It’s important to speak the things that remain unspoken… or rather, type the things that remain untyped.
When you comment on my blog, I see you and I appreciate you. I know it takes precious minutes out of your important day to scroll down the page, type in your information, and leave a message for me. I know that you don’t have to do this at all. I know that you could easily click over to Smitten Kitchen (which would be awesome), that you could click the other tab in your browser and continue watching Bachelor Pad on Hulu (because that’s totally what I would do), that you could go make yourself another cup of coffee (duh). Instead you take the time to say hello to me. That makes you amazing.
I see you, and I appreciate you. I read your comments from my phone first thing in the morning. I read your comments when I’m waiting in line at the grocery. When I’m at a restaurant and my companion has run to the restroom… I’m reading your comments. Truth is… I love you in a weird way. I think we’re friends. Other truth is… I try my hardest to respond to all of your questions and concerns in the comment section, and I’m not always the best at it. Just as a tip: I’m pretty stellar at responding to people on Twitter. That’s true. Despite my flaws, I am indebted to you.
I’m here to graciously offer my gratitude. I really do appreciate that you come here and take the time to let me know that you are, in fact, here. It really means so much to me. Without your comments… I’m kinda just a weird girl that makes too many cookies and talks to her cat. Thank you for making me more than that (although I’d be totally fine with being a cookie-maker-cat-speaker). I appreciate you, and I don’t take your presence for granted. I find you to be a blessing in my life.
Rebecca
I’ve never left a comment before now, but I’ve been a long-time friend. Love your blog! I like your style, enjoy your perspective and well, you make me laugh. And so, thank YOU sweet friend and please keep doing what you’re doing and don’t ever change a thing!
Chuck
Hi Joy. I don’t comment enough (read: hardly ever) but I always enjoy reading your blog and trying your recipes and seeing your perspective on the world so thank you too! X
Stacey Lee
Hi JOY, I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while now. I follow many blogs but your blog is my favorite and I always read it last when I’m cleaning up my google reader. I love your recipes and your reflective writing style is something that I will never have. I know this is odd but when I read your blog it’s like I’m catching up with an old friend. My cousin Stephanie (Lick My Spoon) had one of you cookbooks signed for me when she met you in San Francisco. Anyways, keep on writing and I do hope you come to Boston one day :)
Barbara
Hi, Joy
I’ve been reading your blog for a while and enjoy both the recipes and the life reflections! Take care, I also see you as a friend or someone who would be one if we were face to face instead of face to screen!
cassandre
Joy, i am a silent follower of your blog. i don’t comment often, i just relish in the wonderful recipes you share. i just wanted to say you rock! so sad i didn’t get to see you when you were in Brooklyn..
Jackie
Often I have thought about posting, especially as I am listening to all the podcasts at once so you and Tracy are always with me in the car. I find your writing to be compelling, and you moved me to tears with your post about seeing your ex in a picture on facebook. You are able to be so vulnerable and awesome at the same time and I really appreciate your brand of nerdy cool. On another note, I bought your cookbook before I knew about the blog and I feel I know you because I have made the majority of the recipes in the book and almost feel like we are food soulmates in a way. You know what I want to make and eat. Your book is special, your podcast is special, and you are special. Now I am going to YOLO the heck out of ANOTHER batch of brown butter chocolate chip cookies!!!
kazbi
Dear Joy,
It’s such a joy to read your blog. This post is just amazing!
Thank you for being you! xxx
Shana Lewis
Okay, so I have nine bookmarks and you’re one of them, actually, you’re the first one and the one most easily to locate and click… that’s all (in other words, thank you cookie-maker-cat-speaker for sharing your awesomeness).
Sloan
Sharing your life in public is a scary thing, but you have taken that chance and we have all benefited. A blog can be many things – informative, entertaining, humorous, and reflective. Yours is all that and more. We should have no expectations of you, only that you continue to be who you are. Speaking for myself, I can say that your virtual presence has helped this guy through some rough times and expanded my food horizons. Just keep doing what you do so well and know that we all appreciate it.
joythebaker
xo!
Sloan
Right back at ya! xoxo
But you do realize that those chili cheese fries are going to make me have to run extra miles this week to burn them off?! Hopefully you will be waiting with some tasty dessert at the end of my marathon next month. Right?
Macaire
Awww, Joy — that’s so sweet! I love your blog and I love your authenticity. I find it a blessing in MY life to have a place to go and know that there will be great recipes interspersed with ex-boyfriend sightings and other tidbits that prove there’s someone out there willing to admit that their life isn’t perfect and shiny all the time. Rock on, girlfriend! :D
Macaire
Awww, Joy — that’s so sweet! I love your blog and I love your authenticity. I find it a blessing in MY life to have a place to go and know that there will be great recipes interspersed with ex-boyfriend sightings and other tidbits that prove there’s someone out there willing to admit that their life isn’t perfect and shiny all the time. Rock on, girlfriend! :D
Holly
Hi Joy,
I’m a day (or 5) late and a comment short… I’ve been a lurker/fan for a long time, finding spare moments between working full+ time and raising a rambunctious 4-year old and occasionally washing a dish or three, to read your blog. I want you to know that I honor the ways you share yourself here — you are colorful, honest, true, and weird in all the best ways. I feel lucky to have stumbled upon your photos, your stories, and the snippets of your life. Know that you have a fan in colorful, honest, true and weird me, living life in little ol’ Eugene, Oregon.
Tiff
Aw this is a cute blog. I wish my blog had as many readers to actually thank likewise, but I guess you have to start off somewhere.
We appreciate you & all the cookies & pictures you share with us! It’s not easy to maintain a blog that has a reputation for greatness, so there’s always pressure on you to deliver! But I love all your posts regardless, so keep it up. :) I truly enjoy reading & staring at your pictures of food. So, thank YOU for being you. :D
Gia
You are so sweet, Joy! I think of you as a friend, too. Sending love from NOLA :-)
Elsa
Thanks for the reminder; sometimes I unconsciously feel like commenting on someone’s blog is like butting into an overheard conversation — as if I’ve turned to the table next to me in a cafe or across from me in the subway and chimed in on their public/private conversation.
But of course, it isn’t. Blogging is a funny combination of public and private. You know people are reading, but without them chiming in, it’s hard to know what they thinking about what they’re reading.
Thanks for a peek into your kitchen and your life!