Normally, the main subjects of my posts are the recipes.
I’m actually somewhat shy and don’t like a lot of attention on myself.
But many people have asked what I do as a full-time blogger.
I do not just sit around and eat cookies all day. (Too bad, ‘cause that would be fun.) I work really hard! So today’s post is going to be a little different from the normal recipe posts.
A Day in the Life:
I wake up naturally around 5am, amble downstairs, and start replying to a massive amount of emails, comments, facebook messages, and tweets. If it’s a running day, I’ll eat pre-run snack, then and answer more questions while waiting for the food to digest. [Insert run here: a little over an hour]
Upon returning, I quickly check the computer again, then eat a real breakfast.
Yesterday’s breakfast was this: 5-Minute Chocolate Oatmeal.
With breakfast done, I go back over to the computer, this time to ensure the day’s post published as scheduled. I work on writing new posts for about an hour and a half, taking mini breaks to measure dry ingredients, get one or two things started on the stove or oven, and cook something else in the microwave. (I’ve become a master at multitasking.) Then I run upstairs for a quick shower, after which I do maybe 20-30 more minutes of blogwork (writing posts, editing photos, answering questions) whilst also making lunch.
After lunch, I take Henry and Batman for a walk (unless they’re at my parents’ house, in which case I go by myself). I come back and do a photoshoot or two, since it’ll usually be nice and light out by this time. I also do some taste-testing of whatever recipe experiments were cooked that morning. Yesterday, I tested chocolate peanut butter pie and peach cinnamon coffee cake.
About two hours after lunch I’m usually hungry again, so I’ll have a snack. Sometimes the day’s experiments have turned out so well that I’ll just eat them for snack.
Yesterday’s snack was one of my favorites: Fudge Brownie Energy Bars.
Yes, more chocolate.
Then it’s back to the kitchen for more recipe experiments (and washing dishes!). I also continue to check the computer intermittently, answering questions and emails. Y’all ask a lot of questions, which I love because it means people are reading and making the recipes. I do try to answer as many as I possibly can!
Some days I run errands, often with a friend (or my roommate, if she’s off from work) to keep me company. And then it’s dinnertime, which is often followed by hanging out with whatever friends (if any) have found their way over. Our house is quickly becoming the “hang out after work” place, and I take advantage of this by giving out samples of the day’s experiments, asking for honest opinions.
Not all my experiments turn out; it sometimes takes two or three trials before I arrive at a recipe worthy of publishing… or ten in the case of my Chocolate Pumpkin Brownies!
Sometimes we’ll watch tv (Gossip Girl, Friends, whatever sports are on), but I always have a notebook in hand to multitask—brainstorming recipe combinations, writing out new posts, making a to-do list, etc. After people leave (or even sometimes when they’re still over), I’ll schedule the next day’s post, continue to tackle the never-ending inbox, eat a nighttime snack—usually more chocolate!—and finally turn off the computer. I don’t take days off, and even if there’s no post for the day I’m still working on all the other components of the site. When it’s time for bed, I rarely have a problem falling asleep.
I know some people (a lot of people?) think blogging isn’t a “real” job, but truthfully it’s no different from saying my job is: photographer, photo-editor, recipe developer, writer, and often–too often!–web technician. It’s definitely never boring!
What do you do as your job?
Do you enjoy what you do? I love almost every minute of this (except when the site crashes or an experiment fails… those times are no fun), and I really hope to continue running this website for as long as people continue to read.
EDIT: By popular demand:
Part Two: Questions and Answers
I run a small in-home daycare and I know what you mean about people not taking you seriously! Just today one of my Mom’s text me to ask how her kids were. I responded and then told her the sensory project we were working on. She sent back, Oh, that sounds like so much more fun than working…. Yes, I have a lot of fun and get to play and go outside. But don’t doubt for a minute that there isn’t work involved! Even during my “off” hours and weekends, I am still preparing and doing something for the daycare. It may be play for the kids, but the planning involved, setting up and clean up are very much indeed a job!
I’m sure it wasn’t meant as dig at me (although this is one of many comments she has said to me that always make me have to take a step back before I answer) but that along with many other snide remarks I get tend to briefly throw me off track. But the positives about this business are so worth it that I couldn’t imagine going and working outside the home ever again!
Good for you for doing in-home daycare. We use an in-home daycare provider and she is worth her weight in gold and I am sure works much harder than many people with an office job.
Awww, thanks! Its just so much more enjoyable than any office job or working in the public that its definitely less stressful so the actual work part is never as bad as any job that I have had in the past! I think its the stress and dislike of what you are doing that makes “working” so miserable!
You certainly do a REAL job, Katie!!!!! Do you know I eat your recipes multiple times a week – you have a real impact on others! So, thanks for what you do!
I am mom to 4 boys. I homeschool, am a paid cantor in my church, teach different classes, coach a First Lego League team, and do a little free-lance writing.
BTW – apparently, there are many people out there who consider what I do (SAHM) not a real job, either. Or, a luxury!!!
I am also curious as to how you make money just by blogging. I would love to be able to do that!
I was a teacher for a few years, but with our district budget cuts my job was no longer, so now I’ve gone back to my family business of property management. So thankful I have that to always fall back on and yes, I do like my job. Not necessarily for the subject matter, but being able to work with my family and have flexibility is priceless.
I hope this isn’t a rude question, but I am honestly curious about how a blogger, such as yourself, is able to make a living doing this? I’ve often wondered about social networking places as well. You hear on the news that someone sold the social networking site for millions of dollars, but it’s free so how does one make money? I imagine the advertising helps, but is that the only revenue and does it pay enough? Again, this isn’t meant to be rude in any way. I’m just curious.
Writing a follow-up post soon! 🙂
I also love getting a little glimpse into the lives of others. I’m also constantly on the go with lots of hobbies and interests to fill my time…. my ‘real’ job is currently only part time (3 days a week) and that is as an architect (sounds way more glamorous than it is) i’ve reduced my hours to make time for the things I love. I’m really into fitness and I teach Pole Exercise classes but also I love to be creative and I have my blog that I am building up slowly plus I make artworks and i’m also trying to get a lot better at photography so that one day that will form some source of income in it’sown right and hopefully in the not so distant future i’ll be able to quit the ‘real’ job!
Your hair look lovely in that photo! I’m a long haul flight attendant and today was a day off so I spent it banking sleep. Normally it’s an early start to beautify myself, I spend a lot of a working day serving food and drinks and refereeing fights between passengers about the etiquette of seat reclining all while smiling. A LOT! I’m making your corn bread tomorrow really looking forward to it 😀
JW how much do you make from the blog?
Right now, I am a baker at a local grocery store bakery. Not my dream location but it is just a stepping stone to my own bakery.
Your day sounds busy. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying your job.
I am a part time at home Criminal Researcher and Student Coordinator for a Foreign Exchange Student Program.
Look out Katie you could be the next Pioneer Woman!
Jana
How do you get your hair so shiny?:)
I think a lot of people have wanted to know the same thing! Look on her FAQ page. She answers your question there and has a link to a post called 3 Steps to Healthy Hair