The hiatus has been self-imposed. Not that I stopped eating, but I knew this next post would be my post #1000. When I started this blog in January of 2005 I had no idea how much I would enjoy it and how it would connect me to people I already knew and those I had yet to meet. There's nothing like sharing a meal with friends - new and old alike...
and that meal probably has to include great wine...
which just makes it even better.
The original idea of the blog was to tease my far-flung father and sister about what they would eat if they lived nearby. It quickly morphed into my place to document everything - from nostalgic photos of my youth to the salumi I could have eaten kilos of in Ravenna in 2006. Intinsic to everything, however, is a celebration of the elements of family tradition and the cultures that influenced who I am and who I have become.
And a life-long love of food.
Many of the newer influences in my life have come from places and people I have fallen in love with - especially the Love I found in Miami. Let's just say I discovered that Italians are European Cubans or Cubans are Caribbean Italians - all I know is that the Italian/Cuban thing WORKS!
In love and friendship, it's a beautiful thing.
I have made some wonderful friends through the blog, including the authors of other blogs I read and am inspired by: from Japan (Blue Lotus' AMAZING blog here: http://blue_moon.typepad.com/), Parma (Gracie's INSPIRATIONAL blog which allows me to see Parma, Italia here: http://mylittleplace.blog.com/) and the US southwest (Kelli's socially conscious blog here: http://www.africankelli.com/). It has been so cool to connect with readers of the blog from California, Chicago, Wisconsin, Washington DC all the way to Denmark and beyond - Iowa EVEN! ;)
And I've watched my kids grow.. From this
to this
From this
to this
From this
to this
The bottom line is that some of the greatest times I've had with the people I love are around the table... It always has been that way
in some of the most wonderful places on earth...
And I've got a feeling it always will be...
Here's to the next 1000!
Thank you Andy for including me in your list of fav blogs, it's such an honor.I'm glad too I found you in blogland, and cheers to you for the next 1000 posts, and my very best whishes for your life.
Posted by: Gracie | September 19, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Congratulations on your 1000th! What a great roundup of what's been achieved in that time!
Posted by: Su-Lin | September 19, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Wow. This is a really wonderful post!
May goodness and love continue to surround you and yours, Andy!
Posted by: Joanna | September 19, 2009 at 10:41 PM
My favorite "Good Life" website, hands down. Every week ya gotta check in to see what's on the dinnertable! Best wishes for the next 1000!
Martin
Posted by: Martin | September 20, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Looking forward to what you turn-out at the Diner during the next few thousand posts, Cugino.
Best,
Posted by: Sean Wenham | September 27, 2009 at 11:42 PM