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 am way behind reading this post, somehow I must have missed it even tough I go to melskitchen all the time. More often than not if I make anything good in the kitchen, I have to give your blog the credit. I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for blogging the way you do. I always know what when you post a recipe that its going to be amazing. You don’t post with alternative motivation of sponsors or what have you, and that’s why you are so good. That’s what makes your blog so great. So for what its worth from a loyal reader. Thank you!
My husband just had a knee replacement. Before it was done, my daughter, Liz, suggested I make some meals ahead and freeze them. I did what she said and made 3
from you Take In Group. They were really handy and very good. Liz also shared your 1st day school thoughts and hers. Anyway, Thank You for some easy, good recipes.
Mexican Hay Stack, Chicken Taco Salad and Meatballs Teriyaki. Your ranch dressing is wonderful!
Thank you, Martha! Liz kept me apprised of the surgery – glad all went well!
This is a wonderful quick recipe for Lemon Drop Cookies. (I’ve made it 3 times this month!!) I was skeptical at first about trying it since it starts with a lemon cake mix and I
usually bake from scratch, but this was a big hit with everyone who has tried them.
Recipe: 1 box Lemon Supreme cake mix (Duncan Hines preferably), 2 eggs, 1/3 c. veg. oil,
1 tsp. fresh lemon zest, 1 Tblsp. fresh lemon juice, and 1 Tblsp. finely crushed lemon drop candies. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients and chill for 1 hr. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and roll each ball in powdered sugar. Bake for 8-9 minutes at 350 on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Cool for 2 min. and
remove to serving plate. Enjoy!!
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes, expertise, adventures and knowledge with us, Mel. I get so excited when you have a new posting and know that the recipe is going to be fantastic and something I need to make for my family. I can’t begin to imagine how much time must go into a single posting, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for it- and my family does, too! What a lucky day it was for me when I found your blog when doing a recipe search! Blessings to you and your family! 🙂
Thank you so much, Kris! Happy you found your way here.
Aww Mel, you are the best! I’m so happy that I found your website, that you’re so awesome, and that you love food and share your rock star recipes with so many. You are wonderful!
Thanks, Kate! I’m glad you found your way here, too!
Dearest Mel I hate to be the one to break it to you but……..YOU ALREADY ARE A SUCCESS!!!! It isn’t $ that motivate you, it’s LOVE!! How could anyone ever be unsuccessful in life when they are Loved and Love the way you are/do?? Money cannot give you happiness (all I ever had to do was look at my father to know that was true, he was a miserable BLEEP because all that mattered was getting richer) You are a Fabulous Cooking Instructor to any who try your recipes Believe me there are so many people now a days who don’t know a turnip from a potato and YOU make it possible for so many to feed there families HEALTHY (most the time) and Delicious (all the time) meals. Your a wonderful Mom and Wife. I have no idea how you get this blog done at all with your brood….lol (RESPECT) I doubt even 1% of your readers could!! I know I couldn’t I have done it!! Heck mine are all but grown now and I still couldn’t do it!! I faced cancer (Thyroid) in 96 they said I wouldn’t survive the surgery (Boy were they wrong) Life throws a lot in our paths it is the direction we choose to face at those moments in time You my friend just keep facing the sun, keep your face to the light and turn your back on the dark. And for heaven sake take sometime for you!! Those of us who fallow you won’t stop if you don’t post for a month. Just tell us your taking a break we’ll still be haunting your recipes (but we won’t worry somethings wrong). You deserve time to
Whew! I sure had to scroll down forever to leave a comment! 🙂 I have never left a comment but just wanted to tell you thanks for your blog. I feel like I can relate to you- I have 3 boys and a girl and we’re a busy LDS family. I love your recipes and I love your sense of humor!
Mel,
Thank you for blogging! Your recipes actually work! Before I search the internet for recipes, I search your blog! Please keep posting!
I’d love to know what yummy veggie-based recipes you’ve tried!
Much love and support,
Elizabeth
I love that you don’t just post a recipe, you share your life! You make feeding a family well sound fun and doable. Also, I so appreciate that you’re not into reviewing products for manufacturers’ sakes; some beauty blogs I’ve followed have gone down that route. Once the writers are not sharing products they truly love anymore, I’m not interested, somehow; their blogs then just sort’ve seem to become big advertisements. Reading advertisements is a waste of my time, so I quit following.
Thanks for staying small-ish & sincere!
Lisa Cuba
I am pretty sure I read this post right after you wrote it. And now, this morning I just read it again. I love it! I hope you read it over every now and then. And, I also hope you give in and publish a cookbook someday soon.:) I guess I already treat your blog like my own personal virtual cookbook. But I’d love to have all your best-evers in print! 🙂 Keep ’em coming, and keep your balance as needed! Thanks so much for sharing your talent for writing and cooking!!
Mel, I just came over your blog at the beginning of the year and am so so pleased I have. Since then, I’ve been reading you every day and have tried quite a few of your amazing recipes (all absolutely Delicious I have to say !)
I have been wondering how you manage to post all these tips and recipes nearly every day…I really seriously admire you and want to thank you for all you do !
Take care !
Wow, wow, wow! Was just introduced to you and your amazing blog via “Dessert for Two” Christina.. Thank you for sharing your talent with all of us!
I’m glad you’re still here! You seem to be doing a great job sticking to your core values–your family, and good food to feed them. Thanks for the many tried and true recipes and your easy-going, candid way of sharing them.
Hi Mel,
I think you are truly inspirational. To manage five kids and a home, and still find time to do something for the good of others. That’s amazing.
We keep returning to your blog, not only for the recipes. But for your honesty and your realness, your practicality, your planning, your tips. But mostly for the fact that your blog is about family and food, not about ‘testing’ recipes to post, or finding a way to use up 5kg of butter in a week (which I read about) but about sharing – about true generosity.
May you and your family always be blessed!
Thank you so much for blogging. This is my go to place to find anything to make and I would venture that about 85-90% of my go to meals, treats, etc. come from this blog. Since I started following your blog, I have grown to love cooking and seriously do feel like a rock star in the kitchen! That’s because of you, so thank you!
Looks like mine is the 395th comment! I’ve never commented on your site before now, but it’s high time. I’m an LDS fan living in Indianapolis, IN (love our new temple!!) with 4 kids and an insatiable need for great recipes. I found your blog at my twin sister’s recommendation, and it was love at first sight! I have about 10-15 recipes of yours on my kitchen tablet that I use oh-so-frequently. Your creamy white chili is an all-time fav at our house, and guests are always wonderfully mystified at how good it tastes. For my daughter’s fifth birthday, I decided to make her a fruit pizza since she doesn’t like cake (not sure where she came from!). I found a crust recipe on your blog and used it for her party–without even testing it out first! I trust your recipes that much! My 8-year-old son’s favorite cookies are your chocolate chip oatmeal cookie bars (so quick and easy, they’re also great for when I’m taking someone else a meal), and I have become 100% converted to your best-ever chocolate chip cookie recipe (Shhh! Don’t tell my mom!!) There are a lot more recipes I could talk about, but you get the idea. Thank you for sharing with us all your treasure trove of deliciousness in a fun and down-to-earth way. Also, I love your prose. I usually skip the long explanations that precede recipes from other cooking blogs, but never yours. They’re too much fun! I love to write and read good writing, and your writing makes the former English major in me sing. Keep up the great work blogging… And keep being a great mom to those cute kiddos! 🙂
I may be the only male here, but I doubt it, and if I am, then other food-loving males truly don’t know what they’re missing. I’ve been visiting your blog for about 4 years now and have prepared countless dishes from this site. From your aunt’s lasagna, which is easily my favorite lasagna recipe, to the chocolate thumbprint cookies, which have evolved into a holiday tradition in my family. In fact, when I want to try a new dish, I come here first. So, thanks for your dedication and, please, don’t stop blogging!
…and one more thing–whenever I’m depressed, I just type in melsk… in my browser (auto fill does the rest) and then my day is instantly better for so many reasons.
I read the whole post because I wanted to, not because I had to. You’re awesome and I’m glad you’ve stayed true to your roots. I won’t lie, there have been many times that I’ve wondered why you don’t have a whole shelf of cookbooks out, but I admire you for your authenticity and integrity–and I LOVE your food. Amen and Amen.
I love you and your blog Mel. Thank you for all your hard work. My family has benefited for years because of your amazingness!!
Hey Mel- it’s my first time posting a comment to anything (except on facebook) but wanted to say thank you for doing what you do for all of us out here on the Internets! Your recipes really are tried and true and delicious! So thank you.
And just so you know…your site is the only website pinned to the home screen on my iPhone so that I can get to it as quickly as I possibly can. I do read other food blogs too, but only yours has made it to my home screen!
Thanks for sharing! I am so grateful you post your recipes. They have inspired my cooking many, many times. Whenever a new dish is brought to an extended family gathering, all we have to say is, “This is Mel-Proof” and we all know it will be amazing. We know your recipes are no-fail. We can try something totally new and get amazing results. It helps us full-time working moms in so many ways. Thank you for everything!
Thanks for sharing this. I agree with many others who have commented that I love the authentic, non-commercial feel of your website. And, of course, your recipes are amazing. I don’t know how you do it all, but I appreciate all you do!
Your name has pretty much become a synonym for delicious around here.
Me: “Is it Mel’s?”
Them: “No.”
Me: “:( Don’t want it.”
We love you! Just keep being who you are – wherever life takes you. 🙂
Oh, Mel…. You, my dear, are exactly what I aspire to be every day as a blogger. The one thing I have always felt is missing from my blog – that you score a perfect 10 in – is have that loyal, personal following. I feel like my readers come and go, but they don’t really stick around. But if you have read Mel’s Kitchen Cafe – you will be back. If you have made one of Mel’s recipes, you’ll be back to make another. You are one of only maybe 2 or 3 blogs that I will recommend to my family and friends as a blog where every. single. recipe is a winner. So thank you for always being you and for blogging the way you do. 🙂
Hi Mel,
Thanks so much for your awesome blog! You’ve gotten me through my first year of marriage and cooking so well for my husband– AND I share your recipes like CRAZY with all my other 20-something friends. You chicken and vegetable dumplings, foolproof pizza dough, buttermilk drop biscuits, and sausage tortellini soup are in constant rotation and I can’t say thank you enough. I live far away from my own mother, so reading your blog feels like constant guidance. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
I have just discovered your blog and I am so glad I did! I am a new(ish) wife and soon to be new mom so I am attempting to try and learn a thing or two about the kitchen. What I love so much is that I still need to learn foundational skills(like when to use melted/softened/cold butter for example) and that is what I am learning here. Thanks for dedicating your time, energies, and talents to this blog!
You are the sole reason I even know how to cook, I would be lost without your blog! I started following 6 years ago, which was a few months after I got married. I was completely clueless when it came to cooking, we were literally eating StoveTop for dinner. . . on a regular basis (cue the hands over face emoji haha!) I was always so intimidated by the kitchen until I found your blog and you are just so genuine, and nice, and hilarious, that I figured I had to give cooking and your recipes a shot. Now I feel like cooking is one of my strengths and we literally eat “Mel’s” 4-5 times a week. You have been an inspiration and a life saver to me. I can only imagine the amount of time and effort it takes to keep this rolling, and it is so appreciated by SO MANY people. You really are the original rockstar in the kitchen! Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I love your guts!!
I follow a LOT of food blogs–and yours is the best–I totally trust your recipes. You can tell there is no “filler.” Everything that comes through your blog is legit. Thanks for all you do!!!
I have to echo what everyone else is saying. Your blog is amazing. My sister and I are die hard fans. We both know that any time we try a recipe from your site it will be amazing. Every.Single.Time. Last Thanksgiving, I think almost every dish was from your site. I can’t imagine all of the time and effort that you put into this blog, but we appreciate it more than you will ever know!!
Mel, I just read this post and wanted to add something. A couple of years ago, my sister-in-law brought a fabulous salad (cous cous summer salad, to be precise) to a family gathering. When I begged for the recipe, she told me about your site and said “Mel is THE cook.” I now have your blog as my home page. I love making your food, I enjoy your comments, I will be forever in your debt for finally giving me a good pizza crust recipe, and even when I just stick to throwing frozen food in the microwave instead of cooking that night, I have happy feelings seeing the yummy photos that appear on my computer screen. I know how life goes, and there may be a time when you have more important things to focus on–and that’s great, too–but thanks for giving of yourself the way you have. You have friends you don’t even know about! 🙂
Late to this post….I am not an every day reader, but your blog was one of the first food blogs I ever came across 4 years ago. I love the down to earth realness of your blog. I love the fact that you haven’t let sponsors and opportunities change why you blog. It is the reason I come here first for a recipe, or to spend some time staring at pictures of food. I deeply respect you staying true to the reason why you blog. I wish more bloggers had the nerves to do that.
Yeah, a cookbook would be great, but you know what, I would rather just read your paragraphs about why this food needs to be eaten now, print out the recipe, and file it away for me to use over and over again, then have you change how or why you blog>
Keep up the great work Mel, and if there does come a time you have to give it up, then please put all these recipes into a cookbook or 10. 🙂
Love hearing about your family/life as much as the great recipes you post. I am a mother of 9, grandmother of 20, still cooking infrequently. We have a sweets gene inherited by all of us! Keep up the good work. A big shout out to Susan R. for a year of many meals to someone in great need! So many wonderful people in this world!
I just love you and your recipes. You are my go-to place for recipes and you taught me how to make bread! I tell everyone about your site. Tried and true baby. And homemade! I love it. Your wittiness and sarcasm helps quite a bit too! Thanks for doing what you do.
Mel, I love your blog. Many of your recipes are family faves now. And I know I can always peruse your site for inspiration when I need it. Thanks for doing what you do! With your help, my family meals and the resulting community are that much better. That is priceless.
Hi Mel, just checking in.
I am glad you are you, I am glad we are friends.
I am looking for a recipe to make for dinner tonight and I know you always have just what I want. Thanks for being the best.
I heart MelsKitchenCafe (that should be a bumper sticker)
Loved this post and all that you share and do! I do recognize your old banners and remember your old site. Keep being you! And thank you for freely sharing such wonderful recipes, gift ideas, etc….
I first discovered your blog in January while browsing the web for a good black bean recipe. I instantly felt at home. Your recipes are simple, delicious, family friendly and solid. I have never been confident in dinner (cookies and muffins were my forte), but you have changed that. Thank you for sharing your time and great recipes.
P.S. I also greatly appreciate your desire to stay true to your reasons for blogging. Your blog is refreshing for those exact reasons. Thank you, thank you.
Just wanted to add one more thank you for your website! You have one of the most genuine voices in blogging and it is clear that you put a lot of love into your site. And thanks for lots of great recipes to try! The ham and quinoa bites are a super favorite in our house.
I’m so, so thankful for all of the work you put in and all of the amazing recipes you share. Ninety-eight percent of my recipes are YOURS. The other two percent are sucky and I should never make them again. Anyway, I think you’re great, amazing, wonderful — the best!!!
I love your blog, Mel. I’ve been a long time reader (seldom commenter–I’m lazy) and lover of the recipes you share. And I looove that you don’t do sponsored posts. Love it. I feel like we have super similar tastes and styles (obviously, since I come to your website nearly every day), but you are definitely way cooler! Just wanted to throw that out there. Thanks for all you do!
I, for one, am so grateful for your blog and all the work you put into it. If you ever ask for donations from readers so that you can continue to post delicious recipes, I’d be the first to put some money in! I regularly check your blog whenever I’m looking for new recipes, and I just did a baby shower where almost every recipe used was from your site. Yours is the only food blog I subscribe to (after trying SEVERAL) because I know that I can absolutely trust that you will always post delicious recipes that aren’t too difficult to try. Seriously, you’re a lifesaver. Thanks for brightening up the Internet with your recipes, your upbeat writing style, and your goodness. You’re amazing!
You have an adorable group of munchkins <3
– Krys
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post, this is why we all love you and come back day in and day out to get your amazing recipes, and read your awesome posts. You are amazing, and your blog is my all time favorite. I don’t have a lot of time to spend on the internet as my life is FULL of things that are more important to me but good, healthy, family friendly food is an essential thing for me and my family so when I get on your blog it’s always worth my time. Thank you for always staying true to yourself and taking the time to share with us the most amazing recipes (I sense the huge sacrifice it is). I have been a follower of yours for so many years and made so many of your recipes and every single one was delicious and worth my time. Thanks Mel for all your amazingness (if that’s even a word)!
I’ve been trying your recipes for over 3 years now & this is my go to stop each & every week to meal plan!! ❤️
Mel, you rock!!! I love, love, love reading your blog and trying your awesome recipes!!! Thank you for sharing with us your love of food and for changing the way we cook one recipe at a time. Believe it or not, I am a rock star in my kitchen because of you. May God continue to richly bless you!
Mel:
I loved this post. I first discovered your blog in 2010 with the Red Berry Risotto Oatmeal recipe. I have been a loyal follower ever since. I appreciate your genuine voice and writing style. I’m so grateful for your phenomenal recipes that are delicious and practical for big and busy families. I admire that you stick to what you love. I applaud your success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving many a dinnertime in my household!!
Aww Mel – I agree with the comments above. I have hardly ever commented in the four years I have been reading your blog. Your love of food and family comes through with each post. That is one reason that I love reading your posts and trying your recipes – your genuine spirit comes through. You never have to apologize for that – it is enough that you share a part of you with us along with good food.
Was looking for info on chilling cookie dough and came across your website. Glad I did! Great writing – very funny and honest – I appreciate that. And the recipes look pretty fab too. I’ll be back!
J