Leaf and Steel

motherhood - growth - living

September in Review

I guess I’m just going to have to accept that time really does go by faster as you age. Days whip past me. I can’t believe it’s October 1st! I’m excited to be participating in #Blogtober22 this year and delighted that the first post is a monthly recap!

Here it goes:

The Not-So-Great

I fell with my kid. Face first. Into pavement. You heard that right. My worst nightmare. An event made worse by my ridiculous screaming, a LARGE iced pumpkin spice latte being spilled onto my daughter, and a very bloody knee. We were both shaken, but completely fine!

Whew, what a good month if that’s all I can think of! Nothing else to report except for the usual life stuff, like chores, not getting around to reading/yoga-ing/hydrating as much as I wanted to, or inflation just decimating my food budget.

The Good

I had a perspective change. I have a lot of subconscious conditions on joy. A lot of them have to do with money and looks and timing. A lot of conditions. A lot of “I’ll be happy when…” or “I could be happy if…”. Fill in the blank, I’m sure you know the drill. I know most of us are like this. I don’t know what happened but I woke up a few weeks ago and remembered that I have a lot more control over how I feel than I’d like to admit. I reset my perspective and I’ve been feeling so much better about life.

We got back outside. Sweet Jesus the heat is gone. We can finally emerge from the air conditioned cave and back out into the real world. Most days have been park days, which has been excellent for Baby M’s confidence and my sanity.

I did NOT get any allergic reactions. After the summer I had, this is a huge accomplishment. Check out my August in Review for context.

I got to go away! I got to Connecticut with my mom for a weekend. Without my child. Pure bliss. We did some Christmas shopping and I had a delightful dinner at Hopkins Inn (my first time). I’ll definitely be going away for a child free weekend soon!

How was your September? Did yours fly by as quickly as mine?

What are your plans for October?
Let me know below!

O.

This is post 1/31 for #Blogtober22. If you’re interested in learning more about Blogtober and how to participate, check out my post How to Prepare for Blogtober 2022 and Why You Should Try Blogtober.

Looking for inspiration? Try 30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Post Ideas.

More from Leaf and Steel

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas

Today we’re rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!

Fall is a big deal here on Long Island. The weather is beautiful, the leaves change in waves, pumpkin patches and corn mazes cover the North Fork. After some unbearably humid and hot summers, fall feels like a gift.

Today we're rounding up 30 fall themed lifestyle blog ideas to bring more traffic this autumn!

I love creating fall-themed posts for my blog that match my love for fall! I really wanted to creat this post prior to #blogtober, so that I would have something to reference for ideas.

I’ve written before about how much I got out of #blogtober21 and writing consistently. Writing challenges are an excellent way to become a consistent blogger. Whether you blog for money or treat it as a labor of love, fall is the perfect time to start writing.

Why do content creators produce more content at the end of the year?

Every wonder why your favorite blogger/influencer/YouTuber puts out seemingly infinite amounts of content or videos at the end of the year?

The answer is obvious and the answer is always the same!

Money.
Ad networks and brand deals typically pay more at the end of the year. Brands want to use up their marketing budgets in preparation for the next year.

More content = more clicks = more money.

I remember when I spent more time on YouTube and would see #Vlogmas and think that it sounded absolutely exhausting, it didn’t make sense. Wouldn’t you want to take December off? That’s where the money makes it worth it, of course.

I personally don’t want to spend my favorite time of year (October-December) in front of a computer screen, which is why I schedule a lot of my posts!

5 Blogging Lessons I Learned in 2021

Fall Writing Challenge Tips

Before we get to the list of 30 fall-themed lifestyle blog ideas, let’s look at some tips for creating fall content.

Get outside of the house and get inspired.

Get up and go outside! Enjoy the weather while it lasts. Being out in the world is a surefire way for my brain to start firing off ideas for blog topics.

Go through your current daily routine.

Do you do anything different now that it’s fall? Do you change up the vegetables you eat or drive the long way home so that you can see the changing leaves? Your daily routine may hold more subject matter than you know.

I know I have a special candle that I bring out for fall (I feel like such a loser typing that out but my people know what I mean). I love changing out my wreath and drinking out of pumpkin cups. We also do a lot more chilis and savory meals when the humidity tapers off.

Revamp your own favorite blog posts.

If you’ve completed this list or are looking for more inspiration, why not scroll back to your old blog posts?

Maybe last year you wrote about autumn date ideas, and this year your single. You could write about solo date ideas or fall activities for groups. Maybe this year you had a major life chage, like a new work opportunity or had a child, which changed your perspective on an ideal autumn day.

Fresh perspectives on old topics is nothing new, but it’s a great place to start when you run out of ideas.

Try a new blogging challenge like #Blogtober.

What is blogtober? According to Tea & Cake for the Soul, “Blogtober is where bloggers from all over the world publish a post every day during the month of October. They also link up with other bloggers who are also taking part to share the love.”

You can see my post How to Prepare for Blogtober 2022 for more information about how to get started! I highly recommend blogging challenges if you’re a beginner or you’re stuck in a “writing rut”.

I believe writing is a muscle and by exercising it everyday, we get faster and our writing grows stronger.

I also have a post Why You Should Try Blogtober, which shares my results from last year.

Fall Graphic Printed Tops for Cozy Autumn Days

Below is the list of the autumn blog post ideas!

  1. Your essential fall playlist
  2. Describe your favorite Thanksgiving memory
  3. Your favorite fall baking recipe list
  4. Fall reading list
  5. Best places to see the leaves changing
  6. Best pumpkin patches near you
  7. Fall bucket list
  8. Your sweetest fall memory
  9. Autumn movie list
  10. Halloween costume ideas
  11. Fall fashion finds (see my favorite sweaters here)
  12. Autumn soup recipes
  13. Favorite fall decor (I’m loving velvet pumpkins)
  14. Fall photo dump with stories
  15. Ways to use different fall produce (apples, pumpkins, etc.)
  16. Favorite fall drinks (sweet fall mugs here)
  17. How to plant and take care of mums
  18. TV series to start this fall (HBO, Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
  19. Plan a fall date night
  20. How to roast pumpkin seeds
  21. Fall photo challenge
  22. Describe the process of helping at a food bank or donating school supplies
  23. Unique s’more recipes
  24. Pumpkin carving how-to
  25. Rank cafe’s pumpkin spice lattes
  26. The best fall nature hikes
  27. Rank the best fall scented candles
  28. Describe your ideal fall day
  29. Fall bonfire party planning checklist
  30. Take family Christmas card pictures

So, those are the 30 fall-themed blog topics to keep you inspired and writing this season. I know I plan on writing a post for each and every one this year!

What do you like to write about this time of year? Have you ever written about one of the topics on this list?

What would you add to this list?

Let me know below!

O.

More from Leaf and Steel:

If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas
30 Fall-Themed Lifestyle Blog Ideas

August in Review

Whew, August was a doozy. This whole summer has been…well let’s just say it’s been a summer. August had its ups and downs like any month, but there was certainly a lot of turbulence.

I am %100 solidified in my opinion that summer is the worst season. The bugs, the heat, the expectations of fun, fun, fun. It’s not for me. I think I’m just conditioned from childhood to believe that summer is a break.

Well, there are very few breaks in adulthood and there are *checks notes* zero breaks in parenthood. I know, I know, I’m complaining. This is my site, right? I’ve been complaining all month. It’s cute to quantify the gripes with a word count.

Okay, so August. Let’s start with good. Let me try to squeeze a drop of gratitude or delight out of the last 31 days.

The Good

The month started on a Monday. That’s cool, am I right? The simple pleasures.

I stopped reading a book. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty. If you’ve read my other monthly recaps, you know that I love her books. I got about 100 pages in and realized they’re all the same books? They’re all so formulaic (this is not a term I would use in my everyday-life, but I would imagine people who read, like really read, would use this word). Why is this on the good section? Well, I only have so much free time and it felt kind of…empowering?…to say no. To a book.

My baby is cute-cute. She started to say “wuv yew”. She has been watching Trash Truck on Netflix and now she calls me mom (cue sobbing). Seeing a little toddler waddle into the room saying “hey mom” is absolutely adorable. She’s just the cutest and smartest and sweetest.

I got some part time work. It’s been exciting to make some more money and sit down at my computer and really did my teeth into something, other than blogging. I also got a new computer (the Air), which I love!

The Not-So-Great

Oh boy, are you ready?

Can I preface? I’m going to preface.

I don’t follow a lot of influencers on social media, but one that I continue to follow is Amber Fillerup Clark. I feel like the things she shares inspire me to be better. She’s always making these cute snacks for her kids or suggesting books or doing these sweet little doodle-dos at night. I started doing cute little doodle lists at night.

You know, like making a checklist for the week or content calendar- whatever, but using it as time to unwind at the end of the night and using pretty colored markers. I think I’m making it sound weird but it’s fun.

ANYWAYS, I want you all to know that I sat down on July 31st and I wrote the cutest damn goal list for August. I was going to read 5 books, walk the dog everyday, publish blog posts left and right, drink water. The month was starting on a Monday. What could go wrong?

mouth watering
swollen poison ivy hands
making this into a christmas ornament
healing stages
this sick boy stayed handsome

We all got Covid. The bad kind. Vaxxed, boosted, ready for anything, right? So, so wrong. My husband got it first, on August 2nd, followed by myself a day later, and then my daughter a few days after that. I won’t go into details but we all got very sick and my poor daughter got it the worst and it was all very scary. We are all healthy and take good care of ourselves, it was definitely a reality check that you never know who’s going to get a worse case. It took about a week and a half for us to feel better and two weeks before all the symptoms cleared up.

We all got poison ivy. I would like to thank my dog for this. He probably rubbed against it in the backyard and spread it to us. It has since been cleared.

I got poison ivy. The bad kind. I had to go on antibiotics and steroids for the 3rd time this summer (the other times were from bee stings). You might hear bee stings and poison ivy and think that I’m this Subaru-driving, Hydro-Flask drinking outdoor girl, but I go outside maybe twice a day and only in my backyard and I’m just convinced at this point that I’m allergic to nature in general.

The dog got sick. Yup, him too. The cat is the last one standing. He got some little bacterial infection and was coughing constantly. Luckily the meds they put him on got it cleared up within a few days.

Everything is just a very human mess. I worked during all my free time the last week and a half of August, which was great. But, since I’m home with my daughter all day it’s been a lot and I haven’t really had any time to myself. Factor in laundry, cooking, and making time for this blog and my other projects has been, well, an adjustment.

My post originally ended there.

That’s how I was going to file “August 2022” away in my brain and on this blog.

Well, after I finished writing this post I went to my phone to gather photos to add in.

I was surprised to see all that happened during the month.

I had a great month. I thought I spent it all inside, suffering (not like suffering, but you know what I mean). That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I went so many places this month. I saw my family. I got the baby and the dog out of the house. We went to the beach, the splash park, friend’s houses. I laughed, I was present, I had fun.

What an important lesson in perspective.

Some other little high points:

I got to see a cousin that I haven’t seen in years.

Pumpkin Spice coffee creamer hit the stores.

Baby M and I baked her first pie (it was delicious). We also baked her first pizza (“ew gross” were her exact words). She also had her first trip to McDonald’s which was surprisingly overwhelming, I kept telling her “this is America this is just part of it” and I think she knew what I meant.

Our local animal sanctuary opened back up. They were closed for months (?) due to avian flu. We were so happy to see “our” chickens again!

…and so, so much more.

How was your August? Have any complaints?

Did you try anything new? Are you as excited as I am for a new month and a fresh start?

Let me know below!

O.

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If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

June in Review

Happy July!

Man, am I ready for summer to be over. I write this covered in poison ivy, mosquito bites, and one exquisitely swollen bee sting.

Have you ever heard that we’re just pre-programmed to love summer because of our association with school ending? I think it’s true.

I will take any season but summer. Maine, or even Canada is starting to sound good. The older I get, the harder the heat gets.

I know, I know, I’m complaining. It’s just not for me. Do you actually like summer? Tell me I’m not alone…

Anyways, here’s a little recap from June.

The Not-So-Great:

I’m allergic to bees. Not like “oh I don’t like this thing so I’m going to say I have an allergy” – like an allergy-allergy. I got stung twice in 3 weeks by honeybees on the same foot and went on the same yummy antibiotics. Apparently honeybees don’t sting unless provoked (read: stepped on). Me and my epi-pen are ready to fight.

I didn’t try anything new. I didn’t read any books this month and I didn’t listen to any new music. June felt weirdly busy, even though I don’t think I actually did much.

The Good:

I spent most days outside. Despite the bees and other brazen fauna, I think the time outside served me well. There’s nothing like sunshine. I would like to thank my dog and toddler for this.

I got some blog posts up. Not as many as I’d like, of course 😉

I spent time with family and friends. That’s what’s really important to me, at the end of the day. There’s no substitute for quality time with loved ones.

Summer is almost over. It’s July- that means were almost done! I can’t wait for pumpkins and colder weather and for all the bugs to go back underground.

How was your June? Did you learn anything new? Do anything fun?

Any big plans for July?

Let me know below!

O.

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If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Happy 4th of July, Right?

Happy 4th of July!

Whether you’re truly proud to be American, or a little on the fence, like me, I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

I looked up the Global Peace Index recently, dreaming of far away places to visit.

The Global Peace Index is the following:

A composite index measuring the peacefulness of countries made up of 23 quantitative and qualitative indicators each weighted on a scale of 1-5. The lower the score the more peaceful the country.

I thought we might be in the upper top-ten, things can’t really be that bad, right?

Guess how far down the list the United States is? 129th. We are in 129th place as far as peace.

It makes sense to me.

With everything going on in the past few years, I don’t feel very proud to be an American. I don’t see much to celebrate. Sure, there are people in other parts of the world living much harder lives. There are always people with less rights and freedoms. But, so many of those people are here.

Maybe this is just one of those dark times in history, maybe we’re all living through it. Maybe it feels worse because we’re “in it”.

Here’s to hoping for brighter days, right?

Oh, well. I’ll enjoy my summer night anyways.

Please remember to look out for your vets and pets on this day!

O.

The Runaway Bunny Inspired Nursery

Mark my words: my next nursery will be The Runaway Bunny themed.

It’s my favorite children’s book and it’s iconic imagery is absolutely inspiring. I collected items for my dream nursery below – now all I need is the baby 🙂

To be honest, I’m not the biggest fan of heavily themed nurseries (or themed weddings, parties, etc). I love simple motifs and little details. That’s why this inspo board isn’t loaded with bunnies; it’s a subtle interpretation.

I wanted to include different textures and colors inspired by the book. It’s a little bit whimsical, a little bit grandmillenial. It would be perfect for a little boy or a little girl!

Some of the links in the post are affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission, at no cost to you.

Did you do a theme for your child’s nursery?

Have you read The Runaway Bunny?

Let me know below!

O.

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If you are interested in guest posting on Leaf and Steel, please check out our Guest Post page for guidelines!

Guest Post: Meals in 15 Minutes or Less

Today’s post is a guest post by Sheenia Jackson! She is sharing some quick and easy meals in 15 minutes of less!

Sheenia previously wrote a post on Moms in May, you can check it out here.

Be sure to visit her site and Instagram!

If you would like to guest post on Leaf and Steel please visit our Guest Post page to view requirements and ideas!

Let’s get into it…

I have to say the kitchen is my happy place! But as a busy mom with much to juggle, my favorite meals are those that are simple, fast, and delicious.

Usually, my ultimate cooking goal is to get a healthy meal on the table, while adding a few minutes back into my day. To me, that’s a Win-Win!

Summer is quickly approaching, which means moms will be busy planning family activities and feeding big appetites. In this article, I will be sharing three of my favorite summer recipes that are kind to your budget, ready within minutes, and sure to please your family any day of the week!

From Sunday dinners, to lazy weeknight meals, to game-day appetizers… these dishes include simple ingredients and are perfect for many occasions!

Tasty Shrimp Tacos

Fresh and delicious! This recipe features crisp veggies, a tasty homemade sauce, and fresh squeezed limes. What’s not to love?

Since the only thing we’re cooking is the shrimp, dinner will be served in no time, and you’ll soon be resting your feet!

What You’ll Need…

For the Shrimp:

  • 1 lb. shrimp    
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Your favorite seasoning

For the Sauce:

  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 ½  tablespoons lime juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha sauce

Ideas for Toppings: white corn tortillas, shredded purple cabbage, sliced red onions, grated Cotija cheese, chopped cilantro, fresh squeezed limes, sliced avocado

Let’s Make It!

  • Start by rinsing your shrimp and patting it dry with paper towels. Place the shrimp in a large bowl and add your favorite seasonings. I personally enjoy Italian Seasoning, Smoked Paprika, and Kinder’s all-purpose seasoning blend. Follow your taste buds and make it your own!
  • Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and sauté the shrimp until cooked through (1-2 minutes per side). Set the shrimp aside…
  • Toast the tortillas in a skillet or on a hot griddle. Just a couple seconds will do!
  • Build your tacos by arranging your desired toppings and shrimp over each tortilla.
  • In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients and serve over tacos.

Easy Peasy, right?!

I usually opt for fresh shrimp in this recipe, but you can use frozen if you prefer. Just be sure to thaw before cooking.

Shrimp tacos aren’t the same without corn tortillas in my opinion, but feel free to use flour tortillas if you’d like.

Build-Your-Own taco night is a delicious theme to add to your summer meal planning.

If you haven’t already, give Shrimp Tacos a try!

Sheet Pan Nachos

Loaded nachos. Simple ingredients. Kid-friendly. What more can I say?

What You’ll Need…

  • 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
  • Choice of seasoning mix
  • 12 oz. bag tortilla chips
  • 14 oz. canned pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned will do)
  • Shredded Mexican cheese

Ideas for Toppings: diced tomatoes, shredded romaine lettuce, sliced red onions, fresh squeezed limes, sour cream, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, diced jalapenos

Let’s Make It!

  • Preheat your oven to 400F.  Cover a large baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
  • Season your meat with your favorite spices and cook in a skillet until browned, 5-10 minutes tops! Then drain excess fat.
  • Place tortilla chips in a single layer onto the baking sheet. Top tortillas with cooked meat, pinto beans, corn and your desired amount of shredded cheese.
  • Place into the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
  • Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

For the seasoning mix, I like to use a combination of several spices. Some of my favorites include cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and honestly… whatever I have on hand!

You may also use a 1 ounce packet of store-bought taco seasoning mix if you prefer to go that route. You really can’t go wrong with a simple meal like this. Be creative, be flexible, and enjoy!

Sloppy Joe Sliders

Who doesn’t love an old childhood favorite every once in a while?

I love serving this meal because it brings back precious memories. But I do have to say, this version of “Sloppy Joes” is much tastier than the one I remember growing up.

In this recipe, we’re trading in the canned sauce for a sweet and zesty homemade sauce that takes little time to cook up!

Three home-made Sloppy Joe slider sandwiches on a black serving tray.

What You’ll Need…

For the Beef:

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lb. ground beef

For the Sauce:

  • 8 oz. canned tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Ideas for Toppings: slider buns, sliced pickles, shredded lettuce

Let’s Make It!

  • Add ground beef and minced garlic to a skillet, then cook until browned, 5-10 minutes. Drain grease from meat.
  • Pour the sauce ingredients over the cooked meat and stir.
  • Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve on slider buns and enjoy with your favorite toppings!

If you get extremely lucky and have more time to spare, I highly recommend letting the meat sauce simmer just a tad bit longer. An extra 10 minutes will allow your sauce to reach peak flavor!

If you can’t spare the extra minutes, no worries!

Pair your sliders with potato chips or fresh fruit, and embrace the nostalgia!

Summing It All Up!

When it comes to quick and delicious meals, the options are endless.

The point of this article is to prompt you to think about fun and creative dinners to serve your family, without sacrificing TASTE, HEALTH, or TIME.

When using canned items in a recipe, try to aim for “organic” or “no sodium added” labels.

Remember, cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy… A few simple ingredients go a long way!

Homemade meals are the best, especially when they’re made EASY and with love.

Happy Cooking!

I’m Sheenia Denae, a SAHM who loves to write, cook, and create simple recipes.

You can find me on Instagram @made_to_be_marvelous or check out my website at sheeniadenae.wixsite.com/iwrite/

I’m always happy to share my thoughts, dishes, and other helpful tips with fellow mommas.

Let’s connect!

Thank you Sheenia for guest posting!

What did you think of the post?

Let us know below!

O.

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Moms in May

Today’s post is a guest post by Sheenia Denae. Find her on Instagram or on her website!

We are always accepting guest posts on Leaf and Steel. You can find more information on submitting your post here.

The birds are chirping, the flowers are budding, and the wind is blowing at just the right speed! As nature prepares itself for summer, I think of all the fun things that are underway. Family vacations, backyard barbecues, and picnic lunches are just around the corner!

But there’s something else I love about May. Something that makes me look forward to this month more than all the others. This is the time of year when we’re celebrated for being moms!

I look forward to that special day where I’m pampered with gifts, showered with balloons, and recognized for my hard work and efforts toward raising my little munchkin! But as sweet as it is to be celebrated by others, I mostly look forward to the opportunities to celebrate myself.

As moms, we know that every day is Mother’s Day! That is why prioritizing our self-care is essential.

In this article, we will highlight a few ways for us to sneak in a little fun and add a little spice to our lives throughout the month of May!

Take a Class

The beautiful weather and pleasant temperatures this month brings makes it a perfect time for taking indoor or outdoor classes that spark our interest.

If you enjoy painting, cooking, or arranging flowers in your spare time, taking a class could be a great way to perfect your craft in either of those areas.

If you want to explore something totally new, on the other hand, such as music, dancing, or flying… taking a class could be a great way to change things up in your life.

Here’s a short list of just a few perks you can gain by taking a class:

  • Mental relaxation
  • Fun and enjoyment
  • Learning a new skill
  • Connecting with other great people

I’m not sure about you, but I was SOLD at “mental relaxation.” So think about it!  If anything piques your interest that you haven’t had the chance to explore… now is the time!

Whatever direction you decide to take, taking a class would be a great way to carve out some quality time for yourself!

Dress to Impress

There’s an old saying that goes, “When we look good, we feel good.”

When was the last time you dressed up and felt good about yourself?  I mean really good!

As moms, we tend to get so busy prioritizing everyone else’s needs that we neglect ourselves at times… especially when it comes to our wardrobes.

May presents the perfect time for us to ditch the yoga pants and sweatshirts, and pull out those gorgeous sundresses that we haven’t worn in a while.

Dressing up has been proven to increase energy and confidence, encourage creative thinking, and foster self-expression… which all sounds like self-care to me!

So for the month of May, try giving your sweatpants and t-shirts a break. They deserve it!

Explore the Great Outdoors

We can’t celebrate Moms in May without honoring the mother of all mothers… Our beautiful Mother Nature is a sight to behold!

Since we spend so much of our time indoors (cooking, cleaning, and tending to household tasks), May is a great time for us to commit to more outdoor activities.

If you’ve been looking for new ways to keep your Vitamin D levels up, here’s a list of some fun activities you can enjoy.

  • Biking
  • Hiking
  • Horseback riding
  • Bird watching
  • Outdoor photography

The way you connect with nature doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated. A simple morning walk can help clear your mind, increase your energy, and make you feel better throughout your day.

Take a minute to think about the ways you’d like to explore, and let the May adventures begin!

I’m a devoted wife, girl mom, and educator turned homemaker.  After teaching for over 11 years, I decided to care for my family full time.  I’m now a part time freelance writer, creating blog posts and articles for businesses and individuals in my spare time.  My hobbies include cooking, reading recipes, and hiking with my family.

Find me on Instagram @made_to_be_marvelous or check out my website at sheeniadenae.wixsite.com/iwrite/

Lets Connect!

Thank you Sheenia for guest posting!

What did you think of the post?

Let us know below!

O.

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March in Review

Goodbye March! You were insane.

March was a crazy month.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off of products that are purchased through these links, at no cost to you. You can read more about this process here.

I got a Vizsla puppy! I feel like I have two toddlers. He is full of energy and curiosity.

5 Reasons We Chose a Vizsla as Our Family Dog

The Not-Great:

  • This puppy is killing me. We paid for a Vizsla and got a piranha. This dog BITES. He is constantly nipping. We redirect with toys, yelp loudly, do time outs- you name it, we’ve tried it. This wackadoo just wants human flesh. Also, there’s nothing like living on a 20 minute timer to make sure he doesn’t have an accident in the house. He’s lucky he’s so cute.
  • I usually feel better this time of year. This year, I don’t. And I think sleep is the answer! This is typically the time of year when I feel “lighter” and “happier”. I think the sleep deprivation from the puppy and baby is preventing this! Hoping to feel “spring-ier” soon!

The Good:

  • I started an Instagram. I know, I know, I was all about kicking Instagram earlier in the year. I still am, for my own personal account. I did start an official Leaf and Steel account that is just centered around this blog! I had been putting it off for awhile.
  • The dog is learning a few commands. Let me tell you, “leave it” is the most underrated command. “Sit” isn’t really that helpful. “Paw” is adorable. We are working so hard at training, and I think he’s starting to get the hang of it.
  • Calendar. I finally got a calendar for my fridge. Now, coordinating child care and dinner is so much simpler! My husband and I both know what nights we need to be out or keep free. I can’t believe I’ve managed to stay married for 3+ years without a shared calendar. It even has a little notes section so I can list things we need to talk about. Not bad for under $10!

April Hopes

  • Creative writing. I desperately want to set aside some time to do more creative writing. My goal is to participate in a Reedsy prompt competition this month. I have a lot of stories in my drafts that could use some attention!
  • Build up the blog. I mean, this has been my goal for the past 5-6 years, right? I have some posts planned that I’m pretty excited about. I hope I can get back to posting a few times a week!

How was your March?

Did you check anything big off your list? Learn anything new?

What are your hopes for April?

Let me know below!

O

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How I Get Over Writer’s Block

I haven’t posted consistently in quite a long time.

I have the time.

I have the tools.

I have the ideas.

And I have writer’s block.

My Writer’s Block

When I’m on a roll with creating posts here, working on my WIP, or journaling, I can’t even remember what it feels like to have writer’s block.

These days, it is hard to imagine a time when I was pumping out a blog post every day, or writing 1000+ words on my WIP before I went to bed. I know I’ll get back to that place eventually!.

For right now, I need to use some of my old tricks to keep things moving in my writing life.

Writing has always been an outlet for me. Taking time each day to write makes me happy. Plain and simple. That makes me a better mom, wife, friend and member of society. Waking up early or staying up late to prioritize that half hour/hours to write is very important to me.

Why You Should Try Blogtober

It all started a few weeks ago, when everyone in my house got sick. I was (obviously) prioritizing sleep to recover, grabbing an extra twenty minutes of shut eye anywhere I could. I stopped writing every day.

Another big change was we decided to make a major change in our life (soon to be revealed), so I have spent many of my daughter’s nap times researching that. 

I miss writing! I miss the flow of it. I can’t wait to use some of these tricks to get back into the swing of things.

How to Take Care of Your Baby When You’re Sick

How to Get Over Writer’s Block

Here are the ways I try to get over writer’s block!

Get Inspired

Pinterest is my favorite place to go for inspiration! It’s a great place to find ideas for blog posts and writing topics. I have several boards that I used to save inspiration for my personal life, too.

You can find me on Pinterest here.

Set a Clear Goal

Setting a clear goal can be extremely helpful if you set your own schedule and deadlines. I use Google Calendar to set my writing goals for the month. This helps keep on a posting schedule and gets all of my ideas out of my head and into a condensed, easy-to-access space. 

Break it Down

When you’re struggling with a goal as broad as “work on my novel” or “write a blog post”, it can be beneficial to break that down even further. It’s much more conducive to set small goals like “write 500 words” or “write just one page”. Another great way to do this is writing sprints…

Do a Writing Sprint

A writing sprint is when you set a timer and just pound the keyboard for a set amount of time. 15 minute writing sprints work best for me. There is no editing, no wasting time trying to find the perfect word, no distractions – just writing!

Change the Scenery

Sometimes you just need to change the scenery! Going to the local library or coffee shop can inspire a newfound level of productivity. There’s something about being in a semi-public space that keeps me focused. I guess I don’t want someone to look over at my screen and think “that lady came to the library just to scroll on Zillow”.

Use a Different Tool

I always write on my computer. Actually, I always write in a Google Drive document, Comic Sans font, size 11 pt.

Writing on paper, using talk-to-text in my Notes app, or recording myself gets the creative juices flowing. There’s something magical that happens when I walk around my kitchen, talking into my talk-to-text app. I can speak much faster than I can type, right? 

It allows me to be more fluid with my ideas, and I’m temporarily relieved of the burden of typos and formatting.

Those are the ways I can ease writer’s block!

Do you get writer’s block? Do any of these tips work for you?

Let me know below!

O.

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