I’ll never forget the moment I decided I was going to start a blog.
Or rather, the moment the universe was telling me that I had to start a blog.
I just dropped my daughter off at daycare and was driving to work, and I was listening to this podcast episode from The Simple Farmhouse Life.
As I was listening to Lisa (the host) and Katie’s, from Heart’s Content Farmhouse, conversation about running a blog an inner voice said, “Dana you have to do this.”
Image from post: 5 Seriously Inspiring Podcasts For Women
I parked my car and was walking into school (I’m a high school teacher), and it was as if a door to a room in my brain I didn’t know existed suddenly opened and there was an outpouring of endless blog posts I could write.
Lisa mentioned a free webinar if we were interested/wanted to further explore the idea of starting a blog.
So later that evening after putting my daughter down to bed, I fixed myself a cup of tea, sat down on the couch and opened my laptop.
Image from post of the sweetest baby girl nursery room tour
I decided to just see when the next webinar was, even though I was still totally second guessing myself and thinking it was most definitely a crazy idea for me to start a blog. Low and behold the next webinar was starting in just under three minutes.
Another sign from the universe.
Less than five minutes into the course, I had made up my mind. By the end of the course I already had a rough business plan written out.
Image from post: The Ultimate Hostess Gift Guide
My husband was away on a work trip when all of this unfolded (all 12 hours of it, ha!). So when he got home, I told him what I wanted to start blog and that I wanted to do it right so I needed to purchase a blogging course to take.
Going into the conversation, I was so nervous and thought he would most certainly not take me seriously because it’s not like I’d ever talked about running a blog before.
I still laugh at our conversation when I think back at that evening. I was like ‘Hi. I’m so happy you’re home. I love you. I want to start a blog. Can I show you my business plan spreadsheet and spend a few hundred dollars on a blogging course and to get things up and running?”
But (of course) he was in full support!
Image from post: 30 Minute Creamy Bruschetta Chicken Recipe (4 ingredients!)
Since I’m a teacher, my initial plan was to write a teacher lifestyle blog.
A blog that featured posts about homerun lesson plans, teacher outfits and gift guides, meal ideas for busy teacher schedules, etc., hence the name, Teaching From Scratch. With “From Scratch” also being a nod to the fact that one of the times I’m happiest is when I’m cooking from scratch.
But I quickly realized there would be topics near and dear to my heart that I wouldn’t be able to include if my blog was solely about teaching.
A few days later, as I was walking into work once again (I swear, 99% of my good ideas and realizations come to me when I’m walking) it hit me:
“I want this blog to be a motherhood lifestyle blog. I want it to feature the stuff you text your friends about. I want it to feel like one giant group text with your best mom friends.”
Image above from post: Southwest Chicken Casserole recipe
So here we are!
The majority of my posts come from from actual text messages in group chats with my friends or texts I’m sending to a friend.
Questions like the ubiquitous “what’s everyone making for dinner?!” to “I need a good book to read. Does anyone have any recommendations?” to “what do I actually need to pack in my hospital birth bag?” to “what toys are your toddlers obsessed with?” to priceless motherhood wisdom or even just solidarity.
And those text messages with your friends are life-giving.
I’ve always cherished my relationships with the women in my life. Ever since becoming a mom, these friendships have become even more crucial, even though most of our interactions are now taking place through text because everybody is so busy.
Image from post: The Ultimate Guide to Baby Registry Must Haves from a Mom of Two (with a free checklist!)
I ultimately decided to keep the name, Teaching From Scratch, but expand it to a motherhood lifestyle blog (while still including teacher outfit posts and gift guides from time to time!)
Not only do I want this to be a blog that discusses the stuff you text your friends about, I also want it to be a source of inspiration to create a life you love from scratch.
Our first post went live on 10/23. As it turns out, I gave birth to my second daughter on 10/25 and I’m just coming back from maternity leave so, Happy Belated Birthday to us!
When I think back on our first year, my heart is full of gratitude when I think about the TFS community that has already formed. And I can’t wait to see what year two has in store.
Thanks for being here. I appreciate it more than you probably know!
Love,
Dana
A blogging year in review at TFS…
TFS most popular posts…
- Favorite Things Party: Gift Ideas and How to Host
- Healthy Sourdough Banana Bread
- How to Start a Book Club – Plus 10 Great Book Recommendations!
- 42 Unique Gifts Teacher Gift Guide
- The Best Place on the Internet to Buy Affordable Art
My favorite posts/the posts I had the most fun writing…
- Everyday Motherhood Series: Parenting Hacks, Favorite Products, and the Best Advice Ever (#1 and #2)
- A tour of my daughter’s nursery
- 23 Very Affordable Rugs That Will Transform Any Space In Your Home
- 5 Favorites Series
- Holiday Bread Wreath with Rosemary and Sea Salt
- The BEST Cranberry Sauce Recipe (even the naysayers will be converted!)
Posts you’ll enjoy if you’re a mom
- How to Make the Easiest Crockpot Shredded Chicken
- How to Bake Perfect Bacon in the Oven
- Make-Ahead Breakfast Sandwiches
- 6 Books Your Definitely Won’t Want To Put Down (Even If You’re A Busy Mom)
- A Homerun Art Project Your Kids Will Love
- 5 of the Best Seriously Inspiring Podcasts For Women
- How to Make a DIY Wooden Growth Chart Ruler
Recipes to make on repeat
- Southwest Chicken Casserole
- 30 Minute Creamy Bruschetta Chicken (that only uses 4 ingredients!)
- Dutch Oven Lasagna
- Easy Pasta Salad With Tomato, Basil, Tuna and Feta
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