Welcome to Catholic Sistas’ newest series, featuring some of our friends in the Catholic blogging world entitled Fabulously Featured which will run on Wednesdays. I have always wanted to introduce you to some new blogs to follow and support, but seriously lacked the time to put this together before now. In a Facebook group of fellow Catholic women bloggers, I asked ladies to answer some questions for this series, and they were all too excited to participate! I give you their answers in their own words.
Pour yourself a cup of tea, pull up a chair, and meet Ashley- wife, mother, friend, traveler, and author of Between the Linens. She is sure to inspire you to be see your own self worth and beauty as you read about her family, her faith, her fabulous food, and all the other interesting things that keep her mind occupied!
ESTABLISHED:
2014
THEME:
I find myself mostly writing about my everyday life touching on how I utilize the liturgical year, the struggles I encounter with motherhood and being a wife, and the silly moments that bring me back to God again and again.
INSPIRATION/MOTIVATION:
I wanted a stable community since we move around a lot. I was reading blogs, and it dawned on me that I needed to comment on blogs as well as contribute to the conversation in order to have that community. I also love to ramble on about odd eccentric topics that have little to no practical application at first glance. Between the Linens lets me do that.
FAVORITE ELEMENT:
I love the simplicity and positive tone that I have been able to create. I struggle a lot with staying upbeat. I can write about a scenario or a news article to gather a better insight into the material.
FAVORITE POST:
Starting a Prayer Routine :: Seven Quick Takes: This post was written in a time where I desperately needed a structure to my prayer life. I still go back and look at it.
BALANCE :
I don’t think I do! Ha. Priorities are really important; on Sunday nights, I make a list of 12 tasks that I must accomplish outside of completing homeschooling and daily chores. I work on completing two tasks a day. My husband is generous to give me about 6-8 hours a week to work on writing or research; I use a log sheet to keep track of how much time I have spent towards my writing.
AUDIENCE:
I started writing for myself, but now, I am more interested in reaching other Catholic mothers who may be interested in discussing or learning about the Church, novels, liturgical celebrations, homeschooling or life in general.
CATCH PHRASE/TAGLINE:
“Chronicling My Beautiful Struggle” came to me when I was discussing my blog plans with my mother. Life is variable and often stress-filled; I wanted to juxtapose that idea of stress (negative) with the beauty of everyday. Often times, I have to remind myself that the crosses I am bearing are leading to a more fulfilling and wondrous union with Christ and the Heavens than I can imagine.
ADVICE :
I think that intention is really important. Making a mission statement or taking a period of discernment about where God is leading your writing is essential in creating an authentic blog. I really wanted other women to see that struggling is normal and necessary but it can also be funny and ripe for growth.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
Have a question or comment for our featured blogger? Please leave them in the comments below!
Would you {or someone you know} like to be fabulously featured?
Send an email to Martina@CatholicSistas.comand reference the Fabulously Featured series and we’ll get the ball rolling to get you or your friend featured!