A birthday cake for the birthday blog. A celebration with family and friends, including Padaek #1 and Padaek #2. Happy birthday Padaek!
[dropcap]Today[/dropcap] is Padaek’s 1 year blog anniversary. It’s amazing that 365 days have passed since I published the first post on Padaek – How to make tum mark hoong – Lao spicy green papaya salad. At the time, I didn’t think it would last because I’ve had blogs before and they usually get scratched after about 6 months. The reason why Padaek has lasted this long is because of my genuine interest in food. To me, the world of food, including Lao food is fascinating, inspirational and educational. There’s so much to learn and explore, and it motivates me to write and share my stories with you.
The other reason why Padaek has lasted this long is because of you, my dear readers. On behalf of Padaek, I would like to thank you for your wonderful support. Thanks for putting up with my ramblings and antics. Thanks for your visits, comments, and encouragement. Without you, this blog would not have been possible. It’s great to know that the hard work that’s been put into creating Padaek has been appreciated. I would also like to thank my dear partner for his support and patience. Both him and our pooch have been very understanding throughout the year, especially during the mad cooking sessions. Although, both of them have been well rewarded too.
Thanks again everyone. I really do appreciate your support. I look forward to another great year of awesome food blogging, and can’t wait to share more delicious recipes and food stories with you. We celebrated this special day with a delicious chocolate cake and a couple glasses of white wine, followed by a glass of kombucha. Both Padaek #1 and Padaek #2 had a ball, along with their fish sauce buddies. Finally, here’s a special haiku for our dear special Padaek.
~
Padaek
from mountain to sea
wild Mekong River fish flows
funky sacred source
~
In case you’re interested, according to Jetpack Site Stats, here are some stats for the blog:
Total views (all time):
34,924 views
Top Posts for all days ending 2014-12-11 (Summarized):
1. How to make tum mark hoong – Lao spicy green papaya salad recipe – 4,775 views
2. How to make grandma’s pickled onions – 3,915 views
3. How to make tom hua pa – Lao fish head soup – 2,150 views
4. Fettuccine with salted duck egg and creamy sauce – 1,621 views
5. How to make padaek – Lao fermented fish sauce recipe – 1,560 views
Search Terms for all days ending 2014-12-11 (Summarized):
1. homemade pickled onions – 125 views
2. padaek – 86 views (probably all by me, hehehe )
3. fish head soup – 74 views
4. laos papaya salad – 24 views
5. chili garlic oil recipe – 21 views
[dropcap]As[/dropcap] I’ve mentioned before, today’s the last day that I’ll be writing/publishing daily poems/haiku on the blog. I’ll still be writing/publishing food poems in the future. It just won’t be on a daily basis. To help celebrate Padaek’s 1 year anniversary, I would like to invite you to participate in a food poetry competition. Please feel free to submit a food poem of any style in the comments below. It can a haiku, limerick, free verse, etc. The only criteria is that it is about/related to “food”. The winning poem will be chosen by myself, and the winner will win the lovely prize of a Lao sticky rice bamboo basket and a pakaoma. You have 7 days to submit an entry. I will choose the winner on Thursday, 18th December, and post out the prize asap so that the winner can hopefully receive it before Christmas.
Note: If you’re thinking about writing and submitting a haiku for the competition, would you like some tips? Here it is anyway. I’m new to haiku, so my advice is based on my short experience with it. I’m certain other writers/poets have different views/ways on how to write haiku. To me, the idea with haiku is to juxtapose two ideas together. That is, write about something as a metaphor for something else. I find it difficult/almost impossible to write a haiku in one sitting and be happy with it. It might work for others. The best way for me is to write the bones/ideas of a haiku in one sitting. Then, save it, and come back to it in a day or two to review/edit/rework it. I usually get good results with this method. Traditional English haiku are 3 lines long, and have syllable order of 5-7-5. To help check if the number of syllables are correct, I use How Many Syllables. However, be careful, because it doesn’t always count the syllables correctly all the time! The Free Dictionary is also a great reference to check the number of syllables and meaning of your words. There are several resources online about haiku and how to write it. Good luck, and I hope you enjoy writing haiku as much as I did/do. Have fun, I can’t wait to read all of your poems.
For more info. on haiku, here are some great resources to get you started:
1. Wikipedia
2. HaikuOz
3. Poets.org
4. HAIKU for PEOPLE
5. The Haiku foundation Forums
Rules for the food poetry competition:
1. To be in the food poetry competition, readers/entrants are required to submit a food-related poem in the comments below.
2. Entrants can submit as many poems as they want.
3. The poem(s) can be about anything, just as long as it is related to “food”. It can be of any style that you want; haiku, limerick, free verse, etc.
4. The competition is open to everyone from anywhere in the world. From Laos to Australia, etc.
5. Poems should be in English. That’s all I can read.
6. To me, all of you are winners for supporting Padaek by submitting a poem. However, only one winner will be chosen for the prize. The winner/winning poem will be chosen based on creativity and skill.
7. The prize for the winner are the sticky rice bamboo rice basket and a pakaoma.
8. I will contact the winner by email once the decision is made. Please provide your correct email address.
9. The winner is required to reply with postal address within 24 hours. Otherwise, a new winner will be chosen.
10. Easy right?! Have fun in writing the poem(s). I’m certain you’ll enjoy the process. I look forward to reading all of your poems. Good luck!
Note: Pakaoma is a versatile traditional cloth that is used in Laos and Thailand. It is often worn by men as a sarong. It is not a tablecloth.
Note: The sticky rice bamboo basket in the photo is for illustrative purposes only. The actual bamboo basket for the prize will be purchased on the day that I’ll post the prize out to the winner.
Congratulations on your 1st anniversary! Looking forward to reading many more posts to come.
Thanks very much Helen! I appreciate your continued support. :)
Happy anniversary!!
Thank you charlypriest. I appreciate it. Best wishes! :)
A very happy anniversary! You put a lot of work into your interesting posts and well deserve your growing readership! . . . all the best for the festive season . . .
Thanks very much Eha! I appreciate your kind words, conversation, advice and encouragement. Thanks for taking the time. Wishing you a fabulous and safe festive season too. :)
Aww congrats, love your blog
Hi Thang, Thanks very much for your support. I appreciate it. Wishing you both and your family a fabulous Christmas! :D
Happy 1st anniversary to your blog Padaek!! I’m so glad to be reading and learning here with you. Cheers for more years to come!!
Hi Ping! Korp jai, der. Thank you for you support and encouragement. I really appreciate it. Best wishes! :D
Congratulations on turning one. It’s a milestone that’s really important. It says we didn’t give up, especially in the early days when nobody knew we were around.
Thanks very much Maureen for your continued support. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. It means a lot. Looking forward to a great second year. :)
Happy anniversary to your blog!! Now I need to go check out your recipe for green papaya salad…yum!
Thank you Liz. I appreciate your support. It’s a great recipe. I think you’ll love it, and it’s very adaptable too. Best wishes! :)
Congratulation, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog, and looking forward to reading future posts.
Korp jai Nye! I appreciate your support. Looking forward to writing many blog posts for you to enjoy. Best wishes for Christmas and the festive season. :)
Padaek, I can’t believe it’s already been a year since you’ve started up your blog! I was following your posts since the first one, and I still recall the different (dat purple) layout!
Congratulations on surviving a year – most don’t, but you’ve clearly got the chops.
Here’s to 2015!
Hi Michael,
Thanks fro your comment and overall support mate. I appreciate it. I know, time flies by so quick. You’ve got a great memory. Yes, this blog has gone through a few face lifts. Thanks for your support and encouragement from the start. To another great year! Best wishes! :)
A big congratulations!! What wonderful news and may there be many, many more! :D
Thanks very much Lorraine for your comment and support. I appreciate it. Best wishes! :D
Happy blog anniversary! Here’s to many more posts and many more years ahead! :)
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for your visit and comment. I appreciate it. Yes, to many more years of happy food blogging, eating and discoveries. Best wishes! :)
Happy blog birthday! :) You’ve done so well in such a short space of time and have made so many creative, wonderful dishes.
Hi Emma, Thanks very much. That’s very lovely for you to say that. I appreciate your support and kind words. Best wishes! :D
Congratulations on your first anniversary. You have certainly had a very well-deserved successful first year. And I’m sure the best is yet to come xx
Thank you very much for your comment and support. I really appreciate it. Best wishes for the holiday season. Looking forward to an excellent new year. :) xx
Diner called Padaek’
Fasten my apron.
Delightful Padaek’ kitchen.
Stir- up some fixings
……
Nightfall adds romance.
Tantalizing tempting treats.
Bakers fancy dish.
…..
Bakers know pastry.
Sculpture transfers currency.
Way of existing.
……
Vision in cuisine.
A passionate interest.
Marvel to ponder.
……
Pantry of supplies.
Abundance of provision.
Flavorful in taste.
……
Simple common sense.
Artistic flavorful meal.
Open the banquet.
……
Living is scrumptious.
Indulge in festivities.
All sisters – brothers.
……
Padaek’ loves cooking.
Variety of veggies.
Assortment of meats.
all the syllables are correct; hadn’t read through your entire instructions above, Colly.
Lovely poem Colly! Thank you for sharing it. :)
On the chopping block.
Your meal is thumbs up – toasted.
And some are roasted.
Thanks Colly! :)
Congratulations on your anniversary. It’s amazing how quickly the time passes when blogging. It certainly takes up some time!
Thanks very much. I appreciate it. I’m enjoying blogging more than ever, and it does take time and effort. Looking forward to another great year of food blogging. Best wishes! :)
Happy Bloganniversary Padaek! Time sure flies so quickly. Keep up the good work you’ve been doing!! And that cake looks so YUMMY!!! :D
Thank you Vanny. I really appreciate your comment and support. Best wishes for 2015! :)
Padaek’ my Kitchen: Haiku’s
My apron’s on.
Ready to bake.
Stir some fixings.
………
Start to finish.
A dreamy dish.
Love to mix.
………
Oh to bake.
Just seems great.
To form – create.
………
Partner in love.
Love of cuisine.
Marvel to ponder.
………
So much variety.
Spice of life.
Cook to delight.
………
Simple common sense.
Adds to taste.
Starts a feast.
………
Life’s a cherry.
Born for merry.
All sisters – brothers.
…….
Padaek’ loves cooking.
Variety of veggies.
Blend of ingredients.
Another lovely poem. Thanks Colly. :)