20 February 2026

Delightful Repast - 16th Blogiversary

Delightful Repast - 16th Blogiversary / www.delightfulrepast.com

Here I am, friends! It's been a while, but since I have not officially stopped blogging (just paused it), I am celebrating my 16th blogiversary this month!

Unfortunately, I haven't created a recipe for you and written about it and photographed it. Nevertheless, I thought it high time I wrote a little something.

As life takes its twists and turns, new things take over the calendar and the clock, and old interests fall lower and lower on one's to-do list. Food blogging and art are two of those interests.

Still not "feeling it" in the food department, I have been feeling the need to paint so started going through my supplies this week. Couldn't decide what to paint, then I remembered I've been wanting to send a thank-you card to someone. Since the person likes wildflowers and rustic flowers, I decided to do a little sunflower.

And I wanted to start small. It's been sooo long, I wasn't at all sure how it would go. So a tiny painting, 3.5x5 inches for a card, was a sensible choice. Several attempts wouldn't waste all that much of my expensive watercolor paper. As it happened, I felt kind of okay about the first effort and so stopped there. No paper wasted! 


Now, if I can just paint a little every few days, I'll be happy. No point in my setting the unrealistic goal of a "daily practice," which would be ideal.

Even though I didn't meet my goal of doing a food post for my 16th blogiversary, I hope you'll take a look at the Recipes index page and perhaps find something delicious among the hundreds of recipes.

Still on hiatus,
Do say Hello in the comments,
Jean  

38 comments:

Sully said...

Sounds like you’ve discovered the difference between motivation and obligation. Welcome back! Life makes it adjustments and your friends are always there. (Wildflower looks good enough to…eat.)

Anonymous said...

Hi Jean. I hope you are keeping well? Congratulations on 16 years of keeping your great blog going. All the very best, Tony

Mrs. White said...

It is so lovely to hear from you! The painting of the flower looks beautiful! You did a wonderful job! Happy anniversary!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Sully. Yes, a difference that can be either subtle or glaring.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, thank you so much.

Lynn and Precious said...

Nice to read this from you. Love the yellow flower you have painted. Quite elegant I feel. I envy this kind of artistry.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Mrs White, it's been a while, but I have tried to visit some of you lovely bloggers during my hiatus. Will see you soon!

Louca por porcelana said...

Hi Jean! Happy bloggiversary! Beautiful artwork, I love sunflowers. Best wishes!

Melynda@Scratch Made Food! said...

Congratulations, it is wonderful to have you back!

Cheryl said...

Of course I'll stop in to say "Hello!" Congratulations on your 16th blog-iversary!!
Not a frequent blogger myself these days, I do understand the ebb and flow as well as the changes in inspiration and time and season of life and so on. Life is funny like that. We'll still be here when you're feeling it again. Love your sunflower and that you answered the call to create in a different way. Take care!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lynn, thank you so much. Your life is a work of art!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Maristella, thank you. I always enjoy your beautiful photos!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Melynda! And a visit to Scratch Made Food will no doubt inspire me.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cheryl, you put that so beautifully! Thank you. You've certainly incorporated many ways to be creative in your life.

NanaDiana said...

Hello---Life ebbs and flows, doesn't it? I have had some big changes in my life in the last few years and kind of fell away from blogging on a regular schedule. I finally decided that I would blog every Friday-even if it is not what I would usually blog about. That seems to be working for me.
I love the sunflower---you did a great job. I need to get my own paints out one of these days.....sigh... Diana

Chatty Crone said...

It is good to hear from you. I have to say I think that sunflower is just elegant - I didn't know you could cook and paint! Congrats on 16 years. Sandie

Angie's Recipes said...

The painting is really beautiful, Jean. Glad that you update your blog..

ellen b. said...

Congrats on 16 years of blogging. Love your creative venture, so pretty. Cheers!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Diana, thank you so much. And I hope you will get your paints out one of these days. It's quite therapeutic!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Sandie! Those 16 years have flown.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Angie, thank you. I do hope I can post again before sooooo much time has passed!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Ellen. I so appreciate your visit.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

Your paintings are beautiful. Dont worry about blogging about food, you have many wonderful recipes you have posted over the years. Happy anniversary.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Gerlinde. Very encouraging words!

Jeanie said...

It's lovely to see your post and wish you Happy Blogaversary! I really love your sunflower. It's beautiful and delicate and has lovely detail. Do you have an area where you can just keep your paints out? I always find I'm better if I can just plunk down at a table and all I have to do is fill my water jar and get going. (Which, I might add, I haven't done since October.) It was so good to hear from you, too. Big Blog hugs!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Jeanie, thank you! Yes, I am fortunate enough to have a dedicated art table in my home office/studio. So the supplies have all been readily available all these months, but I just couldn't be bothered to "fill my water jars and get going!" I use two jars, one for rinsing brushes and one for clean water.

Sister in the Mid-west said...

Your watercolor sunflower is gorgeous! Sunflowers are my oldest favorite flower. I have many favorites now, but they were my first.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, SITMW! I have two oldest favorite flowers, one associated with each of my grandmothers. But, like you, I have many favorites now!

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Congratulations 🎊 on 16 years. Beautiful painting. ❤️ Warm greetings from a retired lady living in Montreal, Canada ❤️ 😊 🇨🇦

Jeff the Chef said...

Sixteen! That's amazing! Happy Anniversary!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Linda, thank you so much! I've only ever seen photos of Montreal. Looks lovely!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Jeff! I never dreamed when I started it that I'd keep it up for so long!

Phil in the Kitchen said...

Great to hear from you and I'm more than happy to add my "hello" (even though it's a bit delayed, sorry). Congrats on 16 years! I totally understand the "calendar and the clock" taking over and old interests fading away. To be honest, I can't understand how I managed to find time to maintain a blog of recipes, although I'm glad I did, since it forced me to write down many of my favourite recipes. I'm not feeling it in the recipe creation or recording areas these days, but I'm still enjoying cooking (especially the quick and easy dishes) and, of course, eating. Yesterday, I made a dish based on Dal Makhani (from the freezer plus added spinach, tomatoes and prawns) and I remembered you'd posted about this dish too (7 years ago, it turns out - where did the time go?). Looking through your recipe index did also remind me that I really should make some nonnettes to celebrate the coming spring. Hoping to hear from you again before too long.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Phil, thank you so much! It's a delight to hear from you! You'll hear from me soon, but I am just about turn out the lights after a very long day.

Anonymous said...

Hello Jean, Nice to hear from you and seeing your lovely card. Sixteen years...one more year than I been at it. All my blogging friends are slowly giving up; Hope you pop up every once in a while. Take care. Karen (Back Road Journal)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Karen. Glad you are still at it! I always enjoy the Back Road Journal.

Lorrie said...

It was lovely to see a comment from you this morning and I came right over to read your post. Congratulations on 16 years of blogging! The blogging mojo seems to come and go for everyone.
How great that you painted again and shared the results with us. I love the cheerful sunflower. I always make your Brown Butter Rhubarb Cake in the spring and hope to do that in a month or so once I harvest rhubarb again!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Oh, Lorrie, thanks so much! I, too, am looking forward to rhubarb, though mine will be grown by someone besides myself! Gardening is another thing that has fallen by the wayside for the time being.