It’s an odd thing, this blogging caper. When I started this one almost three years ago, I thought I wanted to be a food writer maybe, and it would be good to have an online portfolio of my writing that potential employers could review. Then maybe I might get a newspaper column or some magazine writing somewhere. I didn’t know. Something traditional, anyway.
People from work read it, printed out the recipes, said lovely things about it from time to time. Two of my greatest friends were incredibly encouraging as we emailed each other between filing stories, chasing up photographers, interviewing, making endless cups of tea and talking about maybe having babies one day. I liked working in newspapers, enjoyed being an editor, but it was not news I was born for. My friends thought I could do great things with a blog. I didn’t know what I thought other than I must have been the only one in Australia wanky enough to have a blog… how wrong I was. That’s the good version of wanky, by the way.
When it became apparent that I was not going to have my door beaten down by anybody in traditional media wanting my wit in their pages, I kept on blogging. I felt a little self-conscious but was getting such lovely feedback I felt I sort of owed it to the people who were interested to keep going. I blogged on and off that first year, alternating between loving it silly and thinking it was the most useless piece of drivel clogging up the internet. I got to a point where I thought I’d done all I could with it and could walk away and never think of it ever again. And I really think I could have back then. I wouldn’t have missed it. But a woman wiser than myself advised me not to and to plug through until I didn’t feel that way any more. And I’m really glad I did, because (ugh, syrupy sugar alert, avert your eyes) it has enriched my life in so many ways.
It is you, the reader, who have turned this blog from a half-hearted attempt at writing on the internet into a little community of its own. I have made friends here. I have found things I’ve fallen in love with, I have been thoroughly entertained, and I have learned so, so much. It predates both my babies, which blows my mind. The genuine love and care they and I have been shown is incredible and humbling. Sure I blog and I give of myself, but I get so much more in return.
Some of you take time out of your day to read. Some of you comment. Some of you pop up on my Facebook page, some on Twitter, some on Instagram. You’re always respectful, you’re always nice, you put up with my dodgy humour and you don’t mind if sometimes my photos are really, really shit. And some of you have taken the step to not just dip in and out of the site, but to sign up as subscribers so I’m in your inbox nearly every day. That is a hell of a commitment and I want to tell you all I’m grateful. I recently contacted some email subscribers I had chosen at random so I could send them a little gift pack of tea for being so awesome. You’re all awesome, the ones that come just for the recipes, the ones that stick around and chat, the ones who email, the ones who link to me in their posts, anyone who’s ever typed in my URL address, anyone who’s come here accidentally but stayed anyway. YOU are the reason I stopped writing in my little locked diary and write here instead. YOU are the ones who like what I do, and if you don’t, you have the respect and kindness to keep it to yourself and maybe try again another day. YOU are why I stay up probably longer than I should after the babies have gone to bed because I can’t bear the thought of you visiting and having nothing new to read. YOU are fun as hell and I like you all a lot.
So, thanks. I hope you’ll stick around.
I’m only a recent convert (I found you via your sausage roll recipe – which I trot out at every opportunity (who doesn’t love a good roll!)) but I love reading your dodgy humour and marveling at your shit photos. In the immortal words of the philosopher Hammer you’re “too legit to quit”.
BEST COMMENT EVER.
Thank you for being awesome!
Takes one to know one!
I’ll definitely stick around! 🙂
I will be glad to have you xx
Thank you Stacey. I love your way with words and you’ve inspired me to include a bit more of my myself in my blog, even though its only about scrapbooking. I’m not even sure what it was that lead to me finding your blog (probably a yummy recipe) but I know it was your likeable personality that made me stay.
Well now, how lovely! I just said the same thing recently to someone else. At first I wasn’t sure if posts about me were very interesting to readers, but the feedback has told me otherwise. Go forth and blog your heart’s delight!
Hi Veggie Mama, what a lovely thank you note!
As you know I’m a relative new comer to your blog but quickly I have become grateful to have found it (recommends via Edenland).
Aussie Bloggers such as yourself are multi-faceted figures in my life: educational, informative, entertaining & inspiring.
I come to find a recipe & leave with so much more.
Thanks for sharing & Blog On! xx
YOU are awesome! I think about your advice every day. And as long as I’m entertaining, I’ll stay on!
PS how good is Eden… love that gal.
xxxx
YOU ARE BIASED XX
I don’t subscribe to any bloggers but I do check in here most days. And if I’ve missed a post, I always read that one as well. Happy nearly 3rd birthday beautiful blog.
Ha that’s awesome! I do the same thing. Although I just subscribed to a bunch of blogs because I couldn’t remember to get to everyone every day. Now they come to me!
Love your blog and site and love the array of topics you cover. I love that you are a dork. Like the other lady Katie wrote. I come to read one thing, and leave with so much more.
I love that my readers are just the same 🙂
You are a darling that is why I stick around,though I am only new to your blog,I have followed you on Instagram for quite a while,It is a pleasure reading your blog and your recipes are amazing and your adorable little girls ,so sweet ,thank You VeggieMama for writing your blog and sharing your life with Us,You are a lovely person inside and out x
How very kind of you to say! I love instagram so much. I always wonder if instagram followers will like the blog, so it’s lovely to hear that they do. Thank you 🙂
No need for the thanks Stacey because you add to my daily online life in such a lovely way. I’m glad I found you xx
You my darling are a wonderful reader! Always something kind to say x
Long may your blog continue to nurture and delight!
I’ll drink to that! No, really… I will!
Love this! x
Dude, I think you’re awesome.
I’m so, so glad you never ever ever stopped xx
I’m so so glad I actually listened to you!
Yay! You’re back up! Beautiful post, I can honestly say it was your blog that made me finally be more adventurous with vegetarian cooking. I wasn’t one of those vego’s that only ate pasta and hot chips, but I really wasn’t that far off it. Because of your cool approach (and admission to not loving Tofu as well) I have you to thank for getting into the kitchen and trying new things! I actually cooked Tofu 2 nights ago and loved it! So, thank YOU! xx
Ha I had it tonight! And it was good! I knew a “vegetarian” that only ate lettuce and donuts, so you were probably doing pretty well compared to that!
Wow. Beautiful message. Thank you!
Just want y’all to know I love ya!
And your heart, your kindness, your true beauty is why I for one adore you xxx
I feel the same way about you! Except you’re way nicer than I am xx
This is awesome. Love your words. Creating a {little} community was the biggest surprise to me when I started blogging, and the best also xx
Isn’t it just fabulous? I had no idea what I was in for. Best reward ever.
Lovely words, its incredible the world that opens up when you delve into blogging. Its a pretty fabulous place to be! And thank you for your dedication to your blog, and sharing your world – x
Isn’t it great?! Definitely a nice surprise, the blogosphere is an awesome place to be 🙂
Your blog was one of the first few I started reading, your bubbly personality and awesome humour shines through this little space of yours. I love coming back, I also love stalking you on fb, twitter and IG.
Thanks for sharing yourself with us Sassy Mama, you’re a sweetheart.
Feeling is mututal, apple cake x
OR *MUTUAL EVEN!
Thank you Stacey. I’ve been blogging less than a year – I started it for my business and have been struggling with feeling like what I have to say couldn’t possibly be that interesting…you remind me that it’s more than that. And to be silly…all kinds of silly…and not take it so seriously. Your blog is one that i never miss. Thank you!!
Dude! I was just thinking of you today! I never ended up doing another gardening post, did you still want me to ask around?
And yes – NEVER be afraid to be a bit silly, especially if that’s who you really are. There’s room for serious stuff in between the fun stuff 🙂
You mean there is a subscription button? I’m in! Love your blog…love, love, love it.
there is! It’s over at the side and says DO IT! haha. And thanks xx
<3