What I’ve learned about cooking:
I still go into the kitchen with reckless abandon. I don’t follow recipes (not even my own), but I have become more thoughtful about technique and presentation (aiming for the “money shot” – see below).
What I’ve learned about photography:
Slow down, concentrate, focus, and know when to put my glasses on! I really should step up from my point & shoot camera, but my son keeps reminding me that I don’t have the temperament (read: patience) required.
What I’ve learned about blogging.
I’ve learned so much that I recently taught a 6-hour seminar for an Adult Ed program called “How to Create a Blog for Fun & Profit”.
What I don’t know about blogging could cover the distance between the galaxy and me! A year ago computer-speak like html, css, rss, pixels, links, etc. was a foreign language. Now the words trip off my tongue. I still struggle – some days are better than others. Lately I’ve been feeling very stupid as I transition my blog to a new format.
But,
• I’ve learned that the answer to almost every question can be found by typing the question on google.
• I’ve learned that all things seemingly mysterious and incomprehensible can generally be resolved by going to a help/support forum. Someone, somewhere had a similar experience.
• I’ve learned there are generally work-arounds for the insurmountable.
• I’ve learned that the internet is like free-falling into an abyss — every link leads to another. Sometimes I forget where I started and why!
• I’m learning my away around in social media. You can follow me on twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook…if I ever think of something witty and smart to say!
• I’ve learned to accept that I’ll never know or understand everything in our technological world. I’m happy with that. My head is about to explode anyway.
What I’ve learned about food bloggers.
Food bloggers are a warm and welcoming community. You might think that because it’s a creative endeavor bloggers would be guarded about the information they share. They’re not. It’s exactly the opposite. I’m proud to be involved with the community-at-large. I actually feel that I’ve made many new friends — all over the world!
I’m also proud to be part of BloggerAid – Changing the Face of Famine, a charitable organization formed to help erase worldwide hunger, especially as it relates to children. This group works under the auspices of the World Food Programme and will be publishing a cookbook later this year with over 100 recipes. The book will be sold on Amazon and all proceeds will go directly to the charity.
Assessments
I definitely would like to monetize my effort but I wonder if ads are really the way to go. Like most bloggers, over time, I’ve placed ads on my sidebars and feeds. I don’t particularly like the aesthetic and it’s added practically nothing to the blogging balance sheet. I’ve come to realize that not many people (myself included) look at the sidebar, especially when it’s peppered with ads — and hardly no one clicks through. At least not on FOODalogue. My google ads have brought in less than $50 and that’s being held captive at Googleville until it reaches $100.
Announcements
• FOODalogue is switching from the blogger platform to wordpress.org. Like many of you, blogger served me well in the beginning but I’ve been feeling constricted. There was so much more I wanted to do and I was getting increasingly frustrated. So I bit the bullet. Details of the experience will accompany the debut. It wasn’t easy.
• I’m planning to do another “Culinary Tour Around the World”, different countries, a few different rules…probably in the Fall or early next year. What do you think?
• Once my new blog goes live and I’ve introduced you to all the new features, I’m going to take a real hard look at where FOODalogue has been and where it’s going…hopefully, to the bank! 
Sincere thanks to all of you for your support, encouragement and interest over the past year.
Come back tomorrow for a celebratory giveaway!
We’re celebrating! One year ago FOODalogue went live and in the vernacular of the over-used and the cliché…it’s been quite a ride! 
17 Comments
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Congratulations on one year of blogging. You've discovered what all of us learn along the way — that blogging is hard work, but oh-so-rewarding. And that the people who are most involved are often not our family and friends, but the new friends we make online.
Joan, I think you've summed it up pretty well. Personally, I have found many opportunities through blogging and I think it's wonderful… Good luck with the transition over to WP. Pick a good host (don't base it on price!) and get "crackin" as we say here in OZ! Look forward to your new posts! And remember that balance is the key. Cheers!
What a totally refreshing post to read. Your observations and learning echo those of many of us (myself included)HELP is my favourite 4-letter word and I've learned not to be afraid to ask for it.
We're proud you're a member of BloggerAid…Changing the Face of Famine. Your insights are always honest and thoughtful.
In the same breath that you say balance you're also planning another tour around the world. Sounds to me like you've found your excuse already
and we'll look forward to the new mapping.
Congratulations! I like your different take on this anniversary post. =)
Great post. Happy first anniversary. Looking forward to seeing your new wordpress blog.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary and thank you for sharing your wonderful thoughts with us! I would be excited to see another Culinary tour around the world for sure!
Happy blogaversary! I can relate to everything you wrote in this post, the frustrations, the things learned and that need to be learned, all the wondering about where to take a blog and how to get there… It is a world all by itself, and a crazy one! But I think you had done an excellent job. I just finished reading your Boston series and that amazing mushroom post and I am convinced that your second year will be a great one for you and all of us who follow you
Congratulations on your one year anniversary.
Muchas gracias for sharing your experiences
and thoughts…. I am a follower, friend and part of your blog familia.
Looking forward to year #2
Happy Blogging Anniversary! I have enjoyed your posts and followed your receipes all year, but like most I have not commented on how much I have enjoyed it! I just read a book about blogging and have realized how important those comments really are to the blogger, I apologize. Thanks your for a year of total enjoyment and I look forward to year 2! Good luck with the new format, and please do not give up!
A thoughtful commentary on your blogging experience, which somewhat parallels my own (my year anniversary was in May). I'm going to be looking for your comments on the WordPress experience. I feel constricted by the format here, probably because I'm not the tekkie I purport to be. I share your lack of patience with photography and declined a shiny new camera as a birthday gift. I've been really thinking about a light box, though (not rushing into anything, mind you).
Very well said Joan. I have never known anyone who has more passion about something she loves than you. It has been a WONDERFUL journey going on this ride with you and a lot of fun. I am looking forward to the next Culinary Trip Around The World. If I win the lottery, we can actually do this trip!!! I have to run now, I need to purchase my lottery ticket.
In year 2, I will be interacting more with comments here but, for now, thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.
Peter- the host is the scary part. It's picked. We'll see what happens.
Vicki- no problema but I do look forward to your future comments
Arlene – I use a light box…go for it!
Lidia – From your lips…
Congrats on the 1 year anniversary. BTW, you will love WordPress. It is the only way to go
Congratulations on your first anniversary! Looking forward to seeing what you achieve in your second year – the culinary world tour sounds like fun!
it looks absolutely wonderful, joan. love the header. GREAT JOB! i really like your reflections about blogging in this post. i usually reflect at times like this (BUSY, summertime, not caring about blogs or blogging) with jonny and that’s usually in the form of complaining and ranting. it’s so important to remember that even though we’d all LOOOOVE to make money out of our blogs, the reason we started was most likely not that reason. it may be different for all of us (for jonny and i it really was a way to have our own online cookbook b/c we’d create and never write down things and for jonny it gave him a creative way to practice writing, which he loves), but at the end of the day, you’d hope all food bloggers #1 priority is their love of food, cuisine, creativity and community. of course the money would help… OF COURSE, but for 99% of all of us, we will not make a decent living via blogging. i figure the ads on our site cover our blog expenses – site hosting, giveaways a few bits of food here and there, etc. more than likely it’s not going to send us into the blog stratosphere. it’s too popular now… there’s too much out there. now, if it was 7 years ago our efforts may have gone much more noticed, now, eh. too many food bloggers. so let’s sit back, relax, keep our priorities in tact and not let the blog become our life, but our companion/hobby/pastime. that’s how i see it at least… but never compromise quality (which you clearly don’t do, joan!!).
here’s to 20 more years of foodalogue! LOL… we all love ya!!
great job!!!!!!!!!
ps: you’ll love your new home at wordpress. i still thank jonny for saying from the beginnning that it would be much better than blogger!
How clever are you to do even one “Culinary Tour Around the World”? And you’re planning another?! Cool!
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