If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you already know that I love any occasion to celebrate. So, you're probably asking, "What are we celebrating today, Marta?"
Let me tell you. Today marks the 6th Blogiversary of My big, fat, Cuban family on the Web.
GUAT? I know. Shut up.
That's right, people! SIX. YEARS.
I sat down in front of my computer screen on October 1st, 2006 and started over-sharing about being Cuban in the O.C. and how difficult it was to get decent Cuban food and so I just started cooking for myself and my family. And I took pictures every day anyway, so I started sharing my recipes.
And isn't it fitting that my October 1st Blogiversary is right smack dab in the middle of Hispanic Heritage Month? Coincidence? I think not.
I was amazed when I hit the One Year in the Blogosphere mark in 2007. So I celebrated.
Encouraged by your great response to this little Cuban corner of cyberspace, I kept writing, and picture-taking, and documenting and before I knew it, two years had gone by. And so I celebrated again. And designed a faux magazine cover, and I gave stuff away.
Blown away by your support and because I apparently had a whole lot more to say, I continued to write and lo and behold, in October of 2009, I celebrated My 3 Year Blogiversary. (<–is that even a word?) By that time, I had gotten into a groove and I was totally loving the whole faux-magazine-cover thing and I really enjoyed giving stuff away, so I did it again.
I was having SO. MUCH. FUN! I did stuff. I took pictures. I wrote about it. This space had become a living, breathing, photo album of my life. And I just kept writing, and picture-taking, and over-sharing right up until it was time to celebrate Year Four of Blogginess.
To be perfectly honest, I was still amazed and surprised that anyone even wanted to read what I was writing about. I kept doing it because, well, it is my life. And it should at least be of interest to me, right? Plus, when I look back at the hundreds of posts that I've written, it tells a really nice story about a really nice life and that makes me really, really happy.
I had some health challenges in 2011 and the thought crossed my mind that I had probably told all my stories and said everything I wanted to say about my family and my kids and all that. And I actually toyed with the idea of stopping this whole documenting-my-life-for-the-world-to-see thing. I took a break for a while and went back and read some of what I'd written and decided that even if no one else was following, it was an excellent record of my life (or at least the last few years of my life). And it made me happy. So when I got to Year Five in the Blogosphere, I really felt like I had a lot to celebrate.
Now I'm six years into telling, not just my own stories, but sharing some of yours with the Cuando Sali de Cuba series. I'm very proud of my little cyber-home here at My big, fat, Cuban family. I've made some lovely relationships with some wonderful people and generous sponsors.
As of today, my 6th Blogiversary, I'm happy to report that I have 4,491 followers on the MBFCF Facebook Fan Page where I get to over-share every single day in real time, but that's not important right now.
I want to thank you all.
You read. You share. You come back. You write to me. You leave comments. You make me laugh out loud. I love writing about the "relajo" that is my life and I'm humbled that you keep responding so positively every time. I love that you get my Cubanisms.
{A very special Thank You and shout out to Val & the rest of the Intransigents over at Babalú Blog for their unfailing friendship and support and for putting MBFCF on the Blogging World Map. Gracias!}
So, about that whole celebration thing…..
I'm going to be celebrating ALL WEEK. That's right. For the next SIX days, I've lined up some fabulous Cuban sponsors and I'll be hosting a very cool giveaway every single day for the ENTIRE WEEK to celebrate each of my SIX Bloggywonderful years.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. 😉
To kick things off – here's MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway #1:
My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbook
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win my cookbook and please answer one or all of the following questions:
- How did you find My big, fat, Cuban family?
- What do you enjoy most about this blog?
- How long have you been here?
I'll choose a winner at the end of MBFCF Blogiversary Giveaway Week on Monday, October 8th, 2012 at 11 am, so you have lots of time to enter.
Have I said, "thank you"? Seriously. Thank you.
I “discovered” MBFCF thru Babalu Blog about 4 yrs. ago and I haven’t looked back! Keep on keeping on, Marta! 🙂
I happily came across your blog about 18 months ago via facebook. But I fell in LOVE with you and your family when I saw the video of your mom telling us how the internet works. From that moment on, I felt as if we were family. MBFCF is now a part of my family and one of these days, I will be blessed enough to run into you or Kikita at Bella Cuba or maybe some random Orange County hotspot. Until then, keep being amazing!
My mom told me about your blog. She was searching for recipes and stumbled across it. I love the recipes the most and have already made a few! I’ve been following you for a few weeks now an it gives me and my mom something else to talk, laugh and reminisce about. Keep up the good work mujer!
Hi Marta,I found My big, fat, Cuban family page thru a friend who isn’t Cuban, her name is Yolanda.
I enjoy EVERYTHING about this blog. The recipes, your energy, pictures, the family, the traditions, etc. It is like going back to my roots with a little American flair in Orange County…;))
I have been a member of your blog for about 3-1/2 years. This happened when I got laid off from my wonderful job with Fluor and I found Facebook. Then my life changed completely….;))
I hope one of these days to run into you somewhere in Orange County where we live. Hugs and keep it going! You are amazing.
Esther
San Juan Capistrano
Love your story! WOW!
I found you by searching about things Cuban on the Internet. I think it has been about five years now. And I kept asking (more like bugging) for you to put together a cookbook so when you did I was in eating heaven! I still use it at least once a week. You turned me into the flan cake queen at my office :-). Thank you for over sharing, especially about wonderful Luza. And what can I say about your kids?! I love it when they hijack your blog. Kikita has me doing Taka Taka sounds every afternoon at 3:05. and someone who shares my crush on Desi is alright in my book!!!! *sigh*
I met you in San Diego at BlogHer. You befriended me as I was roaming the expo hall. I was a newbie and you were so nice to give me pointers and tips.The thing I enjoy most about your blog is your writing style. It is always fun and entertaining. You give it your own personal twist and I love reading about your Cuban life and experiences.
I was born in the US and my parents are from Nicaragua. I have a special love for Cuban food and enjoy it as often as I can. My Mom’s best friend was Cuban and she passed away several years ago. However, she honors her every Christmas by making Lechon plus Moros y Christianos. Thank you for over sharing with us. It is wonderful.
Happy 6 years!! I’ve been reading MBFCF for about a year. It makes me feel close to my family even though they don’t live in the same state as I do. The recipes are amazing and I enjoy cooking them for my family. I look forward to reading more of your stories!
I too found you searching the web! I here up of coarse eating my mothers fantastic food. Several Years after she passed I found myself regretting not writing down or learning her reciepe. So I went on line looking for reciepes and stumbled across your sight . My mothers cooking was pretty famous within our circle of friends. Growing up in a Cuban home and around alot of Cubans as members of the Club Cubano De El Valle De San Gabriel , I was blessed to have our great Cuban food. Your sight along with a few others as allowed me to cook the food I love do much .
Oh dear, I have no idea when I found you but I’m so happy that I did. It’s been at least four years, for sure!I love EVERYTHING about your blog! I also live far, far away from anything Cuban and just reading your recipes motivates me to cook at home as well!
If the question of “How long have you been here?” is about the U.S.? Then my whole life. I’m a 1st generation American and very proud of my Cuban heritage! <3
I found your blog one day looking for Cuban recipes. I don’t remember exactly when but I’ve been reading nearly since you began.
That cookbook would be tremendo for my kitchen!!I found your blog over a year ago, searching, for information on a Ricky Ricardo doll. The first post I read was about your “love affair” with him, and your visit to Desi’s home.
My favorite, all time post, was “Cuco y Yayo”
I am new this year! Found you searching for Cuban recipes. Love Cuban cuisine so much that I have begun searching for the Cuban branch in my family tree. There must be one and i am determined to find it. Congrats on 6 years!
I found you about a year ago through a Cuban friend on facebook. I can relate to you and your blog. Your blog brings me back to my childhood, growing up in a Cuban family, the food, the cubanisms, & the wonderful feeling of family closeness. My parents have passed and I love to go back in time with your posts. I actually was born in the US, my mother was pregnant with me when she came to the US in 1962. Thank you for bringing me back to my wonderful Cuban roots. Congrats!
I didn’t find you, I was led here by my good friend Anne Marie. Who knew I would one day meet you and actually get to go out and eat (Cuban, of course:) with the lovely Kikita on more than one occasion. AND get to meet some of the other characters in your life, not the least of which is the hilarious Luza?I enjoy EVERYTHING about this blog! The stories, the videos, the recipes, the giveaways….yup, EVERYTHING!
I have NO idea how long I’ve been hanging out here, I would say at least 3 years but maybe more!
Marta, congratulations on your 6-year Blogiversary! I absolutely LOVE your faux magazine covers. They make me wish you really DID publish a Cuban monthly magazine. I WOULD DEFINITELY SUBSCRIBE IMMEDIATELY!I found your wonderful blog back in 2006, when I was throwing myself a surprise 50th birthday party (lol) and the theme was A NIGHT IN HAVANA, 1956. It was an amazing fun party night complete with a casino and all the Cuban trimmings you would have found in La Habana back in the good old 1950s.
I have of course, been enjoying your blog ever since. I love your creative writing style. It always makes me smile.
The only thing that makes me a little sad is that a couple of months ago, I sent you a personal email asking you to check out a new Facebook page that I created called CUBAN-AMERICAN LIFE & LEISURE (www.facebook.com/CubanALL) and I never got a reply. Maybe you never got my email. Maybe you just didn’t like the page. Doesn’t matter. I still love YOU.
Congratulations on 6 years of making us smile. Keep shining, Marta!
Congratulations!!!I found your blog searching for Cuban recipes. My husband is was Cuba and has now been in Canada for 6 years. Shortly after he arrived, I was desperate to find some good recipes for him to enjoy, especially a good flan recipe. I did a search, and you popped up. Now you are my go-to for anything Cuban.
What do I love about the website?! Well, everything. I enjoy reading the stories of you family, your children, your mother, your recipes and Cuba-inspired products. I’m trying to get one of the Pandora-inspired charms, but don’t think they deliver to Canada.
Keep sparkling for many years to come!
What do I enjoy the most about your blog? Mujer, why don’t you ask a simple question like “What is my reason for being?” Oops, mi mala, in your case they kinda go together. ; )Keep telling your stories Marta, they’re the little bit of home many of us need and look forward to.
BB2U
It was this past July–can’t remember what FB page I was on when I saw you….but I love your blog and have shared with all my friends.Keep it coming Marta !!
OMG…you were a saving grace when I was pregnant! I moved to NC from NY and missed eating pastelitos de guayaba. I decided one night to make them myself. I Googled them and found your site! Oh how I instantly fell in love. I looked around and loved the selection of recipes and the stories you share. I’ve been eating with My big, fat, Cuban family for 3 years now. 🙂 Keep up the good work and Happy 6th Year to you! Wishing you many more….because face it, we love it.
I’ve been following your blog for about 2 years & I really enjoy the recipes & your stories! You are pretty funny…
Marta,I found your blog originally from the wonderful Babalu blog about 3 years ago. And I love how you tell the story (or over-sharing, as you call it) of you and your family. You’ve become a friend that I want to keep in touch with!
Please keep em coming and I’m so glad you’ve gotten over your health issues~
un abrazo,
Maria
I found you thru my sister on Facebook and I’ve been reading your blog for about 1 year. I love your blog because it gives me a small feeling of being Cuban.I live so far (Southern Oregon)of anything Cuba.I also love reading all the comments from all your readers.My family is from Tarara and Havana(the Webster’s)so hello to anyone who knew my family.
We never lost you! But seriously, congrats. Doesn’t seem that long!
I’ve been reading your blog for almost a year! I found you searching for a Cuban connection. You see, I am not Cuban but I have a Cuban soul. I am connected with the culture, everything from the food to the art to the dance. I am a Cuban soul-sister!Not knowing this about myself, years ago, I married my Cuban man (remember the Country Cuban?)whom I refer to as my Ricky and I am his ditzy overachieving Lucy.I even taught Afro-Cuban in the 70’s before I knew I was Cuban-hearted (I am a dance teacher).
My Country Cuban and I, along with family, made our trek to Key West this June to connect to our roots and with family, and to bury my sister-in-law (who had been in our closet for 6 years, she had requested to be buried next to her Mama in Key West Cemetery, which the Sexton said the plot did not exist, we had to find it ourselves, but that’s another story).
While there I purchased “Cuban Conch Cooking” by the Lopez family (the owners of Kinos Sandals) but I would LOVE to add your cookbook to my “collection”! My mother-in-laws recipes live on in my kitchen but since discovering your blog and your cookbook I feel your recipes would love living in my southern country Alabama kitchen, as well!
Passing on the Cuban legacy,
Jeanna Sumners
Oh Marty… I have been blessed to know you and your family for the past 6 years (Hmmm interesting number) and was introduced to your blog in the beginning. Your love of life and all fun things has truly been an encouragement to me. Our boys (J & J) are the bestest of friends and that in of itself is a gift from the Lord. We’ve homeschooled together, thrown grapes on New Years Eve, laughed beyond, and even shed some tears. I am so proud to call you my friend. Love and Blessings to you and the next 6 years.Darla
P.S. If I don’t win (but I feel its my time) then I simply must buy your cookbook or my son is going to have some major Cuban Food withdrawls… or I will just send him over for dinner 😉 Hehehehe!!!
Happy 6th blogaversary! I am very new to your blog, but once I found you thru a friend on FB I have been hooked…it’s only been about 3 weeks or so. I was born in LaHabana in 1961 and my family and I, mom, pop, brother & sister were put on the “banana boat” (a cargo ship which was full of bananas, and other produce heading to deliver Cuban goods) on Valentine’s Day 1963. They stuck us in the very bottom of the ship along with other Cuban families to ensure the rough seas in that hot mess with everyone getting sick for hours! Thankfully, I wasn’t even 2 yrs old yet and according to mami did the best, not vomiting or anything, just sleeping through it. They made the stop in Key West where all of us were taken by bus to the Freedom Tower in Miami for processing. Later on we were put on a bus headed for Paterson NJ where we had a cousin that had established himself there. The rest has been a wild ride — 49 years now! Although I grew up in Jersey and have my Jersey accent, I also speak my perfect “Cuban” Spanish, accent intact! I have kept our traditions and our food alive in my family and love to cook our lechon, yuca, moros, you name it! gotta have it! I was lucky enough to go back to Cuba with Mami about 7 years ago for the first time. Mami showed me all of the homes (mansions) throughout the island that she had grown up in as my Abuelo was a great businessman, aunque era guajiro primero! Most of the homes were now hotels! I guess we were pretty well off then, but had to leave it all along with the sweat and hard work that it had taken Abuelo to get to where he was. Anyway, I could write a book about all this, but basically, I feel happy to have been able to come here to the US and have a great life assimilating this culture as well, but always keeping our Cubanismo alive. Thank you for what you do, Marta! Que Dios te bendiga siempre! Rebeca
Hello dear BBf. I have been here since before the beginning! I love your blog! Although I am not Cuban, I love and have learned to appreciate your struggles. The stories are funny, heartbreaking and very enlightening! I appreciate your blog and your recipes! We struggle with many of the same things and I am honored to be in your life. Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement. I love you definitely MORE!
I found you searching for Cuban recipes on the web when you were in your second year of blogging and haven’t stopped reading since. I love the way you open your life to us and for me, every post is like a phone call from a close friend. I’ve loved getting to know you and Kikita. Happy Anniversary to you my friend. Que sigas blogiando y Que sigan las rifas!!!Besote! Ody
I was introduced to your blog by Pam and Kelly over the subject of pastelitos de guayaba 2 1/2 years ago. Maybe some day you’ll visit the valley and we will meet in person!
You’ve “captured” me for the last couple of years now! I’ve felt a strong connection since I’m Cuban living in Texas. Not much Cuban food around me, but I do live close to the Goya warehouse and I have my connections. I can relate to you in several ways, but most of all, as a mom! I admire you tremendously for following your passion and writing so well. They say when you do something you LOVE, you will most likely succeed. I hope you never stop writing!! You’ll have a lot more to write once Cuba is free someday! Felicidades y muchos mas!
FROM A FRIEND IN ORLANDO, IRMA URQUIOLAABOUT 3 MONTHS
STORIES AND RECIPIES ABOUT/FROM MY FELLOW CUBANOS. TODOS TENEMOS UNA HISTORIA DIFERENTE Y PODEMOS “RELATE”.
LA COMIDA CUBANA, NO HAY ALGO NI TAN PARECIDO Y SABROSO!
que buena idea, marta! aqui podemos compartir, hacer cuentos e historias de nuestra vida en cuba y aca.keep it up! i really enjoy your blog!
ILY
Congratulations Marta !!!! Keep blogging and we’ll keep reading!!!!
I found your blog about 2 years ago through Amy Arnaz’s blog.(missamys.com) . I like to read all your comments and Cuban food recipes. I can relate to it all, since I’m also Cuban-American. Keep up the great work !!
I needed a recipe for croquetas de jamon and i found this wonderful website early this yearWhat makes this blog unique is the “but that’s not important right now” comment,everytime i see it i can’t help but burst out with laughter
i can’t remember the exact day i found the blog, but my life changed eversince hehe. Congratulations and thanks for your stories, recipes and just your ocurrencias
i found this page by googling cookbook. neat site!
Felicidades, Marta! Wishing you many more years of happy blogging and I’m looking forward to reading each and every post! In response to one of your questions, I found you via Carrie’s blog “Billingual in the Boonies”. So glad I did!
Happy 6th Blogiversary!! I found you also searching the net for all things Cuban. I was looking mainly for recipes. It’s been about 4 years since and I always love checking in to see what Marta and family are up to.Thank You for all your entries!
I found your blog due to my love of all things Hispanic. I was a Spanish major so I am always trying to keep up with the culture.What do you enjoy most about this blog? I love reading about your family. I feel like I know them. You are all just so real and interesting! 🙂
Thank you for keeping me entertained!
My brother called me up one day, and said, “You have got to check out this blog! This woman is amazing; she loves all things Cuban, and she reminds me of you.” Well, I checked out the blog a few months ago, and have been hooked ever since. My husband is not Cuban, but in the thirty four years that we have been married, he has become more Cuban than me! What do I enjoy/love about Your blog….EVERYTHING…the red lipstick, the out of control pictue taking, the incredible old world Cuban recipes, your amazing family, outdoor movie night (awesome!). What don’t I enjoy? I love it all! I’m wondering what wonderful thing you are doing for Thanksgiving, but, “That’s not important right now.” LOL
I think I have been reading your blog for 3 years! A friend I reconnected with on Facebook told me about your blog… Been reading ever since! Congrats!!!
I found you while searching for cuban “things” in LA after moving from a Cuba a few years ago. Felicidades!
I grew up in Hialeah, Fl during the 1960’s and have always had Cuban friends. I found your blog through one of them about 3 years ago. It is always enjoyable to read your posts. Happy Blogsiversary! 🙂
Ive been reading your blot and follow you on facebook for over a year now. Reading your posts and blog entries reminds me of my own stories growing up in Hialeah. How I miss those days and the precious time with my grandparents.I’m a first generation Cuban American and I love being me! Its interesting and refreshing to not only hear your stories but also everyone else out there and where we’ve ended up over the years.
Thank you for making that possible!
I believe I found you on Facebook but I am not sure, it may have been Youtube. I have been following for maybe a year and a half, maybe two years. I am not Cuban but I like Cuban culture and I enjoy your posts 😉
I just subscribeed to ur blog but been a fan for awhile now on Facebook. Just luv it
I came upon My big, fat, Cuban family by searching “Cubans in Los Angeles” – I have lived over 20 years in Miami and only 10 in L.A. – still having a hard time finding Cuban enclaves! Every time I hear “our” Spanish my antenna goes up and I begin to figure out how I can say hi to a total stranger. I have been following you for over a year; at least several times a week I check your page to read your new stories and “ocurrencias”. I will never be able to express my gratitude for your pastelito de guayaba recipe. My sister, my daughter-in-law, my daughter, they have all made their own pastelitos at home, thanks to you. And my 82 year old mother said: “¡Se la comió esta señora con su receta!” By the way Marta, I have to remember to share a recipe with you – flan de chocolate. To die for!