I sat down at my computer 8 years ago today and started crafting my very first blog post. I wasn't quite sure exactly who I was writing for, but I tentatively introduced myself and my family to cyber-space.
I crossed my fingers and hoped that maybe somehow, some way, someone out there would read the stories about my extraordinarily ordinary life and maybe enjoy what I had to say.
I was homeschooling both Lucy and Jonathan at the time and started over sharing about what our days were like. I reminisced about my childhood in Cuba. I posted photos. I told my tales of growing up Cuban and wondered if they were just going out into the ether.
I decided early on to write to please myself. Not trying to sound self-serving here, but writing about my life and the things I care about is a very personal and vulnerable process. Also, I have a tendency to crack myself up, but that's not important right now.
To date I've written over 1400 posts and have had almost 2 million visitors. (GUAT?) Obviously, someone out there has indeed found me (or they just keep forgetting to write down my picadillo recipe).
And oh-so-much has happened in my life these past 8 years. I'm so glad to have had a place to document the little things and the Very Big Ones. And I'm grateful to all of you for following along. This has been such a cathartic experience for me. Would you believe me if I told you that at first I was very much afraid? (Obviously, I'm over it now.)
My family has been truly amazing these past years for putting up with me as their lives have been so publicly showcased, without a word of complaint. And of course, you know that I now have a grandson, so the over sharing will very likely reach stratospheric levels. Be prepared.
Please join me today as I celebrate 8 Years in the Blogosphere. (<--is that a word?)
There are times I do better at self-disclosure than others. There are times when my real life gets so busy that my cyber-life has to take a back seat. But I have always enjoyed the process of sitting down to the empty page and hoping what I have to over share amuses, entertains, enriches, inspires, or just makes you think.
I'm grateful to those of you who have been faithful readers for these many years. I'm delighted to have found an audience, who, like me, are lovers-of-all-things-Cuban or you're just my friends and are gracious enough to read my stuff. Thanks, guys!
I hope to be over sharing (si Dios quiere) for many more years.
Hey! According to Dictionary.com, "blogosphere" is totally a word. So there's that.
Here's a quick photo recap of the cyber-celebrations of previous years. Also, I really want you to appreciate the whole I-made-a-custom-magazine-cover thing I do every year.
October 1, 2007 - Thank YOU.
October 1, 2008 - In my dreams...
October 1, 2009 - ... is a Magic Number
October 1, 2010 - Cada Dia Con Marta Maria
October 1, 2011 - Five.
October 1, 2012 - Celebrating Six Years in the Blogosphere
October 1, 2013 - Seven Years.
Last year I even managed to create a celebratory video. And, okay, so I didn't do one this year, but I totally wanted to. (Shut up. I know.)
And because I can't just celebrate and not give you anything (I think that's a Cuban thing), in celebration of my 8 years here in this space, I'd like to do a few giveaways in the coming weeks, so stay tuned!
Today, I'd like to do a giveaway for 3 (three!) of my Comida Cubana (Cuban Food) Posters. I have one hanging in my kitchen and it makes me super happy (and super motivated to cook) every single day.
It's a beautiful 16x20 poster with all of my favorite Cuban foods, suitable for framing. Fabulous, no?
To enter the drawing for a chance to win one of three Comida Cubana Posters, please leave a comment on this post and answer the following question:
- When and how did you find My big, fat, Cuban family?
I'll choose a winner on Friday, October 3rd, 2014 at 11 am PST.
Thanks for reading and for putting up with my over sharing and being so willing to engage in my "relajo"
The poster forgot the Flan! But I still want one! Congrats on 8 years blogiando! :)
Posted by: Eloisa | October 02, 2014 at 05:20 PM
Congrats on your blogversary! I just love your writing and the sabor Cubano you bring to folks online! I first heard about your blog when my sister "liked" you on Facebook, and I--being the metiche that I am--had to investigate. Would love to win a poster to continue to inspire my gringo hubby and I to cook Cuban!
Posted by: qbananita | October 02, 2014 at 05:22 PM
I found you through an ad on my fb feed! Congrats on the 8 years!
Posted by: Ileana Pargas Botelho | October 02, 2014 at 05:26 PM
I found about you from a client who raved about you incessantly! So glad she did!
Posted by: Millie Montes de Oca | October 02, 2014 at 05:34 PM
Hi Marta. I found you on Facebook within an hour of me joining the social network, hungry(pardon the pun) for Cuban culture in all its forms. As I mentioned on FB, Mami declared herself una cocinera del exilio when she served us meals in the 60s, hoping we would go easy on her cooking. By the end of her life, she was an expert at every dish in your poster. Clearing out her meager belongings at the assisted living upon her passing, I found a time worn letter from our cook in Cuba, giving her "advice" on certain dishes and asking my mom to give us kids strong abrazos from her. I'd love one in their memory. Even if I'm not selected, I'd love to buy one.
Posted by: Maggie Lopez | October 02, 2014 at 05:39 PM
Congrats!Marta on your 8 years.I found you because of Chef Juan Montalvo requesting a guava pastilitos recipe He introduced me to your wonderful website been clue ever since about a year now, Love to read your blog and Facebook post. Keep your recipes coming. I can eat picadillo right now.♡♡ Mariana H
Posted by: Mariana Harrington | October 02, 2014 at 05:42 PM
Congratulations!!!!! I first came to your blog about 5 years ago. I was looking for Crema de Vie labels somewhere in internet land ... and your fabulous labels came up. I make Crema de Vie with my mom's super secreeeet recipe every year & your labels were the ummm cherry on top. :) Thank you y Pa'lante!!!!
Posted by: Barbara | October 02, 2014 at 05:47 PM
Ahhhhh ... how can I forget ... I also make your AMAZING pastelitos de guayaba. That recipe is CRAZY GOOD!!! Bueno, Bonito, y Barato!!! :)
Posted by: Barbara | October 02, 2014 at 05:50 PM
Congratulations on your 8th anniversary. Congratulations on being such a great blogger. We would love to be one of the winners of this special poster to hang perfectly in our kitchen and remind our daughters of our great cooking heritage. We came across your blog on Facebook through one of our good friends who actually rolls Cuban cigars and has his own little shop in Tampa. Been following you for over a year but have never entered one of your giveaways. Please continue blogging "pa'lante porque pa'tras ni para cojer impulso. Felicitaciones.
Posted by: Frank & Arelis Suarez | October 02, 2014 at 05:56 PM
I am a recent reader of your blog followed you through one of my Facebook friends. I can tell you when I do read your blog you always put that smile on my face. You say what I think Besides that seeing the poster makes me want to have it all. Is that a bad thing? Lol. Congratulations ! Happy anniversary and happy blogging !
Posted by: Haydee | October 02, 2014 at 06:00 PM
Hi Marta! You are hilarious and so talented! I can almost hear you giggle and laugh when you write your posts about everything Cuban! I don't remember exactly where I found you, it was either in Cocina de Cristina blog (which is an amazing blog!) or on Pinterest.
I have connected about 10 people to your posts on Instagram and/or your blog. When I grow up I want to have as much fun as you're having!! Bueno, no quiero ser guataca, pero you quiero ganarme el poste'!!! Lmao!!
Voy a intentar los picadillo pies este fin de semana. It would sure be nice to have the póster en Mi cocina! Qué sigas blogeando !!!
Un abrazo!
Posted by: Arlynmendoza47@yahoo.com | October 02, 2014 at 06:02 PM
I found you about 3 years ago when someone shared a link right after I had moved to Houston from Miami and was really missing "el Cubaneo y la chusmeria" Keep up the relajo!
Posted by: Michelle Franco-Birriel | October 02, 2014 at 06:37 PM
Congratulations Marta!! Ever since I found you on Facebook I haven't stopped reading your posts. I love falling all your adventures! It's so wonderful to have another Cuban around. There aren't that many in NY! Every time you put a new picture of food I think of being in Cuba with my family. Anything I see to remind me of "home" is special. Every day you make me crave some pastilito de guayaba! Que Rico.. Thank youuuuu xoxox
Posted by: Haydee | October 02, 2014 at 06:53 PM
Following*** thank you iPad!! :)
Posted by: Haydee | October 02, 2014 at 06:54 PM
Congratulations! TOTALLY ❤ your blog...my sister turned me onto you! You're AWESOME!!!
Posted by: Andrea Mesa | October 02, 2014 at 06:59 PM
Gosh .. When did I find you ... I am pretty sure my aunt sent me to your blog years ago. I was doing research for my Cuban Restaurant , and I fell in love with your voice .. Since it sounded so familier ! Lol .. Congradulations on 8 years ... I need that Comida Cuban Poster.
Unfourtunatly Hurricane Sandy swallowed my restaurant and home and with it so many of my Cuban memorabilia and fun stuff. I would love this poster to be the first piece on my reconstruction.
Posted by: Marivi Wolfe | October 02, 2014 at 07:14 PM
Hi Marta! First of all, Happy Blogaversary (<---also a word). I have enjoyed all your Cuban antics and relajos over the years. Serendipity, is what I would call bumping into your blog thru FB many years ago. I, too am Cuban born and American raised...Marielita to be exact! Reading thru your blogs on my quiet (I have 3 young boys) Sunday mornings with my cafecito in hand, brings me much pride in OUR Cuban culture and heritage. Something I instill in my boys upbringing on the daily! (Con la chancleta)😜 Keep blogging away...I thoroughly enjoy every word! P.S. I suddenly have a craving for maduros!
Posted by: Addy Gonzalez | October 02, 2014 at 07:28 PM
That is a great poster. Every time I see it I get hungry. Congratulations on your 8 years of blogging.
Posted by: Ambar Orr | October 02, 2014 at 07:40 PM
Hi Marta,
I'm a Cuban American and love the recipes and posts on your blog,IG and facebook!
I found out about your 'Big Fat Cuban Family' about 2 years ago. A fellow Cuban acquaintance had shared one of your posts which I think was a picture of Pastelitos de guayaba which are my absolute weakness!! Unfortunately I live in Northern VA where authentic Cuban food/pastries are scarce. I rely on my mother and abuelas's recipes to enjoy Cuban food. Thank you for your blog and your posts. It's like exposure to a little bit of my culture everyday in a place where it is so hard to find! PS that subway poster would look awesome in my kitchen!! It's so hard to find anything Cuban here :)
Posted by: Tesy Molina | October 02, 2014 at 08:06 PM
My Tia found you first and then told our whole family...such a fun blog to read!
Posted by: Renee Perez | October 02, 2014 at 08:16 PM
Marta, I found your blog a few years ago while looking on-line for recipes from my childhood. My mami and mamama were great cooks but unfortunately never wrote anything down! The only thing I knew how to make from memory was picadillo so your recipes have been a godsend. Felicidades and here's to many more years on the blogosphere!
Posted by: Reina Fernandez | October 02, 2014 at 08:23 PM
Hi Marta!! Congratulations on your 8 years! Very exciting!! I believe I found you looking for Cuban Recipes on the Web. I'm so glad I did. Your writing is so funny and interesting. I have no idea how you do all that you do, but I'm glad you do! I love your Comida Cubana (cuban food) Posters. It would look spectacular in my Kitchen. But, even if you don't pick me, I'll still be reading. Thanks Marta...
Posted by: Alina Porto | October 02, 2014 at 11:29 PM
Happy blogosphere Say! I found you by googling a cuban recipie. I've truly enjoyed your blog and have shared it with my Big, Fat, Cuban Family. Felicidades.
Posted by: Denise León Valenzuela | October 03, 2014 at 03:04 AM
🎉🎉 CONGRATULATIONS 🎉🎉 enjoy every minute of it!
Posted by: Aislynn | October 03, 2014 at 03:20 AM
Oh!!! I found you searching for Cuban recipes. Coming from a Cuban family I wanted a variation of meals. The specific one was Picadillo!
Posted by: Aislynn | October 03, 2014 at 03:23 AM
I found you through facebook about 2 years ago. I love reading your posts and recipes. I also follow you on instagram and pinterest!
Posted by: Janina | October 03, 2014 at 04:49 AM
Congratulations!!! I found you in Facebook through one of my cousins. I'm Cuban an I live in San Jose, California. There are not many Cubans where I live and is great to read stuff about my country through you. THANKS !
Posted by: Carmen Torres | October 03, 2014 at 05:26 AM
Felicidades on your 8 years! I found you through a repost on Facebook. I only wish I had found you sooner!
Posted by: Sofia Lopez Garcia | October 03, 2014 at 06:03 AM
Congratulations on your 8 years of blogging. I started following you on fb. I fell in love with the poster as soon as I saw it. We had a restaurant "Maduros" here in Palm Bay, Florida. Hope you have many more years of blogging. :)
Posted by: Ileanatosco@yahoo.com | October 03, 2014 at 11:34 AM