A bit about recipes ... and blogging.

I hope I still have this fun stamp somewhere ...

If you are like me, you often search the inter-webs for recipes, or for the very least, cooking inspo. Let's face it - coming up with interesting things to cook every day can be exhausting and tedious. But then, just when you think you have found some new recipe - wham! You are hit with ads, jumpy websites, and lots of fluffy-nothing the author has written (or cut & pasted) to take up space and your time. It didn't take me long to realize, much to my chagrin, that these 'blogs' are not about sharing recipes, but sharing ads for clicks. Gah! I just want the recipe!

Well, just so you know, I have started adding to my Cook Contrary recipe blog again. Yes, it is ad-free and most likely will not jump around on your device. I am no expert, but there are links on that blog to those who are, which you may enjoy. Since we just passed St. Patty's (or is it Paddy's?) Day, I added the wonderful soda bread and corned beef recipes I prepared for our meal last night. Oh gosh, it was so good!

Stop over and check it out. You may find something interesting to try or it may spark your own creativity. You can find the link in the lower right hand corner of the sidebar. It's all good. :)

... and sometimes I even add it to the food.

Y'know ...

Blogs used to be a place to share your thoughts and ideas. Then they became 'income streams.' I, and maybe you, have become weary of blogs that have sapped the original intent and life from blogs-of-old. Well, not all of us 'bloggers' are in it for the money - some of us are just writing for the love of writing and sharing. 

This is not to say that I disrespect anyone blogging for income, especially if it puts food on their table. I am glad they have found ways to make it work for them. I am only saying that, as a reader of blogs, it is tedious trying to read jumpy or distracting content or dodging marketing. Further, I makes me feel as if I am a commodity to be 'milked' for clicks and views, rather than a respected or valued reader. That's what capitalism does - but, that's a different rant.

But, I see a change on the horizon - perhaps some of that original intent is returning. Maybe, just like it was time for me (and others, I have seen) to return to letterboxing, it is time for blogging to return to the old-school idea of blogging for the sake of sharing ideas and creativity with others without expecting a monetary return for our efforts. Because it is fun. Because it builds community. Because not everything has to provide an income stream. Because sanity.