hop along with me...recipes, photos and order!

Today I’m blog hopping! I was invited to participate in the ‘Around the world creative blog hop’ by a fellow travel-lover, who I met on a grey, rainy day in London in early February. Not surprisingly, we were both at a travel blogging workshop at the Guardian, which everyone in attendance found to be full-on inspiring.

The inspirational offices at the Guardian

My hop host writes about her love of all things Italy, and that also inspires me! Elizabeth’s blog, called Dream Discover Italia has Italian stories, events, photos and historical knowledge that will make you want to book your flight to Bella Italia. Thanks for the invite, Liz!

Photo source: dreamdiscoveritalia

To blog hop, you need to answer four questions about how you are participating in the creative process. So, here it goes:

What am I working on?

Currently, I’m working on a couple of real-life stories to share with my readers; adventurous experiences of people who I’ve met here on the Rhine. But, because they are deeply personal stories they need TLC and time to write. The fact that they are vivid, exciting, courageous tales makes me want to write them and, hopefully, you to read them. Stay tuned!

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I’m not sure if my work fits into a genre. I love stories about people, and the places that have shaped their experiences. I also truly enjoy traveling and so often my blog posts are about inspiring corners where I have had the opportunity to visit. Usually my work involves a story; a connection that I feel, and hope my reader feels, to someone or some place.

Why do I write/create what I do?

If a reader feels the connection to something I’ve described, or feels a glimmer of adventure or motivation to visit a place or to learn a neighbour’s story – that hope is why I write. I feel connected to and invested in the river along which I currently make my home, because I write about it, photograph it, and want to learn more it. Researching and writing about someone’s story connects you to that person in a beautiful and lasting way…hopefully learning and inspiration follows.

How does my writing/creative process work?

I wish I had a process, or maybe I just haven’t discovered my ideal creative process yet. The hardest thing for me is to just sit down and start writing. I feel like I need to clear out space in my mind before I can put pen to paper or finger to keyboard…or just plain old butt to chair. Usually ideas are jostling around in my brain, vying for priority, but once I have a post title I can usually jump in and write. The ideas always come to me through a great story I hear from a friend or the newspaper, or an inspiring photo that I’ve taken. I just want to share them.

And, now for the best part! Check out these three inspiring women who are each creating in their own individually beautiful ways. My nominations to continue the hop are...

Kylie at The Baking Bird - For you regular readers this will come as no surprise, I love throwing parties. With a great party there needs to be great food - guests are always looking for the food! So, I’m always on the lookout for new, interesting recipes. I’m no Martha Stewart and so, I’m not interested in hugely complicated recipes where I need to buy every single ingredient. I look for great-tasting, easy-enough-for-me-to-make-without-a-ton-of-stress, beautiful food. At The Baking Bird, I have found this, along with witty commentary and Martha Stewart-worthy photos!

Apricot pistachio cardamom bars - yum. Photo source: thebakingbird

Emma Love’s photography captures the magic of children, families, or the newly-married in moments of whimsy. I’ve known Emma for years and her photos have always been creative and stunning reflections of the person in her lens. She shoots in Alberta and Saskatchewan if you’re looking for a great photographer. But for now, you will love creeping through her blog….trust me.

Photo source: emmalovephotography

Jen takes the smallest, most unruly spaces, such as closets, offices and bedrooms, or the family calendar, and whips them into shape. Her blog, jorganizing, documents her projects in personal, reflective and honest style, inspiring us to try and tackle our own chaotic corners.

Whose garage looks like this? Not mine! Photo source: jorganizing

If you have other creative, inspiring blogs you’d like to recommend, please let me know! I know there are a million out there, but if there’s one you love, I would happily take a look. There is so much learning to be done!