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”
I’ve red your blog all the way through, and it has been wonderful to read about someone who is having the same feelings I am about life, and the future. I too feel like I am not in the right place, but I haven’t yet been courageous enough to make the jump to go back to where I consider home. But reading about your experiences is definitely helping me build up the courage to do so.
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Yay, congratulations! And…I have to say I almost like the paperback cover of your book even more than the hardcover version…almost 😉
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Congratulations on 8 years. I’ve been following your blog for about 6 months now and especially enjoy your cooking for Hugo posts. My almost 1 year old has enjoyed the cooking inspiration too. Would love a copy of your book to read during nap time 🙂
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I recently borrowed your book from the library and read it obsessively until I was done with it and then swore I would buy a copy soon…so I’d love to win one, but if I don’t I’ll still end up buying it! I love your writing and your recipes. Congrats on the anniversary and the paperback and all your success.
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Amazing. Would love to read the book, and would love to make the cake!
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Congratulations! It’s amazing what can happen over the course of the years!
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Congratulations!! A friend sent me the link to your blog about a year or so ago and I’ve really enjoyed your writing. I haven’t tried all the recipes but the ones that I have, I’ve loved! It’s fair to say that your Spice Cookies are a new Christmas tradition in my family. Thank you so much for sharing!
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I think i stumbled upon your blog because of a babyled weaning search and well fell in love. Not just your feeding a toddler post but all the ones in between and of course that means I had to go back and read all your older posts (apparently 8 years worth) to make sure you were legit. And I conclude that you are now in my “everyday” file to check. Which you know since you have a toddler too is really like once a week if I am lucky.
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Oh dear, no time for cake. 🙂 At least you have access to the fabulous Berlin Bakeries, Mohnkuchen anyone?? I’d probably give up baking if I was there.
Spent a couple of days in Berlin, my hometown, last month. Wish it could have been longer….
Looking forward to the German copies, they’ll make lovely Christmas presents.
I would love a paper copy, currently I only have the Kindle version, it’s not the same!
LG, Nina
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I love your blog and recipes……thanks for sharing perspective on life. 🙂
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Congratulations Luisa! I’m new here since your book is how I “met” you. But I always appreciate your honesty and how it so often affirms my own experiences. Looking forward to the cake!
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Congratulations on eight years of great accomplishment and wonderful writing. It’s always such a pleasure to read your blog.
And a cookbook giveaway! Yay!
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Eight years! Auguri!
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What a delightful discovery, book and blog, both. I read the book from the library (love the cover photo), and found every excuse to read because it was so hard to put down. I have talked it up and recommended it to friends. Would love to own a copy and congratulations on eight years!
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As a brand new reader, I would love a copy. I thoroughly enjoy your writing and look forward to trying many of your recipes. Congratulations on your success!
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I started a bookclub on Twitter, last year, together with a friend of mine. We’re still amazed about the amount of followers and all the nice questions and invitations that come to us. Last year we went to a meeting with an American Author, in a bookstore somewhere in the Netherlands. During that meeting i saw your book, lying on one of the tables. The word ‘Berlin’ caught my eye. My husband is German, and lived in de DDR for 18 years, before he came to Holland, because of me :). During our trips to my parents in law, we always travel trough Berlin, and also have friends and relatives there. I love the city, because of all the memories that lye there. I also love the way you tell about your live in Berlin, and in America before. Maybe I can arrange this new book for our bookclub (and also a litte bit for myself, to be honest ;)). That would be awsome!
Schöne Grüsse,
Best Wishes,
Manon Müller, The Netherlands
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Eight years!! Congratulations a million times over. Your blog and book have been an inspiration to so many; I wish you another eight great years of sharing your story and food.
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Congratulations on 8yrs of blogging! I’ve followed your blog for several years now, and I always enjoy your writing.
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congrats on 8 years and many happy returns. i love the paperback edition maybe even a little more than the hardcover!
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congratulations. 🙂 and thanks for sticking with it!
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Sounds really good indeed! Congratulations on those 8 years!
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Congrats on 8 years! Thanks so much for all of them. And as for the book…yes, please 🙂
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Eight years…congrats!
I found your blog a couple of years after I went to Berlin (2005), and have loved it ever since.
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Yay for 8 years! You’ve done and continue to do a great job with the blog and the rest of your life as far as I can see. Thanks for all you do! And for this great give away!
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Congratulations on eight years!
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8 years!! good for you & YES, i would love to win a paperback. i’ve enjoyed sharing in your life through your blog & book-thank you so much for being a wonderful & generous person.
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8 years ago I started my first real job. I was living in a nice city in Poland with my husband spending every minute with him and trying to figure out what we really wanted in life. I had a small group of friends, we travelled a little bit and I always wanted more.
I gave myself one year to make some of my dreams come true. Have a baby. Graduate from the second university. Learn Italian.
8 years later, I’m single living in Switzerland. I speak Italian fluently and spend as much time as possible in Rome, Milano or Genua. I’ve learnt French as well. I have a few (true) fantastic friends, some of whom have known me for 8 years or more. I travel a lot (Berlin and NY were new destinations this year). I have another dreams and I give myself much more time to let them come true. I’m not in rush.
Have a baby with THE guy. See New Zeleand. Learn Spanish.
8 years… 🙂
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congratulations on such a HUGE accomplishment! I’ve been a follower for a few years now and always love trying out new recipes you share 🙂
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Congratulations on 8 years! I love your book and your blog!
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Thank you so much for your warm, true voice, and your good humour (“but has OPINIONS” made me laugh out loud just now). Thanks, too, for your wonderful stories, and irresistible recipes.
I had your book in my hands in the Chapters store in Vancouver, but had no room in my suitcase coming home to the Netherlands. I would LOVE a copy.
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Congratulations and thanks for writing over these past 8 years! Your blog is one of my favorites and I frequently make and re-make the recipes you share.
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Congratulations on 8 years 🙂 Here’s to another 8! xoxo
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I found the blog after reading the book (which I loved). I had to take the book back to the library before I got a change to copy down the recipes I’d flagged, so I’d love to win my own copy.
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Happy Eighth Birthday! I have read your blog for over a year now, and I would love to own a copy of your book!
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It’s been fun following your stories..congratulations!
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Congrats! I love your writing style and am happy to comment and celebrate with you!
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I think I’m in that ground floor apartment now. I’m a big fan of your blog, and I’d love to read the book and see how your journey went.
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Just wanted to say that I absolutely loved your book, and actually I found your blog after reading your book (not the other way around). Congratulations on all the milestones! You don’t need to enter me in the giveaway because, after all, I’ve already got your book (on Kindle).
Also… once things calm down for you (I know what you mean about life with a toddler…) I hope that you will write more books. After I finished yours, my first thought was…. when is she writing the next? I love the way you write about both life and food.
Congrats and please keep posting more toddler food ideas!!!
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I’d love to win a copy of your book*
Thank for what you were doing the last 8 years, lady!
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Congratulations! It’s been fun to read about your adventures and journeys, and I’d love to have a copy of your book on my shelf!
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wow, eight years! congratulations! i’ve been reading your blog for about three years. i don’t comment much, but i read every entry! i’ve made numerous recipes, thanks so much for the inspiration.
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Congratulations! I’d love to read your book. I love reading about travel adventures…and recipes are an added bonus!
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Hi! I want your book. De-lurk data: longtime follower, foreign living in Germany, love your writing.
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I would love to read your story.
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Happy anniversary! How lovely to have a Hugo to run around after 🙂 One day your baking will be back, & Hugo will be around to ‘help’.
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Congratulations and I’m so happy that I discovered your blog – just in the past year – through sassy radish. I’ve been longing for a copy of your book since it came out – I’d love to win a copy!!
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I recently discovered your blog and even though I don’t know you, I feel like I do. I too fell in love with a German, and we are navigating our happy ever after as best we can. Your blog has made me feel like I have a friend, especially when it’s 1am and my baby is awake (again!) or she just decides that all food is awful and no she Will. Not. Eat. Thank you for letting me, all of us, into your life. Congrats on 8 years!
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8 years! And what an inspirational journey it’s been! Your book would fit just right, to round the experience. And I hope there’s My Italian Kitchen in the future, all the Italian vacation recipes have been such success!
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Gratuliere und beste Grüße aus Ohio! Your posts and pictures make me so nostalgic for the year I spent in Berlin!
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You picked the best day of the year to start your blog (it also happens to be my birthday). Congratulations on eight wonderful years – here’s to many more.
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