A Slice of My Life – The Final Chapter

December 19, 2012

Hello friends.

First things first.  I absolutely loved reading about your holiday traditions.  Many of them involved food and most of them involved family.  It made me realize that we need to start a food tradition here in the Dana Treat household, some kind of opening presents treat.  I’ll get back to you on that one.  I do want to thank you all for sharing with me.  One of the biggest reasons I like giving things away is that I get to ask questions like this one and learn more about the folks who read here.  The winner of the Harry and David gift box, randomly chosen #86, is Emily who describes her favorite holiday tradition this way, “My favorite holiday tradition is our annual Christmas Tree Hunt off Forest Service roads up near Crystal Mountain. There’s nothing better than playing in the snow, snow shoeing to cut down a tree and our chili lunch cookout. The trees aren’t as thick as a farmed noble, but every year we have one with character and the experience makes it worth it!

So this.  I have come to the end of my Slice of Life posts.  I’m sure some photo worthy things will happen between now and December 31st but I can’t promise that I will have the time to sit and post about them.  (You can always follow me on Instagram, I am @danatreat.)  I am hoping to give you some food, some recipes between now and then, but I don’t want to promise things I can’t deliver.

I’m curious.  What next?  Did you like the Slice of Life posts?  Should I continue?  Should I do something more food related, some kind of round up each week?  Would you rather just have more recipes?  What do you want to see from me?  Your input is most welcome.  I appreciate each of you.

I am leaving you with this photo of my boys.  A typical “please, both of you smile and look at the camera” shots.  I love this shot.  It is posed but not.  They are doing what I am asking (smiling, looking at the camera) and also, not.  It shows their personality.  It also shows their eyes which, and I may be biased, are amazing.  I have brown eyes and Randy has blue eyes.  Graham has gray eyes (which you can really see in this photo) and Spencer has hazel eyes.  These boys – they fill me up so much.  With pride, love, thankfulness and also frustration, fear, and apprehension.  You get pregnant and you carry that baby and you have no idea who that person will be.  You know you will give birth to someone who will keep you up at night and will require a lot of diaper changes and feedings, but you don’t know who they will be at 8 and 5 5/6ths.  Right now I am fielding questions about Rudolph’s role in present delivery and how Santa visits people who don’t have trees and remembering their attempt to say the Hanukkah blessing along with me and feeling lucky, thankful, and blessed.

I am hopeful that I can deliver a post or two before the end of the year.  Please know that posting on a regular basis is at the top of my New Year’s Resolutions list.  I hope you all have a wonderful couple of weeks and the very happiest of holidays to you.



35 Comments »

  1. Hi Dana,

    Since you asked for input, I enjoy your slices of life, and, of course, your recipes. I am also inspired by the food culture you seem to have created in your family. I, too, am a health-conscious vegetarian mother of two who loves chocolate, but I often feel overwhelmed by how to make that look and feel balanced, as you seem to. I grew up in a family with a very poor food culture created by addiction, so I’m always on the lookout for role models and mentors, and I’ve loved what youve shared on the subject. Thanks for posting–I really enjoy reading your blog and this is my first time commenting. Your question inspired me to share!

    Comment by Amy — December 19, 2012 @ 7:20 am

  2. Your blog is one of my favorites. I think you could write about anything and I would enjoy reading it, because I love your writing style. Not going to lie, I love your recipe posts and you are a go-to recipe blog. But I also appreciate your more personal posts. Happy New Year to you and your family!

    Comment by CarMar — December 19, 2012 @ 3:39 pm

  3. Love those boys! Cannot wait to spend more time with them!! Love Slice of Life – keep it going! Wish I could fit one into Chez.

    Happy Holidays my dear friend!!

    Comment by Denise — December 19, 2012 @ 3:44 pm

  4. I love your slice of life posts!! Please continue. I also love it when bloggers shares their current favorite lists (cookbooks or regular books they’re reading, products they use, etc). Thanks!

    Comment by Andrea — December 19, 2012 @ 7:35 pm

  5. Hi Dana – probably everybody will say this! I hope you keep on with your slices of life – if you want to. You are leaving us en media res – if that’s how you spell it. I’ll be wanting to follow the story. Wishing you a happy school break – lights and fun and food! Katy

    Comment by Katy Gilmore — December 19, 2012 @ 7:35 pm

  6. Dana, I love the slice of life posts. I love the recipes too, especially interesting salads and whole-meal ideas. I think you’re very brave putting your heart and soul, and trials and tribulations out there for all to read. For me, the slice of life posts are a glimpse into a foreign land (i’m from NZ), exotic and mysterious (i sometimes have to google images of ingredients, or american-cultural references, esp jewish ones), and your photos are great! Keep up the good work, but have a lovely, relaxing holiday season.

    Comment by Juliet — December 19, 2012 @ 7:47 pm

  7. I love everything. Slice of Life, Recipes, Rambling thoughts, Travel, information on where you live, house stuff, cookbooks!
    You have a fantastic way with words :)
    Please don’t stop!

    Comment by AnnieM — December 19, 2012 @ 9:01 pm

  8. Hi Dana,
    I love your blog, and I would definitely miss reading the Slice of Life posts. I hope you decide to continue them.

    Barbara(from New Jersey)

    Comment by Barb — December 19, 2012 @ 9:46 pm

  9. I love all of your posts…food, family…makes no difference! Keep on writing they are a treat to read (: xo

    Comment by Liz Cheney — December 19, 2012 @ 10:21 pm

  10. Hi Dana – this is only my second comment on your blog, but I wanted to tell you I enjoy your slice of life posts. I check your blog every day to see if you have posted (whether it be a slice of life post or a recipe, which I also really look forward to) because I still haven’t figured out the way RSS feeds work!

    Your blog is much appreciated – I’ve tried many recipes from here (in fact, I am eating for lunch today a soup from your blog, the chowder with coconut milk).

    Comment by Payal — December 19, 2012 @ 11:43 pm

  11. I can’t believe a whole year of slice of life has passed! Wow. I definitely would love to see more of them in the new year…they help me keep track of you and the boys. :) And more recipes! Always!

    Comment by Joanne — December 20, 2012 @ 1:06 am

  12. First time here want to wish you a very Merry Christmas and thanks for your “2009 3 cheese ball recipe”. Needed something cool to bring to an open house this weekend. I know this will be great and easy to prepare the day before. Can’t wait to come back and enjoy your web site after the 25th. Thanks to Google I found you.

    Comment by Geri — December 20, 2012 @ 3:48 am

  13. I love your slice of life posts. Please continue if you are so moved! My food blog reading has dropped off substantially with a toddler to chase around but I always find time for your slice of life posts. Have a wonderful holiday season!

    Comment by Phoo-d — December 20, 2012 @ 3:49 am

  14. Slice of Life gets my “keep it” vote! It doesn’t compare to seeing you person, but it is a wonderful way to stay connected with you and your family. (Facebook is pretty hit or miss with me these days).

    I rarely post, but I always read. I miss you old friend!

    Happy Holidays and I look forward to reading more in 2013.

    Hugs,
    Kelly

    Comment by Kelly F. — December 20, 2012 @ 5:01 am

  15. I love your blog – recipes, rambles and slice of life posts. I love watching your boys grow up along with my own- which seems so wierd when I just know you virtually if you get what I mean. I love your Christmas discussions. I just had one the other night about the importance of getting the flight action of Santa’s sleigh right in his concert song – because if you do it this way the sleigh would fall down – you need to do it like this (with demonstrations) so the sleigh will fly and land on the rooftops properly. Merry holidays with your gang!

    Comment by Charlotte — December 20, 2012 @ 5:02 am

  16. Love, love, love your postings – whether they’re food postings, slice of life postings, etc. – I enjoy them all. Happy holidays to you and your family!

    Comment by Ellen — December 20, 2012 @ 6:52 am

  17. I liked these posts a lot and would miss them. I feel as it would be like finishing a book and not knowing the ending. However, I love your blog anyway you choose to make it! Have a happy holidays!

    Comment by Stephanie — December 20, 2012 @ 1:17 pm

  18. I love reading the slices of life along with your recipes! I love your blog just the way it is.

    Comment by Kel — December 20, 2012 @ 1:48 pm

  19. I also love the combination of posts you currently do — the slice of life posts are great, I love reading about the different restaurants and menus you try even though I live on the opposite coast, as well as hearing about your precious boys; and I love the recipe posts too of course, have tried quite a few with my favorite being the eggplant rollatini and my nieces and nephew’s favorite as the mini mac and cheese cups.

    Wishing you and your family a wonderful season.

    Comment by Erin — December 20, 2012 @ 3:56 pm

  20. I love your Slice of Life posts, I say keep them coming!

    Comment by Kirsten — December 20, 2012 @ 8:15 pm

  21. I love the slice of life posts!

    Comment by natalie@thesweetslife — December 20, 2012 @ 8:41 pm

  22. Your boys do have beautiful eyes! Thank you for the gift basket, I’m so excited to be the winner! Please keep your slice of life and recipe posts coming – I enjoy it all.

    Comment by Emily — December 20, 2012 @ 8:59 pm

  23. I am a relative newbie here — about a year or so — and I would like to second everyone’s votes for more Slice of Life posts. I enjoy everything about your site – hair advice, recipes, cute little boy photos (my kids are thirty-ish), shoe pix. You do a masterful job with your blog; I find it so readable, entertaining and useful, too. Please don’t stop!

    I wish you and your family, near and far, a very happy holiday and a joyous, healthy and slightly peaceful new year.

    Comment by Amy D. — December 21, 2012 @ 4:10 am

  24. I enjoy reading all your posts including the slice of life ones :) Happy holidays to you and your family too!

    Comment by Natasha @ S'morish — December 21, 2012 @ 8:18 am

  25. I love your slice of life posts, but honestly I just enjoy reading anything you write. Your writing always seems so natural–even if it’s a little precursor to the recipe you’re about to share with us. I love your fashion sense as well and always enjoy pics of your cool shoes! : ) Thanks for taking all of on your adventures.

    Comment by Lori S H — December 21, 2012 @ 2:19 pm

  26. I’m echoing most other comments, but I love the balance between Slice of Life posts and food/cooking posts. I love that you share little snapshots into your life as a mom and I’m so inspired by your grace and honesty through good times and more challenging times. Your blog is definitely one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful recipes. Happy Holidays!

    Comment by Karen D — December 21, 2012 @ 6:05 pm

  27. Not sure if I get a vote, but I beseech you to keep them!

    I love reading the stories you tell about our boys and know that one day they will be reading these and treasuring the stories. We never did baby books, but I think this is even better–even if we are sharing them with the ENTIRE internet.

    So, my lovely wife, keep treating us all :)

    And many thanks for the spectacular meal you put on for my team last night. I just wish all your virtual friends had a chance to experience you in action. It is magic–like water for chocolate.

    XXOO
    R

    Comment by Randy — December 21, 2012 @ 9:25 pm

  28. I also love it all!

    Comment by Andrea — December 22, 2012 @ 12:10 pm

  29. Just wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I enjoy everything you post. You always amaze me! I hope we can meet up soon in the new year. Here’s to a happy, healthy, and blessed 2013. xo

    Comment by Maria — December 23, 2012 @ 2:26 am

  30. I think you should write whatever you feel compelled to write, whether it’s a new recipe or a slice of life post. I love it all! I brought your Muhamarra dip to a party at my yoga studio recently and it’s gained quite a following as has your blog. Thank you for taking the time to write and give us recipes when you can. All the best to you and your family over the holidays and in the year to come!

    Comment by Luann — December 23, 2012 @ 2:19 pm

  31. Dana, I enjoy very much your posts A Slice of My Life, but in all honesty, whatever you decide to do with your blog will be more than welcome by me…

    If you want to write them less frequently, if you want to talk more about yoga, about jewelry, about recipes, about books you are reading, I will be all ears!

    Have a wonderful New Year, I look forward to your posts….

    Comment by SallyBR — December 24, 2012 @ 3:45 pm

  32. Dana, I agree with every comment before mine … please continue to write, whatever it is that moves you. Especially since you’ve moved to my neighborhood, I’m looking forward to reading about your Bay Area adventures and discoveries and hoping you’ll find a spot to teach like you did in Seattle. It’s interesting how close we all feel to you, our virtual friend. Wishing you New Years blessings … and inspiration to continue to share with us.

    P.S. Your husband’s comment made me cry … such a sweet guy.

    Comment by Julie J — December 31, 2012 @ 5:01 am

  33. If asked, in general terms – I prefer a blog to stay relatively on topic. I dislike “filler posts” (posts for the sake of posting regularly) and since I read primarily via RSS I prefer real content irregularly over fluff content regularly (recap posts, to me are fluff, though I’m certain they are necessary in some contexts). Now that said, that is generally speaking.

    I like and have been enjoying your slice of life posts. You don’t overwhelm the blog with “off-topic” stuff – you are a thoughtful poster. So basically, keep doing what you are doing so well is fine by me.

    Comment by Michelle — December 31, 2012 @ 11:16 pm

  34. I have really enjoyed your Slice of Life posts. You write and tell stories very well, making your posts always entertaining and compelling. I wouldn’t mind a few more recipes, but I know whatever you decide to do, it will be done well. Thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us, your readers!

    Comment by Ellen — January 3, 2013 @ 12:44 am

  35. DANA –

    I throughly enjoy and trust your excellent food/cooking posts. Thank you for introducing me to THE perfect method for making oven fries! Although I find your Slice of Life posts tasteful and sympathetic, they can leave me feeling slightly uncomfortable. I don’t know if posting such private details of your boys’ lives on the entire internet is a good idea. I say this as a mother of 3 boys myself. The ethics of sharing information about your children, even in conversation with friends and extended family, is a complicated one. We may not all come to the same conclusions regarding this question, but I do think it’s something we should all be thinking about.

    Just one woman’s opinion.

    That being said, I’d like to wish you a wonderful new year and let you know I’m very excited about the ambitious new blogging schedule (2 food posts a week!!!) you’ve committed to. Remember, you promised!

    Additionally, I think that contacting an agent is a great idea. I would buy a DANA TREAT cookbook.

    Thank you for your blog.

    rC

    Comment by rC — January 5, 2013 @ 8:49 pm



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