Google Plus Basics {Resource List to get you started}

For a while now I've had a Google Plus profile but have had no idea why or what really to do with it until this week. I was recently challenged to find out more about Google Plus.  I'm so glad that I did.

It all started when I watched a YouTube clip and grew from there.  

So how does a Google+ post differ from a Facebook post ?
There are a few differences in how you post to Facebook verses Google +.

Dustin Stout shares a great tip page on the Anatomy of a Perfect Google+ post that is well worth taking a look at. He has a great info graphic for you to download for reference.

So How Do You Post on Google+ ?
I started off by watching a YouTube interview with Jimmie Lanley.  During this interview I learned a few of the ins and outs of Google+ for bloggers and just why we should be using Google+.

I discovered this list of tips called:  How to Post on Google+

Ultimate Google Plus Posting Guide

Want to Increase Social Signals?

Link Litter Makes Me Wanna Puke a Little

6 Ways a Formatted Google+ Post Will Increase Engagement and Interest

Why Keep Promoting the Fake Mystery of Online Content?

Five Easy Steps to Bake the Perfect Google+ Post

How To Create The Perfect Google+ Post

Google+ Posting Guide [Infographic]

The Anatomy of a Perfect Google+ Post

This Changes Everything: Social Signals, Your Website, and Google+

Pro Tip: The Proper Way to Share Your Post! Great YouTube clip on post structure.

So What's with the +1 and Sharing on Google+?
Dustin Stout decided to do an experiment along with a few friends to find out the impact of +1's and sharing on Google Plus and how this relates to his blog's content.

This Changes Everything {Social Signals, Your Website, and Google+} is an interesting read and gives you a better understanding of why and how to plus one and share.

Should you tick that box ??
Mark Vang shares a concise what Not to do on Google+ called: The easiest way to get BLOCKED on Google+

Too Many Emails!
Anthony Idle has a good walk through YouTube clip showing you how to stop all those emails from flooding your inbox.

Google+ University

Google+ University

A good place to begin your Google+ education if you are an information geek is with Mike Alton.

He has started the Google+ University post. Mike has divided up the links into the following topics:

Introduction to Google+

Getting Around the Plus

Growing Your Bussiness

Advanced Plussing

Tools & Comunities

Google Authorship

I am still working my way through the links but so far I've learned what I've wanted to know.


More Links to Info on Google+ ?

• If you are looking for a walk through Plus You Business has A Visual Google+ Guide with 30+ tips! for you.
• The Google+ Directory. has over 110 tips with links here.

What about the Cover?
If you prefer to use a template when making a cover photo Google Plus For You has a free one available.

What about a Hover Card ?
This is your calling card and your first impression announcement when people hover with their mouse over your name.   Here is a walk through on Editing and the anatomy of your Hover Card.


What about Images ?
Google + is mainly an image driven network.  We visually feast with our eyes on this platform.  Matthew Shuey shares a great post on Best Practices For Sharing Images on Google+

Google Plus Etiquette

• Be very careful of accidentally becoming a spammer on Google+ avoid link litter and circle sharing.
• Use the plus key on your keyboard and tag the person whose content you are sharing.

It's been a fun week unwrapping Google Plus.  I will be updating this post with links and information as I learn more so be sure to come back.

Looking forward to meeting you on Google Plus

Making Animal Footprint Casts

One of the things I enjoy about being married to a handy man who is a Zoo Keeper is that he comes up with some really interesting things to do.  Here is something that his dad taught him.

Cheetah Footprint

I was surprised at how easy this is to accomplish.

Firstly make sure your cast kit is ready.

• Strips of cardboard about an inch in width.
• Plaster of Paris (store in an airtight container, 
• A container to mix plaster of Paris in, 
• Water, 
• Mixing tool.
• Old toothbrush

Make strips of thin card stock

We used a Manila folder and cut a strip on the diagonal.  

The black dotted lines are where we cut the strips to join with a slide fold.

Make your cast

Choose your print to cast 

Carefully place the card stock strip around your print and slightly embed it into the soil.

Next mix your plaster of Paris. You will need a relatively runny mix.

Slowly and gently fill each separate impression first. 

If you pour too quickly you risk the print being damaged.

Continue pouring in the mix till you have reached a good depth.
A depth of  about 1/2 inch. (10 - 15 mm) is good.

Wait for 30 - 60 min for the plaster to set.

Gently lift your cast

Brush away excess sand.

An old tooth brush works the best.

Allow the cast to dry for a couple of hours.

Paul used a sharp craft knife to shave off around the print to give it a smoother finish.  This also helps to make a contrast of texture allowing a visual enhancement of your print.

You can also use a nail to engrave the date, name of animal and place of your print.  Don't forget to engrave your initials on the back.

Allow your print to dry for about a week in a safe place.

To seal your print use Mod Podge.  You will need to paint it with at least four coats. 

Try this with your dog or cat in your sand pit / garden

Blessings

Home Made Laundry Soap

I was over at Creating with Wisdom a few weeks ago and was inspired by Vicky who was making home made soap and thought I would like to try that but not yet.

A couple of days later I found Our Simple Country Life and Esther hosts a weekly Hearts for Home link up and there was a post in the link party titled 10 Money Saving Tips over at Hopeful Future I was intrigued so went to have a look.  One of the tips was about making your own laundry soap so decided to give it a go. Her recipe and the one I have tried is from The Family Homestead.com . Making Homemade Laundry Soap By Crystal Miller

Ingredients

• 1/3 bar of soap (approx 50 grams) you need a pure soap not synthetic.
• 1/2 cup Washing Soda this is the RED bag (It is not lectric soda or bicarb)
• 1/2 cup Borax Powder (done some reading about this as we have a grey water system and the laundry water is used to water the garden so will be leaving this ingredient out in my next batch as too much can kill worms in the garden)
• Water ( 6 cups hot water + 4 cups boiling water + 5.5 Litres cold water = 8 Lt)

I found all my items at the local Woolworths supermarket in the laundry isle.

Method

• Measure out the borax and washing soda and set aside

• Grate the soap into a pot 
• Add 6 cups of hot water 

• Heat on medium stove stir till soap is dissolved
• Add borax and washing soda and stir till all the powder is dissolved.  When you add the powder the mix bubbles up in the pot so add it slowly.
• Pour into a bucket
• Add 4 cups of boiling water and mix well.  ( I did some research and another lady used cold water one day and it made the soap separate so stick with the boiling water)
• Now add 5.5 Litres of tap water and mix well.

• Leave it to stand over night and set.

• Use 1/4 cup per load of washing.

The process took me 15 min to do and was not very complex.  I did find that the finer you grate the soap the faster it dissolves.

While I was searching for information I discovered a great pdf. document by by Tashia Calhoun with photo's and step by steps to down load and print: Guide to Homemade Laundry Soap


I have been using this soap for nearly a week now and I am impressed with the quality of the wash.  I was a little skeptical with the first load as there were no bubbles but the colour of the water after the wash convinced me that it works.

Other Bloggers making soap ....

Megan from over at Mommy Minded sent me a powder recipe as an alternative to liquid soap.
Julie from over at Towards Sustainability has a powder recipe which I think I will try next.
Lyn from over at Mom starting from Scratch has some interesting Green Home Making Recipe's 
Green House Healing has a great page on natural products to use at home
Vicky over at Creating with Wisdom made some soap bars.

If you have blogged about your recipe let me know and I'll add your links in here :)


The Cost Comparison:

I normally use Home brand Laundry Powder at A$3-69 for 4 kg.  The recommended dose of 125 grams per load = 12 cents per load

Home Made Laundry Soap cost me:
100 grams Borax = 86 cents
130 grams Soda = 44 cents
50 grams pure soap = 32 cents
8 litre water = 1 cent
8 Litre divided by 4 = 32 loads of washing
Total product used to make soap = $1-62 / 32 loads = 4 cents per load.

Have you made laundry soap and how well did it work for you ? I keen to see other recipes and if you know of any recipes without borax ?

My mission now is to find a better way to store my soap rather than this 8 litre container in the basin.  Ideas anyone ????

Blessings