Wow. I let his blog die back in June, 2014. I wonder what was going on at that time for me to decide not to pursue this? I know Mick and I had worked on my salmon tartar video at Tammy and Andre’s, which ended up having a bug in it and, for all I know, is still stuck somewhere in the video camera memory card or his now defunct computer. I know we did our annual camping in New Jersey in July, that we had people over for various dinner parties, that we went to soccer and hockey games, that he helped me with my catering jobs (he was the best!), that we repainted the dining room and kitchen, that he and his buddy Andre fixed the leak in the basement, that he filmed his video for TD Canada Trust, which he never got to see because he had a heart attack in December 2014 and never woke up. And my life was no longer what I thought it was going to be.
I’m not trying to make any of you sad, I’m just stream of conscious writing this out trying to figure out the whys. Not that they matter, really. It’s not all that complicated and it is at the same time. I guess my heart wasn’t in it, and life got in the way and I had more things to experience (including, finally, Tuscany!) and here I am, a year and some shy of turning 60 (what??) and feeling like it’s time to find out what I want to be when I grow up and bring one of my joys back to life.
It would be a dream to actually be able to make a living of my loves of travelling, cooking, photography and writing. I cannot see it yet. But being “liberated” from the last soul-sucking job and finding myself in a position to stop and take stock, maybe I will.
In the meantime, just know that this blog has been brought back to life and will include my recipes as well as ones that I try out from recipe books or directly from my chef friend, Janet, of The Simmering Chef. It will be a collaboration of sorts as I will share what happens when I follow her recipes (with or without modifications) and blog about them here. Win-Win for us all, don’t you think? It will be like a version of Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag, a Canadian duo who would take a recipe book and try various recipes, from appetizer to dessert with varying results – and then invite the guest chef to taste. It was fun and I always wished I had come up with the idea!
To those of you who are still around, I thank you. To any who decide to join in, I thank you!
So. . .I didn’t know about this blog, but things happen. It’s great that you are bringing it back to share your passions, and I look forward to it!
It had been a good long while and took me FOREVER to figure out how to fix stuff! Glad to find you here, Merril 🙂
Welcome back!!!!!!!! I know I’m going to enjoy these a lot cause what you do, you do from the heart, always! 😉
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Happy beginning!
Oh crap! Really? Lemme fix that tout de suite!
I didn’t realise it wasn’t there!!
xoxoxo
Thank you! 💞
I don’t see a ‘follow’ button… and wp shows me as logged out, which is not the case. 🤔
Dang it. I am on it. Thank you!
I am absolutely thrilled by this, Dale. Can’t wait! I also think I can do a cross-posting on substack. Must investigate
Yay! So glad you are as thrilled as I am. And we definitely can do cross-posting. Will be fun!
Welcome back, Dale. Wishing you all the best in this venture.
Thank you, my friend. Looking forward to see how it develops.
Brava-Sima!
You are off and running!
How ironic that on the day the Goat of football retires, the Goat of all things cooking and captures Un-retires her blog!
It’s a sign. Gotta be.
Grazier!
I am!
Don’t you go Goating me! But I appreciate it 😁
And hey… If it’s a sign …
Dear Dale,
Hopefully I can learn from you. At any rate I’m glad to see you resurrect this blog. Kind of a symbol of a renewed life, yes? After all you’ve been through I’ve never seen you down for long. You’re definitely one of my heroes.
Shalom and lotsa savored hugs,
Rochelle
Dear Rochelle,
You do rather well, but hey, ya never know! And yes, I do like to think of it as a symbol of a renewed life – I thank you for verbalizing that! You are a cherished friend.
Shalom and lotsa flavourful love,
Dale
Well, hello there! I did not know about this blog so thank you for the heads-up in your other blog 🙂 You know, I had a feeling you liked to cook …
We … well, let me say that I complain about Life getting in the way and then I remember it’s all Life all the time. Sometimes it’s whitewater, sometimes it’s a meandering stream, but we just got to go with the flow.
It was lying unconscious somewhere in WP sleepy land 😉 And you are right. I do love to cook.
Yes, Marie, the water churns, lies still, pulls you out, throws you back, best to ride it. 🙂
It’s never too late! <3
I agree! 💞
Had no idea but will following since I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the new blog as well as all the drool worthy pics on IG. Bravo, my friend. Bon appetit.
You actually were following way back when! I found a comment of yours lying around 😉 I thank you for your support!
I think I’m subscribed now. It still won’t let me like you. Let’s see if I can comment now.
Oh cool! That ain’t cool… How can it stop you from liking me? 🙂 I hope so…
Yes you are!! Woo hoo!
Welcome back here, Dale! Looking forward to seeing what you’ve got cookin’!
Thank you, Bruce. I am looking forward to making this fun for all 🙂
Wonderful to see your new/old blog back in business. Don’t write off pursuing your dream. You find it more possible than you expect. Cheers!
Thank you so much, Eilene. And you’re right. I am not writing it off. I just have to find the what! Cheers to you and thanks for joining in!
Ah ha … your home before we met. Nice … and very you! Good luck and I look forward to your shares.
Yessir! Thank you, Frank. I hope to make this as enjoyable for you as for me.
Fantastic resurrection. I wish you every success. Wish I was more of a food fiend, but I love your photos and tales
Thank you, Crispina. I shall continue with the photos and tales only the food ones will be here instead of there 😉
So happy to see this Dale!
I look forward to it. As you inspire so many meals at my table ❤️
Thank you, my friend. Love to inspire! 💞
I could smell something cooking, then suddenly I landed here!
Cooking is my passion, it’s up there above blogging. Until a few years ago I was head chef and proprietor of both a gastro pub and a bistro. I’m told I have Red Wine Jus running through my veins, not blood!
I can’t wait to find out what you’ll be sharing with us.
How lovely to see you here, Keith!
Me too. I know you were! I am rather envious of it, too.
I hope I keep you entertained. 🙂
Found you! and this blog of yours, I’ll keep man eye on it. Are you still doing the FF’s with Rochelle?
Sir Shrawls! So happy you found me! Glad to have you here…. I do one now and again (don’t have the energy or desire to be a full-on participant). Hope you have been well?
So are you going to be here instead of the other blog or in addition to it? I can only follow people in one place. How do I handle this?
In addition to! This one is just food related. But no worries, they are separate and I won’t hold you to either. Plus, I am not a multi poster. Probably once per week (ish) here and whatever, over there. I’m not that prolific.
Did you say COOKING? Count me in! I do a lot more cooking these days than writing (sad to say, but true) and am looking forward to tons of scrumptious posts. Yum!
You read it right 😉
And you are lovely! Thank you, Joy 🙂