Today it has been one year since I started this blog. I can’t believe it has been that long. It has gone by fast. What a year it has been.
I started this blog as a fun writing project and also as a way to make a cooking journal for myself. You see I love to try new recipes, which is good. The problem is I forget about them. My husband will ask me to make something and I can’t remember it. He will want those really good cookies I made six months ago and I will have no clue as to what he is talking about. The problem was that I try so many recipes it is hard for me to always remember which ones he/we liked. I had thought about putting together a “cookbook” of sorts of our favorite recipes. But I decided writing it in the form of a blog would be more fun and it has been.
I started this blog mainly for me and I never imagined how many of you would also enjoy it. So I want to thank all of you who are regular readers of my blog. Thank you for all your comments, questions, and input. I love hearing from all of you.
This blog has opened up a creative outlet for me that I love. It has kept me motivated to cook many times that I haven’t felt like it. I have kept a menu plan for years, but posting it weekly has forced me to plan even on the week’s I don’t feel like it. And by the way in the end I am always glad I planned a menu. Because of blogging, I have found all of your blogs, and have found so many new recipes. I have found tips and advice from you. I never realized all I would learn just through blogging. I am so glad I started a blog.
I know though that I have a lot of readers who have never commented. So if you have never commented please leave a comment on this post. I would love to hear from you and visit your blog if you have one.
I also want to take this opportunity to ask you what you like most about this blog or what you want to see more of. Sometimes I feel like I may be posting too many desserts or too many tips, etc. So what do you all think? Would you like more main dish recipes, more healthy cooking posts, even more desserts,product reviews, kitchen tips, etc? I am open for suggestions. I really want to know what you want to hear about.
I really enjoy your blog. I can not recall how I got here…maybe through a recipe link somewhere? In any event, I’ve been peeking in for a couple of months and even though we’re a meatless bunch here, I like your recipes and blog style.
I’m not a huge fan of product reviews unless it is the context of the recipe (“ooh, look how well this parchment paper worked! You should try this brand.”) but that is just my preference. If they are in a blog, I just skip it if I don’t want to read it.
I really like the healthy cooking tips. I am working hard to keep the yummy food I feed my family healthy at the same time so am always looking for tips I can incorporate into my meals and treats.
Congrats on the one year anniversary!
Andrea
Happy blog anniversary, Lynn! I love all the recipes you have posted. 😀 I just added you last night to my blog reader as I’ve come back to your site several times.
I really enjoy your blog and check it nearly everyday and I think I found you through Tammy’s Recipe blog. I commented once a couple weeks ago with a question on what recipes to use white wine in and you emailed me a chicken recipe, thanks. I also already told you that I love your Paula Deen pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing recipe, the pizza sauce with red wine vinegar, the crockpot grits, easy skillet lasagna, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some. I’d like more crockpot recipes if you have any, but otherwise, I think your site is fantastic. I love finding new recipes. I think I’m gonna try the baked oatmeal one this weekend. Happy one year!
-Kimberly in NC
knchock at yahoo dot com
Hello, and happy one-year! I’m not sure if I’ve ever commented here before. I have had you in my Reader for probably just over a month now (not sure how I found you – a reference on another blog perhaps?), and I often find myself clicking over to your actual site to look through archives and such. I have used a few of your recipes already – the homemade pizza sauce and crust were a big hit! I am really getting into cooking more “from scratch” for various reasons, and those were great ways to prove to my hubby how good it is to do! So I guess that’s what I would love to see more of – the “healthy cooking” (which in my mind includes things like the whole wheat PB cookies – I like your logic!). At any rate, you have a great site – I like your style. Thanks for your work!
I also really enjoy your blog! I love any and all types of recipes! I’ve tried several of yours and they were so good! Happy Anniversary!
I agree with everyone else. I love reading your blog. If ever I need inspiration one week I ususally check your blog first. I would love to see more tried and tested crockpot recipes too as I am just getting to grips with one of these myself.
The dessert recipes are lovely but I’d also love just reading recipes for every day meals for the family.
I think I got here from either Tammy’s Recipes or Biblical Womanhood.
Please keep blogging 🙂
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. I’m glad I “found” you :o)
I’ve used and enjoyed several of your recipes.
Like the first commenter, I do not care for blogs who advertise for advertising sake. I don’t care for people always trying to sell something and feel our entire lives and surroundings have too much of that.
Keep up your good work.
Susan
Congratulations on your blog anniversary! I absolutely love your blog and I check it daily.
I think what I like most about your blog is the simple and down home cooking recipes you share with us. There are so many blogs that have recipes that my family would not even touch much less me even wanting to try them. You share recipes you have tried and even give us insight how you and your family liked the dish.
Thanks for all the time you put into this blog that we all enjoy so much!
Oh this is easy. I really enjoy the blog’s title banner design. So elegant! Whoever did it has excellent taste.
J/K. No but seriously, if you ever want an update or a different image, just let me know : )
You have encouraged me to try harder in the kitchen!
I really enjoy your blog.
I have also become a reader in the last couple of months. Your goals in cooking are similiar to mine. The recipes are presented in a manner that makes them quick and simple. You have inspired me to start meal planning which has been working wonderfully. It takes the stress out at the end of my day. Congrats~
I thoroughly enjoy your recipes, Lynn. I like that you balance healthy meals with indulgent treats. Your blog is on my “check daily” list. You seem so knowledgeable about wheat and flours, I’d love to see a post about the different types. For instance, what’s the difference between whole wheat flour and white whole wheat flour and just white flour and, oh yeah, whole wheat pastry flour and cake flour.
Congrats on the anniversary. I hope you continue.
I also really enjoy your blog and I check it daily. I love to cook but I tend to favor making baked goods, so I like your balance of treats along with main-dish recipes. And I'm glad you include recipes for breakfasts & lunches, too!
Your writing style is like a welcoming friend. I like your openness with your opinions about making recipes "healthier", but I am SOOOO glad you still have those treats sprinkled throughout your menu. I believe that "everything in moderation" is the key.
BTW, my family loves your pizza sauce recipe!
Keep up the good work…happy anniversary!
A Fan in Alaska
(I don't have a blog, yet!)
I really love the recipes you post! I spent quite a while looking at post after post with my mouth watering. Thanks for sharing your wealth of ifo and yummy recipes I love them! I too commented a while back so here I am again, I will have to comment more often 🙂
I stumbled across your blog a few months back and have been addicted ever since. I love checking daily to see what yummy recipe you have posted. Yay for your one year anniversary!!
Hi Lynn! Well, congratulations on your one year blogging anniversary. That is terrific. I agree, blogging is a lot of fun, especially getting to meet other women and exchange ideas and recipes. And my reason for starting a blog is similar to yours — it’s nice to have a record of all the new recipes I’ve tried, and posting about my favorites is helping me remember them. As for what to post, I vote to just post about whatever is interesting to you. I love anything food related. I love to bake cookies, desserts, healthier stuff, main dishes, side dishes. I also love to be pointed to other people’s favorite food-related books, so then if I like a certain recipe I know I can head for that book and probably find more I’d like. Keep up the great blogging and best of luck as you head toward year #2 🙂
I love your blog…happy blog-iversary! I’m not sure how I found your site, but like its clean look and “real” recipes. All the recipes are clear and pretty simple. Keep up the good work!
I visit your blog every day as I enjoy your recipes and kitchen tips.
I bought a french rolling pin based on your comments and I really enjoy using it. You have sparked an interest in my looking into a silpat baking sheet and a hand blender. I would really like for you to continue telling us what tools work well for you.
I also want to try making homemade refried beans and look for the mexican chicken bouillon paste in the grocery store. I want to find the SAF yeast you mentioned in one of your posts, too.
I can’t wait for you to share your meatloaf recipe. My meatloaf isn’t anything special so I hardly ever make it, but using two types of meat might make a difference.
Thanks for sharing all your cooking knowledge with us!
I totally enjoy your blog Lynne and am so glad I found it. I love your recipes, your down to earth approach. You are a blessing!!
Happy Anniversary! Your blog is both practical and fun. As I was eating your delicious Spinach Minestrone soup, I had an idea. Often you have quick recipes and suggest cooking them instead of going through the fast food lane. Why not make this a new category for your recipes? Something like “Better than Fast Food”. The above mentioned soup as well as the Mexican rice and quesadilla meal could be listed. My worst time crunch comes on days when I have errands, but the morning was too busy to put on the crockpot. A listing of quick meals would be inspiring. Good work and thank you!
Happy belated Anniversary Lynn !