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Lana from Mz-Cellaneous writes about the three things that mean the most to her, life, laughter, and learning. Specifically noted for her photography blog skills, you’ll also find posts on cooking, scrapbooking, and home life!
You’ve been blogging since 2007…which is a lifetime in blogland. What advice can you offer bloggers just starting out today?
Decide not only what you want to talk about, and really stick to it. Also decide what you DON’T want to talk about and stick to that too. I try to remain positive as much as possible on my blog. I want it to be a happy place for people to visit so you won’t see me talk about financial issues if something in our lives comes up. You won’t see me say anything more about my husband than “he was grumpy” (which is true). If we have a fight (rare), I don’t vent online for a multitude of reasons, but first and foremost I know that people want to get away from their problems, they don’t need to hear about mine!
I would also suggest that if you love blogging and really have found your niche, you should pop for your own domain early. I’m in the process of moving my blog over now – and it’s much more difficult with 1200 posts than it is with say, 50.
What can readers expect to find when visiting your blog for the first time?
Well, the first thing you’ll notice is photography. That’s how Mz-Cellanous came about. Four years ago I challenged myself to start a photography business and Mz-Cellaneous was where I was going to promote that. Soon I realized I was talking more about my life and family than photography (I didn’t have many sessions at the beginning) so I split it off and Mz-Cellaneous became my personal site.
The next thing you’ll probably notice a lot of, is chickens. LOL! I have 19 chickens that make me laugh every single day. They are fun to photograph and I like to share my nearly useless knowledge of raising chickens.
I’m very much into home improvements. I’ve lived in a construction zone for 4 years now – all of my own making. I share with others how we’ve improved our home or how they can do a project themselves, including gardening – I have a decidedly brown thumb so anything that grows here is a “pound your chest” victory in my book. Speaking of projects, I sometimes scrapbook (ha) and I’m adding a new section to my site after the move: DIY, Trash to Treasure. It’s going to be fun!
Once in a while I pretend I can cook. I impress myself so much that I have to share recipes.
Oh, and I like to make people laugh so almost every post has a touch of humor. Most of it is self-deprecating because I’m an easy target.
You take some amazing photos, how did you get your start in photography?
I started when I was in high school back in nineteen-dickety-eight with a camera my boyfriend at the time bought me. It was a great gift – a film SLR. I used it for around 15 years! In 2008 I buckled down and got serious and in those three years I’ve learned so much. Most of it has been trial by fire… shhh.. no one has caught on yet.
In what way has blogging been a rewarding experience for you?
The funny thing is, in scrapbooking, I used to think that journaling was an afterthought to the point of being unnecessary. I worked on a post in my head for a year that stated that fact…. can you see the irony in this? What I figured out was (despite being wrong), that words are really important to remember. Sometimes I think about my great-great-grandkids doing geneology and finding old versions of my blog with all my photos. I think that people naturally want to leave a legacy, they want to be remembered, and this is my way of doing so. Even if I’m having a day where I don’t have a lot of traffic and I’m feeling a little rejected. I just write for my family that I don’t even know yet.
What has been most challenging for you when it comes to blogging?
Writers block. I find it hard sometimes to come up with something to say. Sometimes I’ll just go outside and start shooting photos of things around me and I’ll think of 2-3 topics to blog about. I also keep a little notebook at my desk, and when I think of a topic I’ll make notes for later. Some of those things never ever get blogged, but when I’m in a pinch it will remind me of some great ideas.
Other popular posts from Mz-Cellaneous:
Cease Fire Ranch: “I think I found the door to narnia.”
Delight in the simple things: “Life has been much more full, when I started noticing things after I came here, this little spot in the middle of nowhere.”
The night my brother stabbed me: Sibling rivalry at it’s finest.
- Finding Your Friends on Instagram - May 3, 2022
- Magic Mosaic Easter Egg Coloring - Mar 5, 2022
- 11 Recipes For National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day - Feb 24, 2022
- Our Favorite Things – 2021 Edition (Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaways!) - Nov 15, 2021
- Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe - Sep 2, 2021
- Essential Camera Gear For Beginning Photographers - Aug 31, 2021
- Low Light Photography Tips for the Holidays - Nov 11, 2020
- DIY 30-Minute Thanksgiving Tree - Nov 8, 2020
- The Spanish Princess Part 2 Is Coming - Oct 8, 2020
- Fabric Pumpkins – DIY in 15 Minutes - Sep 9, 2020
- Jack-O-Lantern Marshmallow Pops - Sep 7, 2020
- DIY Mini Herb Garden - Aug 30, 2020
- Step by Step Plan to Drive Traffic to A New Blog - Aug 30, 2020
- Six Tips to Reduce Stress In Your Life - Aug 30, 2020
- How To Take A Food Photo From Good To Great - Aug 30, 2020
I am in love with those shoes. Hope everyone had a great 4th!
Seems like this is going to be a fun blog to visit ๐ I love photography, wish I had a knack for it!
I can sure relate with Lana! Great photos!!
I love the yellow flowers and the photo of the buffalo. ๐
Beautiful pictures!
Wonderful photos and tons of personality in her writing. Happy Monday on Tuesday. Hope everyone had a great 4th.
She takes very nice photos ๐
Congrats on your SITS DAY! I have to say I love your photography… nice job…
I’m looking forward to checking out this blog… love a good photography blog!
Wow– her photographs are VERY creative! And I like her thoughts on focusing your blog, too!
Congrats on your SITS day!
Oh I hope to learn alot about my own photography from you Thanks!
Beautiful pictures! Can’t wait to check out your blog.
I really love the animal photos – you are quite talented. I also really like and agree with your blogging tips – i esp. like the tidbit about who and what you will talk about. Smart cookie!
Very pretty! ๐ I love any blog that can give this mediocre photographer (aka me) some inspiration!
Hope everyone is having a GREAT week!
I’ve got some kids pictures to take for a project this summer. Looking forward to reading some photography tips on this blog.
I am suffering from a serious case of writer’s block myself. Not so much in my head, there’s plenty going on in there. But to get to posting… I am sticking with pictures for the moment.
Oh! Oh! Oh! LOVE the jeans/boots and dress/heels – well, I LOVE all the photographs – but that one resonates within me! I can tell I’m gonna love this blogger – great writing voice!
I’ve been blogging since 2006. So if 2007 is a lifetime, I’ve been blogging since the dark ages, I guess!
“I think I found the door to Narnia?” hilarious!!
Her Sibling Rivalry post was hilarious! Happy SITS day ๐
What gorgeous photos!
What a fantastic blog! Love the photography and love the stories!!
Beautiful photos! I can’t wait to see/read more. And, I’ve always been curious about raising chickens.
I think I’m going to like this blog . . .
Great photos! I can’t wait to see more!
Congratulations to Lana! Off to check out her blog, a little more closely!
Oooohhh, photography blog – another one of my passions, can’t wait to check it out!
I am getting back into the swing of things and could use some lovin’… I will give it back!
Make it a great daY!
i need some tips on taking photos… can’t wait to check out this blog!
Stunning photos! Congrats on your SITS day ๐
your photos are a-maz-ing!
Where we live keeping chickens is illegal, though I really wish we could. I am a country girl at heart- stuck in suburbia.
I’ll definitely pay a visit. I love photography, and I’m always on the lookout for someone to learn from.
I can’t wait to check this blog out. I love photography blogs b/c taking pictures is something I am not good at.
Oooohhh…can’t wait to check out her photography!
Every time I see a great photography blog, I get inspired to learn HOW to do that. It’s such an amazing art form. Can’t wait to see poke around over there.
I love scrapbooking! She sounds great! That’s why I had so much fun making this dream board…. going to check her out!
Sounds like another great blog. I love good photography and the chickens… well, they are just great subjects to photograph.
Photos and cooking? I’m in.
Those are some beautiful photos!
morning, ladies.
beautiful photography! off to poke around your blog a bit more!
Those photos are beautiful!
Great photos! Headed over to check it out!
Such a cute blog. And I’m loving all the chicken love! Congrats on being featured!!
Maria xx
http://www.cheekypinktulip.blogspot.com
Gorgeous photos! And I appreciate the tip about moving to my own domain. I may have to look into doing that, but I have no idea how to go about it as yet. ๐
What beautiful photos!!! I wish I had a knack for visual arts, and I envy those who do. Just amazing!
Your photos are beautiful. Chickens are so expressive. I love when I get to visit with them and I have a camera in hand.
Oh and congrats on being featured- Lana!!
Gorgeous Photos! Love it!
Suh-WEET!
Thanks for featuring me!
I love photography, so can’t wait to read more into your blog. At just a glance though, I LOVE your header and I’m so intrigued. Congrats on being featured today!