A couple weeks ago I celebrated my 6 month blogiversary! On November 29, 2013 I published my first post: Quick Amish Cinnamon Bread. If you check out that post, you will see how far I’ve come since then!
I started A Savory Feast for a number of reasons. The main reason is that I love cooking and knew I would really enjoy coming up with creative recipes and sharing them on my blog. I also was trying to figure out “what I want to do with my life.” I knew I would be graduating from college soon and wanted to find something I really enjoyed. Even if this blog never turned into a career, I knew I would learn a lot about starting and running a website, marketing, and networking through my blog.
In celebration of my 6 months of blogging, here are my 6 Favorite Things About Blogging:
#1 My top favorite thing about blogging is the community! I never knew how connected everyone in the blogging world is and how essential that is to be successful. I have a number of bloggers that I would consider my friend. I go to their blogs at least once a day, share their posts with my followers, and collaborate with them to help each other grow.
#2 I have discovered that I am really passionate about blogging and its something that I really enjoy. It never feels like work to me. I hope to be able to turn it into a career, but even if I don’t, I really enjoy it as a hobby.
#3 I get so excited when I hear that people actually try my recipes! Recently, a friend of mine told me he made my Buffalo Chicken Dip when he had some friends over. Sometimes people I don’t even know leave a comment on my blog telling me they successfully tried a recipe.
#4 I love being creative and coming up with new recipes! It’s really fun for me to find inspiration on Pinterest, give it my own twist and see how it turns out. I’m always surprised that I haven’t run out of ideas yet. There’s always something new to try!
#5 Since I started blogging, I have been cooking and baking for my friends and family way more. I love making food for people and seeing their reactions to it. My boyfriend, Andrew, is my number one taste tester and he always gets really excited about what I make. He also collaborates on recipes and ideas for my blog.
#6 I love the marketing side of blogging. I am a business major and always wanted to go into marketing. I market my blog on social media, in link parties and on other websites. I enjoy learning more about it and how to use it more effectively.
By now I’m sure you’re wondering what The Great Computer Catastrophe was! Let me tell you, it was not the way I wanted to celebrate my 6 month blogiversary!
As some of you may know, I am finishing up my last semester with University of Florida’s Online Business Program. The other night I had spent the entire evening studying for my first round of exams. I was watching one of my lectures on my laptop when I bumped my desk…
My glass of water tipped over and spilled into my keyboard. The screen flickered and went black. My little brother, Jason, is my go-to computer and phone expert, so I called him right away. He told me to tip it over and let it dry out.
We let it dry out for 3 days. I honestly was pretty sure it would start up once it dried out. But when I tried to turn it on, nothing happened. I took it to the good people of Geek Squad and they confirmed what I suspected: my loyal Macbook was a goner.
The timing of this incident was the worst! I am taking 3 classes online and trying to blog, too. Fortunately, my other brother, Jon, isn’t taking any classes this summer so I am able to borrow his computer until I get a new one.
Because of this unfortunate event, I had to cut way back on my blogging for a week. I’m excited to get back to it and carry on the momentum I gained in my first six months. This is going to be an exciting month here at A Savory Feast! Stay tuned for some big things…
What are some blogging milestones you have reached? Have you ever had any computer catastrophes like this?
Leslie says
Oh no! That sucks so bad. I always worry when I put drinks by my laptop, phone, tablet { haha you get the idea } only because I know how clumsy I am. Congrats on the 6 months! It’s really fun isn’t it? I love connecting with people too, so fun. Happy Monday!
A Savory Feast says
I am so clumsy too, as you can tell from the story! At least I can get a new computer now!
Jennifer Johnson says
I am approaching my 6 month blogiversary in a few weeks! Congrats it seems 6 months is a milestone to power past. I think some people give up around this point. I am loving every minute of this blogging as well. I hope you get a new computer soon!
A Savory Feast says
Thanks Jennifer! I am looking forward to the next 6 months of blogging.
Elizabeth says
Congratulations on your anniversary!! I just passed my six months so I am right with you!! I am loving blogging and learning a lot. I still have so much to learn, but I agree with you. I love finding a community and practicing more of my cooking and creative skills. It encourages me to be better!! Have a great week!!
A Savory Feast says
Congrats on your 6 months of blogging! I agree, in the first 6 months I learned a lot but I definitely have a lot more to learn.
Megan Kubasch says
Congrats on your Blogiversary! I love it when you stop by the blog and leave comments on my posts. You are my top commenter, by the way. 🙂 Sorry about your Macbook… but now you get a brand new one!!! And that is exciting 🙂
A Savory Feast says
Thanks Megan! I always love visiting your blog.
Teri @ The Freshman Cook says
Congratulations on your blogiversary! I love blogging also! I hope you make a career out of it, if that is what you are looking to do.
A Savory Feast says
Thank you! I’m going to try making a career out of it, so hopefully it will work out!
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home says
Ugh. I knocked water over on a computer once too. What a pain! Hope you’re able to be up and running and again soon with both your classes and your blog. Meanwhile, happy blogiversary! We started in November too and I found I love blogging for all the same reasons you described, especially #1.
A Savory Feast says
I definitely learned my lesson. Thanks for stopping by and happy blogiversary to you too!
Karen @ From the Garden table says
Jenna, Congratulations on your 6 month Blogiversary!!! That totally stinks about your computer. 🙁 I’m a little bit behind you, I hit my 6 month very beginning of August. Here’s to another 6 months, plus many many more!)
Tammy @ creativekkids says
Congratulations on your 6 month blogiversary! You have accomplished so much in these 6 months–you have much to be proud of. I would have cried about the computer! Hope you can get another one that meets your needs soon!
A Savory Feast says
Thank you Tammy! I did cry for a little bit, but I know I’ll be able to get a newer, better one now.
Alexandra McAllister says
Congrats on your 6 month blogiversary! You are doing great! Sorry to hear about your computer. I did the same thing a few years ago but it was an old pc…still, I was upset as I wanted to use it as a backup. Thanks for sharing! I look forward to your upcoming posts.
A Savory Feast says
Thanks for the encouragement!
Meredith@A TIPical Day says
What an emotional roller coaster this post must have been for you to write! LOL Congratulations on 6 months! It is exciting to see how your grow and change in such a short amount of time. Glad you have a computer you can borrow for now! That really stinks that your laptop is dead. Many successful wishes to you for the next 6 months and more! 🙂
A Savory Feast says
Thanks Meredith! I’m really excited to keep learning and making my blog even better.
April says
We started right about the same time!
I had a Toshiba laptop (my first one) I took it to Yellowstone and would download and edit my photos at the end of each day. My 13 year old daughter and I were writing a book on that trip. I would write a chapter and she would write the next chapter and we had to go with whatever the other wrote. Being my first laptop I guess I didn’t see the need to backup important data so long story short it crashed and burned beyond retrieving anything. Sad sad day! (see http://www.notquitewonderwoman.com/definitive-photographs-snapshots-of-memories/ )
I sure have learn a lot since my first laptop and my blog has undergone some nice changes in just 6 months also.
A Savory Feast says
Wow, that is terrible! I am fortunate that I am still going to be able to get my data off of the hard drive.
Heather says
Oh my goodness. I am sorry to hear about your computer. I had a similar thing happen recently and now my battery on my Macbook won’t stay charged (though the computer works while it is plugged in) and three letters won’t type. It’s so annoying. But happy 6 month blogaversary 🙂
A Savory Feast says
That would not be fun! Thanks for stopping by.
Stacy says
Congrats on six months. I am just about three months in myself. I just added you on google+ so I can check out some recipes 🙂
Stacy
A Savory Feast says
Thank you! I’ll make sure to add you back.
Pebbles Jacobo says
Happy Anniversary! Though I’ve been blogging for several years now, it hasn’t been consistent. This summer, with my Principles of Success series changes that. It feels great to be posted regularly. Love your Amish Cinnamon Bread recipe, by the way. 🙂 Congrats on the anniversary and, by all means, keep posting those delicious recipes!
A Savory Feast says
Thank you! I should go check out that series.
Clancy Cash Harrison MS, RD, LDN says
Great job on blogging for 6 months! I love how it makes you more interested in cooking and how you love the interactions of your readers. It is so much fun and it sounds like you have a great test taster!
A Savory Feast says
It has been a lot of fun! Thank you.
Liliana Marsden says
Great blog and congratulations on your six months. I’ve been blogging for over a year but I find difficult to keep to the challenge.
I agree with you that’s the community is great.
I also believe and you have proven it, to blog you need to be passionate about your subject 🙂
I will add this blog to my faves to keep visiting.
RIP loyal Mac. I have a Mac but hardly used as I work with a PC during the day and found it difficult to combine both (ie. right click etc.)
A Savory Feast says
I am using a PC right now and it took me forever to get used to how different it is! I’m definitely going to be getting a Mac for my next computer.
Bonnie G says
So sorry about your computer. That happened to me too this year. =( Congrats on your 6 months.
A Savory Feast says
Thank you!
Amanda says
I feel the same way about blogging! I’m still under the one year mark myself, but if nothing else, I love this community I’ve come to know. There are so many wonderful people in the blogging world!
A Savory Feast says
It’s so true! The community is the best.
Charlee Anne @ Humble in a Heartbeat says
You poor thing! Finals would have to be the worst possible time to lose your computer! I’m glad your brother’s computer could pull through.
I will have to check out your recipes! I love cooking, as well, but I am not always brave enough to try new things, unless I have a basic recipe. Happy 6 month Blogiversary!
A Savory Feast says
Thank you! It definitely was terrible timing but it will all work out eventually.
Rachel says
Happy Blogversary! I just had to get my computer repaired…what a pain!
A Savory Feast says
It’s so stressful when you use it for so much! Definitely not fun. Thanks for stopping by!
Michelle @ Moms Are Frugal says
I am glad to know that now I should not keep drinks close to my computer. The thought that it may ruin it never occurred to me. Thanks for linking to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party.
A Savory Feast says
I had done it for years and never thought about it. I’m much more careful now and am planning to get a case for my new laptop.