At that time, I never imagined that I would have over 100 followers or, better yet, that I would form some lasting friendships.
As I look back through the past year of posts, I giggle a little. There were times where I thought, why am I doing this? No one cares. I didn't even have any followers other than family and friends who I'm sure felt more obligated to follow than anything else (bless their hearts that they did it anyway, though...love you all!!). But than slowly, ever so slowly, people started taking interest in what I was posting. And even though I have always said I started this blog for myself..not for the followers, not for the comments, but me and only me..I must confess that it felt good that people were finally noticing my site!!!
A year later and my pictures and content are better and I reached the one goal I set for myself: Create more of my own recipes.....which I have!! YAY!
So to all of you who have watched me grow...thank you! Thank you for your kind words, your encouragement, your friendship. And because of you, I am going to be giving away a $30 gift card to my favorite spice store, Penzeys Spices. Although you may not have a Penzeys near you, they have a wonderful online store where you can browse their entire selection of herbs, spices, and seasonings. So, go ahead, stock up on many needed items to fill up your spice rack...it's on me :)
So what do you have to do to enter this giveaway? Well, it's easy...all you have to do is leave a comment here telling me what spice you cannot live without. That's it. Well, you also need to leave me your email address in the comment. Please spell everything out...for example: jennsfoodjourney(at)gmail(dot)com
....And that's really it. You have until Thursday, January 6th to enter this contest. The winner will be announced on Friday, January 7th.
Good luck! And thank you...thank you for being a part of my journey!
Happy birthday, Jenn's Food Journey!!! It's good to have you home again, and to count you among the new friends I've made in my own blogging adventure. I feel as though we're hanging out in the kitchen, chopping and stirring and gossiping as we sip a glass of wine ... :)
ReplyDeleteIt may sound mundane, but I truly couldn't live without cinnamon. I've got lots of exotic stuff that I love to play with, but without cinnamon I would wither away.
yentamary(at)gmail(dot)com
Congratulations Jenn! What an amazing job you have done! You forgot to mention that, during this past year, you have honored family members that have brought tears to reader's eyes. Yes, you have grown considerably from a year ago. Your blog is my "go to" source for recipes & ideas when I'm at a complete loss for a meal. And, you have a lot more followers than you think! But, not only have you grown your blog, but you have also grown as a person. Your caring comes shining thru much more often than you can imagine. I've always known what a caring person you are, but now lots more know it too!
ReplyDeletePlease remember that your whole family loves & respects you (you found that out when we were all together on Christmas!) and keep up the good work.
Love forever,
Mom & Dad
P.S. I'm not entering the contest - just wanted you to know how much we love you!
Congrats on the year!!! That's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThe spice I can not live without is...well there are so many but I will go with cumin as I put it in so many soups and stews!
designwineanddine at hotmail dotcom
I'll stay on the sidelines and let your other followers vie for the gift card. And that's a lovely encomium from Mom and Dad!
ReplyDeleteAll best for the new year from one of your biggest fans.
Congrads on your year !!! The spice I can not live without is whole nutmegs, love the fresh stuff.
ReplyDeleteDenise
whiskerkitty63 at yahoo dot com
Happy Blogiversary!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you have had an productive first year and made some great strides with your posts.
The spice I can't live without...hmmmm. That would have to be either cumin or ground chilies (I realize the second one is really a category including paprika, red pepper, and more). I'll go with cumin.
chris at nibblemethis dot com
Congratulations, Jenn. I'm right behind you. I think I first blogged some time in January of 2010. I've enjoyed your blog from the very first post I read. Keep up the good work. I'd say that one spice I don't want to be without would be cumin. But that doesn't include black pepper, of course, or paprika. And there are a whole lot of herbs that must be in my pantry at all times.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogiversary Jenn!!! Your question is a hard one, pick one spice I can't live with out. Hmmm...cumin? Cinnamon? Cardamom? (nailed most of the good "C" ones there LOL). I'd have to go with Cumin. I use it in a LOT of stuff, from marinades for fajitas to Indian curries, cumin is a must have!
ReplyDeletebut if I had a 2nd & 3rd choice I'd have chili powder and cinnamon in there too :)
I got here from following the poster above (nibblemethis)on Twitter . Now that I'm here I'll poke around a little and check it out. One spice is hard to narrow down to, but I'll say paprika. Good luck and continued success. brnwlr(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your blog! How cool, I love your recipes.
ReplyDeleteMy can't live without spices are :
Cinnamon for baking
Red Pepper Flakes for heat
Cumin - roasting veggies
Thank you for posting about the Frosty Burger. My Grandma never wrote the recipe down, but with your help I recreated the sandwich over the holidays and it brought back so many fond memories!
ReplyDeleteI can't live without my sweet/yellow curry from the Spice House in Evanston, Ill.
Happy Blogoversary. I haven't been following for long but I have truly enjoyed reading your posts and your honesty and passion for cooking and food. So, here's to a long lasting friendship... Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!! Wow -- what a fun year it has been.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary, Jenn! so glad I've gotten to know you through here and covet your possessions like your smoker...Hmm, what can I not live without????
ReplyDeleteHmmm, how about dried thyme?
or paprika?
oregano!
chili powder
no no wait...cumin!!!!
Oh I can't decide. I love them all.
Happy New Year, Love!
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com
Happy Blogiversary to you! You deserve all the attention and more. Here's to reaching a thousand followers this year!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You have a lovely blog. Keep up the good work. :)
ReplyDeleteWow Jenn! Congratulations on ONE YEAR! Where does the time go?? Way to go! I have enjoyed your posts immensely and have tried quite a few recipes. The banana and eggnog breads were a huge hit for the holiday season so I thank you for that!
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate and thank you for all the time and energy that you have put forth to produce this wonderful blog. I think you are appreciated more than you know and you are definitely and inspiration! Keep up the fantastic work!
Going back to you giveaway question, if there was one spice I could not live without!?........it's PEPPER! Any kind of pepper too, black,red crushed, Cheyenne, paprika, chili, etc.....you get the idea.
Happy New Year to you and so looking foward to another year with you!
jewels789(AT)yahoo(DOT)COM
Jenn
ReplyDeletecongratulations on your one year blogoversary! I know too well how important that is. Your blog has certainly grown over the year, and its amazing to think of where its started to where you are today, and then to think of the possibilities of where you may be in years to come. All for the love of food!
Wishing you and your family a healthy and happy New Year!
Dennis
Hey Jenn,
ReplyDeleteI didn't look at this before I came to see you this morning, or I would have told you in person! Happy Anniversary! I love following your blog and trying your recipes! The one spice I use all the time in baking is cinnamon and cooking is seasoned salt. Here's to many more years! Love ya girl!
my3boys07(at)windstream(dot)net
Annie
Jenn, Congratulations on the 1st blogoversary and I wish many more happy and flavourful ones to come.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Angie
Congrats on a wonderful year. Picking just one spice is difficult but I guess it would be cinnamon because of its versatility.
ReplyDeleteallthatsleftarethecrumbs(at)gmail(dot)com
That's so exciting Jenn! A big warm bear hug via the web and congratulations to you!! Well deserved and I'm not surprised at all by how many followers you have - you are such a devoted, thorough blogger! Love the giveaway as well - for me it's a tie between fresh whole nutmeg, cumin, and coriander! Love those dang spices! Happy New Year's and congrats again!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jenn on your one year blog anniversary!!!! I love your blog so just keep on posting! If I have to pick only one spice I would have to say pepper...!!!! It's a must have for me! Have another great year of blogging!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am where you were a year ago - just starting on the journey! My favorite spice is probably cumin. Love the flavor!
ReplyDeleteRivkilocker (at) gmail (dot) com.
Congratulations! My favorite would be chili powder for without it, I would be unable to make my favorite chili and my boys would be sad!
ReplyDeletesun2shinehere (at) aol (dot) com
Jenn, congratulations! I've been at it for 10 months and I understand what you're saying! You're doing a fabulous job, and I hope you'll continue for many years to come. There are a number of herbs and spices I could not do without. Number one herb -- marjoram. Number one spice -- cinnamon (with nutmeg and mace next). delightfulrepast at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteOK, so I love tons of spices and have an overflowing spice 'area' (they can't be confined to a rack or even 1 cupboard). I love cardamom, cinnamon sticks, fennel, paprika . . . oh my. However, after careful thought, what I really can't leave without it pepper. Yep. Good ole fashioned peppercorns. I put freshly ground pepper in almost everything, and it gives a little zip I would never want to do without.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your blogiversary!!
Jenna
jennaseverythingblog(at)gmail(dot)com
Congrats on your one year blogiversary! You have so many followers, it looks like you have been blogging for years! I want to be like you when I grow up :) My spice I can't live without it sea salt, and also garlic powder. Thanks!
ReplyDeletevickdn(at)live(dot)com