Monthly Mixer 16 – 4 year Blogiversary

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Wow! I can’t believe how long it’s been since we’ve done a monthly mixer, the last one was maybe in January?? To be honest the last 6-8 months have been the craziest months I’ve had in a really really long time.

First I finished and launched my cookbook, No-Bake Treats, an experience I will never forget and one that owned my life for the last year. Literally. Then your book comes out and it’s all this anticipation leading up to it and then you don’t really know what to do with yourself once life goes back to normal. Then come the questions, when are you going to write your second up? Umm, take a chill pill bro.

Before& after. Just keeping it real.

In April I quit my job and started a new one, you probably didn’t even know that. It has been a major life change for me. I went from working from a smallish company to a much bigger one. I am no longer working with my boyfriend (I miss that the most!) and we’re adjusting to his new work schedule that has him commuting 3 hours a day. It’s rough you guys, I’ m not going to lie. I don’t wish that commute on anyone.

On a more exciting note, Beyond Frosting turns 4 years old this today!!! F-O-U-R years old, I can’t even believe it. I know I say that everyday year but when I look back and all the things I’ve learned, all the places I’ve traveled and all the people I met who I now call friends, it’s pretty incredible.

Last month I was sitting at the BlogHer food conference in Austin, Texas. This was my forth conference, and the 1st one I attended was also in Austin. I started thinking back on everything I’ve done since I was last there.

I’ve baked in the Better Homes and Gardens test Kitchen
I’ve worked with some of the most amazing clients
I had dinner on the sidelines of football field
I went to Disneyworld
I visited the Wilton headquarters
I’ve met some of the most amazing #ladybosses in the world
I wrote a freaking cookbook!
I was on national TV
I’ve explored some of the best foodie cities in the US

Just in the last two months, I’ve traveled to Ohio, San Fransisco and Austin, Texas all for the purposes of blogging. For that, I am incredibly grateful.

And I’ve also stood on my fair share of tables.

It’s been quite a hustle I’m not going to lie. Since I work full-time, I crank out most of my work on the weekends which involves 48 hours of baking and photographing my little heart out. It also means that I choose between social activities and bloggings on a regular basis. I choose late nights over extra sleep and I am burning the candle at both ends.

I’d love to tell you that I’m super prepared and thinking ahead but that’s hardly ever the case. If I’m lucky I have a couple of weeks worth of recipe photographed, but when it comes to actually getting the posts ready, 98% of them are done the night before they post.

People always ask me how I do it all, I don’t really have an answer for them. It’s hard work, but I love it. That’s what keeps me going. It’s my creative outlet and I feel like I am building something for our future. But I’ve also come VERY far with my photography, and I am so proud of that! Umm this……

I’ve learned not to stress over whether or not I got a post up every Monday and every Wednesday. Sometimes life happens and I push things back a day. Sometimes I can hardly keep my eyes open and I choose to sleep instead of write a half ass post. I also don’t live the most exciting life and sometimes it’s hard to find the words to share with you.

I’ve learned it okay to take time for myself and recharge, to enjoy time with family and friends and not to stress about all the work I have waiting at home. It’s not easy but it’s necessary.

I’m incredible grateful for the opportunities I have and the people who support my dreams.

I am not sure if I sound like a broken record, or if I don’t say this enough, but this whole blogging things wouldn’t be what it is today with you guys coming back time and time again. We share a sweet tooth, we share a passion for baking, and for putting a smile on someone’s face as they take that first bite. That’s what it’s all about. I wouldn’t put in all the hours I do if you didn’t keep coming back, leaving comments, pinning photos and baking my desserts.

What I am trying to say is, I love you man.

Oh, and happy Halloween.

Oh and I promise I want to be better about writing these posts. Sometimes it’s fun to just write and share random things going on in my life. Until then, I am still deciding which nameplate to buy.