first blog

Hi i'm new at blogging and would like to know more

Using herbs in unusual ways.

Since starting my veg and herb garden in 2007 it's been a challenge to use the herbs to maximum effect.

Creating a dish like the snackplatter pictured here, is exactly what my quest is about.

I love nasturtium leaves because not only is it a pretty addition to any garden it also acts as a natural antibiotic with it's high vitamin C contents. It has the added benefit that it draws insect attention away from more precious crops. But it is the nasturtium's talent in the kitchen that makes me a fan. In the platter pictured, I used nasturtium leaves instead of vine leaves to make traditional dolmades. The flowers, lovely as garnish, are edible as well. Next I'll be trying the seeds I pickled on pizza. Watch this post...

At last! An outlet for my thoughts.

My first encounter with blogging was when a columnist I admire made derisive comments about bloggers. It put me clean off the idea. Then I did a course in Magazine Journalism and had to do an assignment about blogging. I realized that it can be the most wonderful way to express thoughts and ideas. Both of which I have in abundance. So! What shall I blog about? My efforts to be green and live as a vegetarian in a consumerist and carnivorous society. That it is possible to garden without herbicides and pesticides. My love for animals and nature. (No lack of beautiful places in this wonderful country I live in.) The ongoing renovations to our house. I shall air my views about those things that delight me :) and the irritations, big and small, that is part and parcel to living. Above all, my blog will have a categorie devoted to practical recycling ideas. Not the "seperate- your-garbage" version of it, but the "buy-less-and-reinvent-what-you've-got" way of recycling. Can't wait to get it up and running!

Introducing .... Me!

I am James Pennington. I am a new blogger who has a deep interest in getting started with one. I started my own Social Networking/Blogging site. I really am having a hard time trying to write blogs because I feel my writing ability isn't the greatest as of yet. I know that over time I will keep improving. Just afraid of failure I guess. I want my blogs to be more professional. I have always had a niche for journalism. Just always was told that journalism isnt a solid career. So when I went to college I kind of swayed away from that dream.

So after 3 years of college and being miserable with major I was practically forced into going into I took some time off. I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Then I started reading blog after blog, listening to talk radio like crazy. Then it struck me. I love web design and I love the news. Why not do both.

I am kind of amazed I actually wrote this much. This is the farthest I have gotten without getting nervous and erasing everything. Any positive feedback on things I can improve on would be awesome. Thanks!
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Hi, I am an advanced student who is experimenting with updating posts. Excuse me for entering and touching yours. I'm just adding a link to a blog about online math curriculum. Thanks.

Francophile

Learning French is a favourite pastime

It began while I was in high school and has continued for the past three decades.

I love this hobby because the language is so beautiful and I get exposure to another culture and another way of looking at life.

Here is a great free online resource for learning French. It's from the BBC.

My Love of life-Long Learning with Books!

I really don’t have a hobby, but I am passionate about learning from books.

I’ve been an avid reader for the better part of forty years (read: pretty much my entire life)!!

Books are the quietest
and most constant of friends;
they are the most accessible
and wisest of counselors,
and the most patient of teachers.
~ Charles W. Eliot

I have used Elizabeth Foss's blog as a resource to books for our children. I love her teaching style and how she draws a wide variety of books together which focus on a theme.

In searching for blogs that focused on a love of books and reading, I found this beautiful blog which features books illustrations and art!

Here are images of a few of my current favorites:

From SEO to Blogging

For the last year or so, I have been writing SEO material for numerous, varied internet sites Recently however, due to different reasons, the revenue created from these sites has fallen through the floor. For some this is a major problem if not a catastrophe. For me it’s not a problem at all, but more of a decision maker. The money I earned was nothing to write home about and the process of writing and publishing an article was not particularly fulfilling. I consider myself to be somewhat opinionated and this is not really the acceptable style of writing for the sites I was contributing to.

The more I think about it, the more I get the impression that blogging is the ideal outlet for the way I like to write. To make an opinion on a topic and to receive relevant and informed feedback inspires me more than just writing and forgetting soon after.

I have dabbled blindly in the Blogosphere, but have realised that if you want to do something, you should really go about it in the correct manner and receive the appropriate training. Hence, that is why I am here.