Well Preserved

I`m writing this at midnight knowing full well that the alarm clock will rung loudly around 5AM this morning and that I will be at the market by 5.30 at the latest.  I adore shopping for a dinner party and New Years will see me finalizing my menu as I shop in the early morning.  There`s nothing quite like it – and I mean that in a good way.

Dana and I were surprised to learn yesterday that we were both nominated and named as finalists in 2 categories of the Canadian Food Blog Awards.  Humbled, honoured and flattered beyond belief is the best description of how we feel.  Seeing the names of the other blogs (as well as some that are new to me – and having checked them out, I have some more reading to do as I`m excited to see some content and people I dearly want to know more about) made me gulp to be included on the list.  We are most thankful.

It`s very easy to write at 5AM and forget that people actually read.  I don`t mean that to insult those who do – I am grateful for your visits, comments and sharing of your own experiences.  It`s just that when one writes at 5AM, generally still bleary eyed and writing a post that I literally dreamed about, it`s easy to imagine that no one would be interested in the output.  One of the reasons for starting the blog was so that I could go back and find my own preserving recipes and perhaps that helps perpetuate that bias.

It`s my understanding that there was a huge amount of entries – well over 100 early into the process.  To be named as finalists in `the categories of `Best Niche Blog`and `Best Local Seasonal` blog is as large an honour we`ve had in the time we`ve shared this hobby.

My main reason for today`s post is to send a hopeful thank you to the individual or individuals who nominated us as well as to thank the organizers (the wonderful Beer and Buttertarts is spearheading this) for their work in compiling all of this together.  The truth of the matter is we were planning a self-nominating (which was allowed) when life got too busy.  Thank you for taking the time to nominate us and sharing the word we are trying to spread together.  My smile touched both my ears all evening this eve.

You really should take a look at all of the finalists – there`s a tonne of great blogs in the list of finalists (as well as many not on it) – time for me to check out a few more before tucking in and dreaming of the final touches to the menu tomorrow night.