1-Year Blog Birthday: New Old House, Simmered Till Done

Sep 7th, 2008 by Marilyn

One whole year? As in photos and recipes and 260 posts about nothing, fluffy as frosting?

Impossible.

But true! Just over a year ago, we got the fantastical idea that we could build a new old house.

I mean, not us personally. We’re good with paper, pencil, and Internets. Hammers, not so much.

The house decision changed our lives and made it, arguably, the longest year we’ve known. I thought that restaurant kitchens were tough, but you know, at least you’re just doing, not always deciding what gets done. Three million micro-decisions later, I’ll say it again: if you can stay married while building a house, that’s it. You can snore or argue or make an ass of yourself at that nice couple’s dinner party, and you will still be locked for life.

Because you built a house and didn’t kill each other. That, my friends, is love.

During construction I got another bright idea, to start a blog - amusing, since I knew as much about blogging as I did about drywall. Sure, the early posts featured beams and framing and trim boards, but when the year wore on and the builders dragged, sugar and flour crept in. Scones replaced doorknobs, and paint gave way to banana bread. Once I got over the notion of sharing my kitchen with strangers, there were no strangers at all - just a few more guests at the table. So I put out more food.

I still don’t know much about blogging. But if you’re considering it yourself, a bit of advice:

1) photograph everything. Drive your family nuts by making them wait for dinner (”hold on - click, click - okay, no wait - click - okay, eat”)

2) make yourself the butt of every joke. For me, not a problem.

3) be sure to exploit every edible occasion, like my mother-in-law’s birthday cake, above. She had a lovely 65th, and certainly I should have shown her smiling behind candles, but…oh come on, the blog is turning one. I needed a cake here!

Thank you for sharing this year with all of us at Simmer. And when I say all of us I mean, you know, me. I also mean the two decent people and one sweet dog who put up with me. It takes good humor to be laid out daily like a brunch buffet, but I assure you they’re well-fed for their trouble. And when they’re eating well, the blog is too. It’s been my pleasure to host you all - so stick around, grab a snack, and know you’re welcome in my kitchen.

Tags: blog birthday, cake, New Old House

Posted in My So-Called Life, New Old House

22 Responses to “1-Year Blog Birthday: New Old House, Simmered Till Done”

on 08 Sep 2008 at 2:19 am1Jayne

Am I the first one to comment again?! Hee hee. The joys of working night shift…. Beautiful cake, beautiful house. And your blog’s been a joyride!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 3:51 am2Alex

Fabulous post and a very happy blog-birthday.
on 08 Sep 2008 at 6:52 am3Laura

Congrats on both the blog and the house - both are beautiful! I so enjoy reading your posts. Here’s to many, many more - cheers!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 8:02 am4PVS

Happy One Year!!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 8:45 am5wanderluster

Yay! I loved watching the transformation of both the house and the blog. Happy Blog Birthday!!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 8:58 am6Renovation Therapy

Is there any cake left? Cause, like…I’ve got 3 airports within a 25 minute cab ride…

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!!!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 9:31 am7mary

I’ve enjoyed your blog so much this year. Thanks and Happy Birthday!!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 9:38 am8Rechelle

if you can stay married while building a house, that’s it. You can snore or argue or make an ass of yourself at that nice couple’s dinner party, and you will still be locked for life.

This is my favorite marriage/house/building quote ever!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 10:32 am9Susan

Congrats on the one-year! I’m looking forward to what you have in store for us next.
on 08 Sep 2008 at 10:54 am10Carol

Happy Blog Birthday!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 12:18 pm11grace

aw, happy blog birthday! a cake was definitely in order, and a fine one it was! oh, and the house looks terrific!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 1:57 pm12Robin

Yay! Happy blogiversary!
And I definitely wouldn’t say “posts about nothing.”
on 08 Sep 2008 at 2:28 pm13muddywaters

Congrats! It takes a lot of discipline to blog as well as you do. I look forward to reading future posts. Your blog has been an inspiration. My life is a little better because of your blog.
on 08 Sep 2008 at 2:45 pm14jenni

Glad I’ve been around for all the transformations. The first post of yours I remember is about the storm room. A half bathroom.
Happy Blog birthday!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 3:36 pm15Marilyn

Thanks for all the kind words - it’s astounding enough to entertain, let alone inspire. We aim to please. Headed to an undisclosed location tonight - okay, Chicago - but I’ll be around. Feel free to stare at the cake without me!
on 08 Sep 2008 at 10:15 pm16Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)

Congratulations — blogging for a whole year is quite an achievement! Looking forward to the second year of Simmer.
on 09 Sep 2008 at 8:26 am17PVS

I’m staring at the cake wishing it were a scone and a cup of hot tea as I am stuck in an airport (a very cold airport) waiting on a delayed flight….. hope it’s warmer in Chicago than it is here…….
on 09 Sep 2008 at 9:58 am18Amy (mom2bjm)

Happy first Birthday to the Blog!

Those strawberries look the awesomest!! Don’t know if I’ve ever seen one that ripe and juicy-looking!
on 09 Sep 2008 at 6:37 pm19natalie

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… I LOVE YOUR HOUSE!
on 09 Sep 2008 at 7:16 pm20HPH

YUM! That is one fiiiiiine lookin cake!
Happy Blog B-day! Here’s to many more!
!
on 09 Sep 2008 at 9:54 pm21amy h

Happy one year!
on 11 Sep 2008 at 10:48 am22Laura

Happy Blog Birthday! I have just found your blog for the first time, so I missed building the house, but look forward to joining you in your kitchen!

Laura
http://www.chesapeakebaygiftbaskets.com