I can’t believe that today represents my 100^th blog post! It is crazy to think that I have been doing this for almost a year 🙂

I never imagined that I would enjoy this creative outlet so much. Writing for Ruby Reduction twice a week is the most fun I have ever had writing.

The blog has changed quite a bit from when I first started, not the layout but my style. The posts I was producing the first few months were very short. You would be lucky to get 50 or 60 words out of me before I dove right into sharing the recipe. Now, you have to scroll through 400 – 500 words before you catch a glimpse of the recipe.

I never understood what people meant when they would say you have to “find your voice”, but it all makes sense to me now. When I started writing, I didn’t know who I was talking to, or what you wanted to hear from me, but now, I feel that I am writing to near and dear friends. I write my posts in the same tone as I would tell you them over a pint at a local pub. My good friend Kim (who has her own amazing blog) has said that she can hear my voice when she reads Ruby Reduction, and I think that is one of the greatest compliments a blogger can hear.

Some other changes have been how I take my pictures. When I started, I thought it was necessary to ‘stage’ my food shots. I would include all the trimmings when I posted a bread recipe (my first post) or include glasses of wine when sharing a dinner recipe. But, as I became more comfortable with the medium, I realized that I should let the food speak for itself, and that no staging is necessary. I have embraced the super close up, to share my cooking experience with you.

I have been pleased to offer up space on Ruby Reduction to fabulous friends and family and give them an outlet to share their favorite recipes through guest blogging. As I have said on many occasions (read: Tom, Jeff, Dwayne and Kerri), the offer to host a guest post is always available.

Something funny has happened since I started writing Ruby Reduction; my insane passion for bacon. Now, I have always liked bacon. But when I started writing, I had a few mentions of bacon, and I found that these posts generated the most traffic. Hmmmm, there is a real interest out there in the blogosphere for bacon. In discussing this interesting piece of information with friends and family, it was thought that this could be my “hook”. Easy enough, I like bacon anyway. But what has happened over the past 100 posts is that I find myself craving bacon. I have turned into my ‘hook’, a passionate cook with an insatiable desire for more things bacon.

Writing for Ruby Reduction has allowed me to search out new and different recipes and has given me the opportunity to share my findings with others. I have always loved all things food: cooking, eating, talking, and now I can add writing to that list.

I appreciate all the wonderful readers who have taken the time to glance upon my pages. I am thankful that my blog is a lasting tribute to my wonderful Grandma. She encouraged me to be an inspired cook and now I am sharing that with you.

I am looking forward to the next 100 posts and the cooking adventures we will share. I hope you will continue to join me. 🙂