This was by far my favorite post this week. Toolbox of the Soul by Heather of the Extraordinary Ordinary. Just go read it. Seriously. Go.

I’m taking part in the SITS Girls Summer Challenge, and I’m learning so much, and meeting some fantastic new bloggers. Day 6′s challenge was to read the 27 must read tips and tutorials for bloggers. OK, no, I didn’t actually read all 27. But here are a few of my favorites.

How to Get Traffic to Your Blog by Seth Godin – love, love, love him

21 Tips to Earn Links and Tweets to Your Blog Post by SEOmozBlog – especiallylove the graph for the best times to tweet links.

10 Reasons Readers Don’t Leave Comments by Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

7 Great Ways to Connect with Other Bloggers While You’re Out Reading Blogs by Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

This post is proudly linked to Saturday Stumbles and Show Your Faves.

My Bigger Picture Moment post has left me short on words. So I leave with these pics from this week. Intentional happiness. Finest moments. My best shots of the week. My week’s photo story.

We created thank you cards to send to the family we gathered with last week. If you haven’t received it yet, you will. In a week or so. I’m really bad about sending out thank you cards.

They turned out fantastic, if I do say so myself.

We did learn something interesting in the process. Stamp ink does NOT wash off. This was taken after scrubbing at least 2 times.

We’ll just have to call him purple smurf hands. {side note: baby wipes ended up cleaning his hands to almost a non-smurf-like status. who knew?}

On a hectic day, filled with friends, a house showing and a coffee house picnic {which forgot to include the juice box and cookie for the kiddo} I indulged in this:

A dirty chocolate chai. And yes, it is. The. Best. Drink. Around.

How was your week?

Note: Last weekend we spent two fantastic days with family. I took photos, we had a blast, but I just haven’t gotten around to editing and posting. So if you were expecting to see them, they will eventually make their way to the blog. I just don’t know when.

This post is proudly linked up with Finer Things Friday, Give Me Your Best Shot, !!!, !!! (again) and Photo Story Friday.