Today, as I am most days, I’m thankful for you. Yes you there, reading my blog. Whether you are a noncommittal lurker who stops in from time to time when a particularly tasty recipe nabs your attention (I admit, I’m totally guilty of this on many blogs), a regular reader, a regular reader who leaves comments on occasion or frequently (you’re my favorite! :)), a friend I’ve made online, or a personal friend, co-worker, or family member that also reads my blog, I so appreciate you! My stats tell me you’re there whether you admit it openly, and it really does me good to know it.
When it comes to admitting my feelings for people and making connections, I force myself to be reserved, except for when it comes to those I’m very, very close to and I know they feel the same way about me. I’m perpetually terrified of making a fool of myself by allowing myself to form a connection with someone and ending up liking them more than they like me. (What, you thought people only did this in dating scenarios? Nope, I do it with friendships!) I’m a pretty enthusiastic, loving person, and I could fall so deeply in love with every person I met if I let myself. Even with my barriers in place, I am sad to say some have helped me remove them only to break my heart, and so I’m even more careful now of forming friendships, whether in real life or online.
But today I’m making an exception and taking down my shield briefly to tell you that I love you. I so love you. You make every single day of my life better. Yes, YOU! If you’re wondering how this is possible, let me just skim the surface.
First, the comments. I love comments, and I’m sure other bloggers feel the same way. This is the ultimate gratification in blogging, to receive a comment. I don’t know why it’s such a big deal, but it feels pretty amazing when they appear. Wow! You read my blog! Maybe I’m not totally lame after all! lol
I treasure each and every one but here are some of my recent favorites, that have lifted me out of the depths of despair, brought a breath of fresh air to my day, or just made me laugh with happiness.
Is it possible not to smile after reading a comment that includes hearts, music notes and stars? Mary is always so cheerful!
(Fallon is from Zimbabwe, as I learned from another comment she left me.) I tear up every time I read this. The day I got it was a horrible day and I just bawled–it was such a blessing to me. This is the ultimate comment for me because THIS is why I post my favorite recipes, in hopes that I might bring the same happiness and love to other kitchens and families that they bring to my own. It took a few years, but I’m finally starting to get some “review” comments like this. Those are my favorite and the happiness in them also fills my soul when I read them.
I’m also starting to get a few comments from readers sharing their own recipes, and these always tickle me. I’m still looking forward to trying this one.
And I also get wonderful, encouraging comments that bring me to tears, like this one.
In addition to the readership and comments, some readers have taken it a step further by sending me post cards and even packages in the mail!
One reader from Russia, Becky, who I feel (dare I say it?) pretty close to, saw my mention of our trouble with having children and sent me this book.
Wow. God has blessed me so much through this blog and this is the epitome of that blessing. This book is a comfort to me, and a reminder about what is most important, my love for and relationship with Christ, so that I can keep my head on straight when I’m most tempted to wallow in self-pity.
Another reader, Kerry from Ohio, used my favorite pie crust recipe in three pies she entered at her state fair competition and won ribbons for all three! I was so surprised by the pie dish and carrier I received in the mail soon after, I thought I had a secret admirer until I finally remembered she said she was going to send me a token of appreciation for helping her win. I was expecting a thank you card! I was pretty astounded by her generosity, and very touched by the gesture. But the ultimate reward was helping her win those ribbons. My heart swells with happiness.
And then there’s Suzie. Suzie is really special to me and I’m going to just admit (shriek! totally going against my instincts!) that if we lived closer to one another, she just might be my BFF. She’s definitely my online BFF, and I never told her this but it’s kind of a miracle she managed to break through my barriers since we met right after my previous online bestie (well, I thought she was but the feeling wasn’t mutual-horrifying!) “dumped” me. We have never met in real life, but she has always supported me in blogging and everything I do, and I’m so happy to be able to follow her blog now that she has one (check her out here.) While I’m going out on limbs here, I’m going to tell you, Suzie, that if God ever blesses us with a child, my greatest wish would be you would be able to come all the way from MI to my baby shower so I can finally meet you face-to-face. Being pregnant and meeting you? I can’t think of two things that would fill me with more joy. I’d probably explode.
Anyway, this wonderful woman spoils me, along with almost everyone she knows, and particularly those she loves. A while back she sent me this glass cornucopia figurine and while it’s actually a candlestick holder, I had other plans for it. This is an antique, and antiques are precious to me because I adore pieces of physical history. It’s Fenton, which is a big deal (I recognized the name from my Dad’s dealing in it–he buys and sells antiques) and dates to the 1930s. I heart it so much!
Every time I think of something I’m thankful for throughout the week, I write it down and fold it up, and put it in the cornucopia. I also add fortune cookie fortunes whenever we eat Chinese because I get a kick out of them. How perfect is this for me, right? A cornucopia full of thanksgivings! At the end of the week, or weeks depending on how long I wait, I read all my thanksgivings to remind myself of everything I have to be thankful for. If you want to feel incredible peace, you might try this. It is wonderful.
OK, now I can’t possibly mention every single person who I am thankful for as a reader, and I got pretty specific with some of them, but I’m still talking to YOU. Thank you for reading. Even my lurkers bless me financially now that I’m getting paid to blog-LOL! But even without the little bit of money, seeing the number who is reading makes me feel like maybe I’m doing something that matters, and maybe I matter in this big world, even if it’s just to you. So thank you. You matter to me too, and I’m so thankful for you.
Love, Veronica
Veronica's Cornucopia 
I follow your blog on my RSS reader and almost never click over to comment – but I save 99% of the recipes you post and I have yet to be disappointed. From the chocolate-caramel cake that I made for my boyfriend’s birthday (probably the most labor-intensive cake I’ve ever made…but worth it!) to the lemon zucchini bread I was just impressing my coworkers with last week, I can always count on you to make me look good! Thank YOU and keep up the great work! :D
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I love getting comments from lurkers! Congrats on coming out of the closet-haha! You’re the first person to tell me they attempted that cake and I’m impressed–it is very involved! I know how you feel, I count on other bloggers to make me look good too. :) Thank you for your kind words!
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Suspense is killing me–What is Brittany’s favorite summer recipe? Thanks Veronica! I too love your blogs and recipes. Keep up the great work. You are terrific!
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Oh, sorry, it’s the watermelon and black bean salsa, the same thing that Andrea commented on. Here’s the link: https://veronicascornucopia.com/2012/05/25/watermelon-black-bean-salsa/ Thank you Peggy!
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Aw, Veronica!! Now I feel all warm and fuzzy! Although… that book cover makes me tear up every time! Isn’t it funny how you feel attached to someone through a screen? You were the first blog I ever followed. Our shared love of making sweet things sealed that deal. I also appreciate that you can talk so freely about your faith. Thanking God for you too!!!!! We just got back to Russia after 10 weeks in MN and WI and it’s 2:59 am and the kids’ bodies say it is time to wake up. =) Take care, friend!
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So glad to give you some warm and fuzzies, I was so warm and fuzzy inside as I wrote this one. Maybe too much, I think I put myself out there way too much but I shall not retract anything. I shall stand strong on my love for you! :) Yes, it’s kind of strange to be able to form a friendship without ever meeting a person. I wonder if we all met if we would hate each other? I feel like blog land is the land of fairies and rainbows and nothing bad ever happens here but if we all met, it might not be as sunshiney. So I guess it’s nice to have an alternate reality to meet the best side of people! lol
Did you enjoy your time in the US? Visiting family? Ay, I’m sure it will take some time to adjust to the time difference. Glad you made it home safely!
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Yes, I had a great time in the US! We saw lots of friends and family and loved it. I love your “land of fairies and rainbows” comment… lol… but I have no doubt we would get along in person!! =) Take care.
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You make all of us feel so loved and warm inside my friend, thank YOU for being such a sweet and beautiful person!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
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Thanks Uru, the feeling is mutual.
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What an awesome post, and I am thankful for your blog as well. I can always be sure that I will get a good recipe and probably a good laugh here :) have a wonderful weekend!
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I want to reply with “thank you” but I feel I’m being horribly redundant as I’m thanking the commenters and already thanked you in my post! But, well, thank you! I hope yours is lovely as well.
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What a sweet post!! Love you, Veronica!!! <3 <3
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Ah Sophia, the feeling is mutual. <3
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Thankful Thursdays~ I am Thankful and Blessed with you and your posts! I have learned so much. You have a definite gift. Thank you for the time that you take to share with us! I learn, laugh, and have even “snorted” after reading some of your posts! Makes my day when I see one in my email! So Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and family with us! Be Blessed!
Love ya!!
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I’m glad I could make you snort-hehe! You are welcome and thank you for reading and making MY day, every day.
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ahhhh so cool! :) Thanks for everything you share! That cornicopia is so cool!
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I <3 it a ton. :) You are welcome and though it may be redundant, thank you! :)
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I love this V! I did not know we met after your “friend” dumped you. I really feel like I definitely broke through some barriers with you. I know, if we lived closer we’d be BFF’s for sure. The couch would have my butt indentation on it, or maybe I should say the kitchen chair! Our doggies would be besties too. If a child happens to bless your life, I would truly hope to be there for you, that would be awesome. Last year when I went to see Derek in OK and knowing I was that “close” to you was hard. We were on a tight schedule though but, someday I’m sure we will meet. I know we’d not lack anything to talk about since we talk almost daily as it is! :D Thanks for adding me to your blog V, I am truly blessed to call you my friend…xoxo
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Yup, I never wanted to talk about it–pretty mortifying. And you did, it was kind of miraculous b/c it was only a few months after…maybe even weeks that we met on MySpace. It took me more than a year not to get sad every time I saw something in a store that reminded me of her. But I hardly think about her any more, you helped me heal for sure.
Giggling imagining your butt indention on my furniture! It’d be the same way at your house but I’d most like to spend time with you in your pool! That sounds fabulous, dahling. I can just imagine our girls frolicking. :) I know it would be a long shot for you to make it to an event that may/may not happen, but just knowing you’d hope to is nice and I DO think we will meet SOME day.
Well, you’re welcome I guess but it was just natural for you to be there. Honestly, you wouldn’t believe how many time I have had to hold back from directing a statement or question at you in my blog posts (usually an apology for posting yet another dessert–hehe). Since I have so many readers from all over, I try to keep the content directed to a big group so no one feels left out. Which is one reason why I had second thoughts about this one. Still not sure about it, but it’s the truth and I’m leaving it.
Thanks for not dumping me for letting it hang out in the open for all to read! hehehe, I’m blessed to call you a friend as well. <3
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hi Veronica, yes, I was wondering what had happened to you :) good to see that a lot has been going on here too. I know what you mean… nice comments (like many of yours for instance) can keep you warm in a cold day and inspire you in a grey one. still haven’t got any present from readers though ;)
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Yup yup yup! Give me your address and I’ll surprise you when we have money again. Hubby is still unemployed but I know he will get something soon!
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awww, what a sweet post. i love your blog, veronica! my husband & i collect our fortunes too, in a vase my grandma made back in her youthful days. we call it the magic pot of fortunes!
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That’s cute! And they’re fun to read through, right? Pretty cool we both collect them in vase-like things. :)
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I love getting comments from lurkers! Just recently I had a woman comment who’s been reading me daily for 3+ years and finally commented!
Thanks for being so open and honest V – I love you and your blog, so keep doing what your doing! :D
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Way cool! I get comments from like .1% of my readers so it’s always happy dance time when one comes out of the woodwork! :) It’s fun to meet them, right? Thanks, Biz, you are one of my inspirations for being open and honest. You even admit when you mess up big time and you make every reader your friend. I can’t do that (yet, at least) so you are my hero. :)
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You are the most thankful person I know. I love that glass cornucopia/candle stick and that it’s a treasure trove for all your thankfulness.
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You know I love your blog and you :) Sorry I haven’t been around a lot. Life…blerg.
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Such a sweet post Veronica, thanks for sharing your heart!
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You sweet, sweet thing!
What you said about worrying that you care about a person more than that person cares about you totally resonates with me. That’s a fear of mine going into any friendship (in person or online), so I get it.
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What a great post! We have blessings all around us, sometimes we just need to stop and look for them. Thanks for a great reminder to do just that!
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Aww chica you are the sweetest and deserve all the happiness in the world!
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