I have felt a step behind everything this week and maybe that is because I'm still getting back to norm after time away from life here and also now that the weather is nice, there is so much to be done outside, so the to-do list seems to be exploding....too much going on. But it's good, all good. Here are a couple of my fave things going on in my world this week with my Friday Faves.
1- Blog Book time of the year. I normally publish with Blog2Print and from April-April..but somehow this year I posted a wackload and my book(s)- I have to divide it into two- are going to cost 150+$ EACH. So I'm going to explore other options but I think that's crazy for the quality, which isn't the best. I'm pretty sure I can make a better book through Shutterfly and pay a more reasonable price, but I know that it will take time as I would have to do it manually, whereas Blog2Print does it all for you. I love having my blog in print each year and enjoy looking back on the going-ons of our family. I hear Blurb is good too. Any opinions out there??
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
My collections of blog books[/caption]
2- Getting back into routine after being thrown waaaay off (in a good way)- I'm a sucker for routine and get really excited for my meticulously planned out life, now to ride that wave of motivation for another 7 ish weeks or so until the school year is done and I get to redefine my routine IN THE SUNSHINE. With no makeup or hair done for 2 months. C'est la vie.
3- I am officially not doing my Friday Food Goals anymore because I'm bored of it and it's my blog and I can change if I want to. I will continue to post the recipes I am trying, I just won't be giving them an entire day to themselves. So let's talk about this awesome salad- Barefoot Contessa's Endive, Pear and Roquefort Salad. Super good and refreshing and would be great in the summer.
4- Kind words from anonymous students- I had completely forgot about this site (RatemyTeachers) until some of my grade 9s were asking me if I read it. I hadn't looked at it for a long time and was surprised to see that kids actually use it, kinda. At any rate, it was a nice little pick me up to see such lovely words. I love my job.
5- The week of calm before the crazy starts. I have officially quit my ball career to be a Diamond Mom. (Husband, please read INTO that.) Lucy has ball on Mondays and Wednesdays and Will is playing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I look forward to fresh air, sunflower seeds and watching my kids play a game that I grew up loving, all because my parents dragged me to the ball diamond so many years ago.
Come back on Monday for a look back at April, using the numbers. Because its the only time I ever use numbers.
Have a great weekend!
1- Blog Book time of the year. I normally publish with Blog2Print and from April-April..but somehow this year I posted a wackload and my book(s)- I have to divide it into two- are going to cost 150+$ EACH. So I'm going to explore other options but I think that's crazy for the quality, which isn't the best. I'm pretty sure I can make a better book through Shutterfly and pay a more reasonable price, but I know that it will take time as I would have to do it manually, whereas Blog2Print does it all for you. I love having my blog in print each year and enjoy looking back on the going-ons of our family. I hear Blurb is good too. Any opinions out there??
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1024"]
My collections of blog books[/caption]2- Getting back into routine after being thrown waaaay off (in a good way)- I'm a sucker for routine and get really excited for my meticulously planned out life, now to ride that wave of motivation for another 7 ish weeks or so until the school year is done and I get to redefine my routine IN THE SUNSHINE. With no makeup or hair done for 2 months. C'est la vie.
3- I am officially not doing my Friday Food Goals anymore because I'm bored of it and it's my blog and I can change if I want to. I will continue to post the recipes I am trying, I just won't be giving them an entire day to themselves. So let's talk about this awesome salad- Barefoot Contessa's Endive, Pear and Roquefort Salad. Super good and refreshing and would be great in the summer.
4- Kind words from anonymous students- I had completely forgot about this site (RatemyTeachers) until some of my grade 9s were asking me if I read it. I hadn't looked at it for a long time and was surprised to see that kids actually use it, kinda. At any rate, it was a nice little pick me up to see such lovely words. I love my job.
5- The week of calm before the crazy starts. I have officially quit my ball career to be a Diamond Mom. (Husband, please read INTO that.) Lucy has ball on Mondays and Wednesdays and Will is playing on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I look forward to fresh air, sunflower seeds and watching my kids play a game that I grew up loving, all because my parents dragged me to the ball diamond so many years ago.
Come back on Monday for a look back at April, using the numbers. Because its the only time I ever use numbers.
Have a great weekend!
haha - because it's my blog and I can change if I want to. Amen Sister. I've never thought of printing the blogs! Now I want a book $150 each book does sound pricey. I've heard good things about blurb, but never used myself. I've used picaboo for photo books, but they are a pain in the ass setting them up and I get pissy. Happy Friday and have a good weekend:)
ReplyDeleteThis time of year is so hard as a teacher. I have the summer break itch big time. Those ratings are so fun!
ReplyDeleteSo much goodness here.
ReplyDeleteThe comments from students must make you feel so good. Even highschoolers think you are stylish. Score!
You must have lots of pictures in your book. I can still squeeze mine into one book. Probably not for long...
Those comments are the best. One of my favorite parts of being a parent has been watching my kids grow through sports - baseball season will be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI use Blog2Print too and haven't made a book in 2 years.. now I'm scared to see how much my book would be! Yikes. Let us all know if you find another company that works! I agree that the ease of Blog2Print makes it hard to go anywhere else.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of those books before! What a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful comments! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteI've used so many. I like burb, you can "slurp" your posts into their program and then you can have them lay it out for you (which I found they just did one post per page, it adds up) or you can lay it out yourself, but all of your pictures and words are already there, you just have to organize it. I've also used Photobook America (they seem to have Photobook "fill in the country" for everything so they probably have one for Canada). Sign up for their emails and they are always coming out with promotion, get $120 worth of photobook for $60...stuff like that. My publisher is also a good one, if you have something waiting in the wing, they always have deals, like 120 free pages...so you just pay for the normal 20 pages and you get 100 or 120 free pages...something ridiculous like that. I think that all of the pictures come out great. I'm not a professional though, so I'm not too picky about coloring of the pictures, I don't notice a difference. I should do a blog post on how many book companies I've used, haha!
ReplyDeleteum how have I never thought to put my blog posts into a book? I didn't know that was a thing. Let me know who you go with!
ReplyDeleteI'm not at ALL surprised by your comments, you're amazing! Wish I had cool teachers like you
Love he idea of blog books. My mom started printing out my blogs for me...but to bound them in books is awesome! YAY for sweet words from awesome students and good weather too!
ReplyDeleteWow! Such nice words! How very nice! We use rate my professor to pick out good college sections vs bad ones! I didn't know there was one for high school. And I've never heard of blog books!!
ReplyDelete~Sheila
What awesome reviews - that's lovely that you found it and could have a read.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of turning a blog into a book before, wasn't even aware that there was a service to do that, so that's pretty cool! Hope you manage to find something more affordable that does it :)
Away From The Blue Blog
Love reading your reviews and what a good pick me up. Working with little people, they often give hugs, LOTS of hugs but one thing I started doing early on in my career was keeping cards that parents wrote to me that had real content in them. I keep up in my closet and if I have a bad day, or feel like I am not reaching a students, I often read through them as a pep talk. Beautiful words your students have written about the impact you've had on them. It's a real treasure to keep. On another note, I'd love to know what you go with to print out your blog this year. Can you choose just certain posts or is it everything?
ReplyDeleteSummer will be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI must have posted lots this year, they are normally half that.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the highlight! I don't have a problem giving up my sports for them!
ReplyDeleteLol. It likely is the pictures.
ReplyDeleteThanks, mom
ReplyDeleteIt is a great keepsake!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely- the easiness of BLog2Print is what has me going back...but I think I can make a book prettier if I were to do it myself.
ReplyDeleteYou should. The biggest appeal to me is the automatic upload. I think Blurb discontinued the slurp. Will check out your other suggestions.
ReplyDeleteit would be a great thing for you to do, especially with the stuff on your Mom. Great keepsake for your family.
ReplyDeleteYou totally should be "published"
ReplyDeleteI will keep you posted..it's on my list of things.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the cards and little things for a pick me up. I think you can actually go in and select specific posts!
ReplyDeleteand of course I'm getting impatient and wanting to do it now.
ReplyDeleteThat salad looks delicious, I need to start eating better...
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet your students have you compliments! Shows a lot about you as a teacher. What grade do you teach?
I grew up in little league but enjoyed dance class better.
I actually hate salads and should eat better too. Popcorn and wine is just so good! I teach high school french
ReplyDeleteYou print your blog?!?! Oh my goodness, I would LOVE to do that. I should consider it now before I am more than 2 years deep into this thing. Maybe after I edit my posts from my WP transition I will look more seriously into this.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you can find a promo code or something to use. I think it's a great idea to print your blog and so fun! I need to check out that pear salad. Looks delish!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of printing your blog! Such a good idea!! I'll be on the lookout for cheaper options. As a teacher, I can only imagine how much those comments meant!! That's such a sweet thing to hear. What a blessing!:)
ReplyDeleteEmily
They are certainly little blessings!
ReplyDeleteI have found a 25% off but still, I can't justify 200$ for one book. Half of that, maybe.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of my favourite keepsakes and fun to look through.
ReplyDeleteCan we see pics of a couple of the pages of your blog book? I think I love this idea, if it is what I think it is. Does it have the pics, the comments, the posts, everything? I need a visual, please.
ReplyDelete