I thought it might be a good idea to share some of my favorite posts I’ve done. They’re in no particular order, except for the first ones. They’re especially personal for me. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

.

It’s not easy to expose myself; it never has been, but…
“In a few days I’m doing something I rarely do. I’m gonna share my 25-year torment. It’s very hard to talk about most times and others not so much, but always, always hard to share very much. Some times it is so fresh for me it’s like it was just this…”

The Beginning — Blessing Or Nightmare?
“July 22, 1984, just an ordinary Sunday. Your dad went to visit your grandpa for lunch, same as we have both done every weekend since your dad moved me up from Georgia back on January 11th. I didn’t feel so well so I stayed home this Sunday; the toxemia…”

I Didn’t Know What Hard Was
“Your dad got so mad at me. “I knew it! I knew it was gonna be at night! I knew you would do this!” All I could do was say I was sorry and I didn’t mean too. I swear he hit every pot hole on the way there! I said…”

I’m Sorry But I Didn’t Know
“September 9, 1984 and it’s about 2:00am. You woke up for an unusual feeding, you normally slept through the night. You were such a good baby. There we were, I remember…”

Twitter Dinner Party: Appetizer recipes
“Whenever the Holidays are around I always start combing the Internet for yummy recipes. This year was no different from any others. I found myself on my favorite recipe sites Recipe Zaar and Food Network, going through page after…”

Twitter Dinner Party: Quick & Easy Fried Chicken With Sundried Tomato Crust
”@DinnerPlanner Susan this recipe looks and sounds absolutely yummy! I put it on my weekend menu and I can’t wait to try it…”

Twitter Dinner Party: Dreamy Mushroom Meatloaf
”@DinnerPlanner Another winner from Sue. This meatloaf looks so delicious I can almost smell it!…”

Twitter Dinner Party: Pie “Oasis Delight”
”@fantomaster Here’s a creation of my own which I’m rather fond of due to the rich contrast between the meat, the fruit, the puff pastry and, of course, the spicing. It also reminds me of my growing up in the Middle East and Africa.…”

Twitter Dinner Party: Bacon Wrapped Chicken ‘n Creamy Spinach
”@LindaCarmical A.K.A. @lindawrites63 This recipe comes from my “Bacon Wrapped Chicken ‘n Spinach” appetizer and it’s a huge hit with my family and friends. This works for a family dinner or as a fancy dish for company.…”

I have more favorites that may end up being a part 2. If you have favorites on your blog I’d love to know about them. You can leave a link for me to check them out in comments here.

Today is Day 11 of the Ultimate Blog Challange (#blogboost) and Day 1 of the 2011 S.H.I.N.E.online Blogging Challenge (#SHINEonline). Yep! Another reason to tweet too! I’m excited about both because they both will force me to love on my blog some.

For the UBC I have 6 blog days worth out of the 11 days up, and this will make #7 out of 11; but I joined in a few days late so I knew I had some catching up to do when I started. Lucky for me the UBC isn’t picky about when you post in the month of January, just that you post 31 posts by the last day of the month.

As for as the SOBC, it started today so I’m getting off to a good start with it. I committed to  a minimum of 2 posts a week with it but will be obviously be posting more. It will have me challenging myself for 111 days; long after the UBC is over.

Here are some topics I’ll be posting soon:

1. Creative Ways to Give to Others Series
2. My List of To Dos and How To Get Them Done
3. Favorite Blogs and Why
4. List of Absolutely Essential People, Sites, or Posts in My Niche
5. Digg Bait?
6. Bite-Size List of Tips
7. What’s Important To You? Their Past? Their Present? Or Both?
8. Research Hangups: What Takes So Long? Speed It UP Already!
9. Monday Mixer (Or What Day?)
10. Top 50 Resources For Online Marketing Series: Part 2 — Top Ten Search Engine Marketing and Small Business Marketing Blogs
11. Applying For a Writing Gig — First Impression Emails
12. Due Dates — So What! Right?
13. Life in Kenya as a College Student and Freelance Writer

Do you have a blog? Got a list of ideas? Got some ideas for me? Got one or a few you’d like to see first? Got milk? (ok…bad joke) Maybe something you’d like me to include? Let me know.

Ok, here is part 3 of “My Ultimate Blog Challenge #BlogBoost #FollowFriday” post listing some new Twitter friends I followed on Friday. I’m still hoping more people will share who they’re following, a little information about them, and maybe even why they followed them.

@virtualfreedom
Corrie is blogger who runs a successful Virtual Assistant business with experience submitting articles, newsletters and more. She’s the VA that gives you the freedom to do more.

@daninm
Danielle is a mom of 2, a blogger, an entrepreneur and home business coach who offers up home business success tips and motivation on her blog.

@daniellemcgaw
A freelance writer who knows the connections made through social media is a big part of expanding a business. She likes to help freelance writers find their place in a social media world and offers help on her blog.

@ChrystalMahan
Chrystal is a writer and blogger extraordinaire. I’m looking forward to seeing her stories and watching her blog grow.

@snowdenmcfall
I’m really looking forward to Snowden’s posts. She’s an animal lover, cyclist, sailor and a stress and motivation expert who authored Fired Up & Stress Express!. This keynote speaker is the owner of Fired Up & Brightwork Advertising & Training. I can’t wait to get some great tips from her blog.

@janettefuller
Janet loves to read and is a bit of a book buff. She’s a librarian into social media, blogging, book reviewing, eBay, Artfire and is a children’s literature enthusiast. Read her reviews on her blog Books, Inspiration and Life.

@SteveOSullivan
This business building computer nerd and Realtor likes to be called Steve O and declares he’s a complete web junkie and blog-aholic. When he thanked me for the follow and offered to connect on Facebook I knew I made the right choice following him.

@MomGetsFit
This single mom  is a team beachbody coach, WAH freelancer, and is generally too distracted to focus on any one thing at a time. Gwynne’s blog Mom Gets Fit is a look at one mom working her way to health.

SLast time I’m going to ask for this serises of posts; are you doing this yet?? Who are you finding to follow during this challenge? Tell me who am I missing that you think I and others should follow. Who has a lot of value to offer us?

#blogboost

Yesterday I posted part 1 of “My Ultimate Blog Challenge #BlogBoost #FollowFriday” post listing some new Twitter friends I followed on Friday. I’m hoping others will share who they’re following, a little information about them, and maybe even why they followed them.

Here are more of my #FollowFriday tweeps. Let me know if you jump on this and follow any or all of these too.

@H2WWoman
There’s no bio up on this profile yet, but I find the blog Healthy Wealthy Wise Woman interesting and look forward to the daily posts to come.

@JeanneKolend
I’m ready Jeanne! Help me learn to grow my businesses and market myself locally and online. Login at her Business Training Team blog for a free Ebook.

@CreativitySage
Judit is an Idea and Creativity Coach who helps you profit from your winning ideas. Focus+systems+creativity= success. Currently working on the perfect writer’s block remedy. Who doesn’t have great ideas? See her Creative Sage blog to see how she can help you with them.

@JoyceHansen
Joyce helps women unleash their female brain power for personal & financial success. She provides executive brain training to improve leadership skills and performance. Really looking forward to picking over her Money Women and Brains blog.

@ProjectLLC
PLLC is dedicated to fellow entrepreneurs near and far, but especially to those in upstate NY. Follow me for networking, contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways… This should be interesting to watch grow and see where Project LLC goes. I’m curious to find out what part of upstate NY they’re located since I’m in upstate NY.

@JanSimpson
Jan says “Just Being Me; Believing in myself, America & doing what is right. Political Loyalty has no place in US any longer. Thinking is not a part-time job.”

@va_mommy
First and foremost, Zarah is a mom — and a WAHM, Virtual Assistant, SEO Specialist and an Outsourcing Services business co-owner. How I love the Internet! He blog Virtual Assistant Mom offers up useful information and tips.

@32Mari
Mari is into home schooling, attached parenting, unschooling, product reviewing, and give away. She loves photography, scrapbooking, going out and just having fun. First glance at her blog Sprinkle of Fun it is easy to see she’s a fun person.

@RobertsonColleg
A Canadian business school interested in finding ways to make the classroom experience better, more fulfilling, and more successful at helping people. Live in Canada and thinking about college? Roberson College may be the school for you.

So, are you doing this yet?? Who are you finding to follow during this challenge? Who am I missing you think I and others should follow? Who has a lot of value to offer us?

#blogboost

This challenge is really a motivation to be faithful and show some love for my blog and as it turns out, I’ll be extending that love to my Twitter account too. I’m hoping to start something across the UBC with this one. Last night I spent some time tweeting with these folks using TweetGrid! and thought I would combine a #FF with the Challenge. Below are a few people I followed and a little bit about them. I hope my list helps you decide to follow these fine folks too.

*The descriptions are partly or in whole taken from the blogger’s Twitter profile.

Ultimate Blog Challengers I Already Follow

@sherikayehoff
Coach Sheri inspires living in success and joy everyday. This  Life Coach and author of Keys to Living Joyfully is a spiritual Professor, wine lover, and mom of three.

@kleebanks
Karen is not only a freelance writer, editor, instructional designer, curriculum developer/reviewer, online tutor, and entrepreneur but a great person too boot. If you need someone to have your back then Karen’s your lady. Once you’re in with her your in. Her blog Office Help 4 Hire is a great place to find useful information and tips.

@janis_bennett
Janis is a wife, mom to 2 boys, a freelance writer, and an all around nice gal. Her blog Freelance Writer Road shares great information for any online business entrepreneur looking to make some money from their blog.

New Ultimate Blog Challenger Folks I Found & Followed

@OrganiseMe
I think 99% of us can relate to why I look forward to mingling with this lady. Kerri is a professional organizer, interior stylist and Feng Shui consultant. She specializes in decluttering and organizing homes and offices. I’m very impressed with the photos on her blog Domestic Downsizing.

@devacoach
Sandi is a coach, instigator, writer, and lover of people and books. She helps people shine by teaching them how to ask the right questions at the right time on her blog Deva Coaching. Ok Sandi, make me shine!

@LeanneChesser
This is easily my favorite find of the week. Leanne helps moms design their home business success from the inside out so they can make money at home and stay home with their kids. I love her post Michelle Shaeffer: WAHM Extraordinaire.

This is part one of 3 posts for last night’s #FF for me. Part 2 & 3 will be posted soon.

Are you meeting new people and following some you’re meeting? Are you following them at random or do you have guidelines you’ve set and go by? Share what you’re doing and how you’re doing it in the comments. I’d love to know!

#blogboost

@DinnerPlanner

Susan this recipe looks and sounds absolutely yummy! I put it on my weekend menu and I can’t wait to try it

Quick & Easy Fried Chicken With Sundried Tomato Crust

~ 2 lbs. boneless chicken breast (pounded or sliced to 1/8″ thickness)
~ 1 tablespoon olive oil
~ 1 tablespoon butter
~ 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
~ 5 sundried tomatoes (not in oil)
~ 2/3 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
~ 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried basil
~ 1/2 teaspoon of salt
~ 2 eggs — beaten in a small bowl

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Combine breadcrumbs, sundried tomatoes, Romano cheese, basil, and salt in a blender.
3. Blend on high speed for about 1 minute or until dried mixture is smooth.
4. Pour contents into a large re-sealable bag.
5. Melt butter and olive oil in large skillet.
6. Dip each piece of chicken in egg mixture to coat.
7. Place 1 piece of chicken into bag and shake to coat.
   
8. Do this for each piece of chicken until well coated.
9. Fry each piece about 1 minute per side until light golden brown.
10. Remove from pan and place on lightly sprayed baking sheet.
11. Bake for 15 –20 minutes.

Thank you @DinnerPlanner for your contribution!

Anyone else have any melt in your mouth chicken recipe favorites? SHARE your Holiday recipes! Leave a comment and I just might include your favorite recipe in a post!

@Google has stirred things up again. “OH NO THEY DI’N’T!”

What’s the big deal? I mean really? What harm can it do? I have an app in my sidebar showing my Tweets as they happen. So, why do I even care if Google now has my tweets in a live stream?

To see more of my tweets you would just click on Latest results for LindaCarmical.

I’ve spared you a whole list of my tweets and just put a couple here for you.

Honestly, I’m not sure I do care so much. But, I’m also not so sure I don’t care so much either. Let’s review a few things.

My Twitter Control:

1. I don’t protect my tweets, but I could if I chose to. — I choose not to…yet.
2. If I chose to protect my tweets, no matter what means I used, they would only be seen by the Twits I gave permission to view them. If someone RT’s any, I can just remove their permissions *BLOCKED* …if I’m that anal about it. But still, I have that choice. — I’ve *BLOCKED* more than a few a$$ hats.
3. I have my tweets live in my sidebar on my blog. — My choice.
4. My tweets show up on other social medias I use. — My choice.
5. I update my Twitter Stream from other media outlets. — My choice.

My Google Control:

1. I cannot have 100% control over what shows up in my Google Live Stream (GLS) . Warm fuzzy feeling …not so much.
2. If my tweets are protected, the tweets I tweet do NOT show up in my GLS. However, anyone replying to my tweets or choosing to just mention @LindaCarmical in their updated tweets, WILL show up in their GLS. What about mine? — haven’t gotten that far into testing it out yet. (Keep in mind, I cannot protect and control their tweets.)
3. NO FILTERING …AT ALL! It doesn’t matter if I have my tweets protected or not. WHAT? Seriously? At least there is some control in Twitter and it’s narrowed down to just the followers following the Retweeter. GLS don’t work this way. The whole world Googling LindaCarmical can see them. Then all they need to do is click on Latest results for LindaCarmical to see my live tweets.  Or, at least the ones Google has decided should be shown (quality over quantity maybe?) Maybe there is still some bugs to work through? I know I don’t like Google choosing what should be in my GLS. I would feel more comfortable with that power.
4. Blocked people can now see my tweets.

BLOCKED PEOPLE CAN NOW SEE MY TWEETS!

NOT COOL!

To some this may not sound like such a harmless thing. Or, maybe it really is harmless. After all, that’s sort of how it works with Twitter minus the annoying YOU LOSE MORE CONTROL LINDACARMICAL AND OPEN YOUR ARMS UP AND GIVE A WARM WELCOME TO ALL THE A$$ HATS YOU BLOCKED! THEY’RE GONNA SEE STUFF YOU DON’T WANT THEM TO SEE

I mostly feel sorry for those people who have blocked stalkers and only have their most trusted people following them. Guess who can watch you tweet again. Be careful what you tweet. That may sound extreme and silly, but it could be someone’s a reality.

What’s next with this? People being able to comment on my tweets right in my live stream? Oh wait! Open me up to even more SPAM?!

There is a bigger picture here.
It’s a simple question with a simple answer.

I think I know how to stop all of this.…I just need to figure out how to get everyone who will or those who might tweet @LindaCarmical to protect their tweets. *SIGHS* I better get busy.

Until then, I’m going to read up on Google’s live stream and play around with the “restrictions” mentioned in their blog post. Once I know more, I’ll post a follow up to this one. I really hope I’m going to have warm fuzzies to talk about next time. We’ll see.

I welcome any enlightening tips, comments, suggestions, thumbs up/down about this. I’m sure someone reading this is a lot smart about this than I am. Shed some light. Let me know.

Check back here later. If I find a good post on a different blog or some other useful news to share, I’ll update that here for you.