Well it’s finally here, the 1st anniversary of Proud Italian Cook! I can’t believe a year has gone by already. I remember before I started this blog, I would browse the Internet and check out all of the food blogs out there, looking at all the beautiful photo’s and reading great stories , and learning about different cultures and food traditions. Having a passion for cooking I wanted to have my own blog but thought it would be impossible for me, how would I start it? How did they get those pictures on line? Remember, I’m from the non-techie generation!
One day my daughter was over and I was showing her some of my favorite blogs and I was saying to her that I wish I could have one of my own. Of course her response was,”I can set you up in about a half hour with your own blog!” What? really? I said. “Yeah, pick a name for it” In the meantime she was typing faster than the speed of light asking me what color background, what font, etc and all the other things you have to do to set up a blog.” Come on Mom! Pick a name I gotta go home” Are you kidding me? You’re just going to leave now? I said. As soon as I came up with Proud Italian Cook she was done with everything else. ” It’s all done, see? I gotta go now”. “Read up on it Mom, you can do it, Bye!”
Needless to say her phone was ringing off the hook from me, question after question, I even gave her my passwords so she could upload my photos from her house, she’s a night owl and so am I,
so many a night I’d be calling her to help me.
Then I noticed the answering machine going on a little more often then before, Hmmm, was that a hint? I did hear her say she created a monster once! So baby step, by baby step, I slowly learned about blogging.
All that being said, if it wasn’t for her, no way would I have started this! So thank you Vanessa! and the rest of my family, for putting up with me.
I’m looking forward to the year to come, maybe I’ll even figure out what bandwidth is, or how to do a widget, or even a gadget!!
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
Just wanted to say i love your blog.
Tony
Happy Blogoversary Marie!!!
I’m just starting in this whole world of blogs…I am just as amazed as you were 1 year ago.
I love your blog and I think you did a great job. I look forward to celebrating more anniversaries with you.
I have to tell you that your website is always a pleasure! Congrats on your anniversary!!
Wishing you happy blog anniversary. First time here. U have an awesome blog.
I can’t believe it’s only been a year! I love visiting you, not only for the excellent recipes, but for what you have to say and the amazing photographs you take. Happy anniversary, and I do hope for many more.
Oh this is one of my favorite Italian dessers I LOVE cannoli,(Daddy did too):D
I have a surprise for you in my blog, please come see
Your blog is wonderful, I can’t believe it’s only been a year! Keep it up; I love reading your fantastic recipes 🙂
And the olive oil bottle in your giveaway reminds me of one I just got. My little sister is 16, and she bought be an adorable olive oil bottle on a recent trip to Italy. It was so cute that she though of me and my cooking while she was traveling!
Thank you! Thank you! for all your nice comments. Don’t forget to check Thursday morning for the winner of the giveaway.
Love your blog! Happy Anniversary! I look forward to many new posts!
What a wonderful blog! Congratulations!
I am glad you learned how to blog since it has become one of my favorites. It is always an inspirational read coming here. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. I wish you many more.
Bridgett
Happy Blogoversary! I’m a fairly new reader to your blog but am enjoying going back to read the full year in review! Keep up the good work!
Congrats on one year… your blog is really beautiful and I’m happy to have stumbled upon it!
Happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary, happy…. Well the tune of a silly song sung at restaurants was in my head. Could you hear it?
Love your blog! And I am so glad you figured it all out. I still have some learning to do myself!
Don’t you just love all the glass work in Venice! So fun and cute!
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! I just found your blog and I think it’s wonderful! I can’t wait to try some of your great recipes. Thank you!
Congratulations! I just recently discovered your blog while looking for a timpano recipe. This has become my “go to” blog for inspiration. Tonight I will be trying the ricotta fritters. Your photos are incredible.
Keep up the good work.
Congratulations Marie! Happy Blogiversary!
It is always good to come here and see great food and photos.
Inspiration for you and long life for your blog.
Happy Blogiversary! You know those lovely dishes with the olive design would have gone perfectly with my Antipasto last week. Does that sound like I’m pandering? Well, it is a highly charged political year afterall.
Thanks for all the great recipes and ideas!
happy anniversary! love your blog.
meg
Time does fly when you are having fun. Doesn’t it. I am looking forward to my 1 year of blogging also.
You are right, you do open up the world to a whole new group of friends. There really are a lot of wonderful people out there.
Congrats on your anniversary and you give away is a dream come true! I would love to win it. Keeping my fingers crossed!
Looking to many more years of reading your blog.
I’m going to put a link to your giveaway on my blog for you.
Hugs,
Joanne
Happy Blogiversary, to a wonderful year and looking forward to the coming year… I had been admiring blogs for years, but for 2 friends nudging me on, I’m sure I wouldn’t have jumped in when I did 😉
WOW Marie! You have so many comments already!
I can’t believe your blog is only a year old, and now that I do I’m even more determined to go back to day one in your archives and make sure I have all your recipes copied down.
I’ve loved you blog since I first found it (spaghetti with a baked clam sauce — so innovative, easy to make, and so delicious!)I enjoy your blog so much and I’ve tried so many of your recipes and techniques, and I’ve told so many to check out your blog. I really hope there will be a professional cook book contract in your future!
Congratulations on your blog anniversary and I look forward to another year of wonderful Italian recipes!
Hugs, Pat in NY
I recently started blogging and have been visiting your site. What a great site! Congratulations on your first year and looking forward to what comes before us!
Yay Marie!
Happy Anniversary, I can’t believe mine is coming up too! Crazy how fast time flies huh?!
Nice givaway, can’t wait to see who the lucky winner is!
Have a great week!
Happy anniversary. Looking forward to what you have in store for the coming year!
MARIE! AY-O! MARIE!! Words alone cannot express what joy I get reading about things that are shared by so many across such distances… you are a magnet of goodness- the joy that comes from a labor of love like this cannot be counted any way except with hugs and smiles… thanks for a year of expanding my knowledge, my smile, and my waistline… like a good wine, I expect this blog will only get better with age… Thanks Marie
Johnny T
Happy anniversary!! I love reading your blog! Your pictures are always SO beautiful and I have gotten some wonderful recipes from you. I have never commented before (sorry) but what better time to start than a giveaway!!! I am going to Italy for the 1st time in Oct!! Your blog has made me even more excited!! Thx!
Oh my goodness, how lovely! My family is italian, also, Gonnella (no relation to the bread company, unfortunately) and I love to adorn my kitchen in Italian goods! Especially that little salt & pepper cellar – how sweet is that!?
Congrats on the anniversary – keep the recipes coming!
Congratulations on you blogoversary and MANY More. Really, I do enjoy each and every post. I’d sure enjoy a bite of that cannoli. Keep up the good work.
What a geat year for my sister-in-law, the Proud Italian Cook. I get emotional when I eat by your house. Those clams brought me back to when I was young. It makes my heart feel great. I am so lucky to have a REAL Italian cook in the family.
Congratulations on your 1st year, don’t stop cooking!
That is fantastic. I hope you have many more wonderful recipes to share with us in the future. I live visiting this site!!!
Happy Blogiversary!
All the best for another year of passionate food blogging in good health to you and yours — happy blogoversay, Marie! You’re an inspiration, for sure (pass the canoli, please). 😉
Happy Anniversary..I came across your blog yesterday…wow what gorgeous pictures…you’re truly talented.
I’m checking in a day late and a dollar short. Happy anniversary. I have really enjoyed reading your blof through out the year. It seems you have been blogging longer ! Just goes to show you how good you are.
Awwww, Such nice comments!! Love it!!
Happy One Year Anniversary! I too am a blog newbie and fellow foodie. I have really enjoyed your site. If it wasn’t for a really good friend I wouldn’t have started this great adventure to blogdom either. My friend still helps me out… Good luck to you, and I’ll be stopping by again soon.
Congratulations on making one year. I’ve been blogging for about a year too and like you it was a little rough getting started. My husband is still doing my pictures. (why stop a good thing :-))
I really enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.
The Food Hunter
YAY for you Marie!
I think I found your blog near the beginning, I remember reading the post with the garlic shaver. It has been such a pleasure to read your blog, and isn’t it amazing how much we learned in a year of blogging?
Thank you for all your wonderful inspiring posts, and for your friendship.
Lori Lynn
P.S. Those glass candies are just darling!
Happy Blog anniversary Marie!!! You really have a lovely blog and wonderful recipes, I live it!! (My anniversary come soon too!!!!!) xxxxxGloria
WOW!!! A yeah already??!!!?
I’m proud of you!! Keep up the fun blog!
Wishing you a very happy anniversary. Here’s to the next one! (I also loved your husband’s comment.)
Very, very happy anniversary. I love this site and look forward to mny posts to come. (I also loved your husband’s comment.) Best wishes, Sally
Congratulations on a great first year! i love the comment from your hubby!!
Happiest of anniversaries Marie! What a wonderful milestone and how much you have accomplished in just one year! Congratulations and all the best!
Marie,
That is exactly my story.
I said to my husband one a.m. before work. ” I am addicted to food blogs & wish I could have my own blog”. So he said ” So do it”.
But I don’t know how.
I was annoyed at myself for saying that……so here I am, one month old, still enjoying other peoples’ blogs, but have my own and enjoying the process!
Thanks for all the great recipes!
Stacey
Your family and friends from Florida said…
We love your recipes and pictures. Wish we could be there to enjoy everyone of them.
Maybe this year we will send you those biscotti!!!!!!!!
Sure wish I had one of those Cannolis right now.
Congratulations on your first year!!!!!I’ve only recently found your blog I love it…..Pat H
pattygary@kc.rr.com
Proud Italian Cook’s Hubby said….
I want my laptop back!! Just kidding, I’m the lucky guy who gets to try all of this fabulous food and for the past 30 plus years have enjoyed every meal you’ve ever made. You truly are my inspiration, now……..what’s for dinner?
congratulations! just have found your blog recently and i really do enjoy that! good food & really nice pics! keep on going!
Congrats mom! I don’t want to be in on the drawing, just the Cannoli!!
CONGRATS marie…to one of my FAVOURITE blogs!! You have made the Italians proud…can’t actually believe you’ve just turned 1!!! CHEERS to you…may you go from strength to strength! here’s to many more years of delicious blogging my friend!!! HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!!XOXO Deeba
We are all so glad you did get a blog! Can’t wait to see what the next year brings!
Congratulations on your first anniversary! You have created a wonderful blog, and I look forward to my visits here everyday!
Happy One Year Anniversary of wonderful food and a very inspirational blog.
I look forward to your second year!
mmmm cannoli:) Happy blogaversary Marie, I think I’ve been coming on since the start. Your recipes are always fabulous and your personality really shines through in your cooking and writing! Looking forward to the next year
xxxx
Happy Blogiversary and thank you so much for the reading pleasure! That’s enough of a gift for me, so you can leave me out of the drawing, but CONGRATS!
Hi I just called in from Bella Baita View…saw your comment on there.
All I can say is a big thank you to you and especially your daughter..great blog and love looking at your recipes!! 🙂
ooo congrats on your blogoversary!!!
I’m really glad that I found your blog! 🙂
Happy Anniversary! Isn’t it fun to look back and see all that has occurred in the past year? Your blog is absolutely delightful; I always walk away from your posts learning something new (and am also usually hungrier afterward, too!). Looking forward to another wonderful year of great blogging!
Happy Blogoversary! And Congratulations. Your site is so informative and professional looking, I honestly thought it was much older. My family has enjoyed several of your recipes. And I am still fairly new to this blogging world, as well. A funny thing has occurred to me, since I began all this blogging … I’ve noticed that I don’t buy or read as many magazines. The other day I found am expensive cooking magazine in the store with just a handful of Italian recipes and I thought, eh? I’ll just go to Proud Italian’s blog and get a tried and true recipe there instead. Much better!
Thanks for a great year!
Put on the coffee, I’ll be right over for that cannoli, if I can get UJ off the couch. I can’t believe it has been a year of blogging, you certainly have come a long way! Congratulations and I am sure more great posts.
You guys are great!! I’m loving all the comments! Thank You!
Happy blogaversary to you! I started a year ago and had to learn from trial and error. Isn’t it funny to go back and see how you’ve grown?
Great blog and here’s to another year!
Such a sweet celebration for your first blogaversary!!! Congrats!
I’m pretty new to your blog, I have really enjoyed it. I’m an Italian living in Montana now and your food looks so tasty!! I haven’t seen one post that I wouldn’t try making for us!
My start was almost the same, only with my niece. She too, she set me up in no time and then I was on my own. :0
I had to figure it out, many late nights learning from other blogs.. I’m a night owl too! Maybe it’s in our DNA! HA!
Love your give away ideas, sign me up!
KM
Hey Marie! Happy blogaversary! What a wonderful story on how you started your blog. I think that I will teach my mom how to blog when I go to Mexico. That way we can keep in touch in the blogosphere. Hehe. I love your blog, but you already know that 😀
Happy Blogiversary! And thanks for giving me a cannoli craving 🙂
Happy Anniversary! I just found your blog. I can certainly relate to your beginning. I am new at this blog thing. I think that I need some “blog technology lessons.” Your recipes look delicious. The walk for cancer was a wonderful thing – having fun while doing so much good.
Sweetie
happy blogiversary! i’ve only recently found your blog, but i am so glad i have and i look forward to the next year! 🙂
Happy anniversary! Your story sounds a lot like mine and Giz’s. Giz didn’t know anything about how to blog and then I created a monster. We’re also up to all hours discussing blog posts. Usually it consists of her e-mailing me to tell me that she screwed something up on the blog and needs me to fix it. One of these days she’ll figure out her own html errors.
I’m so glad you’re in the blogging world. Your posts are beautiful and offer great inspiration for my Italian cooking attempts.
Oh Marie- Congratulations on a wonderful year of blogging- I am so grateful you chose to share yourself- I’ve spent many a day drooling over your creations!
I’m not tech savvy either but I have to say, I’m glad you figured it all out (with the help of your daughter of course). If not, we might not have your wonderful blog to inspire us! Congrats on the anniversary!
Congratulations on 1 year! I have a lot of back posts to read. 🙂
Hi Marie, Happy Anniversary, I am so glad your daughter got you up and running and looks like you soon got the hang of it, We (all of us here) have so enjoyed your recipes and your blog, here’s to another delicious year. Kathy.
A very Happy Blogaversary to you, Marie! From one paisana to another, congrats on a great year! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you and discovering your delightful blog.
I look forward to many more scrumtious recipes!
Mmm, cannoli! I love your recipes and stories.
I’d love to grab a cannoli and celebrate with you Marie!! Congratulations.. 🙂 I am always shocked when I found out my mentors are so young! 🙂
When I visit you here at your blog I feel like I have found an Italian girlfriend who I’d absolutely have a blast cooking, shopping and talking family with! You are fun Marie and I’m so glad to have gotten to know you a bit through your beautiful blog! Wow, another year to look forward to your new creations.. I can’t wait! 🙂 Blessings to you!!
What a cute story about how you got started…Happy Anniversary! Your blog is one of the first I came across in my short 3 months of blogging…your name caught my eye because I too am Italian and of course I am always drawn to things/people Italian! I love visiting it, you have wonderful stories and VERY delicious looking pictures and food!!
Um…I am seriously craving a cannoli right now! Have a great weekend and again HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! : )
I stalk your blog so you dont know who I am. I love your blog. Your food simply amazes me. The beautiful colors and presentation is perfect. Happy Anniversary!
Has it been a year already? I have so enjoyed visiting you for the past year with your delicious and innovative recipes and photos. Happy Blogoversary and keep it up ..I LOVE it!!
Happy Blogoversary!!! Isn’t it funny how we became more and more attached to our blogs as the year wore on???
Just wanted to say happy birthday/anniversary/whatever its called. I know the feeling (mine is coming up soon, too)–its amazing to look back at where things were a year ago and to see how far things have come. Congrats!
Happy 1st Year Marie! I was LOL at the DD story, reminded me of the first time I ever used the internet and how scary and confusing it was .. DD sat me down showed me how to hook up to the internet and left me to sink or swim! I drove the then teens crazy with questions and confusion, and I am still here 🙂
Look forward to another year of your great foods.
I can hardly believe you have only been doing this for a year, it’s such a great blog. I found you on your timpano post also by chance and have enjoyed all your adventures ever since. Here’s to many more anniversaries! Stay proud!
I just recently found your blog and I love it. Thanks for giving me a year of recipe to look back on!
Cannoli’s always make me think of my Sicilian grandmother. I would wait for her to fill each shell, then I got to lick the spoon! Good stuff!
Hi, I would be honoured to leave your first message on your blogaversary lol. This site is such an inspiration to look at and cook from I bookmarked it the first time I saw it. Your a fantastic homecook that cooks from your heart it really shines through on this blog. Anyway I have never had the nerve to leave that message but thought today would be the best to comment on seeing at is so special. Happy Cooking and love from Australia. Samia X
sn_2001@hotmail.com
Happy Anniversary Marie!! Looking forward to reading more lovely posts in the year to come.
I am actually not leaving a commment to win the gift, but say thanks for the great blog. I found you last January while looking up timpano recipes. As you know, mine turned out and I thank you for the tips. I faithly look at your blog and have turned a few others on to it!
Gretchen, California