My First Blog Award

I was tickled pink to return from vacation to find that Zoomie Station is one of the blogs that makes Anna's (of Anna's Cool Finds) day, so she gave me this award! The deal is that I now get to give the award to up to 10 of my favorite blogs, too! I have several faves listed on the right hand side of the blog but they bear repeating as all are well written, amusing and informative in one way or another.

"Orangette" is a perennial favorite of mine and not just because Molly is My Beloved's niece; she writes as much about her relationships with her family and friends as about the food - but the food is always swoony, too. She has become quite famous - we like to say we knew her when...

Cookiecrumb over at "I'm Mad and I Eat" always cracks me up while giving me lessons on effective, spare writing. A mixture of progressive politics and delicious non-recipes with occasional adorable pictures of her little dog, the aptly named Bean Sprout.

"Pluto Demoted" written by Cookiecrumb's hunky husband, Cranky, is a primer on writing with word choice that always leaves me thinking, "Damn, he's good!" He doesn't write very often but it's always grand when he does. Usually political but he moves around a bit.

"Meathenge." That says it all. The Master of All Things Meaty has spoken. Period.

"Thyme for Cooking" comes from KatieZ, an American expat living in France. She is hilariously funny, writes like an angel, and always includes drool-worthy recipes. I want to be Katie when I grow up.

"Becks and Posh" is a hip intro to San Francisco cuisine and night life. I wish I had been Sam before I grew up.

"Anna's Cool Finds" is one of the few dailies. Anna and her Dad find more places to eat in Marin County, California and the Bay area than you can shake a stick at.

I read "La Tartine Gourmande" when I want to try food that's really elegant and different. Written by a food stylist who could make shit on a shingle look like gourmet fare, this is the prettiest blog I read regularly. Great ideas for presentation and a truly French attitude toward food, not surprising as the writer is a Frenchwoman living in Boston.

"Tea and Cookies" is simply lush, lovely writing through and through. I met Tea once and loved her shy, sweet self immediately. I have writer's envy every time I read one of her posts.

"Gluten Free Girl" is another huge favorite of mine. I don't have a gluten allergy - I read Shauna's blog for the joyous descriptions of her life with the Chef and, now, with Little Bean, their soon-to-be-born baby.

That's 10 and I didn't even get to rhapsodize about "Cookblog" or "Oaktown Farm," both of which are wonderful. "Cookblog's" author was a personal chef for several years and is an artist - both are evident in the exquisite food he prepares for his family, and he can write like hell, too! The man is amazing. I love "Oaktown Farm," too - I always get a little bump of pleasure when there's a new post to read over there. Moonbear is thoughtful and thought-provoking, an urban farmer with hens in the back yard, raised beds in the front and a terrific command of the English language that's worth waiting for.

I could go on and on but I've already exceeded my quota. Thank you, Anna, for the honor of the award - I'm thrilled!