Pages

  • Home
  • Connect
  • _About
  • _Meet Rebecca
  • _speaking request
  • _Books
  • __12 Things to Do
  • __12 Things to Pray
  • __December Caravan
  • __Praying Through Lyme Disease
  • __When Hope Restores
  • __When Light Dawns
  • __When Truth Refreshes
  • _Collaborate
  • _Press
  • _Shops
  • __Amazon
  • __Caravan Sonnet Classroom (TPT)
  • __December Caravan
  • __Shop My
  • _caravan sonnet blog sponsors
  • _Thursday Health Thoughts
  • __Thursday Health Thoughts
  • __after the long illness series- once again
  • _Lyme Disease
  • __speaking request
  • __Notes from the Porch: The Lyme and Cancer Updates
  • __lyme books
  • __the lyme diaries
  • Soft Travel
  • _Adventure
  • __Disney
  • __Hiking
  • __Historical Sites
  • __Lake Champlain
  • __Lodging
  • __postcards with mom
  • __Restaurant
  • __Road Trip Itineraries
  • __Travel Tips
  • __With Illness
  • _Bahamas
  • __Castaway Cay
  • __Coco Cay
  • __Nassau
  • _Canada
  • __British Columbia
  • __New Brunswick
  • __Nova Scotia
  • __Prince Edward Island
  • __Quebec
  • _Cruising
  • __Cruising Tips
  • __Disney
  • __Ocean Cruising
  • __River Cruising
  • __Rhine River Cruise
  • __Rhone River Cruise
  • __Viking River Cruises
  • _Europe
  • __France
  • __Germany
  • __Switzerland
  • __The Netherlands
  • _US(a-m)
  • __Alaska
  • __Arizona
  • __California
  • __Florida
  • __Georgia
  • __Maine
  • _US(n-z)
  • __Nebraska
  • __New Hampshire
  • __New Jersey
  • __New York
  • __oregon
  • __Pennsylvania
  • __South Carolina
  • __Tennessee
  • __Vermont
  • __washington
  • books
  • _Chronic Grace Series
  • __12 Things to Pray
  • __12 Things to Do
  • _December Caravan
  • _Praying Through Lyme Disease
  • _Additional Lyme Disease Books
  • __When Hope Restores
  • __When Light Dawns
  • __When Truth Refreshes
  • Blog
Powered by Blogger.
Caravan Sonnet

EST. MMXIII

Pages

  • the cabin letters
  • CARAVAN SONNET CLASSROOM
  • speaking

fab over 40 top 10 and i need your vote

November 3, 2022

  caravan sonnet

Happy Thursday friends! Thank you so much for all of the voting last week! I was so honored to make it into the Top 15!! I need your help with voting again this week! Only the top 10 in each group advance after tonight and I appreciate your help in this vote! This is the next step towards a feature in the New Beauty Magazine and a chance to win $40,000! If I win I plan to use the money to help pay off some remaining medical bills and my home. Thank you for voting! (It is FREE to vote if you click on the link "Free Daily Vote")!


Click HERE to vote! Thank you again so much for your help and time!

read the post

Ways To Make Your Home Perfect For Welcoming Guests

 caravan sonnet

 https://unsplash.com/photos/R-LK3sqLiBw 


A home is more than just a place to live in when the nighttime hits. It’s somewhere that makes us feel comfortable and private during times when we need to be away from the furor of life. It’s also something that we like to show off from time to time.

 

Whether you have friends over to relax or you are hosting a dinner party for others, you’ll want to make sure that people are impressed by what you’re doing and what you’ve already done to the place. Welcoming guests shouldn’t be a stressful and anxiety-inducing situation – here are a few ways you can make the home lovely for any kind of guest: 

 

Have A Genuine Organization And Assembly To The Place 

While you don’t have to be a stickler for detail, it would make a lot of sense to ensure your home has been assembled properly. Don’t just put anything anywhere – have a little order to things. When people enter your home, they’ll want to know that some effort has been put into the place. They won’t be too critical, but it would be a welcomed bonus if things are laid out nicely and there is a sense of order. 

 

Convert Or Extend The Areas That Need Work  

If you’re having people over for a night or two, then there might need to be a little work done in terms of the room(s) they’ll be retiring to. Thinking about a conversion project would help out a lot because it would benefit everyone. When you don’t have people over, you’ll have extra space for productive things. This is especially useful if you have spare rooms that are just lying around collecting dust. 

 

Regularly Clear Out Old Stuff And Freshen Up  

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of collecting things you don’t need. You might feel as though you’ll need some junk a little later down the line – but you never actually do. Get into the habit of clearing out the home and creating space. Services like Evergreen Junk Removal can come along and take so many things off your hands. It’s worth doing this regularly because you’ll want your home to be something that clears and cleanses your mind, too. 

 

Ensure Everything Is Clean And Hygienic

This is a pretty obvious point and one that you should take into account regardless of house guests. If your home isn’t in the right condition, then it’s going to be a very awkward place each and every day. In terms of welcoming people over, you’re going to want to make sure every single area has been scrubbed and checked for anything untoward. The bathrooms and kitchen will especially need to be checked over. These are the two parts of the home that absolutely MUST be cleaned regularly, of course. Nobody will want to stay in a home that is a mess and that looks as though it hasn’t been looked after at all. We all have standards in this world, of course. 


*contributed post*

 



read the post

5 Strategies to Attract the Best Employees

 caravan sonnet

https://unsplash.com/photos/-uHVRvDr7pg 


The quality of your employees is one of the best ways to scale up your business and take your enterprise further. But you cannot achieve this if you cannot attract the best in your industry. As your company grows, you need to hire talent that will help your business thrive in the ever-changing landscape, so if you feel it’s time to take that leap and make that change, here are some vital strategies to implement to ensure success. 


Write An Excellent Job Description 

An excellent job description is the best way to attract candidates with prior knowledge of your business. This is your elevator pitch; it’s the chance to show off what they could be if they join your company, so you have to make it count. Avoid using meaningless hype words and phrases and stick to the point while still trying to make the role appealing. If the job is as good as you believe it is the attraction will shine through. 


Offer Good Benefits 

Appealing benefits are another great way to attract candidates. They want to have the support of the company behind them for a range of issues, including physical and mental well-being, so things like Dental Care as well as flexible hours, and a work-life balance are key things to offer. You can provide additional benefits like birthdays off work and financial incentives, though many modern candidates look for other benefits, such as experiences, rather than traditional cash bonuses. 


Go Beyond the Competitive Salary 

No matter where you look, you’ll find businesses offering competitive pay rather than being upfront about the salary. If you want to make your candidates’ time worth it, you need to go beyond this competitive salary. This isn’t to say you should pay above market rate, but being transparent about how much they will earn can attract better employees. If they know how much they will earn (and could earn in the future), they will be happier to apply. 


Get Current Employees Involved 

Your current employees should have a good idea about how enjoyable it is to work at your company. If you have worked hard to cultivate a positive environment, you can encourage them to provide testimonies to appeal to candidates. This can be tricky, as current employees are expected to rave about their job, so try to make it as authentic as possible via anonymous surveys or other approaches. 


Give Them Room to Grow 

A good quality candidate wants to progress in their career, and your business will be more appealing if you give them the opportunity room to grow. Provide training opportunities that can prepare them for more responsibilities in their career, but be wary that they will expect senior positions to reflect their ability and you may not be able to offer them that. 


The Best of the Best 

The best talent in the industry can help your business go from good to great and establish itself as a key player. This is just the beginning, and you can expect to see plenty of improvements, but only if you prove to these employees that they made the right decision to join your company. 


*contributed post*
read the post

3 Smart Tips For Finding An Apartment On A Budget

 caravan sonnet

Image Credit: Sasint from Pixabay.

Apartment-hunting can often be a stressful and time-consuming process. When you’re on a budget, it could be even worse. You’ll have to sift through countless apartments before finding a few you can actually afford. Then there are the viewings and rental applications you’ll have to make.

It’s easy to see why people get anxious about this. Finding an apartment on a budget doesn’t need to be that complicated. By using three particular apartment-hunting tips, you’ll find an apartment for rent you can afford and will be sure to love.

It’s worth taking a look at how you can do this.

Finding An Apartment On A Budget: 3 Top Tips

1. Get Social

When you’re looking for an apartment on a budget, you’ll likely look through some of the most obvious rental websites. You could even get in touch with various real estate agencies. One overlooked part of this could be social media. You could find more affordable apartments here than you would’ve thought.

Facebook Marketplace could be an option for this, but it could be worth posting about how you’re looking for an apartment. Friends and followers could be more willing and able to help you than you would’ve thought.

At a minimum, they can point you in the right direction.

2. Consider Downsizing

You might be used to living in a certain size apartment. It could be a two bedroom with a large living room and kitchen, for example. While you might’ve been able to afford this before, you mightn’t be able to afford similar apartments on the market.

In that case, you might want to consider downsizing. Instead of a two-bedroom, consider a one-bedroom or even a studio apartment. While these will be smaller, they’ll be much more affordable because of it.

It’ll also expand the options you have, so you could find one you like much more.

3. Know Needs Vs. Wants

You’ll likely have a dream apartment in your mind. It’ll have specific amenities, be in a certain neighborhood, and more. You’ll need to figure out which of these are necessities, and what are ideal to have, despite not being essential.

By having a list of mandatory amenities, you can make sure you limit your choices to apartments that will suit your needs. You should look at your wants as optional extras that make a specific option more appealing. Being willing to compromise on these can bring the overall costs down.

Focus on the necessities first to make sure you get everything you need.

Finding An Apartment On A Budget: Wrapping Up

Finding an apartment on a budget doesn’t need to be overwhelming, and you don’t have to spend countless hours sifting through multiple options to find one. Using a few apartment-hunting tips can make sure this is much easier and more stress-free than you’d think.

Knowing your needs versus your wants, considering downsizing, and getting social can all help with this. With these, you shouldn’t have a problem finding affordable apartments and making sure you can move in relatively quickly.

*contributed post*


read the post

The Simple Guide To Building Your Company’s Online Strategy

 caravan sonnet

Pixabay CC0 License


Whether you’re starting a new business or want to take your local SME into the digital arena, a clear online strategy is vital. Sadly, if you lack experience in this environment, it can leave you feeling very confused.


Thankfully, this simple checklist will point you in the right direction to leave a great impression on the visitors who matter.


1- Build A Strong Website 

Even if you do not intend to facilitate online sales, a strong website is now the most valuable tool at your disposal. It is the foundation of any successful online strategy. With help from Red Spot Design, you will soon have an attractive-looking site across all platforms. When supported by smooth navigation and a strong SEO campaign to boost search engine visibility, you’ll never look back.


2- Create Content

Developing your brand doesn’t have to focus on actively selling products. Simply gaining brand awareness is often the most significant step. Blogs are a great starting point as they offer a quick and inexpensive way to prove your authority in the industry. In today’s climate, podcasts and videos are ideal additions too. Audiences consume them daily while they’ll also retain more of your brand message. It will increase your hopes of future conversions.


3- Use Social Media

A strong website is vital as most people who become aware of your business will visit it to research your brand. However, the discovery phase is often difficult to facilitate. Social media can be a great tool for growing your venture because it gives you instant access to a global audience of 4.5 billion. Besides, regular interactions build a sense of familiarity that can help customers become more trusting of the firm.

caravan sonnet

Pixabay CC0 License


4- Build Trust

Nobody will buy from the business just because they are aware of it. They also need to trust the company. You can achieve this online by gaining verified testimonials from your happy clients. Another top trick is to add live chat facilities or a chatbot software package. When they can contact you with their issues and gain a quick response, they will know that you are committed to quality services.


5- Embrace Influencers

Testimonials already show the power of recommendation. However, you can take this to the next level by looking at influencer marketing platforms like Heepsy. Influencers will use social media and visual media to build interest in the brand. If they have a similar audience to your target demographic, it will deliver truly stunning results for the business. Better still, it means that you can focus on actively running the business.


6- Invest In Security

Building a strong online strategy is one thing but maintaining it is another. A breach could cause irreparable financial and reputational damage. As such, you must ensure that the right cybersecurity security measures are in place across the board. Downtime is another major problem. So, when choosing your web host, you must check their uptime records too. When used in conjunction with the other steps, your web game will look stronger than ever.


*contributed post*


read the post

Is Becoming An FNP The Answer To A Nurse's Career Doubts?

There are so many nurses working hard, across the country. While the majority will find the aspect of the care they give and the pace at which they work, extremely rewarding; there will be many who are also questioning their career path. With long, unsociable hours, and a constant rotation of new patients in their care; some nurses may not be getting the fulfillment they want and deserve from their careers, and will be questioning how much longer they can carry on. Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner could be just the answer for those nurses who are craving a career change, and a boost to their level of progression and fulfillment. The current need for FNPs makes it an appealing area of the job market to approach; there is no shortage of jobs and plenty of opportunities in an array of locations. The following infographic perfectly summarizes the benefits of heading down the career path of becoming an FNP. Information on the current critical need for FNPs, the improvement in income, and better working hours, are all displayed clearly and in an approachable manner. There is clear instruction on how a nurse can access the information they’ll need to progress in their career and choose a pathway with one of the options from Marymount University. It’s an inspiring infographic that may just give a nurse the push or direction they’ve been needing for a while, in order to take the right steps in their career path. Have a look and see what you think!
Infographic Design By: Marymount University Online

*contributed post*

 

read the post

What Appetizers Should You Serve at a Dinner Party?

November 1, 2022

 caravan sonnet

https://unsplash.com/photos/K47107aP8UU

When you're hosting a dinner party, you want everything to be perfect. The food should be delicious, the conversation should flow, and your guests should have a great time. One way to set the tone for a great evening is to serve some delicious appetizers. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to decide what to make. So in this blog post, we’re going to take a look at some great options to inspire your next dinner party.

The Fun in Cooking Appetizers

Appetizers are one of the best parts of any meal. They're a chance to whet your appetite and try a little bit of everything. And they're usually easy to make, so you can spend more time enjoying your guests' company than slaving away in the kitchen. Whatsmore, you could even create your whole dinner party around the appetizers to make it more of a serve yourself, picky event! Whether you're hosting a casual get-together or an elegant soirée, appetizers are a great way to set the tone for a delicious meal. Now let’s consider your options.

1. Cheese Platter

A classic for a reason, a cheese platter is always a hit. Be sure to include a variety of cheeses, crackers, and fruits so that there's something for everyone. You could even whip up a slow cooker beer cheese dip recipe to serve with chips if you’re looking for a huge hit!

2. Deviled Eggs

Whether you like them plain or fancy them up with some bacon or Sriracha sauce, deviled eggs are always a good idea. They're easy to make ahead of time, so you can relax and enjoy your party instead of being stuck in the kitchen.

3. Mini Quiches

These little bites are perfect for parties because they can be made ahead of time and they're easy to eat while mingling. Plus, they're endlessly customizable, so you can make them however you like. our favorite recipe calls for spinach, feta, and sun-dried tomatoes. Yum!

4. Vegetable Platter

If you're looking for something healthy and flavorful, look no further than a veggie platter. Load it up with all of your favorites vegetables and dips and watch it disappear. A great options is roasted Brussels sprouts with honey mustard dip. So good!

5. Chicken Wings

You can't go wrong with chicken wings at a party. They're hearty enough to satisfy even the heartiest appetite, but they're also finger food so they're easy to eat while mingling. Plus, there are endless ways to prepare them, so you can always find a new recipe to try. Our current favorite is pineapple habanero wings - so good!

6. Caprese Skewers

These little bites are healthy, flavorful, and easy to eat on the go. What more could you ask for? Be sure to use fresh mozzarella and tomatoes for the best flavor possible. And if you really want to impress your guests, drizzle them with balsamic glaze before serving. Delicious!

No matter what kind of party you're throwing, appetizers are always a good idea. They give your guests something to nibble on while they mingle and they give you a chance to show off your culinary skills.

*contributed post*


read the post
new entries old entries
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Meet Rebecca

Meet Rebecca
author for the hopeful and adventurous heart // cozy-luxury haven living peacefully beckoning, prompted by love and full of beauty in the everyday

THE CABIN LETTERS

THE CABIN LETTERS
monthly letter club

Jardins de l'abbaye Saint-Georges de Boscherville

Jardins de l'abbaye Saint-Georges de Boscherville

10 BEST TRAVEL TIPS OF ALL TIME

10 BEST TRAVEL TIPS OF ALL TIME

WELL LOVED POSTS

  • 16 unexpected items to bring on every cruise
    Hello friends! Thanks so much for stopping by and reading today! Today I am so excited to share with y'all 16 unexpected but nec...
  • 51 Scripture Verses on Health and Healing
    Happy Thursday sweet friends! I am often told by very dear and well-meaning people, " I am praying for you " or " I am pr...
  • Shop Re-Opening (and a Special Coupon!)
    I am so excited to share that the shop has re-opened after being away for treatment and surgery the last couple of weeks!! I am excited ...

TPT: CARAVAN SONNET CLASSROOM

TPT: CARAVAN SONNET CLASSROOM

CARAVAN SONNET PARCEL POST

CARAVAN SONNET PARCEL POST

SHOP THE POSTS ON AMAZON

SHOP THE POSTS ON AMAZON

DECEMBER CARAVAN

DECEMBER CARAVAN

Get in touch!

Feel free to say hello!

Archive

  • ▼  2026 (295)
    • ▼  October (9)
      • how to start planning your travel adventures for t...
      • the best winter holidays for friendship groups
      • best wool mattress pads for guest rooms, cabins, a...
      • ten people who would love to find the cabin letter...
      • places to travel without a passport: 12 us escapes...
      • can stress cause a heart attack?
      • foods that support eye health and what they can ac...
      • teachers pay teachers (tpt) changes and what is ne...
      • introducing the cabin letters: a monthly snail mai...
    • ►  September (28)
    • ►  August (19)
    • ►  July (8)
    • ►  June (27)
    • ►  May (33)
    • ►  April (33)
    • ►  March (50)
    • ►  February (58)
    • ►  January (30)
  • ►  2025 (316)
    • ►  December (31)
    • ►  November (38)
    • ►  October (30)
    • ►  September (19)
    • ►  August (26)
    • ►  July (19)
    • ►  June (33)
    • ►  May (22)
    • ►  April (20)
    • ►  March (27)
    • ►  February (26)
    • ►  January (25)
  • ►  2024 (261)
    • ►  December (17)
    • ►  November (29)
    • ►  October (19)
    • ►  September (11)
    • ►  August (24)
    • ►  July (25)
    • ►  June (27)
    • ►  May (17)
    • ►  April (20)
    • ►  March (32)
    • ►  February (22)
    • ►  January (18)
  • ►  2023 (272)
    • ►  December (8)
    • ►  November (22)
    • ►  October (23)
    • ►  September (16)
    • ►  August (17)
    • ►  July (25)
    • ►  June (23)
    • ►  May (27)
    • ►  April (13)
    • ►  March (32)
    • ►  February (38)
    • ►  January (28)
  • ►  2022 (316)
    • ►  December (32)
    • ►  November (41)
    • ►  October (27)
    • ►  September (36)
    • ►  August (32)
    • ►  July (20)
    • ►  June (18)
    • ►  May (26)
    • ►  April (23)
    • ►  March (23)
    • ►  February (26)
    • ►  January (12)
  • ►  2021 (279)
    • ►  December (5)
    • ►  November (22)
    • ►  October (52)
    • ►  September (24)
    • ►  August (27)
    • ►  July (28)
    • ►  June (37)
    • ►  May (15)
    • ►  April (11)
    • ►  March (25)
    • ►  February (14)
    • ►  January (19)
  • ►  2020 (302)
    • ►  December (9)
    • ►  November (21)
    • ►  October (16)
    • ►  September (18)
    • ►  August (14)
    • ►  July (12)
    • ►  June (23)
    • ►  May (22)
    • ►  April (27)
    • ►  March (52)
    • ►  February (38)
    • ►  January (50)
  • ►  2019 (249)
    • ►  December (22)
    • ►  November (28)
    • ►  October (23)
    • ►  September (12)
    • ►  August (12)
    • ►  July (19)
    • ►  June (15)
    • ►  May (23)
    • ►  April (15)
    • ►  March (28)
    • ►  February (28)
    • ►  January (24)
  • ►  2018 (241)
    • ►  December (27)
    • ►  November (23)
    • ►  October (31)
    • ►  September (27)
    • ►  August (26)
    • ►  July (15)
    • ►  June (18)
    • ►  May (14)
    • ►  April (18)
    • ►  March (15)
    • ►  February (15)
    • ►  January (12)
  • ►  2017 (185)
    • ►  December (8)
    • ►  November (14)
    • ►  October (10)
    • ►  September (17)
    • ►  August (21)
    • ►  July (16)
    • ►  June (16)
    • ►  May (19)
    • ►  April (18)
    • ►  March (10)
    • ►  February (16)
    • ►  January (20)
  • ►  2016 (189)
    • ►  December (23)
    • ►  November (15)
    • ►  October (24)
    • ►  September (12)
    • ►  August (25)
    • ►  July (12)
    • ►  June (15)
    • ►  May (15)
    • ►  April (12)
    • ►  March (15)
    • ►  February (10)
    • ►  January (11)
  • ►  2015 (159)
    • ►  December (9)
    • ►  November (13)
    • ►  October (9)
    • ►  September (18)
    • ►  August (22)
    • ►  July (19)
    • ►  June (9)
    • ►  May (7)
    • ►  April (10)
    • ►  March (12)
    • ►  February (15)
    • ►  January (16)
  • ►  2014 (179)
    • ►  December (6)
    • ►  November (14)
    • ►  October (26)
    • ►  September (19)
    • ►  August (12)
    • ►  July (16)
    • ►  June (15)
    • ►  May (18)
    • ►  April (15)
    • ►  March (20)
    • ►  February (8)
    • ►  January (10)
  • ►  2013 (153)
    • ►  December (9)
    • ►  November (4)
    • ►  October (13)
    • ►  September (8)
    • ►  August (17)
    • ►  July (19)
    • ►  June (18)
    • ►  May (16)
    • ►  April (19)
    • ►  March (14)
    • ►  February (11)
    • ►  January (5)

Featured

how to start planning your travel adventures for the year ahead
There’s something particularly giddy about opening a new calendar and knowing there are a few adventures waiting for you somewhere in the mo...

CARAVAN SONNET SPONSORS

CARAVAN SONNET SPONSORS
© Caravan Sonnet
Theme by SoulMuse