Back To Blogging

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Back To Blogging

I took a big break from my weekly blogging over the summer. It was an opportunity to recharge my writing batteries and also plan a new direction for my blog. My writing felt stale and kind of lackluster, so it was time to rethink future posts.

I’m hoping to shift my focus from being primarily a recipe blog to that with a wider look at other kinds of food-writing. I began this blog four years ago this month as a homage to women in my family who taught me to cook. Inspired primarily by my mother and her mother, I learn how to plan healthy meals on a budget, prepare decent food and serve as a hostess later in my own home.

It’s time to reflect again on that connection to Mama and my grandmother, who I called “Moo Moo”. I want to share more of their recipes, kitchen stories and my memories of us all being in the kitchen together. My aunt and great-grandmother were also influences on me – and I have tons of recipes still to peruse. And maybe I will write more about my garden and how it figures into my kitchen adventures.

Books have always been a source on inspiration for me when it comes to cooking and writing about food, so I reread lots of my favorites over the summer, from Laurie Colwin (fiction and non-fiction) to Barbara Kingsolver (“Animal, Vegetable, Miracle” had a huge impact on my love for preserving food through canning) to Nora Ephron’s classic “Heartburn” (great recipes and haunting similarities to my first marriage and subsequent divorce).

What kind of food blogs interest you? Do you search online for recipes, follow a few favorite bloggers on a regular basis ( I never miss “Dianne Jacob…Will Write for Food” or Molly Wizenberg of “Orangette”) – are you a blogger or not?

Looking back five years ago, I recall stumbling into posting recipes and beginning to shoot food for the ongoing recipe contest on food52. I met so many wonderful people through that site, many of whom I keep in touch with, and a handful who I call friends. I think that is what I like most about blogging, meeting and staying in touch with other like-minded folks.

As always, I’m grateful for your ongoing and interest and/or comments. best, Liz

 

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25 Responses to Back To Blogging

  1. Dianne Jacob September 12, 2014 at 11:25 am #

    Welcome back! I think it’s great that you’re changing direction a little bit. You will be fueled by all the excellent writers you read over the summer by some of my favorites, particularly Nora Ephron and Laurie Colwin. Essay writing is challenging, I find, because it requires an understanding of yourself. I look forward to seeing how you do with it.

    And thanks for the mention of my blog. Always appreciated.

    • Liz September 12, 2014 at 12:24 pm #

      Thanks for your continued, support, Dianne. I feel energized by the shift to a new direction in my writing/blogging.

  2. Suzanne September 12, 2014 at 3:26 pm #

    Liz, welcome back and I am excited for you. I love the recipes from your family that you share and think that reading those books from great writers will add fuel to the creative fire. Can’t wait for more from you.

    • Liz September 12, 2014 at 3:39 pm #

      Thanks, Suzanne, your 9/11 post was very moving. I had no idea what your daughter endured that awful day. I imagine it was almost as hard for you, not knowing if she was safe or not.

  3. Wendy Read September 12, 2014 at 4:06 pm #

    Welcome back Liz! Can’t wait to see what you will come up with 🙂 I think it’s brilliant to take time away and get refreshed, I keep promising myself that I will do that will my business…just a tiny break to absorb inspiration. Your book list is wonderful by the way. I especially appreciate a lot of the simple preparations you have and your instructions are always so clear, I have made many of your recipes here in my home kitchen and look forward to many more. XO

    • Liz September 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm #

      I wish you could, indeed, take a well-deserved break, Wendy –

  4. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious September 12, 2014 at 4:13 pm #

    I look forward to hearing tales of your Moo Moo and her no doubt fantastic recipes!

    • Liz September 12, 2014 at 4:20 pm #

      Moo Moo was a fabulous cook and prepared meals in her tiny kitchen in NYC –

  5. susan @ the wimpy vegetarian September 12, 2014 at 4:28 pm #

    Welcome back, Liz! I think it’s so healthy to take a break and re-energize. Looking forward to reading what’s next with you!

    • Liz September 12, 2014 at 5:19 pm #

      Susan, thanks – and please keep me posted re your San Diego visit – please email me your snail mail address?

      • susan @ the wimpy vegetarian September 12, 2014 at 11:26 pm #

        I will. I’ve just been jammed the last few weeks with blogging projects, guests from out of town, a food event I worked, and on and on. I’ve GOT to sit myself down and figure out my schedule and book flights!!!! I’ll get with you on email and we’ll make a plan, girlfriend!!!

  6. Gerlinde September 12, 2014 at 7:07 pm #

    Blogging has a mind of its own, it takes you in many different directions. Welcome back and enjoy the journey , you never know where it will take you.

    • Liz September 13, 2014 at 7:47 am #

      Yes, I am trying to do just that – thanks for your comment.

  7. Lisa @ Whisk & Cleaver September 13, 2014 at 5:58 am #

    Welcome back, Liz! What a great way to spend your summer, recharging your batteries and reading so many wonderful books. This is a great post and it helps remind me why blogging is fun!

    • Liz September 13, 2014 at 7:47 am #

      Thanks, Lisa, I needed to rediscover why blogging is fun – glad to be back.

  8. merry jennifer September 13, 2014 at 10:17 am #

    Welcome back after what I hope was a wonderful summer! I’m looking forward to seeing where your writing takes you – and us.

    • Liz September 13, 2014 at 10:44 am #

      Nice to hear from you – next week, I’ll be doing a post about September in my garden.

  9. Sippitysup September 14, 2014 at 10:04 am #

    The beauty of blog is that there are no rules. I can’t wait to see where you go next. GREG

    • Liz September 14, 2014 at 10:26 am #

      You are such a great role model for me, Greg, with all your unique posts and recipes –

  10. Carol Sacks September 14, 2014 at 5:36 pm #

    Sounds like you had a wonderful summer! Welcome back. I’m looking forward to your garden-and-cooking posts!

    • Liz September 14, 2014 at 5:49 pm #

      Thank you, Carol – are you coming to San Francisco for Cathy’s book launch at Omnivore 11/15? Lots of fun food bloggers –

  11. Oui, Chef September 16, 2014 at 8:24 am #

    Welcome back, Liz! Excited to see where you’ll take this blog, bet it’s going to be a tasty journey!

    • Liz September 16, 2014 at 1:15 pm #

      Thanks, Steve – it’s great to be back. Now all I need is for this awful heat wave to lift so I can cook…

  12. valentina September 16, 2014 at 6:53 pm #

    Liz, I love that you’re going to incorporate more ideas into your blog. I always love hearing about bringing the garden into the kitchen. (Love the peak into your culinary library, too.) 🙂 Looking forward to your future posts.

    • Liz September 17, 2014 at 8:27 am #

      Thanks, Valentina, I always enjoy your posts and photos on facebook.

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