where I needed to click to leave a comment. Good luck
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, thanks for the blogging tips, I agree my comments button is hard to see/use. I will work on that. I struggle with a theme, I have so many interests and hobbies it is hard for me to focus. Looking forward to seeing you in future Hodgepodge events.
DeleteLori
Hola, new blog friend! Party anxiety describes me to a T (I know you're surprised given my dance video, eh?). I get anxious when there are a lot of people around. Give me a class of teenagers, and I'm good. Adults? Um...can I go now?
ReplyDeleteSuggestions for readership: visit and comment on lots of blogs. I found when I was at home part time and had time to read more online, this helped me grow my blog. Comments give other people the link to your blog and the opportunity to visit a new place as well. Also select your categories to generate hits on internet searches. Use social media to promote your blog...Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have helped me a lot.
Have a great day!!
Thanks for all the tips on growing my blog, now that I've retired I have time to work on it. I love reading blogs and hope that mine will become a fun stop for others. Looking forward to your next hodgepodge, I liked your answers.
DeleteLori
My suggestion for growing your blog is to pay a lot of visits to a lot of blogs and comment, comment, comment! I don't use social media at all to promote my blog but I hear that helps. Blogging content has to be something that keeps people coming too! I loved your answers today. Congrats on the new house!!
ReplyDeleteHi Paula, Thanks for the blogging tips, I've received so many comments with great tips, I love the Hodgepodge community!
DeleteLori
Your party sounds like a lot of fun! We also like blowing things up and shooting things...even if we are Yankees. (We live in the mountains so we're kind of rednecks. lol)
ReplyDeleteI've been blogging since 2001...not the same blog the whole time. Actually, there have been several over the years. Some were much more successful than others and some of that just depends on luck and timing, I think, but as someone else said, do a lot of visiting, reply to comments, that sort of thing. You want to build a community.
Hi Stacy, Nice to know I'm not the only gal who likes to have a 'blast'... living in the mountains is fabulous! We just moved from Atlanta to a small mountain town. Thanks for the blogging tips, I had so many comments containing great blogging help. I love the hodgepodge community! Looking forward to next weeks questions.
DeleteLori
That's some party you hosted.....way to go! Your house looks amazing. Excellent movie choice. So parties make you sweat yet you just hosted a party???? I like to answer each comment I get and have become very good friends with bloggers that way. If people are a no-reply with their comment it makes it impossible to become close.
ReplyDeleteHi Debby, LOL....yes, we did host a party, and as always I was sweating it right up to the arrival time. For some reason I never expect anyone to actually show up. It was a great party with no issues, my wonderful husband is always there to back me up when I get twitchy. Thanks for the blogging tip, I've had so many comments and I'm working on new relationships.
DeleteLori
Hi Vicki, Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to leave a comment.
ReplyDeleteLori
Welcome to The Hodgepodge! Sounds like you had a nice party on the 4th! Apollo 13 was. Great patriotic movie choice!
ReplyDelete