I missed the first anniversary - bamboozled by the marvellous, challenging technology I'd stumbled across and unsure what on earth the whole thing was actually about - and quietly skipped over the second, but I'm not missing out on the third. Today, Nourish Me is three.
Three is a substantial, weighty sort of number and there's a similarly substantial body of work that's been built slowly over the last three years. I can now look back through the archive with pride. Always rather hopeless at self-promotion, I even managed to bravely tell the rough-edged gentleman who mans my favourite stall at the market that I have a 'website' last week. Progress, indeed.
And Photography - oh, light! - how I love you. I sleep better each night just knowing that I've three very different cameras - two filled with actual film - with which to play. Three is a grand little number.
The act of thinking aloud about food has given shape to what was a formless obsession bordering on madness. Left to my own devices, I may just have turned feral. I've learned many things, cooked many more, met people who wanted to talk about food (and beyond) and it's even (how exciting!) given me paid work. More significantly, and this is key, I've reconnected with the very thing that I was afraid of for years - making pictures. It's a space and a reason to focus on food and I want to thank every single person who has ever stopped in to chat, to read, even just to look. Thank you.
To which end, in an act of recently awakened shameless self-promotion, I'd like to draw your attention to a little shop of sorts that I've set up which you can also access through the lefthand column of this blog.The good people at Redbubble have a safe and secure system where you can buy greeting cards and prints of some of my work. If nothing there takes your fancy, but you have something else of mine in mind, please don't hesitate to contact me - lucindadodds[at]yahoo[dot]com[dot]au - and I'll be more than happy to pop it up.
Your blog is delightful and it is no suprise it has led to many wonderful things for you. Congratulations on the big three!
Posted by: Anna | March 26, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Bon Anniversaire! and many more.
Posted by: Maman | March 26, 2009 at 01:52 PM
On congratulations dearie - three years old, that is quite a considerable number.
And what gorgeous photos - especially those eggplants and that bougainvillea (sp?). We used to have one of those in an old garden - beautiful, beautiful but don't they go feral quickly and easily.
You know, I almost can't remember the time when I didn't know about your blog; didn't follow your beautiful recipes and marvel at your photos.
Have a lovely birthday and again, congratulations. Now I'm going to have a look at that little store of yours - now you've added some more goodies.
Posted by: kathryn | March 26, 2009 at 05:05 PM
Love the pics there, but would also love to see some of your drawings there too!!!
XX
Posted by: Stephanie | March 26, 2009 at 06:28 PM
SO much to say and so little time before leaving for work...
Stunning stunning pictures. Some of my favourites, definitely. Pink flowers especially.
Shouldn't have to tell you how much I love your blog and how happy it makes me.
Lots of love,
Wendy x
Posted by: Wendy | March 26, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Congratulations now you are three. Your recipes, your writing and definitely your photos are a constant inspiration. Your photos in this post are so very good - I love those spuds so much. Fabulous that you still work with film. It is a very special medium and amazing to produce images totally within the camera. But where would we be without the quickness and flexibility of digital images. Happy Birthday, and hope that you celebrated well!
Posted by: Ganga | March 26, 2009 at 09:35 PM
congratulations on three ... I'm a recent reader and I adore your photography, especially the food photos.
happy blogbirthday!
Posted by: janet | March 26, 2009 at 09:43 PM
Happy anniversary. A total joy getting to know you and your blog.
Your new venture is fab. Stand proud. I love the pics :)
Looking forward to the next three years of photos, words and maybe even some drawings.
Posted by: another outspoken female | March 26, 2009 at 09:58 PM
congratulations on turning 3 - a fine number indeed and a fine achievement too - glad you are loving your photos as much as the rest of us - they are truly gorgeous!
Posted by: Johanna | March 26, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Happy third, Lucy! That is quite an accomplishment. And all of us out here who pop in to marvel at your photos have been enriched by your contribution to blogging! Must go check out your lovely shop now. Congratulations! :)
Posted by: Ricki | March 26, 2009 at 11:57 PM
Absolutely gorgeous. As always. I want to cover my home in your images! (unfortunately though I live in a loft and walls are few and far between)
Posted by: Making Love In The Kitchen | March 27, 2009 at 12:10 AM
Happy Birthday.
I've been quietly reading for awhile. Thanks for all the inspiration.
Delicious photos today, by the way!
Thank you!
Sarah
Posted by: sarah | March 27, 2009 at 12:29 AM
Happy Anniversary, dear Lucy.
Posted by: Simona | March 27, 2009 at 04:42 AM
I love the mottled aubergines on the chair...is that lemon balm nestling below or mint...it's lovely what ever it is. I've already admired and lingered on this photo on flickr.
3 is a lovely age to be, I teach little Italian children English, I am surrounded by 3 year olds, playing and learning through play, wide eyed and curious about the world, affectionate, uninhibited and excited about all the things they are discovering - thats what it is to be three.
buon compleanno.
Posted by: rachel | March 27, 2009 at 07:43 AM
happy 3rd anniversary! hope there are many more :) This is my most blog to visit - have to say i use your recipe archive at LEAST weekly...thank you so much. Off to visit yourshop!
Posted by: Keltie | March 27, 2009 at 09:55 AM
This is my most blog to visit too! And I too, cook from it all the time, most recently the "kinda persian" beans, which were - as is everything else here - beautiful.
xxx
Posted by: Zoe | March 27, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Hey, Congrats!! Keep it coming! I enjoy your blog! Very well written and great pictures. I tried Fritata from your recipes and my husband loved it!! Thanx!
Posted by: Padmaja | March 27, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Happy Blogaversary Lucy! And such a beautiful body of work. Your photography is exquisite and it's fitting that you have a wee shopfront for it.
Posted by: docwitch | March 27, 2009 at 08:15 PM
Glad to see so many people have come to your party - I should have made you a chocolate cake!!! I can certainly understand why they come to visit and your shop is getting better and better.
Posted by: Maman | March 28, 2009 at 09:47 AM
Wow Congratulations on all the work and inspiration channeled these three years. You capture so well what so many of us strive for in our own cooking- soulful connection. And yeah for the self promoting, your work needs to be out there!
Posted by: Callipygia | March 28, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Congratulations! Isn't it amazing what you can get out of your own blog. Glad you found yourself there.
Posted by: neil | March 28, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Congratulations on your 3 year anniversary dear!
Posted by: claire | March 28, 2009 at 05:04 PM
Congratulations on the blogiversary AND the shop!
(I was thinking of doing the RedBubble thing with some of my favourite photos, so I'd be interested to hear what you think of it, and the quality of the card etc).
Congratulations again. Squeee!!
Posted by: suse | March 28, 2009 at 08:34 PM
Congratulations and happy blog birthday Lucy. I look forward to many more years of your delicious recipes and beautiful photos. The shop is a great idea. I wish you all the best.
Posted by: Lisa | March 29, 2009 at 07:19 AM
congrats Lucy - I love reading your blog and your photos - i always feel refreshed just readdng your beautiful blog
Posted by: ran | March 30, 2009 at 11:19 AM