Last week two travel bloggers I know and love – Nicole of Arrows Sent Forth and Jennifer of Two Kids and a Map – sent me a virtual invitation to participate in the My 7 Links Project from Tripbase.
The goal of this project is to showcase favorite posts from your past that may be long gone (but not forgotten) so they can see the light of day again.
It’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging now for nearly two years. In that time, I’ve accumulated some 300+ posts ranging in topic from reviews of places we’ve explored in nature, to fun ways we play in our own backyard, and how to make getting outside every day a habit.
Choosing just seven posts to highlight here has been no small task. But here goes.
Most Beautiful Post: Where is Your Favorite Place in Nature?
I wrote this one from the porch of our cabin in Yosemite – my favorite place on the planet. I felt inspired, connected and at peace and wanted to capture that feeling as I was experiencing it. I hope it’ll remind you of your favorite place in nature, too.
Most Popular Post: 50 Ways to Explore Nature in Your Own Backyard
Another post I wrote while on the porch in Yosemite! This time I was thinking about how I could bring the feeling of being in the forest immersed in nature into our everyday lives in urban Los Angeles.
Little did I know then that this post would become my most popular. When I realized how much people were looking for ideas to connect with nature right at home, I started writing more about just that.
My Most Controversial Post: Five Things My 6-Year-Old Loves About SeaWorld
I think the most controversial thing I’ve written here is that we don’t bring along any digital support when we take road trips (yeah, I know, we’re horrible people – deal with it).
But this post on last year’s end-of-summer trip to SeaWorld garnered about as much negative feedback as any I’ve ever written. Not having seen The Cove, I had no idea that a post about SeaWorld would ruffle so many feathers. Many of you boycott the place entirely; others just prefer to see wild animals in the wild.
My Most Helpful Post: 9 Tips for Bird Watching With Kids
My opening paragraph in this one says it all: “I can’t believe I’m writing this post. Before I started this blog, I had zero interest in birds. In fact, I used to joke that I loved watching wildlife – except when it came to the birds.” Now I’m hooked and apparently giving advice on bird watching with kids worth heeding.
A Post Whose Success Surprised Me: Fun Friday: Build a Fairy House
I’m certainly not the first person to have written about building fairy houses, nor the one with the prettiest, fanciest or most creative houses. Maybe it’s because I have sons – not usually known for their interest in fairies – that this post piqued an interest among readers.
A Post I Didn’t Feel Got the Attention It Deserved: How to Raise Kids Who Care About the Planet
Other than hoping to inspire people to let their kids discover the wonders of nature, I don’t get preachy around these parts. But this post became a logical extension of encouraging you to spend all that time outside. I think one of the numerous benefits of connecting kids with nature is that we’re creating future stewards for the planet.
The Post I’m Most Proud Of: The Healing Power of Nature
It’s the post that started it all. The one that took years to finally write and came from a very raw and open place. I still cry when I read my first post, knowing what a journey I’ve been on since then and how vital a role nature has played in all of it. I always knew I was a nature girl; now I’ve finally embraced it.
Tag – You’re It!
My favorite part of this project is that although it’s been kicked off in the travel blogging community, Tripbase encourages you to tag any kind of blogger in return. In that spirit, I’m proud to be passing on an invite to join the fun to:
Melissa at Adventure Tykes
Melissa at Adventuroo
Erin at AK on the Go
Beth at Remarkably Domestic
Suz at Slow Family Online
I can’t wait to see what you amazing ladies have to share!
Beth: Thanks for playing along! My blogiversary is next month!<br /><br />Melissa: Staying inside when it's 100 outside is just fine. There will be plenty of time to have fun when it cools down! <br /><br />Colleen: Loved your post, too. Thanks for the tag!
Hi Debi – Love your picks for your 7 Links! I tagged you in my 7 Links post too (oops!).
What a fun post idea! Thanks so much for tagging me and I loved seeing what you selected. You are so good at being a great outdoor mama. It's been 100 here for weeks and I've kept inside more than I probably should!
Thanks, Debi! I can't wait to participate. And congrats on your upcoming (when?) second blogiversary!