A Year of Blogging

December 27th was the one year anniversary for my blog.  It's hard to believe that a year has passed by so quickly.  When I started blogging I had no  idea what I was doing, but knew I could figure it out as I went.  I did have a few goals, though.  I wanted to spend more time baking and cooking, learning new techniques, sharing recipes, and also working on my photography skills.  Over this past year, I am pleased with what I have accomplished, but it has now made me set some higher goals for 2010!  I am also grateful for the blogging buddies I have made along the way.  Some live close.  Some live far.  Some I have never met face to face.  We all share a passion and that in itself brings us all together.  I thank all of you who take the time to stop by my blog and share your comments!

As we come to a close for 2009, I went back to look at some of my favorite and not so favorite baking and cooking experiences.  Below is a slideshow that I hope you will enjoy!  If you click on an image below it will bring you to Picasa where you can follow links back to the recipes.

So, what's on my list for 2010?  It's still in process at the moment, but here is the start of my goals:

• Reading four books that I have on cooking and baking.  I have had the Flavor Bible and Ratio for some time now and have not spent the time to read, though I have skimmed!  I recently purchased the Ratio app for my iPhone so I need to check that out too! For Christmas I received Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day and Marcy Goldman's A Passion for Baking.  No just scanning the pretty pictures.  Time to get down to business!  I think these books will help me hone in on some techniques while also learning to be more creative in baking.  I am a little creative in cooking, but am not as adventurous in baking.
  
• Spend time redesigning my blog:  I feel like my blog shows a part of who I am and my brand and I would like to spend some time coming up with a new look along with adding some cool tools and gadgets.
• Create a Schedule for Posting:  Working full time, cooking, baking, trying to stay fit, and a social life take up a lot of time.  During this past year my blog suffered as I got so busy with other things.  I would like to start with a goal of a minimum of two posts per week and go from there.
  
• Photography:  I have made some strides with my photography, but know I have a ways to go.  My husband bought me an image stabilization lens and some photo shoot equipment for Christmas so I am looking forward to learning how to use them and incorporating the results into my blog.
• Cooking Classes:  I am starting this in January with Cambridge School of Culinary Arts'6 week Back to Basics Series I-IV.  I will be on the lookout for more!
• Social Media:  Get with the times and create a Facebook page for my blog and get on Twitter!
  

What are you most proud of that you accomplished in 2009 and what's in store for 2010?