FOODjimoto.com celebrated it's First Anniversary this month, January 4th, 2011 was the date of my first post! This blog was a Christmas gift last year from my daughter and son-in-law--I wasn't sure if blogging would be for me--but it has been a lot of fun and I'm enjoying it!
After receiving the gift, and a few days later getting the message, "Go! It's live!", I'd open up the site a few times a day, look at it--and close it up again and walk away--not knowing what to do or what to write. The first thing I did was put a counter on it, just to see if anyone would come by and look. Each time I would log on, the counter jumped ten or 15 views--it must have been my family looking to see if I had gotten started yet--so I jumped in--and 181 posts later--these are the highlights!
Just for fun, here's my top 10 posts (by page views) of 2011:
Just for fun, here's my top 10 posts (by page views) of 2011:
2. Créme Brûlée
6. Easter Eggs
7. Creamy, Cheesy Potato Leek Casserole
8. Green Chile Posole
A big Thank You to my family and friends--and everyone that's been so supportive with all your encouraging comments and also to those that have stumbled me on StumbleUpon, pinned me on Pinterest, etc. You have no idea how excited I have been to see such a big jump in readers because of one photo! Thanks to Foodgawker and Tastespotting--their websites were what made me strive to gain some photography skills in order to pass muster--it still tickles me to see one of my photos make it to their galleries.
To commemorate this occasion--because I am excited to have been blogging for one year, and as a small token of my appreciation for being so encouraging to me--I'm giving away 5 sets of 2 tea towels made by Cheryl Ann Okamoto of Cato Crafts.
Cheryl is a fellow crafter and does beautiful work, I absolutely love all her products and designs.
Each set will contain one "Family" tea towel--it's my favorite of the moment.
Plus a random choice of one of the next three designs--
"A Friend For All Seasons"
"May Your Tea Cup Runneth Over"
Or, "May your rice bowl always be full!"
To win one of these sets of two towels, simply leave a comment below with your favorite post of 2011 or a shout-out of something else you like about FOODjimoto.com.
The winners will be chosen at random by my son Rick on January 23rd, the Lunar New Year.
Cheryl also makes the famous shoyu and oil bottles--if you're Japanese-American and living in California, you probably have one or more of these.
She also makes this lazy-susan.
Cheryl didn't make many of these gems, I'm happy I was able to get one!
If you would like to contact Cheryl about her crafts you can email her at catoc@pacbell.net.
Don't forget to enter the giveaway!
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It's hard to choose since you had so many great posts! My favorite is probably the Spam Musubi, though. It's very easy to follow, even for me, who seems to be all thumbs when it comes to making sushi.
ReplyDeleteBut really, the thing I most enjoy about your blog are the stories you share about your family, food, and the recipes. For me, as a Sansei who grew up in the L.A. area, it brings back wonderful memories and has made me reflect on my own family and past.
Thanks, Karolyn, and keep on blogging! (BTW, I first found your blog through the deviled Easter Eggs which appeared on Tastespotting.)
I love your food blogs! I love it because it isn't just about the food but about family. I really liked your last blog that showed your nephew making meatballs! It was funny and I liked the pictures that followed. I love every one of your blogs and hope you compile them into a book one day!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite post is Kamryn's Pear Delight! I've made it four times so far, and it's always been a hit at parties. I'm kind of sad that it didn't make it to your top 10 post!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite post is Wes' guest post! ;) But aside from that, I have the Furikake Chex Mix and Kamryn's Pear Delight on my "to try" list. Both of those recipes really stood out to me!
ReplyDeleteIts wasnt so much my post… it was the hard efforts of The Beachside Baker… I think I like Kamryn's Pear Delight too.
DeleteMmmm...all of them!
ReplyDeleteI never cooked with leeks so when my nieces came to visit, we tried the enchilada casserole with leeks and loved it. But there is nothing like making something as intimidating as peanut butter (and jam) mochi with you and having you blog it!
ReplyDeleteYour Santa Rosa salad and pear dessert were both big hits at our family's Xmas get together. I had to give away the "secret" website info, and now they're all fans!
ReplyDeleteI've bought one of her shoyu bottles in Hawaii - love it. Are the towels for sale too?
ReplyDeleteI loved the caramel popcorn post! It looks amazing! I also love when you post/talk about family. Most of my favorite foods are wrapped up in family memories, and it's nice to see I'm not the only one. :)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite was the post about sukiyaki!! yum!! Ü Ü
ReplyDeleteKeep blogging!! I love checking daily for new delicious pictures! Dining common food just can't compare....
Hi Karolyn! Congratulations on your first year of blogging. Your delicious recipes with great stories and photography have been an inspiration in many ways. Like dhonda, I also hope this is the start of a published book one day! Keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Karolyn on your first year blogging! Here is to many many more! I love the caramel corn. Keep blogging!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog, I found you through Tastespotting & had to read all your posts. I love the inspiration from the food but I thoroughly enjoy your stories of family & friends at the end. Thank you & happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteYou wouldn't believe how many people want the pear delight recipe. I've been referring all my Northern Cal. relatives to your website. Now they can learn all about your great recipes and our family too!
ReplyDelete--Amy Hamachi
Congratulations on your first year blogging, Karolyn. I happened upon your blog trying to find a somen sauce recipe that tastes like my mother-in-law's. Jackpot! And then it was your teriyaki recipe. Then bacon fried rice. Spam musubi. Gomae brussel sprouts. And now my daughter who is 8 and I are excited to try your blueberry mochi custard and the chocolate mint mochi cake for the lunar new year. But not only is your blog my go-to reference for great home cooking, I LOVE your family stories. As an Asian American myself, I can relate to the stories of your family and how our experience and traditions center around the food of our families. It makes your recipes really come to life! I've referred to your blog like you're my "auntie" in California. Honestly, your family has become part of my family. Betcha didn't know your blog could do that! THANK YOU for sharing your recipes, your photos and your life with us.
ReplyDelete-- MJ Warden, Chicago IL
My favorite post from FOODjimoto for 2011 is Bachan's Cheese Macaroni http://www.foodjimoto.com/2011/08/bachans-cheese-macaroni.html HANDS DOWN! Thanks for the giveaway, I love your blog and the step by step instructions.
ReplyDeleteMy family's favorite is: Cheesy Bloomin' Onion Sourdough Bread. So easy and so yummy! Congratulations on your 1st anniversary of blogging! Everything about your blog is so inviting ~ your photography, recipes and commentary! Thanks for sharing so much!
ReplyDeleteHappy 1st Year Blog Anniversary!!! You are doing a great job!! Remember me, when I emailed you to do a spam musubi post and you did. Can you do a FAQ like when you make these dishes, who gets the luxury to eat all your yummy dishes? I love your step by step directions on how to make your delicious food. The photos helps picture how the food looks like. Also, I like the stories behind the recipes.
ReplyDeleteI use to throw away the Costco Rotissere chicken bones but after reading your chicken soup recipe. I made some and it was tasty. I saw your brownie recipe and how do you cut the brownies to look so good? If I don't have the brownie cutter, my brownies look horrible. Congrats again and May 2012 be filled with great food for your tummy and ours!!!
Thanks for sharing your recipes and stories to your readers in this blog stratosphere.
Take care,
Nicole from Rosemead, CA
i'm going to be super simple here and say my favorite post was the cheesy impossible zucchini pie. that pie inspired me. i made it as directed and loved it, then took further direction and made it my own each and every time i made it. sometimes adding additional veggies, once i made it in muffin cups, i mean it has really become a go to. thanks for that :)
ReplyDeleteI love all your Japanese recipes. Reminds me of all the wonderful food my mom would cook. My favorite post is your Pear Delight. I made this for Christmas and it was totemo oiishikata!
ReplyDeleteNaomi
Creme Brulee will always be my favorite post of yours! I linked your recipe/site when I made my own. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful treat. All of your dishes are beautiful and I bet really delicious too!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2012.
Love your recipes, especially oshogatsu. Do you have a recipe you can share for kuromame?
ReplyDeleteOf course my favorite recipe is the Sukiyaki! LOVED making it :) Congrats on your first year, I really hope you keep it up, I enjoy reading it so much.
ReplyDeleteOk RICK, you better pick me this time, we have history dude! ;o)
Your gyoza post is definitely my favourite. I freaking love gyozas! Yours look so perfectly pleated and so crispy on the bottom. And that photo reminds me of the close up shots of food that I see a lot on Japanese food shows. The food is always steaming hot and being held aloft with chopsticks, and quivering slightly.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite recipe form the selection you shared with us. This is my first visit to your blog, so I took some time to browse through your earlier posts. I'm so glad I did that. I really like the food and recipe you share with your readers and I'll definitely be back. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
ReplyDeleteMy favorite recipes are those where you have combined the traditional Japanese flavors and delicacies with modern day foods and dishes: shiso and umeboshi pesto and for dessert: custard mochi with blueberries. Thank you for sharing your memories and everyday life as a JA in SoCal. I always look forward to reading your posts with the wonderful stories and beautiful photographs of your dishes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great year! I have loved following your first year of food blogging and learning about yummy food and your wonderful family. I especially loved your post about stuff peppers. I have avoided baking stuffed peppers for the longest time because I had bad luck the first time around and grilled them ever since. I happy to say that I finally decided to try baking them again after reading your post and had great success- woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I don't exactly remember how I stumbled upon it, but I found one post and started at the beginning of your blog and read all your entries over the period of 2 days. I have definitely been wanting to make your custard mochi with blueberries, but haven't had a chance to. Please keep blogging because I love the food and learning about your family! Thanks~
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I like the recipes and you family histories. I like to try your recipes and my favourite recipes and post is Grilled Chicken in Citrus Marinade it kill my :) other recipes I love its the chocolate mint mochi cake, blueberry mochi custard and mochi coconut cake, well I like mochi a lot and that's a great way to use it ;). Hope you and your family have a great year.
ReplyDeleteI started reading your blog as a recommendation from my daughter, a self-proclaimed foodie. I was quickly captivated as your recipes and family were very similar to my own experiences, being Japanese-American of the same generation. I find that your blog is written from the heart and nourishes the soul. Your stories and recipes are the perfect blend of seasonings and anecdotes with a pinch of Japanese flavor, just like your family. What I enjoy most is written between the lines such as where to shop for products, or which product is the best, or just the presentation of using the right dish.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing not just your recipes, but your family and friends and their stories alike. Thank you for inspiring us to feed our family and loved ones ono-delicious yummies. And thank you for believing that it is possible to make scrumptious food from your kitchen-from your heart. As it turns out that self-proclaimed foodie knows more than I thought.
All of your posts are our favorite posts. You are a genious!! We've learned so much about The Fujimoto Family thru your blog. Every time we're in SF, we always share it with Vauhgn's Ba-chan. YOU HAVE TO WRITE YOUR OWN COOKBOOK ASAP!!! You are such an inspiration to us as well as to your readers. We love you!!!
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