Discussions
Are You Ready for Spring?
Posted by MidwestMom • 1/21/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: blog design, blog makeover, family blogs, gardening blogs, mom blogs, retrokimmer, spring
Boy, I sure am. There's nothing like freezing your knickers off every time you leave the house!
The good news is that RetroKimmer has helped me redesign Midwest Moms to bring Spring in a little early. She has done wonders with it and I love it.
So, come on by
midwestmoms.blogspot.com
and have a look at the new design. If you like it, let us know with a comment/stumble/ review. 
And then come back here and let me know what YOU'RE doing to get ready for Spring!
User Comments
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I like the new design with one exception. I find the bright yellow far too loud and glaring, and would prefer to see it replaced with a cream color. The bright yellow doesn't make me feel relaxed and encourage me to read posts and savor contents. It makes me want to zoom through the posts so I can get away from the glare.
As far as your sidebar goes the photos are nice but I'd prefer to see them on a static page, in gallery or in the posts.
Widgets are intended to ad "reader value" to a blog. They are intended to improve the functionality of a site by providing reader accessibility to content that is not located on the front page. Sidebar widgets are where readers look for internal links to "Most Recent Posts" and "Categories" and "Recent Comments" and I don't see those there. I see only "Archives".
I have a thing about feedjits. They add no reader value and collect personal information for the benefit of the blogger statistically speaking. If you already have Google analytics or another good stats program then they are redundant resource hogging "tat" (useless crap that has no reader value).-
You know, that feedjit widget was new to me, and I don't know whether it adds much beyond curiosity value. I already use google analytics, so I know who is visiting my site. Thanks for the review on the color. (Personally, I like it.)
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I found these for you to check out and consider adding:
Recent Posts widget for Blogger blogs
bloggingforbread.blogspot.com/2008/01/show-recent-posts-in-your-blog-widget...
Recent Comments widget for Blogger blogs
blogger-templates.blogspot.com/2007/03/recent-comments.html
Setup and configuration for New Blogger Tag Cloud / Label Cloud
phy3blog.googlepages.com/Beta-Blogger-Label-Cloud.html -
That is so helpful. Thank you. (I admit, I'm a bit of a widget doofus, truth be told.)
I've softened the yellow. Would you mind trying again? It's still yellow, but a little easier on the eyes.
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YES. it was 12 degrees outside when i left for class today. it's so cold even smoking isn't enjoyable... never thought that day would come. -
Hi Julia! I'm ready for spring so I can add some outdoor workout videos to my site. I reviewed your blog today. I've read before and I do like the new design. Thanks!-
Thanks! There is nothing like getting outside to make Spring come sooner (or seem to).
It must be the sunshine.
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On the subject of getting ready for spring what I'm doing is pouring over seed catalogs and cleaning up the dead fall tress and branches on the property.
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I envy you, timetheif. Where I live there are no branches to clean up because everything is under concrete and asphalt. And we can't even have potted plants! -
I live in the mildest climate zone you can find in Canada. Although we did experience snow this year that's a rare thing here. I live on an acreage on a small forested island in the rain-shadow zone, as opposed to the rainforest zone where Vancouver and Victoria are situate. That means that we enjoy far less rain and snow than they do. We have Mediterranean temperatures, and lengthy Indian summers. In spring, summer and fall the gulf islands attract tourists from all over the world. We are semi remote and very expensive to get to both in terms of dollars spent on transportation and in terms of time.
Currently it's foggy and has been for several days so we've been hearing fog horns, especially at night. Soon we will hear the barking of the sea lions (Stellars and California). Then we will know that spring is around the corner. Snowdrops are beginning to bud and the daffodils and narcissus will be next. -
I'm a seed catalog gal, too. But, we still have snowcover, so I'll be saving the garden cleanup for the days when the mercury climbs a little higher. We also use a lot of native perennials around our place, so there's less planting to do come springtime but more roll-your-sleeves-up spadework.
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I was so ready for Spring after 18 years in Canada that I moved to Southern Louisiana, where I don't really see Winter anymore much at all.-
Around this time of year, I'm envious of you. (But in the summertime, not so much! I'm not a humidity gal.)
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Yeah, I hear you. It's a trade off. I still come out ahead, though. I've traded 7 months of miserable, dark, cold Winter for 2-3 months of miserable, hot, humid Summer. I still end up with more usable "outside" time, y'know?
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You're right. You win.
Now, get out there and take some fantastic photos to let us know what we're missing! -MM
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At least with the weather warming up I can wear plunging tops and miniskirts again.
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Don't forget your thong! LOL! -
Believe me, when it comes to miniskirts, I wear more than a thong underneath when I'm in public. I mean, last week I was hit on by a couple of 10-year olds! Horrors! And people wonder why I publicly wear a veil in certain neighborhoods.
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LynneaUrania, you amaze me.
I'll only wear miniskirts this time of year if they come with a fleece lining and leggings! But you're right that Spring makes me think of sunshine and there is nothing so fun as warm weather clothes!
[leaves to ponder strappy sandal collection]
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I sprinkled ice melt on the sidewalk and did some more shoveling. We got 4 inches of snow on Sunday. My area won't be safe from snow until April. I am so ready for Spring! I've only received one catalog but I'm sure more will come since I'm on about a billion mailing lists! I love flowers and butterflies so much!
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Oh, I love spring, so yes. I am absolutely ready. I love seeing what the garden is up to every day-- even if it's just little leaves or buds waiting to spring up.
I love watching my purple azalea get so bright and vibrant it's like this wall of color.
It gives me hope after a long cold winter.-
Do you know what my favorite thing about Spring is? When the trees are *almost* ready to open their leaves, but not quite. So, when you drive through your neighborhood, all the tree trunks have a misty look to them. It's like they're just giving you a hint of what they'll soon become.
But thank you for mentioning Azalea, too. What a beautiful spring flower. Whenever we're in western Pennsylvania, I'm amazed at how beautifully they bloom and how large some of them can grow! -
Yup, those first tree buds do hold a lot of promise! And that cool fresh smell that happens when it's not quite so freezing in the mornings... Love that, too.
Lotsa good things about spring.
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I'll miss the pumpkin, but I love the new design. It's very cheerful. I stumbled you with stumble review--here:
caffeinateddad.stumbleupon.com/
And yes, I've about had it with the snow & ice and freezing temperatures. Usually I don't mind, but this year it's getting tiresome. Maybe if our son were still the sledding age it'd be more fun...-
Thanks for the review. And I'm sorry you'll miss the pumpkin -- maybe it will return next fall.
As for your son, in our house, you're never past the sledding age! (He's not over 37, is he?) Plus, there is always skiing! If you haven't tried it, you don't know what you're missing.
now, if I can just find some mountains, I'll be all set.... -
He's a teenager now. He goes sledding with his friends. Skiing--yes, we do take the occasional ski trip to Wisconsin. (Note to self--never try snowboarding again.)
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Thank You for sharing,
Sending love and ligh..
solcarina -
Thank You so much for sharing. Your picture was beautiful...) and Yes, Yes I really love spring.
You are Warmly Welcome to visit my blog, see you around.
Sending love and light,
Solcarina ( Norway )
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