The Next Chapter

Well, hello, dear readers. Fancy seeing you still here. I know I’ve been a very bad food blogger lately. My posts are sporadic and not very interesting, recipes are few and far between, and there’s hardly any swearing at all. What gives?

OK, I’ll come clean. I’ve decided to retire Food on the Food.

I’ve been wrestling with this for a while. This is my 10th year blogging, and that’s an eternity in internet years. In fact, it’s the longest job I’ve ever had. It was also my favorite job. Sure, the pay stunk, but what else is new? Instead of raking in the dough, I raked in the doughnuts. There’s something to be said for alternative currencies.

When I first started FotF, I was a brand new parent grappling with my untested role as a mother while trying to conserve a piece of my pre-mom psyche. This blog was my sole creative outlet, a place to experiment with my writing, my food, and myself. It always made me feel free. Writing is a somewhat selfish act for me, so I was surprised when other people starting reading too. I really enjoyed this newfound audience—any writer would—but the truth is I still would have written for an audience of one.

Over the years, the blog saw me through some tough times. It also brought incredible opportunities my way, like the chance to write a cookbook, which I enthusiastically embraced (and then another book). I got to be on NPR's All Things Considered. And I wrote a cover story for Fine Cooking magazine. It also brought me the chance to be on a Food Network reality show, which I declined. (That's just not me no matter how you slice it.)

Now I find myself in the role of a more experienced parent, author, cook, teacher, and, against all odds, gardener. More things are competing for my attention now, and I feel like I need to let go of some of the old in order to experience more of the new. And I know this is weird coming from the girl who hates change, but change is coming whether I like it or not. It’s time.

I’m excited to find out what’s next. I hope to write lots of new stories in new ways. Maybe not about food. Maybe further afield. I don’t have any idea what the future holds, but I’m going to keep an open mind. I was very lucky to be able to do what I love for 10 years, and there’s no reason to believe I won’t continue to do what I love for 10 more. I’ll keep the blog up and searchable for the foreseeable future, so don’t panic if you haven’t printed out your favorite recipes yet (but don’t wait too long!).

Thanks so much for reading, whether it was for all 10 years or just the past 10 seconds. I enjoyed sharing my life with you (from a safe distance). I hope you all continue to cook, read, and live joyfully. Maybe drop me a line sometime and let me know how you’re doing. Life is short. Make it count. And eat well!

 

Comments

[L.]

I will miss you and your blog!

[Dad]

Ah, we had some good times! Wonder whatever happened to "Disinterested Observer"? He seemed to be a pretty sharp guy.

[Cookiecrumb]

Where'd my comment go?
Hey (again), FoF. best wishes from one of your earliest readers.

[Mom]

We'll miss you!

[Judith Flynn]

This is so sad.... I absolutely love your blog, you are hilarious and always made me roar with laughter.... The way you talk about your family, husband, 11 yr old etc, the piano episode and on and on.... Thanks for the restaurant tips.... Handy on my way to and from family in Brookline. Hope you keep the contact list in case you have some future news and writings.
Will miss you.
Judi

[Constance]

Tammy,I understand your reasons for discontinuing your blog and respect them. I'm a little sad, though, since I only recently discovered your website and the Best Posole Recipe Ever. Best wishes in your future endeavors.

[grundoon / William]

In late 2006 I donated to a charity raffle, my heart set on the custom commissioned artwork item from a Spanish artist/food blogger. I instead won what would (several years) later end up being a fantastic meal for 6 in a local chef’s newly opened restaurant and, because I of course had to track down the person who *did* win the artwork, a lovely new food+ blog to follow. I’m calling it a win all around. I will truly miss the updates from Donroeville.

[KarenD]

I found your blog back when I was exploring CSA shares in Western MA and looking for stuff on eating local. Loved your essays on the Eat Local Challenges and have been reading ever since. Sorry to see the blog go, but completely understand.

[Maria]

Oh Tammy, I will miss your blog (sporadic or not). I came across your blog I don't know how, years ago, during your tough times, and I stayed, and I enjoyed your writing so much. I still laugh in my head at 'tortilla soup for optimal marital health'! And I absolutely loved your Friday Family CookBook - in fact I still hope one day you will get it published.

All the best for the next ten years, I hope you keep writing joyfully elsewhere. Don't can this blog for a while, let me print off your recipes first :-)

xx

Maria

[Monica]

I am always sad when one of the blogs I really likes decides to retire. I want to say thanks for all the inspiration - I am local and loved your sources! Best wishes in future endeavors- I really hope those are YOUR goats! (I want goats!)

[Kelly Powell]

Sending all best wishes to you, Tammy! I've always wanted to tell you this: Wintersweet sits on my cookbook shelf between Julia Child and Ina Garten. And just once removed from Lidia Bastianich to the left and Marcella Hazan to the right. Always in the best of company! My favorite section of the shelf.

With love, from a fellow Walthamite. I'll miss you here, but maybe our paths will one day cross!

-Kelly

[Sam]

I've been reading for probably eight or nine years, right around the time I graduated from college and started cooking for myself. Thanks. For the great recipes, the hilarious writing and the wonderful entertainment. I will miss your blog!

[Vic]

So sad!
This is one of my go-to blogs for inspiration to keep me thinking of cooking as fun, and not just a daily drudgery. Thank you so much for all of the great writing and recipes- best wishes for all that's next.

[Millie]

Thanks and good luck! I'll miss you but I'll always have Wintersweet!

[Gerri Comeau]

Sniff. I'll miss your blogs Tammy. I know we've said it before, but let's try to find the time to get together soon. ~G

[Ariel]

Thank you for all the stories and recipes over the years. Your cookbook is my go-to for desserts, and I've thoroughly enjoyed your blog. Best wishes for a marvelous post-blog adventure!

[mark]

Good luck in your next moves, Tammy! I've always loved reading this blog (mostly since it connected me to your fun family!) Moving on is always a challenge, but it's more often a move that brings new great things! See you this summer!

[Tammy S. C.]

Oh my gosh! I'm really surprised! I hear you though. While I haven't officially "retired" mine, if I post 2-3 times a YEAR, I'm lucky! I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors and continued success with your writing! You are definitely one of my all-time top foodbflogger heroes. :) Stay in touch on FB and I wish you the best.

[jill]

Oh my goodness, what the heck am I going to do? I checked your blog every night before bed in anticipation of some insiteful comment or some clever new twist on an old favorite or an introduction to a local spot I'd never encountered yet! You're writing is so normal and unpretentious!! I discovered your blog when searching for Hen in the Woods mushrooms. I happy that you've have been so successful which is great for all of us, you're not going away, you're just sharing all that creative energy on another path. Thank you for inspiring me in the kitchen, the garden and in the market. I'll miss you.

[Janet]

Thank you for ten delightful and delicious years. I'll miss reading your posts. Best of luck on your next projects.

[Catherine]

Aw, I'll miss you. You taught me how to cook asparagus! I'll be forever grateful. Wishing you all the best. xox

[Christopher]

You don't know me, but I feel like I know you. Thanks for your blog and your time and your openness. We've been reading (and laughing) for years and we'll miss your voice in the future

-Christopher

[Diane Lyons]

good luck on your new beginning, but selfishly I am so sad! I very recently discovered your blog and have been cooking my way through your recipes! I've seriously made about 20 of your dishes in the past 3 weeks, and none have been a disappointment!!! I learned about you when I tasted "your" carrot cake made by a colleague, and it's been love at first bite. I went online and ordered your cookbook immediately after eating my second slice of cake! I will miss you!!!!

[Fredda Gordon]

I've read regularly at times and not regularly at other times. I just ordered your cryptograms book so thought I'd check in and I see this post. I'm so glad I did while comments are still open. I will miss your stories and will hurry to catch up on some that I missed. I'm thankful you've written for so long, and I'm also a little sad to see it end. Good luck in all you do!!!

[Tammy]

Wow, thanks so much, you guys. I admit to being in a period of mourning, so I really appreciate the kind words. It's been a good run. Thanks for coming along for the ride and brightening up my comments section!

[Brenda]

Thank you for the many years of funny, touching, and edible stories. OK. Not edible, but some of the recipes certainly lead to some lovely dishes.
Yours was the first blog, ever, that I read. The first one that I followed. The first one I commented on. I loved reading, especially, about your family, present and past.
I'll miss you and your dad and Disinterested Observer :)

[sarabeth]

This is sad news... I will really miss reading your very funny and also informative posts. I've been reading since back in the farmer-stalking and bad-surgery days... loved the Family Friday cookbook posts about your awesome relatives and your mason-jar disputes. Canadian butter tarts and crème egg contests. My kids and I make your maple-syrup candy every time it snows (last year--that was way too often, sorry), love those Bollywood beets, and your Spanish hiccup cure is the only one that has ever worked for me. Thanks for everything, and yeah, let me print your recipe box before you close it down!!