Category Archives: Blogging

Learning basic HTML for blogging – with free printable

It’s been six months since I first clicked the publish button on this little blog!

When I started blogging, I had no idea how much is involved to continuously write, design, publicize, and maintain a blog.  I’ve been on a steep learning curve over the last six months, and I continue to learn more each day.  I enjoy new challenges, so it’s been a fun and rewarding experience!

One of the things I’ve had to figure out along the way is how to use HTML coding.

Basic HTML printable

With WordPress.org as my blogging platform, I can do a lot without having to dive into HTML.  Thankfully, it’s easy to get started and publish simple posts.  But I’ve needed to go beyond the standard visual post editor on a few occasions, and that required learning some basic HTML.

Searching online, it’s been easy enough to find what I need to know.  I don’t use HTML often enough to memorize all the codes, though.  Along the way, I bookmarked sites and scribbled notes for myself.

Ultimately I decided that I needed a solid list of basic HTML codes for reference to speed up the process.  Since I like things that are handy and pretty, I put it together in a nice, colorful, printable list that I can keep in my blogging binder.

I’m happy to provide my list of basic HTML coding here as my first free printable!  I hope it’s helpful for other newbie bloggers like myself  who need a little cheat sheet for HTML.

Basic HTML printable PDF - AMerryMom.com

Download the printable Basic HTML code cheat sheet in PDF.

Are there other handy HTML codes I haven’t included on my basic HTML printable that you use regularly?

Note:  I also had to learn how to add this basic HTML printable to my blog.  Thanks to Becca at Amuse Your Bouche for her post with simple instructions!

I shared my basic HTML printable at some of these link parties.

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A Merry Mom was nominated for a Liebster Award!

When I got back online after our Thanksgiving weekend out of town, I expected to find just a bunch of spam comments waiting for me.  That’s typical with my new little blog.

I had plenty of spam, but I was also pleasantly surprised to have a comment from Amanda Michelle at Well-Groomed Home letting me know that she had nominated me for a Liebster Award.  Thanks so much, Amanda!  Sorry it has taken me some time to accept and get this post up.

First I had to research the Liebster Award to find out what it was all about.  Lorraine Reguly’s blog, Wording Well, was a great resource for some background information.  I learned the Liebster Award is a way for bloggers to recognize other new bloggers.  It’s a nice way to support the blogging community and pay it forward, so I’m happy to participate.

Liebster Award Rules

  1. Thank the blogger who presented you with the Liebster Award, and link back to his or her blog.
  2. Answer the questions from the nominator, list 11 random facts about yourself, and create 11 questions for your nominees.
  3. Present the Liebster Award to several other bloggers, who have blogs with 200 followers or less, whom you feel deserve to be noticed. Leave a comment on the blogs letting the owners know they have been chosen.
  4. Upload the Liebster Award image to your blog.

First up: answers to Amanda’s questions

1. If you didn’t blog what would you do with all your spare time?   If I wasn’t blogging, I may have started that novel I’ve been dreaming of writing all my life.  I’m still refining my novel ideas in my head, though, so I’m happy to spend time learning about blogging right now.

2. Cat or dog person?  Or both?  I like both but have no pets.  One of my kids is allergic to anything with fur.  He desperately wants a cute, snuggly pet, but it’s just not an option.

3.  What is your most prized possession?  As far as *stuff* goes, I guess the only things that are irreplaceable are our family photos and videos.  I would never want to lose those!

4. What is your most favorite post you have written (please link)?  I liked writing about our recent family visit to New York City.  It was so fun and I enjoyed reminiscing about it in this post.

5. Describe yourself in three words.  Optimistic.  Practical.  Dependable.  Hmm – these sound boring, but they’re good qualities for a mom.  I asked my kids and they said things like nice, caring, and fun.  I like how they describe me better!

6. What is one skill or hobby you have that is totally opposite from blogging?  I love traveling and flower gardening.  Maybe I should specify that I love planting beautiful flowers and watching them grow.  I’m not as quite as thrilled about the weeding part after they’re planted.

7. What do you love / hate about social media?  Love the connection to people / hate when people get mean.

8. What are your future plans or goals for blogging?  I haven’t monetized my blog yet, so that’s the next step in making it sustainable.

9. Who is your biggest influence?  As far as blogging, I would say that Pinterest was a big influence, providing easy access to a great variety of blogs and content.  It helped me decide I wanted to join the fun!

10. Laptop or desktop? Mac or PC? I currently use a desktop PC, but I’m considering a  laptop as a Christmas present to myself.  I like the flexibility of a laptop to work anywhere.  Plus, my kids need the computer more and more for schoolwork, and sometimes it’s hard for everyone to share!

11. If you could have any super power what would you choose?  It would have to be the ability to fly like Superman or The Flash.  I love to visit new places, but sitting through the actual travelling part takes too long!  If I could be there quickly, traveling would be so much better – and I would be able to go everywhere!

Next: 11 random facts about me

  1. My favorite food is strawberry shortcake.
  2. My kids always want me to pick my favorite color but I just can’t.  They’re all beautiful in their own way!
  3. I still like to read *real* books.  It’s easier these days to just load books to an e-reader, but that’s not how I like to experience reading.
  4. I can’t whistle.
  5. London is my favorite place I’ve visited.  I love the combination of history and modern city life.
  6. I love botanical gardens.  I look for them everywhere we go and then try to convince the rest of my family that it would be great fun for all of them if we visit.
  7. I’m just a little over five feet tall. 
  8. I wish I was taller – I would like to reach things without needing a boost from a stool so often!
  9. I took clarinet lessons for a year in grade school but got tired of practicing and quit playing.  I wish I would have kept with it.  I would love to be able to play the clarinet now.
  10. I’m a night owl who wants to be more of a morning person.
  11. I wish I lived closer to the beach.

Finally: My nominees and questions

I had to do some searching to find other new bloggers to nominate.  I’ve enjoyed reading new blogs and wish them all the best as they grow.  My nominees are:

  • Love, Melinda
  • The Things I’ve Made 
  • Texas Crafty Kitchen
  • One Oak Lane

This Liebster Award does require a bit of work, but it was a fun way to engage more in the blogging world as a newbie.  That being said, there’s no pressure for anyone to accept.  Everyone’s busy this time of year!

Here are my 11 questions:

  1. What is your favorite book or movie, and why?
  2. What is one thing you can’t live without?
  3. What is your favorite place to visit – or the place you most want to visit?
  4. If you had the money to do anything you wanted for yourself, what would be the first thing you did?
  5. What season makes you happiest?
  6. What’s your favorite holiday?
  7. Are you a sports fan?
  8. What’s your preferred social media?
  9. Do you have a schedule for blogging, or do you just write posts when you’re inspired?
  10. What inspires you?
  11. What is the best piece of advice you read/received for starting a new blog?

Happy blogging!

Getting started

Hello - AMerryMom.com

novelrobinson / Pixabay

Hello, early retirement!  And welcome to my new blogging hobby.

It’s been two months since my last day of work.  In July, I quit my day job for my dream job as a stay-at-home mom.

I’ve been so happy to spend more time with my children and hubby!  My kids are 8, 10, and 13 now, so the years are limited before they’re all grown up.

In the meantime, they keep me busy chauffeuring them back and forth to sports and school events, music lessons, church youth activities, etc.

Now that they’re back to school, I’m starting this blog to help fill the time while they’re gone.

After 16 years in corporate communications, it’s normal to spend my days writing. I guess we’ll see how this blogging venture goes!