I often hesitate when asked to go outside of my normal blog routine. My days are often so filled that making another commitment to something, albeit not too difficult and even fun, I still quaver. But how could I pass up a chance to participate in this little tour that taps into how we go about this whole blog thing. I’ve enjoyed reading the process of other’s and felt inspired to articulate mine. Deliciously Nell over at I need a feed invited my to participate. You can look forward to hearing from Karista at Karista’s Kitchen next week. And it simply goes like this:

• Acknowledge the person that involved you in the blog tour, giving a link to their blog.
• Answer the 4 questions below about your writing process

1. What are you working on?
2. How does your work differ from others of its genre?
3. Why do you write what you do?
4. How does your writing process work?

• Then select three other people to invite to take part in the tour. And link to their blogs in your post as well. Post dates are each Monday so we get to read one or more stories every week that give a little more depth in how each of us write. Miraculously my post will schedule on time for the 16th (barely) and I would love to see the blogger(s) I ask to follow up on the 23rd. I’ll cross my fingers.

1. What are you working on?

I am often working on many things all at once. I cook virtually everyday and dream of how I’d like to instagram, tweet, and post daily because I really believe in my cooking, not to sound big headed, but I do it well and would like to share it more often. But due to the fact that I also run my bricks and mortar shop, Chez Chloe, love to have some time with my family, like to take a few yoga classes, maintain a 2500 square foot garden and have as of yesterday, added livestock to the mix, I don’t post everyday. I’m happy to get a couple posts out per month. And you know what? That’s ok. That’s what works. I love blogging and don’t want to give it up. That much I know and want to continue to work on it. I have a not so secret desire to write fiction. That desire manifests through random classes I take online to stories I start and rarely finish. The desire also ebbs and flows and hasn’t taken strong enough hold to pin my bum to the chair and finish something. The writing in between my recipes has also provided somewhat of an outlet.

2. How does your work differ from others of its genre?

Does it differ? I suppose so. Is the sound of my voice different from yours? Do I articulate and punctuate the beginning and ending of my sentences different from you? Of course. I suppose the topic being primarily recipes and gardening is sort of a food genre… I would like to imagine that how I relate this redundant topic to you might strike you in its own sometimes familiar or sometimes obtuse way… Like this little baby frizz hair on the sides of my forehead that extends from my hairline and almost meets up with my eyebrows. That makes me unique. Ever since day one I think. It’s interesting when I study other cooking blogs that inspire me. I don’t want to copy them but in order to learn and find your own voice and photo skills you often emulate them. The trick is not only allowing your own style to bubble to the surface, but recognizing and grabbing hold of it for dear life!

3.Why do you write what you do?

I don’t really choose what I write per se. I’m not a novelist. Inspired by food and life, I create dialog to wrap around photos and recipes. I greatly enjoy humor and I can’t help but let that seep into my writing because that’s who I am. I find myself talking to you, a reader, as if you were pulling up a wooden stool to sit at my kitchen counter and have a cup of coffee or a jasmine green tea with a drizzle of honey. I hope to inspire a few people amongst the vastness of the web- share some thoughts, advice and all purpose good will.

4.How does your writing process work?

I take photos all the time like many I’m sure. Most frequently with my iphone and often with my Nikon D80. I’ll cruise through them every week or two and pull out a segment that I want to share. I’ll offer a recipe or at least a few broad strokes of a meal in hopes of inspiring you. I look for the most pleasing pics and work in what’s often happening currently in our lives. Though I like to hang out a little of our laundry for the public, I don’t get too personal. I do enjoy good response from readers when I have the time to really focus on a planned post. I pull out the props, maybe even the tripod and it’s a recipe that’s not just our weekly menu. I’ll even take the time to submit photos to Food Gawker, Tastespotting, Stumble Upon, etc. These efforts do garnish the ‘hits’. But rarely do I make the time for that. So my process centers more around the photos and going from there. I imagine it’s like that with many bloggers. Although, I also think we all enjoy writing as well. You can’t just stick a bunch of photos up right?

So that’s me.

Now I’m going to pass you on to a talented lady, Karista, over at Karista’s Kitchen.

She’s a food Writing, farm loving Chef.  Capturing everyday moments with extraordinary food. ~Life Happens Around the Table

I look forward to her responses myself.

And here is our latest adventure… livestock! Meet Dinah