Writing Workshop: Basic Blog Design

Writing Workshop: Basic Blog Design

As part of my terra firma writing group, we are working on creating blogs.

I found I needed to create a Basic Blog Design presentation.

This presentation focuses on free Blog Host Templates. This is not a user manual.

Basic Blog Design PDF

Also, I am not a designer. To take your Blog to a higher level, consider contracting a Website / Blog designer.


Resources:

The Book Designer - Blogging 101 - Blog Design
https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2011/11/author-blogging-101-blog-design/

WikiHow - Design - Blogs
https://m.wikihow.com/Design-Blogs

Crazy Egg - Persuasive Blog Design
https://www.crazyegg.com/blog/persuasive-blog-design/

Smashwords - How to Start a Blog Today (free eBook by Scott Chow)
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/743416

Jane Friedman - Why Design Matters
https://www.janefriedman.com/why-design-matters/

Sardine Mash with Lime Juice and Onion Powder

Sardine Mash with Lime Juice and Onion Powder
(Adapted from https://www.alexfergus.com/blog/51-sardine-recipes-for-the-fussiest-of-fish-eaters)

8. Sardines, Onion Cubes & Lemon

Sardines, like any fish, go great with onion cubes and lemon. Use smoked, lightly grilled or canned sardines.

Because of Alex Fergus's passion for sardines, I am trying several of his recipes and adapting them to my circumstances.
Isabel's Sardinas were in a tomato sauce. They were tasty.
Ingredients:

1 approximately 115g / 4 oz can of sardines including the oil or juices

1/2 Capful lime juice

10+ Shakes onion powder

10+ Grinds ground black pepper

Crackers

Process:

Empty can of sardines into a container with a lid.

Add juice and seasonings.

Mash the sardines with a fork, mix and mash thoroughly.

Serve on crackers.

Can be #GERD-friendly is you use a brand of sardines in oil not tomato sauce.

Toast Topping: Sauteed Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, and Cream Cheese

Toast Topping: Sauteed Bell Peppers, Mushrooms, and Cream Cheese

Ingredients:

Olive Oil
1-2 Slices of Integral Bread
3-4 TBspns Bell pepper slices (Fresh or Frozen)
3-4 TBspns Mushroom pieces, canned, drained
1-2 TBspns Rice Vinegar
1-2 TBspns Cream cheese
Ground black pepper


Process:

Toast the bread slices and set aside.

Add a dollop of olive oil to skillet.
Add Bell pepper slices.
Season with a few grinds of ground black pepper.
Cook on low to medium heat.
Stir peppers in skillet as they cook.
Cook until soft and slightly brown.
Remove from skillet and reserve.

Add another dollop of olive oil to skillet.
Add mushrooms.
Add vinegar.
Season with a few grinds of ground black pepper.
Cook on low to medium heat.
Stir mushrooms as they cook.
Cook until softer and a bit brown.
Remove from skill and reserve.

Place toast on plate.
Spread a full TBspon of cream cheese over toast.
Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of bell peppers.
Top with 1-2 spoonfuls of mushrooms.
Season with a bit of ground pepper.

Self-Publishing Options Part 1

In my post, Do You Want to Publish an eBook?", I delineate many of the choices and tasks that a writer faces when choosing to self-publish.

Here, I list some reputable sources for making similar choices.

Jane Friedman
https://www.janefriedman.com/should-you-self-publish-traditional/
https://www.janefriedman.com/self-publish-your-book/

Self-Publishing Review
https://www.selfpublishingreview.com/2019/03/self-published-vs-trad-publishing-its-not-a-choice-stop-saying-it-is/

I Have Fallen in Love.....With Pink Mocktails!!!

I Have Fallen in Love.....With Pink Mocktails!

It all started with Neelix's Star Trek Cookbook.

When I went shopping for the ingredients for the Calaman Sherry ST Mocktail, I discovered there were lots of pink beverages.

So, I bought several of them:

Guayaba Juice
Cranberry Juice
Pink Grapefruit Juice
Pink Grapefruit Soda
Passion Fruit Juice
Pink Lemonade
Jamaica Concentrate
and more...

Then, I started making variations of a "Pink Mocktail."


Ginger Ale/Jamaica Mocktail

Ingredients:

6 oz Ginger Ale
2 capfuls Jamaica juice concentrate
Ice cubes
Garnish: Lime Slice


Process:

In a glass, add Ginger ale and Jamaica juice, mix together.
Add ice cubes.
Add Garnish.


Quick Ersatz Rose Champagne

Ingredients:

5 oz Club Soda*, cold
2 oz Ginger ale, cold
1 oz Grape juice or Cranberry juice, cold


Process:

In an 8oz glass, add Club Soda, Ginger Ale, Grape or Cranberry juice. Mix together.

If your juices are not cold. Add crushed ice to a commuter mug with a lid. Add the liquids. Close lid. Shake. Wait. Strain into a glass.


Gingery Pink Grapefruit Mocktail

Ingredients:

5 oz Pink grapefruit juice
2 oz Ginger Ale
2/3 capful lime juice concentrate
1/4 Tspn ginger paste
Ice Cubes
Garnish: Lime slice


Process:

In an 8 oz glass add Pink Grapefruit juice, Ginger Ale, lime juice concentrate, and ginger paste. Mix thoroughly.
Add ice cubes.
Add garnish.


Quick Faux Paloma

Ingredients:

2/3 Pink grapefruit soda
1/3 sparkling mineral water*
1/2 capful Lime juice
Ice cubes
Garnish: Slice of Lime


Process:

Add liquids to a 8 oz glass, stir together.
Add ice cubes.
Add garnish.

Guayaba Ginger Pink Mocktail

Ingredients:

4oz Seltzer water*
2oz Guayaba Soda
2oz Ginger Ale
1/8 Tspn Tea mix
Ice Cubes
Garnish: Lime slice

Process:

In an 10 oz glass, add Seltzer water, Guayaba Soda, Ginger Ale, tea mix, and Lime Juice concentrate. Stir well.
Add ice cubes.
Add garnish.

*You can use a variety of carbonated waters: Seltzer, Club Soda, Mineral water, carbonated, or Sparkling water.

Ria Stone Publications 2019

When I tallied the number of publications, I have submitted to various ePubishers or Print-on-Demand (POD) Publishers, I was surprised. To date, I have written or contributed to six publications.

Darn shame Blogger can not maintain the image quality.

DIY Pineapple Lassi

I enjoy Indian food but because I am not a good cook, I have yet to try and make an Indian recipe. But, I did make my own version of a Lassi. I made this recipe before doing any research because it came out fine for me. But, I see I barely come close to a true Lassi recipe. Maybe next time, I will try adding more spices.


DIY Pineapple Lassi

Ingredients:

3 oz Yogurt, plain
3 oz Milk
A dollop (approximately 1 oz) or more of Pineapple juice (leftover from canned pineapples or regular juice), to suit your taste
Garnish: a dash of cinnamon powder (Optional)




Process:

Add ingredients to glass.
Stir.
Add ice, if desired.
Add garnish.


Resources:

WikiHow
https://es.wikihow.com/hacer-lassi

Wikipedia
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lassi