Looking Back: 10 Years of Blogging
This post is sponsored by Squarespace.
Earlier this month, Brown Eyed Baker celebrated its TENTH birthday, which is absolutely mind-blowing when I sit down and really think about it. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been rewinding and reliving those early days and thinking about how different life is now than it was when I first hit “publish” on my recipe for Italian wedding soup on February 11, 2007. It feels like a lifetime ago, and in many ways, it was.
I’ve moved three times, brought two heartwarming dogs into my life, had to say goodbye to one of them, got married, and have given birth to two beautiful boys who light up my days. It’s been quite an adventure, and one that I thought you would enjoy reliving with me as we look back, and forward, as well!
IN THE BEGINNING…
I may have talked about it before, but when I began Brown Eyed Baker, I was living outside of Cleveland, Ohio, a couple of hours away from Pittsburgh, and with a super boring day job. It involved a lot of web surfing, and I eventually stumbled upon a couple of food blogs. Literally, like two or three. Blogs really weren’t a thing back then. We’re talking back in the days of spending hours customizing your MySpace page. MYSPACE, people. Not even Facebook! The phrase “social media” had never been uttered and I wasn’t even aware of companies dedicated to helping people build an online presence, like Squarespace.
Can you imagine starting a blog in a world where Facebook was limited to college students, and Twitter and Instagram didn’t even EXIST? Truthfully, it was sublime. It was just (bad) pictures, (really short) write-ups about the food I was making and loving, and connecting with other people who were learning to love cooking and baking in different Internet forums. A lot less pressure and a lot more blogging “for the love of the game” (a favorite Kevin Costner movie of mine!) or, “for the love of food”, more appropriately.
To put in perspective how utterly long ago it was when I started Brown Eyed Baker… it was two weeks before I would bring Einstein home as a puppy, I was 26 years old (TWENTY SIX, good Lord, I was a BABY!), it was a year and a half before my husband and I would even start dating, and nearly four years before I would be able to call Brown Eyed Baker my full-time job.
BLOGGING FULL-TIME
I continued working as a marketing analyst while I was baking, photographing, writing, connecting with regular readers, learning social media, and putting together my plan for being able to replace my regular job with this blogging thing that I was just loving so much.
In December 2010, I said goodbye to my “real” job and haven’t looked back since. Perspective: that was almost four years after I initially started blogging, probably earning me the Tortoise Badge (Joseph is watching Hey Duggee behind me so I have badges on the brain!). If you’re thinking about launching a blog to replace your full-time job, it’s certainly easier to do so now than it was back then, but it’s still not something that will happen overnight, and will take some blood, sweat and tears! It certainly would have been easier back then if I had access to something like Squarespace, where everything that I needed to blog (domains, hosting, publishing, design, etc.) was all right there in one place for me, and not something I needed to spend tons of time on myself!
My foray into full-time blogging was still before blogs were a mainstay on the Internet, so if my mom told someone I was a “food blogger” when they asked where I was working or what I did, she had to answer the question, “but how does she make money?!” approximately eleventy billion times. (Sorry, Mom!)
Suffice it to say, things have changed just a bit. There are now literally millions of food blogs, food blogging is an actual industry, countless people are making a good living from sharing recipes online, social media has exploded, and if you’re one of the lucky ones to be able to call this your job, then you know that due to the saturated market, you have to hustle to stand out among the crowd.
NEW TECHNOLOGY
In the early days of my blog, I started on the Blogger platform, then transitioned to WordPress (which I still use today). Back then, if you were just starting out (i.e. didn’t have a lot of excess money to spend), your choices were pretty much to use a free theme or to teach yourself HTML and CSS and spend the better part of a summer trying to customize a theme without breaking your entire site (true story, hello/goodbye summer of 2010).
Now, thanks to the fact that there are so many bloggers, there are countless businesses dedicated to blogging services. Squarespace is more recently popular with bloggers and they offer a one-stop-shop for new bloggers that makes it incredibly easy to get up and running with a gorgeous website and minimal effort. I would have certainly gotten way more vitamin D during the summer of 2010 had I known they were around back then, ha!
A couple of years ago, I wrote about how to start a food blog; if you want to throw your hat into the blogging ring, give it a read, and then be sure to check out Squarespace as an additional resource. You can easily snag a domain, customize your design, and do everything from publish recipes to set up an online store. No need to employ the services of five different people or companies to get all of that accomplished!
They also offer 24/7 support via email and live chat, which is music to the ears of this person who LOATHES talking on the phone. As someone who had spend 7 hours on the phone with tech support on a Friday night in 2010 because my site was down and my database had broken, the ability to have everything needed for my site to run under one roof and with such accessible support is amazing.
I was a way late adopter of Twitter and Instagram and I never even touched Snapchat, so I’m kind of an old soul when it comes to technology and love handing the reigns over to people who are better at it than I am!
LOOKING AHEAD
Ten years, come and gone, it’s unbelievable. It’ll be interesting to see how technology, social media, and the blogging landscape changes over the next ten years. I’m planning to still be here, talking about the foods that I love and my changing family.
Is there anything specific you hope to see moving forward? Any recipes you’re dying to make, things you want to see me tackle… anything! Let me know in the comments below.
There is no way that I could have done what I have over the last ten years without all of you here, wanting to share food and family and stories on a weekly basis. So a great big THANK YOU to all of you for allowing me to do this thing I love while getting to spend my days with my boys, who are growing so exceptionally fast. You have made Brown Eyed Baker what it is, and I’m forever grateful.
A SPECIAL OFFER FOR YOU
If you’re ready to start your own blog and want to take advantage of the perks associated with using Squarespace, they’ve put together a special offer for Brown Eyed Baker readers. The first 50 readers who use offer code “BROWNEYED” will receive 10% off their first website or domains purchase.
This post was sponsored by Squarespace and their all-in-one platform.
You should have your own cooking show is dove shampoo bad
I’d watch you all day long. Good luck. I also recommend bakers joy as a must have kitchen necessity. PS do you sell posters.
Hi Michelle,
I’ve only been reading your blog since Aug. 16. I really don’t like to spend a lot of time on the computer. As a 66 yr old retired teacher, so much of technology has passed me by. I went to your site via a recipe for corn chowder and I’ve been reading your blof ever since. I volunteer as a House Baker every Friday for the families staying at our local Ronald McDonald House and many of the recipes I have tried have been from your dessert collection. I enjoy your casual “I’m talking with you” writing style. This may seem odd, but the one recipe I have made dozens of times already (and tweaked numerous times) is the Garlic-herb & parmesan roasted red potatoes. They are so easy and fabulous. Congratulations!
Hi Rhonda, Thank you so much for the comment. What a wonderful service you provide! My family stayed at a Ronald McDonald-type house when my dad was hospitalized in Boston – it was so nice to have a home away from home. Those potatoes are one of my favorite recipes ever, so I’m thrilled that you’ve been enjoying them!
I’ve been reading your blog for 6-7 years and appreciate the recipes and your sharing your pix & stories of your family. Also when I’ve emailed questions, you answered with great advice. Your blog is one of only a couple that I can read on my lunch hour at work. But today the site was blocked. They must’ve done a system update & enhanced the blocked sites. Or maybe it has to do with an upgrade to your site. Anyway, I’m bummed. But I’ll keep reading it at home. Thanks for all you do!
Thanks so much for the kind words, Martha! And that’s such a bummer… if it makes you feel any better, it’s blocked where my mom works, too ;-) They block all blogs!
Congratulations on 10 years!! You were the first Food Blog that I followed. Your recipes have never let me down. If I have an occasion or a thought for any sort of baked good, I check out your site first. You are the only food site I follow on Pinterest and, as I have mentioned on facebook, your skillet corn bread is the most pinned item that I get notices on.
In this world of 30 second meal videos all over facebook, I am so glad that you are still out there doing what you do! I always feel like I can depend on your recipes to turn out. Keep up the good work!!
Beth
That’s so sweet Beth, thank you!
Your blog has so many wonderful recipes I use all the time, I would love to see some more dinner ideas.
Thanks for the suggestion, Angela!
Congratulations on 10 years blogging. I visited occasionally during your first five years, then have been a regular reader the last five years. It was the homemade scalloped potato recipe that made me a regular reader. Still the best I’ve ever made!
Everyone is going crazy for the Instant Pot and I’m trying to become an unplugged (no appliances) cook. If you do get one and start posting recipes using it, please do what a couple of other bloggers do — post the recipe using the Instant Pot and using stovetop or oven instead.
Best wishes for continued success and one request, please: Eggplant Parmesan. :-)
Hi Sally, Thanks for the suggestion and feedback, I appreciate it! And I need to get my father-in-law’s Eggplant Parmesan up here – it’s the best!!
Congrats Michelle! Yours was one of the first blogs I ever followed on the recommendation of a friend. I think the first thing I made of yours was the Nutella Hazelnut Cookies :) Thanks for all your amazing work!
Ooooh those are SO good! Thank you!
Congratulations! 10 years is a long time to be baking or cooking and posting. I think from your first picture you could be a model if you needed a second job. ? You are beautiful with a beautiful smile.
I have read your blog for a few years and love it. Thanks for all of the work you put into baking, writing and posting.
Linda, You are way too sweet, thank you for the kind compliment :)
Congratulations Michelle on 10 years of food blogging on Brown Eyed Baker. I would say I’ve been reading your blog and looking through your delicious recipes for about as long as you’ve been writing them…..that’s a long time! I’ve seen you go through lots of changes along with the blog…all for the better. Keep up the excellent and successful work you do.
Thank you for the sweet words, Annie!
Thank you ! And thank you for continuing. I was a little afraid that you would say ‘and now that i have 2 children i want to stop’.I have been a huge fan for a few years now. Your recipes are so well written and reliable. I’ve referred so many people to your blog. I always seem to always miss the days when you say is there anything you’d like to ask me … so here goes. When my husband was young there was a lady in his church that made cinnamon pie, He pines for it. The family wont give up her recipe. Its an egg-y custard for sure, with cinnamon not cinnamon candy. Have you ever run across such a thing ?
Hi Carol, Nope, I’m still here! :) I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed the site! I’ve never come across cinnamon pie, but I am certainly going to add it to my list. Shame on them for not sharing the recipe, that always makes me so mad!
Michelle, what a huge, awesome accomplishment! I love BEB and would not have started a food blog of my own without reading it! I am reassured by your post. I just turned 27 and feel totally lost in life. I want my writing to click and it won’t, I’ve been blogging for five years and make very little money from a lot of effort. It’s tough, but knowing that’s when you started about, gives me hope that there’s still a lot left in store for me. Fingers crossed!
Hi Laura, There is SO much left! What I wrote above is total surface-level of how things changed since I was 26, but my goodness, it feels like a totally different life. Keep on keepin’ on (and shoot me an email if you ever have questions!).
I’ve followed your blog since before you were married. Can’t remember when really. I don’t even remember which recipe I tried first. Congratulations on 10 years!
Thanks Jenny!
I have been following you for a while now and have looked at other bloggers even King Author introduced a lot of bloggers around Christmas but nothing seemed to catch me the way your site does I have told countless people of you and if you ever get the urge I would like to see you do Italian Buttercream frosting heating real sugar and adding to egg whites I have tried a couple times with bad results. I have tried countless recipes of yours and have a ton on my phone and everyone of them works flawlessly
Thank You
Jacob
Hi Jacob, Thank you so much for the kind comment and the suggestion… Italian buttercream is going on my list!
Congratulations on 10 years! That is crazy, amazing what you have managed to create though! x
Izzy |http://www.pinchofdelight.com
Thanks Izzy!
Congratulations and a virtual toast to at least another ten wonderful years of your delectable recipes and the lovely glimpses into your life. I’ve been following your blog since before you had Joseph, and I think yours definitely played a role in my decision to start my own book blog a while ago:-) Keep blogging and baking!!
Thank you Malia! I so need to start reading more!
Congratulations on your 10 -year milestone! Your recipes and tidbits are frequent talk in our house to the tune of, “I saw an interesting recipe from the food blogger I follow about…”. Looking forward to the next 10 years! :)
Aww, so sweet! Thank you Lyneea!
Congratulations on the 10 year anniversary! I can’t think of anything I would like more of because you do so much already:) Just keep plugging along:)
Thank you for the kind words, Maria :)
Such a sweet post!! Congratulations!! I just hit 9 years and I can’t believe it. Times have changed SO much and now my whole career is in social media.
Here’s to another 10 years :) :)
Congratulations to you as well! It’s crazy how much everything has changed!
Happy Anniversary! On behalf of your readers…I hope you have many, many, MANY more. :)
Thanks Claire! I’m certainly planning to!
Happy 10th Anniversary! Have been reading your blog a few years. Enjoyed all your posts and even cried. Have been happy with your two sons and husband.
Thank you Linda!
Congratulations Michelle! I enjoy your blog with all the diverse subjects you cover. Somehow I found you were from Pittsburgh so that is how I started to follow since I am a Yinzer too. When I see the comments from all over the world I am proud of you. Good job for 10 years of hard work.
I totally agree with fellow Yinzer Carol, and Jennifer O. I have unsubscribed to several blogs that have gotten too uppity or too commercial or repetitive. You are the real deal. Love your precious family and the stories as well. Challenge for you: the Instant Pot. It has changed my daughter’s family’s life, since her 3 boys have some pretty pervasive allergies ( any dairy, articial color and flavors) and are 9 and younger eating machines. If you try it, let us know what you think. Keep on keeping it real.
I totally need to check out the Instant Pot! I’ll keep you posted (and thank you for the suggestion)!
You are too sweet Carol, thank you so much. :)
Congratulations! I’ve subscribed (and unsubscribed) to several cooking blogs over the last few years. You always keep my interest! You invite us into your personal life, and you don’t ever seem to be hawking things like some bloggers do with their sponsors. If you recommend something that’s great, but you don’t ever push it. Oh, and most importantly, you rarely have typo’s or bad grammar!! That’s important to me!! haha
I agree with this comment!! Thumbs up if i could. :D
Aw, thank you Jennifer! (and Mel!)
I have been making your recipes for years. I’m an avid baker and love to cook in general and appreciate that you give recipes for all different types of food and not just one category . Your site is my main go-to for checking for a recipe as I know they’re “tried and true”!
Thank you!
Hi Amy, Thanks so much! Especially for the affirmation that a little bit of everything is appreciated :) I’ve seen a lot of sites really narrowing their focus recently, so thank you for the feedback!
CONGRATULATIONS on ten years with Brown Eyed Baker! I enjoy your blog so much; have found so many great recipes which I depend on time and time again! I also love the personal touch you add to this blog and sharing your adorable boys (and Duke) with us. Here’s to 10 more years!!
Thank you Char!
Happy anniversary! I have been a subscriber to your email list for quite a few years. I LOVE to bake, so I have made (and shared!) many of your delicious recipes. With a lot of them becoming my go to recipe. I enjoy reading your blog not only for recipes, but also for family updates and fun information of products tried and used. Because of this, I have stared numerous conversations with “on the blog I follow”. With that being said, I live about 45 minutes west of Cleveland. Are you originally from Pittsburgh? Because how could you turn on our Browns!?!
I’m totally kidding. Again, happy anniversary and thank you for such a great blog. ;)
Hi Emily, Haha, yes! A Pittsburgh girl, born and raised :)
I guess I’m a baby when it comes to blogging – 3 years. And no I’m not making oodles of money. I’m scraping by and losing – but I’m doing what I love. Fortunately, hubby and I are retired and I started the blog at the urging of our kids. We were always cooking and sending them photos of what we were doing. They wanted us to write the recipes down and record. them. The first time they said the word blog I didn’t know what it was or had I ever seen one. So now I trying to hone my photography skill – I just got a DSLR and I’m trying to improve my presentation to my precious readers. I love and appreciate each and every one of them. I wish I would have found you a long time ago :-) Your sweet boys make me miss holding my precious grandsons. Have a wonderful week. Abbracci!!
What a fun reason to blog! Hopefully you get to see your sweet grandsons soon! :)
Happy Blog-a versary, Michelle! I have been reading and loving your blog almost since the beginning, and it is still my favorite way to start the day. I have rejoiced with you during your celebrations, and cried with you during the sadder times. I look forward to finding your writings every morning and I wish you continued success with your blog and abundant happiness with your beautiful family. XO
Thank you so much for the kind words Linda :)
Congratulations on ten years! I have loved watching your blog grow and evolve over the years and look forward to seeing what you become in the future. Thanks for sharing such tasty recipes!
Thank you Lecy!
I didn’t know you have been blogging 10 years! I am celebrating year 8 right now but instinctively knew I guess you had been around for awhile before me….congrats on making it a decade! Holy huge accomplishment! And yes blogging 2009 vs now….just a wee bit different :) both have their amazing aspects but totally different, that is for sure! Here’s to another decade!
Congratulations to you! Everything changes so fast!
Hi Michelle,
Congratulations!!! Wow, 10 years!! You started blogging on my 18th birthday!! Now I just turned 28!! Where did the time go?! I look forward to my high school reunion this summer.
I only commented your blog once, but I have been following your blog since 2011. I saw you getting married, get another dog, say goodbye to another, and have two sons. You inspired me to start a blog, too. I love to bake as well. I wish I can bake and decorate a cake like you.
Thank you Chelsea! So awesome to hear I inspired you to start a blog! Happy baking! xo