10 Things about Food Blogging – a Year in Review
1. I love to bake more than I love to cook. For the sake of the health of all of us, I should really learn to reverse that.
2. Throwing an extra package of butter into the cart is no longer enough.Β Now, I shop at Costco and throw an extra 4 lbs of butter in the cart. It’s becoming an issue.
3. Sometimes, if a recipe on the blog doesn’t work out as planned, people get mean about it. I should not take this personally.
4. Recipes will go wrong, and baked goods will flop, but a cute puppy can salvage pretty much any negative situation.
5. Mike is a fairly adventurous eater, but even he draws the line somewhere. For him, the line is somewhere around chickpea tacos.
6. If you want more friends at work, start bringing in samples of baked goods. You wouldn’t believe how well this has worked for me.
7. A husband who consistently tells you that you make the best baked goods EVER is truly a blessing. π
8. I think I am addicted to blogging. And chapstick, but that’s another issue.
9. I would really like to start a kitchen basics series based on questions I’ve gotten over the past year. Things like correctly measuring flour, making chicken stock, simple pie dough, etc. Β Thoughts?
10. And now, to get a little cheesy and sappy: Every single comment, email, and recipe review (good or bad!) makes this blog so worthwhile. Seriously! I often read the emails and comments out loud to Mike in the evening and many of them get saved in a special email folder that I’ll re-read when I need encouragement. And your recipe reviews are SO helpful for me and for other people wanting to make the same recipe. Thank you so much for all of your interaction, support and encouragement. I never imagined I would have so many people reading this blog, and it makes me a little nervous, but you are all so friendly and encouraging and I love it!!
Welcome! I'm Megan and it's my hope that here you'll find food that has been made with love and recipes that are shared with joy. Thanks for stopping by! 
I love the idea of a “basics” series. So many people won’t even attempt certain recipes just out of fear. Believe me, I have lots of friends like this. Many blogs with recipes just tell you you need a pie crust or stock, yet don’t explain how to make them. I feel many get frustrated and don’t even bother to make the recipe.
Explaining basic recipes that everyone should know and possibly adding in basic techniques of how to roll dough, or fold, or measure would help a lot of readers. Even the basics of what everyone should have in their pantry would be a great addition.
Love your blog & all the recipes. My husband also happily gobbles up every crumb! Thank you Megan for all your hard work.
Megan
@megansmiles on Twitter
good ideas, thanks for the comment! I like the idea of doing basic recipes and explaining the techniques at the same time.
So true, I can identify with almost everything you wrote. Replace the puppy with a kitty and that’s my life.
Why is chapstick so additicting? Oh and gum….I’m addicted to that too.
So glad you keep the posts coming! π
I think the idea of a kitchen basics series is a great idea! I hope you had a Merry Christmas.
Thanks Meagan! I hope you have a happy new year π
I love to bake more than I love to cook too. Maybe we just need to bake with more veggies π I’m looking forward to all your great new recipes cooking and baking in the new year!
Yes, something like zucchini brownies would be the perfect answer. I think I’ve had those before… π
I am addicted to Chap Stick, too (well… Vaseline Lip Therapy). I love your blog. π
So glad I’m not the only one! π
Love this:-) I could’ve written #2 and #8 myself.
Love this, and can relate all too well! I have been buying 2 packs of butter at Costco on each trip lately, yikes!
This blog post made me smile. That is all.
π
and your comment made me smile π
I think a series on basics would be a wonderful idea. My dear D-I-L was here on Christmas morning, and I helped her make homemade mac & cheese to take to her family dinner. In the past, someone would have just brought Stouffer’s. She said that the mac & cheese was the best thing there, and was sad that her family is intimidated about trying to cook from scratch – that wasn’t how they were all raised. She loves being over here and trying new dishes at her house, and is coming along beautifully with her cooking!
Thanks for the feedback! What a fun story π
I love your blog–I go to it and a few other everyday–looking for inspiration! You put things up on your blog that everyone can make. I love that! I know I can turn to your recipes if someone calls to say they are coming over and I need to make something quick with things i have around the house.
Keep up the good work–I’ll keep checking back with you daily!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment – I’m so glad the recipes you’ve tried have turned out well!
What a great recap, friend! I hear you about bringing treats to work… I did that with my students during finals week – they were very appreciative π Hope you had a blessed Christmas and are looking forward to 2012! Can’t wait to see more new recipes from you.
Thanks!! I’m enjoying reading your recap posts too by the way π
#9, seriously, YES! That would be so great!
I love your blog and always look forward to reading π
Thanks for the feedback!
Megan,
I simply adore you! Thank you for your blog and for not being afraid of your faith! I love all the recipes I have tried. The candy cane biscotti and french rolls are my favorite! Oh, and the apple streusel, I made it in advance and froze it and it worked out beautifully. I would really like more kitchen tips like: how to pick a good piece of meat, using a candy thermometer… things like that!
I know I emailed you back already, but I wanted to reply to your comment as well. Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad the recipes you’ve tried have turned out well. π
Megan, I am a retired teacher who stumbled on your blog last summer. I love your site and use so many of your recipes. I am encouraged to see young women who love to cook and bake. My daughter is a Megan who is also an excellent creative cook.
Thank you so much for your kind comment! π
two comments:
1 – would love kitchen basics.
2 – have found that your recipes work fabulously well. even for ones that you didn’t write/adapt yourself, you’ve chosen tried-and-true recipes. when i have an idea in mind to bake something, i check out if you’ve posted something similar (and have directed people over to you, as well!). happy new year. dana.
Thank you so much for your feedback and kind words! π
You are simply a joy sweet Megan!! Thanks for all you do! π
Amanda, you never fail to make me smile π
Love this post!! And it’s all so very very true.
I’m so glad we’ve gotten to know each other through our sites this year…have a Happy New Year Megan!!
I’m so glad as well! You never fail to make me laugh π
Love this post so much! 3 – I completely understand and agree with. It’s so frustrating because we’re blamed for the failures others may have. 8 – totally made me laugh (eh hem chapstick) π Happy new year Megan! Can’t wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeves for the next year.
ha, yes you already knew about the chapstick didn’t you… π
Love this! You are right on the money about everything. Bring on the cute puppy π
Thanks Winnie, yes the cute puppy definitely helps!!
Megan! I think it would be wonderful if you started a kitchen basics series!!! Your blog is fantastic, I check it daily! Much love. <3
Thank you!! π
That all rings so true! … adding a #11 food blogging has forced me to actually measure things π
yes, it turns out people don’t want you to say just add enough flour until the dough feels right haha
Love your blog, keep sharing your recipes. Happy New Year!!!
Thank you so much, happy new year to you as well!
I have new to your blog but I love it. Tried a few of your recipes, and they totally rocked!! I definitely feel the same way as you do; rather bake than cook and it has helped make friends at work. I am known for my brownies there. I love the idea of a kitchen basic series. Keep up the good work and have a happy new year!!!
Thanks for your kind comment – happy new year to you as well! π
Re: #9: I would greatly appreciate this!! I know how to measure flour, but making proper stock would be awesome! Also how to make “cream of …” soups. I have a corn allergy and can’t eat the store bought stuff (I suppose there might be something in the health food store, but my budget can’t afford them!! I have to make it myself.) also, tips on making basic items in bulk so it’s on hand when I need it for a quick meal (like the home made soups to use in recipes.)
Thanks! I’ve found your blog and recipes simple, easy to understand and nearly they nearly always turn out great! (I blame high altitude on the “flops!”)
Blessings and Happy New Year!!
good suggestion! This is something I have wanted to figure out as well, so I’ll get to work on it! π
Megan,
I love your blog! Your recipe for tuna noodle casserole is a family fave! Thank you for sharing with us! Happy New Year and Happy Blogging, I look forward to what your 2012 blog has to offer!
Thanks Jodi!! I’m so glad to hear that you like the tuna noodle casserole – we love that one! happy new year π
I am a huge fan of your blog! Yours was one of the first that I found when I started blogging, and have been a faithful reader since. I love the basics idea, anything to get more people in the kitchen!
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for the kind comment! π
#1-I actually learned the opposite this year! I’ve always thought I was more of a baker, but now I am learning that I just love to cook! (Although sometimes it can be a bit more frustrating.)
hmm…hopefully I can have the same revelation this year! π
I love the “basics” idea. You do such great work here on your blog. I know you’d do a fantastic job on that series! Cheers to a wonderful 2012!
Just a quick Happy new year! I don’t think I’ve commented before but I’ve enjoyed your blog and your recipes all year. I look forward to more!
Thank you!! Good to hear from you. π
Happy new year Megan! Keep up the good work. I think a series on basics would be great and would love to see a post on chicken stock. Hope to see you at some blogging meetings in the upcoming year.
Thanks Bev! Looking forward to getting together for sure!
Thank you for sharing. You have a generous heart. God Bless!
I just linked to your website through another site and love everything that I have found so far. I was just reading a bunch of recipes out loud to my husband because they all look yummy. This post made me laugh tons!!! I love baking more then cooking too. Everytime the butter and margarine go on sale, I fill two shelves on the freezer doors for baking!! I am down under one shelf now and I was thinking that I was getting low π My lips were also burning so I was thinking about going to grab my chapstick but now I am totally questioning the move π I love your blog so I will be checking in more regularly to get lots of new ideas!!! THANKS!!!
Thank you so much for your sweet comment! How funny – it sounds like we have a ton in common! Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the recipes you try! π
I love the idea of a basics series! I think there’s always something more we can learn. Also, I hope that any of my comments in the past were not taken as being mean. I mess up recipes all the time (all of my own fault lol) and just like to share what happened, what I learned, or what I think can be changed later. I love all your recipes and can’t wait to see more! Happy new year!
Oh no, I definitely didn’t think your comments were mean! Don’t worry about that – it’s usually the anonymous ones that don’t leave their names or email addresses that aren’t very nice. I definitely welcome constructive feedback and I appreciate it when people take the time to leave a comment and let me know what worked or what didn’t. π
Megan,
1. Your blog is so much fun, and I am so proud of you!!! You’re an inspirational cook and baker:)
2. I miss you. We must remedy this.
Love the list! Totally with ya on #2.
My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find a lot of your post’s to be just what I’m looking for. Would you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on some of the subjects you write about here. Again, awesome site!
Thanks for the comment, I’m so glad you like the blog! Feel free to email me if you have any guest post suggestions. Thanks!