Blogaversary

Dobos Torte

My blog is 8 years old today.  I can hardly believe I have kept with the blog for so long.  There has definitely been times I wanted to quit.  I get discouraged sometimes wondering why I dont get comments like other people, or other people have cook books and I dont, or not having the time to keep up with it...  But then I remind myself the reason why I started the blog in the first place.

The first reason is because at the time I started my daughter was two years old and my other daughter five.  They kept me busy of course but I needed something more. I am a highly educated stay at home Mom.  Which in some ways use to frustrate the heck out of me.  Why did I receive a Masters?  So I could be a stay at home Mom?  What?  But, over the years, I am reminded by close friends and family that being a Mom is one of the hardest jobs there is and that being there for my kids is just as important as any job out there is. Believe me I could write a whole book on this subject alone.

Danish

The second reason is the blog is something to challenge me and be a creative outlet.  I was in a group called the Daring Bakers.  Started my own group with a girl I met through the Daring Bakers.  It was called Recipes to Rival.  We wanted something more that the sweet challenges issued each month. At least at that time, that is all there was.  But then the Daring Cooks got started.  I made all kinds of things that I might not have made otherwise.  I stretched my culinary skills and flexed my creative muscles.  I made Beef Randang, Beef Wellington, Salmon en Croute,  Puff Pastry, Danish, Dobos Torte, Suet Pudding, Homemade Pasta, Chinese Potstickers, Orange Cherry Tian, Eclairs, Opera Cake, Tamales, Ricotta Cheese...

Pasta drying on laundry racks.

cannoli

I also started my blog so that my kids would have a place to look up my recipes or the recipes that became mine over time as I tweaked them to our taste.  It has proved to be one of the most efficient ways to store my recipes.  So many times I could not find a recipe and would look on my blog and find it immediately.

Little Piggies Made From Puff Pastry

I have had surprising things that happened to me as a result of my blog.  I never expected to make a dime from my blog.  I have made some money, not a lot mind you, but I have.

Cherry Orange Tian

I have received products to try and write about:  cookbooks, food, liquor.  I have received comments from people that are known- an actress and a few authors.  That is pretty exciting!  Some of the cookbooks: The Cornbread Gospels and Mix Shake Stir.



I have become more tech savvy.  Even though I have so much more to learn, I have really learned a lot about the internet and blogging because of my blog.

Its been a journey.  I keep on going even though there are times I want to stop.  Don't know how long I will continue but I have no plans to stop.

Thank you for stopping by now, then and whenever.  I appreciate every comment and every click!