You can do it! Write On!

How do I know this? I’m speaking from experience. A little about my background will help you understand.

I have always written… diaries, journals, letters, children’s stories, fiction, non-fiction. When I was about twelve  my mom told me that I should write stories like Laura Ingalls and Erma Bombeck about life on the farm. I didn’t really do much more with that advice than keep a diary from time to time through my teen years.

Once I got to college, I started writing more seriously. Of course, half of that writing was term papers and research projects. In my spare time, I worked on a fiction novel. I have no idea what happened to that novel, but I am positive it was full of drama and angst, since most of my inspiration came from the college dorm.

I picked up the pen a few years later, to write children’s stories when my kids were young. I didn’t get much more than a few short stories written and ended up spending more time being a mom than a writer. No problem with that.

Another seven years or so went by and some life changes left me with some time on my hands. I saw a notice at the local library about a writers group getting started and offering some workshops. I went and haven’t looked back.

What I learned from all that writing on and off is that when you make writing a priority in your day, you will write more. I also learned to write whatever was in my head and sort out the mistakes later. In other words, write first, edit later.

Computers Are a Tool

Don’t be afraid of writing on a computer. Don’t be afraid doing a little programming. Don’t be afraid to try something new.

If you are afraid … then do it afraid.

We got our first home computer in the early 1990′s. When Bill Gates first made computers easy for regular people to use. After you no longer needed a programming degree and the screens weren’t all black with green letters. (if you can remember those days, you know what I’m talking about!)

The more I used the computer, the more I learned about it. I learned how to use MicroSoft Word and several other word processing programs. I learned about spreadsheets and internet pages. I learned about email (You’ve Got Mail!) and how to add new programs to the monster.

Confession: I am a techno boo-boo.

Additional Confession: I don’t set the clock on my DVD player…it’s constantly on “Blinky Time”.

And One More Confession: I run my own website with just a little database support from my husband. Details are in the post: Launching a Website.

Since I married a Techno Guru, we do host our own websites. Learn more here. But I’ve also learned through the process of putting my site together, that there are some wonderful blog hosts out there. Those folks make it easier than making pie to have a blog. More details on those to come in a future post!

This is the second in a series of posts about How To Blog, so check back for updates, or sign up for the email alerts for more tips.

Worthwhile Adventure

In the last two and a half years, I’ve learned a whole lot. I’ve had a blast. I’ve gained some friends. I’ve earned a tiny bit of money. I’ve become the family expert on cooking. I’ve improved my photography skills.

But most of all, I’ve had fun along the way. I will keep blogging and continue to do all of the things previously mentioned.

So, you want to write a blog? You can do it. It just takes a little time and effort, but it is all worth it!

 Columns in this series:

• Launching a Website
• Write On
• Pick a format & provider
• Pick a theme
• Pick a topic
• Pick a schedule
• Grammar & Spelling count
• Blog Etiquette 
• Photos 
• Selling a product
• Promote yourself
• Statistics 
• SEO or Search Engine Optimization
• Monetization (Making Money) 

Remember, sign up for email notifications of new posts.

Use the button up there in the right hand margin. Do it now! 

A Fresh Herb Platter Front Cover

I’ve always thought it would be a great thing to have an herb garden on my kitchen windowsill or just outside my back door.  The problem with that dream, is my black thumb. I’m terribly unfortunate when it comes to raising plants.

I have a reputation among my family. I’m known as the “Plant Killer”. This is not a compliment.

Even worse, it’s a well earned name. I’ve caused the demise of many, many plants. In my defense, I have good intentions. I just don’t do well with living plants.

But that fact doesn’t stop me from dreaming about a wonderful herb garden. It sure doesn’t stop me from picking up books about gardening. I’ve read more than my share of gardening books. I just can’t apply the knowledge in practice.

When I saw this great little book on the shelf at my local vintage goods shop, I couldn’t resist bringing it home. I read it. I looked at the drawings. I loved it. But I know I will never use this as a reference book.

1961 A Fresh Herb Platter

A Fresh Herb Platter Front Cover

Vintage CookBook
Copyright: 1961
Publisher: Double Day & Company
Hardcover, 237 pages
Condition: very good, Book Club Edition, dust jacket in good condition with some nicks, binding very tight, no marks, no tears
ISBN: na
Library of Congress: na
Author: Dorothy Childs Hogner
Price:  11.00

Synopsis: In this unusual and practical book the author relates the joys of growing and serving the produce of one’s own garden. Three decorative garden plans are offered: a vegetable and herb garden, a garden salad bowl and a supplementary garden for the salad fancier who wishes also to raise all the herbs used in the herb recipes given in this book.

Fresh Herb Platter OutsideCover

This copy is bound in light beige and pink cloth boards. The spine is printed with green text for the title and some plant artwork. This book appears to be unread, the binding is so tight and the wear so slight. Pencil sketches illustrate the herbs throughout the book.

Fresh Herb Platter Copyright

Contents

A Vegetable and Herb Garden
A Garden Salad Bowl
Of Good Garden Loam
On the Terrace and the Window Shelf
Aux Fines Herbes
Bring Out the Salad Bowl and the Vegetable Pot
To Braise, to Broil, to Roast and Stew
From the Fish Market
The Beginning and End of a Meal
Before Winter Comes
Index

Fresh Herb Platter Back Cover

See more Vintage Cookbooks at the ApronFreeCooking store on Etsy. I have added lots of the treasures I find on my book scouting adventures to the list over there. My bookshelves can’t hold all the great cookbooks I find!

What is your favorite “home cooking” or “country style” recipe?

PS: Don’t forget to sign up to receive Apron Free Cooking updates using the buttons in the upper right margin! 

]]> http://www.apronfreecooking.com/family-feature/outdoor-dining/feed/ 2 http://www.apronfreecooking.com/family-feature/affordable-pet-care-at-home/ http://www.apronfreecooking.com/family-feature/affordable-pet-care-at-home/#comments Sat, 18 May 2013 14:31:42 +0000 Noel http://www.apronfreecooking.com/?p=3260 Continue reading →]]>

]]> http://www.apronfreecooking.com/family-feature/affordable-pet-care-at-home/feed/ 0 http://www.apronfreecooking.com/food-quotes/food-quote-19/ http://www.apronfreecooking.com/food-quotes/food-quote-19/#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 21:50:11 +0000 Noel http://www.apronfreecooking.com/?p=2519 Continue reading →]]> “The trouble with eating Italian is that 5 or 6 days later, you’re hungry again.”
― George Miller

I have so many recipes that call for melted margarine. I’ve tried to melt the margarine as quickly as possible. But I haven’t found a good efficient way to have the butter melted when I need to add it to the recipe. The last time I tried to melt it in the microwave, it exploded all over the inside of the microwave oven. It took me an hour to clean that mess up. I went through an entire roll of paper towels in the process.

Can you tell me what the best way to melt margarine or butter would be?

Dynamite Cook

Dear Dynamite,

You tested the heating properties of oil and the expansion qualities it has when heat is applied.  There are several ways you can melt butter that would be less messy.

First thing you could do is place the butter in a small pan on the stove top burner. Heat it on low and wait patiently.

The second method you could try involves the microwave and the defrost button. Set the defrost time for 20 seconds at a time and watch closely.

The third and probably safest method is to let the butter set on the kitchen counter for several hours. Once the stick is at room temperature, you should be able to incorporate it to your recipe easily.

As for cleaning that microwave now. Forget all the fancy cleaners you have stashed under the kitchen sink. Pull out some white vinegar. Pour about a half cup in a saucer and heat in the microwave until it boils. Leave it set in the microwave until cool enough to touch. Using a soft towel, dip it in the vinegar and use that corner to wipe down the inside of the oven. Wipe down a second time with water and leave the door open while it dries.

The answer to the first question might be: yes, no or sort of. The answer to the second question is: most likely.

This article was originally posted on my husband’s blog some time ago. But because the information is good, and I’ve been getting questions about building a website, I thought it was a good idea to reprint it here.

This is a basic, beginner’s high level introduction into starting a website for your business.

Further, more detailed columns will follow, so stay tuned for updates and more insights to how I manage my blog and my business.

Why do you need a website?

Websites are generally a way to communicate with your customers about your products and services. You may use a website to sell those products or services. But there are many other reasons to set up and maintain a website.  One reason to have a simple single page site; you can be found. Many people are not using traditional phone books to search for contact information, they use an internet search. If they put your business name in a search engine, they will find your website which can contain your contact info. I just launched a website, www.ApronFreeCooking.com for several reasons. First, I wanted to learn something new. Secondly, I wanted to begin generating interest in my upcoming cookbook. Thirdly, I wanted to expand the format of my recipes from just a printed book to another media.

How to develop a website

The process I went through was actually quite simple. Please keep in mind that while I have used computers for years, the programs have been geared towards data entry or fall into the Microsoft Office family. I am not a computer programmer. I’m one of those people who leave the VCR/DVD clock on “blinky time”.

1. Find a Hosting / Internet Provider.
2. Pick a Domain name and register it.
3. Create your site. I used Word press themes and plug ins.
4. Play with the site, build up content and learn how to make changes.
5. Establish affiliate accounts so you can make sales, take payments, etc
6. Announce your site and Go Live!

Pick a Hosting Company

Finding a hosting company can be a simple or complicated matter. You can put as much time and effort into this as you like. Initially we used the same company for our web hosting as we used for our internet access. It was a decision made for simplicity. We had their services, web hosting was just one more add on feature. That company was good at providing access to the World Wide Web and not so good at hosting my website.

So we did a little research and changed host providers. DreamHost.com has turned out to be a super choice for us in terms of web hosting. My website cost us $10 per year. I have unlimited server space and 24 hour technical support. We have five domains with them, which is part of the reason it’s only $10. But we are very happy with their services.

For more information about how you can learn about DreamHost, visit Blog Resources.

Select a Domain Name

A domain name is the name of the website that appears in the internet task bar, it’s the address of your website. That’s an overly simplified definition. My domain name is ApronFreeCooking.com.

Picking a domain name took me a couple days. We sat at the kitchen table and did a brainstorm session. I wrote down every possible name we came up with. We used words that fit my product: Cooking, Food, Recipes, Convenient, Simple, Easy, Fast, etc. I think we had nearly 50 options on the paper by time we ran out of steam.

Remember to consider the various forms of domain names – not just the “dot com”. There are others you can use such as .org, .biz, .net. If your first choice in names isn’t available under the .com, it may be available as .net.

Then, I thought about the names for a couple days, went back to the list and eliminated names that I didn’t like. The remaining names, we tested for availability. I was lucky, my top choice in names was available.

Create the Site

Creating my site took me awhile. My husband, who is my local technical support guru, spent some time showing me how to use the Word Press products. Once we had the basic database set up, I was able to test different themes and plug in programs. These programs are very user friendly, some almost intuitive. I could click and drag, cut and paste, and design my site my way. It was easy to change colors and screen layouts. I tried several themes before settling on the one I currently use.

Play with the Site

After I had decided on a theme, I spent some time maneuvering around the theme. I added pages, deleted pages, inserted pictures, graphics and plug ins. I ended up with a wild looking experiment.  That was fine. I learned that nothing I did was fatal. It was easy enough to delete things I didn’t want and start over.

This was an important part of the process. I needed to know what would happen when I did something that wasn’t exactly a great idea. During this time, I was adding content because some of the items I uploaded were real. I figured if I was going to test the recipe plug in, I might as well use a real recipe! The time I spent learning how to use the theme and plug in programs ended up being beneficial for my education as well as my site content.

Affiliates

Affiliates are other companies that you form a partnership with.  You may place an advertisement on your site, that links to their sales catalog and they pay a percentage of profits for the referral. You may set up a store on your site to sell products that come from the affiliate company. You may set aside a portion of your site for advertising and let the affiliate company insert ads that are appropriate to your content. There are as many ways to be an affiliate as there are companies to affiliate with. Let’s just say that’s a whole heck of a lot!! You’ll need to spend time researching companies and products that you feel fit your site and that you are comfortable recommending. Each affiliate has its own terms of service agreement, so you’ll want to become familiar with that and understand how and when you are going to be paid. Affiliate income may be large or small, but it will certainly help defray the cost of your site.

 Announce and Go Live

The last step in the process is the most exciting! Announce your site and Go Live! You want to mark your site so that search engines can find it. You’ll want to send an email, letter, press release, radio broadcast, shout it from the mountain top … however you are best able to communicate with your audience.

Let people know about your site. I sent an email to my friends and family, then put a short announcement on my social media page.  Then I printed up some business cards to carry with me and pass out to people I talk to who may be interested. The first business card I gave out … to my librarian! She’s always pointing me to new cookbooks and decorating idea books. I thought she might like to see what I was doing with some of that reading. Ok, so in all honesty, my husband strongly hinted to her that I was doing something really cool and she should ask me.  <wink wink nudge nudge> Not only is he a great technical support guru, he’s pretty good at the marketing ideas also!

Launching a website can be challenging but it can be very rewarding. I found the process to be educational and overall, quite simple. The best thing about having a website, is that I now have a way to expand my client base and publicize my recipes. All the while, I’m having fun!

Updated 5/16/13: Since things have changed quite a bit since this column was written (almost two years ago!) I’ll be posting some additional columns that have more information and specific tips that I’ve learned.