Hi, friends!
I’m here to apologize for my major absence this past month. I wish I had a really awesome explanation, like I just adopted a lion cub and am so busy taking care of it that I have no time for blogging – but the truth is, I’ve been feeling a bit uninspired.
I realized that baking, and taking pictures of things I bake, and writing about things I bake, was starting to feel like a chore. This whole thing started as a creative outlet and way for me to share my kitchen concoctions, silly stories, and love of sprinkles, and I never want it to feel like I’m doing it because I have to. So for now I’m taking a bit of a hiatus. It’s not goodbye forevs… I hope!
Who knows? Maybe I’ll be back tomorrow, or next week, or next month. But for now I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This blog has been the most fun and it’s been a blast to read all of your comments, be a part of the blogging community, and share my sweet life 😉
Catch ya on the flipside!
The Sweet Life 
I have missed you.
Oh man…I get it. I didn’t really intend to take a blogging break…I just got SO busy. But while I wasn’t blogging, I thought about maybe not returning to it. It was so nice to not be thinking about it all the time and wondering what I was going to write as my next post. And instead of photographing every moment, I was LIVING every moment!
I couldn’t stay away, I guess. I think I missed connecting with other bloggers more than anything else. But it’s nice to go through one of those periods and sort of readjust your priorities…get a chance to return to blogging for yourself. So now I don’t feel the pressure to get out a post ALLTHETIME or increase my readership ALLTHETIME or take pictures ALLTHETIME. I’m hoping I can just post when I want, when I have something to say…and go from there.
Hope to see you back, but happy you are doing what you need!
Yes! I love how you put it, to “get a chance to return to blogging for yourself”… that’s the goal! I’ve already had some moments over the weekend where I thought, “I should blog this!”, but I really love that I don’t feel like I HAVE to. Thanks for totally getting it 🙂
Like Connie said above, I’ve missed you and I will miss you! But I understand that you want to bake because you love to bake, not bake because you have to. I always love seeing your posts in my inbox, and I hope to find one in the future, even if it’s just you popping in to say hi.
Thanks for making my laugh and the beautiful pictures of another part of the US that I’ve never seen. You have a knack for photography.
Take care!! 🙂
Thank you! I hope to be back to say hi (or more!) in the future!
I think every blogger understands! I recently decided to keep at the blogging, but to post less each week – it’s been life changing. Enjoy your time away!
Exactly – I want to find a place where I feel like I can post what I want, as frequently (or not frequently) as I want. It’s nice to hear a fellow blogger with the same thoughts! Thank you!
I’ll miss you, your stories, recipes, and the photos of your adventures. You are a great writer and a great photographer, not to mention terrific baker. When you get your spirit and spunk back, we’ll be here. We love you!
You are so sweet! Thanks for the love 🙂
I’ve missed reading your posts and will continue to miss you! I think that is such a courageous thing of you to step away and do what’s best for you. Besides when something you love starts to turn into a chore, it can permantly turn you off from baking. I hope you’ll be back because I love reading your crazy baking stories. We love you Mel!
Thank you, Ellen! It feels really good to hear so many people reach out – and be so supportive! Hoping to return to my crazy baking life in the near future 😉
I remember how stressful and challenging it was to write just one blog post on here: http://melssweetlife.com/2012/03/25/paris-according-to-mike/ That took days to write!
Your blog (and baking) has always been fun and filling for me. Remember the highlights: http://www.lhj.com/recipes/dessert/other/bake-sale-recipes/?page=3.
I know you’ll find your way back to the blog and the kitchen soon enough because it is a passion.
Until then we can explore Boston and the outdoors and work up our appetites together.
So proud of you.
MJM
I love this comment so much. Made me teary.
Thanks, boo 🙂
I did notice that I wasn’t getting your posts. They are always funny and informative. I know what you mean though….I only post once a week and sometimes have a hard time coming up with something! I like to like what I am writing about and not just doing it to do it…know what I mean? I think you do! Will be looking forward to when you are totally inspired again…..
You’re totally spot-on! Thanks for understanding!!
Taking a break is part of the creative process. You will know when you are ready to share with us again. I will miss your cheerful stories, and yummy recipes. However, go and enjoy your sweet life without the luggage of “have to’s” and get the Sweetness back! Enjoy!!!
Ha! That’s what I will title my big “return to blogging” post – Getting my Sweetness Back! I love it!
Melanie – Say it aint so! If you are feeling uninspired I will be your muse wink wink . Please bring your sprinkling goodness to NYC ASAP… pretty sure you still owe me years worth of baked goods!
I DO owe you quite a few baked goods – inspire away…!
MEL!!! Have literally been wondering everyday where you went! I miss your posts, haven’t missed one yet! Come back soon!
Also we can start a new blog about our chicken farm….
YES! That is the goal. Vintage-y pictures of chickens and bell jars and gardens and chocolate chip cookies inside my (our) farmhouse. Five year plan…?
I hope you start up again when it feels right. I always enjoyed catching up on your whereabouts and drooling over your latest baking creation (and sometimes getting to try it!). Hope to see you and the other MJM soon!
You Packhems are just the sweetest 😉 Thanks for always being my guinea pigs!
We will certainly miss the goodies (for now) but I just hope this means more hangout time/Maine adventures/adult sleepovers 🙂 Thanks for all of the wonderful deliciousness!!!
Your blog and your treats are amazing…and so are you. You will do what feels right and you will follow your heart and you will do GREAT things. While I hope to see you writing here again, I am proud to know you and call you my friend.
You’ll still bring me treats if you don’t blog though…right?!?! RIGHT?!?!?!!??
RIGHT!
Igonutsfordonuts remains my number 1 fave 🙂
Best of luck to you! I hope to see another post someday but in the meantime, you’ve given me lots of recipes that I can’t wait to try out. Thank you!
But where will I go for inventive new sprinkle uses?!
You know I love you, girl. Love you and your blog to the moon.
I so miss your writing! Always made me heartily laugh. So funny and original. Also, the fact that you were one of my first ever blog friend turned real life friend… well, that’s something special.
You go live that sweet life of yours and you take your time. I’ll be here waiting for you should you ever decide to return!!
XO
Anna
Thank you, friend! I have a feeling I’ll be back – if only so I have a reason to keep eating donuts and baking cookies and taking pictures.
100 donuts, please. It’s for the BLOG, people. Research.
Thanks for your sweet comments – they are always my fave!