The Ultimate Blog Party 2010!!

Friday, April 9, 2010
If you're stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Party, hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom, welcome! Pull up a chair, grab some coffee, tea or wine (depending on the time of day!) and settle in while we get to know each other!

Today officially kicks off the weeklong celebration of serious blog hopping with the hopes of finding some new blogs to read and new readers for your blog. It's a virtual party where you never leave home, party at your convenience, engage with blogs you absolutely love, and conversely, walk away from those you don't. How often can you do that at a traditional party??

Ultimate Blog Party 2010


Now, onto introductions.

I'm Sheila, a married, full-time mother to two girls ages 7 and 4. I started Pieces of a Mom in December 2008 as a means of keeping faraway friends and family in the loop of our daily lives. Over the 15 months that I've been blogging, Pieces of a Mom has evolved into something much more than I could have ever expected. While remaining true to my initial mission, Pieces of a Mom has also become a place for me to showcase my many passions. Those passions include photography, cooking, baking, reading, traveling, wine, fitness, nutrition and wellness for children, and of course, writing.

Pieces of a Mom explores my trial, tribulations, success and failures (yes, there are some of those) as a parent raising two young children in a world where time is tight and expectations are high. I strive to blend the fun with the educational. It's not uncommon to, one day, see a post about a fun day trip we took and the next day to see a post about healthful eating suggestions for preschoolers.

Blog hopping can make you hungry! Let me suggest a nice pasta dish. Try this Cherry Tomato Spaghetti that I whipped up a few weeks ago! And let's not forget a nice wine to sip with your pasta. May I recommend this one? You've got to try it. It's one of my faves! Both of these posts are just a sampling of some of the great stuff you'll find here.

Let's talk prizes 'cause what's a party without a few prizes?! Although I'd be quite happy with ANYTHING, if I had my pick of the litter, here's what I'd choose:

1. #39 $250 gift certificate to Hilton Garden Inn
2. #11 $100 gift certificate to Restaurant.com
3. #40 3 day, 2 night stay at Holiday Inn Main Gate, Kissimmee, Florida

Other prizes I'd enjoy include #15, #32, #34, #49, #52, #71, #87, #95, #105, #USC8, #USC3.
 
I hope you'll stick around for a bit and check things out. If you like it here, become a follower! At the end of the UBP, I will randomly draw a follower to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble, one of my favorite stores! Who knows? You just may be the lucky winner!!

I look forward to getting to know you, too! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can visit your blog.

Have fun partying!!

21 comments

Unknown said...

Hi Sheila -

Thank you so much for visiting me over at 3 Little Sparrows and for your sweet comment. I also started blogging as a way to keep family and friends updated on our lives after my hubby and I relocated to Colorado. At that time I had no idea that there was this whole blogging world out there. I am blessed to be immersed in it, thanks to working over at 5 Minutes for Mom. It's been fun. I had a wonderful time visiting your blog and I will definitely be back.

Dawna said...

Hi, Sheila! Just dropping by from UBP10!

Suggestions for pasta and a wine to go with it?? My kind of lady. Include the reading and writing... I'm there! lol

Definitely going to be following you!

It's so good to have come across your blog!

Honey + Lime said...

Hi Sheila! Stopping by from #UBP10. I love the title of your blog, it is so true that we are made of a little bit of everything! Enjoy the party!

♥ Deanna/Mommygaga.com

Tracey said...

Visiting from UBP2010; so nice to "meet" you! I also have two daughters, ages nine and seven. I love being their mom! Hope you enjoy the party!

LindsayDianne said...

I love how you write this up. It's very straightforward. And I love hearing about people who started a blog as a way to keep in touch and have it blossom into something with a life of it's own. What a wonderful way we have each discovered to meet different people, share our views, and respectfully agree to disagree (most of the time). I love your attitude, and I almost always get along with photography buffs!
Thanks so much for the visit and the nice comment. :) I look forward to getting to know you better in the coming week, and beyond!

Annie said...

Your tagline is great! Motherhood is a little bit of everything. My oldest is almost 7 and I'm just figuring this out...again. I think I realize it every so often, but then life gets busy and I'm forced to focus on one or two main parts of me and forget the other are there for a time. I've actually blogged about this recently!

Anyway, it'll be great getting to know you...I'll definitely be checking out more of your blog! Have a great weekend!

Bridgette said...

Dropping in from UBP to say hi! :) Thanks for following my blog!

Muthering Heights said...

Your recipe sounds DELICIOUS!!!

Happy party hopping! :)

Jacquelyn said...

Hi Sheila!

I am a new follower thatdropped by from the party!! Woo hoo! I bookmarked your page and I will be back to visit soon!! ~Jacki

Susan said...

Hi Sheila! Just stopping in for the party.Hope you will stop by my blog for a visit. Have a great weekend and happy blog hopping!

Lindsay said...

Stopping by for the UBP! Looks like we have several things in common. I look forward to reading more about you!

Susie B. Homemaker said...

Hi, stopping by from the UBP and just became your newest follower. :)

Stephanie Manner Wagner said...

I'm Stephanie from "And Twins make 5! - A Mommy Blog". Just making the rounds via the UBP 2010, hope to see you around my blog too!

Unknown said...

I have the same blogging beginning as you. I love how my blog has evolved into something completely different than what I originally started it for.

Jenny said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog "Love Being in My Southern Kitchen". I hope you like the Spinach Ravioli recipe. It is one of our very favorites and the neighbors request it when it is my turn to bring dinner. Stop by and let me know how you liked it.

Julie said...

Hi Shiela,
So glad you stopped by Just Precious for the UBP! I totally know who you are! Love reading your site! Looking forward to meeting you at a Philly event sometime!

Anonymous said...

Stopping by from UBP! Your blog is awesome and your girls are adorable!

Sarah
www.lovingmylifeblog.com

Mel said...

You're right. Blog hopping does make me hungry. Ok, everything makes me hungry ;)

I'm loving Tropicana rewards as well.

thanks for stopping by our blog.

Party on!

Melissa
www.thecorkums.com

Sugar & Spice and Frugal Advice said...

Hi there! Stopping by from the UBP! We each have 2 young girls. I want them to stay babies forever! We have subscribed to your RSS feed.We are having a great giveaway! Hope you can check it out!
Barbie & Joelle
http://www.sweetfrugaladvice.com/2010/04/5-minutes-for-mom-ultimate-blog-party.html

Stephanie said...

Oh my gosh - yes I remember you! This is so weird, it looks like we run in the same blogging circles - even our blog names are similar! That is crazy! I can't believe we haven't crossed paths sooner. You're girls are really cute too. So nice to hear from you! Happy partying!!

Kelly said...

Hello from UBP and adventuresinmomville.com! I love your blog! The lightheartedness of it is the best! I love your SITS giveaways! mind if I borrow the idea? I look forward to getting to know you through your blog!