As Always, Julia

January 3rd, 2011

With the New Year,  I have been wondering if my blog is still relevent.  After two years of giving it my best with enthusiasm for all that I have cooked, I wonder if I have made a difference or inspired anyone.  I hope so.  Even Julia Child wondered about the relevance of her fledgling cookbook and spent ten years trying to get it published.  I am not comparing my humble missives to Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but we all know that when we put our words out there for others to read we are hoping that they will make a difference.

As of January 7th,  I will be celebrating two years of blogging.  It has been such a worthwhile endeavor.  I have met so many wonderful people, both personally and online.  All of you are my friends.  I visit all of you more often than I have been able to respond to your words.  We have a wonderful community of bloggers!  Communicating with each other keeps all of us inspired.

Back in the day,  people communicated by real mail.  A new book has just been released with the letters between Julia Child and Avis Devoto.

Julia and Avis were penpals for two years before they ever met.  Avis became a support system and sounding board for Julia as she worked her way through the writing of Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  She recognized early that Julia had a very special book in the making.   We don’t have a book here, but I would liken their relationship to what we are doing here.  We are supporting each other in our individual efforts to communicate our own stories.  We talk to each other in our comments on each of our blogs.  By supporting each other we keep the creative juices flowing.  Thank you  for your comments.  I would like more.  All of us would welcome that.  So I am contemplating what changes I need to make in the future to make my blog more relevant. 

To thank you for your support I will send a copy of As Always, Julia to one lucky winner who makes a comment on this post.   You have until Wednesday January 5th at 9:00 PM.  International bloggers welcome.

27 responses to “As Always, Julia”

  1. Oh yes! Please enter me in your giveaway and I frequently find inspiration from your blog. Happy New Year! Thank you for this opportunity!

  2. Lyla says:

    Penny, you so cleverly connected your blogger buddies and the new Julia Childs bio. Thanks for creating this happy little community of cooks and foodies. Happy 2011 and happy two years of blogging!

  3. Donnie says:

    I love Julia Child. I had read a lot about her before Julie and Julia came out. I always enjoy reading what you have to write along with your recipe and still remember the great Blogger Brunch. I have tried a few of them but you know cooking is not my favorite thing to do but you are very inspiring. Hope you have a wonderful evening.

  4. Pondside says:

    I don’t think I’d follow your blog if I didn’t think reading it taught me something or spurred me to try something new. I hope you find encouragement in the comments!
    I’ve been corresponding with a Georgia blogger for several months now – by snail mail. It takes time and is certainly offers no instant gratification, but there’s something lovely about having to be thoughtful about each word committed to paper, and wanting to make the words beautiful. I look forward to seeing a hand-addressed envelope in my mail box!
    I’d love to be entered for the draw – thank you!

  5. Jane says:

    I check every day to see if you have put a new post on your blog. It’s on my list of blogs that I follow. Check for yourself.

  6. Haden News says:

    Penny congratulations on 2 years of blogging!! I am so glad I found your blog and enjoy it very much! Happy New Year and I look forward to your posts in 2011!!

  7. Penny, I love reading your blog and checking out your recipes. Glad I found you through the other Penny. Wasn’t her brunch wonderful? My favorite recipe of yours that comes to mind is the Caramel Apple Cake. That was a hit with family and friends!!!! Congrats on 2 years. I am right there with you! Love & blessings from NC!

  8. I have enjoyed your blog since finding it a couple of months ago! I did a post on Julia several months back, she is my all time favorite! I agree with you, blogging is a blast!

  9. Terri. says:

    What a great giveaway! I love Julia Child. Thanks for the chance to win.
    tshaw6580@yahoo.com

  10. Very well said Penny. I think the support and community in itself make blogging worthwhile coming back to day by day.Two years of blogging is quite the achivement.I have enjoyed every moment in your kitchen here at Lake Lure Cottage.

  11. Big Dude says:

    Congratulations Penny on your impending blogiversary – keep em comin.

  12. girlichef says:

    I know how you feel…but I know that as long as you keep putting up what is important/exciting/relevant to and for you…it comes across and touches somebody 😀 Congrats on two years, Penny…and looking forward to many more. Happy New Year 🙂

  13. yes, your blog has made a difference for me! i love that we have met and are friends. you have a special place in mylife penny….

    it is great reading your recipes – and trying them myself at home. happy blog anniversay..
    hugs,
    penny

  14. racheld says:

    I’m also one of the check-in-every-time-I-see-you-jump-up-my-sidebar, and have thoroughly enjoyed all my visits.

    Seeing only two or three comments each day, usually from the same dear faithful readers, is STILL an outreach and a response, and I appreciate every one, as you do.

    And I consider each blog post of all my favorites almost a personal message, from the family events to the recipes and photos, right on to the planks of their stairs. Relevant and au courant and timely and interesting and simple and complex—old stories and new—all of those.

    If you could hear from every single person who reads Lake Lure regularly, I think we’d all say, “It’s relevant to ME!”

    Congratulations and Happy Anniversary!!

    rachel

  15. Barbara says:

    I love your blog, Penny! You are definitely doing a super job. Getting comments is not the easiest thing and certainly not the only sign of a good blog; I think it’s more important to put yourself out there. Lots of people read and don’t comment.

    Happy Blogoversary, Penny, and Happy New Year!

  16. Kate says:

    I can’t believe that another year has gone by filled with wonderful recipes and inspiration! Congratulations on your blogiversary! I have enjoyed getting to know you.

  17. JoAnn says:

    I really enjoyed the Julia movie and learned a lot about her. I would enjoy learning more about her through this book. Thanks for this giveaway!

  18. Well, I just so happened to drop a note in my post today about supporting fellow bloggers.

    And of course you have inspired me. More than once I made your recipes while island bound, and enjoyed mucking them up with my own twists after trying yours.

    It is hard to find a voice, and avoid being a “what I had for lunch” type blog. You put just enough personality in your posts to let us get to know something about you. it accumulates over the year(s) to a point where you would be missed if you dropped out.

    There are about a dozen bloggers that someday, somewhere I plan on meeting in real life. you are on that list. So, here’s to someday, somewhere, and here’s to the blogaversary!

    Dave

  19. Stephanie says:

    Penny you have inspired my blog. By joining your kitchen reveal I was introduced to a great group of bloggers. It was great to feel apart of a blog community, even if only for one post. Today’s post is possibly the most inspiring, it is interesting to see that even the bloggers you most respect have days of doubt. I feel doubt every time I post something, it is good to know that even the best feel the same. Please keep inspiring us all!

  20. Judy says:

    I found your blog last year and follow you daily. Love all the beautiful photos that bring your recipes to life. Even though I don’t usually comment, I’m letting you know that I’m still out here!

  21. Janet says:

    Wow! By chance I found your blog. I remember exactly a year ago i was in a hotel on a business trip (away from my hubby and 3 children) and had room service. What a luxury for a Mom! I ate and watched the Julia Child movie (and know can’t remember the name!). Julia is an inspiring person with so much passion. it was intoxicating to me. Ever since then I have embraced cooking and providing for my family. Cooking became my love language; and I am so ever grateful for the inspiration I receive from learning from Julia.

    will be checking back to read more on your blog!

  22. c. says:

    I really like your blog and subscribe via RSS. I would love to win!

  23. Penny, I often wondered the same things about my blog. It’s been 4.5 years now, and while I don’t post every day like I did throughout many periods that first year, I would miss it if I gave it up. It’s part of me now, and I would guess this is part of you. You have many followers! Keep it up.

    Mimi

  24. Mary says:

    Of course you make a difference and while we don’t always comment we are always here. Year two is something really special. Congratulations. I hope to read your work for years to come. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  25. Mere says:

    I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog over the past few months! Thank you!!

  26. This was quite a sweet post. There are parallels to blogging and writing to pen pals. One thing is certain, the food blogging community is very kind, and “meeting” new like-minded people is one of the best aspects of blogging.

  27. Rita says:

    Julia is a sspecial lady. I was lucky enought to get 2 of her books as gifts. Tomorrow will be January 7th; I want to congratulate you. I am so happy I have found your blog. Love the way you write and express yourself; of course the recipes you post are always so enticing.I still have so much to learn; you really inspire me. Thank you for taking the time to read me. It is a privilege to be your Follower.
    Rita

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