One Year of Blogging

So today is Dec 12 2013 and its my blogs first birthday. I have some good things to share about my journey, some notes for budding bloggers and a feedback from all of you readers for my improvement.
So it all happened last December I suddenly had an urge to do something apart from my regular schedule. I usually read a lot and finally I felt I need a space for myself and came to an idea to start a blog.
Well then I started a blog, started putting my product reviews more and recipes in the midst of them. My son was 11 months old then and I was finding it difficult to cook and click :). With a 8 hour job and a baby, my blog was hardly getting my attention. I made it a point to cook 3 to 5 dishes on Sunday. I scheduled it for the week.
I just kept in mind to somehow keep my blog posted without missing a week. And I should say so far so good. 
Beautiful things that happened in my blog:

1. I won a giveaway organised by gayathri's cookspot for my recipe Milaga Dosa and I still get the Tarladalal Cook Book. Thats my first win.
2. Adsense approval on August 20th 2013.
3. Indiblogger 400 INR Voucher.
4. Indiblogger 8 GB Pendrive.

For each like I get for my FB i feel delighted. For each comment of my recipe I feel encouraged. The blogging world has taught me lots of new recipes. The groups I admire and learn more are:

1. SNC (South Vs North)
2. HBC (Home Bakers Challenge)
3. Baking Eggless Group
4. Baking Patners

These are great platforms for learning new recipes.
Some platforms which are good for all bloggers and food bloggers especially:

1. Food Blogger
2. Indiblogger
3. Blog adda

Some good social network that helps gain traffic:

1. Facebook
2. Pinterest
3. Stumble upon
4. Twitter

I read lots and I read more and more blogs. I never miss reading "About the author " page and I have almost 865 bookmarks of recipes. I admire some blogs, if I like a blog I subscribe it. My inbox would have around 150 mails a day from bloggers (I have subscribed), I never delete them just like that. I read the recipe completely. I comment mostly but I hate the word verification step :).
The 2 food blogs I admire and try to take lessons from are:

1. Sharmis Passions
2. Gayathri's Cook Spot

My blog is so far successful because of my family especially my dad and mom. They were (and still are) supportive in helping to click and cook | bake when they take care of my Little one. How can I forget thanking my husband who is a great person being supportive by eating all I cook and kind enough to lend me his ATM card for all my blogging purchase ;). Then my buddies my sis and my bro who always encourage me and compliment me for whatever I do. Thanks Aish and Ash. 
Special thanks to my little Prince who understands that mommy had to click after she cooks or bakes and waits patiently when I click his favorite brownie and grabs a piece only after I click. :)
And last but not least my grandama (Amma) for her guidance in many of my recipes hosted here. Who is the best cook on earth.Thanks Amma.
I hope I have shared what I knew and what I enjoyed during my blogging journey. Thanks all for your kind support and encouraging words. Hope to continue more years. Pour in your wishes, suggestions, Feedback for my blog.