Hey, y’all!
It’s been a minute, hasn’t it? Over 3.5 months, to be exact. And in all honesty, it feels both like no time at all and also like I’ve been away forever. But today, I’m finally sitting down to check in with all of you and share what’s been on my heart, where I’ve been, and why I’m ready to get back in the kitchen – and on this blog – again.
I’ve always said that food is one of the most powerful ways we connect to one another. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a whole room full of friends, there’s a magic in it. But over the last few months, to be completely transparent, I’ve struggled to reconnect with that magic. It’s not that I stopped loving food; far from it. Life has been life-ing.
The Pause: Burnout, Life, and the World Around Me
Like many of you, I’ve been navigating a world that feels like it’s constantly in flux – a political and social environment that feels more chaotic by the day. I’ll be the first to admit: I’ve felt emotionally drained by it all. Couple that with the stress of working full-time, balancing life, and managing a blog that requires a lot of energy, I found myself in the thick of burnout. The kitchen wasn’t inspiring me anymore. I didn’t have the energy to share recipes or create new content.
For a while, I questioned my purpose here. I started to wonder if this space, my little corner of the internet, could be more than just another food blog. What was I even trying to say? What kind of impact did I really want to have? The pressures of trying to keep up with the grind of content creation, the pressure to be “seen” in a social media-driven world, and the underlying tension of being a growing anti-capitalist made me hit the brakes.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep feeding into the hustle of it all.
And so, I paused. I stepped back, took a breath, and focused on just living. Hiking, making a real effort to try more new restaurants, painting, and spending more time with my people – these were my anchors.
Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking and Sharing
In the midst of that “just living”, something amazing happened. I realized that my love for food hasn’t gone anywhere. In fact, I’ve come to understand it in a deeper, more authentic way. Cooking and baking are another one of my anchors. A major joy in this life. And also a necessary part of my connecting with my own human experience. It’s where I feel most connected to my heritage, my roots, and the people I care about. Food, for me, isn’t just about feeding the body; it’s about nourishing the soul. And about community in the realest way this world can muster for me.
And that’s why I’m back. Not because I feel like I “should” be, but because I genuinely want to be. I’ve missed sharing recipes with you all – the simple, satisfying ones and the more complex, thoughtful ones. I’ve missed the conversations we have in the comments on social media, the email replies, and the moments of connection that food brings.
What’s Next: New Goals, New Recipes, and New Inspiration
Now that I’ve taken the time to reflect, I’m more excited than ever to bring new energy to this space. There are so many things I want to do here, and I’m hoping you’ll stick around for the ride.
- Sharing More Biscuits: They don’t call me “the biscuit lady” for nothing. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’m obsessed with biscuits. Whether it’s a fluffy buttermilk biscuit, a cheesy jalapeño version, or a biscuit sandwiches loaded up with fun flavor combos – I plan on sharing even more recipes for my biscuit lovers. No more just “biscuits” in the traditional sense, but the art of building a proper biscuit sandwich with all the fillings you dream of. Look out for upcoming emails from The Crumb. (Today, it’s a digital newsletter. Tomorrow, it could be a physical zine and collectible. Who knows?)
- Merging Food and Art: I’ve always believed that food is art, and this year, I want to explore that even more. I’m planning to create beautiful recipe cards that not only guide you in the kitchen but also serve as mini pieces of art you can enjoy even after the last bite. Each recipe will come with an extra bit of creativity and inspiration – something that connects the flavors, the process, and the memories behind the dish.
- Brunch with Friends: I’m starting to think about my perfect brunch. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the gathering, the laughter, the stories shared over mimosas or sweet tea. I want to bring more of these casual, joyful moments into this blog. Brunch, in my mind, is a celebration – and I’m going to make sure that energy comes through in every post.
- Growing Our Community: I want this space to be more than just a blog; I want it to be a community. A place where we can share our recipes, our cooking struggles, and our successes. A place where we can lift each other up and encourage more people to get in the kitchen, to try new things, and to feel empowered to cook and bake for themselves and the people they love. This community extends to my social media platforms (Pinterest and Instagram) as well as my email inbox. Feel free to reach out in whatever way feels best for you.
A Final Thought
Thank you for being patient with me.
I know that I’ve been absent for a while, but I’ve truly missed this space and the people who make my food journey even more special. I’m excited to share more with you soon – recipes, stories, and maybe even a few behind-the-scenes glimpses of my kitchen. I hope you’ll continue to join me on this journey. Because at the end of the day, food is all about sharing, and I’ve got so much more to share!
Let’s get back to it – one delicious recipe at a time.
With love,
Lena B.
P.S. If you have any requests for recipes or just want to share your own food stories, drop them in the comments! I’m always listening.
