Saturday, February 23, 2008

Happy Blogday to Me


I recall one birthday party I had when I was about 5. The table was lined with little girls in their frilly dresses and I was at the head of the table, the seat of honor. My mother came in the door from the kitchen bearing the birthday cake with lighted candles. Everyone began to sing the birthday song. Including me. I probably sang the loudest - Happy Birthday to MEEEEEEEE. Well, it was my birthday, right?

My sister pulled me aside after the party and gave me a manners lesson. It wasn't polite for the birthday girl to sing, she said. The birthday girl should just smile politely while others wished her a happy birthday.

I'm a big girl now and I should know better, but I just don't care. I'm singing really loudly because today is my blog's first birthday. A year ago my family talked me into this and it's been so much fun, it's hard to believe a whole year has passed!

I was thinking of some of the ways having this blog has changed my life and here are some of them, in no particular order.

1- I no longer keep margarine in my house. Reading lots of cookbooks and other peoples food blogs has made me much more aware of what we eat. If I'm going to go to the trouble of making it from scratch, why not use the best ingredients possible? And if we're going to splurge the calories on something decadent, it had better be worth it!

2 - I know wonderful people from around the globe. I get to peek in the kitchens and the lives of kind, funny, extravagantly talented people from across the United States and around the world. What a network of baking buddies!

3- I've had an excuse to try new and challenging recipes. My first post, marshmallows, was something I'd wanted to make for years. The blog finally gave me a reason to try. Now I make marshmallows whenever my family wants. My food repertoire has grown so that what once seemed daunting is now no big deal.

4- My cookbook collection has expanded beyond reasonable boundaries. Time to enlarge the boundaries!

5- I'm learning (very slowly) a bit about photography. My daughter is patiently trying to help me take lovely pictures. She's so good at what she does that I feel entirely inadequate behind a camera, but she's a great encourager.

6- I seem to spend a lot of time and money hunting for ingredients. Demera sugar, Durum flour, and sea salt are thing you definitely would not have found in my kitchen pre-blogging days.

7- My husband spends a lot more time moaning about his weight.

Thanks for visiting and leaving comments. That's one of the best parts of the blog!

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday! Although I am not a regular commenter, I love your blog. It's a daily check for me...so tell your family thanks for convincing you to start it!

Gretchen Noelle said...

Happy Blog Birthday! How exciting that CBL is turning 1!!! What a great thing to realize how blogging has changed you - and your family!

RecipeGirl said...

Happy Blog Bday! I hope you'll make your blog something yummy for its birthday.

You're doing a beautiful job with your internet venture... so keep up the good work!

Suzana Parreira said...

Happy 'blogversary'! I wish you all the best for the year to come - can't wait to see more new discoveries and achievements in your lovely blog.

Lady Di said...

Um was that me or the Mary Poppins measure up? :)

Happy Blogday Lynn. You do us all proud and my day is complete when you have a new post.

I made the brownie cookies from almost a year ago last week and my family raved about them!

Jessica said...

Happy Blogday, Cookie Baker! (I'm not a regular commenter, but definitely a regular reader and your blog is such a treat!)

JEP said...

Happy 1st Birthday! So many tasty accomplishments in just one year!! Thanks for sharing your expertise with us:)

Brilynn said...

Congrats on a year! Blogging has changed my life in many similar ways!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Happy first-year "bloggiversary"!! I can't even begin to tell you how much I enjoy (and will continue to enjoy) your blog - your work in the kitchen is so inspiring, and I LOVE the passion that you put into your writing. Here's to many more years of the Cookie Baker Lynn blog!! :0)

Anonymous said...

I am so tickled to be one of your blogging buddies! Happy anniversary to your blog.

Anonymous said...

Yeah for getting better at photography! Now you need to work on taking more pictures of your kids. Excluding me of corse :-D

Aimée said...

Wow, one year. Congratulations. By the quality of your photographs and posts, I never would have guessed this blog was that young.
All the best for another year!

Peabody said...

Happy blog birthday...so glad that you have gained so much from running a blog!

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

Happy Blogday to YOU!

Deborah said...

Happy blog birthday! And I think you should sing along as loud as you can!!

Anonymous said...

Lynn, I'm one of the few who read your blog entries only for your preliminary comments. I never read the recipies because I can't cook (grin).

I like how regularly you update your blog - keeps it interesting. And it's always a bonus when I discover a comment from one of my grandchildren.

It takes creativity and lots of work to keep a blog alive and I'm glad you're up to the task.

Keep cooking and keep blogging. Save it all for your first book!

Joe Meboe

diannem said...

Happy B-day! Your passion for your interests inspires me and pushes me to strive harder for my own goals.

Your writing is by far the most entertaining media that enters my house.

The recipes are well thought out, so I never feel that "risk" feeling as I venture into uncharted cooking lands.

The food samples that I have had the privilege to try are a luxury and I look forward to them again and again.

Thank you for sharing your time, talent and passion with all of us!

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...

Happy Blog Birthday! I just love your blog! You give me so much inspiration! Keep up the great work! Lisa

Nora B. said...

Happy Blog Birthday Lynn!!!

I am so happy that your family talked you into starting this wonderful blog. And the first birthday is always special, isn't it?

I look forward to reading more terrific posts and delicious recipes from you.

x Nora

Unknown said...

Yay! Congrats for your first year. I hope you continue to enjoy blogging as I enjoy reading what you write.

Gigi said...

Happy Blog-Birthday! I look forward to many years of your wonderful blog. It has always been a pleasure to read about your baking adventures.

Sarah said...

Happy Birthday! I too am amazed at how professional & beautiful your site is with only a year of experience under your belt! Your recipes are always great (I just took the brown bag cookies you posted about out of the oven...I've been dying to make them for weeks!) & your writing is beautiful too.

LyB said...

Good for you Lynn! Sing as loud as you want you totally deserve it! I just love your blog, your posts are always witty, fun and inspiring. Happy Blogday to You!!!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Melanie - thanks for the kind words!

Gretchen - Wow, my blog has an acronym now. Cool!

RecipeGirl - Well, I did make something chocolate which you'll be seeing soon.

Suzana - Aw, thanks!

Lady Di - Not you, it was the Jr. Miss Manners. So glad you liked the cookies. Do you think they'd make it to Iraq?

Jessica - Thank you so much. It's a treat to hear from readers.

Jep - I don't know about expertise, but I'm happy to share deliciousness.

Brilynn - My family wouldn't be happy if I went off to chef school, so I'm glad you're taking care of that.

VeggieGirl - Thanks, hon. I guess it takes a passionate blogger to know one!

Melinda - Absolutely! It is such a treat to know you and we never would have met without blogging.

Sarah C - Isn't that your job?

Aimee - Thanks. Kind words from another wonderful blogger.

Peabody - Getting to lunch with you was one of the highlights of the blog year!

AForkFullofSpaghetti - Thanks!

Deborah - OK, but hold your ears because I might not be exactly in tune.

Joe - Thanks for being such a faithful reader. I appreciate your encouragement.

Dianne - Good friend, you know I am always happy to share my kitchen bounty with you. And you inspire me to be optimistic, positive, and kind.

Lisa - I'm so glad you find something to take away from my ramblings. :-)

Nora - Thanks. You are so sweet!

Claire - I appreciate that. As long as people are interested in what I cook and as long as I can think up more stories to tell, I'll keep at it.

Gigi - Isn't it great fun to peek into each other's kitchens?

Sarah - Thank you! What sweet comments. I really appreciate them.

Lyb - Break out the ear plugs; I'm singing loudly now!

Gattina Cheung said...

my first time visit here, but I will sing as loud as you and others... Happy Blog Birthday! This blog is so delicious and delightful!

Karen Baking Soda said...

Happy B-B'day! Sing out loud girl!

Ditto, ditto on all you said about blogging, never expected it to bring so much fun and friends! Keep up the good work!

Megan said...

Happy blogday to you! I hear ya about all the plus's.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogday to you. I personally enjoy the childhood memories the best. The food is an added bonus. I'm not sure why, but when you've cooked I feel like I've made it, too.

Patricia Scarpin said...

Happy blog birthday, my dear and sweet Lynn!

You are truly talented and we have all learned so much from you.

Cheryl said...

Happy blog anniversary. I feel like I gain weight from just seeing all the amazing things you make.

kickpleat said...

happy blog birthday!!

Dee Light said...

Happy Bloggy Birthday!! I love your blog, your recipes are the kind I can really use.

Oh, and me too on the margerine!! and I'm going to have to check out your marshmallow recipe, my daughter and I have been talking about makeing some for several months!

Helene said...

Sing as loud as you want! Happy blog birthday Lynn! It is a pleasure to read your blog day after day!

Glenna said...

Happy Blog Birthday!

Amy said...

Happy Blog Birthday!!!!

Renee said...

Happy blogday! I love your site so I'm very glad your family talked you into blogging so I get to read your posts and see all those luscious pictures.

eatme_delicious said...

Happy blog day to you! :) That image you put together of things you've made over the past year looks so delicious.

Kelly-Jane said...

Happy first birthday! Looking forward to many more!!

Big Boys Oven said...

Oh you keep us entertained with all your creations! Congratulation!

Anonymous said...

Happy, er, blirthday?! Great recipes, great pictures, great stories. FABULOUS blog.

Eva said...

I'm a bit late to the party but I wanted to congratulate you and your blog nonetheless! Especially as I'm born on the very same day, alas, I'm a wee bit older than your blog..;-)
Looking forward to reading more of your kitchen adventures!

Eva said...

PS: Wanted to add that your photos are just as phantastic as your stories!

Anne said...

Happy Blog Birthday Lynn! You're really one person I look up to in terms of being a mother, a blogger and a baker. Your blog inspires me a lot and I hope you have more blog years to come!

WokandSpoon said...

I'm a bit late but Happy Blogday!!

Jennywenny said...

Happy birthday! I just found your blog and I love all the pictures and stories. I wondered if you could do us all a favor and let us know where you blogged about all those pictures. They look delicious! I managed to find the mice and they will be perfect for my bake sale this sunday...