Looking Back at 2007

Wow, its been an amazing year! I started this blog about year ago. I don’t know the exact date; even though the first post is dated Jan 1st, I am sure I cheated a bit and fibbed the date. If I remember correctly, I woke up way too hung over on Jan 1st to even go near a computer. But now on I am going to pretend like Jan 1st is my real blog birthday.

When I started a blog last year, I had no idea where I was going with it. I wouldn’t call my life boring, it is far from it, but I couldn’t base a public blog on my everyday life. There are too many girls who write about the drama of their single life, but I believe there is much more drama in a marriage, but I definitely didn’t want to write about that. And work, well there is more than enough drama for a TV serial at my workplace, but the lawsuits sure would’ve been ugly. Anyway, somehow along the way, it occurred to me that I could write about food, the safest subject in the world, a universal topic everyone can relate to.

That is the short version of how this blog became a food blog, it went through a bunch of transformations, starting from the name to the platform used. It started as a personal blog on MSN Spaces, then I moved to blogger, and finally settled on Wordpress.

I am very happy with where this blog is right now. There are about hundred recipes and forty restaurant reviews. That means I published a recipe once in three days this year. I was not even cooking once in three days in 2006! I have tried so many new things this year, I even baked my first bread! I could go on and on, but let me just pick some highlights from 2007. These are my personal favorites.

I am sending the Lychee Mango Two Layer Pudding to Sandra & Zorra who are hosting the Best of 2007 event. I made this dessert when my parents were visiting, and they loved it. They couldn’t believe their daughter could make something like this, and that made this recipe so special to me.

But none of this would’ve been possible without you all. I would like to thank..

Now, what is in store for Live to Eat in 2008? I am going to be more regular in posting for sure. I am in the process of redesigning the blog to make it more user friendly.  But other than that, I haven’t made big plans for next year. Life is full of surprises, don’t want to miss out on those by doing a silly thing like planning my life in advance.

This post goes to the Best of 2007 event hosted by Nupur of One Hot Stove.

Wishing all my readers a wonderful New Year! Hope you all had a fabulous 2007!
I will see you all in 2008 with a fresh new look.



Comments

33 Responses to “Looking Back at 2007”

  1. Nags on December 26th, 2007 12:13 am

    This event is such a good idea. I am enjoying all the recaps so much :) Going to post mine on the 30th :)

    I know, isn’t it a great event… Makes you think, huh? :)

  2. Mythili on December 26th, 2007 12:50 am

    that is such a sweet post, sweetie

    :) thanks Mythili…

  3. sra on December 26th, 2007 1:03 am

    :grin: :grin: - to the intro!
    :(Yes): - to you and your blog.
    I’m very happy with where your blog is right now too! Keep up the good work, Sig!

    :) Thanks Sra…

  4. Raaga on December 26th, 2007 1:50 am

    hmmmmmmmmmmmm

    I am so glad you picked food… I couldn’thave gotten the recipe for kadala curry from a gossip blog :)

    Hugs! Have a great 2008

    Thanks Raaga… Hugs to you too… :)

  5. lakshmi on December 26th, 2007 3:02 am

    i second raaga - thank you for choosing food - esp i enjoy your restaurant reviews though they’re all miles away from where i live. wishes for a great year ahead.

    Thanks Lakshmi, that is soo sweet… Happy New Year to you too!

  6. Nupur on December 26th, 2007 4:17 am

    Great post, Sig! Your blog is a delight to read…I especially enjoy the pure joy and simplicity of the traditional recipes from Kerala that you post every so often.
    Thanks for playing along :)

    Thanks Nupur, and thanks for hosting this event… It was a lot of fun participating…

  7. Rajitha on December 26th, 2007 5:52 am

    first off loved the hungover part…i think it is the perfect way to begin a year :mrgreen: …second..loved the
    write-up…have always enjoyed what you have written..i think the first post i read of urs was when u bought ur car…and i have been hooked since…

    have a fantastic 2008 sweetie…happy hols to u and siv :)

    :) Thanks sweetie… I am so glad I met a few friends like you… Happy New Year!

  8. Asha on December 26th, 2007 5:53 am

    It has been a fantastic year for me too, but there will be lot of changes in the new year in the way I blog!!
    Great to be your fellow blogger Sig, love coming here whenever I can. Love ya and happy new year sweetie, have fun!:)

    Thanks Asha… I can’t wait to see what is in store at Foodies Hope in 2008… Happy New Year…

  9. shilpa on December 26th, 2007 6:58 am

    Thats such a lovely post Sig. You have some great recipes here, which I am planning to cook in coming days.
    Wish you and Siv a very happy new year.

    Thanks Shilpa! Happy New Year to you too!

  10. sunita on December 26th, 2007 7:17 am

    That was such a sweet post…I’ve loved coming over here ever since I knew about it…must be quite some time now…Loads of warm wishes to you and Siv for the New Year…looking forward to many more delightful reads and recipes from you :smile:

    Thanks Sunita… Yes, we go a long way… :) You are one of my first regulars here, and I have enjoyed visiting you for a loong time too… Wish you a wonderful new year ahead!

  11. jayashree on December 26th, 2007 7:23 am

    Sig,
    this is my first time here ,i do really liked reading this post ,keep up the good work .
    wish you happy new year.
    hugs and smiles
    jaya

    Thanks for dropping in Jaya… Hope to see you around more.. :) Happy New Year!

  12. TBC on December 26th, 2007 8:32 am

    What a well written post, Sig! Though a big chunk of your recipes are not vegetarian(and I am), I like dropping by to see what you have to say. :cool: Your blog rocks and so do u :(Yes):

    Thanks TBC for the sweet note… :)

  13. Laavanya on December 26th, 2007 9:50 am

    Sig, I’m enjoying all the recaps and your blog has always been a fun read. Congrats on your 1 year of blogging and Happy New Year in advance.

    Thanks Laavanya… Wish you a Happy New Year too!

  14. Amy Thomas on December 26th, 2007 5:20 pm

    Hi-I am one of the anonymous readers who leaves a comment once in a while. I enjoy reading your blog both the food and non-food related posts.What I esp like about your blog,is the variety of cuisines you explore.Also, I appreciate your open mindedness to different cuisines and cultures-unlike some Indian food bloggers who come up with statemets like “Indian cooking- the mother of all cooking”, which in my opinion is both direspectful and foolish.
    Good luck in the coming new year and wishing you and your husband many delightful culinary adventures.
    Best Wishes
    Amy
    PS: I am originally from India- hence mentioned my gripe with Indian bloggers, meant to clarify that lest I annoy anyone and be virtually lynched :)

    Hi Amy, thanks for the comment… and I am glad you enjoy my blog… I love food, whatever the cuisine is, and most other food bloggers do as well, I think. Thank you for the wishes, I hope to see you around more… :) Happy New Year to you too…

  15. richa on December 26th, 2007 6:17 pm

    what a lovely post, sweetie :smile:
    loved the way u’ve compiled the why’s & how’s of ur blog!
    I’ve always enjoyed reading your beautiful blog and here’s to many more years of making friends wait while u click :oops: :(Martini):
    Best Wishes for the New Year! hugs!

    Thanks sweetie… I’ve always enjoyed your visits too… :) Hope you are enjoying the holidays… Wishing you a fun filled new year!

  16. Reena on December 26th, 2007 7:00 pm

    Dear Sigs,

    Though I am not regular at my blog :)) still there are few blogs I never miss and yours is one of them. Glad to have met a lovely, fun-spirited girl in this blogosphere.

    Happy New Year 2008 to Siv and you.

    Hugs,
    Reena

    Hey Reena, I miss you..come back soon :) Happy New Year to you too…

  17. Reena on December 26th, 2007 7:01 pm

    It didn’t show emoticons before so here’s one more…

    :party: :(Martini): :party: :(Martini): :(Beer): :party:

  18. Siri on December 26th, 2007 8:12 pm

    Thats one lovely post Sig :cool: Well said, there is nothing that makes me happier, than watching my blog stats go up! :wink: take care and Wishing You a very Happy and Joyous 2008..:D :(Martini):

    ~ Siri :(Flower):

    :) I know, we are all suckers for those stats, huh? :) Thanks for the wishes, and I wish you the same…

  19. Nandita on December 27th, 2007 6:04 am

    :(Martini): I’m back honey!!! Missed your blog for so long - fought tooth and nail with the phone company to get my broadband (lifeline) back - so I can be around my favourite blogs once again! Loved your recap post, will do mine too ASAP - if not anything, its good for my own self to know what I’ve been upto :wink:

    Are you going to have a blast for the eve? Will tell you what I’m upto on :(Email):

    Lots and lots of love
    really missed chatting with you.
    Wishing you and Siv a super year ahead :(Flower):

    Hey girl, it is good to see you… Wish you a better connected 2008… :)

  20. Nandita on December 27th, 2007 6:05 am

    What man!!!! No emoticon for HUG???? Make sure you add that in the new year :???:

    Lol, I will try and find one..

  21. RennyBA on December 27th, 2007 6:28 am

    I’m here from Shantanu and since it’s my fist visit, I’ll start with saying hello - all the way from Norway.

    You really have a great blog and your food posts are excellent - very readable and educational - quite exotic for a Norwegian you know.

    I do agree with your thoughts about blogging and started two years a good - The Blogsphere is a great place :-)

    Besides: I love to read about others cultures and traditions - including food - as much as I like to share about ours.

    Wishing you a great 2008 blog year too!

    Hi Renny, thanks for dropping by…. I am off to check out your site, I know very little about the Norwegian culture… now I have a place to learn from… Wish you a wonderful 2008..

  22. Su on December 27th, 2007 1:18 pm

    Awesome year Sigma! Here is a better idea for the New Year. Make us your guinea pigs instead of Siva :)
    Here’s wishing all of us a gastronomically superb 2008 ;)

    :) hey su.. I’d love to make you guys my guinea pigs, but I am sure you will start declining our dinner invitations soon… Thanks for putting up with all the craziness this year, it is only going to increase going forward ;)

  23. Revathi on December 27th, 2007 6:06 pm

    I absolutely adore your restaurant reviews. I secretly (well, not anymore :smile: ) wonder how you go to such fancy restaurants and how you really know the nuances of food tasting and wine pairing..

    I will look forward to more reviews in Bay Area the coming year !! :drool:

    Hugs
    Revathi

    Thanks Revathi… I am just addicted to food :) everything else comes with it… and wine pairing is something I know very little about :)

  24. Ramya on December 27th, 2007 8:46 pm

    New Year wishes to you and your family too!!! Yours is one of my fav blogs!!! Love your recipes and your wonderful pictures…. Also enjoi reading your restr reviews, even though I dont live anywhere close to Seattle!! :smile:

    Thanks Ramya… that is so sweet of you… I’ve enjoyed reading your blog too… Wish you a happy 2008..

  25. Shella on December 27th, 2007 10:09 pm

    Sig, your blog is a delight to view n read. I agree wholeheartedly with you that it wouldnt have been possible without your husband, coz I have mine who waits patiently to have a bite, before I do all those clicking - n so much more!!

    I love visiting your blog & enjoy being a part of your blog life. Keep it up girl, n wishing you all the best for 2008!!!

    Looking forward to each & every post of yours

    Thanks Shella.. I am glad you are part of my blog life too… Wish yo a wonderful 2008!

  26. Nisa on December 28th, 2007 11:36 am

    Oops! So there is no new year post?

    :) No, not like last year…

  27. Kaykat on December 28th, 2007 11:49 pm

    I *love* this post!

    And I obviously love your blog :), all the more because you have those crazy restaurant reviews replete with pictures and some awesome drinks recipes.

    Happy New Year, Sig!

    Thanks KayKat… I am glad you enjoy my reviews… I love your recipes and pics too… Happy New Year to you…

  28. Mansi on December 29th, 2007 9:31 pm

    That’s a great recap Sig! yours was one of the first blogs I started reading, and I love your style of writing! keep up the good work girl:)

    Wish you a very Happy New Year!

    Thanks Mansi for the kind words…Wish you a happy 2008!

  29. Cynthia on December 30th, 2007 9:08 am

    Sig, honey, it was a pleasure meeting you this year, (don’t worry, I know that we’ll meet in person) :) I have enjoyed your experiements in the kitchen, your reviews and the trips you’ve taken us along to.

    Happy new year to you and Siv! Looking forward to the new look.

    Thanks Cyn… Pleasure is all mine.. I have enjoyed your blog tremendously, wish you a happy new year!

  30. Shankari on December 30th, 2007 1:00 pm

    I think I have commented once or twice..but come here more often then that… :wink:
    Love your style of writing..Kepp it coming

    Thanks Shankari, it is nice to know you have been coming by… :) I know it is hard to comment on all the blogs all the time, I too do the silent pop-ins all the time :) Wish you a happy new year!

  31. steamy kitchen on December 30th, 2007 6:50 pm

    happy blog birthday!

    :) Thanks Jaden!

  32. Mamatha on December 30th, 2007 9:05 pm

    Happy new year and happy blogversary Sig!

    Mamatha

    Thanks Mamatha, and wish you the same!

  33. Johanna on January 4th, 2008 5:17 pm

    enjoyed your post - I particularly enjoyed your thoughts on why a food blog - I felt a bit the same when I started a food blog - that it was a safe way to talk about food - and yet I find it interesting how most things in my life I can relate to food if I want to because it is so central in our lives whether we acknowledge it or not!

    Thanks for dropping by Johanna! I totally agree, most things in our life can be related to food…. In fact sometimes I think our whole life revolves around food :)

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