Happy one year, dear old blogaroo! A year ago this week, I started writing Serenity in the Storm. The name comes from a beautiful quote I try to take to heart each day: “Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm.” I’ve had a wonderful time writing the blog this past year, using it as an outlet to think through things that are on my mind and in the news and as a distraction from some of the more difficult work I do—in other words, as a tiny space that offers some, ‘peace within the storm.’ To celebrate the one year ‘blogiversary,’ I made the raspberry shortcake recipe this weekend, but used strawberries and blueberries instead of raspberries. Yum! If you like delicious things, I strongly encourage you to make this shortcake recipe with whatever are your favorite berries. Good lord, it’s divine.
This morning, I looked back at the blog stats for the past year and the five most widely read posts have been (and what a funny list it is):
Chik-fil-A: Speciesism with a Side of Homophobia?
Pantry Basics: Non-Dairy Milks
Who knew that making a nightcap is such a highly sought-after tutorial!
These are the five recipes I think are some of our favorite recipes from the last year (in no particular order):
Of course, without you, dear readers, this blog would be nothing more than a weird, public ‘notes to self.’ So for all of you reading, I am immensely grateful. Thanks to all those of you who have been reading from that very first post. And thanks to all of you newer readers. I love to hear from you—feedback, thoughts, comments, etc.—so please do comment or send me a note anytime if something is on your mind! My goal for the next year is to try to make this space more of a conversation.
And in that vein, is there anything you’d like to see more/less of on the blog in the next year? Any subject you’d like to see written about? Let me know! I’d love to hear your feedback about what’s working and what’s not working or could be better.
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Happy Bloggiversary! It’s been a wonderful year. Thank you! In this new year, I’d like to see regular in-person crafternoons with Katie and ME! I know T is in D.C., so I bet you’re missing time with her. I’m certainly no substitute, but I’d love to get together more often anyway. I’ll have to wait and see how the work/school/bus schedule comes together once we’re underway in September, but I’d love to make it happen.
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OK, I know that’s not exactly the feedback you requested, but…
xoxo
Thanks, Rain! I was just thinking the same thing–that we need to be spending LOTS more time together. I was just talking about you with Eric last night, in fact. Let’s make it happen. I’ll email you! xoxo
Katie,
I see that over the year, you have developed your blog to cover a pretty wide variety of topics that are firmly connected to your commitment to the difficult work you do. I remember talking to you a few years ago about taking care of yourself and that it is so important that you find and hold joy in the midst of these harsh and gut wrenching realities that you experience. I see that you find, hold and share that joy in many of the blogs that you write, and that you are also not afraid to share the challenges you encounter in your work, with us, your readers. Thank you for that. I have enjoyed every post!
Thank you for the kind words. The blog definitely has been a source of joy for me and I’m so glad that that has come through! xoxo
In spite of this dreadful word “blog,” this blog is a many-splendered thing. I agree with Anne. The seering revelations of toxic reality to which you expose yourself do not diminish the spirit of joy in your response, proving we do not have to be ignorant to live or love. Compassion and non-violent communion, embodied in the recipes and in the discussions, reclaim pleasure from the debaucheries of capital, conflct, abuse, expense and profit. Happy Anniversary!
Well said Peter! and yes, Happy Anniversary to Serenityinthestorm!
Indeed. This made me tear up. Thank you.
I’d love to see some more veganizing of non-dessert items! Each and every one of your dessert recipes (and photos) are absolutely divine and I would love to see more lunchy and dinnery items featured – especially in the vein of veganizing old favorites (like the pot pie, mushroom gravy, etc).
It’s bee a pleasure reading, so keep up the wonderful work!!!!
Oooh! Great idea. Thanks! Any old favorites in particular you’d like to see veganized?