Simply Southern Baking is one year old today!
It hardly seems possible that my first recipe post for Peanut Butter Chocolate Mounds made it’s debut on this site one year ago today. Where has the time gone? There are so many thoughts that come to mind as I look back over the last year that it’s hard to put it all into words, but here it goes…
Reflections…
I’ve learned that I am not Super Woman. Between work, play, vacation, family time, shopping, blogging, cooking…well, let’s just say life, there never seems to be enough hours in the day for everything. When I first started this blog, my plans were to post a couple of recipes a week. As I soon discovered, that may not always be the case due to the hours that go into each post. I need to take it easy on myself and remember that life will go on if I don’t get a post up (thanks for the reminder Merry Jennifer). Even though I’m not able to post as often as I’d like due to the busyness of life, I am ALWAYS thinking of Simply Southern Baking. I’ve got lots more recipes and other things planned to share here. Stick with me y’all!
My collection of food props has grown tremendously over the last year. Most of my props are on the dining room table right now (we eat at the bar area in the kitchen anyway). I’m hoping to find a storage solution for this soon while out thrift store shopping (there are some good ideas on Pinterest for this). Speaking of thrift stores, I’ve found they are a great place to find all kinds of food props at a bargain price.
My food photography is better than it was when I first started, but I still have a lot to learn and really want to improve this skill. I’d like to take a class or get some one-on-one instruction.
There have been some recipe experiments that didn’t turn out quite like I’d expected (I should remember that from my contesting days). You know how that goes…it all sounds good in your head and may even look fine when it comes out of the oven, but then you take a bite and find you need to tweak it a little more…or just scrap it all together!
I’ve learned how wonderful the food blogging community is and I’m mighty proud to be a part of it. We come from all walks of life and support each other in so many ways. We help each other, rally together for worthy causes, learn from each other…and we laugh and cry together. I’ve made many new friends over the last year at blogging conferences and look forward to meeting more of my “virtual” friends as time goes on.
A word of thanks…
I want to thank each and everyone of you who have tagged along on this journey with me. Thank you to those who subscribe to Simply Southern Baking by e-mail and all of you who follow on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Your comments really mean a lot and brighten my day more than you know.
Thank you to my food blogging friends who have answered countless questions since I started my blog. Dawn, Julie, Katie, Wanda and others…your tips, advice and encouragement are very much appreciated.
A special heartfelt thank you to my friend Jenny of Picky Palate who was my inspiration for starting my blog in the first place. It’s been nice to reconnect after our contesting days several years ago. You rock Jenny! You have an awesome blog and I can’t wait for your cookbook to come out this fall.
My biggest thank you goes to my husband (aka Mr. C…Mr. Chocoholic). He’s my number one supporter and taste-tester. He gives me honest feedback on my recipes and often says: “You can make that again!” He’s gotten used to me frequently pulling out my phone to take pictures at a number of places (restaurants, stores, festivals, farmers market, etc.) just so I can share with you here or on Instagram. Oh, the life of a food blogger.
Final thoughts…
These are just a few of my recollections over the last year. I’ll probably think of more once this post goes up. I’m excited to see where my passion takes me in my second year of blogging and am keeping the following quote in mind:
“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” Julia Child
 |
23 Responses to Reflections on My First Year of Blogging
Leave a Reply
Stay Connected
Hi Y'all!
Welcome to Simply Southern Baking. I’m Robin, the girl behind the recipes wishing I had more time to spend in the kitchen!
Read More
Featured on
Congratulations on a year! I am almost at the one year mark, so I know just how much effort it takes to get through this first year! Here’s to loads more.
Thanks Miriam. I’m looking forward to what the next year has to bring. Early congrats to you on your upcoming one year.
Robin, congrats! I’m so proud of you and glad I could be there for you over the past year. Looking forward to another wonderful year of tantilizing recipes!
Thanks Katie. We’ve sure had a lot of good times over the last year. It’s time for another breakfast!
Congratulations, Robin!! A year passed by so quickly!
The year sure has flown by. Thanks for your hard work on both Food Blog Forums…they provided a wealth of knowledge for this newbie blogger. I’m ready for the next one.
Congratulations, Robin! Your reflections were such a pleasure to read. This is a milestone you can be proud of and it sounds like you’re gearing up for Year Two with some realistic expectations. Best wishes for following your passion and fitting it into “life!”
I’m glad you enjoyed the post Kimby. Thanks for your comments over the last year. Year Two…here I come!
Congratulations on a wonderful year of blogging Robin!! You are such a talented recipe developer, so glad we have been able to meet! Hope to see you again soon! xoxo
My sweet Jenny…what else can I say to the person who inspired this venture? Thanks a million times over. I’m looking forward to my second year with great excitement. Just look where our contesting days have brought us. You’re a star! xoxo bunches!
Congrats on one year!
Thanks Maria. Do you realize I’ve been watching Caleb grow up most of my first year of blogging? We really enjoy seeing your little pea on Instagram!
You are so sweet – it’s been a joy to watch your blog flourish over the past year. Congratulations and can’t wait to see your next round of recipes
I’m so glad we met at your cooking class last year. I remember being very excited when I found out about the first Food Blog Forum. Even though I’d been thinking of starting my blog for some time, that was just the kick-start I needed! Thank you my friend for your encouragement. We need to get together soon.
Congratulations! Blogging certainly takes more time than you think it will doesn’t it? But it’s so fun!
Thanks Candy. It sure does take a lot of time, but I treasure being part of the food blogging community.
Congratulations on the one year achievement! So many don’t stick with it and it’s great that you keep on keepin’ on! Here’s to many more blogiversaries in the future Robin!!
xoxo
Cheri
I’ll keep on keepin’ on Cheri…I’ve got lots of recipes to share and other goodies in the works. Here’s to Year Two!
Congratulations on your first year of blogging! I can’t wait to see what you come up with for the next year!
Thanks Terri. I’m ready for the next year…there are all kinds of ideas floating around in my head. Hope to see you soon!
Congratulations on a year of blogging! I love your recipes and always bookmark them. Someday I’ll get around to printing them. Your food photos look pretty great to me.
Congratulations – a year has gone so fast. Can’t wait to keep reading for another year
Congratulations on your first year. You have done a great job.