The kitchen remodel was my favorite too

I admit it. I love your kitchen, but who wouldn't? We've remodeled many homes through our marriage so I'm always interested in beautiful remodeling results. At one time early in our careers, we considered abandoning our "day jobs" and remodel houses for a living. It's a good thing we didn't do that because we were in Houston at the time and about five years later the economy tanked and would have taken us along with it.

Like everyone, I love the fish plates and I'm glad to hear you use them. The red beet fusilli is killer it's so gorgeous. I missed that post but saw the photo on someone's blog in a round-up and stopped dead in my tracks to see whose it was...and of course it was yours. I thought it had to be but couldn't wait to scroll down to be sure.

I'm staying tuned to see how you will top your top ten in the new year. Should be a great ride.
Sam

First time because of the kitchen

The thing is I clicked on your photo just because of the kitchen (fish plates and platters)on food gawker, so no matter what if it gets visitors coming it has to be a good thing.
Top ten is not so important as having them return and enjoying the experience.

Blogging about food is

Blogging about food is something so special, so passionate yet something - and we know this every time we have people over to eat - is something that needs to be done thinking of our own pleasure and the pleasure of our guests. Not everyone is always going to like everything and heaven knows we've all made one or two things that we didn't like but did it to please a friend or loved one, but it usually evens out in the end. And the favorites you showed us here are both luscious, gorgeous flavors, intriguing ingredients and stunning to look at! Beautiful!

And it looks like we have a great meal here, too. I'm on my way!

I think we need to go to the beginnings of why...

and remember why we began to blog in the first place. Everyone has a common thread of wanting to get noticed sure, and I believe it is by way of putting passion into words, and with pictures. It is not about what is well written, who's photos are the best, the most talented. We are all different and what makes SS who he is comes out in what is on here. All Good. I never cared for contest, because we all have talents that can never really be better than another, Everyone has there own taste and definitions. Why, because we are all equally wonderful, and our work is beautiful whether short pieces, long, wordy, or just recipes posted. Even the short buss people deserve attention for their efforts. Our true soul comes through in our work, the fact that we took the time to cook, take photos, and share. Too bad the world has to revolve around beauty pageants, and perfection. There are so many talented people out there who never even TRY because of the pressures.

I personally do not care who comes to my site, I do it for myself. Some education does factor into my drive. I know when I first presented my work to the present was a slow work that evolved, and will continue to do that. I am just happy to be a part of it all, and will continue to learn, and present what feels right as I go.

You know how I feel about your talents. From the moment I first looked into that face on foodbuzz, I knew I had to follow that handsome face and his work. I could say more, but I think you know the rest...

This has helped me see my true passion, and I have gotten the writing gigs for my food poetry, and the fact I am just presenting a nice friendly fun style...

No Fish?

I can't believe your post on how to cook fish wasn't in your top ten! I love that post. Great round-up, makes me wonder what my top posts would be. I'm sure I would be surprised too.

Had I read the kitchen post

Had I read the kitchen post when it published, I probably would have liked it, the most, too! your cocina is HOT, baby! Love the fish plates on the wall. Do you use them ever when entertaining!?!? Maybe I should just go read the post.

stop making me covet your kitchen!

I have no clue what constitutes a good post versus a popular post - my stats tell me that at least two times or even three times per day someone comes to my blog to learn about huazontle - so huazontle is one of my biggies...do what you do thats how I see it - if its well written (and even well written doesnt seem to matter in some instances) and interesting (again subjective) then people will still do what ever they want.

Is that your kitchen? If so

Is that your kitchen? If so you have amazing decorating tastes! Wow I would love to cook in there.

Here Fishy Fishy!

The Fish Plates ARE the bomb. That's all I can say....oh, and I love the way you swam them over your wall. Awesomeness! ~Chris Ann

These are excellent top 10!

These are excellent top 10! The beet pasta has been quite a sensation on the 5 star makeover!

I hear ya

I grapple with that what-was-most-popular versus what-did-I-like-most thing too - they don't always match up for me either! I'm just learning as I go along... (at least I hope I am). And I'm still sighing longingly at the thought of your kitchen...

Your readers....

Greg - As a fairly new reader of Sippitysup, I was happy to find this post as it prompted me to dig back through your archives to see more of your great posts that I'd missed. As for what your top 10 list says about your readers, well let's see....

1) Aside from the fact that your kitchen remodel post highlights your absolutely gorgeous sense of design, it also shows a picture of the chef cleaning up after himself in the kitchen, an act that clearly holds universal appeal!

2-4) The first 3 food post winners focus on the use of copious amounts of alcohol and fat.....what's not to love there?

5-7) Sweets round out the middle of the field, including my absolutely favorite photograph of yours, the red fusilli.

8-10) Hmmm... harder to find a theme here, although each plate has some food that is round in shape.

So, what does all this say about us readers?

That we are fine design coveting, clean-freak, fat-loving alcoholics, with serious sweet tooths, and an odd penchant for round food???? Sorry, it's the best I could do.

the rhyme and reason of successful blogging

There is none! But I offer up one other variable to explore if you're still into trying to figure it out. Were your top 10 actively promoted on other websites, like twitter, fb, etc.? I think your beet fusilli would fall into that category since it was part of an event and shown on multiple sites.

Anyway, I totally agree with the results of your kitchen remodel. Even in the photo above, I was admiring the fish plates before I even read the post.

Excellent delicious top collection Greg & Henry!!

A difficult phenomenon to explain being a success blogger but if you feel it, it'll come :)
Excellent delicious top collection Greg & Henry!! Just drooling with the pictures....

Have a great week!

Gera

I'll tell you why I think

I'll tell you why I think this was your number one post(imho). Its freakin fabulous. The kitchen is beautiful. The fish platters on the wall are incredible (I may/probably am going to steal that idea). Your photo of the whole scene is so lovely it looks like it should be in a professional design magazine. And, last but certainly not least, everyone loves you and is happy to see you in your new kitchen! That is you isn't it??? Hehe

Analytics Schmanalytics

I was looking at my analytics the other day and it seriously dawned on me that it has been over 15 years since I have had calculus classes.

Are these the most viewed based on total incoming hits? I have a large number of incoming hits that come from search engines so that group just gives me an idea of what people are searching for, not necessarily in my blog.

When reading everyone doing their top 10 of 2009, I really gave up trying to figure out which ones were the most viewed by my regular, returning readers.

FWIW, I still have the terroir post bookmarked to try, the mash potatoes are gourmet comfort food, I remember that post, and I love wedge salad, so I think this list is pretty solid. It included 3 of my favorites.

Self serving, or self

Self serving, or self helping, in this case, you did your readers a favor by consolidating some of your wonderful work in a single post. Thanks!