10 Ways to Beat Writer's Block - Blogging Edition

When You Don't Know What to Write...


 1)  Grab a cup of tea or favorite beverage and relax.  Remember writer's block from Junior High?  It can rear its ugly head with bloggers, too.  Don't let it stress you out.

 2)  Pray for inspiration.  Many of us use our blogs to honor God and share His love and His Word.  Why not just ask Him what He'd like you to write today?

 3)  Read your Bible, and use a verse as a springboard.  This dovetails nicely with number two.  A favorite verse or one that stands out to you today can be the perfect spark to get your writing thoughts moving.

 4)  Begin with a favorite quote.  History and good books are filled with great thoughts from great and not-so-great persons that might help your own thoughts flow.

 5)  Use a photo for inspiration.  What does it say to you?  What might be happening in the photo?  Write a caption.  I once wrote a whole post about a beach ball.

 6)  Think of a problem and how to solve it.  There is no end to the number of problems we have.  Choose one you can help with.  If you can give a frugal solution, all the better.

 7)  Think of a favorite saying and let it give you ideas. 

 8)  Write about your favorite topic.

 9)  Use a cliché and expound upon it.

10)  Write lists... your favorite things... things to do on vacation... ways to show kindness to your children... a list of links to favorite posts.

Know why I wrote this post? 
I couldn't think of anything to write about!

Blessings,
Laura


P.S. Planning to take some of my own advice over the next few days! I've been rather distracted lately with a number of things!

Apron Strings and Little Things

Hello everyone.

 I have been sewing this week. It's part of the 52 Week Sewing Challenge that I joined last week. We were challenged to finish at least one work in progress. This apron laid dormant for a long time. A few weeks before I found the lump which turned out to be breast cancer, I began preparing one of my old worn out aprons to be used as a pattern for a new one with this garden print. I finished it Sunday evening. I used single fold bias tape to trim it with. I've never used single fold before, but I thought why not? There were 4 yards in the package instead of just 3 for double fold. I didn't realize that meant that I would have to iron all four yards in half to make it work. ~smile~ Oh well, it was easy enough, and it saved me $1 because I had to go back and purchase a second package. There wasn't quite enough to finish the neckline. Who would guess an apron would take that much? I've got some left over for another project now. I have leftover fabric, too. Any suggestions for what I should do with it?

 I've also been watching some videos about wigs. My hair just isn't growing back well after the chemotherapy. It's very thin, and it's truly bothering me. I find that I don't look like myself when I look in the mirror. I forget about it when I am talking to others, but I may need to do something to add to my self-confidence. Have any of you had experience with wigs or any advice?

 My big change this past week was that my husband and I decided to graduate our youngest daughter, Amy, from homeschooling a semester early. This allows her to go to the junior college full time this semester. After we made the decision, I cried for awhile. I started this mothering thing thirty years ago this summer. I never dreamed we'd homeschool, but I've been doing it for a quarter of a century. Crazy, huh? So, now, it's on to redefining Laura. I need to listen to the LORD and determine what my next steps are. Want to go along for the journey? I'm sure I'll write about it here.  Have you finished homeschooling or retired? How did you determine what you wanted to do next? Do you have any ideas for me?

 Well, do think about writing to me and telling me of your thoughts, ideas, and what you've been up to lately. I love it when you all write to me.

 Blessings to you all!
 Laura

2020 ~ A Year of Optimism

Hello! Welcome to 2020! Can you believe it? It's an awesome privilege to be alive at a time such as this. Take it from a gal who was handed a cancer sentence two and a half years ago. Praise God He healed me. I will live and not die and declare the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 118.

I was talking to my husband the other night. He agrees that it would be good to do something special on the 20th of each month this year. A chance like this happens once in a lifetime...1818, 1919, 2020, etc. Many of my loved ones didn't get to see a year such as this. I'm thankful God saw fit to allow me to see it and enjoy it.

There seems to be a lot of optimism among people that I've spoken with about this coming year. Perhaps it's the fact that it's a new decade as well as a new year. Perhaps it's that 2020 sounds like a year of clear vision. Perhaps it's that the economy is doing so well. Thank you President Trump. Perhaps it's because I've spoken to Christians and positive people.

You know, there's nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with positive people and Christians. There's nothing wrong with being salt and light to those who are not walking with the LORD. It's just important not to let yourself be influenced by the wrong ideas and actions.

Some people think I live in my own little world that's not the real world. Nope. Not true. I'm very aware of the evil and anxious and fearful things happening in this world. No, not all of them, but enough. I choose, however, to be salt and light to people around me. I choose to be cheerful. I choose to help others to be happier by splashing the love of Jesus on them. I choose to keep the yuck out of my house. It's like I've said to my neighbor, if we want small town friendly, we've got to be small town friendly. ~smile~

It is a biblical point of view. "...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

I joined a 52 Week Sewing Challenge at the invitation of Patsy at A Working Pantry. The first challenge was to clean up our sewing area. Here's my before and after of the corner of my sunroom that I am setting up for sewing. I will add supplies as I dig them out. ~smile~

My husband's desk is in the opposite corner of the room.

I suddenly became aware that we need to organize some of the things outside and get them put up on the garden shed.

This next week, the challenge is to finish a work in progress. I have an apron that I was working on just before I got my cancer diagnosis. I just put it away and left it. Maybe I'll pull that out and finish it. I have until Sunday night to complete it.

Well, I'm still doing some thinking about where to go with the blog this year. Many things in my life are changing and have changed recently. I want to be sure that I'm still doing what the LORD wants me to do.

If you have any ideas for things you'd like me to write about, or about a different format you'd like to see me try, please comment or write to me at laura@harvestlane.com

God bless you all,

Laura Lane



Monday 
Over the Moon at Marilyn's Treats
Busy Monday at A Pinch of Joy

Tuesday
Reader Tip Tuesday

Easy Morning Breakfast Casserole ~ A Christmas Tradition

Easy Morning Breakfast Casserole

This yummy dish is straight forward and to the point. It’s got a down home flavor my kids really like. Now that my children are grown, and two of them are over six foot tall, I make a double batch and put it in a glass roasting dish to bake.

1 lb. Sausage

6 eggs

2 cups of milk

2 slices of bread

1 cup of shredded cheese

Add some chopped green peppers and chopped onions if you like, we always do!

Brown sausage and drain well. Beat eggs, and add the milk. Gently stir in the shredded cheese, sausage, and torn up bread pieces. This is the time to add the green peppers and onions if you’d like. Put it in 13 x 9 pan which has been sprayed with cooking spray. Refrigerate overnight.

Put it in a cold oven the next morning and Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Insert a knife in the middle to check doneness. It should come out clean. This is great with salsa.

Christmas in Memory ~ Christmas Now

I feel especially close to my mama and my grandmamas at Christmas time. There are so many precious memories. Alas, all I have of them is the memories. I love Christmas time best. The joy extends back into September as I review Christmas books, October as I begin crafting and listening to Christmas music, November as I begin preparing our home for the holidays, and of course December when I try to focus on our savior Jesus and enjoy the decorations, friends, and all of the above.

This season has been a little challenging. It's all new. New house, no children in the house (youngest is 18 now), change of activities, lots of baking for activities, visiting with friends, and me still recovering from surgery. Add to this needing to wait to buy Christmas gifts until the last minute, and it's been interesting. I've spent a lot of time knitting a pair of socks for my husband, and frankly, I haven't felt much like writing. I hope you haven't given up on me. ~smile~

With Christmas coming soon, and still so much to do, I'm going to take the next couple of weeks and just enjoy the season without concern for writing. I want to focus on now, here, the loved ones in my life, and most of all my relationship with Jesus. So...

I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
I'll be back in a couple of weeks.

Holiday hugs and Christmas blessings,
Laura Lane
Harvest Lane Cottage