…here’s a box. Help yourself. Just let me grab one first. I’m feeling a little misty eyed since this is my last blog post here at Homemakers.com.
This blog has been my virtual home for almost 3 years and I am really going to miss it. Recently a lot has changed in my life. I’ve sold my test kitchen business and taken a new job in the corporate world – two changes that have completely altered my daily routine. Likewise, our family has taken on some ambitious home projects (we’re building a pizza oven!) that are taking up a lot of my time and I’m studying and taking courses to write my Culinology exam next spring.
The downside of these new and exciting things becoming part of my life is that I’ve found myself with less time not only for my own blog, but for visiting other blogs and being a contributor to the overall blog community. In short, I’ve felt like only a semi-participant in the blogosphere and that just doesn’t seem fair to my readers and to the fellow bloggers who have been so generous to these pages and to me as I learned how to operate as not just a magazine writer but also as a blogger.
Besides bloggers such as Charmian from Christie’s Corner, Cheryl from 5 Second Rule and Diva from Beach Eats, this blog would have been short lived without the support and encouragement of Jen Melo, Adrienne Brown and Dayna Boyer, the homemakers.com guruellas who were with me at every step – even when I voiced controversial opinions that riled people up. I thank each of you for being so fantastic!
Although I won’t be here on a regular basis anymore, I do hope to keep in touch on Twitter and Facebook with any readers who’d like to remain connected. And, if you find yourselves with a few minutes to spare now that I’m not posting, I hope you’ll visit my blogroll at the right and check out the fantastic blogs I’ve grown to love. Chances are you’ll see me commenting on those boards, too.
Thanks for reading. You being out there has made me being here at my computer a hell of a lot of fun!
Merry Christmas!
I hope you’re having a peaceful, delicious day. If you find yourself with a few minutes for yourself between tearing wrapping paper from boxes and breaking bread with family, why not spend them browsing these posts that were reader favourites over the last year?
(What, you expected a fresh, brand new post on a statutory holiday? You’ve heard of regifting right? Just think of this post as my regift to you!)
As the list below reveals, my readers often have sweet thoughts!
- Gorgeous gourmet cupcakes
- Divorce cake
- Gourmet cupcakes in a jar
- Butterscotch pudding
- 150-calorie breakfast
Until last night, I was convinced that I started writing this blog a year ago today. Then I went into the archives and realized that my first post appeared on October 1, 2007. Guess I missed my big anniversary! Flaky – that’s a description that describes both me and my pastry.
I was a complete neophyte a year and a week ago when I started this project. Not only had I never written a blog, but I had barely read any and had never posted a comment on a blog or subscribed to one using RSS feed.
Things have changed! I have learned so much the last year and being a blogger has certainly been fun. I can honestly say that I have new friends because I became a blogger and I feel like I have new insights into how people cook and feel about food, too.
Since this blog was not available on Wordpress until January, I thought I’d add links to some of the early posts which were hosted on the homemakers.com website. I got a kick out of revisiting these early attempts and hope that you will as well.
- October 2007
- November 2007
- December 2007
I also want to extend to everyone who’s stopped by in the last 12 months a hearty ‘thank you!’ and for those of you who comment, the gratitude is sent out in double measure. Likewise, this blog would never have happened without Jennifer Melo suggesting it so I thank her as well. Jen, you’ve been unfailingly supportive and encouraging this past year and every kind word has been greatly appreciated! Special thanks also to Dayna Boyer and Adrienne Robertson.
I can’t believe I missed my own blog anniversary and now have to post these thanks on the wrong date. I assure you that they are no less heartfelt because of the delay.
Have you ever missed a birthday or anniversary? If so, please tell me about it so that I won’t feel like such a lonely goof.
Finding the best posts out there in the blogosphere can be an overwhelming goal. On the wordpress.com home page, for instance, they note that they host over 3 million blogs. Add to this number the blogs on Blogger, Blogspot, Typepad and elsewhere on the web and that’s a whole lot of posts to sort through.
When you don’t know where to start, it can help to get recommendations from friends with similar interests. Here are links to a few of the great blogs I’ve discovered this spring. If you like the kind of stuff you read here on a daily basis, there’s a good chance you’ll find these blogs interesting, too:
1. The Tasting Menu: Like me, the duo who blog here are fascinated with the science of taste and the role each of our senses plays in the eating experience.
2. Canela & Comino: Spreading the news about Peruvian cooking is the mission at this blog; however, the content transcends the local to deliver great ideas that can be applied anywhere in the world.
3. Cutting the Cheese: All cheese all the time – this new blog holds tremendous promise. Pop by for polls, ethnic cheese news and discussions about classic cheese recipes.
4. Cannelle-Vanille: Besides being a lovely writer and a very accomplished baker, this Florida-based blogger is also a truly excellent photographer. I love browsing through the pictures of her beautiful creations!
Is there a food blog you love? If so, please take a moment to tell me about it.
