Merciful God, You are great in compassion and Your tenderness for us is without measure. We ask You to give us today our daily bread, and also provide for the needs of all of Your hungry children around the world. Through Christ Your Son and Our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Under consideration

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When I started this food blog I had thoughts of sharing all of my favorite recipes, becoming more creative in the kitchen and sharing my successes, and exchanging thoughts with a gathering of like-minded women -- sort of like hanging out at the clothesline and yakking about what we all made for dinner last night.

I have shared many favorite recipes, and I have become much more creative in the kitchen, which is really a good thing. What I have not done, however, is made very many online friends here. In fact, if I have any regular followers at all (other than my dear Georgia peach Sara) I really have no idea who they might be.

As a result, I am seriously thinking of closing this blog. I can find recipes online without it, and I can create in the kitchen by myself. The blog is really only helpful for sharing, and from my stats, it looks like I'm just another stop on the Internet railway. I'm glad people find me when they are looking for a Cheryl's Sugar Cookie recipe, or a recipe for Caramel Puff corn. But those folks don't want to stop and chat, and that's really what it was all about.

I  plan to think about it for another week or so, but after that, this blog might just disappear.



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27 comments:

Jamie Jo said...

I use you all the time!

I always look forward to seeing your recipes. I don't always comment though.

We use your white Colorado chili for example!! ANd baked oatmeal and granola and so many more!!

I love this blog, but if it's too much for you, I understand.

Don't delete it though, I use it for reference all the time!

Grace Hincapie said...

I love all the recipes you have on here. But like Jamie said if it is to much for you, I understand.
I hope you don't delete it.

Stephanie Kaehler said...

Thank you so much for your blog. I am a Catholic mother of 7 children. I have always dreamed of presenting such wonderful meals for our family. Your blog indeed is a blessing. Our family has enjoyed your blueberry scones, mini pizzas, whoopie cookies and has given me ideas. I hope you will keep this blog online. Again, thank-you your blog is inspiring. Stephanie from California

Sheila said...

Hi,

I read this blog, but if I'm going to comment, tend to do so on your other blog. But I do enjoy your recipes!

C Killingsworth said...

Hello Barbara,

I follow your blog in google reader and love the inspiration it gives me in my weekly menus. Your pictures are great and instructions are wonderful!

I have to agree, please leave the blog up because I refer to it all the time. Casseroles to name a few.. I don't have the time to research the best recipes on the web and enjoy your commentary on the spices and ingredients.

I don't comment on many of the 100+ blogs I follow. I will start making an effort because of the great effort you put into these posts!

Thanks again!

Christa

Laurasuz said...

You know my sister and I would miss you so much. We come here ALL the time. I know one of my aunts does too. She doesn't have a blog or would even know how to leave a comment though. Of course you must do what you have to, but we'd miss your blog a lot!

Val said...

Well I aint Catholic... But I am 41 and a mother to 2 boys (17 & 20) I'm new to blogging and found your site last week and have spent just about everyday thumbing through your recipes and even posted one to my blog ( I'm not sure i did it right but I did give credit to you) so please keep up the good work and I'll chat with you over the clothesline anyday...

Anne said...

Well, this is where I met you, here in this spot, but I must admit to not being a very good online friend these days.

Last year during Lent I realized that I had to choose to severely limit blog time in order to focus on my littles. Unfortunately less blog time means fewer comments and conversations with wonderful people such as yourself. And it's true I certainly would miss you!

But just like I had to limit my computer time, I would understand if you had to close up shop. I'd still miss you though!!

And thank you for all the recipes that you have shared with us. I think many will become go-to favorites in my family and for my kids for years to come. So I'll always be thinking of you Barbara when I make those.

Wayne said...

I guess I'm not technically in the crowd you were hoping to attract and connect with and I'm pretty sure the few comments I've made are not exactly the "i've got something to add to the conversation" type, but I am in the same camp with the rest of your commenters here...I love your blog, I talk about you to my wife all the time and I've printed a number of your recipes. I especially like the commentary you add on how it worked or didn't in your kitchen. Helps an amateur like myself when I put my skills to the test.

Do what you need to do, but please don't delete it. :)

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures. I have made a few recipes...loved them too. I am always coming back for seconds. When I am in search of a recipe...i look here.

Carina said...

Barbara,

I've been reading your blog for a few years now via Google Reader, but have only commented a few times...mainly because I feel a bit as if I'm "intruding" on your real life! However, I'd love to chat more! I too am a mom of four (ages 3-14) and am homeschooling the oldest 3. I love to cook and bake and have always enjoyed trying out the recipes you share on this blog! I do hope you'll keep writing because you're more than just a stop on the internet highway to me! :)

Carina

Ashley said...

Oh, please don't close this blog! I love reading about what you've been cooking for your family and the reason! I love your recipes!

EC Gefroh said...

Barbara, I love your blog! I read it faithfully whenever you post. I always look forward to your recipes. I am very sad that you are thinking of closing this blog :-( I recently revived my own cooking blog. I too would like to meet like-minded moms to share and chat.

Linda said...

Oh, no! Your is a blog I trust, my go-to place for recipes, yes, but also for the vibe that I get that you are one terrific Catholic mom! I have often wished that I could actually talk to you...not about food necessarily but about more personal, faith-based issues. Is that what you are missing? Because if that's it, I would LOVE to get to know you better. Please let those of us who love you sight unseen know exactly what you need from us so we can oblige.
Love, Linda

Puppydogs said...

Hi,
I understand where your heart is. However, I will let you know that I will miss your blog.
thanks for everything you have put into it.

Jennifer said...

I love to read your recipes!!

Jennifer Gregory Miller said...

I read your blog in Google Reader, and I don't comment much. But you put so much love and beauty into your posts and recipes that it is SOOO much better than surfing and finding a recipe. I am always inspired. I understand if it's a hardship, but I will miss your posts.

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness, this stinks. I am a Catholic mom to 5 boys (ages 9-2) and I am ashamed to say that I don't think I've commented once...however I visit with you nearly everyday. You inspire me so much...where to begin? Homeschooling, the love you have for Christ, your family...life in general. This blog to me is that little sunny place in your kitchen when everything is as it should be and you can smell the bread baking. I didn't think about how selfish it is on my part to visit with you and not chat. I don't blog so I think I don't realize all that goes into it and how empty it must seem when you don't think anyone gets much from what you write.
Anyhow, I promise that if you keep this one up, I will write to you with all the thoughts in my head that I think while I read your blog but never say...coffee in hand...much more often! Hugs to you in your discernment.

Christal

Nic said...

Hi there,

I'm not Catholic and not a mom, but boy-oh-boy do I love your blog! Like others here I skim thru a lot of blogs in my Google Reader, but yours is one I read word for word. I've only commented a couple of times, but some of my favorite recipes are from your blog - the chicken tortilla casserole and buttermilk brined pork chops come to mind. I just checked and I have 85 recipes bookmarked from your site!! I do understand how you feel and the decision is ultimately up to you, but please know that you would be missed. Blessings to you!

Kaylan said...

You can add me to the list of people who reads every one of your posts to this blog. I too have never commented, but have loved and tried out many of your great recipes. I hope you choose to continue this blog - I'll pop in and chat if you do! If the blog is too much work though, it's understandable. God Bless you and thanks for all the great recipes you have shared!

Mary said...

I'm a catholic mom with a husband and 3 growing boys who love to eat, and I come here to visit everyday! Your recipes are wonderful but I find myself even more inspired by the stories you share.
If you choose to go know that you and your blog will be dearly missed !
Mary

Sara said...

Awwww, are you feelin' the love, yet? I enjoy your food blog despite our fundamental differences in nutritional beliefs! You do such a lovely job.

Do you ever hang out at PW's Tasty Kitchen? That would be a place where you could "friend" people, post your recipes and get lots of feedback. There are a lot of foodies over there.

Karen McFadden said...

I am so sorry to hear that. I check your blog every day and enjoy reading about what you have made and why you were inspired to make it. I appreciate that it is a lot of work. I hope you keep it up, if you decide not to, please accept my most sincere thanks for the recipes and smiles the stories have provided me.

Meg said...

I totally understand. But please don't delete it.

If you decide to delete it, I would like to say THANK YOU for all the great recipes and for inviting us into your home.

Megan Huber
Enterprise, AL

Anonymous said...

Barbara-add me to the list of guilty takers, but not adding comments! I'm a Catholic mom to 4 kiddos and your blog is my go-to, never fail place to go for recipes
that my family devours. I can't tell you how many people I have sent here to find the corn dog muffin recipe. :) Please keep sharing and I promise to do the same. Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes and for sharing your family with us.

-Kate

Anonymous said...

I have been following your recipes and prayers for awhile now. I will definitely stop and chat!

Unknown said...

You know I "keep in touch" with you through the blog all the time. When I'm looking for a recipe for something specific, I always check to see if you have something. I also have made a lot of the recipes we've shared over dinner together. You have a gift. Don't stop!
Love you,
gina