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.
I think it’s already been said hundreds of times, but I have to add mine in too. I never comment either, and hardly ever read the personal stuff, but today I did and I’m glad! Your blog is the one and only source I go to for a recipe every single day!! And I tell all my friends about it! I would be lost in the kitchen without you! You are a genius! And my husband and family is grateful you taught me to cook! So thank you for doing it even with your busy family! I love your food, and don’t think I’ve ever made something I didn’t like (and I’ve tried a lot of them!), but I like you and your down-to-earth sincerity a lot too! Thank you!!
I absolutely LOVE your blog. I don’t hardly comment – but you are my go-to blog whenever I need a recipe. Thank you for doing it. And thank you for your post. You’re awesome.
oh and — glad your kids and husband come first! good job!
oh I do love your blog and recipes but mostly your fun personality! no pressure here but please oh please do a cookbook!!! how fun would that be (for all of us – maybe not you)
This is why I continue to follow your blog when I have given up on others. I love that it is about you and your family and FOOD. Another food blog (that shall remain nameless) started doing constant product promotion over the past year and I have completely stopped following it. Keep doing what you love.
PS. Thank you also for not posting ridiculous pictures of every.single.step of a recipe. I’m pretty sure we all know what putting a teaspoon of salt in a bowl looks like.
Hi Mel. Thank you so much for all the time, energy, and effort you put into making this blog so great. Every week when I’m preparing my shopping list I check the Kroger website for the sale ad and your website for the new recipes. Yours is the only food blog I read, and your recipes are many of our family favorites. Thanks for sharing your recipes with the world and keeping it real with your fun personality.
I’m so glad you blog because yours has my favorite recipes, hands down!!!
Are there other cooking blogs besides yours? As far as I’m concerned…no. 🙂 You’re my fave! When I’m trying to think of what to make for dinner or want to try a new recipe, I rarely turn anywhere else but here. Keep ’em coming!!
I love your blog! When I’m stumped for dinner ideas, you are my go-to for inspiration and a recipe I know will be a hit. Like so many other commenters, my husband knows exactly what I mean when I tell him “its from Mel, you’ll love it”.
THANK YOU for your blog. I just keep following it after several years because I know your recipes will ALWAYS be wholesome, genuine, delicious, approachable, not expensive or impossible, and healthy and yummy for families. You might be told you’re “shooting yourself in the foot” by not taking cookbook deals, promotions, etc. but I will ALWAYS come to your blog because you ARE so true to your roots!! I’ve stopped following too many other food blogs that lose focus and their recipes get weird/yucky/expensive/boring, etc. Thanks for being so professional and yet so real and approachable. Keep it up for all of our sakes!!
My sister introduced me to your website. I love that you don’t used processed food and it always turns out. I have tried so many of your recipes. They are well written and delicious. When I look for a recipe for something I always go to your site first. Thank your for your work. You make fancy food accessible to those who are learning on their own.
Hi Mel, what can I possibly say that hasn’t already been said?
I heard about your blog from my sister who frequently used your recipes in her day-to-day cooking. And as much as I’m drawn to your website for the great recipes, I also love to read your little updates, anecdotes, stories, what-have-you. You seem so down to earth and that’s why you have so many loyal followers. I love your sense of humor that is weaved throughout your blog too. You really
have a way with words. Thank you for all you do and for opening up your life and recipes to the rest of us!
Your blog is one of my few favorites. I know I can trust your recipes and that means a lot. I did not know how much time it took though so now I appreciate it even more!
This is why you are my favorite blogger! Keepin’ it real.
“To share my tried-and-true favorite recipes with the world.”
And this is why you are my #1 Go-To site for recipes (and for most of my extended family, ha ha.) Not only do you come across as a truly wonderful person, but you really showcase some of the best of what the culinary world has to offer. There’s waaay too much information available any more and having a site like this that cuts out the ‘fat’ and gets right down to the ‘meat’ (intentional food puns) is awesome. I don’t think I’ve commented all that much before though I’ve followed along for years – but Mel, you certainly have impacted my life for the better, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your words.
I get it. I have 4 soon to be 5 kids myself….. but I LOVE your blog. LOVE IT. I get all my ideas from your blog. Seriously use it every day to plan dinner and when we need a dessert I come here too. Everything is good and the recipes are easy and so family friendly. Thank you for taking the stress out of meal planning and dinner.
I frequent your site (uh… sometimes more than once a day) but don’t comment much. I love the way you blog and I tell everyone about my favorite food blogger who just ran a half marathon and maybe I could do that too. Anyway… I can name three people (Christina, Linda, and KC) who I randomly brought up your blog too and they know and love it too! It’s funny that because of your blog those friends and I have a special bond now. So yeah, I think your blog creates a community. Life is just crazy busy and I don’t want to sacrifice food quality. Or health. Cooking at home and eating as a family is a huge factor in health. My bachelors degree is in nutritional science and I really feel like cooking makes a huge difference for health. The way you blog shows real food that real people can make and love. Many food blogs are fun to visit but oh man… I don’t have two days to prep one meal… you know? I’ve got two little boys. Thank you so much for what you do!
I was introduced to your blog 6 years ago when I moved to Arizona (from Utah) and let’s just say you have become a household name that has expanded to my sisters, cousins, mom and friends as I have shared your blog with them. We have family functions and someone says, “This is delicious!” and the cook says, “It’s from Mel’s.” We were all pretty good cooks before but you have definitely raised the bar.
I feel like you are an old friend as our kids are similar ages and some of our life experiences and places we have moved (I moved to Idaho last summer also). So dear friend, thank YOU for your time and effort to creating a place I know I can always go to find something good! I don’t know how you do it, but I am glad you do!
That was such a great blog post, Mel! I think I’ve been reading your blog for 7 years, and I have to say that it’s got to be the fact that you like to blog, and that the other “stuff” just isn’t your thing (and maybe if it does become your thing some day I will grow along with you and really like that other “stuff”, too) that keeps me coming back. BESIDES your food. Lol! My recipe blog favorite list has dwindled to a tiny handful because I just don’t like the other “stuff”. Your recipes are you, your writing is you, and I appreciate that so much. Now, off to stuff another strawberry shortcake bar in my mouth. It will give me energy when I run tomorrow, right??!!
–Jolie, still running (&eating!) in Cincinnati
I’ve been with you for such a wonderful, long time. I check you first, rely on you unwaveringly. Your recipes are my “go to”… your rolls, your chicken, everything. You’ve been an integral part of my life, the life of how my family eats. Thank you!
Love your blog! I love your recipes so much and I enjoy the occasional glimpse into your real life and your family.
Your blog is my number one food blog, you never let me down
I’ve been thinking about this post of yours a lot, and I just want you to know that I absolutely LOVE how genuine you are. You blog is one of the very, very, very few that I read every single last word you write. I am drawn to your blog exactly because of the reasons you blog, and it definitely shows through. I am so thankful for all the work you do! Such a great benefit for me and for my family. You do much good in the world by sharing your fantastic recipes. Thank you for not being pulled by all the things that might make you “rich and famous”… thanks for being true to yourself. That’s what keeps me coming back!
Hi Mel,
I know I don’t comment much, but I want you to know that I love your blog. Most of the recipes I make now are from you and you inspire me everyday! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, your recipes and your real self with all of us! Please keep blogging, I like you and your blog just the way it is!!!! xoxo
Hi Mel – Susan here in SLC. Just want you to know how much I LOVE your blog. I am a 68 year old granny of 22, mom of 7, stage 3 breast cancer survivor of 12 years. I have over 300 cookbooks. Sometimes I read them. Like novels. I take dinner to a young friend with a terminally ill son. She has two other little ones. And she’s pregnant. Natch. Since last July I have taken her a large dinner (for three meals) once a week. I’m up to my one year anniversary. It didn’t take too many months to run through my old favorite recipes and look for new ideas. It takes a certain kind of recipe to transport well. I look at your blog every day and have used many of your recipes for my friend and also for my own family. Thank you so much for doing this. You have many more readers than you know. You are loved and appreciated, even though I haven’t met and may never meet you. Bless you for this good work you do. P.S. if you ever want to start a section for meals to share with those in need. . . that transport well. . . and taste good (!) . . . I’m sure there would be many people that would be interested. Taking dinner to my friend on Friday and I’m sure she will love your strawberry bars. (Maybe I’ll sneak a little bite — they look divine!) Good food is something, one of the few things, that unites us all. God bless you and your precious family. Enjoy them. These are the best years of your life.
I LOVE that you have a normal food blog. I used to look at many, and while I still occasionally go check them out, I am so sick of the ads for their products and cookbooks. I love that I can come here and just get recipes. Good recipes. Thank you!!
I love your blog for so many reasons. Your recipes are wonderful, I love your writing style and honestly you feel like a family friend. I do feel like when I read your blog that I’m sitting at your kitchen island chatting with you. Your blog is refreshing and friendly and don’t ever stop! Nothing better than being yourself 🙂
P.S. Thank you again/still for all the sweetness you have poured out in the comments of this post. I have read all of your notes multiple times and you have really brightened my spirits in immeasurable ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
You guys are hilarious about the S’mores cupcakes! I made them probably 18 months ago and the pictures have been sitting on my computer getting lonely. It’s not like they weren’t yummy – they just weren’t anything super special, if you know what I mean. Knowing I wasn’t going to post the recipe, I pulled one of them to use for this post because I wanted something that looked delicious. If you want to try them, I’m pretty sure I used the chocolate cupcake recipe from these Andes Mint Cupcakes, a marshmallow frosting from my King Arthur Flour cookbook (or just google 7-minute marshmallow frosting) and then after piping on the frosting, I torched it lightly with my cooking torch and popped in a piece of Hershey’s chocolate and a little wedge of graham cracker.
I’m glad you followed up on the S’Mores cupcake request! It looks like you may have crumbled graham crackers on the cupcakes before frosting them?
Oh heavens, it’s been a while since I’ve made them but you might be right!
I love your blog! But will you PLEASE post the recipe for the smores cupcakes!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us, Mel! Much love to you and your family!
I don’t normally comment, but I do look at your blog a few times during the week. you’re my goto blogger when I’m looking for a recipe for dinner or a dessert. Like right now, I’m sitting down menu planning for the week and I love your stuff. I know anything I make from your blog will taste amazing. I love food so much!!
I use to visit ourbestbites, but they have changed alot. I feel their stuff is more becoming a brand and selling products than about good food. You have stayed consistent with good food and I love the let’s talk posts you have started and the little things you say about your family. Thank you for taking the time to blog! .
I read a few different food blogs, and yours is my absolute favorite. I always start here in looking for a recipe. Yours is the blog I recommend to people. And I’ve had it recommended to me multiple times by other people.
Growing up my family was the open a can and heat it up kind of cooks. I’ve taught myself to cook over the years, but it’s always made me a little sad not to have family recipes handed down to me like my husband has from his family. Well, you’re my source for tried and true recipes that my family loves and I will pass on to my children.
Thank you for all you do. For the time and passion and the delicious food my family eats because of you.
Two years ago my New Years resolution was to get out of my cooking rut. My poor family had been eating the same 10 recipes for who knows how long. Thankfully I found your website. You have absolutely changed the way I cook. Every one of your recipes we have tried have been hits. I think my daughter would eat chicken pillows everyday for the rest of her life! Family fondue nights are a new tradition too. :). Thank you for sharing food that is tasty and easy to prepare even after a busy day at work!
Hi mel! I love your blog! Your oatmeal choco chip recipe was the first recipe I tried the first time I baked. You are
truly an inspiration to many of us.
I adore you and your blog! Pretty much all that I know about cooking and baking I’ve learned right here. You are amazing and I truly thank you with all my heart for helping me find confidence in my own cooking/baking skills.
Mel,
I have followed your blog for the past 6 years and am so grateful I found it when I did! I found it just as I was getting married and it has saved so many dinners, lunches, desserts (especially in a crunch for time), and parties! And you’ve kept me enjoying cooking when I probably would have given up! Almost any dinner that doesn’t consist of cold cereal or noodles with cheese my husband says, “another Mels?” 🙂 Yes. And I love that! I tell everyone I know about you anytime they want to know what to have for dinner. Your blog is my number one go-to. Seriously. I’ve looked at your blog so many times I have almost memorized where I need to go to find the recipes I use on a regular basis (some I’ve memorized- thank you for such wonderful recipes!) and I always look forward to the new ones. Some days I’ve seriously considered starting at the very beginning and trying all the recipes you’ve posted (most, honestly, I have tried!). My two young kids, who are very picky, will eat almost anytime I say, “try it, it’s from Mel” (I’m convinced they think you’re related and we’ve just never met 🙂 ). You have inspired me in the kitchen and I always look on your blog for recipes, tips, and tricks before I look anywhere else. I often don’t comment because I know you have a zillion other comments to read, but some days I imagine you and me sitting or running together after enjoying one of your great desserts (thanks for getting me to run again) being best friends- cause why not?! You’re so good. You’re a blessing for me. And I wish I could tell you in person and give you a big hug. Thank you for your dedication to your family and to your blog. I have told Heavenly Father thank you many times for you. Please never stop blogging!
Let’s talk about the s’more cupcakes.
I am so so so glad you are still blogging or I could not be still cooking. We have turfed all our other cookbooks and rely 100% on your brilliant recipes as they are fab- and best of all, both kids eat anything you post- which is still amazing to us! We cook and bake exclusively only anything you have endorsed and every one of our family and friends make fun of us. . and then log on to print out the recipe they just ate! Your strawberry lime cake was the HIT of my mom’s bday this weekend- and is magazine worthy gorgeous and kids loved it, even though it had no chocolate. LOVE YOU MEL!!
Oh Mel, this is so you! (even though I don’t know you!!) You’re such a special person/blogger/mother and it comes through in every word, and every recipe. I won’t miss a Let’s talk post from now on! I have been buried in work for the last year and a half, and my blogging has taken such a backseat, and it’s fine, it’s a hobby. But I miss interacting with persons like you!. Have a great week my friend! (And that cute little girl is getting cuter by the nanosecond!).
All I can say is thank you for your devotion to sharing your recipes. My world is better because of you.
I can’t tell you enough how much I LOVE your blog. It has changed the way my family eats and how I cook. I tell everyone that asks me about what I cook where I get my recipes and any time the topic of cooking or food comes up I tell them to go to your blog. Thank you for not giving up on your blog and for sharing your delicious and amazing recipes with us!
Mel, I’m another huge fan! I second the above comments. You always put a smile on my face with your stories and I love reading your blog when it’s tea time. It’s pure comfort time. I haven’t had a failed recipe yet and I pass the recipes on to our daughter who will check out your recipes when they are planning their menu for the week. I also followed your “recipe organization”. I had always kept them in binders but after reading your way of organizing the binders it took them to another level and they look so much nicer. Thank you for taking the time and love it takes to write your blog.
Hey Mel- I so appreciate your wit, fun loving, seriously delicious recipes, etc. I could go on and on. You are my go to blog for recipes that I know will turn out delicious every time! I have been following you for about 7 years now. I have loved everything and I am not one to comment very often so I just wanted to tell you Thank you for being you and all you do for us!
Thanks Mel, this is why I love your blog, it has not morphed into a business where you are promoting a bunch of stuff you get a cut on! (Cue where I quit following there blog, they forget to share great food). Love your recipes, pics and inspiration ! Kim
Love all of this! I found your blog years ago and I love your recipes. a bunch of them are on a monthly rotation in my house. Meatball subs? Kids devour them. Chicken pillows? Not a crumb left. Thank you for putting so much time and effort into all of this.
Hi Mel,
Your Let’s Talk feature resonated with me. I don’t blog, I’m a sixth grade teacher, but your concerns/frustrations/questions resonated with me. My work week seems to never end…most evenings I’m working until 9 or 10, my husband and I battle over the work required for the job, I feel inadequate because I have parents complain about their child’s test grades or lack of progress, I can’t sleep because I worry about my students and how to continually do a better job, and overall I cannot teach what I need to because of required testing, and test prep, etc, etc. It’s exhausting and I, like you, often wonder, why am I doing this? Why does it take me one whole month of summer “vacation” to be able to sleep the night through until 6:30 AM like a normal person? For me, it all boils down to the kids. I love them, I love teaching them and providing them new opportunities for growth and learning. Much like you, I have to learn to ignore all the other “stuff” that fills my day and takes me away from my original purpose. So hang in there and remember why you started blogging. Your recipes are awesome, you provide so many people with healthy, great tasting menu ideas, and you’ve made so many new “friends” in the process. I too will hang in there, beause my students become my own “kids” and my connection with them is what is important. All that other stuff…well, I continue to try to rise above it. Happy Tuesday!
I love your blog! It has turned me into a good cook. Thank you so much for all the recipes. I would be lost in the kitchen without you:)
Mel — Thank you for sharing! Your blog has been such a huge part of my life in the kitchen for so many years! I really can’t thank you enough for all your amazing recipes and fun stories of your cute family. I have four boys (8 months, 2, 4, and 6) so I love coming here to find recipes they will love as well. And let me tell you… the Southwest Chicken wraps, Freezer burritos, and Banh Mi sandwiches have been life changing for me!! Seriously.
If the right opportunity comes along for you to publish a cookbook, I’ll be the first in line!
Andria
I’m not one to comment on blogs, but felt inspired to comment here. I’m a full time over worked, working mom. I ready your blog often and am always happy I did. I have little free time, so your blog is my ‘go to’ spot. I always know I’ll get a smile ‘catching up with you’. I love your friendly writing style. And yes, there’s the recipes…your recipes are truly delicious! Often if I bring make or bring one to a party, friends are asking for the recipe. I’ve pointed many friends your way. So I hope you find your balance, and continue to share with the rest of us, who so enjoy your slice of life! Thank you!