Wow, we are almost at the beginning of a brand new decade with 2020.
When I look back over the years, it’s hard to believe that I’ve been writing this blog for more than a decade now.
A lot has changed in that decade around here.
My blogging has undergone a few changes as I continue to juggle and balance life and creativity.
Oh, and both my kiddos are now in college.
I snapped this photo of them while they were home over the Thanksgiving break.
Anyway, heading into this new decade has me also reflecting more on blogging in general.
When I first started this blog back in 2007, there were not the gazillion blogs that there are today. At that time, I primarily shared crafts and handmade projects.
Over the years, I’ve expanded the creativity around here to include a multitude of projects including home decorating, sewing, small scale gardening, thrifting and food photography.
Like many people, my creative interests don’t always stay in one place, rather they move in waves. I truly believe there’s no such thing as too many hobbies.
One of the things I love most about blogging is that I can share whatever creative spark hits me whenever I want… and on my own time table and duration.
The choice is mine and I’ve been lucky to have so many readers (many who have become good friends) who still enjoy my creative efforts after all these years.
For much of last year, my creative attention was primarily focused on fine-tuning my food styling skills and photography, which is why pretty posts on eats and sweets are so heavily on display around here. I’ve been happy with how my photography has grown and that has also opened the door for some great commercial opportunities in the process.
In this new year, I expect my blogging to continue to evolve as I tweak my content and share new projects and hobbies as they pique my interest.
Of course, I’ll approach my creative efforts with the same enthusiasm, attention to detail and goal of delighting, inspiring and jump-starting your creativity too.
I hope the new year brings grand things your way as well.
Meanwhile, here’s a quick look (and links) at some delicious posts from last year in my annual year in review.
Raspberry-Topped Chocolate Brownies
I don’t want to end this post without letting you know how I’m grateful for readers like you, whether you are new to my blog or whether you’ve been here since the beginning.
I appreciate you. Every one of you.
Here’s hoping you had a wonderful holiday season and all the best for an equally fantastic (and creative) New Year and 2020.
Thanks for popping by.
See you back here next time. ♥
Love the picture of your kids! What great smiles. The very best to you and your family in 2020 and looking forward to feeling inspired by your posts!!
Thanks Nancy.
I can’t believe how fast they’ve grown up-lol.
All the best to you too in the new year.
What a beautiful picture of your children! They look an awful lot like you!
Your photography is beyond gorgeous. The way you compose your pictures especially the ones with the dark backgrounds just speaks to me. While I enjoy the recipes and written content, I find myself looking at your pictures over and over. You have a gift.
Aww, thanks so much Louise.
I’m so glad you’re inspired by my work.
I’m a visual person so, I know exactly what you mean.
When I visit other blogs, I generally scroll through all the photos first before reading anything-lol.
I hope you have a wonderful new year too.
Love your blog, and thanks for the photo of your lovely daughter and handsome son. Looks like the perfect Christmas card! Look forward to your blog posts in the new year.
Thanks, Brenda.
I snapped that photo of the kids over the Thanksgiving break and I was able to turn it into a Christmas card in time.
Happy holidays and new year to you.
What a fantastic image of your beautiful kids! I hope you’re framing it 🙂 Love your blog and am looking forward to seeing what you post in 2020. Health, happiness & blessings to all in the coming year!
I appreciate that, Karen.
I did turn the photo into Christmas cards this year.
So glad you enjoy the content around here.
I’m planning on kicking things up a notch in the new year too.
Happy new year to you.
Awwww!! I love that photo. It is so hard to believe your adorable kiddos are in college. And you and your blog just keep getting better and better. Looking forward to 2020 and more time to grow. Wishing you a very Happy New Year. Sending love and hugs!! Marisa
Thanks so much for your friendship and support all these years, Marisa.
There are so many things on my list to share. I’m still trying to figure out how to get it all in-lol.
I’m looking forward to continuing to keeping each other posted on mutual interests, IG images and especially photography resources in the new year.
Have a wonderful 2020.
xoxo
Happy New Year to you Lisa!
I look forward to the beautiful images, scrumptious recipes and all of the other goodies you share with us. Love the photo of your kids. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and inspiring 2020.
Candace
Thanks so much for that, Candace.
So glad you’re enjoying all the recipes and other yummy things around here.
I wish you and your family a wonderful new year too.
xoxo
Lisa, I always enjoy your posts and your photography is stunning! Love the picture of your kiddos! Have a fabulous 2020!
Happy New Year to you too, Penny.
Thanks so much for you good wishes and kind words.
Happy New Year to you and your family! Thank you for sharing the photo of your children, it is picture-perfect for the season. Your posts are always inspiring and I admire your creativity and I’m looking forward to more in the new year.
Thanks so much Sandra.
You’re so sweet and I appreciate your support and visits to my blog.
Happy new year to you too.
Thanks, Lisa, for all the inspiration. I had fun decorating my mini loaves of chocolate-marble banana bread with ribbons and tags this Christmas. Everybody loved them, too cute to eat. But the nice gift of giving gifts like this is that the receiver can then give them as gifts, regifting, if need be. Busy times. Thanks for all you have done and look forward to a new decade of creativity! Best to you and your family!
Thanks, Marie.
Your mini loaves sounds delicious.
That chocolate marbeling sounds wonderful.
Thanks for your kind words about my creative efforts.
I appreciate that.
Happy New year.
Happy New Year Lisa! Your photos ARE beautiful, very professional……I’d love to see more of your home decorating and thrifting! I remember when your daughter was leaving for Duke! And now your son so grown up!
Thanks, Constance.
I appreciate you letting me know what you’d like to see more of around here.
I’ll take your advice on that and include more decorating and thrifting in the new year.
Can you believe my daughter is a Junior already?
Time flies, right?
Happy new year.
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year. I love all your posts and am very impressed with your photography skills. Maybe classes in the future? I know you must be proud of your beautiful children (rather young adults) who radiate happiness with those million dollar smiles.
Katheleen, I’m wishing you all good things in the new year too.
I appreciate that you took the time to pop in with some kind words about my kids and my creativity.
We’ll see what the future holds. I certainly hope to ramp things up a bit around here with new projects, ideas and tutorials.
Thanks again and happy new year.
Happy new year to you too, Kathleen.
Thanks so much for your kind words about my family and my photography efforts.
I appreciate that.
I hope this week marks the beginning of a wonderful new decade for you too
xoxo
Oh my goodness Lisa – I ADORE that photo!! Hard to believe how big your kiddos are now – they’ve grown up so quick!! And that truck is my dream red truck!!! Congratulations on an incredible decade – here’s to many, many more!!! xoxoxo, Jennifer
Oh, thanks so much Jennifer.
Yes, my kids have really grown up quickly.
I blinked and there they were.
I know it’s flying by for your sweet daughter too.
All the best for a wonderful, happy and prosperous new year to you too.
Maybe we’ll have time to meetup for lunch in the new year.
xoxo
Congratulations, on a Marvelous decade you have had. I remember contacting you about a decade ago- wanting to start a blog. I love your creativity and the children (they were just small fry’s) still adorable. Lisa, thank you for the beautiful things you share.
Oh, thanks for sticking with me for all these years, Lisa.
Did you ever start a blog?
Yes indeed, my small fries are now big fries-lol.
Happy new year to you.
Beautiful picture!! Love your blog.
I appreciate that, Mary.
Thanks so much and happy new year to you.
Lisa…you certainly had a most magnificent year of beautiful recipes all photographed beyond magnificent.I so love the photo of Cameron and Jordy…you always find the most creative ways to do things! Thank you for all the joy you bring to us and I wish you the best in the New Year and decade!!!!
Happy New Year Lisa. You have a beautiful family. Your blog is very inspiring, also I started a blog a year ago published a couple of posts and haven’t posted for a year! Hopefully starting an editorial calendar soon and trying to be more consistent. I attended a webinair recently by Eva Kosmas and she mentioned you as one of her past students. Will you recommend her online courses? Which other courses did you take? I love Eva’s style.
Hi Cristina, blogging is definitely a commitment.
When I first started, I blogged a new post every week and that got to be too much.
You definitely have to pace yourself and find a schedule that works.
Even after all these years, it’s still tough to figure that schedule out. Life gets in the way, if you know what I mean.
I took Eva’s Photography-Styling-Branding workshop a few years ago and more recently took her Video Course. I really enjoyed both, especially the video course because I really want to incorporate more video into my social media posts.
Happy new year to you, Cristina!
xoxo