The month of May has been a fun one for the Lifestyles channel at b5. It’s been all about meeting our neighbours. Our intrepid editor, Gayla, suggested that we get to know our fellow Lifestyle bloggers by talking to each other and blogging about one another. She suggested that we write about the bloggers who are 3, 4, 5, and 6 spaces down on the rollcall of the channel. What a neat idea!

This week, I am chatting with Marye over at Kettle and Cup, the blog that is all about the joys of tea and coffee.

1]      What is your main focus on  Kettle and Cup ? (are you mostly  tutorial based or a ‘gathering of info’ blog?)

Hmmm…everything coffee and tea with Italian sodas and the occasional chocolate thrown in.  I suppose it is a gathering of info, altho I do tutorials…Mostly it is stuff I find interesting about coffee and tea.

2]      What brought you to this blog?

My love for coffee and tea, and my desire to encourage people to try new things.

3]      What is your most favorite aspect of writing this blog?

Interacting with the readers

4]      What is your least favorite part about it?

Believe it or not I don’t have a least favorite part!

5]      Do you ever get memorable, odd or funny requests or comments?

Not really.  Although…considering my family I may not notice odd or funny things.

6]      What have you learned the most by writing  Kettle and Cup?

That coffee roasters, as a whole, are a pretty generous bunch.

7]      Do you have dry spells with the blog? If so, what gets you inspired again?

Nope I don’t.  I get inspired every time I grind beans for a pot of coffee, or try a tea I haven’t tried before.

Thanks, Marye!

So, now, if you’re in the mood for a fine cup of tea or a mug of great coffee, you  know where to go: Kettle and Cup, of course!

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay (copyright)

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Each week in May, the members of the Lifestyles channel on b5 media are having a carnival that introduces our fellow bloggers to our readers.

This week, I am spotlighting Maricar over at Keeping the Castle, the blog that is all about taking good care of home and hearth.

I asked Maricar a few questions about Keeping the Castle, and here are her responses:

1]      What is your main focus on Keeping the Castle? (are you mostly  tutorial based or a ‘gathering of info’ blog?)
I would say it’s an information gathering and sharing blog. Sometimes I share from my experience, and other times, I share the finds I make online and elsewhere.

2]      What brought you to this blog?

I started this blog originally with Shai Coggins’ AboutWeblogs network. I had a practical tips blog on a free site, where I stored short tips about anything and everything. Shai thought we could expand it to become a homemaking/housekeeping blog, and that started KTC. This month is my 3rd year anniversary writing about the house and home.

3]      What is your most favorite aspect of writing this blog?

I learn a lot from researching and writing the blog. I also like that, if I forget something I’ve already written about, I could just search for it on the blog. It’s like my very own online handbook/cookbook!

4]      What is your least favorite part about it?

Least favorite part? Dealing with spam comments.

5]      Do you ever get memorable, odd or funny requests or comments?

Sometimes, I write about TV shows and programs, but I’m obviously not officially connected with them. There are a few readers who think I am, and leave comments for the celebrity. I really want to be able to help them with their requests, but I just can’t.

6]      What have you learned the most by writing Keeping the Castle?

Persistence and keeping things simple have their rewards. KTC is not a big traffic blog, and there are times when I wondered if it would ever truly take off. It’s still not a huge blog today, but I know that there are readers who do find KTC useful. They seem to like the simple tips and information that they find there, and they’re the ones who have kept KTC going through this time.

7]      Do you have dry spells with the blog? If so, what gets you inspired again?

Of course I have those days too. To find new ideas or inspire writing, I could do several things: look around my house, think about the housework I did or need to do that day, flip through magazines or the newspaper, even store ads.

Maricar is celebrating thee years of blogging Keeping the Castle and so she is having a whole lot of giveaways and contests to celebrate!

Why not pop over and sign up for some of those fun contests?

Image source: Noreen Crone-Findlay (copyright)

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Here are some of the giveaways going on right now!

There will be more giveaways going on throughout the week, so you may wish to sign up for our channel feed.

Tree Hugging Family is conducting multiple giveaways Mothering Magazine Subscriptions – Big Green Purse

Mother Earth’s Garden – Let it Rot! The Gardener’s Guide to Composting – Leapin Lemur and Penguin Puffs

Simply Thrifty – Coupon Organizer

Offbeat Homes – Building With Awareness Guidebook on DVD

Hankering for Yarn – Butterfly Earrings

Junk Creations – EcoHangers

Stamping Mad – Stamping Hobbyists Gift Set

Jewelry and Beading – Artful Blogging Magazine

Layers Upon Layers – Art Doll Quarterly

Quilting and Patchwork – The Magic of Patchwork Book

Babylune – Hanes Gift Certificates

Tool Belt Tips – 2 Cases Thompson’s Water Seal

Tangled Thread – Tags and Tie Dyes Contest

Busy Family Meals – Asian Cooking Starter Kit

Blog Fabulous – Boogie Dance Giveaway

Thrifty Mommy – Honey Thyme Herb Farm, Recycled Bags, Cooking Light Cookbook – Towel Spa

Weary Parent – You’re a Good Mom Gift Set, Blume Girl Boutique Giveaway, Blog Design

Supernanny Rules – Skincare by Amino Genesis

Kettle and Cup – The Tea Table Book

Baking Delights – Hello Cupcake Book

Behind the Vine – Wine lovers will love Vacu Vin

Solo Mother – Sexy Dancing

Keeping the Castle – Hypoallergenic Pillow from Lands’ End

Career and Kids and GenBetween – 5 SanDisk Gator Cruzer 4GB Flash Drives – contest 1 – contest 2

Play Library – Melissa and Doug Birthday Party Cake Toy

A Child Chosen – Crystal and Pearl Earrings

One Book Two Book – Tessy and Tab Reading Starter Kit

Have fun and best of luck!

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

In celebration of the upcoming holiday, the b5media Lifestyles Channel participated in their own little carnival, hearts and flowers, hugs and kisses…

Because of nasty weather and the horrible flu bug going around and the recent server outage, some of the channel wasn’t able to participate. But when it comes to something like Valentine’s Day, the most recognized day of love, Gayla, our intrepid channel editor just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have everyone join in. So, bless her heart, she put together this wonderful little carnival in honor of Valentine’s Day.

So, please feel free to take a little stroll with us around the channel to revisit some and discover new Valentine goodies our bloggers are dishing up just for you?

Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers shares a beautiful handcrafted plaque that packs a punch and if you’re not into throwing a punch, how about jewelry. That’s always a nice option – especially when it’s handmade.

Widows Quest offers tips to help cope during the holiday or anniversary when the loss of a loved one might feel a bit more difficult.

Katelyn at Stamping Mad has created a special Valentine’s Greeting especially for her readers.

Sandy at All Holiday Cafe pauses to thank her 6th Grade English Teacher for giving her the love of words.

Christina from SoloMother pays tribute to all those who have enriched the lives of both she and her son, made them laugh, made them feel safe, loved, wanted.

Deb Ng shares a funny little poem she’s written for her husband and his amazing and a little more than Simply Thrifty habits.

Hankering for Yarn and Noreen is sharing a family tradition this holiday by sharing a design and tips on how to make a spool knitted Valentine.

Chloe from Tangled Thread has decided to give felt sweethearts this year for Valentine’s Day, not candy ones.

Marcie at A Child Chosen has a delightful idea for a candy-free alternative to creating a fun Valentine for kids.

Peggy, one of our newest channel members has created a very special Valentine to our planet Earth via Tree Hugging Family.

Julie from Declutter It is thinking of her husband on Valentine’s Day with a funny little poem that could be from the spouse of anyone who spends too much time on the computer. And if you swing on over to Play Library, you can check out some very funny Valentine quotes that are sure to bring a smile to your face.

If a romantic comedy is what you have in mind this Valentine’s Day, check out the list of movie titles Thrifty Mommy has compiled and while you’re there, why not drop off a few of your own favorite titles too!

If you’re parenting teens or tweens, be sure to check out the list of Valentine activities for kids of all ages at Weary Parent. You’ll find a fun assortment of treats, crafts and more that Char has graciously put together.

Farley shares a somewhat intimate letter to the object of her blogging affection on Behind the Vines.

Joshua at Junk Creations has come up with an amazing, recycled style Valentine for his lovely bride and is sharing his creativeness with all of us. I wonder if his wife knows how much we appreciate his artistic talents?

The newest edition to Supernanny Rules pays tribute to her husband with a quirky little poem that is tells it like it is.

Heather has taken her Creative Journal and used it as a space to share a Haiku from the heart for her own love this holiday of love.

Our very own Lifestyles channel Super Hero, Trench, has written a very special poem to the Attorney General at My Crime Space, while at Psycho for Love, he shares his views on why there should be an Anti-Valentine’s Day and shares his thoughts on how people should let those they love know they love them all year long.

Jennifer at Offbeat Homes has created a special offbeat Valentine greeting especially for her readers.

Mary Emma Allen at Quilting and Patchwork suggests seven ideas for Valentine’s Day cards, gifts, and activities quilters can use to make this a special occasion.

Heather at Chocolate Bytes has gotten clever in how to drop hints for her husband when it gets to be February 13th and he hasn’t got a clue what to get her.

Noel at Unplugged Living offers up a special greeting to his wife and son with a surprise announcement for his readers.

Marye at Baking Delights takes us along for a walk down memory lane to a time when she decorated her first cake ever. Speaking of memory lane, while you’re there, check out the flashback to our very own G.I. Jane and how she handles those who try to steal her thunder.

Sasha at Dating Dames shares her own Top 5 Heart Gifts. This list might come in handy for those who are stumped for ideas.

Maricar at Keeping the Castle has created a special card for all her readers. Cupids got nothing on our Queen of the Castle.

Kerri Aldrich of Marriage Actually was one who was down with the flu and since her Valentine took such good care of her while she was sick, she was inspired to write a bit of poetry.

Elizabeth, otherwise known to many as BusyMom, shares a special love note from her heart to her readers on both GenBetween and Career and Kids.

Linette Gerlach at Mother Earth’s Garden is getting prepared for Spring and has taken a bit of a break from gardening tips and tales to share a little Valentine poem and Herbal Folklore with all of you.

Christine Gooding, our virtual wedding planner shares lots of Valentine Wedding Proposal ideas for all you men folk who have the ring, but not the words.

And what better way to end our trail of Valentine wishes… Tracee Sioux of BlogFabulous is like having our very own Energizer Bunny sometimes. Tracee has put together her own little shopping list of thank yous to the love of her life…

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine’s Day holiday and if you can’t be with the one you love, share it with those who love you, right here on b5media Lifestyles.

MWAH!

Post from: Hankering for Yarn

Hopefully, the techno wizards (who have been working round the clock on this) will soon have everything resolved.

Until then…. keep flipping those stitches and I’ll get back to posting as soon as I can!

Post from: Hankering for Yarn