Why, it seems like just yesterday when I wrote my very first blog post. To think, after a whole year, my content still hasn’t improved. They say practice makes perfect, but I think that’s a load of crap.
Over this past year, I’ve learned many things, most of them the hard way. One was to read my camera manual (actually, I still haven’t learned that one). Another was to write my blog entries in a Word document first before copying them into Typepad, just in case the Typepad people are spying, criticizing all aspects of my creative process. You know, like department store staff behind the mirrors of dressing rooms. The bastards. This policy of paranoia also comes in handy on the rather frequent chance that your browser application might unexpectedly quit mid-sentence.
Every once in a while, though, I write something that’s just too stupid to even begin to ask you to read (like the one where I go to Confession after 15 years and ask the priest if my estrangement from the Church, as my dad has suggested, is the reason why Dunkin’ Donuts’ doughnuts suck so badly). I keep all of these types of idiotic posts in that same holding document forever and ever. Maybe for a rainy day when I’m willing to settle, maybe for a particularly depressing menstrual cycle when I find myself running outside to scream at the trees for no reason. (It’s just wind. Stop moving, YOU STUPID TREEEEEEEESSS.) For example. (I do try to weed out the menstrual posts as best I can, but I’m not always successful.)
Anyway, what I’m left with after this whole year is 86 pages worth of posts that never made it onto the blog for one reason or another. Eighty-six PAGES of rejects. That’s right, you’ve been reading the good stuff. Scary.
I’m not going to get all mushy on you on my blog birthday, don’t worry, but it’s true what they say about blogging improving your life in unexpected ways. This rather far-flung community of bloggers and readers has made me think, made me act, made me laugh, made me cry. Which means you guys suck way worse than Cats.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I’d like to thank my reader(s) for reading me everyday, with the glaring exception of Saturdays and Sundays (I don’t know what the hell you’re all doing on the weekends that’s so damned important, by the way). I’d also like to thank the people who comment regularly or just whenever the mood strikes because it adds so much to the conversation. Even if I get sad when you eventually leave me to live your own lives (Where are you Heath and Jim? Don’t grow up, yet.).
Anyway, blah, blah, blah, I really like presents (expensive ones). I also like lurkers who get brave and delurk. Except that I figure some of you might be lurking for good reason. Like the hair you’re growing out is still at that awkward stage. Or you have a gimpy left leg. Or the mental illness. I figure you have your reasons and I can respect that. In fact, do me a favor and keep that shit to yourself. I don’t need any competition for crazy on my own blog.
But if you do want to drop me a line, the magic number is 13. That’s the record number of comments I’ve received (on this post and this post), and that’s the number to beat. It will make the difference between a good blog birthday and a shitty one. No posting twice (you hear that, Self?). To make things interesting, I shan’t be posting again until we get there. Will I be back for a second year? We’ll find out.
Happy birthday, FotF.
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOTF!!!
Posted by: Susanna | November 16, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Happy blogday :) I started reading your blog a few months ago after someone recommended it as an eating local resource while you were doing the challenge, and it was a great one. Also, cookie recipes!
Posted by: Sarah | November 16, 2007 at 11:34 PM
Happy Blog Birthday! This is definitely one of my favorite blogs, and as soon as my cookie sheets arrive I'm gonna get to make those chocolate spice cookies... mmmmmm
Posted by: Sasha | November 17, 2007 at 02:04 AM
Happy Blog Birthday! I also made it over here during the Eat Local Challenge and I stayed for the recipes and the Toddler (of which I also have one. And a funny one he is as well) And I don't know what I am going to do with all these cookie recipes, but they are taunting me!
Posted by: Jennye | November 17, 2007 at 04:09 AM
Happy Blog Birthday! I'm one of those terrible lurkers, I think I may have delurked once before.
Posted by: xsquared | November 17, 2007 at 07:39 AM
I just found your blog and started reading it regularly a few weeks ago. I had to catch up and so I read most of it all at once--like a book. The book publishers are nuts--I love your Family Cookbook with the recipes, photos and background stories of your relatives. I can already visualize this cookbook on my bookshelf.
Posted by: Kathy | November 17, 2007 at 08:05 AM
I agree with Kathy! When the hell you gonna get that thing published? Damn, woman! Anyway - Happy BB-Day Tammy. You've certainly made me a happier woman this past year. 13, huh? Is that counting comments left by your family? LOL I can't even get my husband to read my posts let alone comment. Hi dad! :)
Posted by: Sally | November 17, 2007 at 08:42 AM
Oh - and I like the lighter captcha. I can actually SEE the characters. (Does this count as two?)
Posted by: Sally | November 17, 2007 at 08:43 AM
buon compleanno!
Posted by: jo | November 17, 2007 at 09:12 AM
Happy Blogiversary! Keep posting all those wonderful recipes and old photos, and especially the funny stories about your kids. I'm still in awe that you did the Eat Local Challenge with little ones.
Posted by: Karen | November 17, 2007 at 10:11 AM
I came. I lurked. I ate. Happy Blogbirthday !
Posted by: joey | November 17, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Whoa! Comment extortion, eh? OK, I'll comment. I (almost) always do. xo
Happy Year!
Posted by: cookiecrumb | November 17, 2007 at 12:35 PM
Happy Blog Birthday Sis! I'd send an expensive gift, but chances are, I'd order it late and then have it shipped to myself (accidentally?) Thanks for entertaining me!
Posted by: Sis | November 17, 2007 at 12:36 PM
HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY! I haven't posted in a while but had to this time. Am I number 14? By the way, how's your wonderful Dad? We need more posts about him!
Posted by: Disinterested Observer | November 17, 2007 at 02:42 PM
Absolutely!
Happy Blogaversary ~=D
Posted by: sandi @ the whistlestop cafe | November 17, 2007 at 03:38 PM
I too joined in during the Eat Local challenge, because hey, I'm local, and I like to eat, and... Anyway, I love your writing. And your family cookie recipes. I vote for another year, at least!
Posted by: beah | November 17, 2007 at 07:01 PM
Okay, I know this is twice, but I forgot to say, I made an RSS feed (called foodonfood) of your blog on LiveJournal so that folks over there could read you. So you have readers over there, too!
Posted by: beah | November 17, 2007 at 07:03 PM
I read your blog on Saturdays and Sundays, Tammy! Are you telling me that not everyone compulsively checks their blog lists for new posts each time they sit down at their computer? I can stop any time I want to, you know!
Posted by: Kim | November 18, 2007 at 09:02 AM
Happy blog birthday! :)
I nearly wet myself reading "Ask the Pseudo-Chef" at work last week...
Posted by: Korinthe | November 18, 2007 at 09:44 AM
wow, I thought I was the only one with so many reject posts in the queue. (OK, not 86 pages, but many many.)
Happy blog-birthday to you!
Posted by: anita | November 18, 2007 at 11:09 AM
Wow. Best blog birthday ever. Thanks, guys. I was worried you weren't going to come through and I'd be forced to shut down the blog for good (#1 rule of parenting: always follow through on your threats). But, then, what would I do with these 86 pages of gold?
Posted by: Tammy | November 18, 2007 at 07:55 PM
All right...is that enough???
Posted by: Sally | November 18, 2007 at 10:52 PM
OK, I delurk. Over and over again! Only a year? It feels longer and I'm happy it does, now I really want to read those 86 pages.
Happy Anniversary Tammy!
Posted by: ilva | November 19, 2007 at 04:23 AM
Happy blog birthday Tammy! Your blog always cracks me up, it's so funny. Am really curious for those 86 extra pages now.
About the camera manual, I've never read mine either. When I'm snapping and the pic isn't right, I shove the camera in my partner's hands and say 'it's too light/dark/whatever, do something about it'. Works just fine for me :)
Posted by: Inne | November 19, 2007 at 06:37 AM
happy blog b-day! I wonder how one should celebrate. Anyway, made the choc-chip cheesecake cookies and they were gobbled down pretty quick. can't wait to try the other cookie recipes.
Posted by: sunny12 | November 19, 2007 at 09:04 AM
Happy blog birthday! I am delurking, after several months of enjoyment. I got hooked after a "tastespotting" entry of yours, and thank you for the recipes, with the dash of family history thrown in. Love them!
Posted by: Joy | November 19, 2007 at 09:59 AM
Delurking again to offer congratulations. I enjoy the way you write. Dad and Husband are fun too.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda | November 19, 2007 at 12:45 PM
I am so glad you joined the blog world. The Internet became brighter when you started up your blog! Here's to many more blog-days.
Posted by: jen maiser | November 19, 2007 at 12:46 PM
Happy One Year! I love your writing and can't wait to read for another year!
Posted by: Sarah | November 19, 2007 at 12:55 PM
Great, thanks for making me delurk (and assessing my own reasons for lurking - I've settled on laziness).
Happy belated blogiversary from a reader on the Cape (also trying to eat local).
Posted by: andrea | November 19, 2007 at 03:56 PM
Happy belated blogaversary! I started reading your blog this summer and have commented a couple of times... I love your writing. Hope you keep going!
Posted by: Sandicita | November 19, 2007 at 05:44 PM
Happy blog birthday! Sorry for the late wishes - I was at an ultimate frisbee tournament this weekend. I'm not saying that it's more important than reading FotF but after all these cookie recipies, I need some way to burn calories so I can continue eating chocolate chip cheesecake cookies!
Posted by: melch | November 19, 2007 at 05:55 PM
Very happy blog birthday to you! I've been reading Catherine Newman's Dalai Mama journal on Wondertime.com for 4 or 5 years now, so I'm happy to stick in there for years of musings. Keep 'em coming!
Posted by: Bri | November 19, 2007 at 06:18 PM
I am so glad I stopped by on yardsale day and found out about your blog! It has been a great (daily) read and a source of inspiration. Keep it up girl!
ps I miss poaching your dinner recipes
pss CBS SUCKS
Posted by: sarah, your lurking neighbor | November 20, 2007 at 09:15 AM
I'm totally late to this party, but much like in real life, when my friends get birthday presents a month after the fact, here I am. Happy first birthday. You're quite a precocious blog, yes you are! Yes you are! A-coochy-coochy-coo! A coochy-coochy-coo!
Can you tell I've got an 11-week old at home? I almost added, "Smile for daddy! Can you smile for daddy!" but decided it would come off as creepy in this context and possibly upset Husband.
Posted by: Fish Sauce Hater | December 11, 2007 at 10:33 PM
Wow - even later to the party! I rock!
I absolutely LOVE your blog, even though I just found it, and have just speed read through the archives. I'm laughing so hard I've got coffee coming out of my nose and my boyfriend keeps looking at me weird....
Seriously - I wish I had wit like yours, and I've tried... Happy blog b-day and keep writing!
Posted by: Tatiana | December 12, 2007 at 11:27 AM