Over the years as I got busier and the kids got older, the time that I spent on my site diminished and I ended up closing it down. However, since it’s infinitely easier to read others’ contributions rather than make your own, I’ve never lost my love of reading others’ food blogs!

Finding food-related blogs and sites online has become easier with search engines becoming more advanced and site directories doing the work for you. Being able to dig deeper into specific categories is also nice, especially when you want to find sites about just vegetarian food, or desserts, or cooking for kids.

There are also some fun sites that provide more than just a listing, but rely on the images that users make when writing about food and recipes.

One of my favorites, Food Gawker, includes a small image along with a link and description to food bloggers’ submissions. I’ve had a bunch of my own images accepted, but I’ll be honest — I’ve had just as many images rejected! Other similar sites include TasteSpotting (much more difficult to get your stuff accepted there), and FoodPhotoBlog, which readily admits they’ll pretty much accept everything submitted.

What are your favorite ways of finding new and interesting food blogs and bloggers to follow?

Post from: Blisstree

Finding Food Blogs Online

Recently I found that Photojojo has listed it as one of the 10 online photography magazines we love.  It is listed first, which I’m not sure means it’s the absolute favorite or not.  But guess what…it does mean that there are nine more online magazines for you to check out there.  Plus some runners up!

Post from: Blisstree

Online photography magazines

Take a close look at the evergreen in my front yard:

That’s right – there is snow on those branches!

I’d like to get started on my gardening (after all, flowers have been known to inspire fiber art in my studio!) but not today.

At least there is one good thing about cool days – I definitely feel like spending time in my studio and not outside

image: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Wordy Wednesday

Then she incorporates them into many of her small quilts, utilizing a variety of techniques.

Image: sxc.hu

This photo of barn siding offers suggestions for textural ideas you may want to try.

Sometimes you might get ideas from a single photo.  Other times you can try combining a variety of close-ups.  Or you can vary the close photos with distant scenery to give you a fascinating combination.

Post from: Blisstree

Use Textural Photos for Quilt Designs

How often do we go through our houses, without really appreciating all the lovely little details?

I found my favorite fruit basket today, and decided to pop some of my fruits and veggies into it – and then realized how beautiful the colors were together.

See what I mean?

I written posts about getting from photo to finished artwork, so I won’t get into that now – but next time you need some inspiration, why not check out what’s in front of you?

You never know what might happen…

images: C Findlay-Harder

Post from: Blisstree

Wordy Wednesdays

Image: sxc.hu

• Cut out pictures of birds and flowers from magazines and catalogs.  Arrange them haphazardly or planned to tell a story, on poster board.  This is fun to do with youngsters in school or at home.  Perhaps they can write a poem about spring to accompany.
• Find around you in the yard, the woods (our yard is part of the surrounding woodland), or along a back road natural objects that remind you of spring and new life.  You might arrange them on a board with colored objects and even painted surfaces.
• Go through your photo stash, either a collection in a box or those saved on your computer.  Cut out various spring shapes and objects, then paste in a scrapbook or poster board.
• Use a shadow box and arrange spring items within it.  You’ll have a three dimensional effect.
• Think about a particular family tradition that takes place in spring…a trip, a walk through the woods, a hike up a mountain, the first picnic of the season.  Arrange pictures and objects reminiscent of these on a background of cloth, cardboard or wood.

What are your favorite materials for creating collages?

Post from: Blisstree

Creating Collages About Spring

Unfortunately, my profile is generating little or no interest. I do hear (rarely) from men who are 10-15 years older than me, but I don’t feel I am at the same place in my life as they are. At this point, I wouldn’t even mind hearing form some of the bozos Lara has had to deal with lately - at least it would mean I’m not invisible.

I read some of Russ’s posts on what to and not to do in terms of profiles. I went in this weekend and I added more of my personality to my intro – doing away with generalities like, “I’m up for anything.”  I had Bay, my teenager, look at my profile and photos. She hit me with her brutal honesty, which actually was not brutal at all. She suggested that I switch up my main profile photo to one where I’m smiling.

I think that it’s a good idea to switch the main photo periodically. I see many of the same men, with the same profile photos, from 3 years ago – the last time I was Match.com-ing it. Have these men been single this whole time?  

A few of my girlfriends have mentioned that they are also getting fewer than normal responses. If you are using an online service, I’d be interested in hearing how it’s going for you. I read that more people are subscribing to online services in these challenging economic times. Are they subscribing, but not dating?  What is the point of that?  Save your money, guys.

If you’ve had a profile up for a few months, I suggest you do the same thing I did this weekend - change up your photo, maybe add some new shots. Change your list of favorites or hobbies to something that reflects the season more, if you’ve got a lot of Summer activities listed. Rewrite your intro, so it sounds fresh and reflects more of the real you.

Then, please let me know if this makes a difference in your responses or lack of responses. I’m curious if this is seasonal thing or regional or…..I’m just very curious and hoping it does not mean that I’m unlovable.

Post from: Blisstree

Maybe I’m Unlovable

I’ve known many women who would become so jealous they’d sneak into a man’s belongings and purposely destroy anything that had to do with former girlfriends.

This sort of thing never seemed to bother me much – It’s always been my opinion that IF someone is an EX of my partner, they are history for a reason.  Being that EX also means that person played some significant role in the person my partner had become.  Right?

That’s not to say that I’ve never been a ‘jealous’ type nor that there are some things that don’t make me jealous, but keeping tokens from previous relationships isn’t one of them.

As it turned out, my friend was disturbed that her partner still had old photos stuck in drawers along with a couple of greeting cards from an ex.  The photos I could see hanging on to, memories can’t be replaced and that ex was only half of that memory.  The greeting cards, to me, either needed to be put up where they weren’t so accessible or they needed to be tossed.

Are you a keeper?  Ever dated a keeper?  How did you or do you handle it?

Post from: Blisstree

Are You a Keeper?

I’ve read so many dating tips that recommend using professional photos, but during my online dating career I typically shyed away from the professional shots and went more for the snapshots.

I suppose it had more to do with snapshots seeming more “real” and knowing that anyone can take the time and effort to look their absolute best for a pro-shot.

The professional shot isn’t totally out of the question though, I think it’s wise to have one on hand to present at a later time should someone be interested in seeing more photos – am I off base here?  Perhaps a bit odd when it comes to my preferences?

I’m interested in what others see when they look at the photos that are appearing on personal ads.

Post from: Blisstree

Online Personals – The Right Picture