Chocolate Log Blog One Year On

Well, it’s hard to imagine, but Chocolate Log Blog is one year old today. When I re-read my first post and reviewed what I was trying to achieve, it made me realise how much I’ve actually done in the year. Chocolate cakes galore.
Successes
I’ve made some friends and discovered some great blogs along the way. I’ve had a recipe published, reviewed a book, sold a cake and hopefully put a smile on a few people’s faces. For National Chocolate Week last October, I made the spiced chocolate cupcakes you can see in the top image. Liskeard, I felt, could do with a surprise. So I took my cupcakes in a basket and offered them to various folk around the town. It was such fun.
I’ve managed to try out a whole heap of recipes I’ve not made before as well as come up with a few of my own.
Despite my protestations to the contrary, I’ve even made a chocolate log. I set to, bought a tin and just got on with it and it turned out to be not nearly as faffy as I thought it would be. I’ve experimented with new ingredients as well as different flavours. I’ve made far more chocolate cake than I would have thought possible a year ago and spent far too much time looking at blogs – good and bad.
Challenges
Did I hear the word challenges? There were plenty of those.
- How to make something that might taste good but looks a little – hmm – shall we say “sad” into a photogenic edible delight?
- Just trying to get a quarter decent photograph in bad light.
- Turning up without a cake on someone’s birthday and not feeling guilty.
- Trying not to be too disappointed when things didn’t work out as I’d hoped.
- Thinking creatively of what to cook next. Unrealistically raising CT’s expectations of cake every day.
Bored of Chocolate
What has truly amazed me though, is just how many chocolate goodies there are out there and how many more I have to make. And am I bored of chocolate yet? Let me answer like this: I think this blog could be going for some time to come.
Stay in Touch
Thanks for visiting Tin and Thyme. I hope you enjoyed my Chocolate Log Blog One Year On post. If you ever make any of my chocolate bakes, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below or via social media. Do share photos on your preferred social media site and use the hashtag #tinandthyme, so I can spot them. For further chocolate inspiration follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Chele
14th February 2010 at 10:26 amHappy Birthday ;0)
I’m (and I’m sure I’m not the only one!)very pleased to hear that there is still lots more Chocolate Log to come ;0)
Lov eyour blog Hun!
Suelle
14th February 2010 at 10:33 amCongratulations on reaching your first birthday.
I’d certainly agree that getting good photographs is one of the main challenges of blogging! Especially with chocolate products; it’s a bit like trying to photograph a black cat – if you’re unlucky you just get a dark blob with no details! LOL!
Kath
14th February 2010 at 3:12 pmCongratulations. I am very glad to hear that you are not bored of chocolate yet, what would I do without your words on a regular basis? You have made me laugh with your list of challenges, they all sound very familiar. Looking forward to following you for the next year and I hope it brings even more achievements and successes.
Lucie
14th February 2010 at 5:23 pmCongrats Choclette – you have achieved a lot in one year. Long may your choccie-blogging continue! x
Sushma Mallya
14th February 2010 at 6:13 pmCongraz on completing one year,hope u celebrate more such happy moments each year,u have a lovely blog so keep it going…
C
14th February 2010 at 6:38 pmCongratulations! Glad to hear you aren’t planning to stop yet – there’s always more chocolate to eat. Look forward to seeing more, from a fellow chocoholic.
Janice
14th February 2010 at 7:59 pmOMG I just read your first post – Old Jamaica mmmmmm yum! When they re-released it last year, I was stock piling in case it disappeared. I have enjoyed your blog since I found it and look forward to seeing more of your lovely chocolate creations.
nipitinthebud
15th February 2010 at 2:54 pmhappy blogiversary Choclette :o)
The Caked Crusader
15th February 2010 at 5:24 pmWell done! Anyone can start a blog but to keep it alive week after week takes talent and dedication.
Choclette
15th February 2010 at 8:30 pmThank you all for the good wishes and lovely comments. One of the things I forgot to say in my post is how much I appreciate the comments I get – so please do keep them coming.
Janice – I had no idea they had re-released Old Jamiaca. Will have to look out for it.
Lisa
15th February 2010 at 8:45 pmHappy blog anniversary! Keep up the good work.
Bridgett
15th February 2010 at 10:06 pmI don’t think I could ever get tired of chocolate either. Best wishes to another year of blogging.
Wendy
15th February 2010 at 10:55 pmHappy Anniversary! A great blog with brilliant recipes… thank you! xx
figjamandlimecordial
16th February 2010 at 10:16 amHappy Anniversary! Thanks for providing us with such a good read! 🙂 Celia
somesaycocoa
16th February 2010 at 1:53 pmHappy blogday to you, happy blogday to you, happy blogday to Choclette, happy blogday to you!
Hip hip horay! Now cut the cake 🙂
Choclette
16th February 2010 at 8:26 pmA cake? Well I did make a cake on Sunday and a very nice cake it was too. But after much debating decided to post it as a separate piece – which I will be doing at some point in the future.
mangocheeks
17th February 2010 at 9:02 pmHappy First Year Blogiversary Choclette.
Looking forward to many more more.
Warmest of wishes.
Foodycat
20th February 2010 at 4:17 pmHappy blogoversary, and may there be many more! You are lucky though – chocolate seems to be generally photogenic. One day I will take an appetising photograph of a casserole!
Choclette
20th February 2010 at 6:43 pmThank you Mangocheeks and Foodycat. With a few notable exception, I’ve been lucky with photographs – the credit goes to our camera as I am no budding photographer. I’ve also been taking most of my photographs outside, which is not really practical for most savoury food. Everything I’ve seen on your site looks most appetising, so maybe you are worrying needlessly.