THE.CUTEST.SWEET TREAT. EVER!

I LOVE Bakerella.com! Check out these cute sweets she posted this morning in celebration of Seasme Street!

For more great receipes visit http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/Recipes---DIY-Projects.html

Counting Your Blessings

Counting What you HAVE as opposed to What you WISH you had.


This has been a tough year for many folks. It's hard to be thankful when things don't seem to be going well, but sometimes we need to step back and re-think about the important things. Is there a roof over our heads? Food in the pantry? Do I have a job? Did the car start this morning? Are my parents healthy?


Instead of counting your "need -tos," "have-tos" and "must-dos," try counting your dreams, your desires and....your blessings. It's much easier to be inspired by what you do have than what you don't have.


I want to take a quick minute to count my own blessings, in hopes to inspire you when collecting your own.


I am blessed with a wonderful family - we are healthy, live close to each other and each household is blessed to be surviving in these uncertain times.


I am blessed to be able to stay at home with my children and watch them grow into beautiful, independent ladies.


I am blessed to be surrounded by a wonderful group of friends - both old and new.

I am blessed to be able to share my own loves, hopes and dreams with others through my blog and website.


I am blessed to have so much support from all of you!

I encourage you to spend this week with family and friends and TELL them how thankful you are to have them all.

Simply yours,


Kendal

O Christmas Tree! Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Part of the fun is going out and picking the right tree. After depleting the local tree farm from all their extra tall versions in recent years (see below for past trees), we had to revert to picking one from the local hardware store.

 Yes, gaudy I know. If you want a real laugh about Christmas trees and their gaudiness, my new friend, Becky, whose blog by-line reads "Because Not Everyone Can Be A Ballerina," posted  a hilarious recant of Christmas time from her childhood (including a vivid tale of silver tinsel that I cannot get out of my head.) Be warned if you click over to visit 1. She makes no apologies for her blunt behavour 2. You WILL laugh out loud and 3. You will be addicted to her blog.

Why Worry Wednesday? Eat From Your Pantry Challenge

Back in November, I put my coupon saving shopping on hold in order to clean out my pantry and freezer. A couple of weeks later, I was still going. It's now been 6 WEEKS and I still have not shopped for more than a handful of perishables - even over the holidays! Aren't you proud of me? I have had to pass on TONS of coupons and I am more than ready to start using the new ones I've collected in my great new organizer, but after reading MamaFish's Challenge and taking stock of my pantry and freezer, I think I can go at least a couple of more weeks before we start eating plain pasta and oatmeal. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, take a minute to read my previous blog and then read Money Saving Moms Challenge. If you are short on time, the basics can be found in Step One of my Simple Life Series.

Wednesdays in the Simple Life Series are for YOUR CLUTTER (and yes, it multiplies in my home too). I will let you know what I am doing to make simple changes in my own home to clear out my clutter. I hope you follow along and try some of these steps yourself. Please let me know how you are coming along by leaving comments at the bottom of each post. Tell me what works, what doesn’t, if you are bored – whatever – we are learning and growing together.

Check Out Our Guest Blog Post on EADFL!

Thanks to Jamie over at Engineer A Debt Free Life for allowing me to "guest blog." Click over to read my first published article on How To Make Money While Being Green!

Testing...Testing Part II How To Create Your Own Custom Signature

Better? Yes, I think so!




Want your own? Click on over to Hubpages.com for her quick and super easy tutorial.

Testing, Testing....

So I'm testing the new blog signature today...can you see it? Whatcha think? A little too big huh?

My New Blog Button - Wanna Swap?!

Did you see my new blog button? Not very fancy, but better than nothing, right? I'm excited to finally be able to share my button and swap it out with other bloggers.

I want to thank Carrie over at  oikology101 for her great tutorial on creating your own Blogger Button. It's actually quite easy. I had to download Picassa and Photbucket, but I had been needing to do that anyway. I hope to learn how to create a new header next.  

Need a blog button yourself? Check her post  http://oikology101.blogspot.com/2008/09/make-your-own-button-for-your-blogger.html

This Blog Thing Is Not So Easy....

Well, after three days of trinkering with my blog and learning html code from scratch - I'm getting closer and closer to my vision. At first, I was going to just pay someone to do it, but true to form, the more I thought about it the more I was challenged to learn to do it myself. I spent the past month readings books, checking out other blogs, reading every possible "blogger" blog about customizing, watching tons of YouTube Videos and using trial and error. In the middle of all this I got some type of computer virus that almost drove me insane! Nothing worse than spending time writing code for your computer to lock down!

So you say my blog doesn't really look that different? What did I accomplish?

Here's where I am so far:

-I've learned how to read my blog's code!
-I've added the "third famous column" so many of us bloggers desire.
-I've extenened the width of my page. (If you notice, I still have one marign flaw in the main 
   post to fix - any ideas?!)
-I've centered all the sidebar text and images (a big one for me!)
-I've learned how to add a catagories list (still working on tweaking that before it goes live. It
   takes alot of time to change every label in every post for the past year!)
-I've learend how to add a navigation bar to my header but have decided not to at this point.
-I've leared how to manually change font, text sizes, text colors, margins, etc.
-I've added a social share widget to each post. (I am currently testing 2 types on the posts to
   see what I like the best)
-I've learned about adding pay-per-click affiliates.
-I've added a feedburner stat count. 

Whew! Talk about a HEADACHE! I couldn't go to sleep every night this week because I would think "I should have tried ..." or "What did I do wrong?" Believe me, I still have a LONG way to go, but I am pretty proud of myself for figuring out as much as I have.

Now I am working on designing my new header. I found a great YouTube Video that has helped me import and change images, add header text and where to chose my graphics. I am also working on my own blog "button." I love posting other blog's buttons on my site and want to be able to share my own.

I wish I had kept a running list of all the sites that I used to learn these things, but alas, in my frustration, I literally just clicked and clicked and clicked around using pieces here and there. Below are just a few of the main ones I used. I also learned that what works for someone else does not always work for everyone - but keep looking and eventually you will find the right code for you. Please visit these blogs if you are looking to venture into the vast HTML code!

How to center text and images in your sidebars - From Tricks-for-new-bloggers.com

How to add a 3-cloumn templete in Blogger - From Bloggerbuster.com

How to add a border to your sidebars - MomsWhoBlog.com

How to Create a Custom Header in Blogger - YuoTube Video

Now if I can just figure out how to get Spellchecker back on my post page I think I will be in Heaven!

While you are here - PLEASE see the poll in the sidebar. I want to be able to add my new name to the header, favicon and blog button I am currently creating. Thanks! 

Love This Site Awards :: Southern Savers - DivineCaroline

"Vote for my FAVORITE BLOG - Jenny started it all for me - help her win the "I Love This Blog" Award (I secretly nominated her so please VOTE!)"

No pressure or anything, but I think this site deserves to win a Love! This Site Award from DivineCaroline, so please, vote soon! You can also still nominate your favorite sites.

View >>

Help Finding A New Blog Name

If you haven't noticed, my posts have slowed down recently. Not only has my catering business been super busy this past few weeks, I am also building a new blog. Everywhere I read it's says my blog name should represent WHAT my blog is about. "The Kendal Companies Forum" just doesn't do that. My blog IS an extention of my website - but it also so much more (and more personal where my website is hopefully more professional.)

So, I need some help fnding a cool name.....and I and stumped!

I really like "HelpAGirlOut.com" or something with my name in it "KendalSimplifiesLife.com" but can't find the right fit.

Any suggestions out there?

A Sweet Blog Post You Should Read Too

I LOVE The Mother Huddle Blog and this morning's post, once again, touched my heart. Click over and read her post to see what I mean. Be sure to sign up for her emails too. Each time she posts, you will get it in your inbox.
Be Warned: Get a tissue!
Title: Bullet List {take a break}

Link: http://gotaf.socialtwist.com/redirect?l=261264209911965278011

Need a little help from my friends.....

Ok - I am officially hooked on blogging. The network of ladies out there is just awesome. I have already made some new online friends and can't wait to meet more. I am reaching out to you guys hoping you can refer me to a blog template designer. I need to upgrade my header with graphics and tabs and all the other great things you ladies have on yours. Even if you could just send me some tips that would be great. I also need tips on how to increase my following? Thanks in advance ladies!

k

Inspiration Overload

Inspiration Overload

Working on the weekend!

Wonderful rain today! Good thing because other than the 2 hours I spent this morning pulling weeds, I have been on the computer all day. Designing the newsletters and website is TONS of work, but I am working out the kinks and learning more and more. Today I sent out a survey to my email contacts. It will hopefully help me narrow down any issue with the site and communications. If you aren't a member of my list, you can visit the website at http://www.thekendalcompanies.com/ and take the survey here :

http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2clv9pifk8dltut/start


For those of you in the Cartersville area we are having an open easel night next month.

Creative Muse
OPEN EASEL NIGHT

Date: Sept. 8, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM
Location:
RSVP for ADDRESS
Cartersville, Ga 30120

Join us for a night of creativity and fun!
Open Easel night is a time when we get together and create!

There are three ways to participate.

1. Bring your own art supplies and work. Sometimes you just need a break from home to actually have time to paint, draw, scrapbook - whatever you enjoy. Use this time to be productive and receive tips and advice from others. ANY craft or artist medium is welcome.

2. Come to try a new medium. Have you always wanted to learn to paint? Need some tips on finishing stamping cards? Want to try pastels or watercolors? Bring some paper and use other's materials to try your hand at something new. You may find you are the next Degas!

3. Just stop by an take it all in. We are open to everyone! You do not have to stay the entire time - come anytime and stay as long or as little as you like. You don't have to try anything. You can just watch and talk with others. There are no rules or boundaries!

There is no fee for this time in the "studio." All you need to bring is art paper for yourself. Art materials, easels, tables and chairs are provided. If you have extra brushes, paints, scrapbook material, etc to share - bring it and will use it! Also, We recommend that you wear old clothing as some mediums are messy!

BOOK SWAP
We include our book swap in this night's open studio. Bring as many books as you want to swap out. We will have a table full of books available. This is a great way to move out those piles of books you have finished and get some great new reads in return.

CHARITY/RECYCLE DRIVE
Instead of a fee, each month everyone is asked to bring an item to donate or recycle. IT IS NOT REQUIRED TO ATTEND. This month's item(s) are cosmetics and personal items. Clean out that medicine cabinet and bring in those lipsticks you bought and didn't like. Or maybe you have an extra tube of toothpaste you can donate. All items will be donated to the Bartow County Children's shelter. The shelter houses children and teenagers whose parents are terminally ill, in prison or in rehab. They currently have many teenage girls who don't own a single tube of lipstick or have any personal products. They will appreciate ANY item, new or used. Don't you remember when you were 14? Anything is better than nothing when you are that age.
Our recycle items will be toilet paper and paper towel cardboard rolls. Start collecting now! The person who brings in the most tubes will receive a prize. They will be donated to the art department at Tabernacle Pre-school.

Can't wait to see you there. PLEASE RSVP! Email me here and I will send you the RSVP page with directions and a phone number.

The Kendal Companies

Welcome to our new blog! For those of you new to blogging, this is the place to voice your opinions, advice, ideas and questions for me concerning anything that deals with my website, newsletters and products. I hope you will take advantage of this great opportunity. This will be a public blog, open to all. Positive or negative, I will address each comment. I will try to add more info weekly to keep everyone up to date. Thanks and check back later to read what everyone is saying about The Kendal Companies!