When I ventured out onto the blogging branch from my perch in the forest I worried it wouldn’t hold me and might crack under my weight sending me tumbling to the ground below. I am a forest creature as my kids often point out. To be most accurate I am an arboreal velvet nosed mole who lives in a nest constructed from moss, rose petals, tears and blue jay feathers.
I worried that this blogging venture would leave me exposed to the world. It surely was uncomfortable at times. The most uncomfortable parts being when I needed to promote myself through social media. Ugh. Self promotion is not one of my talents and so I find that I have pulled back from that aspect of blogging, I just can’t proclaim one of my recipes “the best, the greatest” or anything like that. I envy those who can.
When I started this little online journal of memory-and-recipes and hurled it into the starry night sky it was cold and dark and the stars swirled silently in the black. There was a commotion and the flapping of wings and my little journal of memory-and-recipes didn’t fall to the ground lizard-like with a thud but was caught and passed from hand to hand. You who are reading this right now caught it, read it, passed it along.
MIMI : It’s out again
Sorry about your friend
Would you light my candle?
-Rent
I have formed friendships across the sea, like with the raven haired, seashore dwelling witch Nico from Yumsome. She has held my hand firmly as I stepped out of my comfort zone.
Last February I left a comment on Demeter’s Beaming Baker blog:
Demeter, I’ve reread this post probably twice a week since you posted it. Your recipes and easy going way of writing inspire me to relax and just follow my own inner quirky voice. I started a blog in January and it helps to read that you had self doubts as well. Head to toe, from your writing to photography to recipes, all are on point.
So thank you for helping my little boat stay afloat when the self doubt comes calling. Have a gorgeous day!
-Hanne
And the kind and always generous Demeter replied:
Hanne, always believe in yourself. Of course, you’ll have moments of self-doubt and insecurity, but always know that you are gonna do something special–and that your opinion/your voice/your creativity changes the world. I believe in you, and I’m always happy to keep your boat afloat. Sending you all the good vibes for success and, more importantly, happiness, in everything you do. <3
Demeter
I wrote this comment to Audrey from the Unconventional Baker sometime last fall:
You have inspired and influenced both my photography and recipes. Not in the sense that mine are at all like yours but in the sense that you are uniquely your own and in a way that helped me just be my own weird self and follow the beat of my internal drummer. SO thank you.
-Hanne
The multi-talented Audrey responded:
Hanne, that’s the best comment ever and I totally know what you mean about getting inspired in your own unique way 🙂
Ten most popular Savory Recipes of the year:
Ten most popular sweet recipes of the year:
I love all things
that have gentle sweet smells,
that speak of love, of spring,
of dreams and fanciful things,
those things that have poetic names …
Do you understand me?
-Mimi, La Boheme
Check out my new Aquafaba page! For tips, tricks and to see all of my Aquafabulous recipes.
You always have such poetic writing and inspiring and beautifully photographed recipes! Keep going!! And remember that self-doubt is a sign of intelligence! 🙂
Sylvia you are so kind! Thank you for the wise words! I’m so glad we connected this year.
What a year, what guts! Having wriggled out onto that spindly branch, you’ve gladdened innumerable hearts (and stomachs).
It has been a wild ride for sure.