November 24th was Thanksgiving this year, a very special day in and of itself. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!
November 24th is momentous for me for another reason as well, but I wanted to wait until today to celebrate with you all. One year ago on November 24th, I started this blog.
One year!
In the past year I have written 206 posts, included 101 recipes, and blathered on about many things, from the awesomeness of chia seeds to the terror of trans fats, and gushed incessantly about my adventures with my family, all while encouraging everyone to eat more kale and fewer processed foods.
And some of you are still here! Wow.
It has been quite the journey. I’ve learned a lot, have had many opportunities I wouldn’t otherwise have had, and I’ve discovered my unrealized love for writing and photography. It has allowed me to share my passion of nutrition and healthy living in a way that feels most comfortable to me. I put it out there, and if people are open to reading it, it is their choice to do so. If I have made even just one person more aware about the foods they consume, then all the time, effort and lukewarm meals due to photography sessions will have been worth it. I have also made many connections with people I might never otherwise have the opportunity to. I have even begun to form virtual friendships with some I have a lot in common with. (I didn’t think they existed, but it turns out they do!)
It hasn’t been all unicorns and rainbows though, I have to admit. There have been several times when I thought to myself, Why am I doing this? Is it really worth all this effort? Does anyone really care about what I have to say? Do I really have time for this? Is anyone even out there reading?
And then I get even just a single comment or I run into an aquaintance at the grocery store and they tell me how much they liked such and such post, or they tried quinoa for the first time in one of my recipes, and instantly I know, (and I blush). Yes. It is totally worth it. All of you who read this blog make it worth it to me. Google Analytics tells me that there have been over 13,000 visits to my blog over the past year. What the WHAT? (Granted, probably 12,000 of those are from my sister and husband, but still.)
Whether you are a regular reader and comment on every post, or just someone who lurks and stops in once in awhile, I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you.
Thank you.
To celebrate this milestone, I want to give something to you. This is not sponsored by any company or promoting anything other than my love for you. I have compiled a box of some of my favorite things that I want to share. I’m sorry, I couldn’t include anything fancy like tickets to a broadway musical or a library of cookbooks, as much as I would love to. These are just little things that I love that make me happy.
Here’s a sneek peek:
I wish I could send something to each and every one of you, but sadly, there can only be one winner. I need your feedback, so to be eligible for this fabulous goody box, I would like you to tell me what you like about the blog and what you don’t like. Don’t worry, you won’t hurt my feelings. I am just curious of what most people like so I know where to focus my energy for the next year of blogging. Right now I can only go on what people comment on, and I currently get the most comments on my ‘What I Ate Wednesday’ posts. I know that can’t be the most interesting content here, so please let me know. Do the ‘Peek of the Weeks’ bore you? (Those seem to get the least comments.) Do you like the recipes? Personal stories? More or fewer photos? Something else? Do you love/hate the design?
For each suggestion you give you will be entered to win the box of ‘A Few of My Favorite Things’ (sung just like Julie Andrews, of course–another of my favorites!). If you don’t feel comfortable commenting publicly, you can always email me privately at candyland (at) nventure (dot) com–either method will have equal opportunity to win. A winner will be chosen on Friday, December 2nd.
And, in case you need further incentive, here’s a little close up:
Need I say more?
Congrats to you Candy and happy one year to ya.
I like everything you have to say and write about. I love the personal stories too, I think that is part of what makes your blog yours. I have thoughly enjoyed following this piece of your life! Thank you!!!
I will try my best to stay in touch over the next few weeks! I may just have to skip over some of the food talk for the time being.
Congrats on one year! It is amazing that you have posted over 200 times. I have not even showered 200 times in the last year. As you know, I think your blog is awesome but the one thing I would change is to add more pictures of you. We want more Candy in Candland!
Congratulations, Candy! One year of posts is a fabulous accomplishment and one you should be proud to shout to the world. I absolutely LOVE your blog. Everything about it including the pics of your family. My boys are just about the same age as yours are and it’s fun to see them doing similar things. My boys LOVE Harry Potter, too. I confess that I mainly come for the recipes, but, everything else you write about it is interesting, too, or I wouldn’t keep visiting. Keep doing what you’ve been doing and don’t change a thing.
Congratulations on reaching such an amazing milestone!! I am so glad to have found you in ‘blogging world’! I really do consider you to be a kindred spirit. I relate to pretty much everything you write, whether it be about food/nutrition or the antics of 8 year old boys
It’s so reassuring to find someone else that’s passionate about feeding their families in a healthy, non harmful, environmentally-friendly way. None of my local friends follow the same diets or lifestyle as my family, so it’s great to share experiences in the ‘virtual world’ with like-minded mums such as yourself. I love your writing, love your pics, love the recipes… so please don’t change… just more of the same please! 
LOVE the new format! I also like how well you present your dishes in your photography with carefully chosen linens and bold earthenware. Did I mention I didn’t start cooking until we got tons of cool serving dishes as wedding gifts? Suddenly I was inspired! But truly, my favorite part of your blog is keeping up with you. I’m always so impressed with the new and creative things you do with food, family and fun. Way to go on your first year and here’s to many more!
I LOVE the recipes! I am new to your blog-I found your blog through other parents from the Co op and have already tried a few recipes which are now among my favorites! Thanks for the inspiration!
Congrats Candy on one year of blog posts! I wouldn’t have you change a thing. Your posts are fun, informative, entertaining and the pictures are beautiful You have certainly impacted our family and our health!
Way to go Can! Congrats on your year anniversary. Love the “Peeks of the Week”, pictures (I am partial to the ones of my nephews), recipes and even Eriks comments:). Would like to see a different format to print just the recipes which have been great! I would recommend you apply as a guest columnist for a small town paper like the Gig Harbor Gateway or?…
Happy anniversary Candy! I can’t think of anything you could improve on with your blog. Your writing and photography are amazing! It’s always fun to read, makes me laugh and I learn something pretty much every time!! I have to say that I’ve learned to eat some new things, those being chia seeds, quinoa, thanks to you and your sister! I’m sure there are others too, just can’t think of them right now. Congratulations and here’s to many more years of keeping us informed and hungry for more!!!
I love your blog, Candy! Congrats on making it to a year. I love your peek of the week posts, so don’t stop on account of not many comments! I don’t always have time to comment, but wish I did. I know how hard it is when you don’t get that feedback, though. Anyway, I love your recipes and personal stories, too. It’s all good! Keep it up!
Happy 1 year! I’ll keep reading no matter what you post. With that said, I’m drawn to blogs (like yours) that have personal stories and make me feel connected to the blogger. For me personally, if I’m looking for facts and information, I don’t tend to seek it out from blogs. For example, I look to blogs not to tell me why I should be a vegetarian, but for a ‘this is how a real-life vegetarian lives and eats.’
I love your attitude, your pictures and your humor. Keep ‘em coming!
Oh – I like your design, but it doesn’t load well on my iPhone. The grass goes over part of the post and I can’t read a few lines. I also can’t read more than the first few lines in my Google Reader. Maybe it’s just me.
ps – thanks for the yerba mat’e!
I just stumbled upon your blog and I’m already in love! I like that you seem real, that you keep it heatlhy, and that you’re from the Pacific NW too! Congrats on your one year blogiversary!
I will definitely keep reading.
Congratulations Candy! Love the blog! Keep up the great work!
Hey Aunt Candy! I am so proud of you and your website! I pass it around at work ALL the time and tell people how amazing it is!! I wouldnt change a thing, but i do request you to make a quinuoa fried “rice” recipe!
Ive been dying to try one, and i know you will make a fabulous one! Congrats!
Congratulations on your blog Anniversary : ) I love your blog,just recently found it. I have been catching up, wouldn’t change anything.. Your family is refreshing..Thank you for many hours of enjoyment!
I just discovered your blog! I just started my own and haven’t written a single thing yet, but I have a lot to say, so….
I am a vegan (and need to lose a lot of weight so am looking for healthy recipes) and love, love, love the recipes that I have just been looking at here….thinking of trying the Pho you posted yesterday.
I will be back!
Lolly