Wednesday, August 15, 2012

3 Year Blogiversary (My Favorite Year So Far)


Way back on June 16th was my 3 year blogiversary.  It slipped right by without any fanfare, but I really wanted to celebrate this past year.  I never imagined Cooker Girl would be anything more than a place to document recipes, but it's become so much more for me!  I wanted to point out a few things that have happened because of this blog (directly or indirectly).


I bought my domain name!  cookergirl.com was taken so I chose sarahberridge.com

I created a Facebook fan page.  C'mon "like" me!

I've met a lot of really great people through blogging and Twitter.  I've even made some new friends that I see pretty regularly.


Cleveland Magazine chose my blog to be part of the 32 Most Entertaining Blogs.  All the blogs went through a March Madness-style voting brackets.  I got into the Top 8 and ended up being #2 in the Food and Drink category!  Thanks again for your votes!


I won a Hunger Games recipe contest with my Roast Chicken with Root Vegetables recipe (aka Roast Groosling).  My prize was a cookbook (Lidia's Italy in America), but because the Plain Dealer was delayed in sending the prize, they threw in an extra cookbook. I love Lidia Bastianich!  She's in my top 3 favorite celebrity chefs along with Julia Child and Jacques Pepin.  (By the way, Jacques is coming to Cleveland for the Fabulous Food Show in November!)


I've been busy guest posting for some lovely ladies!  My Sugar Cookie Bars were on My Retro Kitchen, I did a restaurant review and shared my favorite shop for wine tasting on Eat Drink Cleveland and taught the readers of Peace Love Bagels how to DIY Microwave Popcorn.


Earlier this year I started baking for a cause, for two causes actually.  Two of my siblings were cycling in the Tour de Cure for Diabetes and I volunteered baked goods in exchange for donations.  The other recipients of baked goods have been US military troops through Operation Baking Gals.

Dump Truck Dirt Cake: Chocolate Cake, Oreo Filling, Vanilla
Buttercream with Oreo garnish around the sides and top

Last, but certainly not least!  I started baking for people outside of the family. Thanks to some nudging from friends, I've turned my passion into a little side business. I'm currently working on a "menu" to put on the site.  Let me know if you need any bakery!

Salted Caramels and Chocolate Cake Balls
I had stickers made so I can put them on my bakery boxes, etc.

Totally unrelated to the blog, but still something significant was a trip to Europe last fall.  Kevin and I spent three weeks in France and Italy.  It was completely amazing, a trip of a lifetime!

Siena, Italy (Tuscany)
A few random facts before I let you go:
 - Cooker Girl's third year had more posts than the two previous years combined!
 - This is my 100th post!
 - Today would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday.


So there you have it, it's been quite a year!  Thank you so much for reading!


16 comments:

  1. Congrats!!! I'm so happy for you and that pic of you and Kevin is darling. Here's to 3 more years of Cooker Girl!

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  2. Happy blogiversary! Isn't it amazing all the cool things blogging brings into your life? Can't wait to see what the next year brings for you!

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  3. Congrats on both the 3 years as well as all the accomplishments you have had along the way.

    Very impressive and I look forward to seeing/tasting your menu-in-progress!

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  4. Congrats! That's quite a milestone and a very busy year!

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  5. What a wonderful year you had! And I love the fun facts at the end...
    p.s. I'm still getting compliments about my birthday cake that you made!!

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  6. Congratulations! What a fun blog!

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS! You've had an impressive year and I think it's very inspiring especially for other bloggers that share their cooking and baking adventures that you are taking the next step with your baking. I can't wait to get my Cooker Girl creation!

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  8. I am so proud of you! This is the BEST post! I can't wait to see what you have up your sleeve for the future. My favorite thing about blogging is making new wonderful friends like you and Kevin - love you!!!

    And this made me realize I missed my blogiversary --- oops!

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  9. It's been a pleasure reading your blog and seeing you in person!

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  10. Well deserved praise indeed. Enjoy your blogiversary, you've earned it. And reading about your blog's success has made me that much more determined to keep at it! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  11. I already told you in person, but congrats again. It's been wonderful getting to know you and also to read your blog. Here's to many more years.

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  12. CONGRATULATIONS! It is not easy to post regularly and with such positivity. I'm loving your blog and it was nice to finally meet you at the theater. Hope to see you soon- happy blogiversary! :)

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  13. CONGRATS GIRL! Sorry it took me so long to comment. I love this post and you!

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