Happy Belated New Year!

Happy Belated New Year!

I’ve been thinking about this blog post for weeks. How do I pop back into the space after such a long absence? What do I want to say besides “hi?” Is anyone around? Do people even read blogs anymore? Are they relevant or interesting? Is everyone spending their time on social media instead? What do I want to write about? Do I still want to share recipes? Talk about books? Write about parenting and kids? All of the above? You can see why it’s been hard to know where to start.

Last year literally kicked our butts. There is no other eloquent way to write that. It started off one way, ended in another, and in between were roughly nine or ten long, challenging months. From the conversations I’ve had in person to things I’ve read online, I don't think too many of us were sad to say sayonara to 2017. I’m hoping this year turns out a bit differently.

Speaking of last year, as you know I completely immersed myself in my work, writing a 65,000-word cookbook. Curiously, this year I feel the call to scale back. Rest and regroup. Decide what comes next. It’s a big year for this family, with the first of our young chickens preparing to flee the coop, and I honestly feel completely consumed by my kids and their needs right now. Not in a draining way, but in a there-is-nothing-else-I-want-to-do kind of way. I crave spending as much time with them as possible, probably bordering on needy if you were to ask them, and I find myself constantly wondering if I’ve taught them enough, read to them enough, laughed with them enough, and most importantly hugged them enough. Also, I need to learn how to make a quilt.

We enrolled Ben in t-ball for the first time when he was four-years-old, and I decided then and there that I would save every team t-shirt and sweat-stained jersey that ever stretched across his small shoulders. I would harbor them in a plastic storage bin at the back of my closet, and when he applied to university my plan was to turn each one into a block of fabric used to fashion a quilt that he could take to school with him. The bins have doubled in size since then and the university applications have been submitted. I think it’s time to get to work.

As for the other kids, Jackson, who was just seven years old when I started this blog, will be old enough to get a driver’s license next week. Matthew is five short weeks away from turning three. Rob and I are truly challenged with raising our kids and taking care of our parents these days, as I’m sure so many of you are, and oh my goodness why is this stage of life not talked about more?

I’m not exactly sure what’s next for me, but one thing I’m certain about is that I want to read and write. And cook, of course, but lately I’ve been feeling uninspired in that department, so I’m simply rolling with it until I feel the creative juices begin to flow again. For the time being, I’m reading. I’m on my third book of the year and hoping to read no less than a one a week in 2018.

Now, it’s your turn. I’ve missed your comments and emails, and I’m curious how things are going for you? Now that we are two weeks into January are you keeping up with your resolutions and plans? Are you cooking anything amazing? Reading anything worth talking about? How are your kids? I hope to hear from you.

P.S. Based on your lovely responses early last year, I’m relaunching my newsletter! Look for that at the end of this month.

Comments

[Carol]

It’s good to hear from you, Jan! I hope 2018 is a good year for you and your family, and I applaud your plan to read a book a week and to enjoy this year with your children - you will never regret that choice. I always enjoy your posts and look forward to whatever you want to talk about whenever you want to talk about it. You are right: there is too little conversation about the difficulties and challenges of being responsible for your children and your parents at the same time. I hope those challenges get easier for you and your husband this year. Take care!

[La Torontoise]

Dear Jan,hapy New year! Much health and prosperity! And success with Ben’s application!!

Yeah, people do still read blogs: -) and books!! And yes, blogs are interesting because they help share stories.

I was coming back to your blog for a few recipes and did notice the silence, but assumed there might be something urgent on your side to deal with. Your post resonates so much with me; reading your text made me feel like someone was describing my own year… That situation of being squeezed between my family duties and the care of my parents is something particularly challenging in my life, too. My dad passed away in the summer and I am now helping my mom and myself build up our resilience…
On a more positive note, I enjoy the presence of our 14 years old son and consider your did-I-hug-him-enough question as a friendly reminder that we should give us more hugs: -)
Thank you so much for this post, so honest!
All the best!

[Meaghan]

Welcome back! I'm glad you're well and hope your 2018 is excellent:)
I love to read also, although nothing too challenging as my work and family life dominate most of my time, although that sounds like the norm for many. I just read Hatchet (my son's!) and am currently reading The Child which is great so far. You should let us know what's on your shelf these days too, if you have a chance.

[Amy]

I'm so happy you're back, Jan, and I'm hopeful 2018 will be a less challenging year for your family. I think it is a great plan to make enjoying the everyday moments with your family your biggest priority. I look forward to any and all content that you present and I, for one, definitely still read blogs. As a new parent myself, I would be interested in continuing to learn from you since you're such a seasoned mom in terms of how you feed your family, make family mealtime a focal point of the day, the everyday fun activities that you do with your kids, etc. I'll be here to read your posts whenever time permits for you to write!

[Robyn]

Hi Jan! I still read blogs and yours is still one of my faves. All the family meals you post here and on Instagram look so good, I always want to make them right away! I just made your Beef Stroganoff a couple weeks ago (my friends request it every year for our Golden Globes party). Excited to keep reading whenever you have time to write!

[Bonnie]

Hi Jan!
Happy New Year!
Yes, I still read a few blogs, yours included! I'm really looking forward to your book. You haven't led me astray yet!
Thank you for your honesty. I'm a stay at home mom of three (they are 10, 14 and almost 16) and even though the home-making and cooking is my "job", there are many times that I feel completely uninspired and "blah" about it. I've also been diving into books this month, and getting lots of knitting time in, and happily watching my son's hockey games. I'm trying to use the many, many cookbooks I own instead of constantly searching for new inspiration. Just enjoying the slower pace this month has brought. Chemo starts for my mother-in-law next week, so life will get busy again soon enough. Thanks for sharing with us!
Bonnie

[Jan Scott]

Hi Bonnie!  Thanks for the sweet note. I, too, am trying to cook more from my cookbooks. Theres always so much good inspiration to be found, isnt there? Enjoy the hockey games - I kind of miss then now that Ben is done playing. Only two more years until Matthew will be back on the ice though, and then we can spend another 10 years in the rink ( if hes into it). Ha! 

[Jan Scott]

Thanks, Robyn! Sending you lots of big hugs. xoxo