Friday, February 06, 2015

The Beauty Of Overhauling Blog Archives



We've been doing some overhauls in the archives of It's A Beautiful Life.

From some research I've done, the 'experts' recommend that bloggers go back into their archives and update old posts, breathe new life to ones that are outdated, and then send them back into circulation to give new readers the pleasure of some of these wonderful old writings. It's a little like re-gifting. (There are ways to send it out there again, but we'll write on that another time).

We're also removing photos that we aren't sure of their origin and copyright, and replacing with either our own photos or using pics and graphics from sources that give clear permission to use. Even if we give the source, we could still be violating copyright so it's important to replace photos if we've just taken them from Google images or other places without permission.

In this creative exercise, we have discovered,just how much we've learned about blogging having written 1300+ posts since August 2008. Oh my, have we learned and matured, both in writing and presentation and just general blogging know-how.

I've been having fun as there is something stimulating about clearing up old stuff. Bringing order out of chaos. It's like cleaning out the pantry cupboards. You reorganize, toss, and find stuff you totally forgot about.

Please note: I have plans to chat more about the 'technical' aspect of updating and regifting old posts.  It will be under Blogging Tips (which if you go to the sidebar and find the Blogging Tips category, you'll see it's all been overhauled -- and I just love the little school ma'rm with her cute blackboard -- click for original source).

Now... to give you an idea of what I'm up to, I've gathered just a few links to posts that have been stuck in my archives a few years.

I blew off the dust, added some new thoughts, ironed the dog-eared corners, gave them a new title if the old one was obscure, gussied them up with pretty pictures (in the beginning I didn't always have a picture to include, and now we know how valuable that is to drawing in readers) ... I did this with the hopes that you won't mind revisiting them, while I continue working on brand new material for future posts.
 



On that note, I'm wishing you a beautiful day,

Hugs,
Brenda
xox



Thursday, February 05, 2015

From The Airport




Can't come out and chat this morning -- off to pick up friends from the airport who are just returning from a holiday in Honolulu. Aren't they well blessed!

It surely would be sweet to catch the fragrance of plumeria blossoms drifting off their shirts. Not to mention, on this very snowy day around here, having a warm tropical breeze blow through your hair while walking along a sandy beach would be quite perfect too.

Dreamin' it is almost like being there... 


Sending you warm hugs,
Brenda
xox








Monday, February 02, 2015

Start Slow and Taper Off


The cup of tea on arrival at a country house is a thing which, as a rule, I particularly enjoy. I like the crackling logs, the shaded lights, the scent of buttered toast, the general atmosphere of leisured coziness.~P.G. Wodehouse

Mr. Wodehouse really got the nub of it, didn't he? Crackling logs, shaded lights, hot buttered toast and a cup of tea. In truth, nothing could be more perfect on such a snowy afternoon as we've been having today. I see the neighbour's chimney puffing away, the wispy smoke catching away in the sharp wind.

I've been taking Susan Branch's rule of thumb to heart these wintery days -- just start slow and taper off. This break has been good for the soul and has given the creative processes time to rest and dream a little bit. Gain some perspective too. A person comes back with fresh eyes to see anew.

I have happy things in the works... and I hope to bring you some nice things to read when you come a-calling in the days ahead.


Meantime, please stay warm, safe and cozy!


Hugs,
Brenda
xox






Monday, January 19, 2015

The Beauty of Balance In Life And Writing


Oops... My apologies... The post you came to find was not supposed to be published...yet! It was still in draft form.  I've been working to update old posts and create new ones, and I accidentally hit publish instead of save. Rats in a poke.

We are still away for a few more days.... perhaps this lovely winter sunrise will fit as a small substitute while the other post gets completed and reposted.
  
Hugs,
Brenda
xox


Sunday, January 04, 2015

Dormant


No clicking or clattering
No fancy pen dipping in antique inkwell

No ideas budding into words just now

All is dormant
Peaceful
Quiet as a wintry garden outside

Just as trees have gathered life down deep under frozen landscape
so this soul feels drawn to hibernate a while.

Be still
Be still and know
Know

To everything there is a season

Now is time to come away.
Rest. Dream. Ruminate.
Fill creative well.

Rest. Be still. Know.

The time will come.
With new life...
New words too.

We shall return.
Refreshed.
Ready to share again.

Thinking fond thoughts of you, Dear Ones!

Hugs,
Brenda
xox