When I first started writing this blog, I had no idea what I was a) doing, and b) getting myself into. I never in a million years expected it to be anything more than a little chat about what I was making in my little green kitchen. But then I fell in love with my little corner of the internet universe, and like anything else when it comes to love, you work at it. Often. I'd come to this space whenever I had a second or two free from my full-time chef gig, with hopes (and dreams!) of one day writing more at home and working in kitchens less. Five years later, that is my current reality, which still blows my mind a little. Okay, a lot. I've come a long way since that very first post about pears and waffles. Don't laugh at those photos! I had no idea what I was doing! Besides being a creative outlet, the blog has opened up all kinds of opportunities for me. I've been lucky and traveled to Washington State, Toronto, Montreal, and Southern Saskatchewan, twice. I've met other bloggers who've turned out to be sweet, sweet friends. I've gotten freelance writing gigs for newspapers and food magazines. And of course, I'm near the end of writing my very first cookbook. All because of this blog, and hard, hard work. In short, Sweetsugarbean changed my life. This was not what I had in mind when I sat at my computer in January of 2011 and pressed "publish" for the first time. But holy smokes, I'm so happy the way things have turned out. Thanks to all of you who have been with me from the beginning, and to those who have just joined in. I'm so happy to have you here! Giant hugs and kisses all around!
