Kalyn’s Kitchen Celebrates a Birthday with Four Questions for Readers
It sounds like a cliche, but when I wrote the first post on Kalyn’s Kitchen four years ago, I never imagined how much this blog would change my life. I was just a fourth grade teacher who liked to cook, and I’d never thought about photographing my food or writing about it on the internet. Now I’ve got shelves full of “blog dishes,” a collection of notebooks filled with recipe notes, and I’m about to trade a 30 year teaching career for the job title of food blogger. I feel constantly thankful for all the good things blogging has brought into my life, not the least of which is connections I’ve formed with other bloggers and readers from all over the world.
As my nephew Ethan once said to his mom when they arrived home from the store with his birthday party decorations, “Let’s get this party started.” For my birthday, I’d like to take the day off and let those who are reading talk about themselves for a change. If you feel like playing along, here are some questions to talk about in the comments:
- What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?
- How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?
- If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?
- What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?
Thanks to everyone who’s been reading, commenting, or providing moral support these last four years. In the moral support department, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my brother Rand and his partner Bradley who are the design and technological brains behind Kalyn’s Kitchen. I’m also grateful for the many blogging friends who inspire, motivate, and nurture me daily as I write this ongoing chronicle of what’s on the menu in Kalyn’s Kitchen.
More Blog Birthdays:
Kalyn’s Kitchen Turns One
Kalyn’s Kitchen Turns Two
Kalyn’s Kitchen Turns Three
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79 Comments on “Kalyn’s Kitchen Celebrates a Birthday with Four Questions for Readers”
After celebrating my first blog birthday a few months ago, the most precious gift I could think of in the world of blogging is TIME. Wishing you many, many more delightful days, but also many mornings without worrying about the alarm going off and charging off to work. The few mornings I’ve had like that are magical – and that’s my wish for you! Happy Blog Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Kalyn!!!
Four years is impressive! I have enjoyed your blog for the last year – give or take. And, I still keep coming back for more.
Thank you for everything you have shared with us!!
Cheers,
~ Paula
I just wanted to say THANK YOU! I found your blog today and it is amazing. My fiance and I are on day 3 of phase one and I was in need of some creative recipes. My fiance can’t eat shellfish and doesn’t like salmon so the recipes in the book are somewhat limited. Your blog is such a find! I will definitely be back.
Happy Birthday!
Let’s see:
1. What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?
I added a set of twins to the family.
2. How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?
I googled your name and this blog came up. I’ve been reading since and I believe that was 3 1/2 years ago.
3. If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?
Chicken Paprikash with homemade dumplings.
4. What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?
Anything you want!
1. What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?
This one’s easy for me, because my daughter’s 4th birthday is in two days. In 4 years, I’ve gone from a worried, over worked, pregnant graduate student to a happy, healthy stay at home mom of two crazy kids. Oh, and I lost 100 pounds since then, thanks to South Beach and exercise!
2. How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?
I found the blog through Google, while I was looking for new South Beach recipes. I’ve been reading for almost a year now and try nearly every recipe, especially the ones for chicken or the great Costco port chops.
3. If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?
Something with bleu cheese.
4. What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?
Anything you’ve always wanted to do, but couldn’t find the time. Write a book, knit a sweater, plant a garden, travel with friends, take a class in something about which you’ve always been curious.
Happy Blog Birthday!
This is my first comment, but I just want to thank you for starting this food blog! I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and so South Beach was recommended to me by my doc, and although I’ve tried the diet before, I’ve never been able to suceed. I found this website and now a month later, 10 lbs, and lots of yummy recipes under my belt, I feel like I have a handle on my PCOS and am on my way. I would never have been able to plan my meals ahead and suceed without the help of your blog. Thanks so much!!!
Happy blog birthday! Yours was one of the first blogs I discovered, because you were kind enough to leave one of the first non-family non-friend comments on my blog. I’ve been a loyal reader ever since, and have watched your blog get better and better each year. You’ve set the bar high.
1. Life is completely different in some ways: I live year-round in a log house in the woods (quite a change for a city girl); I’m a blogger; I founded a small nonprofit organization; I’m trying to learn to love cauliflower; my hair is more grey than brown now.
2. I found your blog because you found me. I’m forever grateful.
3. If it were my birthday, I’d want a Chinese banquet — in China.
4. When you retire, I hope you’ll relax with morning coffee, read all the books you want to read, go to movies and dinner with friends, and travel to your heart’s content. Most important, though, is to have fun: you’ve earned it.
Happy Bloggy Birthday! What a fun way to celebrate… here are my answers:
1. What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?
I moved from Atlanta to my hometown in Central NY–so big, big changes!
2. How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?
I found KK thru other blog links; have been reading on-and-off for about 3 years now.
3. If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?
Dinner @ Japanese Hibachi Restaurant with my husband. Whatever they cook is fine with me!
4. What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?
Write a cookbook!
1. I’m married! Just celebrated my first year anniversary. Four years ago I was single and had not me my husband yet.
2. Just a few weeks ago. I need to lose some weight for many reasons. My mom lost over 30 pounds a couple of years ago on SB, and I decided to try it too. I found this site, and it has been so helpful making it through Phase I (just a few days to go).
3. Birthday is a day to have a little “cheat.” I would have some banana creme brulee.
4. Keep blogging, travel, enjoy the day outside (during the day).
Happy birthday and thank you for your wonderful blog!
Warmest congratulations Kalyn. Happy 4th!
1. What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?
Funny enough, April through around August 2005 was the worst time in my life for many reasons, so I think the biggest difference would be that I’m happy!
2. How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?
I found you officially last July when I made your mustard mint parsley sauce for my broiled salmon, but I had seen your link on many a blogroll in months preceding that.
3. If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?
Lots and lots of various Thai dishes and a huge platter of sushi
4. What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?
I agree with some of the other comments here – publish a cookbook! I also liked the “not set an alarm clock anymore” suggestion. Have a grand time. 🙂
Congratulations on four wonderful years, Kalyn!
1. My life is so dramatically different than it was four years ago, so it’s hard to name one way it’s changed … but I guess one big change was shifting my career goals. Four years ago, I was deeply entrenched in being a newspaper journalist. Today, although I still write for newspapers, much of my work involves writing content for online. And my goal has changed from being the top editor of a newspaper to being a successful writer with work in all forms (magazines, books, online, etc).
2. I’ve been reading for about three and a half years. I am not entirely sure how I found Kalyn’s Kitchen, but I was instantly smitten with your blog and have visited often since, though I don’t comment as often as I should.
3. Sushi! Sushi! Sushi!
4. Kalyn should be sure to come back to the east coast and have a very fun girl’s lunch date with Cate @ Sweetnicks, Maris @ In Good Taste, Lydia @ The Perfect Pantry, Nika @ Nika’s Culinaria and me!
Happy Blog Birthday!
1. I’m blogging from New Mexico instead of Cape Cod.
2. I’ve been reading your blog since October 2005 when I discovered food blogging. You have been an inspiration to me ever since.
3. Enchiladas and margaritas.
4. Meet me in Venice, CA for enchiladas and margaritas, of course!
xox
Happy Blog-iversary, Kalyn!
Happy Birthday to Kalyn’s Kitchen! Kalyn- I continue to enjoy your friendly voice and the fresh ingredients and recipes you share here.”Kalyn’s Kitchen” has such a neat layout and informative links- here’s wishing you many happy years of food and blogging and great new opportunities.
1. What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?I now have a much better idea of what I want to do with my life. I took a chance and went back to school for a different track and I am honestly so happy about it.
2. How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?Gosh- I just can’t remember- it has been so long! I do know that it was one of the first blogs I started reading regularly.
3. If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?I’d love a big brunch. And today is almost my birthday…I turn 30 in 2 days 🙂
4. What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?I can’t decide between 2 suggestions so I will share them both: (a)Go spend weekends in different places and write about the local eats…meet up with local food bloggers in these places too, (b) Volunteer to teach cooking classes to get others in the community to love home-cooked food.
Happy, happy blogiversary Kalyn! You’re an inspiration, I hope my little blog is still plodding along a few years from now!
1. I moved from Los Angeles to a small city in Oregon, I worked in pharmaceuticals and now I’m a social worker, and I’m married!!
2. I can’t remember how I first came across your blog, but it was definitely one of the first I ever subscribed to.
3. Mmm… sushi.
4. I love everyone else’s ideas: travel, write a cookbook, and keep blogging!
Happy Anniversary!
Let's see:
#1 I found out I had high BP & cholesterol for the first time. But now, I have both under control, in many ways due to your blog.
#2 a chance conversation with a customer led me to check out your blog for South Beach recipes. My Doc had suggested the diet and I was floundering. Now I eat right, eat wonderful food, tasty & interesting food without a lot of wierd ingredients (OK–I've added Agave, white WW flour, Spike etc to my pantry!).
#3 I'd like to have lobster, green salad with oranges & avocado, broccoli & cauliflower and the perfect scoop of VERY vanilla ice cream.
#retirement? I just saw an ad on TV that talked about sunrises…I think you should enjoy more sunrises and sunsets..this would be bliss for my life!
1. Writing a food blog from abroad. 🙂
2. Through BlogHer, I think, just over a year ago
3. Fresh cool soba, Wagyu beef, sushi, plum sorbet or (to step out of the Japanese thread) creme brulee
4. Continue blogging…maybe from some nice tropical or Mediterranean spot.
Happy 4th, Kalyn!
1. What’s one way your life is different than it was four years ago?
Four years ago my youngest was leaving the nest. Since then I have found myself more and enjoy the peace and tranquility of living alone.
2. How did you find the blog and how long have you been reading?
I found the blog when I joined Twitter. I had found foodaphillia and you were listed on their site.
3. If today was your birthday, what would you want on the menu?
Most likely surf and turf and a good greek salad.
4. What should Kalyn be sure to do once she’s retired?
Enjoy enjoy enjoy!!! Lucky you!!
1. I’m retired and have much more time for cooking. Yeah!
2.Several years ago I went on the South Beach Diet and was looking for recipes so probably found your blog through one of my searches.
3. I’d eat anything as long as my husband and two children (living in another state) were there to eat it with me. Though cassoulet has been on my mind lately…
4. Go for walks in the SLC area. Lots of lovely places to go.
This is even more fun than I had hoped it would be. It sounds like there are lots of people whose lives change a lot in four years. I love noticing that there are quite a few comments here from people I’ve met in person, wonderful friends I would have never known if it wasn’t for blogging. Also there are a some of you I’ll definitely meet someday (Ilva, you know that you’re one of those!)
As for what I’ll do when I’m retired, traveling is big on the list. I’m hoping to go all over the U.S. and the world, meeting some of the amazing people I know online and sharing a meal in their kitchens, limited only by my traveling budget, we’ll see how that goes. I haven’t given any serious thought to writing a cookbook, but thanks for the votes of confidence! Of course I might consider the right offer, but truthfully I like the immediacy of blogging quite a bit. I do have some plans for changes to the blog, and maybe a sister blog that complements this one.
Hugs to you all. I’m planning to stick around for quite a while!