Ring out wild bells to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light:
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.
Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~ Alfred, Lord Tennyson ~1833
Welcome to my FIRST post of 2017! A Year of Awards, Travel & Recipes – 2016 was a hugely successful year for me professionally, but ended with heartache when my dad died suddenly on the 1st of December; dad was one of my biggest fans and “followed” me all over the world on my travels, and commented on all of my travel posts (and my food posts) here, on Lavender and Lovage, as well as on Facebook…….obviously the loss of a parent is a hugely emotional, but I am determined to carry on as usual throughout 2017, as dad was so proud of me and what I’d achieved; and I intend to go from strength to strength, to be as creative as always, as well as continuing to travel, write, create recipes and remember that although he may be gone in the physical sense, he will ALWAYS be with me in my heart and mind.
Christmas was a quiet affair this year, but as soon as I opened my new desk diary on New Year’s Day, I felt that although there are personal challenges to overcome this year, and that nothing will ever be the same again, there was a sense of hope and renewal……the chance to make my mark and continue with what I love to do, both here on Lavender and Lovage, and behind the scenes with my freelance work. Today’s post is a selection of photo collages from last year, from January to December – which was a year of fascinating travel opportunities, and also a year where I won TWO major awards and worked with some pretty amazing British brands, magazines and supermarkets.
Also, there is a new look on Lavender and Lovage! My logo has been updated to incorporate TRAVEL…..what do you think? I love it – for me, it says and conveys exactly what is covered on my blog and all my social media feeds……it’s all about FOOD and TRAVEL with a few wild cards such as gardening, lifestyle and hotel and restaurant reviews in between.
I’d now like to wish all my readers a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and may 2017 be kind to you, as well as being happy, healthy and filled with joy! Karen
AWARDS:
In November last year, I was shortlisted along with The Curry Guy, Deliciously Ella and Hungry, Healthy, Happy for the Best UK Food & Drink Blog award with Vuelio; and guess what? I WON! I was over the moon, and as I was in the Czech Republic that the time, my daughter Hannah accepted the award on my behalf at the lavish awards ceremony and dinner.
In August last year, I was thrilled to be told that I had won the Best British Food Blog as voted by the readers of one of my favourite magazines, Great British Food; Debbie and Andrews, who sponsored the Food Blog category,I was also featured in the magazine, which was hugely satisfying and also featured me on their website, along with a recipe that I created for them.
Published Books:
In 2016 I co-authored TWO cookbooks:
We Love Quinoa: Over 100 Delicious and Healthy Hand-Picked Recipes
We Love Kale: Over 100 Delicious and Healthy Hand-Picked Recipes
Travel:
2016 was a VERY exciting year for travel, and I was so busy travelling that I had to turn down lots of trips, as I was away or just needed to recharge my batteries between trips! From Qatar and Astypalea to Arctic Canada and Sri Lanka, I travelled AND cruised extensively in North America, Asia, Europe and on home soil in the UK too. You can see all my travel posts here:
I also have lots more posts to add from trips to Canada, the Dordogne Valley, the Czech Republic, a River Cruise in Germany, Italy, Spain, picking olives in Provence and more…….so DO keep popping back to see where and what I did here at home, and abroad during 2016.
Recipes:
Click on each month and the link will take you to the appropriate month to view the recipes and posts
Freelance:
Five of my Healthy Recipes under 500 calories as featured in November’s edition of Sainsbury’s Magazine
My Tear & share Christmas tree cinnamon rolls recipe as featured on the Waitrose website
FOUR delicious recipes using Mornflake oats as featured in Mornflake Mill Kitchen
LOTS and LOTS of recipes created for Great British Chefs!
As featured in the Le Creuset Living Magazine for Autumn 2016
Recipes with Egg Recipes on their Eggcentric Campaign
Not just Salad – Recipes with Florette
Working with The Caravan Trail and Churchill China:
(I have worked with many more brands too, too many to mention in one post! But they are all listed clearly in my individual posts)
Elinor aka Beachhutcook says
What a great year for your professionally. Sad that you lost your lovely dad. When I lost my crazy fun mum everything was hard and so very sad. Still is but I do what I do because of her and her love. I hear her cheering when I get a job and tut when I don’t!
Here’s to more success in your work life as it’s a joy to see.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Elinor, and also for your wise comments about how to live without a parent, you can emphasise and understand how I feel, and that is very helpful! Happy New Year to you and I hope to meet you in 2017! Karen
Elizabeth Rose says
How lovely to see the roundup of your bittersweet year Karen!
I love to read about what you’re up to, where you’re off to next and what you’re creating in your kitchen!
You’re a delightful inspiration and I wish you a healthy and happy 2017 packed full of more discoveries, travels and food!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much Elizabeth Rose and a very Happy New Year to you and yours too! Karen 🙂 xxxx
Gerry says
Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos, how good to see them month by month, a wonderful reminder of your awesome recipes and photography throughout the year. Again congratulations on your well deserved awards! I look forward to the year ahead as you share your recipes and travels … and hopefully more photos of your lovely Bed & Breakfast and that beautiful garden! To your memories and to the New Year.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you so much Gerry – it was LOVELY to finally meet you in 2015 and I am back in Canada again soon, I hope, so maybe we can meet up again! Happy New Year to you too! Karen xxx
Jennifer says
A wonderful round-up, and I do love your new logo 🙂 Sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Wishing you a happy & healthy 2017.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you so much Jennifer, and a very Happy New Year to you too! Karen xxx
Denise says
Happy new year! So sorry to hear about your dad passing away☹️.
Looking forward to to reading your blog in 2017
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you so much Denise, and a very Happy New Year to you too! Karen xxx
Johanna GGG says
Happy new year Karen! What an amazing year for your blog – and such a busy one! Your recipes and photos are so lovely – I was especially taken by your cheese wheel cake but could only hope to make a stab at the christmas tree cheese platter. I am constantly inspired by your recipes and made an easter chocolate fridge cake that was adapted from your one this year!
Best wishes for getting through the year without your dad and for another great year of blogging.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much for all of your warm and supportive comments Johanna, and also for your LOVELY comments about me and my blog, it has cheered me up no end! Happy New Year to you and yours, Karen xxx
Annette Easton says
My Very Best Wishes for the New Year and your future Travels. Thank you so much for a fantastic roundup of last year. This page is wonderful.
My kind thoughts to you on the passing of your Father, You have made all our lives enriched with your Travels and recipes.
Annette
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thank you so much for your kind and supportive comments Annette, and I am so pleased that you like what I do here too! Happy New Year to you and yours, Karen xxx
Anita-Clare Field says
An extraordinary. year of triumph and outstanding achievements. Congratulations Karen, all so richly deserved. One of the reasons I always push my self on or strive to achieve more is for my parents and you are right. They are here in our hearts and minds cheering us on., I hope 2017 is. A wonderful year for you. It will never be the same, just different. One of my darling friends sent me this and I took great comfort from its raw honesty.. The gin part obviously struck a chord too
” Think of it like an earthquake and a tsunami. Everything is still there after an earthquake, just slightly out of kilter with a few landmarks missing. You need to take your time to readjust to the new geography. As to the tsunami – you see the emotion coming, you can’t out run it, just let the wave of emotion wash over you. The next time the wave hits, it’s not so painful. I’ll have a gin on your behalf xx “.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Awwwwww……….Anita-Clare, thank you SO much for these kind, helpful and supportive words, they are just what I needed and you are such a kind and considerate person to take the time to come here write them.
As you know, I have been known to enjoy a G and T now and then, and so I will take your friend’s advice, and also yours too!
Happy New Year to you and Caro and what an adventure you are on with your new life in Devon to look forward too as well!
Karen 🙂 xxxx