Happy Blogday

A year ago today, I took my heart in my hands and wrote the first post of this little blog of mine. While the idea of you going back and reading my first posts kind of makes me wants to stick small pins in my eye, it's pretty thrilling to still be here one year and 177 posts later.

Not only have I stumbled upon a little universe for myself where I've found countless other kindred spirits, discovered more new blogs and writers and cooks than I thought possible, and become penpals with some of my newspaper food world idols, but I've made some true friends for life, too. Pretty amazing when a year ago, I was hoping that my father wouldn't be the ONLY one reading every day (but thanks, Pops!).

So, with a virtual glass raised, here's to taking risks and jumping out into the big ship of Doing What You Want To. How will I be celebrating today? Well, I'm hoping you might help me with that. I have a small circle of loyal commenters, but I know that there are so many more readers out there and I'm dying to know a little bit about you. So, while it may not be National Delurking Day, I urge you to leave a comment: tell me about yourselves, where you live, what you do, how long you've been reading, what you like to cook, or even just say hi.

Hi!

I won't bite, I promise. Thanks for reading, everyone.

Lots of love, Luisa

Comments

[Natalia]

Congratulations on the one year mark! It's a big mile-stone. I've been stopping by since, maybe November or so of last year, but I only started commenting a few months ago. I love seeing the things you cook and just couldn't resist telling you!

[Anita]

Congratulations from Delhi, India. I stubmbled across your blog just recently but you went on my blogroll instantly. Looking forward to many years of reading...Happy Returns.

[Leah]

Happy blogday, Luisa! Even though I've only been reading (and commenting) a short while now, I feel as if I've been coming by yours for ages - what a fantastic job you do. I look forward to many more wonderful posts here at The Wednesday Chef. Congrats on a year well done.

xo

[Stephanie]

Congratulations! I've been reading your blog for a few months and really like the focus of the site as well as your writing style. I find that we have similar tastes in food, which makes for more interesting reading than if you were really into, say, roasting big cuts of meat, for example. Here's to the next year!

[shuna fish lydon]

Comment #55:

Thank you for taking the leap. I definitely have benefited from your bravery! And brave it is to put ones words out there for all the world to see.

Here's to many years of food blogging adventures, meeting new friends, baking and cooking, drinking and resting!

Happy Happy Birthday The Wednesday Chef!!!!!

[Nicky]

Happy Blog-Birthday to you, Luisa! I may be a little late to the party, but still, I hope it's never too late to say how much I enjoy reading your posts! Your term "I stumbled upon a little universe for myself" is so cute and to the point, I guess every dedicated foodbloggers understands it very well ;)

[Lindy]

Happy blogday. a bit late here, sorry.

I think you are probably well aware of how much I enjoy your writing (and cooking and eating and other ventures.)

What a lovely picture...you're just beautiful.

All the best.

[Erik]

A job well done Luisa, or rather, a job done well! You are as inspiring as you are charming. Guten Appetit… alles gute.

[Kristin]

Wow, congrats on a very successful first year! As you know, I got onto your blog through Gemma and have loved it ever since. If it weren't for you, I don't think I ever would have thought to create my own blog. So thank you!

[Julie]

Uhm,I am one of those lurkers so i'm coming clean. I adore your site and enjoy reading it so much during the long work day. I have cooked many of your suggested recipes. But i have to say that i loved your images of Italy and the sweetness of your family visit. Thanks for everything and happy blog birthday.

[Ale]

Hi Lilu.
It's Ale. Happy Blogiversary!
First things first, as one of the few boys to leave a message here, I feel it must be acknowledge how astonishingly beautiful you are! Great Photo too! whom ever took it must be a brilliant artist...
Second. To celebrate your Blogiversary, Here is a little personal anecdote I'd like to share about my relationship with your blog.
After spending the first 17 years of my life in Italy, being spoiled by my mother amazing food, I moved to Germany, following my work around Europe. Once alone, craving for the comfort of familiar food, a painful realization came to me: I couldn't cook! and definitely I couldn't cook like my mother.
I would often try to put together something for my self: boil some pasta, cut some meat, saute' some veggies (I was proud of that word though, saute'...), the results where always disappointing, and yet, I would always manage to satisfy my self and my palate with a sort of auto hypnosis.
As I would eat my sad excuse for a dinner, I would play to my self my favorite food-movie, "Babettes gæstebud " ( "Babette's feast" the Gabriel Axel Movie based on the Karen Blixen story).
The whole movie it's the preparation and consumption of one feast, one meal, one wonderful wonderful dinner.
So there I was, force feeding my self, seating on the floor, being careful never to accidentally look at my own plate, keeping my eyes fixed at the hart worming glow of my TV set, where a royal 19th century French meal was being virtually served to me. I would spend my meals translating those mouth watering images into actual flavors into my mouth.
I was chewing and swallowing what ever food I prepared, but it was those images that fed me.

Now, I have your blog.
As you know I have tried to actually cook some of your recipes, not completely unsuccessfully I might ad, but for those frequent nights where I barely have time to chew a piece of bred, your blog is now my new "Babette's feast".
My well trained eyes can now easily fool my palate into tasting anything they command , feeding on aesthetics.
Now I practically eat your food every single day, whether I actually attempt to cook it or not.
and it tastes great.
So thank you .
Your Friend
Ale

[Andy]

Hello! Happy anniversary and thanks for all of the recipes!

I found your page after looking for more recipes by Kay Rentschler, I live in the UK and couldn't really justify subscribing to the NY Times for the recipe section. I now find myself on the Wednesday Chef site whenever I'm looking for inspiration!

Andy.

[marcus]

Happy Blog Birthday!
I was shocked to learn that you've only been at this for a year; your blog is so well written and produced. I visit about once a month to snag a good recipe or two and I value your advice and commentary.
I too love to cook and eat and write about it, and started my own blog in San Francisco in January. When I found yours shortly afterward, it gave me something to aspire to.
Marcus