Well, shit the bed, fred!

I want to thank you all, from the very bottom of my brimming heart – for voting Amuse Bouche into the top 100 of Project Food Blog.  Although we didn’t move forward in the competition, I feel beyond thrilled with how far we made it, and thrilled at how much this competition has forced me to view this blog from a different perspective.  

Let’s recap.  I created this blog in December of 2009, and didn’t write another post in it until June of 2010, when I finally decided it was time.  Time to get on the pony.  From June 2010 to now, we have posted only 55 posts, and managed see growth in viewers averaging over 300% continually to date.  

That my friends, is REDONK.  La Bouche was entered into a contest thinking “Well, this aughta be a fun way to get to know other bloggers.”  And we made it from 1800 entries, down to 100.

 I made myself a promise after we made it through the first round, that if Amuse Bouche made it into the top 100, I would book myself a ticket to San Francisco for Foodbuzz’ Food Blogger Festival, and what do you know? WE MADE IT! So I booked myself a flight and am going in less than a month!

And here I stand, with an incredible support system - of people I know and love, and people I have never met - who keep coming back, and Martha Bless them, they think this shit is funny!  

So if THAT is how the first four months of Amuse Bouche is going to go, let’s just see what we can do in the first year!

On my walk home today all I could think about was this vivid memory I have of falling off my horse.  You know that pony I got when I was 6?  Well, we were out on a trail, and that fat ass stepped on a turtle shell, slipped and got all freaked out.  I was a wee little whit and went flying off the back of him, falling and landing on the back of my neck.

HAZARD -  Aren’t you supposed to keep people who injure their neck’s stable?  Well, my dad - grumpy little shit that we was - made me get back on that horse and ride it the 2 miles home.  (this is really shaping up to be one of those “I walked barefoot in the freezing cold to and from school up hill both ways” kind of a story)  So anyway, I was upset.  And scared.  I did NOT want to get back on that horse.  A) it was fat so it really hurt my legs to ride him too long, and uh B) that shit straight schooled me a hot 30 seconds ago!

All I can say is that I am glad I got back on.  It prepared me for days like today, when you have a recipe to make, and something, a little like disappointment, can keep you from getting back on the horse.  Err from getting back in the kitchen…

And tonight, I’ll go back into the kitchen and do what I love, and what I planned to do.  And you are all going to shit your pants with delight when you see it, on Monday.

BOOM!

Love,

Whit

*Note* I have to thank a few people for their continued support throughout the last 5 weeks, without whom, I surely would have lost my sanity. My Mom and Frank - who are shocked to shit that I know how to turn on a stove and remind me to always laugh.  Sarah – who is willing to talk food to me at any hour, and keeps me in line.  Jen, Ethan, Tim, Emily, Taylor, Kaylin, and Kelley for the amazing encouragement and ever willing tastebuds. To all of you readers who don't give a shit about grammar and love a good laugh - effin' thank you! 

And Brian, without whom, there would be no one to cook for at all. Thank you for telling me that every idea is a great one, and loving me still when those ideas are burnt. (sorr about the mush)