Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

Adopt a Food Blogger – A Blogging Event

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A little under a year ago I started this blog, Dine and Dish. Just a couple of months prior to starting my blog, I clearly remember sitting around with a group of girlfriends and talking about blogging. We just did not get it. "What is the point of blogging?" we asked? I could understand the need for some blogs, like media and corporate blogs, but personal blogs were new to me and I was not sure why just a plain old person would blog.

I do not know what finally got me interested in starting my own blog. My youngest daughter was just about six months old and my parents had lived nearby all summer. When they left to go back to their "winter home" in South Padre, Texas, I decided to start a family blog to keep them informed of life in our world while they were away. Soon after that, a thought crossed my mind to start what was going to be a blog focused on food and entertaining. Hence, Dine and Dish was born and Dishing It Up Family Style became my family blog. 

I remember those first few months of navigating the food blogging world. I remember how excited I was to have the first non-family member comment on my blog. Then, I started getting opportunities to review products from my blog. Fast forward even more and job offers came my way because of the connections I had made through my blog. Friendships have been formed, life has been documented and I am loving every minute of it.

Which brings me to…."Adopt a Food Blogger". At Dine and Dish, I have never hosted an event, and I think that it is time I do so. What I would like to do is have those of us "Veteran" food bloggers adopt a "Newbie" food blogger. A newbie can be anyone who has had their blog up and running for a year or less. If you have had your blog for less than a year, but feel like you are more of a "veteran" blogger, let me know.  Maybe your blog has been inactive for awhile and you’d like to get it started back up again. You can decide if you want to be a veteran or a newbie.

So – what does this require?

  • If you are interested in participating, leave a comment after this post, indicating if you are a "newbie" or a "veteran". Please make sure to include a link to your blog. I will then match up the "newbie’s" with a "veteran" blogger. If your blog has a speciality of any kind (vegan, diabetic, cupcakes, etc) let me know and I will attempt to match common interests.
  • Then what?
  1.  The Veteran blogger will put a link to their adopted bloggers blog on their own blog. The newbie will do the same
  2. The Veteran blogger will visit and support the newbie blogger’s site on a regular basis. The newbie will do the same.
  3. The Veteran blogger will do at least one post on their blog about their adopted newbie. The newbie will do the same. The post can be about a recipe the blog featured, a promotional post or anything you like…as long as it promotes the blogs in one way or another, that is fine.

The whole idea of this is to encourage new bloggers, support others with like minded interests, and hopefully build friendships within the food blogging community.

If you are interested in participating, leave your comment after this post by no later than Friday, December 7th. I will then go through the adoption process and match everyone up with a partner. You will be notified via e-mail of your partnership.

On a side note, thank you to all who have supported Dine and Dish over the past year. It has been such a pleasure rekindling my passion for writing and my love for food. I look forward to going through the adoption process with you!

Kristen 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Asha says

    It’s a pleasure to visit you always Kristen, thank you too!:))
    I have adopted many many young Indian bloggers already, so much so that they call me sister (akka) now!:D
    Enjoy your event!:)

  4. Deborah says

    I’m in!! Although I have been blogging for less than a year, I think I could be considered a veteran. I spend a lot of time on different food blogs every day, and enjoy looking for the new ones!

  5. Katie B. says

    What a cute idea! I’d probably vote myself as a newbie. I read a slew of other food blogs, so I know my 7-month old blog could use some work!

  7. Claire says

    Sounds like a great idea! Count me in. Though I don’t feel like it, my blog has been going for more than a year, so I’m a veteran. I guess I do most everything but like baking and try to do some healthy stuff, too.

  8. holler says

    This sounds like a great idea! I have been blogging for less than a year, but I think I have enough experience to be in the veteran category. Although there are things I still haven’t figured out yet, so maybe I should be a newbie! Hmmm indecision!
    I will let you decide Kristen, you may have uneven numbers at the end of it!
    My blog is vegetarian, but I enjoy many non-vegetarian blogs!
    http://tinnedtomatoes.blogspot.com

  13. katie says

    Sure, I’ll adopt someone! It would have been nice to have a hand when I started….I was so clueless! Of course, maybe I still am and just don’t know it….

  15. deb says

    Hi Kristen — What a great event. I have a couple questions (I’ll shoot you an email) but would otherwise love to be on board.

  18. Ley says

    I’d love to participate! How exciting!

    I’ve had my blog since last November, but have only been blogging since May. I still consider myself a Newbie! I don’t know that I really have a specialty yet…though I do bake sweet things often. 🙂

  19. Ley says

    Actually…I just realized after I typed that out that YOU wrote the VERY FIRST comment on my blog!! Thank you, very much. That definately made me SO excited to keep blogging!

  20. Lisa : ) says

    Great idea! I so wish I could cook and bake more often (for fun, especially!), or else I’d sign up!
    I’m still available to be a taste-tester, in anyone needs one, though! 😉
    I LOVE the daisy pic, btw! Beautiful! 🙂

  21. Kathy says

    Are you telepathic? I’ve been wanting someone to give me some advice, ideas, or tips for awhile now!!! We’ve only had our blog up for a month now. We’re newbies, but we do have some good recipes!!! I think the main thing we need to get started on is photos of our food. I look forward to hearing what a veteran might tell us. We would appreciate any and all comments – good or bad! Thanks so much for doing this! :o)

    http://threeonfood.blogspot.com/

  23. Nabeela says

    That’s such a lovely idea. I would love to participate! I’ve been blogging since May 2006…so I guess I’m a ‘veteran’. My blog features all cuisines and I do quite a lot of baking too. So I don’t know what category to put my blog under!

  26. Jennie says

    Wow…can I sign up if I’m such a newbie that I don’t even have a blog put together yet? I have a personal blog, but have been throwing around the idea of starting up something food-related recently. We cook a little bit of everything around here…no real specialty. =)

  27. Vida says

    Newie, and I would love some help… cooking but mostly baking and a few photos that interest me and show my surrounds… it would be nice to make new friends… P.S. I am in Australia. Vida x

    Vidaatpenthouse2.blogspot.com

  31. Chris says

    Woohoo! Count me in. I am just under a year, but like many have mentioned here – I feel like a newbie. I don’t think I have a focus…although it was supposed to be baking – its both baking and cooking. Trying new things, maybe?…who knows. Whatever it may be…I would be loved to be linked with anyone, really!

    http://melecotte.blogspot.com/

  32. melissa says

    Hola there! what a great idea…If there is still time to participate, I would love to do so! And, yes, I am a veteran I guess hehe…The CookingDiva Blog has 4 years! A hug from Panama! Melissa

  35. Núria says

    This is such a wonderful idea!!!!!! I’ve found your post and blog through Ley at Cilantro and Lyme and I’m just so grateful I saw the post on time!!!
    It’s fun, it’s original and it’s brilliant. I love the idea.
    Well, I consider myself as adoptable because I started blogging in July, I don’t think I’m a veteran yet.
    My blog is about Traditional Spanish Recipes (I’m Spanish) http://recipespicbypic.blogspot.com
    All recipes are in English so that english speaking people can learn how to cook them.

    Thanks and waiting for your news.
    Núria

  38. VeggieGirl says

    I’m so glad that I found out about the Adopt A Food Blogger event in time!! I’m definite a newbie blogger (I’ve only been blogging since June 2007). My blog is mostly about my adventures with vegan cooking & baking, but I post about other topics as well (besides just food, haha). Here’s a link to my blog: http://veggiegirlvegan.blogspot.com

  39. hoasabi says

    This is a great idea! I’m such a newbie at this foodie blog. I’m looking forward to it.

    Thanks!

  40. Ann says

    I can’t decide if I’m a newbie or a veteran. My blog has been around for 2 years, but I took a pretty long hiatus in there due to various issues. I’d like to participate from either category. 🙂

  41. Cris says

    This sounds great! I consider myself newbie… And I live in Brazil, anyone interested in adopting an out-of-town blogger? 🙂

  44. Jennifer says

    What a great idea! After a year and a half, I figure I qualify more for veteran status. My blog, Bake or Break (www.bakeorbreak.com) is all about baking, so I’d especially love to adopt a fellow baker. Kristen, thanks for all your work organizing this!

  45. Ryley says

    I would love to join in..
    I’m a newbie!
    Only been doing this a couple months.
    I love baking.. and cooking..and my dog!!!
    I have recently ventured into the world of trying to make gluten free taste good!
    thatsmycake.littleaton.com
    Thank you!!!!

  47. Amy says

    Add me in. I have been blogging for a little less than a year so i’m pretty much a newbie. My blog focuses on the dinners I have made for my family over the past year and reviews of the meals.

  49. Evelin says

    Oh, a wonderful idea for an event! I will celebrate my first birthday in December, but still feel like a newbie in the food blogging community. Maybe I’ll feel more hmm….veteran after the second year:D So please count me in:)

  50. andreea says

    i would love to be part of this. maybe veteran is a little too much 🙂 but i have been food blogging for almost 2y now.

    oh and maybe i should mention i would be very happy to help in the new year (i will be on holiday, non-blogging all decemebr) 🙂

  51. Louise says

    Hi Kristen, What a wonderful idea. I "adopt" cookbooks, won’t someone please "adopt" my blog? It was 2 months old December 1, 2007. It’s name is Months of Edible Celebrations.

  52. Michelle says

    What a fantastic idea! I’d love to participate and am absolutely a "newbie" to the blogging scene over at culinography.wordpress.com.

    🙂

  64. Mary says

    I’m a newbie- is it too late?? If not, my blog is mostly vegetarian, slightly vegan, attempting to be health conscious, and otherwise general. thanks, mary

  71. Bellini Valli says

    Hey Kristen. You will have to count me in for the adoption. I have been blogging for 11 months but I would have to consider myself a veteran compared to some of the fresh starters out there. It would have been wonderful to have support when I first started.I think we can learn from each other as we go along!My food style is eclectic with a Greek flare!I love it all but am not much of a baker.I have joined the Daring Bakers so that is as much sweets as my hips will allow!

  76. Michelle says

    I’m not sure if you are still pairing up veterans and newbies but I’d like to participate! I had a blog before, but I still feel like a newbie. :o)

    Thanks and I love your blog.

  78. the bee hive says

    hi! i love this idea…i’m a newbie and would love to participate! iknow the deadline has passed, but if you ever start it again….i’m a veggie, green-loving, local eating, 20-something who would love to be matched with a veteran! thanks!

  79. Erin says

    I am sorry that I am just finding this now. What a fun idea. I have been blogging about six months now, so I would consider myself a novice. I try to tend towards healthy food and gourmet food. I know I missed the deadline, but if you decide to do another round of matching (or ongoing) please consider including me!

  80. Karyn says

    Newbie – I started my blog in late October.

    Let’s see, I’m pescetarian, mostly vegetarian, often vegan. I’m health conscious, except for my intense love of pie.I cook more than I bake and experiment a lot.

  83. Katia says

    Hi, I started blogging about 3 months ago and I would love to have someobe whose brain I could pick on a regular basis! Baking is what I enjoy most, but I make all sorts of dishes as well. Thank you for holding this event! I hope I am not too late, my email is gourmetgirl1@yahoo.com

  85. Dorit says

    I would love to participate and be adopted as a newbie. My blog is barely 3 months old.
    Thanks for such a nice opportunity!

  86. Monica McAtee says

    Is it too late? I think it’s too late….
    I just started my blog in January and would love a mentor/veteran. I’m interested in photography, family and running…reading too.
    What a great idea…hope I didn’t totally miss the boat.

  87. stephanie says

    This sounds like great fun, and a wonderful way to help the newer bloggers out there.

    I’ve had my food blog over three years, and my ‘other’ for more than five, so I am definitely a vet. I’ve hosted many events, and have ‘been around’. If you need me, let me know!
    Stephanie

  88. Ben says

    Hi, I just found this event through one of the adopted bloggers out there and I’d like to know if there is going to be a second round of this event. It sounds like a great idea and I would definitely like to sign up.

    Thank you 😀

  89. Ricki says

    Hi Kristen,

    Just happened upon this and wondered if the event is still on? If so, I’d love to participate. Will leave my info just in case: I am a newbie (started in November) and my blog focuses on vegan/healthy foods, with lots of dessert.

    Oooh. . . just re-read the post and see the Dec. 7th deadline. Well, please let me know if you ever do it again!

    Thanks–great idea.

    Ricki 🙂

  90. Sara says

    I know, I know, I’m several months too late. In the event that this is still going on, I’m very interested and I’m most definitely a "newbie", my site has only been up about a month. Fantastic idea!

  91. Tanya says

    Hi! I’m a newbie and I’d love to be matched up. My foci (wow, that sounds weird) are baking and vegetable/ local food based dishes.
    Thanks– what a great idea!

  92. kay says

    I’m a newbie…is it too late to sign up? I have been haunting various blogs for the last several months, and I’m really interested in getting more involved in this amazing online network.

  95. Isa says

    I wish I had seen this post previously, but I just discovered :(… just in case there’s a veteran who had not yet adopted any blogger, I’m a Newbie looking foward to be adopted.
    Great idea by the way!

  98. Minti says

    Hi Kristen,

    I love your idea about Adopting a blogger.

    I am a newbie blogger(about a month old) – my blog is about food both from India and around the world. I’d like to throw my name into the hat.

    Thanks
    Minti

  99. Gabi says

    Great idea- I’d love to participate! I’ve been blogging since last June.
    I absolutely love the whole community of bloggers out there who are so generous with their time ideas and help.

  102. carrie says

    What a cool idea! I just heard about this! If you have anybody else who needs an adoption, I want to be included! My specialty is gluten-free baking and cooking. I’ve been blogging since August, but I feel like my heels are pretty well dug in! I just like the idea in general! I’d love to be a part of this!

  103. michelle says

    I just heard about this and would love to be adopted! I’m a newbie and am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I feel like I have the start of a strong voice but it definitely needs honing, and even though I read a zillion food blogs I don’t know how to navigate the world as a blogger v. reader.

    I love to cook *and* bake. I post 3-4 times a week right now, but the centerpiece (and namesake) of the blog is the Thursday Night Smackdown, where I take a new recipe from my cookbook collection and create it, review the book it came from and blog the whole process.

  104. mary says

    Hi Kristen,
    I signed up for the first round, but didn’t make it in. I’m a newbie and would love to be a part of this!

  108. Joy says

    Hello! I was just wondering whether there’s still chance to be adopted? I’m a newish blogger (September 2007) and I would love some parental guidance!

    Best wishes,

    Joy

  109. jennifer says

    I would love to participate! I’m not sure if this had a deadline on it, but I’m a newbie and would love to have a veteran on my side helping me out. My site is a baking site, but not specific to cakes, cupcakes, etc. Pretty much any baked good is on the table so to speak.

  112. May says

    I’m glad I found your website. I’m a newbie, my passion is baking/sweets/dessert > and chillout music! hehe =)

    Still new to blogging though, I feel lost. (*_*)

    May ( i-gourmet.blogspot.com )

  115. Carolyn T says

    I’ve been blogging for nearly a year, and as much as I think I know, I continue to learn new things every week. I probably could help some brand newbies, but sometimes I think I’m still such a novice myself. You can judge:
    http://tastingspoons.blogspot.com

    Thanks for this great project – you’re facilitating a valuable service to all of us food bloggers.

  116. kristen says

    Hi. I keep seeing posts about ‘adopt a blogger’ and well, i’d like to be one of the newbies considered 🙂

    I started my blog about 4 months ago. Its a mix of cooking, baking, original and copied… pretty much anything i think of…

    anyway, thanks for organizing this – even if i dont get adopted, i’ve learned about a lot of new food blogs this way 🙂

  117. Danny says

    Hi! I came here by the way of reading about this on Smitten Kitchen.

    My blog is mostly eating out in New York, and I do a home cooked post maybe once a week or once every two weeks. Someone with a blog like mine would be cool, or someone who can help motivate me (through his/her blog) to cook more would be cool too.

    And I noticed that there are a lot of us newbies who want to be adopted, so getting paired up with another newbie would be cool.

    my url: http://www.foodinmouth.com/

  120. kittie says

    Hi!
    What a great idea 🙂
    I’ve been blogging for just over a month, so most definitely a newbie, and would love to take part in this! My blog is pretty much anything food related 🙂
    Thanks!

  121. Emma says

    I would love to get involved in this. I am the founder of a food magazine at the University of Pennsylvania and we recently launched a new blog…and it (and I!) needs some work! If you are still matching people up, please let me know.

    Thanks!

  122. Emily says

    What a great idea! I’m getting the impression that there are perhaps far more newbie bloggers than veterans. Maybe we could adopt each other?

  123. Laura says

    Hi:

    I am a newbie–started one month ago. I would love to be adopted! My interests are baking and Asian and Mexican cooking (not too specific, am I?). I guess the best way to look at it is if Mediterranean/European cooking is your thing I am probably not your gal so much, but anything else is fair game.

  130. Jenny says

    Hi, I know the official deadline has passed, but I’m a newbie and would love to participate if I can. 🙂 I started by blog in August of 2007.

  135. Alfie says

    Hi – I know it’s waaaaaaay past December – but I just found your post! I’m definitely a Newbie, and would love to join in sharing foodie stuff. Simply, I love food and cooking and sharing it!Is it too late now?

  140. Shayna says

    Hi! I just found out about the Adopt-a-blogger…is it still ongoing? I am an intermediate blogger and am a vegan. This sounds like fun!

  142. trish says

    I’m such a newbie that I’m having a hard time how to figure out even getting started – is that too new for your "adoption" program? My idea is to report on wonderful recipes I’ve found on other food blogs with proper acknowledgement of course.I’ve decided that I should probably write four or five things in MSWord and collect some pictures before getting jumping in to the blog world…any advice? I’d would be soooooooo appreciative of some help along the way. I am an amatur bread baker (love the freshloaf.com) and also just love browzing all types of other sites (101 cookbooks, French Cooking In America are a few favorites)…Over fifty but still pretty good with computers and software. I’d love to find a mentor…

    Trish
    Omaha, NE

  143. Laura says

    What a neat idea! I’m a newbie, and if there are any veterans interested, would love to pair up. My blog: http://vegetarian-hausfrau.blogspot.com. I’m vegetarian (‘pescetarian’, truth be told), but love reading and hearing about yummy food, no matter the make-up (almost anything can be turned veggie anyway). Cheers, laura

  145. diva says

    hey! i’ve been around since 2005 but flitted here and there so think i’m neither veteran nor newbie but i’d love to participate in this. 🙂 blog looks at both cooking and baking recipes – mostly baking though xxx

  146. Dr. Nicole Sundene says

    Hi there- What a very thoughtful idea! I am not sure if this is still going on, but if so I would love to be adopted! I am an alternative medicine doctor starting a blog all about the healing power of food so am looking to network with people that make healthy recipes and in time will be hosting recipe contests based off of the superfoods that I am discussing. If you know someone that would be helpful to introduce me around the food blogging scene that would be super!

    I have already found quite a few wonderful sites for my patients and readers and am happy to promote recipes that coincide with what I am talking about either in entirety with credit or as a simple link. Anyone is always welcome to add their healthy recipe links in my comments as well, I am hoping that all the healthy chefs out there will help motivate other people to start cooking whole foods recipes!

    Thanks so much for your consideration 😀

    ~Nicole

  148. Melanie Knight says

    Hi-its kinda after Dec 7th, but is the offer still valid? I am a newbie and began with an online jewelry boutique, but found myself continuously blogging about recipes. I am submitting a series i Latin food to my local newspaper, but would love to continue ob the web. I am even considering vlogging.
    Any advice is greatly appreciated!

  149. Deeba says

    Hi Kristen, Got here from Val’s at ‘More Than Burnt Toast’. Love to be part of your great plan. I’m under a year old, but am now quite comfortable blogging…guess should be OK to adopt. But if you think otherwise, I’m fine being adopted too. My passion, as my URL suggests, is baking, but I enjoy cooking too.
    Cheers Deeba

  150. Teen Steam Queen says

    What a fantastic idea! I am definitely a newbie and the more I surf food blogging the newer I realise I am. Please link me up quick with someone amazing…who writes about all types of cooking/food/appliances!
    Thanks…you are a star!

  152. Annie says

    Ohh..I really want to do this. Mine is more New York centered, baking, restaurant reviews (with vegetarian options)…I only bake and as an angle, I am determined to find the best french fries in New York. FRITESANDFRIES.BLOGSPOT.COM