Elaine at California Living was sweet enough to send me a Stylish Blogger Award. Betsy at A Plateful of Happiness was kind enough to give me one, too.
Sometimes the hardest thing about blogging isn’t finding subjects for posts or getting a really good photograph. The hardest part can be connecting with others to turn your monologue into a conversation. Kim at The Yummy Mummy Cooks Gourmet wrote a great piece called Thoughts on How to Stop Writing a Billboard in the Desert, which really puts a lot of this in perspective. She suggests you build your own tribe, rather than relying on people to discover you.
The Stylish Blogger Award is one way of doing this. Curate a list of bloggers you enjoy, let them know that you appreciate what they’re doing and then have them come up with a list of their own. Make sure you explore these lists and you’re bound to find people that you connect with. Leave comments for some of these new discoveries, start some conversations and pretty soon the blogosphere might seem a little less lonely.
Here’s how it works:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award:
Thanks so much to Elaine at California Living for choosing my blog as one of her fifteen. I’ve enjoyed her blog so much and it’s wonderful to know that she’s enjoyed mine, too.
Thanks to Betsy at A Plateful of Happiness for choosing my blog as part of her list, too. She writes with us on French Fridays and I enjoy her posts about cooking, life and reading.
2. Share 7 things about yourself:
1. I do drink beverages other than tea. Really.
2. Some say chocolate and some say lemon. I say both.
3. Though my dog does have a jacket, I am not one of “those” people.
4. I knit and crochet, but not as often as I’d like.
5. I still have cassette tapes and the means with which to play them.
6. The only sport I’ve ever been good at is curling.
7. I think Michael Quinion of World Wide Words is always right.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers:
Play With String Crochet, knitting and cleverness
¡Me Gusta! Clever insights on architecture, music, urban issues and more
The not so exciting adventures of a dabbler… The highs and lows of kitchen adventures, with a dollop of humour
Vegan Thyme Amazing feats of recipe adaptation
Maroc Mama Food, travel and family
Miss Kris Kitchen Beautifully presented food with lovely stories
Everything But the Cake Food and knitting, PDX-style
Tammy Circeo Food and photography
Prof Who Cooks One of our newest FFwD members
The Kitchenarian Beautifully designed, full of food
The Barefoot Kitchen Witch Cooking, Gardening, Crafting and those Cakes!
The CSA Files Cooking with the bounty from an agricultural share
Lemon Tart A Vancouver Foodie
rainy day kitchen Beautiful, clean design and photography from another FFwD participant
napangel Fantastic photography
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award!
Happy to and I hope that you take the time to visit Elaine and the others I’ve listed. I think you’ll enjoy their blogs, too.
Update – February 8, 2011:
Kathy of Bakeaway With Me gave me this award today. Thanks so much, Kathy! I always enjoy reading your blog. I encourage everyone to go and take a look!
Please check out everyone on my blogroll and do browse through all the participants’ blogs for French Fridays with Dorie. It’s by sharing our favourites that we can build community.
One Wet Foot 
Teresa – thank you for the nomination. It was very kind of you!
I thank you as well! I’m honored!
Thank you so much, Teresa! What a lovely idea–I’m delighted to be included on your list.
And you should DEFINITELY get Ottolenghi’s book when it comes out in the US. I just got my copy (UK edition) today and I cannot wait to get started working through it. I’ll have to find some room in the FFwD schedule, I guess…
I was happy to recommend all of you. It’s been such fun getting to see everyone’s projects and perspectives.
@Lexi – I really have to get it. Just looking at his column makes me salivate. Glad to hear you’ve got yours now!
Hi Teresa! I am at a loss for words. I am completely honored and quite humbled. Your blog has many of the attributes you credit the others on your list with–so I must say this to you this morning: Back at ya’! You have one Stylish Blog, too!
Your blog is great, Kelly. I’m looking forward to seeing more of your vegan versions of FFwD recipes. Thanks so much for your kind words, too. It’s lovely to know that people enjoy my blog.
Thank you _so_ much, Teresa! I’m honored and it was the perfect pick-me-up that I needed yesterday.
@Katiebe – I’m so glad it was a pick-me-up for you. I’ve enjoyed your posts so far (and I’m impressed that you did the chocolate mousse cake twice for comparison!) and I’m looking forward to seeing more.
You put into words what I have been feeling – the blogosphere has been less lonely since meeting you and all the others that I have met through FFwD and now Baked. So many on your list that you gave the award to I recognize and also enjoy their blogs and I will have to look at the others that I am not familiar with especially the one on knitting and crocheting. I just started knitting a few months ago, but can’t see to stop knitting pot holders in the garter stitch! It is time to move on. I am also going to check out Kim’s piece. Thank you!
What an absolutely lovely honor, Teresa. Thank you so very much.
@Elaine – I really enjoyed following the trail of awards and seeing who was on each of the list. It led me to some new places, but like you, I saw some familiar blogs, too. Thanks again for making the blogosphere a little less lonely. And definitely check out Play With String. Tricia’s work is so whimsical and well-executed.
@Ann – You’re welcome. I enjoy your photography and your take on our FFwD projects.
Teresa! Thank you so much for the mention — I am definitely honoured. And I give you the award too. I love your blog because of the excellent writing, insightful perspectives, scrumptious food descriptions, and beautiful photographs. You rock!
Tricia, you’re going to make me cry! I hope more people check out your blog. The inventiveness of your patterns and your amazing photography needs to be celebrated.