If my blog were a child, it would be entering the third grade. I probably say this every year, but I never would have dreamed in a million years that I would still be blogging 8 years after I started. For the first 8 months I had my blog, if I got 50 page views in a day I thought I was hot shit. But you know who my biggest fan was of my blog? Tony. I know many of you have blogs and your husbands never read it, but he read every single post, would tell me if I misspelled something or if my grammar was wrong. He would text me notes at work and say “that picture you took of your soup turned out great!”
Speaking of photography, while this blog has grown, long time readers I appreciate you sticking with me when my food photography looked like this:
I would be shocked if anyone even attempted any of my recipes from 2008-2009! And why did I think I had to get right up in the food?! In December 2010 I got the biggest Christmas present – a Nikon D3100. And I knew the only way we were able to afford it was because we had set aside $1200 for a car repair, only to get a second opinion on it and it was determined it was only a $100 repair, and everyone pitched in to get it for me. I just watched the video of me getting it, and I cried all over again, even though it was nearly six years ago! I also miss hearing Tony’s voice.
It’s still the camera I use today when I am at home. The only thing I did was buy an auto focus 35 mm lens for about $150 a couple years ago. Thankfully, not only is my food photography better, I actually have people tag me on Instagram or send me emails telling me that they made a particular recipe – love!
This blog has let me vent when I needed to. Was my lifeline when Tony was sick and I didn’t have a social life – you guys WERE and still are my social life for the most part. And I am thrilled that I have met several of you in real life, some several times (hi Mel – hi Kris! – hi Mara! hi Christina!), but it’s like meeting an old high school friend that you haven’t seen since you graduated. Because we formed such a personal bond via the computer, meeting in real life was no big deal.
So much has changed and stayed the same. I still love blogging just as much as I did when I started. I no longer care how many readers I have or even if the blog grows, because it doesn’t really matter in the whole grand scheme of things. I view it as a personal visual journal, that I will be happy to share with my future grandchildren at some point. I am sure I’ve written this before, but my grandma had a journal. I was thrilled when I found it after she died, only to read entries like this:
“It was chilly tonight. Baked a chicken. Played Bridge.”
My future grandchildren will know basically what I’ve eaten every day for 2,920 days and counting! And they may discover that I like to use the word amazeballs and I may swear like a truck driverfrom time to time.
So in honor of my blogaversary (is that even a word?!) and because it’s tomato season, I am going to give away TWELVE 16 ounce jars of my homemade pasta sauce/baja fresh salsa/lasagna soup combination (four of each) Unfortunately this will be for U.S. readers only. Kelly from Canada won my BBQ sauce and seasoning back in August, and I have a feeling it got stuck in customs because of the glass jars
Just leave a comment on how long you’ve been reading, even if it’s been one week or five years!
And thank you to everyone who takes a little time from their day to check up on me and my little corner of the World Wide Web. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.
My Momma is coming over today for a BBQ. Making grilled pork roast, corn on the cob, garlic green beans and grilled rosemary new potatoes. Yum! Make it a great day!
I really don’t know how long I’ve been reading your blog. It’s been awhile now. I always use your pizza dough recipe.
I’ve been reading your blog about four years. Your recipes are so creative and easy to make. My sister is diabetic so I turned her on to your blog. I love how you give shout-outs to other bloggers’ recipes. I started reading and following a lot of the ones you mentioned and have gotten even more great recipes.
I have been reading for about 2 or 3 years now. I love how creative you are with what you have on hand. I admittedly am not as big a red meat fan as you are but I enjoy trying some of your recipes. My favorite are your muffin and granola recipes!
Happy Blogaversary, you are doing a beautiful job~Carolyn @ Cabot Creamery
My best guess is early 2010 I started reading.
I have been reading about 4 years I think, I look forward to reading you and I feel like I know you!
I found you a loong time ago.
I am a creative, overweight, food obsessed “wish I could quit and do something different” pet lover with diabetic husband who loves Chicagoland and needs to remodel so we have some in common!!
Livinh in the hot and humid Deep South
I read all the time, around 6 years and love it all, your food, your style and your blog
Keep on keepin on!
Following about a year. Like that you make real food yet are controlling and losing weight. Yeah!!! Congrats on 8 years.
I found your blog originally thru Shelley and I have read every entry. Love you my friend xxooxx and congrats my life is better with you in it!
You know…eight years is a long time to do anything. I hope I can keep at it and I feel the same as you about blogging. I think I’ve been reading you for 3-4 years and it never gets dull. Often you are the highlight of my day. And I mean that! Looking forward to 8 more!
I have no idea how long I’ve been reading. I think probably almost the whole time. My own blog started pre-2007, and for awhile I was looking for other blogs to read. And yours is the one that *stuck* for a long time.
Let’s say 7 years?
I’ve been reading your blog more years than I can remember. You are my favorite & look forward to your blog each morning. Good luck on your new job.
I started reading your blog about 4 years ago. At first I was reading for the recipes but I started to love how real you were. A lot of bloggers paint a very picture perfect version of their life and eating habits, so I found it really refreshing to have someone admit when they messed up their diet and ate junk or a recipe totally bombed! And told about it in 4-letter words that I would use talking to a friend!
I watched your grace and strength on dealing with Tony’s illness and eventual death and was able to use some of how you coped and pressed forward to help me with losing my father 2 months ago after a 1 and 1/2 year long battle with cancer. The way you bring in gentle memories of Tony and always think of him but still move forward with your own life has been a role model for me in the devastation over losing my father.
I hope you keep blogging for many years to come!
Happy blogaversary…..8 years wow!!! I think I have been following you for about 3 years….not really sure on that. Your blog is the first one I read in the morning….have to see what you had for breakfast and have copied a few of them, but find I must eat before reading your blog…..I get so hungry!!! You take such good pictures, you could be a food stylist too! So glad you got the job of your dreams….you will have fun doing what you are doing and do it with gusto!!!!
I’ve been reading forever. I looked up my first comment once and I believe it was back in 2008 But I’d been reading a long time before I commented And it’s one of the few I still read! I really loved it when Tony would guest blog. He was so funny. All the best to you
About 3 years!
Hi Biz-
I’ve been reading since 2010. I remember when you got the camera for Christmas. Hanna was still in High School!
I’ve dying to try your baja salsa. I’ve tried to win it a couple times
Congrats on the anniversary! I’ve been reading since 2009 and still one of the first blogs I read everyday!
Happy blogaversary! Can’t remember how long I have been reading- three or four years, maybe. I love catching up on your posts every morning with my coffee!
Cheers!
Happy Blogaversary Biz! 4 Years or near there! So happy I came across your blog, it’s been so long I can’t even remember how, but I’m glad! Wishing you many more blog years for all of us to enjoy in the future! Hugs!!