Sharing the Blog Love: Blogs I Recommend

I read a lot of blogs. Instead of reading every post on a few blogs, I prefer to read a few posts on lots of blogs. I read a large majority of blogs by women and most of them are moms but not all. Even among those who are moms, they don’t all blog specifically about being a mom.

I wanted to recognize a few blogs who I think are doing an awesome job and focus on a certain topic or two. Most of them focus on a topic you don’t normally think of right away. Check them out, find a new blog to read and let me know what you think in the comments. (Feel free to mention a niche blog you enjoy too!)

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Marriage

Newlywed Survival covers relationships, saving money, budget, creating a home, fitness and recipes.

I especially enjoy her relationship posts.

We haven’t had a wedding yet but we’ve been common law married for 6 years and together for 8 but I still can use her advice.

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Mental Health

Insane Mamacita’s Musings is a Canadian blog run by a WAHM and her mental health is only one of her topics but it’s the one I remember the most as I struggle with mental health too.

In the future I’d like to talk about that more on my blog.

I enjoy her Project Happy posts especially.

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Fatherhood

Canadian Dad is a funny Dad blog, whether you are Canadian or not. Though they don’t seem to take the spotlight enough, there are dad blogs out there and you don’t have to be a dad to enjoy them.

I love the way he writes and his stories are always full of laughs and sometimes even tears.

It’s different to read about kids from a man’s point of view.

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Creativity

Sophie’s World is something else. I’m fairly new to reading this blog. I was reluctant at first because although I have creative ideas, I don’t have the patience to put them into practice so I don’t knit or sew or draw or paint and I don’t read blogs about those subjects too often.

This isn’t another craft blog though. She is a party planner but used to be a nanny and the ideas she shares on her blog are so different from anything I’ve seen anywhere else. I love this: Map the Neighbourhood with your young child. How many bloggers do you know have a games listing?

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House and Home

Clean Mama is the ultimate blog for helping you keep your home clean and organized.

She has a free monthly cleaning schedule and tons of helpful posts. She sells handmade printables in her Etsy shop if you like to keep things organized on paper.

She has a guide for making a Homekeeping Binder.

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These are just a few of the many blogs I love to read. I hope you found something new!

If you’d like to suggest a blog in the comments, I only ask that you please suggest SOMEONE ELSE’S BLOG and not your own. Share the Love.

#Bloggers in #Canada - Your Questions Answered About Claiming Blog Income on Your Taxes

(c) Dreamstime.com

A tax professional at H&R Block did a guest post at the Biannual Blogathon Bash blog explaining why you need to claim your blog income and how to go about it. Very informative.

When you are done reading that, check out the great post at Maple Leaf Mommy about how to track your blog income and expenses so you are ready for tax time.

I'm the featured blog of July's Monthly Tailspin Blog and Social Media Hop

Are you sick of finding blog hops when they are almost over, linking up and then forgetting to go back and actually hop or not having enough time to go through all the blogs on the list?

Try a month long hop instead. Link up anytime this month and you have all month to get to everyone. You can link up one blog link and social media link per month.

You can find the hop at Tales from the Nursery!

Brand New Baby Event - 3 Blogs for Parents with Little Ones

More and more nowadays when a person has a question, we google it. Using the internet to get answers to our problems can be very helpful, as long as you think about what you read and don't take what you read as the be all and end all of answers.

When reading advice on blogs, it's what worked for that one blogger. It may or may not work for you. However is usually doesn't hurt to give it a try.

Here are some blogs I know of that are perfect for parents with new babies.

Troublesome Tots blogs about sleep troubles you often encounter with babies and toddlers and how you can help them.

• 0-3 Month Sleep Guide
• Why Babies Love White Noise
• 5 Reasons to Swaddle Your Baby

Parenting and New Baby Advice Blog is by Baby Gifts and Gift Baskets and has many articles on babies.

• Baby Bath Time Safety Tips
• Choosing a Name for the New Grandmother
• Baby Crib Safety

Best for Babes is THE breastfeeding resource, way better than any other I've seen. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. It's sort of a cross between a website and blog.

Vitamin D and Breastmilk... What's a babe to do?
Did Your Mom Breastfeed?
Help! I Don't Want to Breastfeed

International Woman's Day 2011

Sadly I didn't have time to write a International Women's Day post so I wanted to at least direct you to this post on the Girl Guides CAN Blog. It's a guest post by The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services and Minister for Status of Women.

Sunday Linkage - Apr 4 - Poetry Edition

First of all, Happy Easter! I'm off celebrating Easter right now. This is being auto-posted in case anyone is not celebrating Easter or has some free time to be on the computer (in which case I'm honored you are spending that time at MY blog!)

April is National Poetry Month so I thought I'd give some poetry links.

Poetry4Kids.com - Great site with fun poems. I'm reviewing Kenn Nesbitt's new book April 14 at SMS Book Reviews

National Poetry Month Blog Tour @ Savvy Verse & Wit - My review mentioned above and another one that same day are a part of the this blog tour. Click on over to see the schedule and who else is posting about poetry this month.

Poetry Daily - a new poem every day plus more!

Ready to Rock National Poetry Month @ Miss Rumphius Effect - great post with links to resources for poetry around the blogophere (especially for kid)

That's good! See you next week for more links!

Sunday Linkage - The Asthma Edition

This week I found out my youngest has asthma. She'll be 3 in about one week. She was prescribed an inhaler and is supposed to take it with an aerochamber and mask but REFUSES!

Here are some sites I found on asthma:

The Asthma Society of Canada- information for adults


Asthma Kids - site for kids

The Angry Asthma Mama (blog) - asthmatic mom of 3 kids, 2 of which have asthma

The Asthma Mom (blog)

That's it for this week.

Sunday Linkage - National Craft Month

March is National Craft Month so I though today's links should be craft related. Please feel free to share any craft links or blogs in the comments.

From the Craft and Hobby Association (who created National Craft Month):

Craft Blogs at BlogCatalog

2010 marks the 16th year that National Craft Month has been celebrated by craft retailers as well as consumers. And with 63 million households crafting each year, there's a lot to celebrate!

Craftzine Blog (here's my favourite)

Some cool specific crafts:
Homemade Lego Minifigures Costume
Bottle Cap Table

So find some ideas and get crafting this month!

Sunday Linkage - National Peanut Month

For this week's Sunday Linkage, I'd like to share some websites and blogs related to Peanuts because March is National Peanut Month.

National Peanut Month started out as National Peanut Week in 1941. It changed to a month-long celebration in 1974.

Peanut Butter Lovers - for the peanut butter lover!

The Peanut Institute - health facts, recipes, scientific research and educational materials

National Peanut Board - recipes, food service, manufacturing, nutrition, classroom, growers corner, kids corner (this one has facebook, twitter, you tube and flickr accounts)

Peanut (Blog Toplist) - find blog posts with the word peanut in it from all over. The only problem is it may include someone calling their kid peanut or a dog named peanut. But you can find lots of peanut related posts this way.

And for the can't-eat-peanut-crowd:

Peanut Allergy Information

ADDED March 9, 2010: 
Laurie from The Learning Station shared this recipe with me:

PEANUT BUTTER PLAYDOUGH 

1/2 c. peanut butter
1/2 c. nonfat dry milk
2/3 tbsp. honey (optional)

Mix peanut butter and honey. Gradually add powdered milk until consistency of playdough.

This is a simple, multi-dimensional learning activity.  From math and measuring, science and consistency, to texture and taste.  It's a great fine motor activity to help build small hand muscles and eye-hand coordination. And it is heaping with creative free expression and fun!  Kids can mold and play with this yummy dough, taste as they create, and then gobble it all up when they are ready.  Don't forget to add to the fun and learning with some little playdough utensils such as child safe knives, rolling pins, mini cupcake tins, measuring cups and spoons.

Variation: Add some texture by adding a splash of graham cracker crumbs.

Important: Make sure you are aware of children's food allergies before preparing any recipe.

See you next week!

*flickr photo of salted peanuts from EuroMagic.

Sunday Linkage - Olympics Edition

In honour of the Winter Olympics which are happening right now in Vancouver, Canada today's links are all Olympic related.

Randy Starkman's Olympic Blog (from Vancouver Star)

Get In the Games Olympic Blog (from NBC)

History of the Olympic Games (Wikipedia)

That's it for now!

Sunday Linkage - Valentine's Edition

See I told you I'd make a little graphic. I've done linkage posts on Mondays and Saturdays before but I like Sundays best.

First of all is a news item I just have to share, so we can tell London, Ontario what a HORRIBLE idea this is.
Sperminator Game to Teach Kids about Sex and STDs

Second we have something about Valentine's Day that may put a damper on the mood...for now.
Valentine's Day in Other Places

Know any journalists? I must admit I don't get some of these, me not being a true journalist.
Happy V-Day: Valentines for Journalists

Sunday Linkage

I'd like to go back to sharing links I've found with my readers. Every Sunday I'll share what I've found. They don't have to be blogs. They could be on a variety of topics. I'll make a catchy graphic for next time.

Exploring Science with Children @ PBS Parents
Lots of helpful ideas on how to teach children science based on everyday living and what's around you. Science in the kitchen, on the playground, in the neighbourhood, at the market and more!

LOST TV Fans
Another LOST wiki, not as filled in as Lostpedia but in my opinion, of a better format. If you know about LOST, help fill it in!


Simply Linked
A new widget like Mr.Linky, with a cleaner design. I think I'll be using this one from now on.

Saturday Linkage

As mentioned before, Monday Linkage has turned into Saturday Linkage.

Blogs:

Girl's Guide to Business - for the working girl

Scrapbooking Blog - from Families.com

Wine Blog

Website:

Cat Boxing - who knew?

Monday Linkage

Since this is the last monday I'll have internet access for, after this one, it will change to Saturday Linkage. Since I missed two weeks of Monday Linkage, Saturday Linkage will start this week so you have two sets of places to visit this week!



Blogs:


Ty's Toy Box Blog - cartoons and toys

Baruchito's Homecage - Hamster blog!

Halloween4All - Happy Halloween!



Website:



World Rock, Paper, Scissors Society - who knew? Competitions and everything.

Monday Linkage

Sorry I haven't been posting lately, I've been hard at work at my book review blog SMS Book Reviews and also reading for all my challenges. In honor of that, this week's Monday Linkage links all have to do with books.

Blogs:

A Novel Challenge - looking for your next book challenge?


Non-fiction Reader's Anonymous - Like to read non-fiction? Find reviews and more here.

Website:

Austen Fans - Do you read Jane Austen? Love the movies? Here's a site for you.

Monday Linkage

Blogs:

Problogger - great blogger tips for any blog platform

Ann Kroeker - personal blog of a writer, mother and Christian with very interesting topics.

Marley and Me Author Blog - John Grogan's blog. Info and updates on his book, so don't read unless you've read the book. If you haven't read the book, read it! I loved it!

Website:

How To Solve Sudoku Puzzles - from about.com. Has annoying pop-ups but good help on solving the puzzles.

Monday Linkage... on Tuesday...again

Sorry everyone but I had a killer migraine yesterday. Still have some after effects now too.

Blogs:

Tips 4 Blogspot - Do you use Blogger/Blogspot to blog with? This blog has some tips. (Wow that was a lot of blog in one sentence LOL)

Moms Speak Up - What are real moms saying about current news/happenings? Check it out.

What Works For Us - a blog by a mom, sharing what works for her!

Website:

DragonFable - Do you like web-based Role Playing Games? Here's a fun free one!

Monday Linkage

Blogs:

Three-Girl Circus... is the blog of a mom of a 3 year old, 2 year old and almost 1 year old girl. The girls are so beautiful!

Unclutterer is for those trying to get their lives in order!

Blaine's Puzzle Blog is for puzzle lovers


Website:

The Baby Place had a blog too but is more of a website. It has articles and lists contests and coupons for moms. (NOTE: the contests seem to be for US only unfortunately.)

Monday Linkage

Sorry it's so late!

Blogs:

Like learning facts about nature? Read Nature Fact File.

Need a laugh? Check out The JOKES Blog.

Let's Talk Babies. No really.

Website:

Need a list of items alphabetized? Use the Alphabetizer.

Monday Linkage

Three blogs:

Looking for fun crafts and activities for your kids? Try Little Elephants.

Are you a mom who wants to stay in the know about online stores, products and info you can use? Check out MomReviews!

Freshome has some tips, gadgets and inspiration for your home!

and a website:

Surprise.com - looking for a gift idea for that special someone? Is she a tea lover? Is he backpacker? Is it for your brother? Is she a movie-buff? Is he in the middle of a mid-life crisis? Maybe it's a retirement gift? Or he roots for the under-dog? Whatever the occasion or recipient, this website has gift ideas. You can buy the items directly from the site or just get the idea and look for it in your own stores.