Portugal blogger Julie Dawn Fox set herself the challenge of writing a series of posts relating to Portugal using each letter of the alphabet. When I read her intro post “A personal A ~ Z of Portugal” I thought “What a brilliant idea” and one that could be easily be adopted by fellow bloggers across the world. For example “My A ~ Z of Chile” or “A ~ Z of Australia”, UK, USA or wherever. I feel this is such a great way to share different aspects of life, either in your home or adopted country.
UPDATE: Over the weekend I created a blog My Global A-Z where we can all gather and share our posts. I plan to feature different bloggers and posts each week! I am still updating the blog…please click across and add your links if you’ve not already done so below, to register your interest!
Here’s the plan
Write a separate post for each letter. Create a separate category such as “My A-Z of [Country]” The title of each post will be the letter and what it means. For example, Julie’s first post is “A is for Alva”. Feel free to use a letter more than once.
Algarve Blog, who has also taken up the challenge, kindly provided me with a badge which I personalised. Looks like I am all set!
My A-Z will cover Portuguese people, places, culture and more…
My first post will be “A is for Azulejos” which I absolutely adore. Better get writing!
Who else is going to join us?
Update: when you’ve written your post please paste your link in the comments section below and I will add your blog name to the above post.
Bloggers participating in “My A-Z Challenge”
A-Z is going Global!
The Hand Family in Portugal (Portugal)
Algarve Blog (Portugal)
Sami’s Colourful World (Australia)
What about your saucepans? (Dominican Republic)
Love versus Goliath (Australia)
restlessjo (Poland)
Julie Dawn Fox (Portugal)
Estirador (UK)
UPDATE
Julie has created a great hub website for A-Z challengesMy Personal A to Z Challenge
I hope whatever your personal A-Z challenge you will pop along and register! See you there 🙂
Piglet in Portugal 
Here is my ‘B’ offering Carole – http://passionateaboutpets.wordpress.com/2012/02/01/b-is-for-burrum-heads
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Sounds like fun!
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Hi Feriemoto,
Hope you will join us! I have created a new blog to promote bloggers and their A-Z endeavours. Hope you will join us over at http://mycountryatoz.wordpress.com/
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And of course I’ve admired the posts of Julie Dawn Fox you first mentioned, too.
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I know this was your idea, PiP! Although I can’t keep up (beyond A for Alaska and Z for xylophone, I’ll be here to watch and enjoy!
Virtual huggggs,
Jan
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Please don’t forget I’ve created a new blog to promote all your A-Z posts!
http://mycountryatoz.wordpress.com/
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Hi there, not sure if my comment went through last night from my ipad, dont seem to be able to find it…. but I would like to do an A-Z on South Africa, thanks, this is a super idea and a wonderful way to interact with other bloggers. I have a travel blog covering the whole of Southern Africa.
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Hi Cynthia and welcome!
Your comment was just “Awaiting Moderation”. No problem.
Thats great welcome aboard! Once you have made your intro post/page please copy and then paste the link in comments here. I will then ad to the post above.
Look forward to reading about South Africa 🙂
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Hi Piglet. Stumbled upon your blog via the Weekly Photo Challenge. It’s great to read about my country from a “foreign” perspective.
Will soon start my A-Z of UK, as the idea seems great: http://estirador.wordpress.com/2012/01/15/a-z-of-uk/
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Hi zebra,
Thanks for stopping by and I will add your link to the list above! So glad you are joining us 🙂
I think as a foreigner I am often puzzled by some aspect of Portugal, as I’m am sure you are about some aspects of life in the UK. However, the A-Z will be a great way for me to research and learn more.
I’ve already discovered some great blogs.
PS have you mastered “cockney rhyming slang” yet. May make a good entry for “C” 🙂
All the best
pip
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morning! poor you! sorry not sure if you want us to keep posting the links onto here ….? is there an easier way we can all do this so that you are not swamped? ( I dread to think what your inbox is looking like!??)
but here’s my B is for Birds link:
http://algarveblog.net/2012/01/15/b-is-for-birds/
This is turning into an amazingly exciting project! 🙂
I’m going to create a page on my blog too to try to keep track of it all… we can swop notes!
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Yep, keep sharing the links 🙂 I want to encourage bloggers across the world to reach out and interact with others.
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It is a terrific idea and I look forward to your entries… not sure I’m up for it but you never know… Have a restful weekend! 🙂
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Hi EO restful weekend LOL my fingers are worked to the bone…
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Hiya Pip! This idea intrigues me. Could I do an A – Z of the Contiguous United States – that would be the Lower 48? Or more state specific? 🙂
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Hiya MJ,
Your suggestion is absolutely fine 🙂 The idea is about sharing and learning.
Please return and leave your link in comments when you are ready and I will add to the post above 🙂 The more the merrier…and once you have comitted there is no time limit on completion 🙂
Look forward to reading your posts 🙂
PiP
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Hey, think I’m systems go! Here’s my intro and “A” post should be up tomorrow. How goes “Azulejos”?
http://restlessjo.wordpress.com/2012/01/14/my-a-z-of/
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Hi Jo,
Will add your link. I’m so looking forward to reading about Poland!
The Azulejos post is going very slowly. I am not writing an in depth account, however, tracking down all the pics I’ve taken of the Azulejos is taking forever. Still, there is no time constraint and this IS meant to be for fun as well as acquiring knowledge. Plus I’ve realised my Monthly Veg Diary is due tomorrow.
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Great idea PIP…I must give it some thought.
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Oh please join us! there is so much you can share about South Africa!
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You don’t have anyone for good old Blighty, I wonder if there are enough places over here, am willing to give it a shot anyway.. looking forward to reading about other places. Marie
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Hi Maria,
Goodness, there is loads of things to write about for the UK.
Fish and Chips, Devon Scones, Queen, Buckingham Palace, Mince Pies 🙂
Cockney Rhyming Slang…
Great you will be joining us. Please come back and post your link in comments when you’ve added your intro post. Sometimes I miss thinks in my inbox. Not often I do
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I am looking forward to doing this. I did a wonderful profile of Arundel and then hit the wrong button and lost it so have to re do it. methinks I will type it up in Word forst then cut and paste, hopefully tomorrow now… REALLY EXCITED about this…
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Hi Wordangell,
A similar thing happened to me, I used my back browser then found the post in auto save
Look forward to reading your post 🙂
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Lovely to see that Australia is already being covered. I look forward to reading the series.
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Thinking on the first one now and wondering how to fit the series on my main menu!
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thanks so much for joining us 🙂
http://teamoyeniyi.com/2012/01/14/our-a-z-of-australia/
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Hi FD if you want to join in go for it. Australia is so Vast and there is so much going on. Go for it!
The A-z can cover anything even feelings about Australia
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Your comments and a swig of rum did it. I became a computer programmer and 5 hours later dates became categories. Count me in – will start with A for avocado or aguacate. Link is http://www.yoursaucepans.blogspot.com/ but haven’t started yet!
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Excellent, I will the link to the post above! Rum is more potent than the old vinho. I would be legless and brainless if I drank that! LOL 🙂
We also have another lady from Australia joining us in the A-Z.
Don’t forget there is no time limit on this. You can take months or years. ust as the inspiration grabs you 🙂
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PS I’ve also added you to my blogroll
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Excellent idea PiP! I thought I had left a comment via my phone, but see it never showed up… love the idea and am tempted to give it a go for Chile!
I’m looking forward to your Azulejos and Bacalaos, and… to find out what C is for!
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Hi Margaret it would be great if you joined the shall we say “Global” ABC challenge. I’d love to learn more about Chile!
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Great idea but being a Pooh of very small brain can you please explain if this is in addition to normal blog (ie another tab for a blogspot as opposed to a wordpress person) or in addition to, or mixed in with, or as and when, or does it really matter how and when? A – Z of the Dominican Republic would be fun!
Lindsay
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Hello Pooh,
This is on your normal blog. You create a separate “category”. for example I’ve added your article Barrio Living to the Expat Focus Blog
http://expatfocus.blogspot.com/2012/01/barrio-living-in-dominican-republic.html
If you look down the RH side you will see categories. There is no category, as yet, for the Dominican Republic so I need to add.
This is what I mean when I say create a new category. However, looking at your blog your categories are dates…
I would set up a Tab, or in WordPress, a new Page.
I am going to post each A-Z article as normal on my blog, but then add a link back to each A-Z blog post on the page. I do this with Portuguese Recipes and Beaches. I don’t have a list of categories as I use the category cloud option.
I hope this ramble makes some sense!
If not take another swig of vinho or give me a shout!
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Lindsay, I think an A-Z of the Dominican Republic would be a great! I look forward to reading it. Please don’t forget to add your link to these comments and I will include in the post above.
I will eventually add links back to A-Z bloggers on my posts or page. Not sure how yet…but it’s nice to share “blog love”
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Let me know if you take it up, as I will add links to the others!
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I look forward to your A-Z because I intend to visit Portugal this year. Great idea.
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Melissa,
Which part of Portugal? Would love to meet up!
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Not decided yet, nor when it may be but a meet-up would be great – I’ll see if I can tie one in and will be in touch.
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Sounds interesting. I’ll look forward to your list, PiP!
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Hey Rose,
What about My A-Z of Chile 🙂
Looks like we have Australia, Dominican Republic and Alaska as well as Portugal.
Come on it will be great fun to read about Chile 🙂
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That would be a very hard challenge for me, i’ll have to think about it.
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Don’t forget if you join us to post your link here and I’ll add it to the post above. There is no time limit on it…and I’m sure you can think of plenty to say about NI 🙂
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Sounds like great fun. I look forward to reading your posts and thoughts with each letter. 🙂
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thinks it’s going to be a lot of work and research. My first post is taking AGES…but fun
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Getting exciting isn’t it? I’m torn between doing an A-Z on Portugal or Poland. Possibly will do both, if I live long enough. Thanks for following.
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Yep, Jo it is exciting and it will be great to all support each other. Please dont forget to post your link in comments and I will add to the post above.
Poland sounds fascinating. I know nothing about Poland!
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Hi Piglet, I have now written my first post on the A-Z of Australia:
http://sami-colourfulworld.blogspot.com/2012/01/to-z-of-australia-is-for-australia.html
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Hi Sami,
Great to have you on board. Have added you to the list above and look forward to reading your A-z 🙂
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I’m in!!
Am loving reading everyone else’s!
http://handsinportugal.wordpress.com/2012/01/12/personal-a-z-of-portugal-a-is-for-anniversary/
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Great! Have added you to the list above!
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Interesting fun approach. I look forward to reading more. 😆
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It will also help (make) me spend more time researching different aspects of Portugal life and culture.
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Great idea! It’s a fantastic way for us to learn more about your country 🙂 Can’t wait to read your posts!
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Thanks Lian…what about your country. Are you going to join us?
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I’m thinking about ut, guess there’s enough to say about the Netherlands so I might 🙂
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Hi Lian – go for it! There’s loads to say about the Netherlands… you can also include “feelings” as well
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So, I decided to join the challenge! I just wrote my introduction post and will start with the A right away! Great idea of you to start a seperate blog for all of us to gather on 🙂
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Hi Lian,
Thanks for your support in this project. I thought it would be nice to have a separate blog so I can promote everyones posts and interivew bloggers. Life has ben a very hectic this week so although the website is up I still need to add the finishing touches. Please don’t forget to add your link to the comments of my intro post on My Global A-Z http://mycountryatoz.wordpress.com/. Several people have emailed their links…but I am worried I will miss someone out!
All the best
Carole
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I finished my first post! The link is: http://liannouwen.nl/2012/01/18/az-a-is-for-amsterdam/ I’m looking forward to reading all of your posts too 🙂
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I will certainly join in Piglet, my take on life in Australia. Should be fun, hope I get things for all the letters! Some of them won´t be easy!
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that’s great sami. don’t forget to copy your link in comments below!
PS I might be picking your brain about some Portuguese words 🙂
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Oh, I’d love to do this! In fact, I think I might. Let me think how I can build that into the theme of my site!
I think it is a great idea!
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Hi Robyn,
What about an A-Z of what your family discover or feel about Australia?
There is no time limit and a challenge which will evolve!
PiP
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Sounds like a great idea. I look forward to your A to Z!
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Thanks Nancy!
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I might join in with the A to Z of the Sunshine State (Florida).
A = Alligator!
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Glad to see you’ve “snapped” up the opportunity to join in the fun!
LOL 🙂
Please leave the link her in comments
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Interesting challenge. Can’t wait to read what you come up with.
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Thanks fee – I can’t wait to get started!
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Hmm, Alaska seems so large and remote —could I let someone else do the US? Or break the US into states, since so many seem unique?
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Hi Jan,
Great idea re the States. However, it does not matter how many people write about the same country because judging from the weekly photo challenge we all approach the same topic in different ways.
I am so excited you are joining us, and really look forward to reading more about Alaska!
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That sounds like fun, since you didn’t mention time constraints, Carole. My Personal A to Z of Alaska might include a politician for the letter P, since I don’t know any Piglets in Alaska, sadly. Count me in.
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