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FOODalogue’s 4th anniversary quietly slipped by me — but not without a random and sobering thought about my venture into blogging.
Long after I’m gone (you know, in that dreaded final sense), I won’t really be gone. Four years (and counting) of my food creations, travel adventures, and happy times with family and friends will live on through my words and photos here on this blog and elsewhere; in fact, all over the internet … on food and photo-related websites, through social media, and the other blogs I’ve interacted with. That kind of rocks!
On FOODalogue, alone, I’ve published over 500 posts and received more than 10,000 comments (not counting twitter and facebooks links and likes). And, I’ve probably received 100,000 spam attempts but, thanks to Askimet, most are caught.
I am grateful and (dare I say?) proud on a daily basis for all I’ve learned in the past 4 years … for what this endeavor has added to my life, the doors it has opened and, most importantly, for all the real friends I’ve made. Awesome!
• • •
What’s happened this past year at FOODalogue? Well, for starters,
While I’ll be eternally grateful for the ‘leg up’ and community introductions they provided, I no longer relate to some of the online organizations I joined early on.
In 2012 (or late 2011, who remembers?) I took the few ads I carried off my blog. It wasn’t financially satisfying and, more importantly, I just didn’t relate to the advertisers that were taking up all that valuable blog real estate above the fold.
Now it’s all about me. Me! Me!
• • •
• I joined the 5 Star Culinary Makeover Cooking Group this year and have been having the best time! I love the monthly challenges and my colleagues’ no-vote-pandering philosophy. It’s all done for the love of the challenge — they are so my kind of people!
• In the past 6 months, I did 2 sponsored posts for small compensation. I also did guest posts for two friends: one on Taste with the Eyes and one on Lazaro Cooks.
• On the travel front, I visited Sarasota twice, Barcelona, Spain, Quebec, and New York City (the latter two still to be posted) … and the year is only a little more than half-passed.
• On the local front, I’ve been attending quite a few Florida foodie events, some of which I posted about; others not. This was at a recent private wine dinner with the winemaker, Francesco Zonin, at the tony Westin Diplomat Hotel.
• I had the opportunity to share a meal in real time with a few blogging friends.
With Nuria of Spanish Recipes in Barcelona, June 2012.
With Jorge of Hispanic Kitchen, the “kitchen hack” at Lazaro Cooks, Norma of Platanos, Mangoes and Me! in Miami, March 2012
I’m open. Hopefully, new opportunities, new experiences, more travel (I’ve already got 2 big trips in mind for 2013) and the opportunity to meet more of my “foodie/blogging” friends in person.
If some kind of event is going on in your city or elsewhere, I’d love to know. Who knows? It could spark a trip. Alternatively, if any readers are South Florida-bound, please let me know. I’d love to meet you for a mojito!
33 Comments
Grazie, Joan, to be there, a positive example for most of us, your enthusiasm is contagious!
Hope more & more years to read from you!
Grazie to you. I hope one day to be emailing you to ask you to meet me for a cappucino in Lake Garda!
oh my!!! hello….I just saw me!!!
Happy Happy Anniversary…this calls for a special something….tomorrow night…
South Florida Food and Wine recently posted..Paradise Farms Tropical Fruit Dinner at 1500 Degrees
Yes, you! That was a great night and I thought it deserved a spotlight in my foodie reflections.
Where did those 4 years go? Thank you for letting your creativity shine Joan. It’s a pleasure to drop by here and read your recipes and your thoughts. I’ll take you up on that mojito offer sometime!
Peter G | Souvlaki For The Soul recently posted..Strawberry and Cream Tart
Please do! One of my fond memories is sitting next to you at that warehouse dinner in San Francisco.
Congratulations Joan. What a great time I’ve had reading your adventures and food creations and can’t wait for more. Love the photos of you and I even recognized Lazaro. Maybe our paths will cross in Florida this winter.
Sam
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen recently posted..In Celebration of Homegrown Tomatoes
I would love that!
Congrats and looking forward to whatever is next!
Thanks, me too!
I for one, will be so glad that your legacy and life is captured here on this blog for all time. Congratulations on making it to 4 years, with all your posts, stories and recipes. I can only aspire to be as consistent and determined as you!
Maya@Foodiva’s Kitchen recently posted..French Fridays with Dorie – Vegan Tomato Cheese Tartlets
Thanks for you comment. It’s very sweet and much appreciated.
If it was not for you, your knowledge and patience I would not be blogging today. You are my mentor and best amiga. I always look forward to your creations, your adventures and our meetings.
Congratulations for a job well done and for always being there.
Happy 4th and looking forward to more….
Platanos Mangoes & Me! recently posted..ROPA VIEJA – OLD CLOTHES
Grassy-ass ♡♡
That was a lovely summary, which of course made me muse on my own blog and its trajectory. If I ever make it to South Florida again, you can bet I’ll be on your doorstep or at least at a local cafe waiting. Or maybe I’ll see you in beautiful San Miguel–or Morocco! Here is wishing you the best of whatever comes.
Flavors of the Sun recently posted..Easy Mediterranean Appetizer Spreads
Yes, to all 3 places! You’re one of the people I would love to spend time with.
A huge congtrats on your 4 year milestone, Joan…what an inspiration! Sounds like it’s been an incredible time, and I look forward to seeing where the future takes you.
Faith recently posted..Cabbage, Carrot, & Chicken Stir-Fry
Thank you Faith.
Congratulations Joan – Happy anniversary. Interesting to hear what you say about removing the ads – I understand completely where you are coming from there.
Always something foodie going on (with over 110 food bloggers) here in Dubai if you fancy a very hot trip!
Sally – My Custard Pie recently posted..Saffron, tin mines and an accident – Fresh from the oven
Something to think about Sally. Thanks for you good wishes.
Happy blogoversary Joan and wishing you many more years of blogging.
Ivy recently posted..Garlic and How to Roast and Preserve it
Thank you Ivy. You’re one of the early bloggers I discovered when I started.
Joan,
I like you more every day. You’re my kind of people. You’ve ventured into something that is typically scary to demographic over age 40. I know. You’ve embraced technology to promote old world traditions with an America twist. I say American because we take the old and make it our own, not reinventing, just carrying forward in new ways. We like individuality and we like connection. We embrace diversity and every shade of food. Now we have a format to pass down the love of food for the love of food. I hope our paths will cross again face to face.
angela@spinachtiger recently posted..Savory Sweet Potato Grits
Thanks, Angela. I hope to see you again too.
Congrats on 4 years, Joan. To many many more!
Thanks, Elly. You’re a gal after my own heart – always spicing it up and packing it with flavor.
Congratulations Joan, you have been a committed blogger and are passionate about food. I’m sure you will continue on for a long time to come.
Patricia Durr recently posted..Patricia Turo
It’s easy to be committed when you love it! Otherwise, you’ll wind up ‘committed’,
Happy anniversary, Joan! I can say from personal experience that it’s not easy to keep a blog going for four years AND to keep it fresh and exciting for readers. There’s no doubt that you’ve done that. If I ever find myself in South Florida, I’d love to get together. Hugs.
Katie recently posted..Estofado de carne | Beef Ragu
Congrats of the 4 years! I never thought of seeing our blogs as living forever…awesome. Glad I ‘met’ you though 5 Stars. Askimet rules!
It rocks and so do you Joan!
Congrats on 4 years, and best wishes for continued delicious success!
It was such a pleasure to have you do a Guest Post on Taste With The Eyes! Mil gracias a ti tambien!
LL
Lori Lynn recently posted..A Lesson in Butchery and Cooking
Congratulations on your 4 years…wow! And I can see that it has been wonderful for you, as it is for us as well
Wishing you many more wonderful years!
what an adventure, huh! So happy to have met 4 years ago and to make a common connection! I love your passion for food and travel! It’s infectious. I’m with you on the ad thing, too!
Do YOU!
Many more.
Bren @ Flanboyant Eats recently posted..Espresso Shots & The Perfect Espumita
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