Happy New Year!

Belated to be sure, but heartfelt nonetheless! It's been a busy month or so in my part of the woods, with a house move at the beginning of December, two birthdays, relatives for Christmas, and...drumroll please...a site redesign in the works.

My one-year anniversary is this month, and I have big plans for this little site. I know, I know- you've heard that before. The difference this time around is that I'm actually going to follow through and make them happen, which thrills me to no end. I hope you'll be thrilled, too, as a matter of fact.

My current schedule means that everything should be up and running by the beginning of February. My main thrust from here on in is going to be the compilation of heirloom recipes for my niece, followed by improvement of my photography (exponentially, I hope), and expansion of my cooking horizons. I started blogging a year ago with these goals, but somehow they got lost a bit as I dove into the deep end of foodie events. This year, for the most part, I'll be leaving all of that behind.

The WWS? that returns will have a cleaner and more streamlined design. I'll be adding and removing elements, which should make it much easier to navigate. Posts after the relaunch will be more frequent, sometimes without photographs, and will branch out into topics other than those encompassed by the foodie world. As Bobby Brown put so succinctly, "it's my prerogative".

Spammers and scammers, via comments and emails, have been a major issue. I've enabled TypeKey comment registration, which I hope does the trick. If it doesn't, plan on seeing some posts about these losers, and other solutions that I'll try. Watch out, Ms. Suzana Nuhan Vaye, or I'll sic Dani on you!

In the meantime, there are so many things going on in the food-blogging world that I can scarcely believe it. Two of the things I'm most hot and bothered about follow; if you haven't already clicked over, you might want to take a moment or two:

1. The 2005 Food Blog Awards, hosted by Accidental Hedonist.

I admit that I didn't take the time to go over and nominate people I'd assumed would be listed. Well, you know what happens when you assume, right? Yeah, that- and brilliant writers like Jeanne from Cook Sister! and Jen from PTMYB don't get nominated. Winos wine gurus like Andrew at Spittoon don't get nominated. Outstanding restaurant reviewers (and city lovers/promoters) like Reid of 'Ono Kine Grindz don't get nominated. Apparently I wasn't the only one who fell asleep at the wheel on this one, and to that I say for shame.

Don't get me wrong, I do read and enjoy quite a few of the blogs that are listed. Two of my very favourite favourites:

I think Sam, of Becks & Posh and Food Blog S'cool, is a great writer and photographer, not to mention the real queen of the food bloggers. She is kind and generous, with her time and expertise, and shows her commitment to the food blogging community at every turn. Is there anyone in food blogging today that she hasn't had an impact on?

Keiko from Nordljus is clearly the most talented photographer (and pastry chef it seems) in food blogging today, and humble to boot. Want to see photos that will inspire you, even as they blow you away? Look no further, my friend.

I know that I made a huge mistake by not participating in the nomination process, and you can bet your bottom dollar that I won't do a repeat when it comes to voting. And that's my challenge to you, as well. Get going...voting ends on January 18th!


2. Foodography, a new photography challenge, hosted by Andrew and Sam.

Challenge, not competition. If you're looking to improve your snaps (and who isn't?), this is simply a must for 2006. Plus, it's hosted by two of the best folks in the food-blogging world these days. What are you waiting for?

That's all I've got for now. I'm looking forward to discovering what the rest of 2006 has in store for us all, and I can't wait to actually read my feeds again. I hope you've all been busy being creative, too. Here's to connecting again, and to the best blogging community on the internets. Cheers, all!

UPDATE 11 January: Well, I've had quite a few emails from readers complaining about Typekey being enabled, so I'll remove it and see how things go. If anyone has any other suggestions about how to deal with spammers, I'd love to hear about them!

Comments

[wine scribbler]

Hi Moira - looking forward to the new site and to your pictures on foodography. Plenty of interesting interpretations, hints and tips and comments; so all is going well.

[Ilva]

Hi Moira!
I couldn't find your mail adress on the page so I contact you here! I'm the one who has to send you your parcel for BBM, I sent it off yesterday and I really hope it will reach you soon but I realized that I might have made a mistake, I just took it for granted that you and I are swapping parcels but now I wonder if it really works like this, maybe you have to send to someone else and I will receive one from another person...Anyway, I didn't present myself as I thought you knew my blog's name etc. If this is the case tell me!

[Ivonne]

Moira,

Great blog! I only discovered it recenlty but it's very enjoyable. You've got great style ... and great pics too!

[Moira]

Hi Andrew...thanks, and I can't wait to partipate in Foodography!

Hello Ilva...I'll let you know as soon as I receive my package...thanks!

Hi Ivonne...thank you so much! I hope you like the redesigned site even better.

Cheers,

[ejm]

Glad to see you back again, Moira. Happy New Year!

-Elizabeth

P.S. Does typekey offer some sort of visual confirmation coding that would require commenters to enter a code defined by an image? Along the lines of the one blogger uses. Quite some time ago, I installed something like it on my WordPress blog and it made a HUGE difference.

[dawn]

Hi Moira And Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to your new site with or without food pics.

[tony]

The bachelor Cook from India invites you to his Blog.. RSVP

[Stephanie]

You think that's late?

I never did find time to send out my Christmas cards, so I've decided I'm going to send out 'March cards' instead. Both Alex's birthday and our anniversary fall during that month, so people will just have to wait.

Looking forward to your blog changes!

[gastroChick]

Hi Just came across your blog, wow. It looks really great.

[melissa_cookingdiva]

Dear Moira, Happy New Year to you too! It's good to have you back. Hugs,
M