Tuesday Chatter

Happy Tuesday all! I am feeling a bit more chipper today as I have finally figured out my blogger troubles. Whew! Apparently it is an issue that many people encounter and there is NO helpful information in the blogger help files, nor do they offer customer service for "free" accounts, even though they charge $10 a year for custom domains. After hours of wasted searching, I finally found a solution in a chat room on blogger issues. Apparently, when you purchase a custom domain through blogger they automatically sign you up for a Google Apps account which governs your domain. Problem is, they don't tell you the user name and password for this account and you have to find a 'roundabout way to reset it. Brilliant. If anyone needs a solution for this issue, email me and I'll try my best to help.

Perhaps it is time to stop dragging my feet and make the move to WP. The only reason I have not done so is that it's difficult to justify the expense when I make nothing from this little blog. I don't really want to put up ads and affiliate links, but it's something I guess I'll have to ponder.

In the mean time, I thought I'd share this pic of Little Miss. She's getting into the terrible 3's stage (yes, I have always found 3 to be more difficult than 2!). Sometimes she likes to ham it up and sometimes she screeches if you even look at her. It's kind of like a toddler teen stage, minus a few hormones, lol. It is so hard to believe she'll be 3 in little more than a month!

Some of you may remember that last year I won the honor of being in the top 5 Photography Blogs in the Circle of Moms contest. I'm in the running again for 2013 but I have fallen behind and the competition is heating up.  If you have a moment, I would be most grateful for your vote! Just click the link below. You can vote once per day until July 16th. Thank you so very much for your support!!!

The Big Reveal - My New Photography Website by Big Step Design

Over the past few years of blogging, I have entered many giveaways and won some awesome swag. I have also hosted several fun giveaways and I always love sharing great prizes with my readers.

Several weeks ago I entered an online giveaway to win a package from Big Step Design that included a professional photography website and marketing materials.   This was a big package valued at over $1200 and I thought my chances of winning were slim to nil. Still, I was struggling to get my photography business off the ground and I needed a more professional looking website. I knew that was a must. I had looked at several sites offering web design and prepackaged templates, but wasn't terribly excited by any of them. So, I entered the giveaway and hoped for the best, but really had little faith in winning.

I was absolutely floored when I received an email telling me that I won the whole package! Not only a brand new sparkly website, but also a video portfolio and print marketing materials!! Seriously. I cried. There have been some financial changes in our family recently, and I was really needing to lend some more support to our family's budget. This was a huge blessing for me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and just knew this would be the push I needed to get my little business off the ground.

Shortly thereafter, I was chatting on the phone with Chelsea of Big Step Design about my vision for a professional website. She was so open and knowledgeable, and she really helped to guide my decision toward a site that fit my style and needs. I knew my business was in good hands and I couldn't wait to see the final product.

We worked together over the next couple of weeks setting up the landing page and importing posts from my blog. Chelsea made sure that all my concerns were answered. She was a great resource in helping me understand the back end of the site and how to best utilize SEO to improve my web presence. My favorite features of my new website include the Pinterest style port folio and the contact form for client inquiries.

When I saw the beautiful finished product, I was over the moon with excitement! I absolutely love my new photography business website. The design is sleek and easy to navigate and it is just gorgeous. I am so thankful to Chelsea and Big Step Design for the wonderful work they have done for Melissa Bliss Photography.

If you are in the market for a new website design, I highly recommend using Big Step Design. They offer fantastic packages especially for photographers, and they are so attentive and helpful.

As a special treat for Serendipity is Sweet readers, Big Step Design is currently offering $100 off their packages! If you sign up through the links on this page, you will immediately be given a $100 discount.

Here's a link to find out more about their wonderful website design packages: Big Step Design Photography Website Packages. Don't delay, go check them out! You won't be sorry.

Friday Photo Journal - Week 1

Hello my friends! Welcome to the first edition of Friday Photo Journal. I am so happy to see you here!

This is my first attempt at hosting a meme. I have joined in on many over the years, and I finally decided that I wanted to host the party for a change. This little project is my way of collecting memories of everyday moments throughout the year, and journaling our journey as a family so that we can reflect on it later. Time seems to pass so quickly and I want to make sure that I don't forget all those precious little moments we share.

I hope to spend a little time at the end of each week gathering my favorite photos and jotting down some highlights from our week. At the end of the year I will compile all the pages into a sort of family  year book.

I invite you to join me and share as much as you wish. You are welcome to post just one image from your week, or an entire journal entry for each day. Just include my button in your post and link up here (link directly to your post only please). Then visit other bloggers and encourage each other!

About the images:

Little Miss is in the "I can do it myself!" toddler phase and loves to help with chores. Lately she's been feeding the dog and helping to unload the dishwasher. Too bad this phase rarely lasts past 4 years of age.

We have been enjoying lazy mornings throughout the holidays, but that came to a stop today as we're back to homeschooling after winter break. 

Our great dane Bella keeps watch over us.

It has been chilly this week, but we haven't seen any snow. 

Little Miss likes to watch the big kids play outside.

Those curls! I swear I don't enhance them in any way.

 They just air dry into perfect ringlets. I have to capture them!

Hubs and I are joining millions of other folks in renewing our healthy lifestyle and I have been stocking up on fresh fruits and veggies. I love, love, love fresh berries and fruit salad. Yum!

That's it for this week. I do have 4 children, I swear.

 It's just that only one of them lets me snap photos of her on a regular basis ;)

Thank you so much for visiting! 

Please take a minute to spread the word about this new meme and share this post.  :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Thanksgiving and a Giveaway!

Greetings friends and Happy Thanksgiving! Today, like most of you, I'm reflecting on all the many blessings I have and spending time with family. I am so grateful for a healthy family, a loving supportive, husband and the many friends who encourage and inspire me. Including you!

 In the spirit of the holiday, I'd like to offer a simple giveaway to thank you all for your friendship and support! I really enjoy the connections I have made throughout the blogging community and I appreciate each one of you! I don't have any grandiose gifts to shower upon you... I wish I did, but I do want to offer a simple gift card so that perhaps I can treat you to a lunch out with a friend, a spouse, a child or grandchild...anyone you'd like to reconnect with during this busy holiday season. :)

 Entering is simple, just fill in the form below.

 Before I go, I have a share a pic, of course. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for these crazy little people and that handsome guy in the middle. They light up my everyday and make my life whole. Even though photographing them all in one frame is like herding cats, I am thankful for the photo of them together and the moment captured in time.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway


I wish you all many blessings this holiday! Cheers!

PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Prize Pack Giveaway

Because the physical health of a pet is closely tied to their oral health, PEDIGREE is hosting a giveaway here on my blog for my readers with waggy-tailed friends. In an effort to get the word out about the importance of proper dental care for our pets, they have also put together this awesome site with oral care tips and coupons for DENTASTIX Snack Foods. 

Poor dental health can lead not only to bad breath and tooth loss, but also has been linked to more serious issues like heart, lung and kidney problems. However, according to a survey conducted by PEDIGREE DENTASTIX Treats, only 32% of people report taking their dog to the vet for an annual dental cleaning. That's concerning because four out of five dogs over the age of three have some level of gum disease. 

Since doggie dentures aren't an option, taking a preventative approach to oral care for your pet is key. That includes an annual dental cleaning at the vet, plus daily tooth brushing and feeding of oral care treats like PEDIGREE DENTASTIX, which are clinically proven to reduce tartar build up by up to 80%.

I was sent a sampling of DENTASTIX Treats to try with our pooch Bella, and boy does she love them! And I love that they take care of her canines and freshen her breath. Trust me, that's important when you're staring down the barrel of a great dane!

If you'd like to win a PEDIGREE DENTASTIX prize pack, like the one show above, for your pooch just enter here!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmastime Storybook Giveaway Winner...

Congratulations to Aunt Rene, lucky #10, you won my storybook giveaway! I hope you enjoy your new books!

Singing Dog Vanilla Giveaway Winner!

If you missed it, I hosted a yummy giveaway here.

And the winner is....

#10
throuthehaze said...

follow on Networked Blogs-Rae Pavey
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
November 6, 2009 1:51 PM

Congratulations! I see lots of sweet vanilla goodness in your future :D

But, don't worry if you didn't win, I have another awesome giveaway here. And more to come soon!

Usborne Book Giveaway

~CONTEST CLOSED~

Hey there! I am so glad you've stopped by today! And to show my appreciation, I've got a giveaway for you :D One lucky visitor will win this Usborne book packed with fun puzzles for kids.

This book features seek and find puzzles galore - over 100 pages in fact. My kids love these puzzles and I bet yours will too. This is a great book to pack for a trip or long car ride. Usborne publishes several versions of the Things To Spot books and I like to keep one in the car to pull out whenever we're stuck somewhere...traffic, the doctor's office, soccer practice...with over 4000 pictures to find, it's provides hours of fun and entertainment. Aside from just plain fun, these puzzles also help develop pre-reading and number skills and feature rain forest animals, a town markets, castles, farms and more.

UPDATE: Great news! Amanda at Hollywood PhotographyMoving Forward, Beautiful Blog Designs, Classical Conversations in Ballentine and Usborne Today has generously offered to donate the Usborne book for my giveaway! Amanda is a busy lady...mom of 4, homeschooler, Usborne Supervisor and blogger too. She has some great info on her sites for all things educational, and blogging. I don't know how she does it all!! I subscribe to her blogs and really enjoy her updates. I know you will too! Be sure to stop by and say hello.
And this means I have two books to giveaway so get your entries in now! Plus, you can enter to win Usborne's monthly drawing for $50 in books here!

To enter: Leave a comment telling me another Usborne book you'd like to read. Must include a valid email address (US and Canada only - sorry).

Extra entries:
Comment on this post and let me know you did. One entry per comment - unlimited entries :D
Fave me on technorati
Subscribe to my feed or email updates.
Follow publicly in blogger
Follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway Follow on facebook
All LINKS FOR FOLLOWS ARE IN LEFT SIDE BAR)
More entries: Visit one of Amanda's blogs and leave her a comment, then let me know where you did. You'll get three extra entries for each comment you leave her!

That's it! Leave a separate comment for each entry please. I'll draw a winner by random number selection after midnight on Monday, July 27, 2009. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to claim prize. Good luck!