1 Year Blogiversary & Giveaway

Well, today marks 1 year since I started this blog so you'll have to tune in next Friday for my Seafood Frenzy Friday segment. :)


After being laid off last April, I didn't know what I was going to do next but I knew I didn't want to be in the same place I had been for the last 13 years. My kids were getting older. My husband was traveling more and more for work. Life in general just became busier and I was unhealthy, physically and emotionally. I lasted for  about 1 1/2 weeks with no set schedule and while seeking other employment, I managed to clean out every closet in my home, get my house back in some assemblance of order and even tried to help out with yard work (me + electric trimmers =crazy ass looking shrubs...they don't let me have those anymore!). Then I got bored. Oh God was I bored. If I had to clean my floors one more time I was going to scream (I hate mopping floors worse than cleaning the bathroom!). 


I needed to find a new outlet to throw myself into, so I decided that I would organize my recipe box by typing up those cards from family/friends and magazine cut outs (you know the ones you swear you'll make some day but never get around to it). I wanted to organize them into specific categories so that when my children, nieces and nephews were looking for something, I had it. The only problem was that there weren't that many of my recipes in the box and the ones I did have of my own, didn't have any measurements, only ingredients. You see, I started cooking at such an early age, that I very rarely make the same thing the same way twice, let alone measure anything. 


As I started to make some of the recipes, this time documenting the amounts of what I was including, I was typing them into a Word document. It wasn't working out that well so I looked online for programs to create my own cookbook. I thought I could just put everything into one place and print it out. As I was researching, I kept coming across information pertaining to Food Blogs. Hmm...I've heard of them, but never actually read one before. My A.D.D kicked in and I was all over the internet highway doing some research. In a matter of hours, I had decided I was going to create my own food blog. I could keep everything all in one location, and only print out what recipe I needed, all the while saving the carbon footprint..PERFECT! Now mind you, this was done in a matter of hours. I have to laugh now because my husband had gone out early on a Saturday morning to run errands, came home 4 hours later and as he walked in I announced that I started my own food blog. He had this  bewildered look on his face, but he loves me and he went with it. (All the while I could tell in his eyes he was thinking, "What cockamamy thing is she getting herself into now?").


This blog has become like a child. I have nurtured it, made mistakes, more importantly learned from them and am constantly challenging myself to make it better and more meaningful to everyone that reads it; whether it be in the recipe itself, photography, or writing skills, it's all a work in progress and I'm so glad you are all here to witness my journey. I LOVE blogging and I never would have thought those words would ever escape from these lips. I have made wonderful friendships with people that live all over the world, many of which have the same passion for food and life as myself. We share each others successes and joy and I'm so blessed to have found, and be a part of this wonderful foodie community.  


Now, I can't imagine not being a food blogger and hear how so many bloggers get to this point and hate it because they've put too many demands upon themselves. And I'll confess, there are times when I'll be laying in bed thinking "Did I schedule that post?" or "Don't forget to to make something new with that chicken your making tomorrow night so you can take a picture of it". It's all good. Do what you love, the fun comes naturally!


I'm so fortunate to have family and friends who are loving, supportive and encourage me all the time, but life of a food blogger isn't all roses for them. For example, before they can eat anything, I have to take a picture of it or make extra to photograph it at another time. It's especially fun when it's during a holiday "Don't eat that yet, I just have to take one more shot!" lol   I also have this new obsession with placemat's, napkins and serving pieces, but if it weren't for the "special" plates, I think my youngest would still be eating frozen chicken nuggets!


THANK YOU all from the bottom of my heart for taking the time out of your day to read what I have to say each day. I am truly grateful and I love hearing your comments whether it's here on the blog, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest. It just makes it that more meaningful knowing that you're enjoying these recipes as much as I've had creating them (and my daughter says she's had a great time eating them too, even though she gained a few pounds!). If you have any suggestions on how I can make this blog even better, please don't hesitate to let me know! 


And now, because I LOVE LOVE LOVE to give things away, here is your chance to win this outdoor picnic bundle, just in time for summer entertaining!

The Giveaway Includes (all non-breakable):
1 - 8 1/2 Gallon Beverage Party Tub
1 - 2 1/2 Qt. Beverage Pitcher
4 - Indoor/Outdoor Placemats
Set of 4 10" Dinner Plates
Set of 4  20oz. Bowls
Set of 4 14oz. All Purpose Stem Glasses (perfect for wine, sangria, mixed drinks)
Set of 4  18oz. High Ball Glasses (perfect for iced tea, water, soft drinks)
30 Reusable Ice Cubes (I love these! Add them to your glass and they keep your beverage cold without watering down your drink)


How to Enter:
All you have to do is comment below.  That's it! Anything at all....good or bad (I have broad shoulders, I can take it!). If you're not a follower of the blog, please leave your email address along with your comment so I can contact you if you win. 


The Giveaway will close on Friday, May 4, 2012 at 9pm EST and a winner will be randomly selected using random.org and announced on Saturday, May 5, 2012. 

Good Luck!

P.S. I'm still accepting entries for the 2012 CEK Home Grown Chef Contest until May12th so get those entries in asap! Click HERE for details and submission information. 


Carrie
xoxoxo