Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010 … Wrapping up the year that went by!

“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”

George Bernard Shaw

It’s that time of the year again when I sit back and wonder where the time went. Sitting with my cup of coffee thinking about the year that went by. Gosh, 2010 is almost here. A decade just went by … JUST LIKE THAT?? This year was certainly one the fastest to whoosh by, more so in blogging terms. I have spent increasingly more time on my little blog, loving to get to it the first thing in the morning with my faithful cup of coffee by my side.

Looking back I can pick a few highlights, and NO, I am not brave like few of my brave heart friends like Jamie and Diva to put my New Year resolutions in print! Que sera sera, what will be will be….this is more my tune! The year that went by was GOOD in all respects, and I have no complaints (other than 6 attempts at making macarons one single morning, and H1N1 scares with school closures!!). It meant good family time, happy family being fed good food, hungry blog, a trip to the Himalayas (here, here and here), and another to London, (here) the Blogger Aid Cookbook being published, fruits in desserts galore, tweeting unlimited, exploring Old Delhi, sick kids but that’s part of parenting, more gifts than I ever deserved, and an increasing number of foodie friends! I was happy to be able to contribute a recipe to this wonderful BloggerAid project, and also offer an idea for the book cover!

2009 has been a year of finding my blogging mojo. It’s been an inspirational one and I have an even hungrier blog to feed thanks to a wonderful following of foodie friends. A sneak at my stat counter throws up 622,036 for 31st December 2009 (22:42:54), a figure that reflects just under 2 years of blogging (I reset my stats once 2 years ago). I have moved from an exhilarating 4 visits a day, when I began blogging, to 1300 on an average now. A small number by standards, but huge for me. I sometimes cannot believe that I have about 1300 views in a day!! My highest to date was 2000+ and you might have heard me yelling from the rooftops!

The years saw me exploring my passion in baking with fruit. Whenever I saw new seasonal fruit, I bought it. Persimmons, plums, peaches, apples, figs … I found them, I got them, I baked them! If I read at any time of vegetables in baking, I used them. It’s been learning at an alarming rate, and an ever exuberant and excited family who are always game to try anything, even my first pumpkin pie! Was the best pie ever, the Praline Pumpkin Pie, from the gorgeous book Park Avenue Potluck CELEBRATIONS, and my son’s favourite dessert to date. I still have to conquer the cauliflower to make the children ASK for it… any help in this department would be welcomed with open arms (keeping the fat content and cheese low though!!). Broccoli has been conquered righteously with the Ottolenghi cookbook that Hilda gave me. Bell peppers are roasted whenever the oven is baking anything else, jostling for space with a head of garlic … and used in just about anything savoury! This Roasted Red Bell pepper Fougasse is a favourite destination for peppers till date.

Could life ever be the same without twitter. Those tweeps changed my life!! I hesitatingly began tweeting on Purple Foodies insistence a few years ago, but just to message her. Then one day she suggested a desktop application! Technically challenged me was intrigued , and I gave it a shot. Never a better shot I tell ya! Tweetdeck changed my life forever! Try it, find your group, and life will never be the same again! I have met and revisited friends I had lost touch with, got closer to mere blogger acquaintances who are now everyday ‘necessities‘. We know what’s cooking in each other’s kitchens, how many inches of snow they’ve had, or whether their little papoose has begun the babble and crawl … and what they’re doing for New Year.

We also know another thing … omnipresent in our foodie existence … FEET!! You got any? Oh yes, how could I forgot that HIGH!! The Cooking Ninja’s voice still sings in my head

vindee U’ll get your feets dearie. Can see you jumping up AND down in yr kitchen shouting ‘I got feets! I got feets!’ like u won lotto.
@vindee Did I hear that you got feets finally?

@vindee woohoo! Congrats!

… This was a year where a bunch of us met over twitter and began talking about the very fidgety and temperamental French macaron! Somewhere en route, I threw Jamie a challenge and she grabbed it enthusiastically, found immediate success. Thereafter began a twitter crazy bunch of us finding FEET! Oh the highs and the lows, but above all, the deep-set comaraderie.

In the midst of all this, MACTWEETS was born. Jamie and I got together to begin a blog for all macpassionate and macobsessed folk like ourselves! “We decided to create this ‘Mactweets‘ blog as our virtual Mac Kitchen, a place where all of us could gather, share advice and laughs, find encouragement and solace, give cheers and pats on the back.”… and we found plenty of takers. Our blogroll now has 40+ proud members and we’re always happy to help more foodies find FEET! Everyone’s welcome to join MacTweets!

The big talking point of the year was of course the Food Blogger Connect in London. We had a fantastic meet up of bloggers at the FBC ’09 in November 09 … it was like a dream come true. It was the first ever bloggers meet in the Europe and I was happy to fly down and be part of it. In one sentence … “We had the time of our lives”. It was food talk, photographs, giggles, HUGS, group hugs, chatter, more hugs, shrieks of joy, gifts … so many memories. A lifetime of memories for a wonderful first meeting. Met my twin sistah Jamie, and then Hilda and Meeta … the four of us now firmly the Ottolenghi sistahs, thanks to Hilda!

Met the ever sexy Beth and Davina … both divas in their own rights and both sprightly, young fun girls! Then along came Pamela, the absent minded ninja, who practically forgot everything of significance back in France, and kept me in hysterics!

Pam and me, partners in shopping crime and non-stop banter, ensured that not a moment was wasted. The ever charming Mowie kept us in splits, and entertained all of us the entire time with his disarming smile. Add to this happening party a deep throated and fun Italian, Alessio, and we were in business! More wonderful foodies were sweet Sunita (with her excellent homemade garam masala, fudge and truffles), my old buddy Nic, Claire, Cooksister Jeanne, Sarka, Sarah, Oz …

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Now I’m all set for 2010!
Bring it on!!

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Comments

kamran siddiqi says:

2009/12/31 at 6:38 pm

Great post Deeba!

Goodbye 2009. Hello 2010! This New Year will be a new and great start for all of us!

Barbara Bakes says:

2009/12/31 at 6:49 pm

What a wonderful post! I love how you summed up Twitter. I feel exactly the same! Happy New Year my friend!

Helene says:

2009/12/31 at 7:11 pm

Happy New Year Deeba!

Elle says:

2009/12/31 at 7:23 pm

What a gorgeous look back on the year! Happy New Year, and here's to many many more!

Swapna says:

2009/12/31 at 8:07 pm

Wonderful post!!!

Happy New year to you too Deeba!!!

Chow and Chatter says:

2009/12/31 at 8:56 pm

Happy New Year the most talented Deeba

love Rebecca

The Cooking Ninja says:

2009/12/31 at 9:41 pm

Happy New year, dear Deeba! How I miss you!

10 yrs ago, I never imagined that I would live in France and have a wonderful and lively poppet.

Rosa's Yummy Yums says:

2009/12/31 at 9:52 pm

A great year!

Best wiahes for 2010!

cheers,

Rosa

pigpigscorner says:

2009/12/31 at 10:20 pm

What a great year! and here's to a better year ahead! Happy new year Deeba!

Julia @Mélanger says:

2009/12/31 at 10:58 pm

My lovely friend Deeba, it has been wonderful discovering your blog this year. A delight to read each and every time. What a year you have had. I look forward to 2010! Here we are now.

Sarah, Maison Cupcake says:

2010/01/01 at 12:13 am

What a wonderful post. I love to hear about your journey towards a popular blog and onto Twitter and then Mactweets and FBC. I loved meeting you and the others in November and cannot wait to do so again next year. Lots of love and happy new year! xxx

Lauren says:

2010/01/01 at 12:59 am

What a great year Deeba! You've done so much this year and I cannot wait to see what the next ones hold for you =D. Happy New Year!

foodie ffanatic says:

2010/01/01 at 2:05 am

I am so happy to have found your blog this year, Deeba. You truly are passionate about baking and so inspiring because of it. Your recipes are fabulous and your photographs are sublime. I directed my daughter to Mactweets – my avatar is a photo of her second ever macaron attempt. I hope that 2010 is a joyous and fulfilling year for you and your family. Happy New Year! Dani (ddh77 on Twitter)

Twinsy Rachel says:

2010/01/01 at 3:31 am

What a great post!!! U have summed up the year's events very nicely. I am so glad I discovered PAB which as I have said many times before has always inspired me.. Wish u all the blessing from God Almighty to u n ur wonderful family on the New Year. Here is a verse for you from the Bible, "The eyes of the Lord your God are continually on you from the beginning of the year to its end (Deuteronomy 11:12)"

Cheer
Twinsy

Siri says:

2010/01/01 at 3:49 am

Dear Deeba,

Wishing you and your family a very Happy and Joyous 2010.

Cheers,
Siri

tracieMoo says:

2010/01/01 at 3:49 am

Happy New Year!

s says:

2010/01/01 at 5:37 am

Verry nice post…wish u a great year ahead!

Susan @ SGCC says:

2010/01/01 at 6:10 am

Happy New Year, Deeba! I hope 2010 brings you lots of wonderful things!

Nags says:

2010/01/01 at 8:08 am

have a fantastic new year Deebs!

Jamie says:

2010/01/01 at 11:01 am

I truly think that the highlight of my 2009 was finding my secret soul-mate, my twin sister separated at birth, Deeba! You have encouraged me, inspired me, laughed at me and laughed with me and shared secrets with me in a million tiny ways. Amazing that we got to meet and hug! Next time will be many days spent together. Even JP is thrilled that we met!

You are an amazing person, Deeba, and it is an honor to be your friend. Your extraordinary blog and talent is an inspiration to many and may it go on and on!

Happy & Healthy 2010, my friend.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:

2010/01/01 at 11:30 am

I'm not surprised you have so many readers darling. We all love the effort you put into everything and your warm, wonderful writing. Happy New Year and I hope 2010 is a wonderful year for you and your family! x

Gloria says:

2010/01/01 at 1:59 pm

Deeba You made all beauty I always say you, the pics. the recipes, your posts , Have a wonderful and nice New Year with a lot of Blessings!! xx gloria

Judy@nofearentertaining says:

2010/01/01 at 2:18 pm

Lovely post Deeba! I think you covered 2009 nicely! Wishing you and your family all the best in 2010!

Bellini Valli says:

2010/01/01 at 2:44 pm

Welcome to 2010 Deeba. It is so full of possibilities. Can't wait to see what is in store for PAB if 2010 is only 1/2 as exciting as this past year.

Megan says:

2010/01/01 at 4:03 pm

Looks like 2009 treated you well and I cant wait to see what 2010 holds for us! Happy New Year!

Megan says:

2010/01/01 at 4:03 pm

Looks like 2009 treated you well and I cant wait to see what 2010 holds for us! Happy New Year!

Madame Sucre says:

2010/01/01 at 5:04 pm

Happy New Year Deeba.. meeting you is one of the best things that happened to me in 2009!

MaryMoh says:

2010/01/01 at 7:09 pm

Lovely post! Wishing you a very Happy & Prosperous New Year, Deeba!

Elenka says:

2010/01/02 at 1:55 am

Thanks, Deeba, for a great year. You're a very talented person. Happy New Year.

Kerstin says:

2010/01/02 at 7:19 am

Great recap, Happy New Year Deeba!

Komal-Nishka says:

2010/01/02 at 10:16 am

Dee, I'm here atleast 2-3 times a week reading new recipes, huntin an old one I stumbled upon to make

You rock! Happy 2010 xx

Natashya KitchenPuppies says:

2010/01/02 at 2:35 pm

What a wonderful year you have had! Here's to an even better 2010. xo

lobstersandwich says:

2010/01/02 at 3:43 pm

Hi Deeba:
I echo all the comments about your incredible blog and your photographs and your writing. I am so happy to have "met" you in 2009 and look forward to more great reads in 2010.
Best,
SAUCY

Cristie says:

2010/01/02 at 5:11 pm

What a wonderful post! Love your content. Can't wait to see what 2010 holds. Happy New Year!!

Cynthia says:

2010/01/02 at 7:28 pm

Happy New Year to you and the family!

Muneeba says:

2010/01/03 at 1:20 am

Happy New Year Deeba! I'm right with u abt not declaring my resolutions for all to see and judge Love all the fruit u used this past year … certainly made for some amazing pics!

Yasmeen says:

2010/01/03 at 2:58 am

Fabulous recollection.Best wishes for 2010,dear Deeba

Trissa says:

2010/01/03 at 6:44 am

Time really does fly when you are having fun Deeba! And oh what fun you had in 2009 – am sure 2010 holds something even more for you!

Purnima says:

2010/01/05 at 1:29 pm

WISHING PAB N DEEBA A HAPPY N EVENTFUL TWENTY-TEN! With great pleasure since 2007 hv I seen your ascending graph, ur individuality being boosted towards your area of interest, you hv outshined ur own creations day after day! Ur creativity being shaped out so beautifully …post after post -delightful and the frnz u hv made, connected wt global foodies like breeze-awesome(st)! Deeba yet so MODEST, luv u, just a brilliant and humble person that you are! Would wish you year after year to reach for skies! May you succeed in this Foodie world with a niche of your own!! GOD BLESS!

Nicisme says:

2010/01/06 at 12:21 pm

Great post!
I wish you and your family all the best for 2010, and much happiness!
I really enjoyed meeting you and really hope we can do it again this year.

Jeanne says:

2010/01/06 at 11:08 pm

Phew Deeba – what a year!! I feel as if I've been on a quick whirlwind trip!! It was fantastic meeting you at FBC too – I really wish we lived closer… You've given me the irrepressible urge to make macarons now (but I'm still not joining Twitter )

All the best for a fantastic 2010!