Joyful Abode

Uh, wow… It seems some sort of problem is making it post lots of times in a row in the feeds…

Sorry about that. I’ll try to figure out what is causing it. If anyone has any ideas, please use my spiffy new contact form at http://www.joyfulabode.com/contact to let me know what you think it could be and how to fix it!

Last night, right after I wrote that cheerful post about all the updates, I BROKE MY WEBSITE. Don’t ask me how because I don’t know and neither does my host support team.

It was down for about 12 hours, and if you tried to visit during that time, you probably got directed to

1. My homepage with a freaked-out note from me on it.
2. My shop, for some weird reason
3. A 404 error page

I stayed up until about 1:30am last night trying to figure out what was wrong, emailing with Dreamhost support guru JJ G. When I finally went to bed, I was surprised I could sleep at all… in my brain was

1. What if it’s GONE FOREVER?!
2. No one will visit my site ever again.
3. I’ll have to start over FROM SCRATCH
4. Why do I use my website like a recipe book? I need hard copies of ALL my recipes!
5. Why didn’t I figure out how to make wordpress SQL backups earlier, and what the heck is that anyway?
6. I might not be able to finish NaBloPoMo (silly thought I know).

And then I had dreams. When I’m dreaming, 99.9% of the time, I know it’s a dream while it’s happening. In my dream, I checked my site and it was working, but since I knew it was a dream, I tried to use dream-logic to prove that because I dreamed it worked, it must be working in real life too.

I woke up and it was still down. And I didn’t even have an email from JJ G either… So I sent off a couple more emails to Dreamhost’s support, where I hooked up with Chalise. She told me my database (with all my posts and comments) was still there, and linked me to a backup tutorial.

So I downloaded phpMyAdmin and FTPed it to my server (one of the few things I know how to do). Then I logged in and made a backup of my blog’s SQL… it only took a second, so I’m really suspicious that it didn’t work, but… I tried.

Then, I figured since my database was in tact, I should just try to uplaod my latest backup of my www.joyfulabode.com file (which doesn’t include all the posts… only the wordpress “skeleton” and layout and plugins and all that). I did, overwrote all the then-current files in the folder, and guess what…

It worked.

Chalise at Dreamhost was trying to figure out my mess when I fixed it, so we’ll never know the actual cause.

All of this because I was trying to fix the “Previous Entries” link at the bottom of the page… You know what? IT CAN STAY BROKEN FOR NOW!

If you blog, take the time NOW to figure out how to back up your files, all of them, including your SQL database. I’m not going to make a tutorial or anything like that because I’m not positive I did it right, but there are lots of them if you google “Wordpress backup phpMyAdmin”.

Also, it’s a good time todecide to back up your computer’s files too.  My dad uses Mozy.com and I just signed up for it today. They have a free backup system which lets you back up 2GB of files (including your SQL file for your blog. haha) online. Here’s what my dad had to say about it.

You have 30 days of backup online, so if a file goes missing or corrupt today, but you don’t notice it for a couple weeks, you can still get a copy from Mozy. Not all online backup companies do that. Also, you can set your own encryption code (many do it for you, so that means they have it, which I don’t like). Carbonite is a highly advertised service, but they don’t keep 30 days of backup, nor do they let you set the code. 

Honestly, guys? My dad researches the hell out of stuff like this, so if he picked Mozy, I figure it must be pretty safe / the best. Anyway, if you want to sign up for Mozy today (remember it’s free) using my referral link, you and I will both get  an extra 521Mb of free space FOREVER. But that only works today. If you sign up tomorrow (or ever) with my referral link, we’ll both get 256Mb of free additional space.

Yeah, do it.

The last 12+ hours was REALLY scary for me.

Glad to be back online with you all.

I spent most of the day updating the website… adding things, trying to tweak stuff.

First, you’ll notice there’s a new link up at the top. Archives! Go ahead and click it and let me know what you think. If you click a month, it expands, and I think that’s pretty awesome.

Second, now when you view posts by themselves (instead of on the whole stinkin’ blog), there will be some Related Posts linked below it. This should help you click around to other things you might be interested in. I’ve seen that, loved it, and used it on other blogs… so I figured mine should have that too.

My older sister told me that she tried to load my /category/recipes page and it nearly killed her computer because of all the photos and how LONG it is… so I’m eventually going to try to make more specific recipe categories so they’re not all lumped together, but in the meantime I’ve “cut” those posts. Don’t worry, they’re still there! But now you’ll just have to click “Read the rest of this entry” in order to finish reading.

It’s okay though, because the RSS feed will still show the entire post. I’ve unsubscribed from several blogs I actually like… because their RSS feeds were truncated. It’s super-annoying. So I installed the wordpress plugin “CompleteRSS” so that won’t happen to you.

I’ve also implemented a contact page, but I’m still testing it out. If you’d like to help me test it, please click here and send me a nice friendly email, then comment back here at this entry to tell me about your experience with the contact form. Thanks so much! If I get a bit of good feedback about it, I can link to it in the menu at the top of the page.

Aaaand… I updated my Shows and Events page. Check it out to see when my next show is.

And now I’m going to let you try out the “Read the rest of this entry link” so you get comfy with it.

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Check it out. I have cards with aviator wings on them, for Navy and Marines… great for winging announcements, invitations, thank-yous, or general notes.

Also, emblems/insignia/whatever you want to call them. The Naval officers’ crest, and the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor for Marines.
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I’m really sad because I wrote a whole big Thanksgiving post and after it posted successfully, it seems to have disappeared…

I’m too sad about it right now to write it all over again. So I’ll just post a very short one.

Zora helped me cook.

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Because I appreciate you, I’m giving my thanks with this…

Use Discount code THANKS for 30% off your ENTIRE order at Joyful Abode until tomorrow (Black Friday) at 8pm Central Time.

That means 3 bucks off of these holiday cards…

Or $20+ off of my adorable hand-appliqued baby blankets (which are pretty huge and very warm, by the way.

And these fab Market bags are only $8.40. They’d make a great stocking stuffer, or use them as green gift bags for your holiday gifts.

And these hand-painted (machine washable) Annum napkins are less than $25 with the coupon.

These gorgeous flower brooches are only $8.40 now. They’d be a great alternative to the disposable bow on gift wrapping.

Once again, here’s the deal…

Use Discount code THANKS for 30% off your ENTIRE order at Joyful Abode until tomorrow (Black Friday) at 8pm Central Time.

Enjoy!

Here’s this year’s Wednesday schedule. I didn’t end up prepping the celery and cheese ball stuff, but I can do that tomorrow. It’ll only take a minute.

Stuffing prep: Here are the lovely sourdough loaves I got at the gourmet shop in town. Sorry about the weird color… sometimes my camera doesn’t cooperate.

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I haven’t actually done any prep for thanksgiving at all. I haven’t made any lists or schedules or anything! Luckily, last year I did this…  pre-Thanksgiving Preparations. Good stuff!

I’m brining the turkey again (and now I know how I did it last year AND how long it took to cook last year), and making the artichoke heart sun-dried tomato stuffing again.  One of our friends is bringing dessert (turtle bars!!), one is bringing green bean casserole (mmmm), and another is bringing cheesy jalapeno cornbread (uh, YUM).

So here’s my first list…

I’m going to make

• Turkey - brined (kosher salt, lemon juice, and sugar), injected (with lemon butter),  and then roasted using the Pioneer Woman’s method. Last year we started it at a high temperature, and then lowered the temp. It was great, but I’m sure Pioneer Woman’s low-temp-to-higher-temp method will be good too. Why not? By the way, Butterball’s turkey calculator says we should get an 18-pounder, but Pioneer Woman says to get a 20 pound turkey because she’s going to be posting a LOT of turkey leftover recipes. So… we’re going to try to find one closer to 20 pounds.
• Gravy - of course
• Stuffing - Atichoke heart/sun-dried tomato/sourdough stuffing. My mother-in-law’s recipe and VERY tasty.
• Spinach salad - It’s got eggs and bacon in it, along with a yummy slightly oniony dressing. Mmmm…
• Roasted potatoes, mostly because I already have a bunch of potatoes. Maybe if the commissary has brussles sprouts, I’ll put them in too for another green thing. Or asparagus.
• Ranch cheese balls, crackers, and some veggies for football-watching.
• Warm spiced apple cider

I’m getting really excited! I love cooking and I love having people over. This is going to be a fun one.

What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Are you traveling or are travelers coming your way? Who are you spending it with, and of course what are you cooking?

PS I am teaching Zora to blow bubbles in her water with her nose. My dad and step-mom said they didn’t want gifts for Christmas, only our loving company and possibly some entertainment. I think this will be entertaining, don’t you?

These are non-themed cards that are going to be great for “Welcome to the base” notes for your new neighbors, thank you notes for winging gifts, quick letters to let your family know how training is going, invitations to events or parties, or just about anything you can think of. I’m starting out with:

• “Wings of gold” - Naval aviator / Marine Corps pilot wings
• NFO/Flight Officer wings
• VT-9 Tigers (Traron Nine patch)
• VT-7 Eagels (Training Squadron Seven patch)

And I’m also going to be working on the Naval Officer insignia and the Marine Corps Officer insignia (those will be great for thank you notes for commissioning gifts, or as announcements to let far-away family members know you commissioned, or as invitations to your commissioning ceremony, or… just as “here’s a note from me” type notes, once you’re commissioned.

Well, as you can tell, it’s not quite ready yet, but I’ve been working on the drawings all morning. There are definitely a few things I need to clean up to make them nicer, but soon I’ll be scanning them in to color them and design my new flat note sets!

I also ordered some more T-45 holiday cards to be printed up, and they should get here the first week of December, so if anyone in NAS Meridian, MS or NAS Kingsville, TX needed more of those, let me know! I’m also planning on designing some gift tags with the holiday T-45 on them too… no words on the front; just the plane wrapped in lights… and the back will have To: and From: .

I’m off to take Zora for a walk before it starts to rain! Then back to the drawing board, quite literally.

Every now and then, I like to do a post about people who have “noticed” my blog, as a thank you to those people for spreading the word to their friends and family. It’s been a while, so this is going to be a long one!

Also, these aren’t in chronological order… some are from a while ago, and some are more recent.

1.  Stephanerd tried my crunchy breaded eggplant sticks and said they were quite delicious. Glad you liked them, Steph!
2. LemonTreeTales linked to my post about recovering your office chair as part of an ergonomic makeover for your sewing area. Back pain is no fun, but comfort doesn’t have to be ugly, right?
3. Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil tried out my eggplant burgers and declared them tasty, though a bit mushy. She suggested adding bulgar to beef up the texture.
4. RabbitTrick uses my eggplant burger recipe as a jumping-off point for her own tofu patties.
5. MayRae cooked up one of my tomato pies. Doesn’t her whole wheat crust look pretty?
6. Not Martha linked to my lemon pepper pork recipe, from my “Cooking in a hotel” series.
7. Omg!Lia? jumped on the garlic cheddar biscuit bandwagon and loved the way hers turned out. So glad to hear success stories! She also posted more photos on livejournal.
8. Norththreads says my homemade granola bars are her favorite, and she also loves my breakfast wrap recipe.
9. The Mattsons weigh in on my granola bars, offer some suggestions, and ask a few questions… can anyone help them out? I’d also like a healthier, less-sweet “glue.”
10. The Crepes of Wrath serves up her version of Sommer’s Mexican chicken wrap, and her photos are absolutely delicious.
11. The Kollegiate Hooker adapted my Solomon’s Knot Shawl pattern to make a lovely scarf!
12. Grannyshippiethreads hooked up a great crocheted yoga mat bag from my pattern.
13. Melissa’s Smitten thinks that several of my items (kitchen linens, recipe cards, market totes, and aprons) would make fantastic, unique wedding gifts.
14. Red Thread Studio is experimenting with Shisha embroidery technique, following my tutorial.
15. Jubella also helped spread the word about my Shisha tutorial.
16. 30Days noticed my Shisha tutorial, too.
17. It looks like kaliane has also been toying aroun with Shisha embroidery… looks good!
18. MeggieCat suggested that the Shisha technique could be used to frame little pictures on shrinky-dink material. Awesome idea!
19. SpaceStitch can’t stop eating her homemade granola bars, and she’s having to ration them by storing them in the freezer and only pulling out one per day!
20. Gidget Goes Home was drooling over my BLT salad and Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins… I wonder if she’s tried them yet!
21. Kiddio warns that my Cinnamon Doughnut Muffins could end up being a very bad habit… she may be right.
22. Le pot aux roses listed me in her Top 8 food blogs! (I just snuck in at number 8. hehe.) She says I have yummy down to earth everyday comfort food. Sounds about right to me. Thanks for including me in your faves!
23. My Joyful Abode inventory closet was featured as Unclutterer’s workspace of the week. Awesome!I love that blog!
24. Zora ended up on puppyparade: the best of Flickr puppies.
25. House of Sway solved her jewelry storage problem by making her own jewelry display board.
26. MixMingleGlow thinks my honey cornbread muffins would be a great addition to a pumpkin carving party… I think they’re good for any party!
27. RhondaJane found my website while searching for granola bar recipes, and says, “It is full of great domestic creations like recipes, and sewing patterns/ideas. The author’s blog is really cool too. For those of you that have the time and enjoy learning how to be more ‘homemakery’, I highly recommend this site to you.” What sweet words. Thank you!
28. Friago featured my market totes in her “chic bag lady” post along with some other fantastic bags.
29. Jeanetteweb made a great shelly scarf using one of my crochet patterns. Good job!
30. The Bride’s Cafe loves my shop and suggested several ways my products can be incorporated into your wedding as gifts, favors, and welcome bags.
31. Rachel at CraftZine is taking my chocolate chip pumpkin nut bread to her Thanksgiving potluck. She said it has pretty much all of her favorite things in it. Score!

Wow… I had no idea I had saved up so many links. Whoops!

I definitely am feeling the love though. These posts always make me smile SO HUGE(ly). Thank you all SO much for reading Joyful Abode and for taking the extra effort to spread the word about your favorites!

I’m sure I’ve missed some, so if you wrote about Joyful Abode recently, feel free to post your link (to the specific post) in the comments so I can check it out and thank you too!