Forty Eighteen February 2014 - Page 2 of 2

by Melanie

40 Favorite Free Fonts

February 18, 2014 in Coffee Table by Melanie

This month’s installment of 40 Things is all about my obsession with fonts. I have wayyy too many, but I keep hoarding them like water in the desert.

It’s about time I learn to share, so here are 40 of my favorite free fonts.

1. Xiorama 2. Upper East Side 3. Return to Sender 4. Marker Felt 5. Ostrich Sans Rounded 6. In-House Edition 7. Pineapple Delight 8. Pupcat 9. Superstar 10. Pacifico 11. Sunshine Poppy 12. Love Ya Like a Sister 13. Making Lettering Tall 14. Little Days 15. AC Big Serif 16. Handwriting Draft 17. Blake 18. November Sky 19. Alex Brush 20. EcuyerDAX 21. Fontdinerdotcom (and sparkly) 22. Janda Safe and Sound 23. KG A Little Swag 24. KG All Things New 25. KG Be Still and Know 26. KG Hard Candy Stripes 27. KG Lego House 28. KG Strawberry Limeade 29. Bobby Corwin 30. Marbre 31. Little Bird 32. KG Melonheadz 33. Giraffe 34. Entia 35. Dolce Vita 36. Champagne & Limousines 37. Fearing Madness 38. Cursif 39. CF Font Shading 40. Drop Your Anchor

I probably don’t need anymore, but that never stops me. What are your favorite fonts?

Tags: 40 things, fonts, free stuff
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by Melanie

Happy Valentine’s Day

February 14, 2014 in Master Suite by Melanie

Today started like any other day. Woke up early and gathered with the family for scripture study. Breakfast. Mr. 4018 got ready for work and left with the older girls to drop them off at junior high. I went through the regular morning ritual with the littles:

Get ready for school. Clean up your breakfast dishes. Stop fighting with your sister! Get ready for school. Brush your teeth. Do you need help with your hair? Get ready for school. Grab your jacket. Are you ready to go? Get ready for school. It’s time to go. Why are you still in your pajamas? Get ready for school!

In the middle of all that fun, I heard someone walk in the front door. We have had some random guys wandering around the neighborhood lately – through closed gates into backyards and up to back doors, so at first I thought some crazy person was about to attack us. Always nice to start the morning with a good scare.

I had to figure out who was sneaking into my house. Do you know who I found? Mr. 4018!

That stinker acted like everything was normal all morning long. He even let me make him a lunch and send him off to work. He had his computer with him and was stressing about the girls getting out the door on time so he wouldn’t be late.

Then he walked back in the door and surprised me with the announcement that he had taken the day off of work and had no where else he needed to be.

Best. gift. ever.

I have NEVER seen him keep a surprise from me this well. Ever.

When we were engaged, he gave me a birthday week because he couldn’t keep a secret. hahaha He bought me a gift, couldn’t wait to give it to me and then felt bad that he didn’t have anything to give me on my birthday. So he got me another gift and couldn’t wait to give it to me. Then he felt bad that he didn’t have anything to give me on my birthday. That happened a few more times. Maybe that’s why he’s more of a last minute gift guy now.

So thanks to my husband’s fabulous surprise, we had the greatest Valentine’s Day in recent memory. We didn’t do anything earth shattering, but we got to spend the entire day together. It’s days like this that remind me why I love this man.

How did you celebrate?

Tags: celebrate, February holidays, marriage, Valentine's Day
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by Melanie

My First Blog Conference – Lessons Learned

February 11, 2014 in Office by Melanie

I am seriously considering a career change. I want to live the life of a blog conference junkie. Is that a thing? Build Your Blog Conference 2014 was so much fun! I just want to travel the world attending conferences and meeting amazing bloggers from everywhere!

I would also love a chance to relive some of my favorite moments and try to do a few things better. Because I want my next conference to be even BETTER, I made a list of some lessons I learned at my first blog conference.

#1: Dress for comfort. I’m not talking sweats or yoga pants, although if that’s what you want to wear – go for it! You can dress up or go casual, but either way make sure you are comfortable in what you’re wearing. You don’t want to be adjusting and stressing about your outfit all day. And for the love of all chocolate, wear comfortable shoes.

#2: Don’t be shy! One of the main reasons you attend a conference is to network. This is not the time to be a wall flower. Say hello, reach out, ask questions and really get to know people. The friends you make will be your blogger network and your support group. And you never know when you will make a lifelong friend.

#3: You don’t need a bajillion media kits or a thousand business cards. Definitely bring business cards and media kits, but don’t overdo it. Even if 1,000 bloggers will be attending your conference, you won’t be able to meet all of them. There’s only so much time in a day, after all.

#4: Write notes on the business cards you collect. Include reminders of how and when you met or something to help you remember the blogger later. You will leave with MANY cards, and you will want reminders to help you follow up later.

#5: Stay on the property! Even if you’re local, take advantage of any hotel discounts being offered and stay in the middle of the action. Totally worth every penny! No worries about weather, driving conditions, driving time, or trying to leave the kids again in the morning. Not to mention the convenience of walking downstairs to the workshops and extra time you get to play with your roommates and new friends! You can ask for roommates if you want to split the cost (or just have more fun). If the rooms are all full, you shouldn’t have any problem finding someone willing to take you on as a roommate.

#6: Take advantage of local discounts, offers, and any extras offered through your conference. We got to enjoy fabulous waffles for breakfast, fresh from the Waffle Love truck that parked right outside the hotel just for us. We had special shopping discounts at the local mall. A group of us were able to have a free dinner at an amazing restaurant provided by one of the sponsors. Indulge and enjoy any extras that are part of your conference.

#7: Unless you’re going to a hands-on photography workshop, don’t bother with the big fancy camera. Between the swag bag (or two), snacks, notes, business cards, media kits, and everything else, you already have enough to carry around. You know you will be attached to your phone, (aren’t we all?) so be best friends with your phone’s camera. Speaking of cameras…

#8: Take a million pictures. I know, I know. What kind of a blogger has to be told to take photos of everything? Apparently me. I was shocked to get home and discover I hardly had any pictures! That is definitely one thing I would change if I could do it over.

#9: Choose the right bag. I brought a backpack. I regretted it the ENTIRE weekend. Too bulky, too awkward, and too inconvenient. Make a better choice than I did. Next time I think a cross body messenger bag will be perfect for me.

#10: You don’t need to pack so many snacks. Seriously. This one is for me. After the ah.maz.ing dinner (it was so dark in the restaurant that I couldn’t get a good photo on my camera, but trust me, it was way more amazing than it looks), fabulous breakfast, big lunch, snacks in the swag bag, and treats offered by just about every sponsor, I didn’t even touch my snacks until the very last afternoon when I had a few almonds and a bit of chocolate. I basically added extra weight to my load for nothing. I’m sure I will still pack a few snacks next time, but I will keep it small.

#11: Set goals. What do you want to get out of the conference? Why are you here? Make some goals and then focus on them throughout the conference.

#12: You will be overwhelmed. You will. It’s ok. In fact, it’s totally normal. You just learned a TON of stuff in just a little time! Don’t stress about it. Just choose one new thing and implement it. Then add another when you’re ready. Don’t try to do it ALL at once. Just choose something and do it.

#13: Relax and have fun! No need to stress or worry. You will have a great experience, so be sure to enjoy it while it happens because it will be over before you know it!

Have you been to a blog conference? What did you learn? What advice would you give to a first-timer?

Tags: blog conference, blogging, tips
28 Comments »

by Melanie

Homemade Wheat Bread

February 4, 2014 in Kitchen by Melanie

I used to laugh when my dad would smell something and tell us about the memory it triggered. Whose memory is in their nose??? My dad’s.

And apparently mine is, too.

I vividly remember walking home from school and walking in the door to the most heavenly smell. I was lucky to have a mom who was home when I got home from school, and on the best days, I got to come home to warm bread fresh from the oven.

Yum.

Nothing says home quite like the smell of homemade bread.

The thing about homemade whole wheat bread is that it’s often really dense and heavy. And it seems to dry out really fast. If that is how you feel about wheat bread, you are going to LOVE this.

This bread is the absolute best. It’s light and fluffy and so, so tasty! Add some homemade jam, and it’s good enough to be dessert.

Trust me.

Do you know what else I love about homemade bread? It totally makes me feel like Supermom every time I make it.

It’s not like bread is hard to make, but still… it’s pretty super.

Try it. You’ll see what I mean.

Supermom Wheat Bread

5 c hot water (115-120 degrees F)
2 Tb SAF yeast (3 Tb if you use another kind of yeast)
1/2 c honey
1 Tb liquid lecithin
1/3 c oil
2 Tb salt
1 tsp vitamin C powder
12 c whole wheat flour (or a bit more as needed)

In your bread mixer, mix together everything except the flour. You don’t need to proof the yeast. Just toss it in there. Measure out the oil first, then pour that into the 1/2 c before pouring it into the mixer. That way your honey won’t stick to the cup. The lecithin is super sticky, so you’ll probably have to measure it the first time, but then just eyeball it after that. I have to get the lecithin and vitamin C powder at a health food store. The vitamin C powder really makes it fluffy, so don’t leave that out.

Then add the flour and mix 10 minutes on medium speed. Don’t add more flour after the first 2 minutes (it has something to do with how the gluten breaks down). The mixer kneads it for you so you don’t have to!

Now it’s time to raise the roof! I mean, the dough.

One of the things that makes this bread so light and fluffy is the double rise. First, let the dough rise until doubled. I put it in one of those big red plastic bowls you can get at Walmart for about $2 and let it raise until it just starts peeking over the top of the bowl.

Then smash it down (this is a great stress reliever) and divide it into 4-5 equal parts. Shape into loaves and let rise In the well-greased loaf pans until it’s an inch or two above the edge.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. When you pull it out, brush the tops with butter, if desired. This is purely for that pretty shine. You can let it sit for a few minutes before taking it out of the loaf pans, but don’t let it sit too long or it will sweat and get soggy.

Then sit back, have a slice, and enjoy feeling like Supermom.

Tags: bread, recipes
6 Comments »

by Melanie

Family Valentine’s Party

February 1, 2014 in Great Room by Melanie

I love Valentine’s Day.

Love. It.

Sure, you have to pay 4 times as much as usual for flowers and chocolate. Okay, greeting cards are expensive and cheesy. Maybe the pressure can get a little high to plan the perfect romantic evening. And then there’s the whole “It doesn’t mean as much if you’re doing it just because of a date on the calendar” argument.

Whatever.

Haters gonna hate, but I think any day devoted to expressing your love to the people closest to you is a good thing.

Who says you need ridiculously expensive flowers and chocolate and high-pressure dates to have a great day???

My favorite Val’s day tradition is our family party. It started when the younger kids wanted to exchange valentines like their big sisters did at school. So we set up bags next to the dinner plates and everyone passed out their little valentines.

We loved it so much that now we do it every year… except the year Chuck was in the hospital with RSV and pneumonia on Valentine’s Day. Ah, family life. Never a dull moment.

It always starts with a fun dinner. One year we did a big breakfast for dinner complete with biscuits and gravy, hash browns, fresh fruit with homemade whipped cream, eggs, juice…. it was divine. Whatever we eat, it’s always something everyone loves.

We decorate the table and make sure there’s a spot for everyone’s valentines. I love the monogram bags we made last year. The bags were Christmas clearance items I bought for pennies. I cut the letters and hearts out of cute scrapbook paper with my silhouette and just glued them on. Easy, cheap, and cute – my favorite kind of craft!

I bought those cute little boxes of chocolates that you can find for a dollar or two, and set one at each place. For a “centerpiece” we sprinkled candy down the center of the table. Appetizer, decoration, and dessert in one!

We read our valentines, eat yummy food and treats, play fun games, and have a fabulous night together celebrating how much we love each other.

Of course, I love to celebrate with my sweetheart, just the two of us – and we will – but who doesn’t love an excuse to celebrate just being a family?

How do you celebrate Valentine’s Day???

Tags: celebrate, family party, Valentine's Day
3 Comments »

Forty Eighteen

Monthly Archives: February 2014

40 Favorite Free Fonts

Happy Valentine’s Day

My First Blog Conference – Lessons Learned

Homemade Wheat Bread

Family Valentine’s Party

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