Welcome to The Flourishing Abode! I’ve been blogging here for a couple months now so wouldn’t you agree that it is high time for the official grand-opening-kick-off post? Yeah, I agree, a little overdue!
Ever since deciding to shut down my “FlourishandDebonair” shop and blog (though you’ll still find some older posts from that blog, which I transferred over to here), I’ve been very excited making plans for TheFlourishingAbode, and I wanted to share those plans with you, and let you know what you can expect here on my blog – as well as an illustrated blog planner so you can make exciting plans for your own blog too!
Boring is not on the menu of my life. This blog all about making home a more flourishing place – no more ho-hum, let’s do extraordinary! Let’s turn off the tv, and turn on life. Let’s go exploring, let’s experiment in the kitchen, let’s play, let’s flourish!
I’m April and with my husband Tim, we are journeying through life, growing and learning together, raising a family, and above all trying to serve God. I want to make my home a place full of love and laughter, a haven for our family to learn and grow together. Does this mean we have a big house or that I’m always caught up on laundry? Nope. It means we are imperfect but trying to learn more every day and base our family principles on the Bible. It means that “home” is more than where we live. This is just our temporary abode; we are on a joyful journey together.
This blog is our place to share our adventures along the way. You’ll find tips and ideas for creative projects, cooking, teaching, and fun stuff to do as well as some more serious thoughts about raising a family and perspectives on life in general. Come sit at our table, help yourself to to a plate and join in the laughter and discussion!
Yesterday afternoon, after we got home from church, Tim got out the grill, and we had a delicious meal together. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we spent much of the afternoon outside. Tim practiced with a couple new slingshots he recently got, the little one played at the creek that come through the yard by our apartment, and I planned out some upcoming blog posts. We were all working on different things, but we were together, and could talk and visit. I tried my hand at the slingshot too – I was pretty horrible at it, but it was fun to give it a try. Mostly I enjoyed my tea (yes, feel free to laugh at how light my tea is – Tim certainly like to tease me about it!), took photos, and worked on my new blog planner.
I’m not, by nature, very organized. So with something like this blog, if I want it to actually work out in the end, I need to set aside some time to figure out how I can get organized to actually make it happen. So far, I’ve kept track of my blogging plans on random pieces of paper, scattered drafts in WordPress, nebulous thoughts of “oh-here’s-a-good-thought-I-better-not-forget-it”, and various emails I’ve sent to remind myself of things. Yeah, not very organized.
So I made this weekly blog planner to help myself have one place to keep all my plans together. There’s a section for each day of the week, to write down what posts will be written and/or go up on those days, and also sections to write down notes, list images to make, future post ideas, to-do’s, and where to promote the posts. Basically, all the things I need to figure out when making my blog plans. Because, as it says at the top, I heart my blog, and this is my plan for it! And I’m going to share a printable of this blog planner with you at the end of the post, so that you can make a plan for your own blog, too.
I also want to share with you the general plan of what you will find on this blog. Obviously, plans can change, but Lord willing, I hope to continue blogging here like this…
I plan to post three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Currently I have an adventure-a-week challenge going on, and I plan to post about those on Fridays. I’m really enjoying having a weekly challenge, so after the adventure challenge ends, I hope to start a new challenge, and Fridays will continue be the weekly challenge post day. On Wednesdays I plan to continue a series I started last week called “seek the things above”, which will be more serious minded posts about trying to serve God. Mondays (like today!) will be more flexible with posts about various topics largely from a poll many of you voted in a little while back. A Monday post might be about food, creative projects, family time ideas, my art, just some thoughts, or posts from Tim, as well.
If you would like to keep up with The Flourishing Abode, there are a couple way to subscribe, and I wanted to explain the differences. One is to subscribe via e-mail … just put your email address there in the box, confirm your subscription, and you’ll receive a handy email in your inbox when a new blog post goes up. The second is to subscribe by RSS … this means that you can add my blog to your reader. For instance, if you use Google Reader (or another type of reader), just click my RSS link, then choose which reader you use, and you’ll see updates from my blog in your reader. These two options are in my sidebar to the right, but I’ve also included them here in this post – just choose whichever option works best for you, so we can keep in touch! :)
And if you’re a blogger, too, here is my blog planner printable – I hope you find it helpful in planning out your own blog. I’ve heard it said that dreams without plans are just wishes. So if you’ve been wanting to really get into blogging, make a plan! Just click the image below to access the printable file:
I’m excited about my blog plans – but one of the things I love most about blogging is YOUR comments! I’m always curious to hear what you think – leave your thoughts in the comments below!
Love the look of your blog! And your little girl is precious!
Stopping by from Etsy Blog Team,
Lynette – Sweet Posy Dreams
Aw, thanks so much! :D
Great ideas April! I’m excited to see/read what you are doing. I think you are so creative and I love storing away some of your ideas to use with my little one when she is a little older.
You’re too sweet, Angela! Thanks for your kind words! :) And for stopping by my blog! :D
What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thanks, Patricia!
I think I love everything about your blog! I’ll be coming back as I try to whip myself into better blogging shape and also just because I enjoy it :) Thanks for posting!
Wow, thanks, Laura, that’s a big encouragement! :D Good luck on your blogging as well, I hope you’ll find the planner helpful! :)
Dear April, I think you are just brilliant, and I enjoy so much when I think to check on your blog and your art work to see what you’re doing. I’m excited about the email prompts to remind me! You’re doing a great job, and I wish you well. Love, Mrs. Bingham
Oh, thank you, Mrs. Bingham, that means so much coming from you! :)
perfect! thanks for the printable! i’m excited to poke around your blog for a bit :).
You’re welcome! And feel free to poke around – make yourself at home! :D
Thank you so much for this! Exactly what I’ve been needing for help with blog!!
Help with my blog*
Yay! So glad you found this helpful! :D
Amazing! I clicked over here from craftgawker, and this is a nice little helper for someone like myself, who seems similar to you but way less talented with the pdf’s.
Very happy to know you find this helpful! As for making PDF’s .. I found it intimidating in the beginning to figure it out, but it turns out its not too bad. You can use the program from OpenOffice.org to export to PDF files. :)
Your husband has slingshots? Jealous, yet again ahha.
Yeah! He just got them recently, and built a cool target to practice with … probably will be an upcoming post, haha. I thought slingshots were just, you know, a Y-shaped stick with a rubber band. But it turns out there are lots of cool slingshot models you can get. Fun stuff. :) And really not very expensive at all, which is cool.
Thanks for stopping by Jessica! :)
wow..you designed a blog post planner? you weren’t kidding; you are getting organized! your site looks great and can’t wait to see future posts! Love all of your designs…they are amazing.
Aw, thanks Stefanie!! :D I’ve always thought your blog was gorgeous, and I just love the aesthetic of your jewelry, so it’s a huge compliment that you like my designs! :)
Your blog is absolutely fantastic April. You are so great at blogging. Congratulations on this all coming together for you and that is awesome that you are working on this with your adorable family!!!!
Hugs – Brandi
Thanks, Brandi!! You are quite the blogging aficionado yourself! Gotta love family projects – like that your vintage shop is a project with your husband. Love! :D
Thank you so much for the printable – great idea :). Love your blog!
Thanks, and you’re welcome! :D
I always make blog plans, but not nearly as pretty as yours. Lovely.
Well, plans don’t have to be pretty of course, as long as they get the job done! :) But thanks! :)
Love the color scheme & design of your blog!
I was just thinking how to get best organized with my own blog.. Now I don’t need to think about the “where to keep the ideas for upcoming posts” :D Thank you!
Cheers from Germany!
Awesome, I’m so glad you find it helpful! :) And Germany — lovely!! I used to live in Prague, and I always loved when we would go and visit Germany … beautiful country. :) Thanks for stopping by, and for your kind words about my design! :D
Hi April!
Thanks so much for the blog planner printable! I am just about to start my own blog and this is going to come in really handy. I found you on Etsy and just love your shop and your blog. I will definitely continue following you! Thanks again for the printable!
Thanks for stopping by, Laura! Hope to see you around! :)
Wow, thanks so much for sharing this! It’s exactly what I need. Love your blog, hope mine can be as great as your’s some day :)
~Katie
Thanks Katie! So glad you found it helpful. By the way – I was homeschooled, too! Loved it! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
Hello April : )
What a blessing to get this helpful blogging tool but especially to “meet” you. I’m a believer too!!
I look forward to reading more about your adventures! : )
Have a blessed day.
Patti
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Patti – I’ll look forward to seeing you around! :D
Wow, beautiful notepad. Thanks April!
mOnica
http://urbanresources.blogspot.com
Thanks, Monica! :)
Hi! I’m April too. I’m an artist and found you on craftgawker! I’m looking forward to following your blog!
Another April, yay! And a fellow Etsy seller too, very fun. :) Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, I’ll look forward to seeing you around! :)
¡Oh that’s so lovely, this will help me even more! THANKS!
WooT! Glad you find it useful! :) Thanks!
Thank you for this. I need a little more organising. Thank you April. ;)
Ha, I need a *lot* more organizing! :D I’m planning to get down to some real organization in my apartment this week – eek! :) But I’m really glad this was helpful for you, thanks for stopping by my blog! :)
so cute, thanks for sharing.
Aw, thanks! :) Hope you enjoy it, and hope to see you around the blog! :D
Hi April
Love your blog, what a great idea to have a blog planner and one that looks so pretty! Thank you for sharing it with us. Many Blessings for your business Niki x
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, Niki! :D Hope the planner will be helpful for you! :)
I just found your blog today and the design is beautiful! I just love it! I love your beautiful printable for blog planning, Thank You!
Aw, thanks, Carisa! :D Hope to see you around! :)
April, your blog is so sweet! I found you via an Etsy post you made. Thanks for sharing your blog planner; I can use anything that keeps me on track. I will be following.
Thanks, Amber! I’m glad you found it helpful – and I’ll look forward to seeing you around the blog! :D
I’ve been working on my own blog planner as well, and yours is just making me a bit jealous! My is functional, yes. But yours is so cute! Now I’m definitelly going back to the drawing board, LOL.
Haha! Well, functional trumps cute for any blog planner if you have to choose between the two. :) Good luck on designing your own – there are so many ways to approach it! Daily, weekly, monthly … topic based, calendar based – what ever works for you! :)
Your blog design is just adorable, and I just downloaded your cute blog planner. Thanks for sharing!!!
Aw, thanks, Jamie! Glad you like it, and hope it helps you in your blog planning! :D
Thanks for the idea! I am a new blogger, and often find myself slacking on regular posting.
Thanks Maria! Yeah, getting on a regular posting schedule can be tough, but is important in blogging. Of course, what that schedule is is up to you! Some people post everyday, some a few times a week (like me), some just once a week … I think the important thing is just that your readers know reliably how often to expect a new post. Anyway, thanks for stopping by my blog! :)
Love your blog! Also, your family seems so cute, and I bet you guys are having fun with your adventures!
Also, I love the printable! :D I’m hoping to put it to work for me!
Thanks, Monique! :) We are definitely having fun – and I’m so glad you like the printable! :)
so glad I found you!!! My blog is so….ugly right now but I want to make it lovely- but simple. I loved hearing how unorganized you are! I am unorganized, random and scattered!! HAHA But Christ gives me strength! And I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! gonna try your blog planner!
Thanks sister!
Annette
Ha, yes I’m pretty firmly in the camp of the naturally disorganized! :) I can choose to get something organized if I want, but it takes a lot of effort, because it doesn’t come naturally, haha. :) Thanks for stopping by my blog, I hope to see you around in the future! :)
Hooray! This printable is adorable, and perfect for what I needed! Thanks for sharing this, and all your adorable ideas!! I linked this printable on my blog here – http://twotendesigns.blogspot.com/2012/04/organization-make-it-monday-easter.html
Thanks for sharing!
Kim
Yay! So glad you liked it – and thanks for sharing! :)
I think this awesome. I love putting together lists. This would come in handy. I got your link from a BlogTrends chat via Twitter :)
Oh, thanks so much for stopping by, Ashley! I really enjoyed the BlogTrends Twitter chat the other day – so much fun to meet so many bloggers. :) I hope you’ll enjoy the printable, and thanks! :)
Love your blog and your printables are fabulous! Love the blog planner! Clicked on from a holy experience
Hi! I find your blog wonderful…really! It’s full of interesting contents. Keep it up and may God bless you always.
I found you via pinterest, looking for a printable blog planner. I love it here and am putting you on my list to visit again. (I don’t subscribe because I am less likely to visit via email, but I keep a list in my bloggy notebook of blogs to visit throughout the week. I’ll be back!)
See you around,
Tereasa from hispenonmyheart.com
Loving your blog planner. Thanks!
I landed here via Pinterest. It’s nice and cozy, I love the blog planner!
Love your blog planner ~ Exactly what I needed. Organization here I come!!
I stumbled across your blog while looking for a blog planner and I am walking away–not only with a blog planner-Thank you–but with a new favorite blog to read. Your blog made me a little misty eyed, I think because what you wrote is what I want my life and my blog to be but can never seem to articulate. Thanks again.
This is so stinkin’ pretty! I LOVE it! I just wish there was a monthly calendar with it! Great job!
Lesley
bytheporchlight.com
I’ve seen LOTS of blog planners out there, and I have to say, yours is the cutest. Thanks for keeping it simple and inspiring.
Hey, I just found this post on Pinterest, I was looking for a planner, since I’m the worst organizer ever. One of my goals this year was to grow my blog and post each week 2-3 times. Of course I failed miserably, so I decided it’s time to get organized and keep it that way!! :) And since Pinterest is like my best friend lately, I was looking for some inspiring organizers, either to print out or ideas to make one myself. Until now, yours caught my eye and my heart, so thanks for sharing it with us!!!
Oh, and I love your site, I subscribed and I’ll be back to get to know you better!
Hope you have a great weekend!
nami from nami scribbles :)
I found your blog through Pinterest. I really like your blog planner. I am new to the blogging world. I have published a few post but haven’t found my VOICE. I want to inspire people when it comes to education and I think that your blog planner will help me to do that (especially in the organization part). I subscribed to your blog and look forward to coming back soon.
Have a wonderful week!
STAY INSPIRED!!
BTW: I mentioned your blog planner on my post today. I hope that is ok? You can check it out on PrimaryinSPEARationS.blogspot.com
Thanks for the blog planner template. I am very disorganised and there always seems so much practical stuff that gets in the way of writing, so maybe this will help!!
We can only live in hope!!
Love you blog by-the-way.
Phill
ahhhhh I LOVE IT! Thanks for the super cute planner/printable! I cannot wait to break mine in tomorrow when planning for the week to come! Thank you!
Thanks this is going to fit nicely into my selfmade Blogging binder!! Woohoo! This is the cutest addition to my binder by far! Love the little printer Art awe!
Love this post! Thanks for the printable! Just printed and going to get started on it:)
I really like this, nice and DOABLE. Thanks so much
Thanks so much for sharing this! I’m aspiring to be more business savvy this year, and I want to be as organized as possible. This should help greatly.
I hope your year is starting out great <3
Thanks for the planner! that’s so helpful!
Ohh gosh! I love this! <3
Thank you so much! This somehow inspires me to take my blogging hobby a step higher – – seriously…
God Bless you April!
JM Kayne | http://www.iamjmkayne.com
Thanks for the planner visit my blog http://www.hdprintablecalendar.com/
I happened upon your blog while tripping through Pinterest, and I have to say it is a very pleasant digital oasis. I have been embarking on my own blog and entrepreneurial adventure for the past couple of weeks, and there is so much to learn and absorb; finding a place to get inspiration like your awesome site has helped me gain momentum today. I will definitely be a regular reader. And thanks for the nice, simple planner. I have already scribbled and scrawled on a couple sheets to get myself organized for the next month ahead. Thanks!
AWESOME! thank you for the printables and motivation!
ブランドコピー代引き時計/財布激安販売-スーパーコピーブランド代引き ブランドシークレット−はルイヴィトン、シャネル、グッチ、エルメス、プラダ等のコピー商品を販売致しております、ロレックス、ガガミラノ、パネライ、フランクミューラーなどのハイブランド腕時計のコピー品も取り扱っております。スーパーコピー 通販,ブランド コピー通販,スーパーコピーブランド 代引き,激安コピーブランド 通販。2016年新作も随時入荷致しております。当店の製品は、業界でスーパーコピーと呼ばれるレベルの商品を最低ラインに、自社工場にて手作業の製造を行っております。日本人ブランド鑑定士をアドバイザーに品質管理を行っておりますので、一般消費者はもちろんのこと、質店や鑑定士にも真贋鑑定が困難である、最高峰の製品をご提供致しております。商品の発送は日本郵便EMSにて格安の料金で承っており、EMS日本郵便のサイトにて随時発送状況を確認頂けます。他業者では行っていない代引き発送もご利用可能です。東京の仲介業者を介しまして代引き発送が可能ですので、安心、安全にお買い物をお楽しみ頂けます。ご希望の商品が掲載されていない場合にも、お問い合わせ頂けましたら商品を確保できる場合がございますので、メールにてお気軽にお問い合わせください。
Brindleberry nutritional supplements are available in dehydrated extract or liquid extract in pills,
capsules and powders.