Three years ago today, on December 7, 2009, I uploaded my site theme and published my first post. It all began after a handful of conversations with my sister, and I even reflected on those early days earlier this year.
Three years feels like a long time and I’ll admit I’m a little sentimental. I started The Little Kitchen simply to share recipes with family and friends. I never imagined it would become my career or that so many fellow food bloggers would become close friends. It’s been an incredible, inspiring ride, so indulge me while I look back.
1. Comments
Bloggers thrive on feedback, and I love hearing from people who try my recipes. Reading about someone’s experience or getting constructive suggestions is always rewarding. One of my favorite moments was a hilarious Pinterest caption I once received, though I can’t find it now. Instead, I dug up a comment from last year on my peanut butter cup cupcakes post that made me laugh out loud when I first read it—and still does.
To everyone who has left a comment here, on Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere: thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
2. Cake stands vs. wooden boards
I adore cake stands—blame Martha Stewart. I remember watching a segment in middle school where she showed a collection of vintage stands, and that planted a seed. Before the blog I owned maybe two or three; now I have seventeen. Wooden cutting and bread boards, thanks to friends who encouraged me, have multiplied even more. I might need a self-help group for this obsession—anyone want to join?
3. Cupcakes
If you know me, you know I bake a lot of cupcakes. I considered trying to count how many dozen I’ve made over the past three years, but I can’t imagine the number—it’s certainly well beyond fifty or eighty dozen.
In the collage, the photo on the left is from the very first post on The Little Kitchen, and the ones on the right are cupcakes I created for a Buick feature last October. One of my goals last year was to improve my photography and push myself creatively. Attending a food photography and styling workshop made a noticeable difference: I now take fewer photos but better ones, and my editing has improved. I’m not an expert, but I’m proud of my progress and eager to keep growing.
4. It’s always about the food and the recipes
Everything comes back to the food for me. When I develop a recipe, test a new twist on a classic, or brainstorm with my chief taste tester, Curtis, flavor is the priority. One of the most popular recipes this year has been my cheesesteaks—seeing other bloggers riff on that idea has been really fun.
Other consistent favorites are my Whole Chicken in a Slow Cooker and Loaded Baked Potato Soup recipes—both reliably get a lot of views and messages from readers who love them.
5. What’s next?
I always like to set goals for the coming year. A dream of mine is to have my photography published in a print magazine. I also want to tackle some of the recipes I’ve been hesitant to try and continue pushing my photography skills without sweating the small stuff.
What about you? Do you have goals or resolutions for the year ahead? Any dishes you’re determined to try or perfect in your kitchen?