Coming back to the blogosphere: the 7 links challenge hit me too!

I’ve been away for a long time. Two months more or less. I know some of you noticed. Thanks for all your sweet words. For those of you who didn’t, don’t worry, no offence…I know I’m a tiny dot in the food bloggers world. 

These two months have been real crazy. I (we) have been through family crisis, job crisis, risk of unemployment, risk of losing the house, my mom’s presence for 6 weeks and much more. Just when you are thinking “oh finally a relaxing period ahead” (this is what I was thinking back in June when the school year finished), life hits you! And this time it hit us harder than ever.

I have to admit, though, that now that everything is over Wally and I are a much more solid couple and our lives are really improving dramatically. (This of course is a consolation now. In the moment the crisis hit and you don’t know how it will resolve, sometimes one is just not able to see positive sides.) Now the only thing I need to do is get some real, mental rest. As I am writing this post, I’m thinking this is the first half hour in 2 months that I take for myself and that I spend without tears, anxiety, or worries. It feels good. 

In all this, updating my blog was the last of my thoughts! It still is not my priority because I haven’t yet gained full control of my free time. But a splendid person sent the whole 7 links thingy in my direction and I decided to take the opportunity to come back with a post and to revisit my blog. But I'm doing this also with a veil of sadness because, as of now, I don't know if and when I will be back blogging for real. For the time being, I consider this my last post. Maybe there will be more in the future but for now I need to focus on something else in my life. This does not mean I will completely disappear. I will continue follow you all and I will try to keep in touch as much as I can.

So as part of the 7 links challenge I have to publish 7 links to my blog, one for each category

-  Your most beautiful post
– Your most popular post
– Your most controversial post
– Your most helpful post
– A post whose success surprised you
– A post you feel didn’t get the attention it deserved
– The post that you are most proud of.

Here are my links. It was a bit hard for me to choose some. Most beautiful because of the pictures or because of what I wrote? Controversial in which sense? I don’t think I have any controversial posts…But I went with my guts. You might not agree and I would love to hear how and why so! I hope you enjoy. 

Most beautiful post

The post I wrote on Risini, an Italian pastry that belongs to my childhood, is really dear to me. I put so much effort into making them and setting the right stage for the pictures.

Most popular post

To my surprise the post which got more comments was my second entry to the Foodbuzz competion of last year. I was really not happy with my pics but I was very happy with the dessert.

Most controversial post

The first entry to the Foodbuzz competition…I really was conflicted between participating or not

Most helpful post

I don't know if it was helpful for others but it sure was helpful for me. I'm talking about the DB Challenge of May 2010: the piece montée. I learnt how to make pate a choux and I learnt that you can get seriously burnt with caramel!

Post whose success surprised me

It sure was the first post about my cheddar panini, which got more than a couple of comments! It was also the post with the first pictures I took with my new manual camera! They were still not amazing but for sure a great improvement. 

Post I feel didn’t get the attention it deserved

I have no doubt about this one. It was my post on the Torta della Nonna, the most amazing Italian dessert in my humble opinion, and the one I make the best. I won the Marin County fair competition (first place and best in show) with this single desssert. It's also my family's favorite. Of course that post did not get the deserved attention because it was one of my first ones but you should really try this cake!

PS: terrible picture, I know!

Post I am most proud of

For sure my first post! Because I really am not good at decorating and I felt it like a terrific accomplishment to take that class and be able to make flowers and roses with royal icing! And because it was my first post.

I guess this is it! Revisiting my blog gave me a nice perspective of what I've accomplished. I would love to thank you all of you for being part of my life and amazing readers of my blog. Maybe I will be back to improve what I've done so far, earlier than you think!

Have a sweet day!