One year!

I can't believe that today marks one year of my journey blogging my way through my kitchen adventures. I actually created my blog in June of 2008. I had goals and ambitions of starting a food blog but then I never followed through with it. For some reason on September 28th, 2008 I grabbed my camera and snapped a photo of my dinner. It came out "good", or what I considered good at the time, so I figured I should try blogging. I didn't have a purpose, or a goal, I just figured it was something I could do and might actually enjoy.

I never in a million years dreamed my blog would turn into what it has. I didn't start my blog thinking I would quit but I also didn't start my blog thinking it would become a passion. I can distinctly remember John and I questioning how long I thought I'd do this for. At the time I had no clue if I would do it for a week, a month, or even a year. I haven't always been good at sticking with things in my life. It's not due to lack of dedication at all- I just never found my niche. I tried dance class and liked it, but didn't follow through. Same for cheerleading, gymnastics, art classes, etc. I always had so many interests and never really followed through with any of them for too long.

Turns out that after so many years of thinking I didn't have a niche I truly do. It took 25 years, several attempts in different classes, and several years of feeling like I was missing something to find it. My niche is in the kitchen. It's standing in front of a stove, stirring and chopping. It's researching recipes. It's photographing my food. It's researching ways to make my photographs better. It's researching ways to make my food better. It's finding a way to feel relaxed and purposeful. This blog has become my outlet and my passion.

I love all of my readers. It still amazes me that so many people read this blog! While my daily hits may be nothing compared to some food blogs it is still unimaginable to me that so many people want to see what I am making. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for reading my blog. It is truly a little piece of me that means much more than just a bunch of recipes. It is a sense of pride, joy, and accountability.

I look forward to the next year. I look forward to challenging myself more. I look forward to developing both my photography and my cooking. And above all else I look forward to writing about the experience. Nothing is more enjoyable or relaxing to me than sitting in front of my laptop and typing away. I enjoy rereading my posts and remembering what was going on in my life with each of those recipes. It's like a private diary set to the tune of food. I hope you enjoy my blog, I hope you continue to enjoy my blog, and I hope to continue growing for both you and I!