Nine years ago, I started a food blog because I thought I had something to teach people about cooking and baking.

What I didn’t realize was how much I still had to learn about life.

On November 1, 2017, Practically Homemade was born. I had no idea what I was doing when it came to blogging, but I knew my way around a kitchen, loved sharing recipes, and thought maybe I could turn those things into something special.

Nine years later, here we are.

There have been thousands of recipes made, countless photographs taken, plenty of mistakes, a cookbook, and more hours spent behind a computer than I could ever begin to count.

But when I think about what these nine years have given me, the things that come to mind aren’t really about food or blogging at all.

They’re lessons about life. Some I already knew but needed to be reminded of. Others I’ve come to understand in a completely different way.

And today, on Practically Homemade’s ninth birthday, I thought I’d share nine of them with you.

1. Start before you’re ready.

If I had waited until I knew everything about blogging before I started, Practically Homemade probably wouldn’t exist.

Sometimes the only way to figure something out is to begin. You learn as you go, make mistakes, change directions, and slowly find your footing.

I’ve realized that most of the good things in life don’t come with a perfect set of instructions. Sometimes you just have to take that first step and trust that you’ll figure out the rest.

2. Trust your gut, even when the experts disagree.

Over the years, I’ve listened to a lot of advice. Some of it has been wonderful, and some of it just hasn’t felt right for me.

As a mom, I always believed that trusting your gut was one of the best things you could do. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve encouraged other moms to listen to that little voice inside them. Because sometimes, you just know.

What I didn’t realize was how much that same advice would apply to running a business.

I’ve learned that just because someone is an expert doesn’t mean they know what’s best for my life or my business.

There is something to be said for knowing yourself, understanding what matters to you, and being willing to do things a little differently.

3. People matter more than numbers.

When I first started blogging, I was pretty obsessed with the numbers. Pageviews, subscribers, rankings, and all kinds of statistics that seemed to determine whether I was succeeding or failing.

The problem with putting so much importance on numbers is that they can make life feel like a roller coaster. One day you’re on top of the world, and the next you’re questioning everything you’re doing.

Over time, I’ve learned that while numbers have their place, they aren’t what I remember most.

What I remember are the emails from readers who tell me a recipe reminded them of their grandmother. The comments from someone who made a dessert for a special occasion. The people who have taken a few minutes out of their day to share a little piece of their lives with me.

Those are the things that matter.

4. Food brings us together.

I knew this long before I started Practically Homemade, but these nine years have made me believe it even more.

Food has a way of connecting people. It can remind us of someone we love, take us back to a moment in time, or turn an ordinary Tuesday into something special.

It’s never really just about the cookies, cakes, or casseroles.

It’s about the people we share them with and the memories we make along the way.

And somewhere in these last nine years, I’ve realized that this is the real reason I love what I do. It’s not just about teaching someone how to make a recipe. It’s knowing that something I shared might become part of a family celebration, a special tradition, or an ordinary afternoon that turns into a wonderful memory.

5. The people who believe in you are priceless.

There is something incredibly powerful about having someone believe in you, especially when you’re having a hard time believing in yourself.

Writing my cookbook was a perfect example of this. My name might be on the cover, but there were dozens of people who encouraged me, supported me, and helped make that dream a reality. It may have been my cookbook, but it certainly wasn’t something I accomplished alone.

I’ve been fortunate to have people celebrate with me, remind me to keep going when things felt hard, and believe in what I was doing even when I had doubts.

And I’ve learned how important it is to be that person for someone else, too.

A little encouragement can go a very long way.

6. Being busy isn’t a superpower.

For a long time, I think I believed that being busy meant I was accomplishing something.

There was always another recipe to make, another photograph to take, another thing to cross off the list.

But I’ve learned that a full calendar doesn’t necessarily mean a full life.

These days, I’d much rather have an afternoon with my grandson than another thing checked off my to-do list. Nine years ago, I might not have been able to say that.

Some of the most meaningful moments happen when we slow down enough to notice them.

I’m still learning this one.

7. You don’t have to keep becoming someone new.

There is so much pressure to constantly improve, change, and reinvent ourselves.

And while I love learning and growing, I’ve realized that sometimes growth isn’t about becoming someone different.

This year, more than ever, that lesson has really come to life for me. I started the year feeling like I needed to find “that thing.” Something new that would make life feel more meaningful or fulfilling.

But somewhere along the way, I realized that maybe I didn’t need to find anything new at all. The things that bring me joy, give me purpose, and make my life meaningful were already there. I just needed to slow down long enough to recognize and appreciate them.

Sometimes it’s about becoming more comfortable with the person you’ve been all along.

Knowing what you love, what matters, and what you no longer need to prove can be a wonderful kind of freedom.

8. What feels ordinary to you might be extraordinary to someone else.

For years, making cookies, baking cakes, and putting dinner on the table were just things I did.

They didn’t feel particularly special.

But somewhere along the way, I realized that the things that come naturally to us can be exactly what someone else needs.

I’ve always believed that everyone has a gift. Something that makes them uniquely themselves. The funny thing is that sometimes we’re the last ones to recognize it because it feels so ordinary to us.

But just because something comes easily to you doesn’t mean it isn’t special.

Whatever your gift might be, I hope you’ll find a way to share it. You never know the difference it could make in someone else’s life.

9. Success doesn’t always look the way you thought it would.

When I started Practically Homemade, I had dreams and goals, but I couldn’t have imagined where this little food blog would take me.

Some things have turned out better than I ever hoped. Others have been harder than I expected.

But nine years later, I’m beginning to understand that success isn’t always about reaching the next goal or checking another accomplishment off the list.

Sometimes it’s about looking around at the life you’ve created and realizing that you’re already living something pretty wonderful.

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When I think about these past nine years, I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve built.

But more than that, I’m grateful for what it’s taught me.

I’m grateful for the people I’ve met, the opportunities I’ve had, the mistakes I’ve made, and the confidence I’ve gained along the way.

And I’m especially grateful for you.

Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or just found Practically Homemade last week, thank you for being part of this little corner of the internet.

Nine years ago, I thought I was starting a food blog.

What I didn’t realize was that I was beginning something that would teach me so much about myself, about other people, and about what makes a life meaningful.

And maybe that’s the biggest lesson of all.

Sometimes the things we begin end up giving us so much more than we ever imagined.

Here’s to nine years, the lessons along the way, and all the wonderful things still to come.

Sweet Wishes,

June

Come Gather With Me

If this story felt familiar, I’d love to have you join me. Gathered is my Sunday note about food, family, memories, and finding something meaningful in the ordinary moments of life.

Pull up a chair. There’s a place for you here. 🤍