Week # 4: My List of Fabulous Finds

It's already time for another  “My List of Fabulous Finds” posts. Is it just me, or does anyone else feel like Friday came pretty quickly this week?

Just a reminder of the reason for this series:

There is a LOT of really helpful, captivating, and entertaining information available on the Internet!  It can take a lot of time however, to sift through and find the articles that interest you. In this series, I share the links to some of the “fabulous finds" I have discovered on the Internet throughout the week. 

If you read this blog, I suspect we have similar passions. If I find something to be fascinating or useful, I think you might as well. I hope you enjoy and benefit from these links!

Here is some of what I came across this week:

This Week's Fabulous Finds:

~ ~ Helpful information for bloggers about Understanding SEO 

It is important to most bloggers that people find and read their blogs. Search Engine Optimization is a crucial factor in how well viewed a post becomes - but many of us find it pretty confusing. This post by Kelly, which I found on the SITS Girls website, offers some really helpful information. I really hope I can start applying it!

• Easy SEO Tips Every Blogger Can Use by Kelly Cannon of The Take Action WAHM

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~ ~ A Reminder to Be Kind

Life Vest Inside is a non-profit organization “geared towards spreading kindness, empowering people and building self worth." I signed up with them to be a "kindness ambassador" quite some time ago, and I enjoy seeing their inspiring Facebook posts and quotes in my feed.  Here is one I really like:

You never know what struggles someone may be facing- try to have a positive attitude towards all those you encounter.
Posted by Life Vest Inside on Friday, June 26, 2015

“Always be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.” (Plato)

I always try to think this way.  In fact, this quote seemed quite familiar. I was curious if this comment by Plato was what I was remembering from a book that I had read. When I checked, I realized these sentences of Plato's are not word-for-word, but very similar to the passage I was thinking of from The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, A Novel. (That paragraph is quoted in my blog post, The Complexity, Joy and Pain of Human Interaction. ) 

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~ ~ Tweeting on Twitter

It is no secret that I have found Twitter to be confusing. Despite myself, I somehow fortunately keep gaining followers, and I really need to figure out how be a better tweeter! That is why I was really excited to find this article. It provides a wealth of information  - useful not just for bloggers, but anyone with a Twitter account ... or anyone who has wanted one, but hasn't been able to figure it all out!

• Twitter for Beginners by Saira Perl of Mom Resource

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~ ~ A Scientific Explanation of the Star of Bethlehem? 

Two planets appear as one, just to the left and slightly below the moon in the sky.

On Tuesday, June 30th, I witnessed a notable event in the evening sky. In fact, I even took a
photo of it. The rising moon was brilliant, as was what I thought was a planet appearing just under and to the left of the moon. 

I did a google search, curious to find out if the moon was completely full. An article published by Indian Country Today Media Network explained that the what I was seeing below the moon was not one planet but two - so close together they appeared to have merged.

• Heavenly Merger: Venus and Jupiter Become One Under a Full Moon

An article by Michael Pearson, CNN suggested that this dazzling celestial occurrance could be a scientific explanation of the "Star of Bethlehem"! 

• 'Double Star' Moment for Jupiter and Venus in the Night Sky

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~ ~ The Perfect Cookie Recipe for When it is Too Hot to Bake!

I put this photo of these cookies on my Instagram, and I have had requests for the recipe.  I found the recipe by Shelly a while back on her blog, Cookies and Cups.  I did slightly alter the recipe, as described below. Here's the link:

• No Bake Avalanche Cookies                          

These cookies are super easy to make and only need a few ingredients! No oven is required, and I even used the microwave instead of the stovetop. The process is so quick, I even made a batch one morning before my son left for school, so he could take some in his lunch!

For the batch of cookies in the photo, I followed the recipe exactly, except I use 8 ounces of white chocolate chips and 8 ounces of butterscotch chips, instead of just white chocolate. Pretty yummy, I must say!

  

It is best to firm these cookies up in the fridge; if your home is warm, they will hold their shape better if you store them in the refrigerator.

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What is your favorite no-bake cookie?

Did you see the moon and Jupiter and Venus on Tuesday?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog. Check them out!