It’s been nearly 10 years since this blog came into existence, and in the intervening years you all have traveled with me into outer space, back in time to the Roman Empire, and into more fictional realms than I can count. We have discovered unusual flavor combinations, quirky historical recipes, and some fabulous spices that are only now coming back into fashion. We’ve learned to brew mead and make flour from acorns, We’ve learned to bake bread for our families, rediscovered old favorites and made a few new ones. We’ve learned the value of blending fictional settings with delicious real food.
If you’ve been along for the ride for the past several years, you probably noticed that the posts have become more sparse, with considerably more time in between each post, and I wanted to apologize for that.
I had a kid! That’s a doozy. There’s a pandemic on (What the actual fork, amiright?!). I often rely on conventions and signings to reinvigorate me to knuckle down and get some awesome work done, but… well… this year’s been a weird one, and we’re only halfway through it. We’ve been pretty fortunate that so far, at least, the supply chain has held up here (apart from yeast anyway).
I’ve been enormously lucky in so many other ways- I’ve gotten to work on projects that were only on my dream list, and are now a reality. I had four cookbooks come out just last year, and while I am proud of the work I did on each of them, after that juggernaut I burned out HARD, in every sense. I came out of that process with a case of carpal tunnel so bad I couldn’t even lift dishes out of the sink- that’s been an up and down recovery, which is currently on a down slope.
But despite all of that, I still feel bad. I feel guilty for not posting more often. So many of you have been so kind and supportive throughout the years. The emails I receive and the photos I see online of dishes you’ve made buoy me more than you know. In fact, I’d say the personal feedback does more for me on an emotional level by far than good sales or reviews of my books. It’s amazing to feel like I’ve made a positive impact on people on a day to day level.
But there’s still SO MUCH I want to do!
I have over 200 draft posts started behind the scenes. Some of those are just some sparse notes about a historical recipe I came across at some point, some are for dishes I made and photographed, but never wrote down the recipe. Creativity often gets messy. Like, WOAH messy. Just like my kitchen, which I hope to take a sledgehammer to one of these days and turn it into the kitchen you all probably imagine I work in, not the frankenroom from the 70s it actually is.
I have a dream project for an amazing cookbook that I’d love to write. It’s unique and immersive and delicious, and so far only in my head. But GUYS it’s so COOL.
I have what basically amounts to a lecture on medieval beekeeping, and how awesome it was. I even made my own woven skep beehives. Bees are the best.
So all of that is just to check in and say how awesome you all are for still being here. Please know that I’m still here, too, and I’m still doing my best. Like for everyone, some days the best is better than others. So hang in there, have patience, both with me and with yourselves in these super weird times. I promise we’ll go adventuring again soon!
-Chelsea