As part of the 5 Minutes for Mom Ultimate Blog Party, I’m posting a little bit about myself and my blog. If you’re visiting from the Ultimate Blog Party, welcome! If you’re a regular reader, you’re welcome too of course, and I hope you find something interesting or at least a trip down memory lane.
For starters, hi! I’m Catherine: a Christian, wife, mother of three preschoolers, reader, writer, thinker, frustrated novelist, aspiring homeschooler, former government analyst, creative dabbler, and daily blogger.
Since I’m in the trenches of motherhood, I like to write about things like whether or not those belly binding contraptions really work for post-partum jiggle, how toothpaste can cure your child’s hypochondria, how to make a diaper out of a burp cloth and a plastic bag when your kid has a blowout in the mall and you have no real diapers on hand, thoughts on whether doing things the hard way is always the best way, making and decorating cakes with or without pureed beets, how to keep your babies and toddlers from ripping up books, and making a “have done” list instead of a “to do” list when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Since I’m not ONLY a mother, I like to write about other things I’m thinking about or wrestling with, such as what makes me distinctive, how to be an encourager, and cultivating contentment.
I love to read and I blog weekly reviews of the books I’ve finished in my Week in Books series. Once a year I write a round-up of my top books for that year. My picks for 2007, 2008, and 2009 are a good way to get a feel for what I like to read and maybe get some ideas for books to add to your own reading lists.
I write a lot about teaching my preschoolers, including how we teach habits of good character, why we memorize poetry in our preschool, a pre-preschool example day, interesting hands-on learning about other cultures, and reviews of great books for kids by categories, such as Bible books, books about history and culture, books about science and nature, books with math themes, books about winter, books about gardening, Thanksgiving books, Christmas books, and board books that won’t drive parents crazy. My main approach is to focus on building character in my kids and read lots of great books, and then spend a lot of time playing and singing and having fun.
On A Spirited Mind you’ll find plenty of tutorials on subjects ranging from how to lose weight by planting potatoes, making applesauce for the busy and openminded, how to make meringue mushrooms, what to do when your attempt to make a healthy green smoothie yields disgusting results, how to salvage baking failures, how to repurpose unwanted gummi candy, how to avoid common cake decorating mistakes, how to eat healthy on a budget, how to make your own bagels, and how to make breadsticks just like the ones at Olive Garden. I cook extemporaneously (which is a nice way of saying I’m pathologically incapable of following recipes exactly) which helps me save money, keeps me on my toes creatively, and sometimes yields surprisingly good results that I’m happy to pass along.
There are also plenty of posts on random topics like interesting ways to use movie quotes, creepy monkey babies, what I plan to do this decade and a requiem for Kirkland Signature Plastic Wrap.
In case you’re wondering, no, this is not a link list of every post I’ve ever written – there are over 1000 more! I’ve been blogging since 2005 and recently moved to WordPress (losing all of my comments, but retaining my archives) so feel free to poke around, and also be sure to check out other blogs in the Ultimate Blog Party and maybe link up your blog too. Thanks for visiting, and I hope you’ll come back soon!
Related posts:
Hi, I'm Catherine Gillespie and A Spirited Mind is where I post about reading, writing, and parenting and the lessons I'm learning as a result. Thanks for stopping by!
I do book reviews on my blog. Party!!
Cool, glad to meet you Brooke!
Your blog looks great. That’s a shame to lose 5 yrs’ worth of comments. I recently moved from Typepad to WordPress and then randomly decided to actually use Squarespace and by the end I just didn’t move my archives a second time. I figured I’d start fresh, or gradually move them over someday when I find “extra” time.
I’m a frustrated novelist, too. I’ve come to (sorta) accept that it’s just not a good time in my life while I still have loud boys running around the house.
Great meeting you! Have fun at the Ultimate Blog Party!
Thanks Deana. I can’t imagine what I would have done if I lost my archives, wow. Thanks for stopping by!
One of my favorite things about blogging is the encouragement aspect. I’m so glad I stopped by here, we have a bit in common!
I’m having a book giveaway at my blog, please visit, I’d love to have you!
Blessings,
Julie
http://www.juliearduini.com
Thanks, Julie!
Hello! I am just stopping by from the UBP. This is so much fun! It sounds like you have a lot of wonderful things to say.
Thanks, Sarah!
Ok I can tell that we are kindred spirits. I will be back to read more
Have a fun weekend and happy UBP!
Great, thanks for visiting!
What a beautiful blog you have! It’s so nice to meet another homeschooler here at the UBP. Blessings to you…
Thank you!
Great blog!
http://www.mommyoffaith19.blogspot.com
Thanks Holly, I’m glad to meet another blogger who does book reviews!
Bloghopping! Your blog is beautiful & so are you! Thanks for sharing with us!
Oh, thank you!
Hi Catherine,
Great spot you have here! Your kids are adorable, and I have NO idea where you’re finding the time to write a novel with three kids under 5…please, what’s your secret!!
I have no secret. I just don’t sleep much and the house could stand to be a whole lot cleaner.
Lovely, lovely party! Thank you for having me over.
Please, stop on by my site if you have a moment!
I’d love to, thanks for stopping by!
Hello. Looks like a lot of topics that I’m interesed in. I’ll have to drop by again to check out your book reviews, tutorials, and other fun stuff. Have a fun day!
Great, stop by any time!
Love your blog and I am headed to check your yearly round up of blogs – great idea. I just started this blog recently and am plugging away. It is fun!
Stop by and say hello:
http://missionalmamassoul.blogspot.com/
Just stopping by from the UBP at Five Minutes for Mom. I love your site and am subscribing to your RSS feed. I would appreciate it if you visited my blog and did the same! I’m looking forward to reading more and getting to know you better.
Cascia
The Healthy Moms
http://www.thehealthymoms.net/2010/04/welcome-to-healthy-moms-blog-party.html
Just catching up on my Ultimate Blog Party hopping – hope you’re having a great week! That’s so impressive that you review your books every week – I can’t wait to check out some of the posts.
My UBP Post
Thanks Trish, I hope you enjoy the reviews.
You sound interesting, love to hear more on the diaper at the mall, I found you through the blog party.
I am now following you on twitter too
Thanks Dawn.
Hi Catherine! Nice to meet you! I’m stopping in via UBP. I enjoyed reading your blog. You have a real talent for writing. I’ll be stopping by again.
I hope you can stop by our blog: http://inspiredgiftsblog.blogspot.com
Inspiredgifts.com is a mom owned newly launched site.
Have a beautiful day
Rebecca
So enjoyed my stop here tonight…Great blog…
This is such a fun party and I have already met some of the greatest bloggers… I am sad it is about to end. I am amazed at all the different and creative blogs. Stop by for a visit…just leave a comment on any of the last few posts on either blog and you are eligible for the GRAND PRIZE $100 GIFT BASKET! I am going to draw Friday night…..
http://teresa-grammygirlfriend.blogspot.com/
http://grammyababychangeseverything.blogspot.com/
I’m stopping by from the UBP. I just love your blog and especially how you’ve introduced yourself! I need to take notes and remember to do that myself next year!
Thanks Michelle. I didn’t have any idea what to post for UBP so I’m glad it worked out.
Bookmarked your blog and following on Twitter…love the way you write and the topics you cover are great…thank you! I’m so glad I found another new blog to follow!!
Hope you are having fun at the UBP!
Jenni (“Miss Tutu”)
and Mom Blogger $100 Cash Contest
My UBP blog post: How to Make a Tutu blog – hope you will stop by, say hi, and grab a free tutu making lesson!