Saturday, July 13, 2013

To Blog or Not To Blog....

On my last post, I shared a quote from Norman Vincent Peale, "Change your thoughts, change your world." That one sentence has stayed with me ever since I first heard it years ago, and it rings so true. There is definite power in positive thinking, and I have always been a "glass half-full" optimist (sometimes not to my benefit!).  Lately, though, regarding this blog, it seems time for either an attitude adjustment or a reality check. Not sure which is in order... I have been questioning all the energy and time I put into this massive project, trying to decide if all the hours and effort, for the past four years, are worth it. Measures of its success indicate that this blog has a very small niche of devoted followers, but for it to become more than what it is now would require time that I just don't have and honestly choose not to invest. What IS my motivation? Do I just want to be a stand-out blogger among other food bloggers? Is it a competition? Do I even want to compete? I do best when callenging myself as an individual, toward greater personal accomplishments and self-satisfaction for a job well done. I do not do so well when comparing what I do to what others do. It's like apples and oranges, to me, since I feel that we who blog are all individuals working toward a personal goal. Still, I sense that dog-eat-hot dog competitive spirit out in the food blogging world. For me to take this blog to the next level, I'd have to STOP for a while and reevaluate, revamp, and roll out a revised rendition of what this blog is now.  The original motivation was for this to be the foundation for a cook book. I'm very seriously thinking about doing that. The time may just be right.

In the meantime, here a few photos of what inspires me to share my baking world with you.  It's not about me. It's about the people who trust me to contribute to their most meaningful days of celebration, joy, and even remembrance. Sometimes, when I wonder if what I do is worth it, I realize that my cakes are invited to the party to convey messages of birthday joy, of welcoming a baby, of celebrating many years of marriage, of graduations and new homes, and even long lives, well-lived. And most significantly, of celebrating my own children's marriages. There's nothing I can give that means more, from my heart.  I'm not a business.  I don't take orders. I get requests and say no many times more than I say yes. I bake only for those I am close to, for those for whom I am willing to give up my nights and weekends, since I work full-time in an entirely different profession. My cakes play a role, an honored and significant one, to those who mean the world to me, and if nothing else, that is worth it.

So...

Here are photos of some of the happy energy in my kitchen this week!:

Brothers at the sink - something "Rockwellian" about them!

An amazing milestone!

Celebration for a beautiful girl!

Cookies for a memorial service for a lovely lady.
I had just recently baked her favorite cake in celebration of her 95th birthday.

Now, when I wonder if what I do makes a difference, or matters in any real way, I just have to remember that moment when the cake box is opened, when a look of complete delight comes over the face of the recipient, when someone trusts me to add something special to a special day.  I can say that is definitely worth it.

12 comments:

  1. You do what gives you joy, satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment. Look at all you have accomplished and the positive feedback you receive. You have achieved a level (perhaps not in the blogosphere) but in your world of friends and family that others admire and respect. “Write on!”

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    1. Judy, you humble me, seriously. Thank you my friend!

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  2. Do what is best for you Jeanne! Take a break to refresh,great writers do this all the time! Baking and writing will always be Jeanne! aka JOF,Adirondack Baker and a good friend! CKJ

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  3. Jeanne, post as the opportunity and inspiration provides. I have been asking myself the same questions. I also have a handful of dedicated followers and when I don't post for a few days I feel like I am letting someone down. I have to go back to why I began blogging in the first place. It was to have a venue to share those glass half full thoughts with others. Now is not a good time to make a decision about something you obviously love. It's summer and life is running at full speed outside. Give yourself a break and simply back up a few steps. By Traver's Day you may be ready for another furlong. I vote, BLOG ON!

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    1. Thanks you for the kind advice. I like the "back up a few steps..." and am ready to give myself permission to take a breath and renew my energy. Great comment - thanks again!

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  4. For what it's worth, I've been following your blog on my RSS reader for quite some time now. I enjoy reading about food, but that is not why I subscribed to your blog nor why I continue reading. I went to Skidmore and have a great memories of Saratoga. I like to feel connected to Saratoga and I love when you mention what's going on around the school and town. I think food is great lens for keeping in touch with that community. There are zillions of food blogs out there all with lovely, yummy looking recipes, but I've followed you because of that connection to a community - similar to what you said about why and who you bake for. I wouldn't take my nights and weekends to check in with any old food blog, just like you wouldn't take yours to bake for just anybody. I don't know if this will end up being the right path for your blog or not, but for my two cents, I would love to see it more deeply rooted in Saratoga Springs life. Best of luck!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment, and I am very grateful that you follow this blog. I love adding posts about my experiences in and around Saratoga, so you can expect to see more of that. I love the feedback and really appreciate it, especially that you're willing to give me some of your nights and weekends! Thank you! :)

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  5. Jeannie,
    I don't quite understand how you are able to fit everything that you do into a single day. It makes me wonder at times if the days in Middle Grove are somehow longer than the 24 hours we get in Wilton! In my heart, I know that you do it all because you cherish it all. The families, friends, weddings, babies, birthdays and beyond...if it is important to 'us', then it becomes important to you. You have been baking cakes for me, my kids and even their unborn babies for over 30 years and we have been friends for closer to 40! Thank you, for all of the love you have shared and showered me with over that period of time. Thanks even more, for continuing to share yourself and your gifts via the Adirondack Baker. I love it...every single entry, but if you need to step away from it, then do it. Follow your joy, wherever it may lead you and know that I'm always in your corner.
    Love you,
    Di

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    1. Thanks, Di. You always hit the nail on the head. xox

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  6. Jeannie, I have very much enjoyed your blog and would definitely enjoy a cookbook! I love reading about the food and life in the Saratoga area and I hope that your cookbook reads like your blog. I just want you to know that I will miss your blog if you choose to end it but best of luck to you in your future endeavors! Debbie

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