The challenges themselves were one of my favorite things of the entire contest. Normally I would tell you that I love being able to blog about whatever I want, whenever I want, BUT having perimeters put on how and when you blog creates a pressure cooker of creative madness. I love those boundaries because it gets the juices flowing and makes me uncomfortable, thus, building my confidence as I try new things- even if those things don't always turn out perfect.
Along with the personal challenges and creative bursts I loved gaining new readers and in turn, finding so many new blogs to visit! I was overwhelmed by the creativity and skills of all the contestants and greatly touched by the comments and well-wishes from so many readers. If anything, this contest gave my still-infant blog a great boost.
I learned that I can make a petit four with much perseverance; work the eighties hair while eating out of my Project Food Blog cooler; make a sandwich into a pizza with a romantic narrative garnish; I could cook things I never imagined- i.e. liver- and learn what I thought I already knew...I don't like it; have one of the best birthdays ever and record it in a post; and finally, put my real-life chocolate emergency into a video with bad British accents and a schmear of chocolate on my face.
Thank you for all your love and support. Couldn't have done it without you.
Love ya, Foodies!
That sucks! All I can say is that this 'challenge' really seems to be more of a popularity contest rather than one truly based on creativity, originality and recipes. As is with blogging/comments in general.
ReplyDeleteThat along with lack of time is why I didn't do the PFB thing.
Good luck and keep posting what you do best love!
Lauren
ReplyDeleteyou were fabulous!!! I loved your video!! I think option three was the best, sometimes a good cry clears the soul. Thank you for so many great entertaining posts! I was so proud to say I knew you, my friend Lauren!!
Have a great Thanksgiving my friend, my best to your family
Dennis
I thought your video was cute and funny, and I have that emergency cake bookmarked for just such an emergency.
ReplyDeleteLauren, you rock the Foodie House! Unable to participate in this PFB go-'round myself, I did live vicariously through you, and enjoyed you every minute of the way.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
YFF
(Your Fan Forever)
Wha? This confuses me. Either I do not know how to read (which is very possible) or I see you as moving on on the results page. Sorry for the very premature congrats.
ReplyDeleteRegardless I was rootin for you the whole time. Maybe I was imagining seeing you at the top because I think you deserve it! :) You rock my face off. Can we do write in votes? lol!!
Bummer! I really enjoyed following your posts through the challenge, but parameters or not, your creativity soars on this blog! Keep on truckin', girl--you rule.
ReplyDeleteYou are fantastic. Your humor and heart came out in every single challenge! GREG
ReplyDeleteYOu did a fantastic job with each challenge, so I applaud you! I was sad to see that you didn't have a little trophy next to your name the other day. No matter how much fun you had or how it made you grow as a blogger, I can totally relate to crying into your chocolate milk shake. But at the same time, you can hold your head up (after the milkshake is gone and your tears are dry) and know you gave it your all.
ReplyDeletePFB may be over but the Foodie House LIVES ON!!!
ReplyDeleteWhen will we be seeing Episode 2 of Chocolate Emergency? In which Lauren is rescued, not by her grumpy British twin sister, but by a tribe of small but very gorgeous children?
Lauren, you were wonderful! I can't figure out why in the world you didn't move one but I'm not one of the judges. Yes, you picked the right response. Chocolate and a good cry. That and a bandaid or maybe some scotch will fix most anything. Kudos on a great job buddy!! I'm looking forward to more from Foodie House! Hugs, Kate @ Kateiscooking
ReplyDeleteAw Lauren, we are in the same boat. 'Twas a wonderful voyage all in all. Wishing you smooth sailing and continued good luck with your top-notch blog.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to laughing and dining with you in the years to come!
Your Friend in Commiseration,
Lori Lynn
You were robbed. I don't want to play anymore.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry, Lauren! I thought you did an awesome job and I voted for you every time! You have probably gained soooooo many readers from this experience! I'll still be following you. You're the only food blogger I have found so far who loves to talk about poop. So I'll be back ;)
ReplyDeleteLiz
You're still a winner to me (as cheesy as that may sound). I voted for you and you're video was hilarious. I would still love to see what you're take on the next challenge is.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry sweetie! I enjoyed all your posts and supporting you! Can't wait to see what's next for you!
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
-Gina-
I rooted for you all the way. The '80s hair was amazing. Looking forward to reading all your posts!
ReplyDeleteOh very sorry for you..But you can still blog and am looking forward to it
ReplyDeleteI am shocked - really thought you would go.all.the.way!!!! The only scenario in which this makes sense to me is that you must have some crazy huge amazing opportunity coming down the pipe, and Fate clearing couldn't risk distracting you with PFB. So chin up, you're going places, baby!!! XO and have a great Thanksgiving! Michelle
ReplyDeletewell, Lauren, that's no fun. i think your posts are adorable, informative and hilarious. .....maybe you could find another way to put pressure on yourself, like taking questions or suggestions from your fans and giving yourself a weekly deadline...
ReplyDelete~Keely
I was so sad (and shocked) when I saw that you didn't make it to the next round...but just as you said, I feel like the experience was such a great opportunity. I loved seeing the creativity that it sparked. You are one talented woman! Thank you for sharing. I hope you have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteyou rocked Lauren that is all i can say! I really thought you would go through. Hope you do it again next year :) I'm so glad i found your blog :)
ReplyDeletehappy baking and posting still - for us :)
hugs
Betty Bake
I am so very proud of you sweet bella, you were amazinggggg. The best is yet to be - and I am so very honored to be on this journey with you, as your traveling companion - here's to the next adventure!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Lauren, I was one of those bloggers that found your site because of the PFB challenge. I think the creativity and talent you showed was tremendous. When I saw you didn't advance I was shocked and didn't like that so many great bloggers, as yourself, did not advance. But don't give up! You are doing a great job and there is always next time. Hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteI loved your entries and was so sad when you didn't advance. I checked the results twice because i was convinced i read it wrong!
ReplyDeleteWell, it's PFB's loss, that's all I can say! I must say though, that throughout all the challenges, I and the rest of your fans (you megastar) waited eagerly for your posts. You're so talented, witty, you say things we all think but don't have the guts to write, and you're a fabulous mom and wife to boot. How you do everything that you do in the space of a naptime is beyond me!
ReplyDeleteNow that PFB is out of the way, I foresee greater things happening to you. Perhaps your own reality show, Cooking Up A Storm With The Zabanehs? Here's a toast to you, Lauren. May you continue on with your superbly entertaining, marvelous self and in the process, throw some posts our way. We really can't do without our regular fix of Foodie House! ;-)
You did a really great job Lauren. You should be really proud. All of your posts are always a joy to read. And it has been great watching your blog get better and better over the last several months. I the PFB was a great learning experience for us all, and all of our blogs are better because of it. And hey, there is always next year, right? =) Keep up the great blogging, friend. And I definitely encourage you to create more videos (you know, if I get a vote... lol)! Cheers! =)
ReplyDeleteYou did an absolutely amazing job in every challenge...loved and voted for every entry!
ReplyDeleteGlad that you enjoyed the challenges and the experience will enrich :)