Taco Pizza Pie

Taco Pizza Pie is just what you need for celebrating Pi Day. I dare you not to eat 3.14159 pieces!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Fleischmann’s® Yeast. Thank you for continuing to support the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.

Are you aware of Pi Day? If you’ve been hanging around My Baking Addiction for a while, you know that I used to be a teacher.

And we teachers will do just about anything to make kids get excited about subjects they might initially groan at, like mathematics.

So we tried to make a big deal out of Pi Day. We did projects around Archimedes (the fella that supposedly first calculated pi), and of course, we’d have big ol’ potlucks with every kind of pi(e) imaginable.

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PMP 057: Why Self-Reflection Matters (Questions to Ask Yourself)

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I took our oldest daughter, Emily, out to dinner. She turned 18 this year, and we wanted to encourage her in the opportunities and challenges she will be facing as a graduating senior and soon-to-be college student. Previously, I had been reading Tim Elmore’s Generation iY where he shares […]

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3 Ways to Build Your Network #IMMOOC

The #IMMOOC experience (Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course) has three main purposes:

1. To dig deeper into the book, “The Innovator’s Mindset“
2. To create and connect your own learning
3. To build your own networks.

As I have been watching people share their own learning through blogging, videos, and other images, it has been fascinating to not only see what they are learning, but how they are sharing it.  The hope is that this is not a course with a finite time, but something that is a push for everyone involved to their next level, whatever that is.  Since building networks is crucial to innovation, I wanted to share some key things that I focus on to help continue to connect with others.

1. Authentically  sharing the great work of others. Something that is a common mistake for people when building networks is that they share their work over and over again.  Too much self-promotion not only can become annoying to others that you are hoping to connect with, it also does not show that you are willing to learn from others.  It is okay to promote your own work (I will tweet this out), but it should not be the only thing you share out.  When you share the work of others, not only do they appreciate it, it also shows that you are not only open to your own view.  Now when I use the word “authentic” it is important.  None of my tweets are “auto-tweets”, where I automatically share the blogs of others without reading them. Anything I share I either read or view, because it is important for me to know that it is good work.  This also helps people to look at the quality of what you share, and helps build trust of the content that you think is important. If you just share everything, it will get lost in the noise.  It has a much better chance of being seen if people know that you are looking for quality, not just RTs.
2. Find a balance of supporting and challenging others.  I am going to be honest here.  When people only challenge what I share over and over again, I often mute them on Twitter. This is not that I don’t think challenge doesn’t help me become better, but I treat it like the classroom. I go onto these spaces to become better, and if someone feels like they are sucking life out of me, I do not allow them space in my head. If a student doesn’t feel valued and only hear about the things that they are doing wrong, the criticism does not feel like it is trying to help, but to hurt.  When challenging people, try asking questions, instead of making statements.  This is Covey’s rule of “seek first to understand”, and is crucial for networks.  If you don’t agree, ask questions.  The conversation will help both parties grow, and when people see that you are willing to grow and help others, they are more likely to want to connect in the first place.
3. (Hard Work + Consistency) x Time = Success Results. Success is something that is measured in a deeply personal way.  Think about exercise; for some people the ability to do ten pushups would be deemed a great success (myself included!), but for others, that would be a step backwards.  Results (or growth) is what drives us and helps fuel people to move forward. If you are truly wanting to build a network that can help you learn more and become better in your work, you have to see building a network as an investment, not an expenditure. Stick with it, be consistent in your sharing, and do it over time.  This is the only sure fire way that your network will grow over time.  (P.S. This point can be applied to anywhere in our life, but it is no different for our networks.)

Keep connecting, keep sharing, keep creating.  This is the only way a network can be developed, but it will take a time. Once you see that time as an investment, you will understand that all of your hard work will come back to you.

If you are new to Twitter, here is an article I wrote several years with some “guidelines” on what you should/shouldn’t tweet out. Hopefully it helps! 

• September 28, 2016 Kids Teaching the World
• November 8, 2015 “Who owns the learning?” #DigitalPortfolios
• February 28, 2016 Is it really “blended learning” or is it just “learning”?
• March 6, 2016 Adding or Subtracting Learning?
• February 6, 2017 Developing “The Innovator’s Mindset” (Video)

Source: George Couros

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3 Ways to Build Your Network #IMMOOC

The #IMMOOC experience (Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course) has three main purposes:

1. To dig deeper into the book, “The Innovator’s Mindset“
2. To create and connect your own learning
3. To build your own networks.

As I have been watching people share their own learning through blogging, videos, and other images, it has been fascinating to not only see what they are learning, but how they are sharing it.  The hope is that this is not a course with a finite time, but something that is a push for everyone involved to their next level, whatever that is.  Since building networks is crucial to innovation, I wanted to share some key things that I focus on to help continue to connect with others.

1. Authentically  sharing the great work of others. Something that is a common mistake for people when building networks is that they share their work over and over again.  Too much self-promotion not only can become annoying to others that you are hoping to connect with, it also does not show that you are willing to learn from others.  It is okay to promote your own work (I will tweet this out), but it should not be the only thing you share out.  When you share the work of others, not only do they appreciate it, it also shows that you are not only open to your own view.  Now when I use the word “authentic” it is important.  None of my tweets are “auto-tweets”, where I automatically share the blogs of others without reading them. Anything I share I either read or view, because it is important for me to know that it is good work.  This also helps people to look at the quality of what you share, and helps build trust of the content that you think is important. If you just share everything, it will get lost in the noise.  It has a much better chance of being seen if people know that you are looking for quality, not just RTs.
2. Find a balance of supporting and challenging others.  I am going to be honest here.  When people only challenge what I share over and over again, I often mute them on Twitter. This is not that I don’t think challenge doesn’t help me become better, but I treat it like the classroom. I go onto these spaces to become better, and if someone feels like they are sucking life out of me, I do not allow them space in my head. If a student doesn’t feel valued and only hear about the things that they are doing wrong, the criticism does not feel like it is trying to help, but to hurt.  When challenging people, try asking questions, instead of making statements.  This is Covey’s rule of “seek first to understand”, and is crucial for networks.  If you don’t agree, ask questions.  The conversation will help both parties grow, and when people see that you are willing to grow and help others, they are more likely to want to connect in the first place.
3. (Hard Work + Consistency) x Time = Success Results. Success is something that is measured in a deeply personal way.  Think about exercise; for some people the ability to do ten pushups would be deemed a great success (myself included!), but for others, that would be a step backwards.  Results (or growth) is what drives us and helps fuel people to move forward. If you are truly wanting to build a network that can help you learn more and become better in your work, you have to see building a network as an investment, not an expenditure. Stick with it, be consistent in your sharing, and do it over time.  This is the only sure fire way that your network will grow over time.  (P.S. This point can be applied to anywhere in our life, but it is no different for our networks.)

Keep connecting, keep sharing, keep creating.  This is the only way a network can be developed, but it will take a time. Once you see that time as an investment, you will understand that all of your hard work will come back to you.

If you are new to Twitter, here is an article I wrote several years with some “guidelines” on what you should/shouldn’t tweet out. Hopefully it helps! 

• September 28, 2016 Kids Teaching the World
• November 8, 2015 “Who owns the learning?” #DigitalPortfolios
• February 28, 2016 Is it really “blended learning” or is it just “learning”?
• March 6, 2016 Adding or Subtracting Learning?
• September 3, 2015 Find the Awesome, Create the Awesome

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3 Ways to Build Your Network #IMMOOC

The #IMMOOC experience (Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course) has three main purposes:

1. To dig deeper into the book, “The Innovator’s Mindset“
2. To create and connect your own learning
3. To build your own networks.

As I have been watching people share their own learning through blogging, videos, and other images, it has been fascinating to not only see what they are learning, but how they are sharing it.  The hope is that this is not a course with a finite time, but something that is a push for everyone involved to their next level, whatever that is.  Since building networks is crucial to innovation, I wanted to share some key things that I focus on to help continue to connect with others.

1. Authentically  sharing the great work of others. Something that is a common mistake for people when building networks is that they share their work over and over again.  Too much self-promotion not only can become annoying to others that you are hoping to connect with, it also does not show that you are willing to learn from others.  It is okay to promote your own work (I will tweet this out), but it should not be the only thing you share out.  When you share the work of others, not only do they appreciate it, it also shows that you are not only open to your own view.  Now when I use the word “authentic” it is important.  None of my tweets are “auto-tweets”, where I automatically share the blogs of others without reading them. Anything I share I either read or view, because it is important for me to know that it is good work.  This also helps people to look at the quality of what you share, and helps build trust of the content that you think is important. If you just share everything, it will get lost in the noise.  It has a much better chance of being seen if people know that you are looking for quality, not just RTs.
2. Find a balance of supporting and challenging others.  I am going to be honest here.  When people only challenge what I share over and over again, I often mute them on Twitter. This is not that I don’t think challenge doesn’t help me become better, but I treat it like the classroom. I go onto these spaces to become better, and if someone feels like they are sucking life out of me, I do not allow them space in my head. If a student doesn’t feel valued and only hear about the things that they are doing wrong, the criticism does not feel like it is trying to help, but to hurt.  When challenging people, try asking questions, instead of making statements.  This is Covey’s rule of “seek first to understand”, and is crucial for networks.  If you don’t agree, ask questions.  The conversation will help both parties grow, and when people see that you are willing to grow and help others, they are more likely to want to connect in the first place.
3. (Hard Work + Consistency) x Time = Success Results. Success is something that is measured in a deeply personal way.  Think about exercise; for some people the ability to do ten pushups would be deemed a great success (myself included!), but for others, that would be a step backwards.  Results (or growth) is what drives us and helps fuel people to move forward. If you are truly wanting to build a network that can help you learn more and become better in your work, you have to see building a network as an investment, not an expenditure. Stick with it, be consistent in your sharing, and do it over time.  This is the only sure fire way that your network will grow over time.  (P.S. This point can be applied to anywhere in our life, but it is no different for our networks.)

Keep connecting, keep sharing, keep creating.  This is the only way a network can be developed, but it will take a time. Once you see that time as an investment, you will understand that all of your hard work will come back to you.

If you are new to Twitter, here is an article I wrote several years with some “guidelines” on what you should/shouldn’t tweet out. Hopefully it helps! 

• September 28, 2016 Kids Teaching the World
• November 8, 2015 “Who owns the learning?” #DigitalPortfolios
• February 28, 2016 Is it really “blended learning” or is it just “learning”?
• March 6, 2016 Adding or Subtracting Learning?
• September 3, 2015 Find the Awesome, Create the Awesome

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3 Ways to Build Your Network #IMMOOC

The #IMMOOC experience (Innovator’s Mindset Massive Open Online Course) has three main purposes:

1. To dig deeper into the book, “The Innovator’s Mindset“
2. To create and connect your own learning
3. To build your own networks.

As I have been watching people share their own learning through blogging, videos, and other images, it has been fascinating to not only see what they are learning, but how they are sharing it.  The hope is that this is not a course with a finite time, but something that is a push for everyone involved to their next level, whatever that is.  Since building networks is crucial to innovation, I wanted to share some key things that I focus on to help continue to connect with others.

1. Authentically  sharing the great work of others. Something that is a common mistake for people when building networks is that they share their work over and over again.  Too much self-promotion not only can become annoying to others that you are hoping to connect with, it also does not show that you are willing to learn from others.  It is okay to promote your own work (I will tweet this out), but it should not be the only thing you share out.  When you share the work of others, not only do they appreciate it, it also shows that you are not only open to your own view.  Now when I use the word “authentic” it is important.  None of my tweets are “auto-tweets”, where I automatically share the blogs of others without reading them. Anything I share I either read or view, because it is important for me to know that it is good work.  This also helps people to look at the quality of what you share, and helps build trust of the content that you think is important. If you just share everything, it will get lost in the noise.  It has a much better chance of being seen if people know that you are looking for quality, not just RTs.
2. Find a balance of supporting and challenging others.  I am going to be honest here.  When people only challenge what I share over and over again, I often mute them on Twitter. This is not that I don’t think challenge doesn’t help me become better, but I treat it like the classroom. I go onto these spaces to become better, and if someone feels like they are sucking life out of me, I do not allow them space in my head. If a student doesn’t feel valued and only hear about the things that they are doing wrong, the criticism does not feel like it is trying to help, but to hurt.  When challenging people, try asking questions, instead of making statements.  This is Covey’s rule of “seek first to understand”, and is crucial for networks.  If you don’t agree, ask questions.  The conversation will help both parties grow, and when people see that you are willing to grow and help others, they are more likely to want to connect in the first place.
3. (Hard Work + Consistency) x Time = Success Results. Success is something that is measured in a deeply personal way.  Think about exercise; for some people the ability to do ten pushups would be deemed a great success (myself included!), but for others, that would be a step backwards.  Results (or growth) is what drives us and helps fuel people to move forward. If you are truly wanting to build a network that can help you learn more and become better in your work, you have to see building a network as an investment, not an expenditure. Stick with it, be consistent in your sharing, and do it over time.  This is the only sure fire way that your network will grow over time.  (P.S. This point can be applied to anywhere in our life, but it is no different for our networks.)

Keep connecting, keep sharing, keep creating.  This is the only way a network can be developed, but it will take a time. Once you see that time as an investment, you will understand that all of your hard work will come back to you.

If you are new to Twitter, here is an article I wrote several years with some “guidelines” on what you should/shouldn’t tweet out. Hopefully it helps! 

• September 28, 2016 Kids Teaching the World
• November 8, 2015 “Who owns the learning?” #DigitalPortfolios
• February 28, 2016 Is it really “blended learning” or is it just “learning”?
• March 6, 2016 Adding or Subtracting Learning?
• September 3, 2015 Find the Awesome, Create the Awesome

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Your Checklist for Building a Log Home: From Start to Finish

You’ve decided it’s time to bring the custom log home of your dreams to life, now what happens? The list of things that you have to do can feel very overwhelming. Don’t worry, you’re not in it alone. It’s important to build a reliable team with you to guide you every step of the way from breaking ground to “welcome home.”

There can be a lot of pieces moving simultaneously which for many people can become overwhelming. So, to help you stay organized, use this step-by-step checklist for everything you need to know as you build your custom log home.

Step 1: Organize your vision.

• Just like buying an existing property, you want to have a solid list of must-haves and nice-to-haves for home features and location.This way, your project is focused and you save time by only considering options that you want.
• Create a realistic timeline with a completion date. Remember: seasons impact building timelines as does your own schedule. If you have a big vacation or business trip planned, take that time into account.
• Select a completion date. This is necessary to define when applying for financing. Your builder can help you determine a realistic schedule for completion.
• Remember: projects go over time and over budget, so make sure to leave some space in your plans for both.

Step 2: Discover your financing options.

• You’ll need to have a credit check done and provide a proof of income statement before applying for mortgages or loans.
• Work with a mortgage broker, private lender, or bank and select a mortgage type that works for your needs. Most importantly, get pre-approved! You’ll know exactly what budget you’re working within and will be able to make informed choices as you build your home. For more information, see our article on How Do Construction Mortgages Work?
• After you have your mortgage, determine the down payment and price range you want to build within.
• Remember: leave some buffer room for unexpected costs. Who knows, you may even have some left over when it’s complete.

If you need help creating a budget for your home, use our Free Log Home Budget Worksheet.

Step 3: Select a location for your log home.

• Where you decide to build may determine which service providers you can work with, as some only operate in certain areas.
• Choose a location based on two considerations:
  • Your budgeted price range.
  • Your list of home must-haves related to location. These could include proximity to certain schools, your commute time, or the property’s access to wilderness.

You may already be working with a realtor or a builder. If so, they’ll be able to help you find a location that suits your needs.

Step 4: Build your dream team.

• You will be leading the decision making, so think of the group you work with as your trusted advisors.
• Thoroughly check testimonials, past work, and ultimately how you feel about them. You’ll spend a lot of time together making difficult decisions at times and you want a team that you feel confident in.
• Depending on your log home design, your advisers may include:
  • Realtors
  • Builders
  • General Contractor
  • Contractors
  • Inspectors
  • Lawyers
  • Architects
  • Engineers

Step 5: Design your log home.

• This is what you’ve been waiting for: bringing your vision to life! It’s time to get creative and organize your desires and budget with your advisors.
• What style of log home are you looking for: a more rustic or modern design? How would you like the home to look outside? Inside?
• What type of wood interests you: cedar, fir, pine or another? If you’re not sure, check out our article on Types of Wood for Log Homes.
• What kind of architecture would you like? A classic “A” frame style chalet, open concept design or something different?
• Do you have a specific vision in mind for any particular rooms? Many people dream of a kitchen with an island or a soaker tub. Let your team know.

For more information on the log home styles available, read: Full Scribe vs Timber Frame vs Post and Beam Log Home.

Looking for decor inspiration? View our article on Log and Timber Frame Home Design Trends.

Step 6: Finalize the paperwork.

• This is where your builder, realtor, engineer and lawyer come in handy. You’ll need several sign offs from start to finish, including:
  • The land title proving that you own the property you are building on.
  • The building permit which allows you to actually construct your specific home on the land. This is a key piece and something we strongly suggest you obtain before you start building to ensure there is no regulations or problems with the property you have to take into consideration.
  • Insurance papers for workers, contractors and the property.
  • Utility hookups for water, power and sewers. If these are provided by the local government, you’ll need their sign off to connect.

Step 7: Applying final touches.

• You’ve made it through the paperwork and now is the best part: adding the things that make the house your dream home.
• You may consider hiring other professionals for:
  • Landscaping to add curb appeal or perhaps that garden you’ve always wanted out back.
  • Interior design to suggest decor such as lighting, faucets, and furnishings to accent your log home’s style.
  • Painting rooms. It’s time to select and apply colour palettes for each room. Want a romantic red or tranquil blue bedroom? Or, a funky green or fresh white kitchen?
  • Adding finishings. From hardwood floors to granite countertops, what final touches will bring out the character you want in your log home?

Step 8: Welcome home!

• Your dream is a reality and it’s time to start living in your new log home.
• What else might you need to do?
  • Hire a moving company.
  • Schedule your housewarming party.
  • Decorate with your belongings. Hang your photos and artwork. Bring in the drapes and furniture. See where your favourite armchair fits snuggly.
  • Start enjoying the spaces you’ve created. Light the fireplaces, sip wine on the patio, and cook breakfast with your partner in the kitchen. It’s all yours!

Bringing your log home to life requires a realistic schedule, responsive team and personalized design. With these considerations in mind, the whole process from start to finish can feel as dreamlike as your completed log home.

If you have any questions about the process or would like help getting started, please contact us.

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