Tigers & Strawberries

Grateful

Hello, everyone.

I’m back again. I couldn’t stay away. Writing and cooking, cooking and writing, sewing, writing and loving are just too much a part of my life for me to stay away from blogging forever.

I am here, back in my cyberspace kitchen, ready to share again.

And I am grateful.

I am grateful for all of the emails, comments and other communications from my readers I have received over the past year or so, wishing me well, giving encouragement, support, advice, understanding and love. I cannot begin to tell you all how much your words have meant to me. They have been a balm to soothe a wounded heart, and have made me smile on the darkest of days.

Over the past year, whenever I felt truly down on myself or even humanity in general (like whenever I read the news!) I could go to my last post and read the comments and feel instantly better. Or, I would open my inbox and there would be another email from a reader telling me I was missed and loved and it was hoped that I am my family are well.

I don’t think that I can ever thank all of you enough. I guess, in return, I will just have to write another year or so’s worth of recipes for everyone!

I am also grateful for the love and support of my family. I am so grateful for my two beautiful daughters who grow more wonderful every day. Kat is in preschool and is learning to read and even has started learning elementary addition and subtraction; Morganna has a high B average in college and works the saute station at one of the two fine dining restaurants here in town.

I am grateful for my husband Zak, who has gone back to college to finish an elementary education degree he started years ago, and was interrupted by a lengthy family crisis. I am grateful for his patience over the past year and his enduring faith and love. He has grown a lot, too–he plays music out now, not just in his studio–and he has been raising money for a local food charity with his music.

I am grateful for my brother, Dan, who not only has been an unwavering personal friend and support, but he also redesigned this blog and managed to update my software, all while he was going through the process of starting his own business and moving into a new home with his fiancee.

I am grateful to my Aunt Judy, whose words of wisdom and kindness have kept me sane and helped me along my path toward healing.

Besides all of this–I am grateful for the world itself. Grateful for being able to write again, to be able to cook, read, think and dream again. I am grateful for the sun and the rain, for the grass underfoot and the trees overhead. I am grateful for the birds in my garden, and the flying squirrels in my windowsill. (Yes, we have flying squirrels in our house….they sure are cute wee buggers.)

I am grateful for everything. Whereas this time last year, I was a bundle of anxiety and pain, now, I am peaceful, calm and happy. Truly happy.

I am truly blessed.

I want to end this post with something that a high school friend I just found on Facebook said the other day. Carlos, who sang in our school choir with me all through middle and high school said this–and it spoke directly to my heart:

Remember this, as you are blessed in various areas of your life and your the life of your ministry, you are called to be a blessing to others.

So, here I am, hoping to be a blessing to others through my words and my recipes, as I have been blessed with so much over the past year.

It’s time to share the love.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all.

56 Comments

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That “unwavering support and personal friend” thing is a two-way street, Barbara.

Thank YOU for that.

I think that this year is the first Thanksgiving that we have not spent together in a VERY long time.

That distresses me in some ways, but in many ways I am thankful for it, as I’m spending it with my “Family-to-be” in Columbus.

So, I will say it here, and be the first to comment on the revived blog to say “Welcome back and Happy Thanksgiving!”

All my love to you, Zak, Kat, and the menagerie!

-D

Comment by Dan — November 25, 2010 #
Yay! I’m doing a happy dance for your renewed happiness. I can’t wait to see what new things you share with us. Cheers!

Comment by Benjamin — November 25, 2010 #
Welcome back – I’ve missed you.

Comment by Morgan — November 25, 2010 #
Yay! You’re back!

Comment by Callisto Shampoo — November 25, 2010 #
Nice to see you back. You’re a real treasure and I always trusted your recipes. Deep down I knew you couldn’t quit this blog forever 😉

Comment by Sasha — November 25, 2010 #
You have been greatly missed. I actually just screeched “Tigers & Strawberries is back!!” to my husband who was very happy (but didn’t know why he was so happy).

I am so glad to hear that you are coming back to us renewed and recharged — both with energy as well as a new outlook.

Happy Thanksgiving, Barbara. And welcome back!

Comment by shannon — November 25, 2010 #
Welcome back! I was thrilled to see another post pop up in my RSS reader this morning. I’ve always enjoyed your writing and the humanity you bring to it. Thank you for sharing so much with the world.

Dan

Comment by Dan — November 25, 2010 #
Welcome back. The other day a deleted post showed up in my Google Reader and I was glad to see that you were alive, at least.

Happy Thanksgiving, and I’m grateful to have you back.

Comment by Eve — November 25, 2010 #
I’m so happy that you are experiencing such peacefulness and joy. That would be a wonderful thing to know even if you weren’t coming back to talk to us and teach us about cooking.

But … I’m really glad you’re back, too. I have missed your blog, and I’ve often come back to peruse the archives just to read the beautiful way you write (and to look up your delicious recipes, of course). Welcome back.

Comment by Jenny — November 25, 2010 #
I’m very happy your life is in a better place now than a year ago. Happy to have the site back too, but mostly happy you are doing so much better.

Blessings of the season to you, and your family.

Comment by Diane — November 25, 2010 #
Oh, I am so glad to see you back, Barbara!

Comment by Elizabeth — November 25, 2010 #
Wonderful post, so happy you are back, you were missed! Glad your life has turned around. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.

Comment by winnie — November 25, 2010 #
I am so glad to see that you’re back! I’ve used so many of your recipes. My favorite food blog out there!

Comment by Becky — November 25, 2010 #
So glad to see you’re back and that all are doing well!!

Comment by Cindy — November 25, 2010 #
How glorious! Welcome back; I, certainly, am grateful for your return.

I hope Athens is as lovely as always today – we can’t be there this year, but I always think about southeast Ohio this time of year. Happy thanksgiving!

Comment by Tammy — November 25, 2010 #
So exciting that you are back!!!!

Comment by JoAnn — November 25, 2010 #
Yeah!! Glad to see you back and looking forward to the great things and insight you will share with us…..

Comment by Mary Perrine — November 25, 2010 #
So glad you’re back and that you’re HAPPY! 🙂 Wonderful news. Happy Thanksgiving!

Comment by Alison — November 25, 2010 #
I hope you view it as a testament of how much you have touched us as readers that even though you ended your blog, we continue to return and re-read your words.
Thank you for coming back to us.

Comment by Maven — November 26, 2010 #
What a pleasure to see this post pop up in my RSS feed! And how serendipitous – I was thinking about you just yesterday, and wondering if sending you an email to say “hope you’re doing well even though you’re not blogging” would be pushy or intrusive. So glad to hear that you’re feeling like writing again.

Blessings indeed.

Comment by Lexica — November 26, 2010 #
Oh, joy of joys! You’re back!!!!! I’m so delighted!!!!!

Comment by Hadar — November 26, 2010 #
Welcome back, so happy and grateful that you’re back, happy thanksgiving.

Comment by Jenny — November 26, 2010 #
Wheeee! So glad to see you are ready to be back! I couldn’t bear to take you off my newsreader – if nothing else just to remind me of days past and to go look at some of the old posts. It was very exiting when I saw that you were posting again. Yay!

Comment by Adam — November 26, 2010 #
I’m so happy to see you are back and feeling so much better! You have been missed!

Comment by ilva — November 27, 2010 #
Through an amazing set of coincidences, I happened to visit your site today. Imagine my delight at reading you are returning to blogging. I am grateful that you are in a better place and wish you and your family all the best.

Comment by Gloria — November 27, 2010 #
I am so glad you are back and happy, and excited for your new recipes!

Comment by Alexis — November 27, 2010 #
My great niece when she is happy does what she calls her “tooshie dance.” Seeing you back, healthy, happy has me doing the same thing. You have missed. Welcome back.

Comment by Maureen — November 28, 2010 #
Great to have you back!

Comment by Foodfreak — November 28, 2010 #
I’m so happy that you’re back and feeling better! I’ve missed you and am so grateful that you’ve decided to start writing again!

Comment by Julie — November 28, 2010 #
Hooray! You’re back!

I’m so glad you’re making progress. It’s a hard and unpleasant process, but I know you’ll make it through with flying colors.

Comment by Elizabeth — November 28, 2010 #
Ohh!!!! I’m so glad you’re back, I’ve been keeping my fingers crossed for your return all this time! I’m eager to hear what you’re up to with that Preethi you got. I have made your Jamaican beans ‘n rice so many times now, and have thought fondly of you each time. Welcome back.

Comment by Kathie — November 28, 2010 #
Hey…Welcome back Barbara. Awesome!

Now tell me how to make turtle bean tortilla chips with the dent corn flour from chesterhill.

Should I use flour from just ground up turtle beans and lard because I wanna bake them?

When are you gonna write a cookbook?

Can I now put you on my blogroll?

Pizza on earth!
John G at daGoon

Comment by john gutekanst — November 29, 2010 #
I’m so gad you’re back again just a few days after I stumbled upon this great blog. Welcome back Barb, I’m really enjoying your recipes. 🙂

Comment by retro sweets — November 30, 2010 #
you are back, Barbara! And I am so glad. I visited every now and then over the past year, and gradually tapered off..your blog had taught me enough of technique that I no longer needed to look up recipes. Till I wanted to make your frost flowers for christmas. I visited your blog then, and the page refused to load- for two days. I thought you had finally taken it off (but perhaps you were changing things about?) and now on a whim, i visited again and voila! Santa came here early!
thank you so much for continuing

Comment by chicu — November 30, 2010 #
Oh, hooray!

I was just on this site the other day, poring over recipes. I’ve recommended it to friends I don’t know HOW many times since you’d stopped blogging. I even went on a Google-hunt for the new blog you said you’d be setting up, but with no luck. I’m so glad to see you posting again! Now, to hunt down that lovely puttanesca recipe for my dinner. 🙂

Comment by Laura — November 30, 2010 #
Welcome back, Barbara!

Comment by Andrea — December 1, 2010 #
Barbara, I am SO delighted to see you back! I’ve been thinking about you, but obviously I haven’t been checking my feed reader or I would have noticed before today that you’re blogging again. I just skimmed your recent posts whilst scrolling down to see when you came back — looks like Thanksgiving Day is it. I’m looking forward to catching up and reading about those cute kittens! (We got a new one over the summer, too, it’s been an adventure!) Unfortunately, not much time for catching up today, as it’s hubby’s birthday *and* a short school week and I have to get some work done. I’ll be back soon! Cheers! I’m glad you and your family are well. 😀

Comment by Kristi — December 1, 2010 #
Your back! I’m so excited! Welcome back we’re so glad to hear from you! Can’t wait to read all the updates on the family

Comment by Seattlejo — December 2, 2010 #
I am overjoyed that you’ve decided to pick up blogging again. I love, love love love your recipes and the way you write about cooking.

I’ve been periodicaly checking this site to see if you’ve posted something new, whether a new blog location or what. And so, on a random check yesterday I was overjoyed to find that not only have you posted something new you are going to be posting new content on a regular basis.

Comment by Jackalope — December 3, 2010 #
I couldn’t bring myself to delete your bookmark and am so glad I didn’t. Just by chance I clicked on it, and you’re back 🙂 Love what you have to say and your insight. I’ve learned so much from you. Welcome back 🙂

Comment by Kathleen — December 6, 2010 #
Yay!!! You are back! Your posts have an honesty and humanity, which I don’t find in many others…I’m so thrilled to see you back here 🙂

Comment by Liz — December 10, 2010 #
I read you for years, without ever commenting, you were the first food blog I ever followed. Then when you left I finally commented for the first time, because we missed you and wanted you to come back and fill our days again. Today, after checking your blog over the year for news, I was happy to read on Ilva’s blog that you had started writing again. I am so happy to know that you feel “healed” and that we will get new recipes and see pictures of your family. What wonderful news. Welcome back!!

Comment by Nuts about food — December 13, 2010 #
I am so glad to see that you are back, Barbara. Every once in a while I, like so many other commentors abote, checked your link (which I hadn’t removed from my favourites), and today I was pleasantly surprised when I saw new posts. You have taught me so much about spices and cooking techniques. My spice racks are now overflowing with what many consider exotic spices but which I frequently use, thanks to you. My husband will also surely thank you!

Comment by Grace — December 14, 2010 #
Just on a random impulse, I decided to take a look at your blog this evening and was surprised and delighted to see new posts. So glad to see you back and doing so much better!

Comment by Christy — December 19, 2010 #
I was searching for a recipe and stumbled on your site… I’m truly glad you’re feeling healthier and happier, Barbara. Perhaps someday you’ll feel up to letting me know what it was that mysteriously caused you to cut off all communication with us. But whether you ever do or don’t, I’m still glad to see you writing joyously about food again.

Comment by Hilarie — December 21, 2010 #
Barbara, it’s truly wonderful to see you writing again! THANK YOU!

Comment by Deanna — December 22, 2010 #
Hi Barbara,

I stopped by today after months of not checking on T&S, just in case there was something new… what a lovely surprise! I’m not a frequent commenter but I’m so happy for you that things are going better and you’ve found your way back to writing about the things you love. I’m looking forward to reading what you come up with.

M

Comment by Meri — December 22, 2010 #
Hah, excellent and was hopeful. Congratulations! Now if I can do the same …

xo, Biggles

Comment by Dr. Biggles — December 22, 2010 #
Barbara, I found your wonderful website this summer and I expected that once I had trawled through the archives that would be it. I never guessed that I would be lucky enough to read new content. I feel so lucky that there will be even more of your great recipes and stories to read! I’m glad you’re feeling ready to take on this project again and I hope you keep on keeping on. Thank you for Tigers & Strawberries!

Comment by Donsie — December 26, 2010 #
Hi Barbara,
its one of the best new year’s gift to see u blogging once again.
I simply am in love with T&S and it felt that i had lost a friend when u said u would stop writing.
It really makes me wanna do cartwheels as you are back.

Comment by Nidhi — December 30, 2010 #
Welcome Back Barbara! Glad to hear that you are in a better place now. You’ve truly been missed!

Comment by Amy Davies — January 5, 2011 #
Barbara I am thrilled that you are feeling well and just delighted that your wonderful blog is back.I just happened to check today and wow !
Such a blessing for 2011.

Love from Nova Scotia

Comment by Aileen — January 10, 2011 #
What?!! What??!! Oh my goodness! You’re back! Here I am, on a lazy Monday morning at my favorite cafe and I’m hungry, so I think, ‘Let me go to tigersandstrawberries again because I really loved this blog and I wonder if she’s started the other blog she said she would’
Then, I see these cornucopia of recipes and I think ‘I may have gone to an archived page’ and click on your home page. Which leads me back to your cornucopia of recipes. My eyebrows leave my face as I clickety click on older posts just to make sure that these posts are after your ‘Last Post’
Welcome back. We missed you and we are so so happy that you’re back! Yay! YAY!
sorry. Got a little carried away. I’m off to catch up on what I missed so far.

Comment by huda — January 17, 2011 #
Hi Barbara, I am SO glad you are back! Just found out now, a little late to the game.

Comment by Amy — January 24, 2011 #
I have missed you so much and I am so happy you are back. Even though we’ve never met, yesterday I found myself telling a co-worker about some of my favorite recipes on “my friend’s blog”. Thank you for coming back.

Comment by annmartina — February 10, 2011 #
Oh, yay!!!! I’m so glad you’re back (and feel vaguely silly that I missed your coming back)

*does happy dance of joy for you and your wonderful family*

Comment by Magpie — June 27, 2011 #

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Grateful

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Grateful

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