Sorry, readers, I didn't win the award. I know this because I have been in touch with the person who did win and the person who came second, but thanks to your support, I think I achieved third place.
I say "I think", because the Dorset Cereals website doesn't yet show the results of the January contest, but I did look at their Leaderboard late in the evening on 31 Jan, and at that time this was the state of play:
- 1st: Fake It 'Til You Make It http://learnerchef.blogspot.com/
- 2nd: Kat Got The Cream http://www.katgotthecream.blogspot.com/
- 3rd: Mark's Veg Plot
So, congratulations to Peggy, and commiserations to Kat. I came nowhere close! (Maybe I wasn't even third??)
I believe this scheme was a genuine award scheme, and we must presume that the results were fairly arrived at by means of the reader voting scheme. I noticed however that a lot of the many blogs that were nominated were not private blogs, but commerical ones (probably nominated by themselves). It's therefore quite satisfying to see that most of those scored zero votes!
I believe this scheme was a genuine award scheme, and we must presume that the results were fairly arrived at by means of the reader voting scheme. I noticed however that a lot of the many blogs that were nominated were not private blogs, but commerical ones (probably nominated by themselves). It's therefore quite satisfying to see that most of those scored zero votes!
Recently there have been quite a few other "award" schemes circulating. Actually, some of these are not real awards at all, but just a type of chain letter. They ask you to do something like "Write 7 facts about yourself that other people might not know", and then ask you to invite more people (often a strangely large number) to "qualify for the award" by sending it on to them. If you do, you can put a badge on your blog page. Sorry, but although this may be a fun thing to do, it is NOT an award!
My new Mark's Veg Plot Chilli Award, on the other hand IS an award! I'm not having any of this voting malarkey, or "write a million embarrassing things about yourself", or "send it on to 150 other recipients". Instead my Award Committee (me; possibly with some occasional assistance from Jane) will decide who is WORTHY of an award. I will then invite them to accept it. If they do, they will be able to display on their blog page my home-made Chilli Award badge!
I have chosen the chilli as the "signature plant" for my blog, and the award will hopefully reinforce my brand image. Will this become a highly-coveted award of international significance? I doubt it. But at least it will give me a way of showing my appreciation for some of the fascinating, informative and amusing blogs I visit.
The first bloggers to whom I have given my award are:-
1. David Offutt (aka the Gastronomic Gardener). The person who got me hooked on blogging. An ambitious chef and purveyor of myriads of useful cooking hints, tips and recipes. Probably one of the most prolific bloggers and Facebook-ers on the planet!
2. Hazel Dene. A person with a clearly visible desire to re-shape her life, showing a highly-commendable emphasis on a return to a more sustainable lifestyle, with less adverse impact on the planet. Oh, ... and with a wicked sense of humour!
3. Ali, from Mud Pie. A self-deprecating amateur gardener, with a ready wit. Always eager to participate in the discussions; always has something funny (and sometimes even useful! J) to contribute. One of my most consistent sources of amusement!
4. F. Fernandez del Castillo (Fer). Author of My Little Garden in Japan. A leading exponent of ways to maximise the usefulness of small spaces for gardening purposes. One of the most interactive bloggers in existence, always willing to assist others, and full of good ideas. Host of a couple of very successful Blog Carnivals.
P.S. I hope that no-one will be offended if their name is not on this first list. I'm having a good think about who else to invite... There are just so many lovely people / blogs to consider! Maybe you're next?? Thank you ALL for your contributions.
I have chosen the chilli as the "signature plant" for my blog, and the award will hopefully reinforce my brand image. Will this become a highly-coveted award of international significance? I doubt it. But at least it will give me a way of showing my appreciation for some of the fascinating, informative and amusing blogs I visit.
The first bloggers to whom I have given my award are:-
1. David Offutt (aka the Gastronomic Gardener). The person who got me hooked on blogging. An ambitious chef and purveyor of myriads of useful cooking hints, tips and recipes. Probably one of the most prolific bloggers and Facebook-ers on the planet!
2. Hazel Dene. A person with a clearly visible desire to re-shape her life, showing a highly-commendable emphasis on a return to a more sustainable lifestyle, with less adverse impact on the planet. Oh, ... and with a wicked sense of humour!
3. Ali, from Mud Pie. A self-deprecating amateur gardener, with a ready wit. Always eager to participate in the discussions; always has something funny (and sometimes even useful! J) to contribute. One of my most consistent sources of amusement!
4. F. Fernandez del Castillo (Fer). Author of My Little Garden in Japan. A leading exponent of ways to maximise the usefulness of small spaces for gardening purposes. One of the most interactive bloggers in existence, always willing to assist others, and full of good ideas. Host of a couple of very successful Blog Carnivals.
All these good people have been gracious enough to accept the award, which makes me very happy!
Sorry you didn't win the award Mark but there's always next time!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you didn't won. But I am sure you did got many votes on your behalf.
ReplyDeleteAlso thank you very much for the award! I feel truly honored
I like your choices, though there was one I didn't know-will have to check the third one out. I happen to put your blog first on my list, if you posted it, no matte what it is called, I read it.
ReplyDeleteI am honoured! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI hope you did come in third...so happy you awarded "fer" your award...I have a small patio to grow things on and I learn a lot from her. I'll have to visit your other recipients!
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the millions of people who accepted the "Stylish Blogger Award"...and while I understand it was not (by any means) a "real" award, the two people who gave it to me were trying to honor me and the other people they gave it to...and I accepted it in that light.
Ooo I am sitting here drinking my morning cup of tea and the chuffedness is just emanating from me! Thank you so much Mark :)
ReplyDeleteJust like everyone out there I put a lot of thought and work into my blog and it just makes me so happy to have a few little compliments from time to time... or a big fat award!
I am going to strut around for the rest of the day, in your face people of the universe, I got an award :p
I am sorry you did not win. Next time.
ReplyDeleteI am already following 3 out of 4 blogs you have awarded, and now I'm going to check also the 4th one. All of them would be my choice for an award too!
Hope you win it next time!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed visiting David O., Hazel D., and Ali...interesting blogs! I'm now "following" them...so thanks for sharing their sites.
ReplyDeleteHey folks, if nothing else, my Award has put some of you in touch with some new bloggers, hasn't it?? There are plenty of interesting blogs out there, but they are usually immeresed in an even greater mass of dross and rubbish, so we owe it to each other to pass the word round when we find something good.
ReplyDeleteTheanne, I didn't mean to be derogatory about the Sylish Blogger Award. It's just that it is a different things altogether from my award.
ReplyDeleteI came upon a set of 5 rather smart mini red chilli fridge magnets while browsing online today, that immediately made me think of you :-)
ReplyDelete