• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Reading Nook
  • The Happy Place
  • Recipe Index

Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

August 28, 2016

The Resurgence of the Slow Blogging Movement

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

A post for the bloggers wanting to slow down.

Slow Down - the return of the Slow Blogging Movement on dineanddish.net

As someone who has been blogging for ten years, I’ve seen the ebb and flow of how blogging has changed over time. Ten years ago there was a small handful of us, supporting and reading and loving each other the best we knew how. As the industry grew, so did our support network, our friends and our responsibilities. What once was simply writing whatever we felt like, cooking, photography and occasional back end website coding turned into a machine of social media, photo props galore, SEO, sharing groups and more. Along with that came an industry we built from the ground up, where bloggers could now earn a generous living working with brands, displaying advertising, traveling, freelancing, etc. The changes in blogging have been good…the opportunity to create a career out of something you’re passionate about is a dream so many people have. I’ve been blessed to do such that.

Along with the growth of blogging as a career has also come some stress and burnout. I have been on the receiving end of multiple conversations over the past with bloggers who are stretched thin, trying to do it all. Their days of working on their passions are being buried under a need to try to keep up with the ever increasing demands of owning their own businesses. Virtual assistants are being hired to help alleviate some of the pressure, but even with that, we’re a motivated bunch who seem to not be able to let things go. We pile on more and more and more until finally, we’re so buried under the responsibilities of running a business that we not longer love what we do.

The Slow Blogging Movement on dineanddish.net

I got into blogging as a hobby and always say I ended up being an accidental business owner. I was still working full time as a recruiter when my blog was 5 years old and I made the decision to quit my “real” job to blog as my career. I’m going to caveat this post by saying I have the luxury of not being the main breadwinner in our house, however, I’ve been contributing significantly to our income since day one. I’ve never not worked…my income has afforded us things that being in a one income household with a family of 6 might not. I feel the need to say this, to defend my stance on what I’m about to share, because I have been told that the reason I can believe what I can about blogging is because I don’t do it as a business. My blog is 100% a business, I’m just choosing to run it a little differently – to keep the happy in my blogging and my life.

Conversation after conversation with bloggers lately have been about the inability to keep up with the “here’s what you do to grow your blog from zero to a million in 6 months” mentality. There are blogs out there that have seen great success with what I’m going to call “fast blogging”. We aren’t all fast bloggers…I know for me, growth has taken time. I’ve had to learn a lot on my own, especially at the beginning, and with each new change in the industry I feel like we’re all starting over. I’ve never been one to follow my stats and I’ve never been motivated by the amount of followers I have, so the business of blogging has been difficult. I’m interested in the connections – the readers who email me to touch base, or leave a comment letting me know how great they think a recipe is. I may not have grown my blog to a million page views in mere months, but I have taken the time to build lasting connections that mean so much more to me.

With that being said, with each conversation I’ve had with friends that have turned the direction of “I’m not happy blogging anymore”, I’ve had one phrase go through my mind. The Slow Blogging Movement. Of course, I thought I was onto something – the world seems full of “fast bloggers”, surely no one has thought of the slow blogging movement. Little did I know, the slow blogging movement has been around for awhile. In fact, the slow blogging movement even has a manifesto. You can read that here. The point of slow blogging is quality over quantity. Instead of churning out content just because, slow bloggers spend time crafting meaningful posts at their own pace. The goal is less time in front of the computer, more time living, therefore giving us richer life experiences to share. It’s a different kind of blogging and one I’m attempting to return to.

My favorite post on slow blogging is one by Design for Mankind where she shares:

Natalie Goldberg Slow Blogging Movement

I thought I’d share what the Slow Blogging Movement means to me – knowing that you can be a “fast blogger” and still have some of these focuses and you can be a “slow blogger” and still have cross over. But for me, my own personal Slow Blogging Manifesto is below.

The Slow Blogging Movement on dineanddish.net

(I wrote these down last month right after I got out of a very inspiring, thought filled shower).

The Slow Blogging Movement is to me…

Less about ambition, more about balance.

Less about page views, more about connection.

Less about beating the system (algorithms), more about ignoring the system.

Less about crafting the perfect SEO post, more about honing my craft.

Less about quantity, more about quality.

Less about the hustle, more about happiness.

Less about social media, more about a social life.

Less about climbing to the top, more about rocking the middle.

Less about following the path of other bloggers, more about creating your own path.

I could add more things, but this is a good place for me to start. A focus, of sorts, of how I want to be as a blogger. I’d love to hear your experiences and to know if you can relate to the need for slow blogging. If so, what would you add to your own personal manifesto? Let me know.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading. I love what I do and I want to be able to keep loving what I do. Happiness and balance is important to me, and sometimes on the business front that requires some sacrifice and stepping back from blogging to make that balance work. It’s not always the easy path, but it’s the right path for me.

Thanks again for reading!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly

Filed Under: Blogging, Happiness, Life, Previous Tagged With: balance, blogging, blogging manifesto, happiness, life, slow blogging movement

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Yvonne says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    Love, love, LOVE this so very much!!! So. Very. Much. Thanks for your words friend, I read every one! Great reminder that so many need, including myself. Love and hugs!

  2. Caitlin Cress says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:01 pm

    As a new blogger, this really spoke to me. Thanks!!!!

  3. Chris - Celebrations At Home says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Yes, yes, yes! to your slow blogging manifesto! I couldn’t agree more.
    …and I too, have some of my clearest thoughts while in the shower. LOL

  4. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:07 pm

    I heart you. Thank you for always inspiring me over my last seven years of blogging. You are a true gem in the blogging community and I’m lucky to have you in my corner. xoxo

  5. Valerie Harrison (bellini) says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    This has me thinking there are many more bloggers out there with the desire to go back to their roots and rediscover what they loved about blogging many years ago. I stopped publishing on my blog last October. It had become something I no longer wanted to be a part of. It wasn’t a sudden decision since disillusionment happens over time. And yet blogging is still in my blood. I catch myself constantly thinking about recipes that would work for the blog and photograph any and all food that is placed before me. Perhaps I will get back to it one day.

  6. gerry speirs says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:22 pm

    More awesome advice from you!! Whenever I hear you speak at a conference or read a post like this it sort of makes me press a reset button, kinda like switching my phone off and then back on to get rid of all those open apps 🙂 For now i like where I’m at..heck I even like the hustle most days but I never played the comparison game and page views against brands have never been an issue so I don’t sweat that. The fact that I don’t work for someone else and punch a time clock everyday is already enough icing on the cake for me.
    Take care!!

  7. Jen says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    I started a blog as a positive outlet, but was starting to feel the pressure of having my little ole blog “be something. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this piece . If a handful of people tell me how they enjoy my blog… I feel great! That’s the positive outlet I was going for. 🙂

  8. Janice says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    I love the slow blogging phrase and think it describes what a lot of us are in blogging for….. I love the real connections. And although I like seeing Google bring traffic my way, that is certainly second for me.

    Love some bloggers in the hustle and fully support their efforts, just know my objectives are different and different is fine!

  9. Shawn says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    You’re the greatest Kristen! You do a fantastic job of inspiring others with love and compassion. Your open-mindedness is very refreshing in this close minded world.

  10. Shelby says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    This is absolutely perfect and I have to tell you, that in the last few weeks I have been happier at blogging. I too have been blogging for 10 years. I remember chatting with you way back when my son had his snowboarding accident and broke his collarbone! We, as bloggers back then were more friends than we were “bloggers” in my opinion. While I have been fortunate enough to have remained friends with you and several others, I also have had that burn out feeling. Working a full time job that takes me out of my house 12 hours a day puts a hurting on a person’s spirit. But I won’t give that up. It’s my life. Blogging is my life also, and I won’t give that up, but I had decided it was time to not make it the most important thing to take care of when I was not at my office job. Grumpy and I need to spend time together. I need to not be worried whether I promoted a post that just went up. While I am continuing on with the blogging, I am not making it my life anymore. It is my hobby that has given me additional income and that both of my children are involved in. My children being there, reading and participating with me with my blog is what it was all about to begin with. I feel like I have come full circle now and can be satisfied with what I have without stressing myself out to have more.

  11. Susan Bradley says

    August 28, 2016 at 2:54 pm

    Great post on an important topic. A lot of unmet expectations and burnout for food bloggers these days. And, sorry to say, a lot of marginal content. I’ve been at this for nearly 10 years as well and have always been a “slow blogger.” It’s not a business for me. )There are way easier and more lucrative ways to make money.) It’s my way of keeping my connection to the culinary arts and continuing to learn and grow as a passionate cook. It’s also my way of sharing the incredible journey with other like minded souls. So bravo to the slow blogger movement. Thoughtful, creative, personal articles are what I love to read. Looking forward to more of those in the years ahead. 🙂

  12. Anne R. Allen says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    I love that you’re bringing back the Slow Blog movement. It’s time. Things are much worse than then were in 2006 when Todd Sieling wrote the original Slow Blog Manifesto. You linked to my post from 2012 about it. It originally linked to Todd’s whole piece, but that has since disappeared. I can imagine he became disillusioned by the whole mess that blogging has become: a numbers game with no soul.

    Also a game for the very young. I’m writing this pretty much by Braille. I can’t see the tiny font I am producing in this window. I hope it turns out to be some form of English. I have a non-monetized author blog I write to be helpful to newbie authors and maybe draw some attention to my books. But every day I get a barrage of emails from predatory monetized bloggers. I think they live in a very sad sort of “Hunger Games” world. I couldn’t bear to be part of it.

    I hope you manage to bring some sanity to ot.

  13. Ally's Sweet & Savory Eats says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:10 pm

    Very well said! I just attended a blog conference yesterday and my head is SPINNING with things I should/shouldn’t be doing. This post was a breathe of fresh air my friend!

  14. cathy pollak says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:24 pm

    Amen.

  15. Annalise @ Completely Delicious says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    I feel like I could have written this. Well, not really, you put things so much better than I ever could. But I feel the same way. Since baby #2 I haven’t felt that drive or ambition, and I’ve cut way back mostly out of necessity, but also because I’ve just stopped caring. And I’m so much happier!! Every now and again I feel stressed about all the normal blogger things that I just don’t do at all, but mostly I able to just ignore it all and live my life. Heading over to read the slow blogging manifesto now. Love the idea so much, thanks for sharing Kristen!

  16. Foodiewife says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    I can’t wait to share this post with what readers i have left on my facebook fan page. I’ve been blogging for nine years. I was just telling my husband, at breakfast, that I lost my blogging mojo about a year ago. I miss the food conventions the way they used to be. Foodbuzz was a place I could meet fellow bloggers and have fun. Now, it has all gone so BIG. I started to feel as though I was put too much emphasis on how many comments I got, how many likes and then I began to fear my photos weren’t magazine worthy enough– with all the beautiful props. I still want to blog, and I guess I’ve joined the Slow Blog movement without even realizing it. I’m no longer trying to develop or post recipes that are “trendy”. I post comfort food, or scratch cakes without apologizing that it’s not “healthy enough” with kale and quinoa. I’m shutting of my laptop a lot more, now, and giving my husband and personal life the attention he/it deserves. So what if I’ll never be a food blogger rock star on the internet? I cook and bake for the shear joy of it That’s what I want to get back to. Thanks for such a great post.

  17. Maria says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    Yesssssss to slowing down. Love this! xo

  18. Pinky at Designs by Pinky says

    August 28, 2016 at 3:56 pm

    Oh Kristen, THANK YOU for this post. I have a very small blog, ONLY do it as a hobby and never have had the desire to make it a business. I am retired and don’t want a new business to stress me out! I have seen some of my favorite blogs change so much. I could never keep up. I just do my thing and hope a few people will like it and keep on following me. I do think you speak for many people here. I doubt that you will ever regret being with your family rather than in front of a computer.

  19. Stephanie McKinnie says

    August 28, 2016 at 4:13 pm

    I love this! I started out blogging as a way to document my recipes. Over time I became obsessed with the photography and became more and more involved it. I thought I needed to post at least 4 times a week but they weren’t adding any value and I wasn’t enjoying it. Now I post once a week to a week and a half. I would way rather be a slow blogger and have a quality post than 4 mediocre posts. I definitely got caught up in the social media part of it and have recently turned my Instagram account off for a few days and it feels good! My reason for blogging is a creative outlet. Thanks for this post!

  20. Kathy Strahs says

    August 28, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    I thought of one the other day — “Less documenting, more living.” It still happened even if I don’t take a picture of it. And then it’s easier to enjoy the moment *in* the moment.

  21. Amy @Belly Full says

    August 28, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    Love. It.

  22. Jessica Merchant says

    August 28, 2016 at 4:59 pm

    this is amazing. xoxoxo

  23. Katrina says

    August 28, 2016 at 5:02 pm

    Very insightful! I’m what I call myself “a peon blogger”. I’ve never been in it for more than just to write things down and share what I love, and have never been as concerned with quantity. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting (online and face to face) so many wonderful people, which is the main reason I’m still here. Great perspective. Thanks for sharing.

  24. Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says

    August 28, 2016 at 5:11 pm

    I always appreciate your insight and perspective. This hits so close to home and I’m so glad you shared! XOXO

  25. Hallie says

    August 28, 2016 at 5:31 pm

    Totally with you on the slow blogging! I never wanted to be the kind of blogger who is in it for the page clicks and lots of followers. I always wanted it to be about the connections, sharing meaningful stories, and really, finding myself along the way. My favorite blogs are the ones where I feel like I’m sitting across the table at a coffee shop or snuggled up on one end of a couch with a glass of wine laughing with a friend.

    I’ve been blogging for 6 1/2 years and just now starting to feel like I’m hitting the sort of content I really connect with. However, I’ve been horrible about keeping up with other blogs. I love your manifesto and 100% agree on all statements. My addition would be “Be authentic and they will come.” 🙂

    You’ve always had great content and thank you for being such a great role model for me. I would love to meet in person some day to chat! I was a recruiter in my former life as well.

  26. bev @ bevcooks says

    August 28, 2016 at 5:48 pm

    A. M. E. N.

    (but you already know how I feel about all of this. ) Muah!

  27. Christi says

    August 28, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    I can’t express how much I love this.

  28. kita says

    August 28, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Happiness trumps hustle. Every time.

    Thanks for the motivational words. You continue to rock.

  29. Megan says

    August 28, 2016 at 7:09 pm

    Thank you for posting! Well said!

  30. Diane says

    August 28, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    Love your post and I so agree, I love blogging at my own pace! 🙂 what a great read this is!

  31. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    August 28, 2016 at 9:01 pm

    YES. YES. YES X 1000.

  32. Aggie says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:47 am

    I’m all about rocking the middle! Seriously, so refreshing to read….you know how I feel obviously. Quality over quantity has always felt right for me (though I’ve forgotten a few times over the years).
    Amen to all of this! Xoxo

  33. April J Harris says

    August 29, 2016 at 4:27 am

    LOVE this post! I’ve been around for a while too, blogging for 14 years now. I’m not the main breadwinner in our house either (thankfully, as we would have starved to death!) but I love what I do. I constantly feel under pressure from myself to do more with the blog, which is even harder now I’m writing a cookbook (again, something I love doing, a real labour of love). Your post made me take a lovely deep breath, and give a sigh of relief. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one struggling with balance, and looking for ways to slow down whilst still moving forward and growing.

  34. bridget {bake at 350} says

    August 29, 2016 at 6:46 am

    AMEN!!!!!!!!

  35. Marly says

    August 29, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Oh, so much truth in all of this. Love it!

  36. Lori R. says

    August 29, 2016 at 8:28 am

    So well written. This – Less about following the path of other bloggers, more about creating your own path. The last thing I want to do when I’m with bloggers is talk about our blogs, numbers, building a platform. I want to hear what amazing meal just had, how was that trip, tell me those stories.

    After 8 1/2 years of blogging I have a fraction of the traffic most do, but I have friends (real friends) all over the world who I’ve met in person all bc of blogging. People that I have so much in common with and would have never met without my blog or social handles.

  37. Sandra says

    August 29, 2016 at 9:10 am

    Great post. There are blogs I stopped following because it became clear the author was posting just to have a post that day. I would rather hear real stories with meaning and develop a “friendship” or connection with the author.

  38. Sara @ Cake Over Steak says

    August 29, 2016 at 11:00 am

    Yes! Amen! I haven’t been blogging for all that long (relatively speaking), so it’s refreshing for me to hear this from someone who has been blogging as long as you. I’ve been trying to slow down more lately as well, mainly for that ever-elusive “balance” we all talk about, but I’ve always been a slow blogger. The reality is that, as a blogger with a full time job, the only way to be a fast blogger would be to make my brain explode. I’m currently lucky enough to have a job I love and that I’m in no rush to leave at the moment, so I can focus on letting my blog grow slowly into what I want it to be. But that’s the thing – I don’t want to have my blog be my job if I don’t enjoy doing it. And for me, enjoying my blog means being a slow blogger. If I can’t make it work as a business for my lifestyle by doing this slow blogging thing, then I’m not really interested. And that’s not knocking on the “Fast Bloggers” out there, it’s just not the way that I want to blog. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this, and good luck with finding that sweet spot for yourself.

  39. annie@ciaochowbambina.com says

    August 29, 2016 at 12:14 pm

    I couldn’t agree more! I’m just beyond three years blogging and this summer, your message, rang true for me. My decision to slow down was based on Mother Nature’s idea of balance…the felicitous ebb and flow that summer naturally brings…but now that we’re heading into fall I realize that the balance I’ve created for myself was the best thing I could have done for my blog, and me, indefinitely… Thank you for this beautiful post!

  40. kathy patalsky says

    August 29, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Love this. With all the speed in the social media world lately, it has made me feel like I want to be extra slow with my blogging. It is an ongoing challenge to balance the pace of the internet these days with my real, actual life and creativity! Thanks for posting this Kristen!

  41. Jennifer says

    August 29, 2016 at 1:12 pm

    Testify!

    I’m only three years in with my blog and still struggling to find my niche but with a hectic full time job and a 13-year-old son, slow blogging is the only realistic thing for me right now. These are precious times with my son. Posting more than once a week is just not possible unless I’m just throwing up a photo.

    Plus whatever I do, I want it to be useful and inspiring. That work takes time.

    One of my favorite bloggers posts a new recipe several times a week. It exhausts me just to keep up with reading her posts.

  42. Brenda @ afarmgirlsdabbles.com says

    August 29, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    I just let out a big breath. xoxo

  43. Jenn @ Peas and Crayons says

    August 29, 2016 at 1:34 pm

    Yes. So much yes. I’ve been blogging since 2009ish and I’ve watched the fast bloggers shoot up to the top, while I slowly danced along to my own drum doing my own thing. This past year I’ve put some serious pressure on myself to take my blog (my passion!) way more seriously and, yet, at the same time I feel myself pushing back against that. Wanting more get togethers with girlfriends, playdates with the kiddos, time with my other half, and time alone to reflect, recharge, and just be. So while my experiment with fast blogging has been interesting, it’s given me more love of slow blogging more than ever. I love what it means to you and felt myself saying YES!!!! after each line I read. Hugs girly. And thanks <3

  44. Allison Czarnecki says

    August 29, 2016 at 1:58 pm

    YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.

    The connection is what has made me want to be in this at all, I’ve now realized, and that has been missing for me the last couple of years as I’ve taken a step back. I still love writing and connecting and love the idea of a manifesto, and taking it slow and steady, and way more meaningfully. Love and miss you, friend.

  45. Paige says

    August 29, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    Yes. Especially ” Less about following the path of other bloggers, more about creating your own path” . Thanks for the encouragement to keep doing it at a pace I can manage….and for the reasons that resonate with me.

  46. Emily aka The Three Bite Rule says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    I loved seeing this. I sometimes wrestle with “am I supposed to want my blog to be more”? I do it for fun, and for me, but after 5 years I do wonder if I’m not pushing myself or if I’m not ambitious enough. I think this was a lovely reminder to just do-what-you-do. Thank you!

  47. Nick says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    This is everything. After I read this I just breathed for like five minutes. Thanks for the post and reminder Kristen.

  48. Michelle | The Secret Ingredient Is says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    This is such an amazing post — thank you for writing something so inspiring to so many of us!

  49. shanna mallon says

    August 29, 2016 at 3:44 pm

    I so agree!

  50. Jen Schall says

    August 29, 2016 at 4:28 pm

    I love this, Kristen… Your posts always resonate with me.

    I think I’ve been on both sides of this. I’ve tried to stick to the slow blogging, but a few years back, I got caught up in more of the fast blogging and was trying to keep up with it all and build my brand. Fortunately (unfortunately, in some ways), I had kids right around that time, and my blog took a serious back seat. Now, I’m finding myself almost 4 years out of the game and debating if I even want to continue blogging at all. I’m bookmarking this post to read and re-read as I consider that. If I do any more blogging at all, it will definitely be more of the “slow blogging” style. If I choose to do it, and I’m still really on the fence, I will need to recreate my blog to fit my life and interests now. A lot of things has changed with 2 kids in 4 years.

    As always, thanks for writing!

  51. Lyndsay Zoratti says

    August 29, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Good for you Kristen! In these situations I always think of the rabbit and the hare. I’ve very slowly been growing my web store and blog so I can spend time with my family. I think you are on the diamond path my sweet friend xox’s

  52. Maria says

    August 29, 2016 at 5:20 pm

    Hi! Somehow I come in to your post and couldn’t relate more to your words. After about 6 years blogging that is pretty much where I want to go. Sure I feel curiosity about all those techniques, but many times it seems to me that the craftsmanship of early years is, by that way, lost for a more industrialized product. Some of those blogs are great, of course, but just like the professional magazines… The human factor and the direct relation with the reader is, in many cases, lost.
    Great to find you 🙂
    Maria

  53. SeattleDee says

    August 29, 2016 at 6:33 pm

    Seems I have always been a slow blogger, never monetizing or paying much attention to hits. But also never exploring the opportunity to share personal reflections in depth. You have gently nudged me into examining my reasons for blogging, and considering a
    change. Thanks for sharing.

  54. Roz | La Bella Vita Cucina says

    August 29, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    I have been blogging since 2008 and when the time came to ‘try’ to fast blog, I found that life around me and doing all of the other things that I love in life (relationships, grandchildren, gardening, quilting, simply breathing) was suddenly compromised. Life became so stressful to try and keep up. When the blogging world began to focus on all of the technical issues of SEO, algorithyms, social media shares, etc., I knew that was not why I blog. I’ve cut way back, don’t engage in the overcrowded social share groups where feelings of inadequacy take over and run armpit on my self-esteem, and now sit back and breath again.

    By the way, I even decided to read the computer screen less and actually read a physical book this weekend. It felt wonderful to turn those pages and drift away in the story . . . and I never thought about my blog once!

    (BTW: you have a pop up on your blog that displays that your blog has 145K likes on Facebook . . . I’d say you were a true fast blogger at some point versus my 2K likes. Maybe I’ve embraced slow blogging all along)

  55. Heather @Boston Girl Bakes says

    August 30, 2016 at 8:31 pm

    This was my goal this year actually!! So great to hear I am not alone! What’s interesting my page views have gone up. Tortoise wins Everytime!

  56. Lindsay says

    August 31, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    I love this Kristen. You are so wise and I’m thankful that you’re a leading voice in this industry. <3 Thanks for sharing!

  57. Monica B. says

    September 2, 2016 at 6:09 am

    I’ve come to the edge of the water and put my toes in with social media, and after long time of standing, I’m about to set up a blog – this is excellent advice especially for a newbie. These tips resonate with me. Thank you.

  58. Ellie | Hungry by Nature says

    September 2, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Yes. Yes. Yes. I’ve been blogging for just under a year and totally feel this – even though I’m so new to this world! So many others have crazy followers and pageviews and sponsorships who have been blogging the same amount of time… which is hard sometimes. But I’m so thankful for you sharing this!

  59. Joanna says

    September 2, 2016 at 12:32 pm

    THANK YOU! “slow bloggers spend time crafting meaningful posts at their own pace” — this is exactly what I needed to hear. I got so buried in “shoulds” and internal pressure about blogging over a year ago and haven’t gone back to it in a meaningful way since (though I haven’t stopped writing and/or having ideas, I just haven’t published them). This reframes a lot for me. Thank you!

  60. Denise says

    September 4, 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Great post Kristen – I am definitely on the slow blogging road as well. I have always thought the connections with readers as well as perfected recipes was more important then millions of monthly page views! Out of those connections have come great friendships which I value even more.

  61. Mona AlvaradoFrazier says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:48 am

    Music to my ears. I thought only I felt that way about blogging and I’m glad to see there are a whole bunch of bloggers feel the same way. I love your manifesto, as it put into words many of feelings I’ve had in the last year.

    I thought about quitting my blog because of the ‘pressure’ to write more often, SEO, and all that stuff, but quickly realized I love writing. I don’t blog for income nor am I trying to sell anything –yet ;). So now I blog according to my own tastes (which turns out once a week, sometimes once every week and a half).

    Your post brought up another reason for slow blogging. I’ve unsubscribed to several bloggers I followed because they post three to six times a week, which is too much to keep up with. I found that those I stayed with blog once, maybe twice, a week. Thanks for a great post.

  62. Leah M | love me, feed me says

    September 9, 2016 at 10:51 am

    Thank you for this beautifully written post! I’ve always felt like I wasn’t working hard enough and pushed myself to pump out x amount of posts a week, but the hearing people talk about the slow blogging movement made me feel so much better and realize that it’s so so so okay. It also made me think about how some of my favourite bloggers only post once a week or not even, I get so excited for those posts!
    Love love love!

  63. Bobby says

    September 13, 2016 at 10:55 am

    Man I needed to hear this right now. My blog’s been live for just over a year and, despite making a little income and having a very loyal (but small) base of readers that is slowly growing every day, I’ve been feeling blue.

    In my niche, similar blogs are cranking out 3 – 5 (short) blog posts every week. Every WEEK!

    However, I still work full-time (at a day job) and only publish one well-thought-out post every 2 weeks. So, I’ve lately felt like I’m getting clobbered by the other bloggers in my niche. I simply can’t post any more often than this. I tried publishing once ever week, and it put a huge strain on me and my family.

    Thanks for writing this. It gave me the motivation/inspiration to keep going, and to stop judging my success based on that of other bloggers. One thing I’ve noticed: my blog posts get WAY more reader comments than my fast-blogging cohorts, so that must mean something.

  64. lindsay Cotter says

    September 14, 2016 at 7:58 am

    I support your movement 10000%. I’ve been blogging since 2008-2009 really. I almost miss those days. simplicity.

  65. Jill Silverman Hough says

    September 15, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Thank you for the honesty, integrity, and courage in this post, Kristen–and I love the idea of “slow blogging,” whether you invented it or not. Amen, count me in, and yay you.

  66. Ali says

    September 15, 2016 at 2:11 pm

    I really appreciate this post. I started blogging a year ago and find some days that I get so wound up in how many people have looked at my page or lamenting that the only person who comments regularly is my mom that I want to throw in the towel and be done. This inspires me to step back and remember why I started this in the first place.

    Your site and photos are lovely, by the way.

  67. Michelle says

    September 15, 2016 at 6:36 pm

    Ahhh Kristen, this was so timely for me. I just completely revamped my editorial calendar to deliberately leave open days. After trying to chase THE NEXT BIG THING and just churn out content, I want to be more intentional about the content I choose to share. I’ve also embraced the notion of giving myself grace – allowing myself to just enjoy life with my family, even if that means I don’t have a new post up six days a week. The burnout is so real!

  68. Nutrimom says

    September 16, 2016 at 7:23 am

    SO very true on all points! I have conditioned myself to understand that when things slow down, it’s the Universe’s way of telling me to rest and finish up whatever I need to before the next big wave….which is easier said then done 🙂

  69. Jennifer Farley says

    September 16, 2016 at 8:10 am

    This, a million times this. Thank you.

  70. Jan Whitaker says

    September 16, 2016 at 9:44 am

    I would never have been able to sustain my blog for 8 years unless I took the slow lane. I have heard from a lot of people in those years and have enjoyed every minute. Having previously published 3 books, I can say that my blogging experience has put me in touch with more of my readers than my books have.

  71. sally says

    September 16, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Hi Kristen. Thank you so much for articulating how I have been feeling. So pressured, so pushed to do more more more. Better SEO, more traffic, more readers, post more often, grow faster. I just can’t and stay sane and enjoy it. So I’ve backed off a bit. I’m happy for the big bloggers who have the millions of followers and make great money, and yes, was a bit jealous at one time. But I’ve gotten over that. It’s not who I am or where I am in my life. I’ve been blogging for about 6 years and the recipes are all my own development. That takes more time, energy and testing that just adapting someone else’s recipe, not that adapting is a bad thing. It’s fun to find new tweaks to make a recipe work better for you adn your family then share what you did and why. At times I’ve gotten so down on myself, and it’s just made my husband crazy. Time to bring back the joy, and I’m all for better connections with my readers. I truly just want to help them.

    Less chase, more grace. Sounds good to me. Thanksyou again!

  72. Tim says

    September 20, 2016 at 2:58 pm

    Great post, I may have found my tribe at last!

  73. Andrea says

    September 21, 2016 at 5:42 am

    So well said. I clicked on this post at a time when I really needed to hear this advise. (Thank you, Universe!)
    I have always felt that quality of content is the mist important factor but have also felt inadequate as a blogger since I have less time to blog than so many successful bliggers. Thank you for your ideas on the slow blogging movement!

  74. Mira says

    September 21, 2016 at 1:11 pm

    Goodness Reading this article gives me relief!! I started blogging as an outlet. I now realised how much I love doing it. From the cooking to the writing. As a mom of 4 I can’t keep up with posting 3 times a week and have been wondering if I’ve taken too much. I suppose I got my answer?

    Thank you for writing this. You should shower more ? Haha

    Mira

  75. Geraldine says

    September 21, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    Amazing post! Oh my god was I’m so glad I read this today. I’m blogging four months and have suddenly been sucked into the world of social media and trying to build numbers and have High stats witha million followers. I can’t handle it and hate it. I want to write and I love to write. I’m going to take a step back from all of the things people say I “have to do” as a blogger and enjoy blogging. Thank you so much

  76. JoAnn says

    September 21, 2016 at 3:17 pm

    Kristen, I agree.
    I post 3 times a week. On Monday, I post a recipe that I have prepared, cooked and tasted. Wednesday’s, I post an article on gardening or food sustainability and on Friday’s I post a review of some kind (restaurant, product, event). I am very conscientious about what I post. I want it to be true to my beliefs and close to me personally.
    I was hoping to use my food blog to facilitate a freelance writing career, but so far, 9 months into this endeavor, I have only had 4 paying freelance clients.
    Thank goodness I am not the main bread winner in our family (I was for 10 years while my husband ran his own business, till the 2008 financial downfall). I will share your post and look for more motivation to keep striving towards my goal.
    Thank you.

  77. Chris says

    September 21, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    Love this post. I’ve been blogging since 2007, pretty full time and just started making a little bit of money in the last 12 months. But the demands of writing several times a week, sending out emails that are connecting and personal, social media, and all that really drain on my life. You can sit on the computer all your waking hours and totally miss your life. Thanks for the permission to live.

  78. Tina Newman says

    September 23, 2016 at 10:10 am

    You are such a wonderful inspiration and I can also say you seem to be an awesome person with a beautiful soul! Keep up the awesome inspirations of yours and of course at your own pace! 😉 I love your site! It is wonderful and cozy! Thank you for your wonderful insight into your life! 😉

  79. Eva says

    September 24, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Thank you
    Thank you
    Thank you

  80. Julia says

    September 24, 2016 at 8:42 am

    What a read worthy post. So, lovely to hear that slow is good. I have been blogging for 1 1/2 years and feel the need to constantly add new content. While I love cooking, photography and writing, I am finding it stressful. I need to take a break and slow down, so thanks.

  81. Francesca Catanuso says

    October 1, 2016 at 2:54 am

    Sing it, sister. Wish I had read this post this time last year. I hit a hard burn out wall and decided to stop blogging all together. The result? I lost all my content, which was utterly heart breaking. I’ve decided to jump back in but with this slow blogging mentality – that quality is > quantity and that the focus should be about connection, not popularity.
    Thanks or this, Kristen.

  82. Lisa Johnson says

    October 1, 2016 at 11:56 am

    I’ve never heard the term “slow blogging” before, but I love the concept! As another blogger who has been at it for over ten years, it’s definitely necessary to learn to pace myself and find a happy balance. I’ve been blogging much less for many reasons and find that at this point, it works best for me. Maybe in six months things will change and I’ll blog a lot more again. Who knows? Just like life, there is an ebb and flow and things never stay the same.

  83. Suzy | The Mediterranean Dish says

    October 4, 2016 at 2:13 pm

    Kristen, thank you for a refreshing post, friend. I’ve read many posts here, but this one resonates with me so much. I especially appreciate the idea of rocking the middle rather than racing to the top.

  84. MB @ Bourbon and Brown Sugar says

    October 7, 2016 at 11:57 am

    Thank you for this – I’ve had to take several extended times away from my blog since I began it nearly three years ago, but I always return to it because I love the creativity of it and the connections I have made through it. It’s lovely to hear a voice confirm that it’s more than ok to slow down in my approach…

  85. Kim says

    October 24, 2016 at 11:58 am

    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I’ve been blogging since 2010. About two years ago I found myself on what I like to call the ‘hamster wheel of blogging’ – always thinking about site traffic, page views and monetizing my site. A few months ago my site was hacked and I was forced to slow down. That gave me time to refocus. I like the idea of a Slow Blogging Manifesto.
    Thanks for helping me stay focused.

  86. sandra says

    October 26, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    I’m just figuring out my path and preparing to launch my own site. This is just what I need. I don’t want my new venture to eat my life, but to be born from my love and desire to share it. Thank you for sharing how you are scaling. I don’t know what it will look like for me, but I know I want to be with you “rocking the middle” because I’m interested in something sustainable and doable, something I’m excited to approach now and ten years down the road too.

  87. Jenny says

    November 6, 2016 at 2:16 pm

    I LOVE this, and it’s what I needed to hear/read. I’ve been blogging for a little over a year, and the comparison bug is SO real. Thank you for sharing this and giving voice to something that really needs to be said and OK’ed.

  88. Phoebe @ Feed Me Phoebe says

    November 7, 2016 at 7:10 am

    AMEN. It took teaching a class this fall about food blogging for me to release just how much I hate the hustle. I’ve definitely already started to ease into this approach by necessity (in the name of sanity). But I’ve been thinking recently about doing the reverse career commute: getting a day job. Thank you for sharing, and I hope that you’re already reaping the happiness rewards of your new manifesto. xoxo

  89. Jenn says

    November 17, 2016 at 11:19 am

    This is so inspiring, I have been a slow blogger since the beginning because I find it hard to produce high quality content in short time. I am really happy I came across your post, thank you

  90. Aoife O'Brien says

    November 21, 2016 at 6:16 am

    Thanks for these sensible words Kristen, it’s been very reassuring to read them. I started a food blog about 6 months ago. I do it because I love food and I’ve found I really enjoy writing about it. From time to time, I worry that I’m not producing enough content or content that’s trendy or likely to get a lot of interest, but even in the short space of time I’ve been blogging, I find that if I enjoy what I’m writing, ultimately, I produce better content anyway. Unlike you, I am the sole breadwinner in my house so for now, blogging will remain a hobby for me. And thanks to your article, I feel conformable in the knowledge that I’m actually a part of the Slow Blogging Movement, and will continue to enjoy writing that hopefully, others will enjoy reading. After all, what’s the point in having a hobby you don’t enjoy?!
    So thank you for this article – it felt like a hug!

  91. Aoife O'Brien says

    November 21, 2016 at 6:17 am

    Thanks for these sensible words Kristen, it’s been very reassuring to read them. I started a food blog about 6 months ago. I do it because I love food and I’ve found I really enjoy writing about it. From time to time, I worry that I’m not producing enough content or content that’s trendy or likely to get a lot of interest, but even in the short space of time I’ve been blogging, I find that if I enjoy what I’m writing, ultimately, I produce better content anyway. Unlike you, I am the sole breadwinner in my house so for now, blogging will remain a hobby for me. And thanks to your article, I feel comfortable in the knowledge that I’m actually a part of the Slow Blogging Movement, and will continue to enjoy writing that hopefully, others will enjoy reading. After all, what’s the point in having a hobby you don’t enjoy?!
    So thank you for this article – it felt like a hug!

  92. Dachelle @ HideTheChocolate says

    January 28, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Thanks so much for this. I needed it. It’s so easy to get lost in what I’m “supposed to be doing” and ignoring what I WANT to do.

  93. Sienna Eskildsen says

    March 24, 2017 at 3:50 am

    I totally agree in the quality vs. quantity concept of blogging. I couldn’t keep up with all the daily posts, either reading or writing them! Now I strive for posting once a week. Very helpful post. Thanks!

  94. Maricel says

    April 12, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    I couldn’t agree more, fast blogging is just for the numbers. I love the idea of crafting my craft slowly but firm, learning, making mistakes and let go all the pressure that comes with the rise to stay on top. Suoer inspiring post!

  95. Yevonnie says

    May 5, 2017 at 3:11 am

    Thank you. This entry confirmed several things within me–one of them being my desire to live a “slow” lifestyle in all aspects of living. This is an ongoing process and a challenge in a big, fast city! Yes, I don’t want to get caught in pleasing others and judging myself in this world of measurement. It can be a battle, but a reminder and encouragement like this keep me on the joyous path. My goal is for my vocation to be an outflow of my life. It’s happening. Again, thank you and be well.

  96. egypt says

    July 12, 2020 at 7:51 pm

    Hi, reading your post was refreshing. Happy to see others in the blogosphere share my sentiments. I want a simple, yet impactful online writing experience. Mostly free of the stress, comparison, and hurriedness that online writers are encouraged to do. Slow blogging at a steady pace allows me to savor the writing experience, and deeply connect with readers. I have a minimalist blog, and try to live in this way. I want my website to be a true reflection of my values. Which are simplicity, slow and intentional living. Thanks for making this fine point. It’s conversations like this that change the culture of blogging online.

Primary Sidebar

About Your Hostess

Kristen-125Hi friends, I'm Kristen! Mom of 4, Ambassador of Happiness, Coffee Lover and Connection Seeker. Come say hi! Read More…
Facebook    Twitter    Pinterest    RSS    Email Updates

Don’t Miss This!

Pesto Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe

Pesto Shrimp Avocado Salad Recipe from dineanddish.net

My Book Recommendations

Double Dip French Toast Recipe

Image shows a stack of French Toast on a white plate with a blueish background

Footer

food  FOOD

My love of how food connects people together runs deep. Explore a decade worth of Dine & Dish recipes, from sweets to savory as well as classic family favorites. Food lovers will want to check this out. Bon Appétit!
Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta with Spinach and parmesan cheese

EXPLORE FOOD

travel  TRAVEL

"I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list." I've always had a serious case of wanderlust, and traveling and exploring new places continues to be one of my favorite things. Come explore my favorite places with me!
5 Great Ways to Maximize Your Time at Walt Disney World Parks

EXPLORE TRAVEL

life  LIFE

More than just a food blog, Dine & Dish has always been a place where I've shared what's happening in our life. These life posts tend to be my absolute favorite blog posts. Come get a taste of life as it happens in our house!
broken plant pot on the floor with dirt

EXPLORE LIFE

happiness  HAPPINESS

I believe that in order to live a happy life, you have to make happiness happen through implementing simple things that make you happy into every day. Here are a few of the things that bring me happiness - I hope they do you too.

EXPLORE HAPPINESS

Open
New ink inspired by a quote in my friend @andiemmitchell amazing memoir “It Was Me All Along”. 

I tend to be an all or nothing person and look at long term and get overwhelmed instead of just taking things one day at a time. I’ve said her quote to myself multiple times a day for years. Now I’ll have a permanent reminder. 

The full quote: “Can you do it today? Can you make it through today without bingeing? Just today, and tomorrow we’ll reconsider?”

I need to go back and get a couple missed spots filled in but I love it. Thanks Rob at @irezumitattookc 🎉

#typewriterfonttattoo #tattooinstagram #inspiringtattoos #quotetattoo #gentlereminder #wordstoinspire #wordstoremember #wordstoliveby
Open
My snow and mountain loving, free spirited, book reading, laugh inducing, amazing friend @mountainmamacooks wrote a cookbook. It’s beautiful and just so perfect! I’m sharing all about it on the blog today and I also gave her Crispy Kahlua French Toast recipe the double dip treatment.

Find the recipe and get a peek into her book over on Dine & Dish! (PS I miss you tons, Kelley!)

#apresallday #frenchtoastrecipe #brunchideas #cookbooks #mountainmama #skiingislife
Open
Here’s a fun fact I heard on the radio several years ago…October 5th is the most popular day to be born (9 months prior is New Years Eve-ish). 🎉 

Happy birthday to all my many many birthday twins out there! It’s the big 4-8 for me…although this past year as a Covid long hauler I feel like I’ve aged 20 years in the past 1. But things are looking up! I’m excited for the next 365 days of my life. I’m blessed and so thankful to still be here, chugging along.

This picture is from last week when @kellykdoyle and I were visiting colleges in Colorado. If I have any followers with ties to @coloradostateuniversity or @cuboulder I’d love to chat! 

#october5th #birthdaytwins #gardenofthegods #birthdayweek #coloradosprings
Open
I love being a parent of teens...but I miss the days of parenting kids who loved going to school, who didn't struggle with major anxiety, who loved their bodies, and were confident about how they looked. I miss pre-covid days where lunch wasn't distanced, kids had the opportunity to connect and socialize at school, where mask-wearing wasn't even a topic, let alone one that divides. 

The past 2 years have changed my kids. They have gained so many positive things, but they've also gained a new kind of anxiety that wasn't there before. And I hate it for them. They've seen first hand how long haul covid has changed our family. They've seen the selfishness of others in ways they haven't seen before. They've had to grow up faster, worry about things they shouldn't have to worry about, and learn the hard way how this world can really be. And it hurts my heart for them. 

I have a new senior, sophomore and 6th grader here at home. Missing my sophomore in college a ton. I hope the world is kind to them and they are kind to the world. I want nothing more than for them to be happy and to be surrounded by good people who love and accept them for who they are and who also push them to live a full, rich and happy life. I pray every day for them - and for your kids...and pray that we are all raising a generation of empathetic and kind changemakers.

#loveoneanother❤️ #parentingteens #momofteens #anxietyawareness #backtoschooloutfit #changemakers #parenthood_moments
Open
These two small business owners had a successful launch day for their new clothing and accessory brand, @impatient.us I’m so proud of my daughter @kellykdoyle & daughter from another mother, @kyleemdunn for making the time and financial commitment to launch their dream brand! They’ve done it all so independently and have navigated starting a small business way better than I could have at 17! Thanks to everyone who sent words of encouragement and showered them with support. It’s means so much! 

Follow their journey at @impatient.us and shop the link in their profile!

#smallbusinesslaunch #clothingbrands #teenentrepreneur #launchday #launchparty #teenbusiness #shopsmallbusinesses #proudmoment
Open
I was a “houseplant lady” before the pandemic, but I think since the pandemic I get to add the word “crazy” to that title. So. Many. Plants. I’m not mad about it!

This weekend @kctinygreenhouse I picked up this beautiful Monstera Peru as well as a bag of Jeff’s Jungle Mix. You know when a new to you potting mix has you super excited, you’ve crossed the line into la la land 😂 Swipe to see how pretty it is!

What pandemic hobby did you pick up?

#plantmomlife #crazyplantpeople #houseplantlove #monsteraperu #pottingmix #plantobsession #plantcollectors #plantsmakepeoplehappy
Open
Yesterday we spent a few hours down in the West Bottoms visiting the grand opening of @kctinygreenhouse newest location . KC Plant fam, head there. Just trust me! Plants loved and cared for with the best good vibes, all ready to join your crazy plant person home. You’ll find goodies from local KC artisans as well, like @pigeoncandles 

Come for the plants, leave with a heart full of happy!

#westbottoms #tinygreenhouse #plantfamily #pandemicprojects #shoplocalkc #happyplants #plantvibes #summerofyes
Open
Last night in the suite @kcroyals ...I almost cried. Man it feels so good to be doing normal things. I’ll never take this for granted! Making this the summer of yes...I’m going to say yes to as many events/outings/opportunities as possible! Who’s in? #summerofyes
Open
Ella is 15 today! Those of you who have been with Dine & Dish since the very beginning have been a part of Ella’s life since the start too! 15 years sure does go by in a flash, both with businesses and babies.
Happy birthday @ella.r.doyle 💕💕💕 We love you!
Open
I want to live in the big city, yet also want to live in the country. I want to live by the beach, yet also want to live in the mountains. I either need multiple lives or multiple homes! 

#farmlifeisthebestlife #chickensofig #barnlife #iwantitall #hensofinstagram #citygirlcountrygirl
Open
I’m officially one step closer to reaching peak plant lady status! 🪴

I’m welcoming these plant cuttings from the Hello Kathy Plant Etsy Shop to my already booming collection. When I saw people rave about her “Mystery Box” of plant cuttings I knew I had to buy one. 2 things I love...mystery boxes and plants!

Now I need to figure out how to keep them alive. Any advice? 😃 🪴

#plantladyisthenewcatlady #plantladylife #plantcuttings #newplants #etsyshopping #shopsmallbusinesses #plantloversofinstagram
Open
Hi, friend! I Thought I’d just say “hey” and check in and add some pretty flowers to your feed.

We’re over here dragging ourselves across the school finish line...so close to done physically, but over done, mentally. Can you relate?

My coaching business is going great, I’m working with some truly incredible, inspiring women right now which makes me so happy! I’ll be launching 2 new group coaching  classes (for women and entrepreneurs) in a few weeks so be sure to follow @rockyourhappy if you are interested in being updated on those!

Jacob comes home from college this week and my parents are coming to visit for a couple of weeks as well. And it’s almost my favorite time of the year, summer!! 

How are things going with you? What’s going good and making you happy? Or what do you need a hand or listening ear with? Touch base! I’ve missed you!

#pinkflowers🌸 #happyday💕 #touchingbase #spreadhappiness #thursdaytherapy #lifecoachforwomen #springflowersmakemehappy
Open
Book Lovers Giveaway (read to the end)!!! ⬇️ ⬇️ 

Supporting my local independent bookstore @rainydaybooks looks a lot different than it used to these days. Temporarily gone are the days of lingering in store, browsing the shelves, walking out with an armful of books I didn’t expect to buy. The pandemic has made independent bookstores pivot in ways they’ve never had to before, but I’m so happy to say they are CRUSHING IT! And as we virtually celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, I wanted to share a way you too can help keep Independent bookstores afloat now (and in the future).

You know I’m a huge fan of @librofm , the absolute best audiobook alternative that gives money back to the independent bookstore of your choice with your audiobook purchases. Well, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, they are giving YOU a free audiobook! Here’s what you need to do…

Spend $15 or more at your bookstore between April 24th and 26th. Submit your receipt at libro.fm/ibd and Libro.fm will email you a link to your free audiobook by April 28th! Easy peasy, right?

Wait! There’s more! 🌟 I’d love to give one Dine & Dish follower the chance to win a 3 month @Librofm audiobook membership. To enter, simply tag your favorite independent bookstore here and tell me what you love the most about it! That’s it! Winner will be chosen at random on April 27th. Yay, books!

#indiebookstoreday #indiebookstore #bookstoreshoutout 
#booksbooksandmorebooks #bookgiveaway #audiobook #librofm #independentbookstore @indiebookstoreday
Open
Can’t believe we’re doing the college tour thing already with my second baby! 

So question for any of you who sent your kids to out of state schools or went to out of state schools...how did you do it? She wants to get the heck out of Kansas (I’d like to go with her!). We have money saved, she’ll most likely get a scholarship or two, she’s paying and has money saved as well...but even with that out of state tuition is a beast of an amount. So, did you just assume that student loans were going to be part of that life? And is that worth it to give your kids a shot at a new life outside of your home state? I wish I would have left Kansas for university, and have been here since I was born 😩. I want different for her if that’s what she wants but also just don’t have any experience with how people do out of state college! Any tips?

#collegetour #bestlifenow #outofstate #studentloans #junioryear #kansasstate #adviceneeded
Open
J is for...jam!
.
My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
.
I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
.
.
#homemadejam #eatcaptureshare #biscuitsandjam #homemadebiscuits #sundaybaking #easylikesundaymorning #foodphotograph #foodpics #slowsunday #breakfastathome #kimklassen_innercircle
Open
It took me 2 months to get this Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta recipe up on the blog. 🤦‍♀️But it’s there now! You can find the link in my Instagram profile.
.
Also, just noticed Instagram took away the like count on posts. I kind of like that...what do you think?
.
.
.
#pastarecipe #chickpeapasta #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #vegetarianrecipe #eatcaptureshare #slowblogging  #totallifechanges
Open
I is for Inspiration!
.
The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
.
With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
.
If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
.
.
.
@kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle #chocolatechipcookie #cookiestagram #foodphotography #feedfeedbaking #plateofcookies #cookiephotography #eatcaptureshare #recipeoftheweek
Open
H is for...high!
.
It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
.
I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
.
.
 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
Open
G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
.
.
#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
Open
F is for...food photography.
.
This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
.
Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
.
.
#eatcake #eatcaptureshare #eatcakebehappy #lemoncake #cakecakecakecake #foodiegram #yahoofood #dessertsofinstagram #sweettooth #kimklassen_innercircle #fisforfood
Follow on Instagram
For our site policies, click here.

Copyright © 2006-2023 Dine and Dish | design by Feast Design Co | Wordpress VPS