Have you ever taken a break from reading, only to suddenly feel the urge to order a new book, dive back in – and then wonder why you waited so long? Reading, blogging, or whatever idle hobby you have, is still there – waiting for your return.
My business partner (who is 25 years older than me and therefore capable of giving life advice), talks about the three essentials:
- Someone to love. Whether it’s a partner, family member, friend, or pet, everyone needs someone – or something – to love.
- Love what you do. This does not have to be what pays the bills, but instead, a passion or hobby that ignites your flame.
- Something to look forward to. Whether it’s as big as a vacation or as simple as a movie release, we all need something to keep us going.
For me, my passion has always been food—creating it, sharing it, exploring it. I started this food blog in 2012 as an outlet to share college-friendly meals. My hobby turned into a passion, which lead me to culinary school post-graduation, which then paved the path to where I am today. It’s been seven years since opening The Nook (you can read all about our restaurant here!) and nearly a seven-year Vodka and Biscuits hiatus.
I recently dusted off my camera and brought it with us to our vacation in Scotland. Exploring all the beauty St Andrews, Glencoe, Oban, and Edinburgh had to offer was a personally pivoting experience. On our travels home from our trip, looking and editing through the photos of food and landscapes, I felt an overwhelming sense of creativity. I opened up my notepad and began writing, although, the story I was writing was not about food.
I started to write the story of the personal journey that Scott and I have been on for the last several years. Our gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, yet hopeful and somehow inspiring journey of infertility. While my story does not talk about recipes and my passion for cooking, I realized how food intertwines through it all.
Like the milkshake I Door Dashed while crying in bed after our first miscarriage. Or the steamed crabs we treated ourselves to in excitement before an embryo transfer. Or the cookbook my step-sister gave me to combat PCOS. Or the endless comforting meals I’d cook with a purpose of distraction (and hunger). Or, on the flipside, where I make chicken noodle soup for my friend who just had her second baby. Or enchiladas for a friend grieving the loss of a friend. Or a tray of cookies and sandwiches to a friend who suddenly lost his father.
And then I think about what I do for work. Our café is located in an outpatient children’s hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. The impact we have on a daily basis within the hospital and community is enough to have a blog on its own.
All of this to say, my story does have a place on my food blog and I’m excited to return to something I love. It’s always been there, waiting for me to rediscover it, and now it’s time to dive back in. What began as a small outlet to share recipes has now turned into something much more meaningful: a space to share my journey, from recipes to the stories that bring these meals to life.
I can’t wait to continue the journey and share it all with you once again.
[Read Part 1 of my story – Sway – here]
