Eight years ago today, I wrote my very first blog post here. I was living in a ground-floor apartment with friends in Chelsea then, commuting by foot to my office just a few blocks away. I had a window that looked out onto noisy mail trucks rumbling down 18th Street, there were massive black cockroaches who periodically liked to terrify me in the kitchen (water bugs, to get specific) and I had to tiptoe into my roommate's bedroom each morning to take a shower while she slept. But it was glorious! (Well, except for the water bugs.)
One year was the time limit I gave myself to write the blog. Just a year and then you'll be done.
Ha.
Eight years later, I live in an apartment at the very top of an old building in a quiet neighborhood in western Berlin. I have a toddler who is (blessedly) asleep in his room, a lovely husband who (still) works in another city, I'm the author of a book, a book that will be published in paperback in a few short days, and I'm still blogging.
Ha!
To celebrate, I wanted to give you a cake. The tender, gorgeous, simple cake my friend Gabriella made for Hugo's first birthday, the one that made him faceplant into a slice of it (though, admittedly, it might have just been CAKE in general and not that cake, but I'm sticking with the first version). However, my life these days is not conducive to cake-baking. It is not conducive to any kind of baking or cooking or time in the kitchen at all beyond making Hugo's meals and cleaning up after them. I realize this sounds sort of complain-y (I do sometimes fantasize about live-in help), but really, more than anything, I'm just trying to be honest. Life with a toddler – newsflash! – is like living with a crazy person? Who can't speak? Or walk? But has OPINIONS? And NEEDS? And FEELINGS, LOTS OF THEM? I'm still trying to figure it out. (Don't worry, I'll get you the cake eventually – give me another week or three.)
But I still want to celebrate. I mean, eight years! My book in paperback! Me, still here! You, still here! So instead of cake, let's do books. I want to thank you for being here, for reading me, for being my lovely audience and for being patient when I take a little time off. So, if you'd like to win a copy of the paperback edition of My Berlin Kitchen, leave me a comment and by the end of the weekend, I'll pick eight people to send a copy to. Sound good?
Eight years!
xo
Update: The comments are now closed. The eight winners are Carol, Lynn, Kara, Jen, Helena, Yvette, Laura and Abby Lutman. Congratulations!
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384 responses to “Eight Years”
When I bought “My Berlin Kitchen” from the Harvard Book Store, I really had no idea what I was in for. I knew I had just come back from a magical 5 days in Berlin, and I knew I love spending time in my own kitchen. So of course this book had to be perfect for me. And it was, every single page of it. I nodded along when I read about certain breakups and the recipes that soothe. I even cried when I read the story about your dad’s surprise on your wedding day. I read this book nonstop, ignoring my auntie’s teases of, “Are you actually glued to that book? You haven’t put it down!” I know it’s a little silly wanting two of the same book, but hey – I can give my aunt one copy and I can keep the other. Then maybe she’ll discover the magic I found between the pages.
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Congratulations! 8 years, I’ll toast to that this evening. There is something warm and very admirable about stopping to smell the roses. Enjoy!
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Congratulations Luisa! I’m so thankful you wrote this book. I read it and upon finishing started at page 1 all over again! I love it that much. Thank you.
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I was beyond happy to find your book and your blog this summer – and they refreshed me in the best possible way during a season of limbo and loss. I’m so grateful you’re still blogging (I lived in NYC for a time, and still remember my cubby hole of a bedroom in Harlem – wonderful, indeed!), and I’m so happy for the success of your book! (I’ve been oohing and aahing over your upcoming paperback on Amazon – it looks AMAZING!) Crossing my fingers for the giveaway, and happy to be celebrating with you – looking forward to reading more of your words!
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Luisa,
You have been such an inspiration! Your love of life, friends, family, good food (HOW much the food enriches those other three!)
We are about to become grandparents of a little boy who will live on the other side of the world. Reading about Hugo tugs so at my Oma heart.
I loved your book. It made me glow and cry. You are so dear.
Dorle
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I would love to win a copy of your book! I loved Berlin when I was there (1976 — yikes!) and look forward to catching up.
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Congratulations! Eight wonderful years.
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Wonderful blog!! Congratulations on the 8 years!!!
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My toddler just turned 15 months so I feel you sister!! I would be lost and plates (& bowls) would be empty without nap time 🙂
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Congratulations, Luisa. What an incredible adventure it has been. Thank you for the privilege of letting us share it in some form with you. Here’s to the next eight years. May they be full of wonder, joy, much peace and more growth.
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Dear Luisa,
I borrowed your book from the Public Library, so I have to bring it back tomorrow unfortunately… i really loved to read it and I really want to try your recipes!
Love from Holland,
Gabrielle
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Congratulations on eight years of your blog and everything else in your life right now. I just went through all of my collected recipes yesterday (looking for some to make for my mom on my short visit home this weekend) and noticed how many come via your blog. So thanks for keeping it up for us, your readers. We do appreciate it.
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Congrats on 8 years!
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Eight years! Congratulations!
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Congrats Luisa! I love your blog, and your book, and would be thrilled to get a paperback copy! xoxo
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Your book has made me enjoy cooking for the first time in years! Thank you for that. I also enjoyed reading about an American in a German-speaking country, since I have spent most of my European time in Germany and Austria. France and Italy are lovely, but I prefer the gutsy, no-nonsense German lifestyle. Congratulations!
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Congratulations! I loved reading your book and would love a copy of my own.
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Congratulations, Luisa! Your blog has accompanied me on quite a journey myself, from Berlin and a job that made me miserable (but got me reading food blogs) via the UK, Berlin again, South Africa and, now, Zurich with a PhD and much happier. Thank you for many many hours of delightful, even though sometimes sad, reading and several recipes that have become staples and were served to numerous new friends in all these places!!
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Oh wow, 8 years! I only found your blog a few days ago when a friend sent a link, though I immediately added it to my reader after reading just a few entries, and haven’t had time to look at the archives yet. Because I also have a toddler, so I feel you on the life-with-a-crazy-person front! And not only have I not baked any cakes lately, a couple of days ago I ended up spontaneously declaring a picnic lunch solely because I still hadn’t cleaned up the highchair tray from a very messy breakfast, and just couldn’t face yet another round of clean/cook/serve/clean right then.
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Probably the truest and funniest thing I’ve read in a while: Life with a toddler – newflash! – is like living with a crazy person? Who can’t speak? Or walk? But has OPINIONS? And NEEDS? And FEELINGS, LOTS OF THEM?
All kinds of opinions and pointing. Kind of like a cute dictator.
Jess, Brooklyn
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Congrats!
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Congratulations, and best wishes for many more happy years cooking and writing about cooking!
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Congratulations on eight years! I’ve been a regular reader for 4 of the 8 and would love the chance to win a copy of your book, which has been sitting on my personal wishlist for some time 🙂
Here’s to 8 more years!
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Sounds great! Lucky number eight (in Chinese)
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Dear Luisa, somehow I feel a great sympathy for you, your cooking, your family, your writing…Maybe because I’m also a mixture of cultures and traditions. Born in Romania as a german ethnic, I grew up speaking German, Hungarian and Romanian. Then I had private teachers in English and Italian and ended up marrying a Syrian. Our relatives are Christian, Moslem, Jewish and my son is really proud of his various roots. Having experienced totalitarism and communism, I’m able to appreciate the really Important thiings in life! I wish you all the best, please continue writing, be happy enjoy your life and let us sometimes be part of it! Andrea
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Congratulations! Such a great accomplishment!
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oh! luisa, congratulations on eight years and on all of it, really! i’m looking forward to the cake, when it’s time.
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congratulations on 8 years!!
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Congrats! Yes, please, I’d love your book!
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Congratulations and thanks so much for your wonderful blog! I would love to win a copy of your book!!
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I would like to congratulate you for this blog and the book and wish you another one in eight years time!
Greetings from Budapest!
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Oh man, congrats! I would love a copy, as I am always looking for fun new food-related things to read!
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Congrats! I love your blog, and I tried many of your recipes. .. and now, I want the book!
Felicitaciones! Por muchos años más!
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Was making zuchinni fritters for my little guy yesterday and wondered what Hugo is into eating these days. STILL haven’t found the time to read your book, but would love to have a copy at the ready for the day things simmer down. As you likely know, life with a 15 m/o isn’t conducive to getting much reading done….
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Congrats! I have been reading for at least four of those years and loving every bit of it!
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Congratulations! Eight years is a real achievement. It has been a pleasure to watch your life evolve.
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Loved your book and love your blog!
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Congrats! I just recently discovered your blog and i would LOVE to win and read your book 🙂
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I just got your book from the library and vehemently did not want to return it! Would love a copy!
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Congrats on 8 years of blogging! I love your recipes and perspective.
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Congratulations on your anniversary! You have a lovely blog; your writing seems so effortless yet so personal and your recipes are inspiring. Life with a toddler is challenging especially if your husband is home only on weekends so in my opinion, no apologies are necessary for breaks. I found that when my children were toddlers, I found The Emotional Life of a Toddler by Alicia Lieberman to be enlightening. Looking forward to your cake recipe!
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I think you deserve a gold star for doing as much as you do for your public on top of raising a toddler. Even if you decide to take a whole year off from blogging, I’ll still be waiting when you come back!
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Congratulations and keep up the great work!
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As someone who is only in her first year of blogging, I am in awe! Happy anniversary!
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Lovely
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Your blog is one of the few that I always read and your book it’s on my wish list since it came out! Congratulations on the 8 years!
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Eight years! Kudos to you. Longer than lots of relationships! Having just moved from Australia to Berlin, I’m currently in the process of setting up my own Berlin kitchen! Definitely need to include your book on the shelves we built today! By the way, love your commentary on toddlers – I’ve got a 2.5 year old and seven month old. Crazy, demanding, loveable creatures. So blessed. Thank you x
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Luisa,
How I enjoying your book! I am currently reading your Berlin Kitchen on my tablet and while my kids have grown up, moved away and married, I am thoroughly enjoying my new found interest in cooking and you helped to spark that in me! I have bookmarked every recipe that I want to try and create exactly as you have described yourself copying your ancestors handed down recipes. It is the tradition you have with them and how you relate the kitchen and cooking to your life that makes it all so fascinating. Thanks for drawing me into your world. Continue the great adventure!
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Eight years! How completely wonderful. Congrats! (And that paperback cover looks so delicious.)
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Felicitations
Happy Birthday
I also started ‘Serge the Concierge’ in 2005 (March).
Serge
‘The French Guy from New Jersey’
sergetheconcierge.com
Twitter: @theconcierge
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