5 Reasons I Keep Food Blogging

Be patient with me.  I have a super refreshing homemade lemonade being featured on the blog tomorrow. And after that a totally decadent chocolate cookie.  And we can't forget a bloody and boozy take on flank steak coming soon {intrigued or grossed out?}.

See?  A lot to be excited about.

But today I'm going to tell you the 5 reasons why I continue to post recipes and share tidbits of my life for you all to read.  I'm pretty sure most of you {unless you are a blogger} do not realize what it takes to keep this little engine running.

Here we go.

1.  I like you guys.  I have melded relationships with some unique people the past {almost} 4 years.  Many I have never met and probably will never met, but I feel like I know you.  And I feel like you know me.  I thoroughly enjoy reading your comments and receiving your emails.  Even if it says "I didn't like this recipe" or "mine didn't turn out".  I especially love getting texts from friends all over who are in the heat of the moment cooking in their kitchen and need help right NOW.  It humbles me to know you turn to me for advice.  

2.  I really enjoy creating new dishes.  The husband often jokes that we never {minus the staples of burgers, spaghetti, etc.} have the same meal twice.  All because I cannot leave well enough alone.  My brain is literally always thinking about creating a new dish, a new drink or a new baked goodie.  This often makes things difficult when asked about something I've made and I stare at them blankly racking my brain what they are referring too.  When you make a TON of food, you have a tendency to forget what you've made!

3.  I have hopes and dreams to make this blog a reality.  Meaning someday, I hope to expand this little 'ol blog.  Whether that be a published cookbook, a partnership with a food company or a side business.  I have high hopes and I've set high standards for myself to make that happen.  Little by little things are coming my way.  I've learned {the hard way} not to compare myself with other food bloggers who are traveling all over the country, all expenses paid, on great adventures.  My time will come.  I'm ubber-excited about planning the first Iowa Food Blogger Meet-Up.  It's a gigantic task, but I'm determined to make it awesome.

4.  It's my outlet.  Let's face it.  I have two little kids, a husband, a dog, a house and a part-time job.  Add all of that together and I'm busy.  My days are filled with hills and valleys.  This blog gives me something that is separate from all of that - it lets me breathe for a second.  You know how some women love to scrapbook? Or jog?  Or volunteer?  Well, I love to cook and blog to the world about it.  It's my hobby of choice.  Are there times when I don't have TIME for my blog?  Absolutely.  Times when I should be playing with my kids, yet instead I'm photographing my food?  For sure.  But I'm hoping I balance it all out in the end.

5.  I don't like to quit things.  I have this little thing called "guilt".  In all aspects of my life, it's there following me around.  I would feel tremendously guilty if I ever stopped blogging.  Heck, I feel guilty when I forget to email back a friend if its been more than a day.  Saying all of this, I just would never quit on this blog, my third baby, it'd be like quitting a job {which I've also never done}.

There.

I put it all out there.  Now you know why I've continued on this little venture for a few years now.  Do I always get rewarded for it?  Not really.  But do I enjoy it?  Yes.

Enough said.

{Oh wait.  I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for loving my recipes, commenting on my blog and social media pages and well, just being YOU.}

There, now I'm done.