Praise and Thanks to - MANGOS CHILI AND Z and OPINIONS & RECTUMS, WE ALL GOT ONE!

In my ongoing love affair with food blogs and bloggers, I want to salute my newest FOLLOWER (in this case, FOLLOWERS, 2 people joined me yesterday). Followers are that group of little pictures near the top of the middle column. They commit to hearing about my ramblings, and I commit to trying to be interesting for them. Having followers, and knowing that they look in on me occasionally makes me a better blogger. When I write, I try to be conversational. So it helps me to converse with people I know better. Today, MANGOS CHILI AND Z joined. Click HERE to go to her blog.
Mangos is owned and written by Lee Ann. She lives in Colorado with (near as I can tell) her husband, at least one cat and two dogs. She proudly announces that she is not a trained chef, but experience in the kitchen counts in my book. An avid cookbook reader, bird watcher and wine fan. She shops as much as she can at Whole Foods and believes in the quality of ingredients theory of shopping.

I love the look of her site. Bright colors and pleasing layout. That header alone makes you know she is a bright cheery person! I found her when she gave a fun recipe for homemade Lemoncello. Click HERE for that fun link. You will get a great look at her cat through the homemade hooch, and the presentation to her guests... She serves it in mason jars. Moonshine yuppie drinks, what's not to love! Peaches were in season, and she really excelled in using those local ingredients. A Peach ice cream recipe is followed by a terrific looking peach salsa (she likes clever names, will let you find her joke... it's worth the look).

She also has a page of restaurant reviews that she admits to being a work in progress. Including local Denver joints, but also has a recommendation for a place in New Orleans I may just have to check out (did I tell you I am going on a vacation in just 3 weeks to the Big Easy!). "1. Galatoires New Orleans. One of the best times I’ve ever had in a restaurant. Fabulous food, atmosphere that’s filled with hospitality, history and New Orleans flavor. I love Galatoires. Why does it matter? This was our first culinary experience in New Orleans." sounds like some place I may need to check out.

She writes in a clever conversational manor. Talks about her friends, pets and husband with little tidbits of her life shining through. I really like that in a blogger, and I will be looking forward to knowing her better, and sharing a viral mason jar from her some day on the future.

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Also joining up is a new best friend, BUFFALO DICK (by his own admission), owner, writer of OPINIONS AND RECTUMS WE ALL GOT ONE! You can reach his blog by clicking HERE. He is an experienced blogger, been sharing his opinions since 2006 and has over 8,500 profile views. He is fifty something (like me), a BBQ cooker (like me), gambler (Only lists gambler, but he sounds like a poker player to me (like me)), Lists the Man Who Would Be King as one of his favorite movies (Like Me, I didn't list it, but it is one of mine none the less), Listens to Jimmy Buffet (like me), reads Lord of the Rings (like Me)... What could I not love about this guy???

His site is visually the opposite of Mangos Chili and Z's. Instead of bright and cheery, his site is black and foreboding. But his writing style makes you feel welcome. Very conversational. He asks his readers questions, and gets dozens of comments to each posting. You can tell that people like him. Currently, he has Root Canal teeth issues, so his food posts will be running through straws for a bit, but he even makes that story fun to read (with just a bit of cringe thrown in).

His photos are fun, but make you wonder how tall he is, as almost everything is shot from straight above angle. he specializes in Man Food. Nothing fancy, but lots from the grill and smoker, so you know he is a talented cook! This has become one of my favorite blogs, and I look forward to each posting.

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I have said it before, and I will say it again... I LOVE Blogging and Bloggers. Having followers is a great way to let me know that you are out there. My blog improves with each new follower. I feel a connection, as well as an obligation to be witty, entertaining, informative, accurate and consistent. Knowing that I am being looked at makes me a better blogger and I hope you will be patient as I continue to improve. Looking at all these terrific sites shows me how far I have to come, but gives me great ideas from everyone!

Take a look at these guys. If you like what they have to say, come back for more. Drop em a note (comment) of encouragement. Newer bloggers need to know someone is out there, and older bloggers need fresh blood to feed on, let em know you were directed to their site from me and you may make a new cyber friend too.