I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who has stayed with me and read my blog along this incredible journey for the past three years. I had no idea when I started blogging what a wonderful experience it would be. I’ve met so many wonderful people and your friendship means the world to me. I also could not have done this without the help of my fabulous husband Meakin, who is my photographer and my best friend in the world.
For those of you who have blogs of your own, you know how scary it can be to push the “publish” button for the first. Fortunately I wasn’t alone when I took the plunge. It was late in October of 2008 when a group of members of the North Carolina Writers Network in western North Carolina attended a workshop on “How to Start a Blog” in the computer room of a local library. The workshop was conducted by Glenda Beall, at the time the Netwest Coordinator for our area. Glenda has two popular blogs of her own, Writing Life Stories and Writers Circle Around the Table. I felt a little out of place surroundedy by poets such as Nancy Simpson and Brenda Kaye Ledford, both who had previously published poetry books. But with group support, we all jumped into the world of blogging together. And the rest, as they say, is history.
I primarily post two kinds of stories – food and travel. Here are a few of the most popular posts during the past three years. Please click on the link to see the original post.
Most Popular Food Posts
Most Popular Travel Posts
Again, thank you and merci beaucoup to each and every one of you for your wonderful support and generous comments. I could not have done without you. I will be taking a short intermission and plan to return in early November.
Cheers! See you soon. I will be linking this to Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum and On the Menu Monday at Stone Gable.
.JPG)
What a great stroll down memory lane! Thanks again for all your sharing.
ReplyDeleteWell where do I start with all of this. First of all, that beautiful photo of the tomatoes is as colorful and impressive as the sunset photos that Larry just published. It also reminded me that I want to make your tomato and peach salad.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your anniversary. I agree, I bet it took me 20 minutes to hit that publish button the first time. And then to get my first comment??? Loved it.
I like your idea of publishing the most popular posts. I'll do the same on my anniversary.
I always look forward to your blog posts Sam, and the beautiful photos.
congrats - you are no longer suffering through the "terrible twos" ....LOL
ReplyDeleteI haven't been a follower the whole three years, Sam, but I've thoroughly enjoyed every single post I've read. Congratulations! I wish I would have had a little more company when I started . . . teaching oneself and learning as you go isn't always easy. Always fun, though. Thanks for sharing all these posts again!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a pleasure getting to know you:)
ReplyDeleteThank you Sam..here's to many more..Thank your darling husband also.
Congratulations! And thank you for taking us in your travels and food experiences.
ReplyDeleteMely
Congratulations on your third anniversary! Blogging is fun and you have a great blog. Super pictures!
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Anniversary Sam! I am glad I got to know you and Meakin!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary!!!
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found your blog, Sam. I really don't remember how I found it, but I have been following you for sometime now. I remember the Edison blog post, I really enjoyed it and all the details you posted. Keep up the good work!! Love, Kat
ReplyDeletecongrats my friend! This has been such a wonderful post to look at. The pictures are all awesome and I love being able to celebrate with you- your blog is wonderful and such a pleasure to visit each week.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations are definitely the order of the day Sam!!!I am lifting my glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to many more successful years!
ReplyDeleteHappy Bloganniversary and to many more! Starting a blog is a wonderful adventure, but also quite daunting...
ReplyDeleteEverything you create looks so good!
Cheers,
Rosa
Congratulations on three years of blogging, Sam! I didn't realize it until I read your post so I looked back and tomorrow is my three year blog anniversary too!
ReplyDeleteHave a great break.
Happy Anniversary! We want you to stay a long time with us.
ReplyDeleteSam, it has been a pleasure getting to know you, and your blog is a gift to all readers.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your intermission. And, congratulations on your success.
Sam, great fotos, food, and fun. What a pleasure to have connected to your blog and what you have offered us. Congratulations on 3 wonderful years.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogaversary! I have travelled vicariously with you and broken bread at your table - in MN! Enjoy your intermission. Look forward to the next act.
ReplyDeleteA hearty congrats to you and your photographer - you guys are a great team. The best part about your blog is it led us to getting to know you and we look forward to expanding the relationship. Sorry we won't be able to come that way before you leave, but life happens you know.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and wishes for many more anniversaries to come. So nice to have met you through blogging. Thanks for the great recap of the years. Best, Deborah
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and thank you for sharing those tasty recipes and wonderful moments with us.
Happy 3rd Blogiversary Sam! I enjoy visiting your blog and reading the stories behind the dish you are blogging about and your tavel stories. Your stories are always so interesting I feel like I'm there too.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad we've been able to meet and I have learned a lot form you!
Congratulations on your third anniversary! Love the photos.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blogging anniversary. You have such a lovely blog and I always enjoy your recipes and your trips that you share even when I don't leave a post. That Shrimp and Grits has made me very hungry.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn/A Southerners Notebook
Sam, congrats on three years! Looking forward to more. I know when I started my blog I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I really enjoy getting to know everyone in the blogging community! Such fun!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to meet you in November!
Lyndsey
Happy Anniversary, Sam. I've been around from the beginning and I have always enjoyed the time I spent here. I love the food and photos you've chosen to feature for the celebration. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteSam, Congratulations on three delicious years! It has been wonderful to accompany you on your journeys and savor the world through your eyes. A toast to you and your outstanding photographer! Hope you have a relaxing break and I look forward to another year from your Carolina Kitchen! All the best! T.W.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your milestone, although I must say, you're such a pro I thought you'd been blogging much longer than that :)
ReplyDeleteYour food and travels are always a delight, and it was fun to recall many of the posts you mentioned here. I can always count on great writing, great photos, and inspiration whenever I stop by your place.
Thank you for your friendship, and I will look forward to your return.
Congrats! Your food is always a feast for the eyes as well.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! What a huge success you've had, it's amazing! you have a lovely blog and I always look forward to reading your next post. Your recipes are fabulous and I hope you continue to blog for a VERY long time! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I love coming to visit you. Your post are always such and interesting and an easy read. You sure have a great photographer. I have made quite a few of your great recipes. In other words, I like it here.
ReplyDeleteKeep on Blogging.
Rita
Un excellent anniversaire …
ReplyDeleteque de belles et appétissantes images, je voyage en plus
Je te souhaite un très beau samedi
Valérie.
Many congratulations, Sam. You have a super blog and I love visiting! I consider you a good friend.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful break...take care of that back!
Congratulations! Very happy you went to the library that day because I've enjoyed becoming blog friends with you.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling well.
Such beautiful food, such wonderful travels! Happy to be able to tag along through your blog. Thanks for sharing!...
ReplyDeleteSam,
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful little break. I love coming to your blog. I am inspired to create and delighted when I have been to a place your are talking back.
Carol
Happy 3rd Blobversary!!! I've enjoyed reading each of your posts since I entered the "blog world." I always learn something more about food or travels. Additionally I think we all leave a little peek at our lives so that we connect with our "blog friends." Cheers to you for many more wonderful posts!
ReplyDeleteMary
Congratulations on your Blogger Anniversary. I'm so thankful for my family of blogger friends, you included. I have been craving shrimp & grits, and your photo took that craving to a critical level!
ReplyDeleteYumm -- all those food pictures have me drooling. It's been a pleasure following your blog, Sam -- Enjoy your break!
ReplyDeletehappy birthday to my carolina kitchen adore your blog ;-)
ReplyDeleteHappy Blog Birthday! Your food posts make me wish I hadn't eaten yet tonight. And your clothes, in that last post? Wonderful! Love the pin. Fleur de Lys?
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd Blogiversary! Here's to more continued exceptionally good posts.
ReplyDeleteOh Sam, that tomato salad made my mouth water. I'd love to sit and eat a bunch of tomatoes with someone interesting and soak up sun, fall air, and fascinating stories!
ReplyDeleteHappy blog birthday from Hope Town, Sam!! Wishing you many more returns of the day!
ReplyDeletePatty
Congratulatons, that really is an amazing accomplishment. It's such fun to see the most popular posts all together, the greatest hits parade!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sam! I have been following you for the past year and have enjoyed every minute of it! Here is to many more!
ReplyDeleteMaria @ A Platter of Figs
Dear Sam, Congratulations!!! I am very happy for you on your anniversary. I agree the blogging world has been a wonderful experience. The people are supportive and true friends. It is a blessing to be a part of this community. Blessings for many more anniversary's. Catherine
ReplyDeleteSam, your blog is beautiful to look at and delightful to read. Meakin's photos are unbelievably fetching to anyone who enjoys good food. He makes every dish seem so special.
ReplyDeleteI am happy you attended that blogging class we had three years ago, and even happier that you saw the advantages of posting an excellent blog.
I look forward to many more years of reading your words and drooling over Meakin's photos.
Sam, Congratulations on 3 inspiring years of blogging, my friend!
ReplyDeleteYour recipes, wit and exquisite good taste make My Carolina Kitchen (and you) one of my very favorites!
I just went to your blog from Abaco and got lost in it for a long time this morning... just gorgeous! I now think I need a vacation!!!
See you in a couple of weeks!
xo Yvonne
Sam, I am so happy to have gotten to know you through your blog and in person. We started our blogs at about the same time, mine coming up in January and it has been such a fullfilling journey. Meeting wonderful people like you and Meakin is the reason why. Congratulations on your wonderful creation.
ReplyDeleteSam, I've enjoyed reading about your travels and wonderful recipe finds over the last three years. I particularly enjoyed the onces from Provence. I hope I get to see more of those!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your blogging anniversary! Your blog is a favorite of mine...food and travel...they just go together!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your third anniversary, Sam. I've enjoyed your blog very much. The photos of the food and travel are wonderful. It's been a great trip down memory lane. Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Sam. You have created a wonderful place for your friends to visit, full of great recipes and travel stories. It's always a treat to come by to say hello. You have left us with some wonderful recipes to try while you are gone. Have a very enjoyable break.
ReplyDeleteSam, it has been such a pleasure to read and follow your blog! I appreciate all the thought and effort you put into each and every post and all your delicious recipes and beautiful travel photos.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your blog break! I, myself, am returning from a short time away.
Happy blog anniversary!
Congratulations! that really is a wonderful achievement - but not surprising as your blog is a delight!
ReplyDeleteMary x
Congratulations on your third year...I enjoy very much reading your recipes and travels.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break Sam :-)
Congratulations on your 3rd anniversary! Everything looks delicious and inspires me to experiment in the kitchen.
ReplyDelete:)
Sam, I think we have known each other almost that full 3 years that we have both been blogging and you must be one of the few that I have continued to follow. Thanks so much for sharing your favorite meals (and what fabulous recipes!) and your world adventures. And here is to the next 3 years! Cheers! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWow! Great blog. I'm glad that I stumbled across it.
ReplyDeletebeneaththeelmtree.blogspot.com
Happy Blogoversary, Sam! Your photos are awesome, filled with great memories. Here's to many more of your great posts! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteCheers to you, Sam! I'm so proud of your accomplishment, and I have to say that I think your recipes and your posts are some of my favorites. You do it well!
ReplyDeleteAt some point this winter, we are going to have to try and get together. I keep hoping that I will get Mr. Magpie down your way and that we can meet up in Sarasota or some midway point.
In the mean time, I just want you to know how much I enjoy your blog and your blog friendship. You're the absolute best, and I'm so thankful to have gotten to know you.
XO,
Sheila
Sam, my warmest congratulations on your 3rd anniversary! I'm so happy to have discovered your blog via our mutual friend...and what treasures you have posted over the years. Brava to you!!!! And enjoy your time off~
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed catching up on your posts after returning from Europe. So happy to add my congratulations on your blog anniversary. Your posts are always special.
ReplyDeleteHi ...I loved to read and admire your photos of dishes and travel ......Happy Bloganniversary..Cheers MARIMI
ReplyDeleteHI Sam. Hope your recovery is going well. I'm leaving for the Bahamas next Friday. I agree, November is a fantastic time there. I plan to try that fresh coconut pie we talked about. I got the Mendalson Bahamian cookbook as an Amazon used book. I think I'll try selling some of the cook books I don't use. It will help justify the new ones I want to buy!
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend.
D
Congratulations and super well done.
ReplyDeleteLooking through the favourites you've included in this post I realised that I have all the toppings for the smoked salmon pizza lurking in my fridge, and home-made fresh pizza dough lurking in the freezer - guess what I'll be feasting on over the weekend (but I will have to share some of the smoked salmon with Zebby Cat to keep the peace).
Sending care, huggles and puRRRumbles to your dear self and to dear Meakin,
Michelle and Zebby Cat, downunder in New Zealand
Dear Sam,
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your 3rd Blog anniversary!! Hoerya to you, your lovely writing & your tasty & amazing recipes! Hoeray to your lovely husband too to encourage you & take georgous pictures of your food & food adventures too! Cheers, my dear friend!
I love all of your tasty dishes,....they never fail me !!!
Sam, Happy Blog Anniversary to you. Your blog is one of my favorites and I hope to be enjoying your posts for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Velva
Sam - Congratulations on 3 years of wonderful blogging. Food and travel are my two greatest loves and I adore that you write about both of them on your blog. I have really enjoyed getting to know you through your writing and look forward to reading even more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Happy Blog-o-versary! This is a great post :) It's wonderful to see how things come together and progress. That salmon pizza had me totally drooling too :)
ReplyDeleteI just copied your Low Country Shrimp and Grits which I had not see before. That sounds like a wonderful recipe. I had never tried grits until I moved to the South and even so I did not know how to cook them until lately. We went to the Windsor Hotel in Americus, Georgia where we had the best grits and cheese. Since then I have tried to use grits more often.
ReplyDeleteHappy bloganniversary! Your blog is so colorful with yummy recipes, beautiful photographs and interesting travel anecdotes. I hope you and Meakin will continue to entertain us for many years to come.
Congratulations! I love reading your blog...now if I could just cook as well as you!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 3 years of fun sharing! I'm so glad you did this reprise of some older posts, because I've missed many of them the first time around. Amazing!
ReplyDeletePlease let your photographer, Meakin, know how much I admire his work, too. Beautiful shots, always!
fondly,
Rett
Yes, I am behind on my blog reading!!! Thank you for being a bloggy friend and being there for us for three years!
ReplyDeleteA late congrats to you on the anniversary! Your food posts always make me wish I was rich and could hire you to be my personal cook : )
ReplyDeleteSam-you do a great job here!!!!
Thanks for stopping by, Sam.
ReplyDeleteHave a great evening. Blessings...Mary
Congratulations on your anniversary. Your blog is one of my favorites. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention in my earlier post to you how stylish you look in that picture! Love your sunglasses, your pin, your bracelet, your jacket, your scarf, and most of all YOU!
ReplyDeleteLast night, my progressive lenses played tricks on me, and I made the mistake of turning rapidly on the stairs and promptly wiping out. Still debating as to whether I need to have my arm x-rayed. It took the brunt of it! Growing far too OLD to be meeting floors this way! ;-)
Again, Many Happy Blog Returns!
XO,
Sheila
I missed this post due to my own travels. Hope I'm not too late to wish you are very pleasant holiday. I am going to come back to your post with a cup of tea to fully take it all in.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Bonnie
Hello from another Carolina blogger! I have enjoyed looking at your blog - the photos are lovely! You are such a professional - I'm just getting started at this blogging business but am, like you, having so much fun! If you ever pass through Raleigh, let's have a cup of coffee!
ReplyDeleteThought id say hello while passing your blog by, and i hope you folks have a very nice weekend. We are maybe a little past fall peek colors for taking pictures of our tree's here in central Pennsylvania, but ill try anyway to go out one last time to snap some images. Richard from the Amish community of Lebanon Pennsylvania.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Sam, looking forward to the next 3 years of your posts. Hope the back is doing well. Diane
ReplyDeleteHappy Three years to you! You have done an amazing job on a blog filled with great stories and photos. What I would have given for tomatoes like those in your lead photo this year. Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI want to devour each and every one of those food photos and dive into every one of the travel ones. Congrats on three years...that's wonderful, Sam!
ReplyDeleteThe only thing better than your blog of memories would have been if you took us along with you. You did second best and shared. Thanks Sam.
ReplyDeleteHappy blog anniversary, Sam. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteQuelle belle découverte gourmande appétissante et colorée, et un superbe voyage, je te remercie pour ton gentil message sur mon blog
ReplyDeleteJe te souhaite un bon dimanche
Valérie
3 years! I know you have probably met so many people as I have also. It can be life changing this blogging. I will have to try a few of the favorite recipes mentioned above although cooking is not my most productive time :)
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy your slipcovers. Thanks for reading my blog!