Eight years ago today, I hit “publish” on my very first post “A few of my favourite things“. Initially part of an online course I was taking, this blog has taken on a life of its own. I’ve had the opportunity to travel and take part in amazing events thanks to this little space I occupy on the internet and over the years, developed hundreds of recipes and shared countless stories of my “culinary adventures near and far”.
I thought to celebrate this milestone, I’d share some of the more noteworthy posts (for me, that is, not the most popular based on pageviews). Many readers might not have been reading since the beginning (there are a few of you out there, I know!) so here are a few blasts from the past and some more recent noteworthy posts.
Who remembers :
1. That time I wrote about how Neil and I met… in Casablanca…
2. That time I got hooked on macaron-making at Lenôtre in Paris.
3. That time I won a trip to San Francisco to demonstrate a recipe I developed in front of a live audience!
4. That time I entered an international food blogging contest and made it to Round 8 of 10!
5. That time we cooked our way through Michael Ruhlman’s Charcuterie over the course of a year.
6. That time I wrote every single post about teaching kids to cook.
7. That time I led a week-long culinary tour in Paris.
8. That time I wrote about what the Food Revolution means to me.
9. That time I co-organised Canada’s first dedicated conference for food bloggers.
10. That time I travelled across Canada by train.
11. That time I finished cooking my way through Dorie Greenspan’s cookbook, Around my French Table. In nearly 5 years, I didn’t miss one recipe or one week of posting!
12. That time I met Jamie Oliver.
13. That time we bought a house in France (psst: you can rent it for your holidays!)
14. That time I announced my cookbook deal!
15. That time I walked the first stage of the Camino de Santiago (hey, walking the second stage this summer!).
I’d say that’s a fairly accurate take on this blog as a whole: France, food, cooking with kids and travel! Thanks for reading – I hope you’ll stick around for a few more years!
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(Psst: You can now follow both my blog and our vacation rental on Facebook! I finally got with the times!)
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This is wonderful Mardi. I can’t wait to read your earlier posts as I only stumbled on you about three years ago. Keep it up. You have carved out a wonderful life for yourself.
Aw thanks so much. Thrilled you got to discover a little part of our beloved France through this blog XO
Laughed when I saw the “Message from Pam” cooking spray. Well, here is another message from Pam: love your blog. I learn something new with each of your posts. Your students are so lucky to have you. Congratulations on this milestone. Looking forward to many more wonderful milestones. Can’t wait for your cookbook!
Pam
Thank you so much for reading Pam, so very appreciated XO
The most impressive thing about your blog is how you have sustained it. Not just sustained, but built it.
The posts are invariably either really interesting or very useful and often both. Very proud of you. Long may it prosper.
THanks so much – means the world that you read and comment xo
Congratulations on the milestone. Loved to read them all since I have not had the opportunity to follow you for eight years. Wishing you continued success.
Thanks so much – I so appreciate you reading XO
Congrats Mardi, I am so proud of you, your blog, and everything you have (and will) accomplish! I was trying to remember THAT TIME we met for dinner in Montreal, that was way before FBC even. Cheers to the early years and the future!
Yup it was in 2009 I think!! Feels like SO long ago!
Mardi – I love this recap and enjoyed the journey. I am glad to have “met” you through this space and there are some great accomplishments recorded here. XO
Oh Cher, me too – one day we might even get to meet in real life!
Nice! a house in France!? Where exactly? and man I would blush so hard next to Jamie Oliver! Love the guy! And good luck with the camino this summer! Congrats on those 8 years! Sounds like you’ve had quite a journey! Cheers to another 8 more years of fun!
Thanks so much. In the post about JO, you’ll see I could barely speak! Re: the house, well it’s a vacation rental house – link in post and also the big button at the top right of the screen 😉 It’s about an hour south of Bordeaux 🙂
Congratulations on your 8 years! You’ve accomplished so many wonderful things, and yet more to come. We are following now your blog on Facebook and Maison de la Fontaine as well! I especially love your posts on cooking with the kids. They are amazing, and you’re an amazing teacher!
Aw thank you – very kind words 🙂 Appreciated!
Wow, Mardi! What incredible adventures you’ve had through this blog and what an impressive list of contributions you’ve made to the food blogging world!
Aw thanks so much!
Wow! That is a lot accomplished and such wonderful memories.
Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Cheers to many more fun filled adventures.
Cheers – thanks for reading!
Congrats on eight years, Mardi. I can’t believe it’s been that long!
So many great memories in this list… who knew back when we first connected through Foodbuzz and Project Food Blog that we’d still be at it all these years later. 🙂 Can’t wait to see what’s next (I mean, aside from the cookbook, which I’m super-excited for!)
Neither can I – so glad to have made good friends like you over that time!
Wow Mardi — what and incredible accomplishment. A huge congratulations on 8 years of eating, traveling and writing and cheers to many more! As a newer reader, I very much enjoyed your highlights and reliving your experiences. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!