New Favorite (or new fear?) Friday...SnapChat!

If you've got teenagers in your house, you've probably heard of this social media site. Since I'm always on the lookout for something new and fun to do on my phone and get the importance of keeping up with the social media world, I downloaded it and gave it a whirl.

The idea of this is to have a conversation of sorts using quick pics you snap. You can choose how long the recipient of your snapped pic can view it - but the longest is 10 seconds, unless you choose to save it to your "story" in which everyone on your "friend" list can view.

FACT 1:

It's kinda fun to take those selfies and pics and know they disappear almost instantly.

FACT 2:

I can see the allure for the teens...take a quick pic, send it on it's way to a particular recipient and POOF it's gone.  As a mom of teens, this is scary. Looks like that "NO Pics you wouldn't me or your father seeing" talk is on tap again for this weekend...just to reinforce my nervousness and continue my campaign of being socially responsible.

FACT 3:

Did I mention this can be silly and fun?

FACT 4:

I don't think this is in anyway an app to promote my writing, reach readers, etc. Unless you want to see pics of Toby the YorkiPoo, my cats or random shots of me drinking coffee in the car...you probably shouldn't try to find me. ;)

FACT 5:

I'm a little sad that I only have one (yes, 1!) SnapChat friend, because I have been informed by all three kids that I am not allowed to friend them there - I guess it's uncool to have your mom as a SnapChat buddy? I argued that I'd behave - they didn't buy it. :)

FACT 6:

I did recently sign up for Instagram too - and you can find me there as deboradennisxo - I promise I am relatively normal there!

Any other new favorite social media apps I should try out?

Enjoy your weekend!

Sunday in the Kitchen - Chocolate Chip Scones

Welcome back to my kitchen!

Since it's no secret I have a love of chocolate, you can bet when when my Mom gave me this cookbook as one of my birthday gifts a few years back it was definitely a KEEPER!

Chocolate Chip Scones

Makes 8 to 12
Baking time: 20 Minutes

1/2 buttermilk
1 large egg
1 tsp chocolate or vanilla extract
3 cups all purpose flour
3 tbs granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 butter or shortening
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Position oven rack in center of the oven. Heat to 425. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the buttermilk, egg and extract until combined.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a pastry blender cut in the butter to form a crumbly mixture. With a wooden spoon, stir in the buttermilk mixture. Fold in the chips until a soft mixture forms.

On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough for 2 to 3 minutes. Roll out into an 8 inch circle. Using a sharp knife score 8 to 12 wedges. Transfer to the baking sheet.

Bake 18 - 20 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve warm.

Enjoy!

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This week my Hot Links all involve social media, because in the ever changing online world we've got to keep up or be left behind..and we wouldn't want that!

Did you know Google Mail has rolled out a new look? I happen to like it, but it does take some getting used to. Here's a great blog post about it from http://www.successconnections.com/articles/2013/07/27/google-email-tabs-important-emails/

Over at http://badredheadmedia.com/2013/08/02/how-a-great-twitter-bio-can-net-you-more-followers-and-sales/ this topic is all about tweaking your Twitter Bio to gain followers!

Pam the Marketing Nut asks the all-important social media question, WHY? http://www.pammarketingnut.com/2013/08/why-the-most-important-question-in-social-media/

What do you think about staying current with social media trends? Worth it or not?

Standing Out

I recently joined the rotation to be a guest blogger on my RWA chapter (LIRW) blog!

Today is my inaugural post and I'm talking about high school graduations, reunions and standing out!

Come on by and show my some blogging love!

http://thelirw.blogspot.com/2012/06/standing-out.html

See you there!