Happy First Birthday, Olive and Artisan

Well, it’s here, my blogaversary. It’s been one year exactly since I made the announcement that I was starting a blog. It’s the scariest thing I have literally ever done. It was a Friday and I had two posts up for my viewers to see. The quality wasn’t to my standards yet, I was still trying to find my voice and still I jumped in, head first, and haven’t looked back since. I couldn’t be more thankful that fear didn’t win that day.

My friends and family came up along side me and supported me from the get-go. I knew that I had so much to learn, and I’m sure they knew it too, but support came none-the-less. I didn’t know a thing about a website, SEO, photography, and a myriad of other things. But I knew one thing: I loved making/cooking/eating food and I so desperately needed a dream.

I’ve been reflecting on this last year of food blogging and all that it has brought me, all that I have learned, all the hours and all the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into this little website. It’s been an incredibly blessed year. It’s given me more than just a pound or two around my problem area, it has also given me immeasurable hope.

The people that are closest to me know that I got where I am today because of hours of work for a post that is looked at for a few minutes. Nothing came easy, nothing. It was late nights and early mornings and Saturdays spent at home and Sunday nights spent behind a computer screen. I’ve logged over 1,500 hours on my blog this year and that’s not counting the hours I spent thinking how I can do better. Not to mention the money spent on my camera, equipment, props, memberships, and food. All of that to say: I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

I love this place. It’s become my home. My hope is that it translates. I don’t do this for myself. I do this for you. Always with you in mind. How can I help you with dinner? How can I help you laugh? How can I encourage?

I know I’m not where I want to be yet, but where I’ve ended up is pretty cool too. So I just want to say, Thank you. Thank you for being there for me this year. Thank you for listening, for writing, for following, for all of it. Thank you for the encouraging words, the likes and for making my recipes. I’ve never felt love quite like this. Genuinely – Thank You. My gift to you is that I’ll be right here, doing what I’ve been doing again this year and for years to come. Thank you for coming into my home and encouraging me daily to live out my dream.

Happy Labor Day weekend,

Love always,

Karlee