I can’t believe it’s already been almost 2 years since I started blogging here at Creative Kitchen! Can you? It just amazes me!! Even more incredible to me is all that I’ve learned since I started this journey. It has stretched me in ways I cannot comprehend nor describe. For years growing up, I didn’t think I had a creative bone in my body. Sure, I was able to concoct and come up with things that tasted good in the kitchen, but I never realized it was a way to express creativity. Being creative to me meant you could draw really well or paint or sing or act…and those are things I can’t do.
Blogging (though probably viewed as a bizarre practice to those who don’t blog) started out as a way for me to connect with others that share the same passion of food, cooking and coming up with new tastes and flavors. But blogging about what I do in the kitchen has opened up various portals to creativity I didn’t know I possess….creativity we all possess….and it turns out that the more you tap into creativity, the more creative you tend to become.
For example….blogging requires me to write, which requires me to think and put those thoughts into words. Adding a visual element requires that I learn more and more about photography, and try to hone that skill. And in order to share it all with you, I need to learn the various ins and outs of blogging platforms and web coding and design….that technical aspect that can be quite daunting. It’s also a skill, and when learning that skill it also allows you to express your creativity with how your site looks. Hope that makes sense?
The vast Food Blogging Community is such a friendly and encouraging bunch, and they’ve made me feel right at home. I’ve made so many new friends, and also found out which of my family and friends share this love of cooking. And while it’s been great to have an organized place where all my recipes are recorded and I can keep track of my various kitchen experiments, I’m just so happy you guys stop by and take the time to visit and read my ramblings! Comments from you are the icing on the cake!! You all really make the difference to me because let’s face it….a blog without readers is just a diary. No interacting or sharing of ideas…and sharing of ideas sparks creativity!
You may have noticed I came back from
Food Blog Forum back in April inspired to do more with my site which led to the purchase of
my own domain. Since then I’ve gotten into a twice weekly posting pattern. I intend to keep that format, but I’m going to try to start adding in a third post a week (and hopefully more!). Not every post will have a recipe….but most will be food related (like new food experiences at restaurants and special events or a tour of my kitchen). Don’t worry…I’ll still be sharing at least 1-2 recipes a week. Still lots of cooking going on around here! 🙂
I’d also love to share with you a couple of my new favorite social media sites (each in it’s own post), introduce you to some of my favorite food bloggers (feature a couple each month or once a week…maybe on Friday), and periodic wine recommendations. In addition I have some special posts I’ve been working on behind the scenes (like Disney favorites, and local South Florida recommendations if you happen to travel to my area…as you can see below I’m blessed to live in a popular vacation area especially in the winter!).
As I try to transition into more frequent postings, some posts will be shorter. Hope you don’t mind. Twitter is helping me learn how to edit myself and tighten things up…..140 characters will do that to you 😉 If you know me in real life, I’m sure that’s giving you a laugh….but overall another benefit to blogging is really deeming what is important to share and what gets cut.
I’d also like to share some of my favorite products and ingredients….like budget friendly finds at Whole Foods or Costco (what I buy and love), and some of my new foodie adventures at home (I’m going to be learning how to make ice cream or sorbet this summer!) I may even get brave enough to make some video clips in the kitchen….now that’s really out of my comfort zone!! Look out You Tube 😉
SO questions for you guys………..
How does that sound? I need your input! Is there anything special you’d like to see here at Creative Kitchen? I’d love to hear your awesome ideas!! And please, please tell me your thoughts on what I’ve shared….I want this to be a site you love as well!
*Are you aware of a couple easy ways to keep up with Creative Kitchen?
Over in the sidebar (off to the right), you can “like” Creative Kitchen on Facebook and new posts and recipes will show up in your newsfeed, OR you can subscribe by email to get an email reminder with a link to the new post.
Congrats on purchasing your own domain name! I recently did that as well! I like how you’ve laid out some expectations for your followers and that you are introducing them into various ways they can follow you! 🙂 Keep up the great job!
katie from katie’s Cucina recently posted..Fried Green Tomatoes with Cajun Ranch Dipping Sauce
Thanks Katie!
And speaking of fellow food blogger friends…I’m SO glad you stopped by. Let me know if you hear of any Florida blogger conferences, okay? I wasn’t able to get to the Central Florida Blogger conference I see you attended as it concided with our summer vacation. 🙁
Now off to check out your new domain/design……..
I like your blog very much! I am going to bookmark your page. Your site seems well thought out and developed for a blog of two years.
Ms. Wilson recently posted..Jacoby The Cat
Thanks!! Your comment made my day 🙂
When I bought my domain name I felt like I had “arrived”! I love what you share now and I’ve come to realize that a blog is what you make of it. It is an expression of your creativity and I love it so much more when I am writing about what I want. Enjoy every minute and I look forward to more of your insights!!
Krista {Budget Gourmet Mom} recently posted..Cucumber and Onion Salad
Thanks for stopping by Krista! I definitely feel like I’ve finally hit my blogging groove. I realized what I want to share and write about…and tired of the strict parameters I was placing on myself. Funny how we do that to ourselves. This blog should be a reflection of what I want it to be and not necessarily follow rules I’ve made up for myself. 🙂
I love your continued enthusiasm…perhaps because I share it. 🙂 I think you found the secret…enjoy the learning process and thirst for more and better.
You’ve got an interesting ‘voice’ that I’ve come to enjoy. Keep up the good work!
Joan Nova recently posted..Grilled Vegetable Skillet Pizzette for One: Wordless Wednesday
Aww Joan, thanks!! So sweet to say. I’m so glad we got a chance to meet IRL at FBF. 🙂
You know I think your blog is simply beautiful and inspirational!! I find one of the most challenging things as a blogger is trying to find that time to sit and read the blogs I love (and thus get inspired) as I much as I’d like.
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