Happy 1st Aniversary Nessa's Family Kitchen!!!

It is exactly one year ago that I published my first post on my blog. When I started I wasn't sure whether I would write daily(very ambitious!!!!) or maybe I would only have a post once a week. However with 98 posts, 16,000 hits and 36 followers later this blog has become more of my life than I could ever have imagined!
I needed a way to catalog my recipes and a blog seemed the easiest way to do this. My eldest son Jack(age 8), who is fairly computer literate, designed and set up the blog and until I familiarised myself with it he completely managed it! He recently decided that he was investing too much of his time on Nessa's Family Kitchen and he set up his own blog iJack O D but still keeps an eye on mine, constantly updating layouts and adding songs to my play list!!
Before starting this blog I wasn't aware of the strong Irish Foodies presence on line, who are ever constant with their tips and advice, be it through Twitter, Facebook, Blogs or Websites. It was wonderful to put 'faces' to many of these lovely people at recent events. If anyone, in Ireland, is interested in venturing down the road of food blogging I would advice you to check out The Irish Food Bloggers Association which is a fantastic resource for bloggers and will help you to put your idea into practice!!
I love many aspects of blogging but never did I realise how much I would love setting up my photos for each recipe. I find myself regularly thinking about what I need for my photos- be it props, lighting or 'models' and all just to achieve a perfect shot!
My attitude to many things in life is 'Why not?' and if I can't find a reasonable answer to that question I generally will give something a go! Now that the blog is gaining momentum many opportunities are arising for me and I'm delighted to announce that this month I start my cookery column with The Westmeath Independent.
I would like to thank anyone who reads the blog, follows it, posts comments, try the recipes or lends me some encouragement! If you are included in this list I would love you to post a comment below(a simple hello will suffice!) and I will include you in a draw, to celebrate Nessa's Family Kitchen's 1st Anniversary!!
The prize is Rachel Allen's latest book- Entertaining at Home. I'm an avid admirer of Rachel's style of cooking and this book not only includes many impressive recipes but it is also packed with suggestions on how to host the perfect get-together!!!
Thanks agin for all your support and Best of Luck!!!!!!




The competition will end at midnight on Sunday 16th January.
The winner will be picked at random. Entrants must be resident in Rep of Ireland / UK. No cash alternative is possible. I will not share any of your details with a third party.

26 Comments:

Joan said...

congrat's Nessa and well done, keep up the good work!

Lu said...

Congrats on the anniversary and especially on the column - that's very exciting. I'd love to start doing some food writing outside of my blog of course. Also some good advice there re: food bloggers association - it's a great resource
Lu

Brownieville Girl said...

Congratulations on your first full year blogging - and your new job, with your very own column - fantastic achievement.

Joanna Schaff said...

Congratulations on a year of blogging! And an even bigger congratulations on getting your own column! :) Good luck for the year ahead.

Audrey Murphy said...

Happy Anniversary! Keep up the great work. Many congrats on the new column. Wishing you the very best of luck for 2011 x

likemamusedtobake said...

Congratulations on reaching one year. It feels like such a great achievement doesn't it? And something to be very proud of. Also huge congratulations on the column, very exciting news. Looking forward to all that is to come from the blog in 2011.

Now what's this about an 8 year old setting up your blog for you??? I was already feeling like a techno idiot and now feel even more so. What a clever little dude. :)

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks for all your lovely comments!! It is always wonderful to get some feedback on the blog!!
And as for my 8 year old-only for him I wouldn't have this blog!! This time last year I barely knew how to e-mail!
If I run into any techno difficulties he always seems to be able to solve the problem. I'm lucky to have him- He's a clever man alright!!

Kristin said...

Congrats on one year of blogging and on your new cookery column too! It looks like 2011 is going to be a great year for you as you go from strength to strength.

Greenside Up said...

Congratulations! You're an inspiration!

Margaret O'Farrell said...

Well done on getting to 1st anniversary and a column.... 2011 will be great!

Wendy said...

Hi Nessa, fantastic work on both your parts!! Like everybody else here I look forward to hearing all about your adventures this year, and if they are anything like last year, we have a lot to look forward to!! :)

Gillian said...

Happy 1st! And congrats on the new job. That is superb. Best of luck in 2011. No stopping you now!

Having your 8yr old setup the blog - janeymac, he is something else. Well done.

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks guys for the comments! Jack is lovin all the compliments!!!

Kat said...

Just came across your site today but i will be looking at it regularly its lovely

Kat said...

Just came across your site today but i will be looking at it regularly its lovely

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks Kat- Great to hear that you like it!

Anonymous said...

Well done on achieving so much in just one year of blogging! Getting a column is amazing..

Loved your post on the Restaurant, would love to dine there sometime.

Keep up the good work! :)

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks Niamh! I see they are currently looking for diners for The Restaurant so you should apply! There is a link at the end of my post!! Nessa.

Sarah said...

Hi Nessa,

Congrats on the anniversary :)Hopefully there'll be lot's more to come!

roisin92 said...

Nessa, love your work check the blog everyday to see all your interesting receipes. It's great to be able to share the love of food with someone as talented as yourself! keep up the good work. Regards Róisín.

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks,Sarah. Hopefully many more years of blogging!
Thanks for your kind comments Roisin! I love to hear that someone is reading the blog and enjoying it!! If there is any recipe idea you are looking for make sure to let me know!

sue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sue said...

Hi Nessa, well done on your blog CONGRATULATIONS to you, have done your Beef Bourguignon a few times now and plates were cleared by all at the table. Look forward to read more recipes in the westmeath indo, well done again and keep up the good work, sue.

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks a mill Sue! I'm glad you like the blog. It's great that your boys are enjoying the dishes!!

finola said...

well done nessa, love the site, always checking it for ideas, ellie loves it too cause she knows she gets to join in!!!
congrats!xx.

Nessa Robins said...

Thanks so much,Finola!! I'm glad you find the blog useful! When that lady is old enough she will have to come to one of my classes!! We must catch up soon. :)