Meet my other friends Monday

Welcome to this weeks addition of Meet my other friends Monday. The friends that are featured in this post appear in no particular order. I've started with bloggers who have visible email addresses. Once I work through those I will begin contacting others through the comment section on your blog. You could be next

Today we'll be visiting with Katie from Westie Julep. Now this happens to be one of Duke's favorite blogs because he thinks that Derby is a very cool guy and Julep is beautiful. It's always fun to see the antics of the Westies as well as what Katie's working on. She's quite good at sewing. Visiting Katie's blog is always enjoyable and it's funny to see how Julep and Derby have some of the same habits as Duke does. Enough from me though. Lets turn this over to Katie

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING & WHAT MADE YOU START?

I started blogging about 5 years ago when we were blessed by bringing our first west highland white terrier home.  I found blogging to be an enjoyable, easy way for family and friends to watch the antics of Julep as she grew up. Initially, my blog was simple. I used templates provided by “Blogger” and gained more confidence with each new post, as well as by reading many other blogs and several books on blogging.  

I like to keep my blog simple and enjoyable. Now I have so much fun, I even change my background template with each new post.  With this new level of blogging confidence my topics now range from westies Julep and Derby {our precious westies} to walks around town, to vacations, to posting a yummy recipe with photo’s.  When I realized how easy blogging was I started another blog called www.katiesews4fun.blogspot.com.  This blog is a digital photo blog of everything I have sewn.  Every item you see there was either donated or given away.  This is a perfect way to remember what I have made.

WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO NEW BLOGGERS?

I’d offer several thoughts to new bloggers. Hopefully they will be helpful. 

Take time to look at different blogs.  Do a ‘blog hop’ from one blog to another by looking at what that particular blogger lists as their favorite blogs to follow.  Bookmark the ones you love for reference or write down what you like that would fit into your blog format.

Post often, at least three times per week.  Your posts don’t need to be long or complex.  In fact, brevity is best.  They can be as simple as a single photo you’d like to share with your followers.  Posting often keeps your blog active and “alive.”

Take time to comment on other blogs.  This is a good way to let others know about your blog and to show you care about there blog and what they have to say.  End your comment with your first name and your blog address.  Also, it’s a good idea to respond to comments left on your blog post.  Set your blog preferences to ‘reply-blogger’.  When you set your blog up as a ‘no-reply’ blogger you will not be able to send comments back to the person who left one for you. That limits the conversation, and this is “social media,” after all.

Become a Follower of other blogs.  It’s a way to learn from others, and it gives your blog exposure, letting others know what blogs you like when you add them to your sidebar.

DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES OR SPECIAL TALENTS?

My hobbies and talents run hand-in-hand. I love designing and sewing “American Girl doll” clothing, quilting, and baking. My newest hobby is photography, at the encouragement of my husband.  Then there are Julep & Derby, our two westies! They take president over all the above!

OF COURSE YOU LOVE ALL THE BLOGS YOU VISIT BUT SHARE A LINK TO ONE OF THOSE AND TELL US WHY WE SHOULD CHECK IT OUT.

With encouragement, my husband, Wilson, started blogging.  He’s a published writer and award-winning photographer.  Stop by and visit his blog at:  http://wilsonwyattjr.com, “Writing & Photography – the art of words and images.”  He published a book of photography in 2012, YOSEMITE-Catching the Light.  His latest book, to be published by summer, is CHESAPEAKE VIEWS-Catching the Light.  He’ll post more about that soon, on his blog and Facebook page.

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT TOTALLY MAKES YOU CRAZY?

Well, I have to say I’m pretty even tempered.  I’ll be so bold to say there are very few things {seriously} that can push me over the edge.

CAN YOU GIVE ONE RANDOM THOUGHT?

I’ll conclude with two thoughts that are very important to me … and perhaps they will be to your readers. 

1} Practice random acts of kindness … this could be as simple as holding the door for someone or letting them go ahead of  you in a line.  The possibilities are endless! I practice this every day and am rewarded by seeing the good it does.

2}  Leave the world a better place then you found it … helping others in some way, shape or form, that’s what I do.  For example, I donate quilts to rescue groups to raise money to get westies out of terrible situations and back on the road to health and a second chance at a happy life.  I also saw the need to develop a Facebook group page dealing with westie health issues.  This is called WESTIES HEALTH -- FROM EARS TO TAIL.  I’ve been thanked so many times for starting this group because westies are one of the more challenging breeds of dogs. Of course, all this takes a big block of time but to help others leaves the world a better place.

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Thank you Ann for inviting me to be your guest this week.  I look forward to the next “Meet My Other Friend Monday” when you will share your blog space once again.