I love blogging. I really do. I also love reading other people's blogs. I have discovered so many wildly talented bloggers as a result and met so many nice people by chatting with them in the comment section of their blog. I get asked pretty frequently which are the blogs I read regularly, so I thought I would share my top ten favorite blogs with you. And it might surprise you, but they aren't all chicken blogs! (although I will be sharing my favorite chicken-centric blogs at a later date, so stay tuned for that).
My criteria for a great blog are simple. The blog must be visually appealing with top-notch photography. The content has to be original, unique, interesting and focused. There has to BE content - not just contests, round-ups, blog hops etc. but real content that I can learn from or be entertained by or just enjoy for whatever reason. The writing has to be good-quality - no glaring grammar, punctuation or spelling mistakes....
So, in no particular order, here are my current favorite blogs.
I first found Savory Simple on Instagram. Jennifer Farley, a professional chef and baker, is also a food photographer. Her photography is simply stunning and she's worth following on that merit alone - but trust me, her recipes are pretty darned good too!
I first found Savory Simple on Instagram. Jennifer Farley, a professional chef and baker, is also a food photographer. Her photography is simply stunning and she's worth following on that merit alone - but trust me, her recipes are pretty darned good too!
I met Rebecca Sweet, the genius behind Harmony in the Garden and her blog Gossip in the Garden, at P. Allen Smith's Garden Bloggers event. She is not only an author, speaker and talented landscape artist, she is one of the sweetest people I have ever met (no play on words there Ms. Sweet!). We also discovered that we were born a day apart, in the same year, married a month apart, same year and both have a corgi. So technically, we're doppelgangers! But that's not why I love her blog - she also happens to create beautiful gardens.
Kate from Farmhouse 38 is THE most crafty gal I have ever met. Her blog continues to amaze me, post after post. She is not above putting cupcake paper tutus on her baby chicks and filming them 'dancing' to ballet music, but she is also a seriously talented artist. She loves glitter and glue sticks and her blog is home to a wide variety of fun craft ideas, gardening tips and makeovers. She also mixes up a MEAN cocktail at the drop of a hat.
Yes, THAT Mrs. Potter, you know, Monica Potter. The actress? Well it turns out that in addition to being a beautiful and gifted actor, she has a secret (or I guess not so secret now!) life as a crafter, cook and DIYer on her blog Mrs. Potter. How cool is that? She crafts and cooks and cleans and gardens and mixes up natural potions and stuff on her blog - and I love it all!
Yes, THAT Mrs. Potter, you know, Monica Potter. The actress? Well it turns out that in addition to being a beautiful and gifted actor, she has a secret (or I guess not so secret now!) life as a crafter, cook and DIYer on her blog Mrs. Potter. How cool is that? She crafts and cooks and cleans and gardens and mixes up natural potions and stuff on her blog - and I love it all!
I follow several food blogs, but Framed Cooks seems to be the one that I consistently am drawn to try the recipes from. Kate shares a wonderful variety of mouth-watering dishes from Fried Green Tomatoes to Molasses Cookies to Lobster Sliders. I never know what she'll be whipping up next, but every recipe of hers that I have ever tried has been spectacular. She is a big fan of cheese, pasta and bacon - so what's not to love?
Jen from Muddy Boot Dreams blogs from Canada. She blogs about life and flowers and blogging. She blogs about her tuxedo cat Boots (I SWEAR that Boots isn't the only reason I follow her!) She's a great writer and an even better photographer and every post is thought provoking at the very least.
Jan from The Nerdy Farm Wife does it all - she makes soaps, salves and lotions. She grows herbs and flowers. She raises chickens and goats and kids. She cooks and bakes. She writes ebooks. And she manages to capture all her energy and wrap it up in a pretty package on her wonderful blog.
I met Linda from Garden Betty also at P. Allen Smith's gardening event last month, but I had been following her blog long before that. Linda grows stuff and raises chickens and blogs about it. She's been working on her first book, a cookbook using garden produce, and I can't wait for it to come out. Her husband is a photographer, so all the photographs on her blog are always beautiful. Her blog has been recognized by both Country Living and HGTV, so you get the idea - it's awesome! And furthermore, she's a truly beautiful person inside and out.
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I hope you will visit some, or all, of these excellent blogs. And if YOU have a blog, please leave the link below, so that I can come visit! I am always on the lookout for new favorites. It was so hard to choose just ten...but I think you'll agree that my choices are all worth checking out!
I would love for you to join me here...
Thank you for introducing us to new and wonderful blogs!! I haven't heard of a few of these -- love them!
ReplyDeleteYou can visit my blog over at www.boogersandjesus.com if you'd like :D also, www.facebook.com/boogersandjesus
I sure will and encourage others to as well!
DeleteAww thanks :) Have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!!
DeleteWow Lisa and thank you so much, I'm honored to be one of your favs. Bootsie, well, his head is still swollen from all the praise..but you know him, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks again!
Jen
Oh I'm sure! I know YOU know that I follow for Bootsie! But I like you too!
DeleteGreat list of bloggers! I follow many of them, but unfortunately have found it's very hard to get any responses from them, even when you comment on each post. I guess that's one of the down-sides to being a "big name" blogger. There's a few on this list I've never heard of, and can't wait to reach out + connect with! Thanks Lisa :)
ReplyDeleteWell .....in our defense, we don't get notified when someone leaves a Facebook reply which kind of stinks because while I do scan my latest post or two or comments, if someone comments on an older post I am going to miss it for sure. But I agree, it is nice to get a reply. I'll be sure to always keep that in mind!
DeleteI've been a friend and follower of Jen's (Muddy Boot Dreams) for a while and I'm thrilled to see she's on your list. I'll check out the others! Small world, you two "knowing" each other. :o)
ReplyDeleteWow! I'm so honored to be on this list Lisa. You're one of my blogging heroes that I really look up to. I love your projects and photos and especially how I've seen you act behind the scenes in blogging groups - always helpful and kind to others, no matter what size their blog is. You're genuine and I like that. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks again! I look forward to checking out these other sites you've listed!
Jan @ The Nerdy Farm Wife
Thanks Jan! The feeling is so very mutual. I find that the more talented and creative a blogger is, the more willing to share and less competitive they are. I find it fascinating how personalities shine through blogs in so many cases.
DeleteSo thrilled to be in such good company! Thanks for the love Lisa!! (And for introducing new blogs that have escaped my radar until now... can't wait to check them out.) xo Linda @ Garden Betty
ReplyDeleteOh I see some I have not heard of before. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your list. The Nerdy Farm Wife is also a Top 10 of mine :) I would probably switch out #10 for a "daily pug" blog... No hard feelings I hope :) Although I do like corgis, have the cutest picture books of them by Tasha Tudor!
ReplyDeleteAw, you made my day! Thanks for including Framed Cooks, and now I am going to check out all your other favorites. Happy Fourth! :)
ReplyDeleteMost Important Form INC 10 now.
ReplyDelete