Our 2020 Blogger Journey - Peaches & Paprika

A heartfelt thanks to Colby of the Puppy In Training  blog for picking up the ball and getting the 2020 Pet Bloggers Journey rolling. That was a really great thing to do. It's so wonderful so see everyone's challenges, accomplishments & activities this year.  I"ve learned so much from what I read so far.  Here are my answers:

1.  WHEN DID YOU FIRST BEGIN YOUR BLOG AND FOR THOSE STOPPING BY FOR THE FIRST TIME, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN BLOGGING & WHAT IS YOUR MAIN TOPIC?

This is our fifth year.  Our blog features the adventures of Peaches & Paprika, my two quirky tiger-calico sisters who were originally rescue kitties. Our blog is for entertainment and has no socially redeemable value.  
(Well we ARE told it makes people smile) We focus on celebrating "fun" holidays - such as Kite Flying Day, Cat World Domination Day and National Donut Day.  On Kite Flying day, for example, Peaches tries to fly a kite and is carried away into the sky while Paprika watches forlornly.  On Wine Drinking Day, Peaches & Paprika sneak into a bar. You get the idea. 

2.  NAME ONE THING ABOUT YOUR BLOG OR ONE BLOGGING GOAL THAT YOU ACCOMPLISHED DURING 2019 THAT MADE YOU MOST PROUD.

a)  My goal was to finish 2-3 books and i finished 2 books about Peaches & Paprika. I also got up to speed (well sort of) on how to query and write book proposals to agents & publishers.  I expect I will end up self publishing the books but its been a great exercise and learning experience. I did have an agent in the 90's so knew alittle about the process.

b) I joined Cat Writers Association & right before that  won a Certificate of Excellent in photo art for one of my posts





c) I also exceeded 10K fans on our Facebook Page,  although that was a mixed blessing. (more on that shortly)

3. WHICH OF YOUR 2019 BLOG POSTS WAS YOUR FAVORITE AND WHY

That's a tough one.  I think I liked Springing Forward - Our Too Early Awakening (because it was funny) and Lazing Around With My iPad (same reason) and Without Ou Purr-mission (Home Invasion) because it detailed what our cats may go through when they have to change residences. 

4.  What was the biggest blogging challenge in 2019 and how did you face it?  

Challenge #1) Keeping my blog and Facebook page going while I was
      a) writing my two books and
      b) moving & changes residences.

Challenge #2) - Re-engaging my Facebook readers, because as soon as we hit 10K LIKES the reach dropped drastically (Facebook algorhythms) & I had to build up the page again.

5.  WHAT IS YOU #1 TIP FOR BRINGING TRAFFIC TO YOUR BLOG?

Fresh content, good photography and writing, keep engaged, and keep posting, no matter what the H____  else is going on at the time.  

6.  DO YOU DO SPONSORED POSTS/REVIEWS? IS THIS SOMETHING TO DO MORE OF?

I'm more interested in writing books than in sponsored reviews though wouldn't be adverse to a sponsored post if the product were compatible with our lifestyle and the compensation could be agreed upon.  Used to be a Chewy Influencer and also a few other companies. But just for product exchanges.

7.  LOOKING FORWARD TO 2020, if you accomplish only one thing through your blog, what do you  hope it is?

I guess I'm an entertainer at heart. This will sound corny, but I really dig bringing joy, laughter and chuckles to as many people as possible. I love  creating content that warms  hearts even alittle--content universal enough to make them think of their own pets & how much we all have in common.

8.  WHAT STEPS ARE YOU PLANNING TO TAKE TO ENSURE YOU REACH YOUR GOAL?

I started a mailing list in 2020 (Yeah, I know, FINALLY). 

I'm going to get through the hurdles of self publishing. I've joined two self publishing Facebook groups, I'm researching Amazon guidelines and more to take the first/second steps to get  my book out there so people can see it and read it! Many bloggers made comments on our 2019 challenge that were very helpful.

9. THE BLOGGING LANDSCAPE IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING. WHAT CHANGES DO YOU SEE COMING IN 2020?

I'm not expert enough to answer this!  I do plan to educate myself more thoroughly through online groups and research so I can keep on top of all the crazy changes and meet the challenges whatever they are (or know whether I WANT to meet them!)

10.  IF YOU COULD ASK THE PET BLOGGING COMMUNITY FOR HELP WITH ONE CHALLENGE YOU'RE HAVING WITH YOUR BLOG, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Only ONE?  I'm going to cheat and list two. What's the worst that can happen?

1) Getting a handle on the bells & whistles of mailing lists and how to get the most out of them & grow your readership.  Is there a "Mailing Lists for Dummies?" book?  Just started list last month and want to make the most of it. (and probably switch to a different service). I'm currently (but not or long) using Constant Contact for the phone support,but also researched Mailchimp, Mailerlite, Mad Mimi, Convertkit)

2) Self Publishing Hints on Picture Books: The hardest type book to convert to an e-book. Joined two Facebook self publishing support groups; any other info or shared experiences very appreciated!

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Thank you for reading through my answers. I look forward to hearing from you and reading the rest of the fascinating and colorful journeys you all have been having. 

Carol Lowbeer, 

Mom of Peaches & Paprika



We are joining The Cat On My Head's blog hop today in addition to the 2020 Blogger Journey hop!

Graffiti Peaches - Cat-Ur-Day Art

I love blue colors in winters and thought you would like to see MY living room.  Our human who mistakenly thinks its HER room did not decorate it to my eclectic taste  ao I thought I'd apply a more artistic touch..  How do you think I did?  

You'll see a "quasi-cat" at my side.  That's "Calissandra" my sometimes companion who doesn't do much of anything but looks a lot like me.  I keep her around so I can "lord it over her" like I'm doing in this picture.

Today my human, inspired by Athena, Cat Goddess today, used the Lunatic "Graffiti" effect.  Do you kitties ever help decorate your house?

We're joining Athena's Cat-ur-Day Art Hop today!

Butler Service for Paprika

There is no reason you can't have Butler service if you just ask for it.  I have it here at chez Carol. Your dinner can be served ANYWHERE. Now I rarely enter the kitchen anymore because I have my human trained.  I INSIST on private Butler Service inside my purr-tonal winter cottage.   

How do I do it?  Well picture my human holding my chicken a la king dinner bowl in her hands and not finding me.  That's cuz I have gone inside my cardboard cottage. I meow softly.  THEN she sees me!  I require that she serve this meal on my front porch and then (if I like the meal) I will consume it inside.  You should try this with YOUR human!  She says I am being finicky and difficult.  I maintain I am

simply discerning with high standards. Besides my sisfur Peaches is a dinner thief. It's best to stay away from her at mealtimes. My human gets this.


I though you would enjoy seeing some more  of culinary activities inside MY HOUSE!

Now about YOU kitties?  Do YOU get butler service in YOUR house?  I highly recommend it!

Dress Up Your Pet Day - Blue Bonnet Paradise

Hello, Peaches the "dressed up" cat here! We are not big "dress up" cats, but Looove our blue bonnet, which was a gift from Miss Ellen of 15 and Meowing when we first her at a cool cat fair in Massachusetts! We posted these photos in a previous year, but how can we resist sharing the again on such a momentous occasion as Dress Up Your Pet Day!

What I've always liked about this bonnet is it's cool "ear action"

and as you can see it looks just as scrumptious from the side!

The ear action is un-equalled, I tell you!

Now as you can (see (last two pictures) my sis-fur Paprika doesn't "get" the purpose of this item.  She thinks you're supposed to lie on top of it.  Hopeless case!  Now a cautionary word to the world at large! Be sensitive to your kitties' er, "inclinations."  Most do NOT like dress up.  There are always "virtual dress ups" which mom Carol likes to do most of the time.  Or your kitty could lie next to something festive.  What sort of "stuff" does your kitty like on him/her or to lie on top of?

Dreaming of Tuna - Happy Tummy Tuessday from Paprika

I'm dreaming too! Of TUNA! 

May all your dreams come true, whatever they are! Happy Tummy Tuesday! -- Paprika the cat

Dreaming of 2020 - Catirday Art

Our human sometimes takes some serious chunks of to dream about the year ahead, and take note of visions and hopes for what will happen. Of course she wishes happiness, hugs and health for us and all her loved ones.  Now for us, we'd like a lot more play time with her.  She gets WAY too busy, sometimes....

We are joining Athena and Marie for their Cat-ur-day hop!

Houseplant Appreciation Day: Which plants are toxic?

Our human loves plants but since we also love them, she's migrated to mostly artificial.  Still, it's nice to think about those green growing things in the middle of winter.  She did locate an article of some HOUSEPLANTS TO AVOID though! Just click on the link for more info.  At Chez Carol, our human's house, she keeps only artificial plants these days.  That doesn't stop ME from pretending to take a bite if she's not paying enough attention to me.

National Bubble Bath Day is here again!

Okay, so we know cats don't NORMALLY go for baths, but can't a gurrrrl indulge in a little fantasy here and there.  After all it IS National Bubble Bath Day!  As usual, Paprika has taken this activity way too far! - Peaches the cat

Okay so I DO get a little carried away with these activities.  But how many cats are nimble enough to get in this crazy position? -- Paprika the cat

Festival of Sleep Celebration - Holiday recuperation

Paprika here! Our Sunday selfie is about the glories of sleep.  In fact, this weekend (January 3) is called Festival of Sleep.  At such a time it's absolutely unthinkable that a cat should have to get up any sooner than she wants to!

Our weekend started out with an activity I often enjoy, becoming a LUMP under the covers.  

 However I was discovered!  My human was not as pleased with my selection of sleeping places as I thought...

Would you believe she actually tried to get me to come out!  How unfair for a girl who's just trying to snuggle!

I explained to my human that I was purr-featly comfortable and happy in my digs & leaving was unthinkable.

For some reason she thought I was smothering which I debated hotly. Finally I BEGGED to stay under the comfy covers.

In the end, I had to actually recruit my sis-fur Peaches, to help me stand solid against the human so that we didn't have to get out of bed.  Peaches is much fiercer than me and as you can see we created a "united furr-ont."

Finally, we thought we'd entertain a couple friendly fill in's.

Paprika's answers:

I hope I always get to stay under the covers.

I hope I never have to ask Peaches for help again cuz she always lords it over me.

We're joining Cat on My Head's Sunday Selfie Hop today.  Are all you kitties catching a good snooze to recover from the holidays?  Don't you think being a lump under covers is allowable?

PAINTED CAT MEW YEAR'S SHOW 2020

CLICK ON PICTURE TO SEE SHOW!

 What happens when 30 adventurous cats volunteer to be "painted" for New Year's Eve?  White cats turn pink, brown cats turn blue, and orange cats?  Well anything could happen!

 These fearless felines, friends of Peaches & Paprika's Facebook page, had a great time ringing in 2020. NO one was allowed to complain about their "New Look."  Two bloggers - Noelle from Friends Forever and Annabelle from ManxCaats purr-ticipated.  Happy 2020 to all & Happy Cat-urday. We're joining Athena & Marie's art hop today.