Let’s Talk: This Is Why I Blog
So I warned you a couple weeks ago at the onset of this Let’s Talk series that I was going to talk about anything and everything. And today’s schpeel would most likely be considered one of those “anything and everything” posts. If you’re usually here for recipes and tips, this post might not be for you so feel free to check back Monday for the most amazing dessert bars on the planet.
But for the rest of you (hi, mom), this Let’s Talk post is up close and personal. And truly, I wish I had you guys right here in my kitchen sitting on the island stools and chatting. Keeping me grounded and laughing.
Lately, I’ve really been thinking about why I blog. The reasons why probably don’t matter a whole lot to anyone else but me. However they actually impact the look and feel and face of my blog quite a bit. So can we say they really affect all of us? Yes, let’s say that.
Eight years ago when I started this blog, I truly had no intentions of still blogging in 2015 – it wasn’t even a thought in my mind. I didn’t know that my blog would start to get comments from random readers across the interwebs or that I would move from mykitchencafe.blogspot.com to www.melskitchencafe.com or that I would go from 10 pageviews a month (again, hi mom) to over 2 million pageviews a month or that I would look back and realize how truly terrible my photography was when at the time, I thought I was a budding food stylist (ha!).
I mean, none of that was even on my radar. I really just wanted to make food and share the winners on a real, live food blog instead of boring all my family members by posting them on our family blog (which, by the way, am I the only remaining person on the planet that still has a family blog? just curious).
And on a personal level, blogging has seen me through quite a bit: four major moves (from Utah to Wisconsin to Minnesota to Idaho), two new babies, a bout with cancer and subsequent radiation, two major health-related surgeries thrown in there and lots of other personal ups and downs.
Through it all, this little food blog has grown and morphed and changed beyond my wildest expectations over the last almost decade. When I first started, there were only a handful of food blogs widely known and even then, if you said the word “blog” most people thought you were swearing at them. Now, there are thousands and thousands of food blogs and new ones starting every day.
Entering the food blog world when I did was sweet timing and I’m grateful for it every day; I think it plays a big part into why my blog has grown (new social media avenues don’t hurt either). But as my blog has grown, it’s taken on some new challenges and I’ve had to really stop and ask myself why I blog.
What started out as 100% a hobby (I posted whenever I wanted to with literally no thought to anything except for which really bad picture to choose to post with the recipe) has evolved into something that takes a lot of time. Lots and lots and lots of time.
I average about 40-50 hours of work on my blog each week and while this is a choice (no one is forcing me to do it), it definitely sometimes feels overwhelming. As most of you know, I have a large-ish, busy family (+ a cat, a dog, two cows, and 11 chickens if that matters at all).
Hi, guys.
These faces are and always will be my first priority. I try my very hardest to avoid the time-sucking computer/social media work while my kids are awake since I don’t work outside the home and several of them aren’t in school full-time yet (and of course during summer, all their blessed souls are home) which means if at all possible, blogging tasks are relegated to afternoon naptimes (when I can structure my older boys’ time for quiet activities while littles nap) and kiddo bedtimes (hence the reason I stay up way.too.late). Although they do get a lot of hands-on chances to help cook in the kitchen (we’ve talked about that before remember) since all the cooking and baking is done during reasonable daylight hours.
Blogging is more than just food, though – it’s website functions that break, keeping up with social media (blah, totally a subject for another time), paying hosting fees and putting a lot of money into development and design and fixes, hiring an assistant (my cute sis – she’s awesome!) to help keep up on the hundreds of comments and emails I need to respond to each day and manage the aforementioned social media tools as well as many other projects. It’s the highs of really positive comments and the lows of mean-spirited ones.
And sometimes, you guys, I want to stop. I want to stop blogging and just read novels 40-50 hours a week instead. Or maybe exercise more. Or sew? I think I used to know how to do that. Or wait…sleep. I’d like to sleep.
But every time I have a little crisis (my husband seriously deserves a therapist’s salary for talking me off the ledge each time), I go back to why I started blogging in the first place.
To share my tried-and-true favorite recipes with the world.
I know that sounds cheesy and a little trite but it’s so, so true. And every single time it’s what causes me to recenter and realize that even though there are a bajillion other things that go into this blog now that it’s grown, that – THAT is the reason I’m still blogging.
Other food blogs will come and go. Many of them will surpass me in numbers and social media followers and revenue and cookbook deals and sponsorship opportunities and all the other things that come along with blogging. And I’m not going to lie, the overachieving, perfectionist side of me struggles with that sometimes. But every time I decide to go down that route (finally say yes to a publisher, start working with more companies to promote their stuff, burying my face in social media and never resurfacing just to get another “like”), it doesn’t take long (I’m talking mere hours) before I’m completely miserable. It’s not me. It’s not how I blog. To business-savvy, eagle-sharp minds, it’s stupid and naive – I’ve had more than one fellow blogger and family member and acquaintance tell me I’m shooting myself in the foot by blogging the way I do – for not capitalizing on more opportunities and that I’ll never get ahead.
Is it bad to admit that I’m ok with that? All I ever wanted, actually more than I ever wanted, in blogging I have right now. Call it unmotivated or unambitious or what you will. I call it staying true to my roots.
I have loyal readers who are so dear to me, it’s unexplainable. Your comments and stories and wittiness and recipes (ah, I love the recipes you send me) make all the endless work of blogging worth it and totally counteract the minor instances of negativity that come through.
And there’s the food. I love food. I love good food. I don’t post a recipe unless it rocks. No filler recipes. No content just because. I only post because if I didn’t, I’d explode from having to keep that ridiculously awesome recipe to myself instead of sharing it.
At the end of the day, just like eight years ago, it’s still about the food. But amazingly and kind of crazily, it’s also about the people who come here – you’ve made this a community. Maybe just to me, I don’t know, but as awkward and socially problematic as it sounds, you are a very bright spot in my day and have become some of my dearest friends (even though I haven’t met many of you) and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you.
This is not all to say that in the future I won’t decide to take opportunities that come my way or that little bits and pieces of my blog won’t change. There are some exciting things in the works as I speak, in fact, but those aren’t the aspects that drive and motivate me to keep blogging.
Phew.
No, really, phew!
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. You certainly deserve some type of reward if you really truly made it to the end of this post. I try to keep super personal, weirdo emotional, blogging-specific things like this out of daily posts because for the most part, I know you come here for great food. And I’m totally ok with that. I love it and don’t intend to vomit up all my feelings all of the time.
But I guess today I just wanted to make it known, even though I hope you know it just from being here day after day, that I value sincerity and realness and that’s what I hope to convey through blogging. I don’t have ulterior motives. Sometimes I don’t even know what tomorrow holds for blogging let alone the next five years.
I just blog.
And I’m so happy you are still around.
Mel,
I followed you over from your first blog. Yours is one of the few food blogs remaining on my bookmarked list. I seem to find the most recipes that I use more than once. Please don’t quite …pretty please. π
Thank you for the countless hours of work you have put into this blog.
You have literally helped me become a rockstar in the kitchen through the recipes I have made from your posts. Love Gloria’s Perfect Cinnamon Rolls!!
As long as you still love it, keep doing what is vitally important to keeping this great blog and community going: make awesome recipes and post them. Delegate the rest of the work away to a savvy tech & social media person! Save your family time and sanity! π
Mel, I love your genuineness. Is that a word? I truly love your blog. The recipes are awesome and most of my family (and personal) favorites come from here, but it’s the person behind them that keeps me coming back. Your personality is all over it, and even never having met you I can tell that we would be friends in real life. So keep up the good work, and feel free to “vomit up feelings” sometimes too! We all love the humor and the personal touch!
I love your blog! It’s the only one I check regularly any more. You are so relatable to me. I, too, have lots of little boys and only one girl. The fact that you cook all these things for your kids and that they EAT it is what makes me come back for more. I know I can get simple food (and quick when I need it to be) that my kids will actually eat. And if you can make it with five kids hounding you, I can certainly make it with four hounding me. Your blog motivates me to at least ATTEMPT to menu plan – even though I hate it and fail miserably most of the time. You make me want to keep trying at it. I love that your blog has been around so long and that you are so real and personal. I feel like we are friends too, even though I don’t comment a whole lot so you probably don’t actually know me. I feel like we would be good friends if we knew each other in real life. Thanks for all you do and all the work you put in here and all the late, late nights you spend working away for us!
totally understand where you’re coming from! my little blog definitely gets neglected because life is more important, but when I do show it some love, it’s because of my love of good food and cooking at home. π
mel oh mel…
you are loved and admired..i am so glad you blog and cook and bake and are present on this planet sharing you life with everyone!
you have a beautiful family and are a wonderful spirit..i love your blog !
your efforts are so appreciated.
And this is why I love your blog! You are a wife and a mom with a passion to feed your family and friends well and want to share that with us! My sister-in-laws and I have conversations and texts talking about “Mel’s recipe” we recently tried. We reference you as though you’re a close real life friend! I love it!! Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thank you π
I’ve never commented before, but just wanted to say thank you for keeping up with the blog. I use your recipes ALL the time and have for several years now. You have a gift and my family eats better because of it! So thank you!
Love, love, love your blog. I’ve cancelled most of my food blog subscriptions this year because I’m so tired of their endlessly promoting their sponsors, but I cannot get enough of yours!! I can’t count how many of your recipes we make on a regular basis! And it’s obvious that you rework recipes until they’re perfect. I’m sure there are days you want to walk away from it, but I just wanted to say what a huge fan I am! Thank you, thank you….
Oh, my! Is that sneak peak a recipe like a mazurka bar from Great Harvest?! I lay in bed last night thinking… I wish Mel would find a way to make something like those bars. They are my favorite dessert almost ever and that says so much because I love chocolate and hundreds of other sweets I’ve made from your blog. But that little berry bar from Great Harvest is frozen before Christmas and finds its way into my stocking and my husbands. Thats how much I love them. I am dying for Monday morning to come! Thanks for all your hard work. You are a household name around our house. I make your recipes almost daily. Our family and neighbors will forever be thankful for you!
Hi Mel,
I just wanted to say that I think the more you stay true to your heart, the more successful you will are and will be (whatever that may look like!). I think we all should just walk one day at a time as He orders our steps. Blessings to you!
I found your blog through Pinterest, where I used to waste hours of my life searching for recipes. But then I realized I really just needed Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, where I KNOW every recipe will turn out well, they won’t be four ingredients (most of which are Campbell’s soup), and plus–you’re funny! π I haven’t been on Pinterest in months, but I cook from your blog multiple times a week. So thanks!
PS I still rock our family blog about once/week, but I may well be a dying breed.
Love love love your blog! I hope that you are earning something from all your hard work! Your blog is one of my first stops when I’m looking for a recipe and my sisters stop here too. If I need a foolproof bread recipe I come here. I’m a vegetarian and I still stop over frequently because I can often alter recipes. I’m also now considered the best cheesecake baker in my extended family when all I’ve done is printed out your recipes. It is so nice to just have so so many vetted recipes to work from. I don’t know how you do everything you do. I hope you at least have some helpers with all the dishes! I will also say that I love how organized your blog is, so easy to navigate. Now off to look for a cookie recipe out of the archives! Thanks again!
And thank goodness you do blog, or I would have never learned to cook as a newlywed. You make up 90% (or more) of our meals each week. So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for doing what you do. My husband and two kiddos thank you, too.
Thank you for all the work you put into your blog. I look forward to your posts so much and your photography and descriptions make me want to cook everything right away. I know even before I make a recipe that I won’t be disappointed because it is one of yours-and yours are always good. I don’t think I can say that of any other blog. I can tell from your writing,comment replies,and short videos that you are talented,sweet,and real. You inspired me through your running updates to get out there and run too. I could go on and on but I won’t. Thank you again for all you do. Please keep it up!Oh, and I love food so much too!
Thank you for blogging and sharing yourself with us! I LOVE your recipes, I love the personal glimpses of you- I love my sister and I are on a first name basis with you even though we don’t know you (ex. at family dinners- “this ____ is SO good!” “It’s Mel’s” “of course it is.”) I love that our whole Mother’s Day Meal that we had for our mom was compliments of your recipes π
Thank you for being real and so generous!
Love, love your blog! Adore reading about your family and life. I make several of your recipes each week and have at least 15 recipes book marked to try – a number that grows daily! Thank you for sharing.
I loved this post. Thank you. I have followed your blog for several years, but only recently started leaving comments. I find it strange and awesome at the same time that I can feel a connection to a person I have never met, but have only read words written by them on a regular basis. My entire family is on a first name basis with you. My husband can tell when I am making a “Mel” recipe. I just got home from a week long girls camp for church where I was in charge of the food. You saved my bacon!!
Thanks for the time and effort you put in. I hope you never stop blogging, and next time you are in Utah for another half marathon, I am going to try and come meet you. And even though you didn’t mention it as a reason for blogging, I feel that your dedication to family and goodness shines through your blog, and blesses the lives of those who come across your posts. You bring families together with yummy food that is not too scary to make, and you taught me to made bread! And, I just have to tell a fellow food lover…I checked out some artisan bread books and made my first loaf of homemade sourdough bread from scratch. AND…it worked! Yea!
Thanks again for everything!
Just wanted to say thanks so much for what you do. I love your blog and will continue to read it for as long as you continue to keep it up.
Mel–thank you for this post. It affirmed what I always believed to be true about you, and that is why your blog is the only one that I read and subscribe to. Your recipes are from the heart, and you are genuine. We lost a baby late last year, and part of my healing process began when I decided to try my hand at yeast breads again (I always failed in the past). There is something about being in the kitchen and working with dough that just makes me feel closer to God. 6+ months later, and I am still making almost all of my own breads and buns, thanks to your tips. As you know, cooking is always about much more than the food. Think of all of the lives that are impacted by your recipes, and not just because they taste good?! I can’t imagine what it takes to keep this blog up and running, managing all of the comments, etc. But like others have said, follow your heart, like you have been from the start. Thank you!!
Dear Mel, Therapist Husband, Cute Sis, kiddos,
Thank you so much for all you do on your website! I love it and my family thanks you for some great eats. In my house, you have made a huge impact.
I ran across your site a couple of months ago and look at it several times – ok, more than that – a week. When I saw your pic for your Fresh g
Green Bean Salad with Balsamic Dressing, I actually drooled!
*Who Does That?*
Over a vegetable?
So I’ve made it multiple times, even adding my own little spins. Then made things like Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy BBQ Pot Roast – killer! – Blueberry Custard Pie with Buttery Pecan Streusel – off the hook! – This would not be a big deal in most people’s lives, but you and browneyedbaker (hello Hummingbird Cake and friends!) have helped literally to lift me out of a rather profound longstanding depression with your positive outlook, great pics, sharing family & friend stories with all the ups and downs and especially encouragement to get into the kitchen again. I had forgotten how much I love baking and cooking then sharing successes with family.
Just wanted you to know that who you are comes through your blogging and have made a huge difference in our lives here in the (nasty) hot desert. And, no, I don’t share feelings this easily!
Thank you again!
I love your blog! Thanks for putting the time in. And many thanks to your husband and family for their support! The delicious food that comes from your table to mine really adds to our family life – and obviously my rockstar status in the kitchen. π
I have to tell you how much I admire you and love your blog! Pretty much everything I cook comes from your recipes. Your tastes are exactly what we love, and you use ingredients I usually have on hand. But, like others, even if I didn’t cook one thing from your blog, I would read it just for fun; I love your writing style. Plus, you are an inspiration in ALL aspects of life, and your family is just so darned cute! THANK YOU for all you do!
I don’t comment often, but I constantly refer people to your blog. My motto, “If Mel doesn’t make, then I don’t need to either.” I don’t even frequent other food blogs, anymore, because I feel like so much of their content is, like you said, fillers, and has ulterior motives than just sharing food recipes. I love your blog, and I love that you share recipes that are good. Other recipes that I have tried from other blogs, are often flops, leaving me to wonder if they even made the recipe before posting it, hoping to only get more blog views.
Thank you for what you do! I love your blog and food!
Thank you for sharing your heart! I love that you have chosen to stay true to your heart and not get caught up in the “opportunities”. That’s one reason, among many, that I love your blog. I know you always share good food and you are not trying to sell me something or only sharing sponsored posts. Your recipes are AMAZING and make up most of what I make for my family. I send people to your blog regularly. THANK YOU for doing what you do and for keeping it REAL!!!
I really enjoy your blog – for one thing, I also have five kids, and I love knowing that you are cooking for a whole family, with sometimes picky kids included. It makes your recipes seem doable fnor me. I have one food blog that I love to read and drool over, but excepting some desserts have basically never made anything she posts, because her food is so not in the realm of my life or food budget or family. But I love reading your blog, and getting excited over the recipe, and then think, “hey, I could make that, I really could!” and then I do. Not that I have to rate food bloggers, I can just love them all for who they are, but I can be grateful that there is someone posting recipes like you online.
Also, I don’t mind the personal – one of the things I love about blogs is that they are not just a dry recipe book, but three dimensional people with lives that affects their cooking. Seeing glimpses into your family and life are some of my favorite posts.
I am a silent reader of your blog, but after reading this post I wanted to tell you thank you! I love that you are able to do something you love even though it isn’t easy and there are lots of reasons why you could stop. It’s great that you continue to do this for the small and simple reasons. I live in Idaho as well and was excited when you moved to this state. When I don’t know what to make for dinner the first place I look is your website. It works so well for my family and where we are at in our lives. You cook and bake very similar to how I do at home so I love making your recipes. I usually have all of the ingredients and my family enjoys the meals as well. Thanks for keeping true to yourself and keeping your blog about you! So many these days seam to want to win a prize for how many times they can pin their own recipes. I enjoy that your blog and recipes truly read from the heart. So thank you, Keep it up as long as you can and it works for your family. You are using your talents and blessing others. Thank you
I love your blog and have been reading it for years. I am always pinning your delicious recipes, so that others can enjoy your food too. I enjoy reading a blog that is simply about food and family, without all the ads. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
Mel, thank you for sharing. I have so much respect for what you do. As the mother of two small children, I cannot begin to imagine how you accomplish all you do, do it so well, and best of all, keep it so genuine and authentic. I think that is why we all love you – we feel like we DO know you, or easily could, and would love you and your cooking just as much in person. Thank you for all you do. It is above and beyond. You couldn’t lose us if you tried. π
I’m so happy you blog, and keep blogging. Love the honesty of this post. And, even if you do decide to go another direction someday (that’s a lot of hours!) I would understand (although it would be super sad…) but you have already given us so much material to work with! So many yummy recipes I still need to try out, and other ones I keep on making because they are THAT GOOD.
Love, love, love your blog!!! You (and your darling family) have been a part of every holiday, every celebration, every get together at our home over the past 3 years when I was looking for ‘the best chocolate chip cookie’ recipe. We have enjoyed every recipe!!! I cannot say that about any other recipes that we have tried for over 36 years. I ALWAYS come to your blog when searching for ideas for meals or special occasions or just plain good food. In fact, I look nowhere else. It has to be very difficult to not only raise 5 children but to also provide so much content and make us rock stars in the kitchen as well. Thank you! Thank you for trying to make us shine in the kitchen and sharing about your life and family!!
Mel,
My cousin in Canada shared one your recipes on Facebook. I checked it out and here I am each day checking out what is currently on the blog and what wonderful and delicious treats you have archived. Your tried and true recipes are terrific! Thanks for all the yumminess but especially for being real about being a mom, wife and so much more that women are each day.
Your blog is my hands down favorite cooking blog! I trust that your recipes will always come out delicious!! Please never stop blogging!! Thank you!!
Hi Mel,
When I read your posts, I understand that you give all your heart. And let me say that you bring a piece of sunshine in my french house, every time I cook one of your recipe. Because I don’t stress : recipes always work ! And I love the little story before each recipe, sometimes you make me laugh.
Thank you to give your time, your heart, your energy, your friendship to us.
(excuse me : my english is not very good, and I would like to say more things but I don’t have the good words)
Mel, I discovered your blog about 2 1/2 years ago when I was searching for “Monkey Bread” recipes at Christmas time! Having got a glimpse into your recipe files and snapshots into your life pulled me in and I’ve been a follower ever since. My family knows you by name and your recipes are the best! Always look forward to your posts!
First of all I think that it is very smart of you to know what you want out of blogging. You fully understand what is important to you and you family. Its ok to not get caught up in all of the STUFF. Second, I look forward to your post so so much and there has been many a time when I say a bad word when I see your new recipe post because it looks so good.
Thanks for all you do
Incredible post. Thank you for sharing. p.s. how do you do it all?
Mel, I have followed your blog for years and it is the only one I subscribe to. And the only one I have commented on for that matter. I have made many, many of your recipes (there might have been key lime cheesecake for breakfast). Now it might just be my experiences, but the recipes I have tried from other blogs never seem to taste how they claim. But yours? Yours are amazing. If you state a recipe is decadent, it always is and to the point that you literally swoon. And I do believe your Baked Ziti is my favorite pasta in the world. That really should have best in the title, Mel. Can we take a vote? The kindness, empathy, compassion, wit, humor and the incredible heart and soul that you bless us with is so refreshingly authentic that it would be impossible not to fall in love with you and your blog. And it happens over and over again with each post and each visit. Let`s face it, we all love you and your blog so much that I would bet that yours is the only blog whose readers actually read all your subscribers comments. For me any time I look at another blog I always end up back here. It literally feels like coming home, with that immediate sense of warmth and sigh of satisfaction.
As far as the sponsor and publishing aspects you spoke of, I do appreciate that your blog isn`t loaded with sponsor ads and pop ups that send my browser into convulsions. I have seen a couple of blogs where they had a couple of sponsor ads that were not intrusive. And then there are the ones that you spoke of where you are bombarded to the point where your browser goes into convulsions or freezes. Also, I used to be corporate sponsorship rep. for non-profit events, so I know the demands and contractual obligations involved. Although I always worked my sponsorships to be event only, with no long term obligation. At the same time I also understand there are financial demands to maintain a blog and maintaining it is a full time job pretty much. So I don’t see a problem with any decision you may consider for compensation. I, for one would love a cookbook (they are like a good novel for me). But this blog is your heart and soul, your blood, sweat and tears. Your baby. You conceived it, birthed it, fawned and fretted over it and nurtured it into the awesome 8 year old that it is. And you have to do what you feel is best for you and your baby. Whatever you decide, I am on board and always will be. Let’s have an auction of a binder your recipes! That’s kind of like what an 8 year olds cookbook would be. *scribbles Best Classic Baked Ziti in crayon* : D
Congrats on the half marathon, Mel. You rocked it! And thanks for all the smiles and literal laugh out loud laughter. And I`d like to say thanks to all your readers. A great bunch of people who contribute to the smiles and laughter.
Loved this post Mel. I have loved reading your blog and trying as many of your recipes as possible ever since finding it a couple of years ago! Keep blogging – where would I go for recipes if you stopped! π
love your recipes and your blog. thanks for doing what you do! and you do it amazingly well, by the way π
You guys. I want to respond to every single one of you! And I will. Soon (I just got home after a day that started at 5:45 a.m. making breakfast for 20 youth + leaders followed by taking my kids + my friend’s six kids to the waterpark to use up their free passes they earned through reading before they expire and my kids and their sun-kissed cheeks are finally in bed and I’m sitting here reading through your comments – laughing and crying – when I should be dealing with the messiest house that ever was). Let me just say that I don’t know how a girl like me ended up deserving all this love (and I’m not sure I deserve it but I”m awfully grateful for it tonight). You rock. Every single one of you. I feel like I know you and I love your guts very much. Now. Time to deal with real life.
I am rejoicing too that I am not alone in loving you for the tremendous influence for good you put into the minds and hearts of your readers. I love reading the comments from your many gracious web followers. You are making such a positive impact in the world. Now I am inspired to get started on the 2nd messiest house that ever was and the mounds of laundry calling my name.
Loved that you really poured out your heart. You are such a neat person and talented blogger. I look forward to reading your blog everyday and love that you’re willing to share your favorite recipes and a piece of your life with us. Keep on keeping on! π
I’ve never commented before, but I have followed your blog for years. I love it. You are my most trusted source for good, good food. In fact, at least 70% of the food I make are recipes from your blog. I get asked frequently for recipes I bring to things and I always say, “Its Mel’s”. Conveniently, at least half the people I say that to already know and follow your website as well! Thank you for the sacrifices you make to share your skill in knowing and cooking good food!
As you can tell by the overwhelming response to this post – people love you because you are genuine. I feel connected to you and I’ve never met you. Every time you write I feel like I could be writing. We think the same way.
We like really good food. The best thing I’ve done in the last couple of months is hire a VA to do social media stuff that I don’t want to do and that isn’t taking over my voice (the behind the scenes stuff). It’s cheap and takes such a load off so I can enjoy the fun part of blogging.
I think we will still be doing this when we’re 80! How fun will that be?
I also would like to share how much your blog means to me. I sincerely look forward to days you post. I have tried countless recipes from here and still have more that I want to try. When I menu plan I always come here for inspiration to make healthy, delicious meals that never fail me. I am so thankful you do what you do. I didn’t knowwhat a huge time commitment it is to run the blog. Thank you for all your dedication.
I love your blog, and go to it it many times each week. Thank you for your hard work. You are an amazing person. I hope you can find the the balance that is right for your family.
I haven’t read the other comments so I could probably get away with “ditto”. I did want to say that of our family’s many favorite recipes, most of them came from your blog. Please keep blogging!
I must add my voice to all the many commenters that your recipes are amazing (meaning, delicious, vetted and ones we make over and over), but it’s so much more thatn that. We all appreciate and admire your hilarious writing, attention to detail, authenticity and FUN! Most of us can’t imagine the time and effort that you put into this, but please know that it has helped many, many of us. You’re like a breath of fresh air! xoxo Susan
Mel, you are amazing! I have thought to myself so many times, as I make recipe after recipe from your blog, “How does Mel do it all??” I think you have superhuman abilities and strength to manage everything SO WELL! I absolutely love the recipes you post, and I also absolutely love the glimpses into your sweet family life. Your children are beautiful, and Brian is such a supportive husband (I can say that for sure after having met them for a minute after the half marathon). I think we both got a little misty-eyed when I got to meet you and thank you in person for all you do. You inspire me in so many ways! Your posts make me laugh, cry, want to be a better mom, a better wife… and a better cook π Thank you, thank you!!!