"Welcome
to LENNDEVOURS…my new food- and wine-related blog. Here you’ll find
stories and news on my adventures in the culinary world, including
restaurant reviews, wine reviews, commentary on food trends, tales of
my fun serving as a recipe tester for various outlets and anything else
that comes to mind.
My goal is to eventually make money (maybe even a living) as a food
writer…and this is just the first step toward making that goal happen."
Two years ago today, the above was written as the first-ever post on LENNDEVOURS. That’s right folks, LENNDEVOURS turns two today. It’s hard to believe that it’s only been two years, and it’s hard to believe that it’s been two years already.
Looking back, this has been quite a fun ride. Back in those days, I knew next-to-nothing about wine and never would have imagined that I’d spend more than $15 on a bottle of wine. Now, I feel like I rarely spend less than that.
LENNDEVOURS has opened a lot of doors for me, including my various print writing gigs and my recent appointment as the Long Island regional correspondent for Appellation America. I wouldn’t say that I’m anywhere near making food/wine writing my full-time profession, but I’m working on it bit by bit.
Even if this blog hadn’t opened the doors that it has, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve met so many great people (both in person and virtually) because of this blog that I wish I would have started years earlier. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Derrick, Beau and Fatemeh
in person and I’ve emailed with many of you over the years as well.
Spending time with people who share my passion for fine food
and wine is always a pleasure, but it’s definitely something special to
meet a fellow blogger. It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t
experienced it…but there is a closeness and a comfort level that you
feel even before you shake hands for the first time. It’s a bit like meeting a long-lost
friend for the first time.
Our blogs are a window into our lives and our personalities and
you’re bound to feel friendship, even for someone you haven’t met, if
you peer in that window often enough.
Wine Blogging Wednesday,
my little baby blog event, has really grown up. April 12th marks it’s
20th edition, and it’s hard to believe that I launched the event just four months into blogging.
I could go on and on in this post, but I never want to bore you guys.
So thank you, kind readers, for your support these past 24 months. I hope that you enjoy reading LENNDEVOURS more and more every day and please know that I’m always trying to find ways to improve it and bring you more and more interesting information. I look forward to meeting many more of you in the future.
I’ve been a bit lazy in planning any sort of celebration for this birthday of sorts, but if you’re a local reader/blogger and might be interested in getting together in Long Island wine country for a little party, please let me know. If there’s enough interest, I’ll make it happen.