Comments from the (chocolate-covered) Peanut Gallery

wow sex bomb babies! those look great.

I agree with you about commenting. I would never feel offended if I didn’t get comments from people. It’s not about how many comments I can get, blogging is just a positive expression for me, and I wouldn’t care if I got 0 comments everyday. It’s not about that for me.

that being said, I do feel a little stressed sometimes when it comes to commenting on other blogs. I want people to know I’m reading, so sometimes I feel the need to have to comment on a lot of blogs. but I do comment on the popular ones and the little ones too. I enjoy what I enjoy. you know ?

thanks for posting about this, it has been on my mind lately.

I completely feel like this. Honestly, if I take my time to comment on a popular blog about something meaningful, I really would appreciate a response back – in comment, email, whatever – at some point. I try to respond to everyone who EVER comments on my blog. After all, commenters are what makes peoples blogs popular. If commenters aren’t appreciated and shown appreciation, I just think it is rude. I agree with you that there are many ‘diamonds in the rough.’ I LOVE finding new blogs that are incredible.

I think the whole comment scenario is somewhat overrated–I mean somedays you just don’t have time, or other times theres just nothing you really feel is worth typing out and saying in a comment. However, that being said, I do tend to comment more on people that comment back because I find it somewhat like a conversation going back and forth and usually a convo is two-sided. That being said, I wouldn’t let commenting/blogging get in the way of real life–you know what you should do girl, and regardless, I will still be reading and commenting 🙂 Thanks for sharing this!

Aw, Katie – you are amazing, but I think we all know that there are only 24 hours in your day just like everyone else.
Just keep doing your thing, girl!!!

you’re so cute Katie…I think everyone loves you and what you share and that’s why they comment. At least that’s why I do! Don’t worry so much..It’s not worth it 🙂

You are not selfish at all for posting this! It only makes me want to read your blog more, because this confirms what a truly lovely, kindhearted and honest person you are. You fully deserve all the time spent doing what you love, and whatever you post, your readers will be waiting loyally to read and ponder! Thank you for your honesty and courage Katie.

girl,

1. of course a comment from you on my blog feels awesome 🙂 not because of your “popularity,” but because you are so sweet! and funny 😉

2. i do feel pressure to comment on blogs a lot, whether it be because they commented on mine, or i want to make others feel good about having comments? i don’t know, it does get stressful. but i never leave a comment because i feel like i have to, i only leave them if i really have something to say.

3. sex-bomb babies?!?!! forreal? epic genius-ness goes out to your mama 🙂

♥ lindsey

It’s really, really difficult to comment in response to each and every comment you get every single day. It would be a full-time job (and an unpaid one at that).

I have a lot of blogs in my reader, and I will comment on ones that really move me to comment – or someone I happen to be closer to. Doesn’t mean I don’t read the blogs or appreciate what they have to say, but if commenting becomes a chore, then it makes reading less and less fun. Does that make sense?

Maybe if someone could come up with a way to eliminate sleep, then we could all comment all the time LOL!

I totally feel like that sometimes!! There are really only a few blogs I actually read, I mostly just like to skim blogs for recipes so I often don’t comment/don’t have time to really read through them. I made my blog more as a way to keep track of recipes for myself, but sometimes don’t want to post on food or don’t have time to post and feel a little guilty. I’ve made peace with that though and after taking some time off blogging decided that I didn’t care how many hits my blog got as long a it made me happy. 🙂 Keep on doing what you’re doing – love the blog and I love that you have a full life outside blogging as well. Gotta keep a good balance!!

By the way – I need to take myself out of the Vita mix giveaway… my parents just got me the new Vita Mix 5200!!!!!

“But not-so-logically, I have a fault of being way to sensitive to peoples’ feelings and worrying about hurting them.”

Katie, this is what makes you so wonderful! We all read your blog and love it (and you!) because you are so selfless and kind. And guess what? Those attributes have very little to do with the volume of comments you leave on other people’s blogs. We understand! And anyone who doesn’t – or who stops reading your blog because you didn’t comment on hers – probably only wanted to use you and your famous name (hehe) to gain popularity. 😛

Do what’s fun for you. If that means commenting less or even blogging less, so be it! No matter what you do, we’ll still support you. So go on and post that put-yourself-out-there post; we’re ready and waiting to give you all the encouragement and support you could possible need – and then some!

omg please don’t feel mean or selfish!! aww katie, you’e the farthest thing from that! what i’ve always admired about you is that you’re NOT a “foodie,” all of your eats are very creative but totally approachable for anyone to try. i love that despite your blog’s popularity, you haven’t let it go to your head :). i’ve noticed (with sadness) how a lot of the “big” bloggers ignore the newbies, i guess they seem to forget that they started out with exactly 0 readers themselves! that being said, comments are so much fun, and my eyes light up every time i see one in my inbox, but comments are not what blogging is about! of course i get excited when i see a comment from you, beacuse you’re awesome, and if i made a recipe from ya it’s fun to share the “experience” or whatever with you, but i would never feel insulted if you didn’t comment! i know our lives are all busy, and blogging should NOT be the #1 time consumer on the list, you should be out enjoying life and doing all the things you love to do!

ok basically, love ya katie! hope i still see ya around elsewhere on the blogworld, but if not, i’m STILL going to keep reading yours and probs commenting too, just because i love it and want to!

I feel overwhelmed sometimes trying to comment on all the blogs I follow! But you have to take care of yourself and step away from the computer screen.

And thank you for being one of the first people to comment on my blog, you have no idea how much it meant!

Don’t apologize for having a life! You are a person, with interests outside of the computer, and that’s OK! You shouldn’t feel obligated to comment on anyone’s blogs. Yes, I agree some bloggers who are “popular” (this is like high school!) are high and mighty on themselves, but forget about them! You seem sweet and sincere, and don’t have to prove anything to anyone!

Katie!!!

Don’t beat yourself up about the blog commenting thing! I am sure all these wonderful people understand that you can’t commit your entire life to the food blog world. 😀
I don’t think anyone is crossing you off of their to read blog list just because you didn’t comment back!
I think this post clearly shows that you do your best and that you don’t just ignore blogs but appreciate everyone’s comments!

Cheer up peanut! Even if, BIG IF, you lost commenters or readers (which I highly doubt) I will be there, reading your blog every day! 😀

xxx

Katie, your honesty and true kindness you feel towards others is really what matters. I enjoy reading your blog every day, even though I barely recieve comments on mine. You inspired me to start my blog and showed me that being a vegan was possible. Without you, I don’t feel like I would have had the confidence to do it, even though I really wanted to. So thank you for always being there, even though you may not always realize how much of an impact you have had on others. I will always be a loyal reader and I hope other will see your good intentions, too.

Have a lolvey day! xox

P.S. I tried your soy-free (agar agar) pudding yesterday. Out. Of. This. World. Let’s just say it’s making another appearance today… it was all I could do not to make another batch last night :P.

I figured this would be a perfect post to de-lurk. Hi! Just wanted to say I’m a new reader, and I’m very (very!!) excited to start making some of your recipes! My hubby and I are in a crappy living situation and don’t have enough access to the kitchen, but as of next Saturday, we’re outta here! I am truly excited to go through your recipes and start cooking/baking. Have a great rest of your weekend, and don’t feel guilty for not commenting on every blog you follow. I used to feel guilty, until I realized I follow over 250, so it’s just not possible on a daily basis. Be well…

Aw, Katie, you’re adorable but this post made me sad! I completely understand, though. You are a very sweet person and you don’t deserve to be brought down by these lousy thoughts! But now you’re gotten it all out there so I hope you feel that catharsis. I personally would never expect a reply to begin with, and I would read your blog whether or not I ever received one. You’re sunshine-y to read, and that’s probably what I love the most – don’t let these thoughts cloud you over =D!

katie, i only recently discovered your blog (from a mention on cammy’s tippytoediet) but you seem like such a sweet, sensitive person. and i’m thankful that you share your view of the world with us, chocolate included! it’s wonderful that you are so concerned about people’s feelings and wouldn’t the world be a better place if we were all more like that. but i agree, ya gotta take care of yourself, girl, and live your life. anyone who faults you for that is possibly a little bit of a stinker 🙂
when we take care of ourselves, then we have more to give to others. does that make sense?
have a fabulous day!

Goodness gracious, I can’t imagine how you have the time to do all the commenting that it sounds like you have been doing… I have a teeny, tiny blog compared to yours and while I try to check out commenter’s blogs I CERTAINLY don’t have time to always do so and I definitely don’t have the time to comment on them all.

You are awesome enough without trying to be superwoman! Just be your lovely self! 🙂

While, we of course all love to hear from you, we ALL understand the time it takes and how it’s good to step back and not let blogging become a chore. I still plan to read your blog because I truly enjoy it. And part of it is because you aren’t solely obsessed with posting about food and only food. I’m no foodie either. I like to find healthy eats and recipes to try and share, but don’t spend tons of time figuring out new food ideas or taking pictures of my food either. It’s good to be well rounded with many passions and interests, which you are.

And yes, comments always make my day too! I totally hear you on that. But at the same time, its not necessary either if you use blogging for the right reasons of an outlet to express yourself. 😉

AHhh don’t EVER feel pressured to read MY blog. I make your recipes because I love you and I love your creativity, NOT because I want to be promoted. I feel a little overloaded with reading blogs sometimes, and I have to remind myself the reason I blog (it’s a creative outlet for me!) – so I can’t get upset if no one reads it because I do it for myself. I (of course!) love getting comments and positive feedback, but I don’t expect anyone to share the love of MY food like I do. Hah. Blog because you love it, not because you want other people to love you. 🙂 (Although, I think people love you so much JUST because you ARE you)…shake those guilty feelings and just do your thang.

You won’t be abandoned for admitting that! Your readers love you! Don’t feel selfish for not always being able to comment, because you have, as you said, *plenty* to do in the real world outside of blogland. Blogs are for entertainment, fun, sharing, and support. Other bloggers will still know that you are reading their blogs, and simply reading each other’s blogs can keep bloggy friends in touch too. 😀

I am a lurker…I admit that because I read your blog every time you post and I don’t always comment because I don’t always have the time and I don’t always know what to say…but this post reminded me that even the big bloggers still appreciate and get excited about comments. Thank you sooo much for being so inspirational, creative and unique! Thank you for being so awesome and honest here. Please do what you need to do to bring the fun back because blogging is supposed to be fun, not a chore! I’ll always read, no matter what!

katie never feel guilty!!! you are an amazing blogger and such a kind person! dont even fret about losing readers becuz i know that everyone is grateful to your blog for tons of reasons and we love that you update so often and appreciate comments and do shoutouts!

you are one of my fav.bloggers and simply put you have a heart of gold.

accept that you are awesome and we have no problems hehehe 😀

so i guess while you say thanku to us so many times its finally time for us to say a big thank u to u!

Thanks katieeeeee!
—Bella Lena

i agree with you 100% about the blogs that get hardly any recognition. they are like diamonds in the rough! and i am crap for commenting usually but you know i got nothin but loveee for you <3 thank god google reader exists, right?! mwah! have a great sunday sweetheart!

Hahaha when I started my blog I seriously had no idea how much comments are involved in blogging. (or that they are at all!) It was only a month ago that it clicked “comments=comments.”

To tell you the truth, it seems much more superficial now. You can tell when you get a comment from someone who didn’t read one word you write.

I get so excited when I get comments too… I can’t imagine how hardit is to keep up and thank/comment on 50+ blogs a day!!

You’re such a sweetheart and you’re loved no less- at all!! You are so kind-hearted and everyone understands. (And I think they would understand even if you didn’t write this post!!)

-Mae
(www.ohhmay.wordpress.com)

I totally feel you on this! This semester is just so completely overwhelming for me . . . and I feel so bad when I get behind on blogs! I want to read everyone’s and leave comments for everyone, but sometimes it takes me a while to get a chance. It’s not that I don’t appreciate and love blog world, it’s just that I have so many other commitments and not enough time. I just try to do my best! 🙂

Your blog is always so fun and cheery…and that is why people are reading! Not because they expect you to throw a comment back there way, but to show appreciation for what you do and the happiness you display while doing so! I’m sure there are those out there who have expectations and “blog” for all the wrong reasons, but no one needs to worry about them because those of us with lives know what we need to be fulfilled:) I think it’s EXCELLENT that you worry about these kind of things, it just shows how much you really do care, but try not to so much!:)

As a fairly new blogger myself, I want to thank you for paying attention to the “little guys” (so you better come check mine out now! STAT! 😀 [completely joking])

I’ve been surprised at how much time writing/editing blogs and networking takes, but at the same time it’s only when you start blogging that you realise how joyful it is when people read and comment – so I definitely see both sides of your argument here!

As everyone seems to be saying – just do what’s right for you – ultimately, blogging should be your happy time, not a burden! You write and comment when you ahve time, and we’ll come read and reply when we have time! Everybody wins 🙂

Katie, you really need to stop second-guessing yourself. I know it’s because you’re such a kind and sensitive person, but have a little faith in yourself and realise that no-one will hate you or stop reading just because you might not have commented to them in a while. Even if one or two people take offence, it would be so petty to do so that to be honest it would be their loss and not yours.

Heck, I find it hard to keep up with responding to 7-10 comments which is what I usually get, let alone 80+ which is what you seem to average out at! Perils of being so popular and gorgeous, eh 😉

You have a life to live and the world doesn’t revolve around blogging ~ we all understand that! And I for one eagerly await your ‘put yourself out there’ post because they’re always so well argued and the blog world needs more people like you willing to initiate healthy debate and discussion.

*hugs* and stop worrying so much!

~Jess~

Blogging is tough girl, no lie! I feel the same way sometimes…. I LOVE when people comment on my blog and I love getting to know people that way. Right now what I’m trying to do though is only comment when I know I have something to say – if I have to scroll back through the post to find something to say, then I figure there will be a different post I can comment on 🙂 I know I’ll still read!

Those sex bomb babies look amazing!

I love your post about making comments. I love to see that people are reading my blog and the only way you know who they are is when they leave a comment. The only comments I usually get are from friends in real life who got me into blogging in the first place. When people I don’t know leave a comment it is such an amazing/wonderful feeling. I just started blogging about 7 months so I still consider myself knew to blogging. I am not to concerned about what people think if they don’t want to read then they don’t have to, but I do love it because it is a great way to track what is going on in your life. It is like a time capsule/yearbook of all the good and bad.

I am not a blogger and I guess I enjoy reading certain blogs like yours; and I will continue to read. I love your experimental recipes and random stories not food related. I only read 5 blogs or so and it takes some time, so I can understand when you say you don’t want to read dozens (although I consider myself a foodie, but I have school and basketball/sports in my life too!)

Katie, I come here because I love your blog, I love your recipes, I love the fact that you are a young person living a healthy life and that your family supports your decision. I could only hope that my daughters grow up to be such a wonderful, thoughtful and healthy girls like you!

I know exactly what you are saying about commenting on blogs. I love blog reading and definitely read too many. But, life is life and we have to live it, not spend it on the computer all day! Feel free to never visit or comment on my blog! Get out there and live!!!!

It’s not humanly possible to visit every single food-related blog out there, Katie, AND comment on every single post. It just isn’t. Life is short. It is to be lived. It’s sweet that you are concerned about these things, and other people’s feelings. But we understand that you’re ONLY one person….

Big hugs,
Michele

i hear ya! we shouldn’t feel stressed because we haven’t read/commented on all the blogs we want to… i’m trying to get better at that myself, and comment when i feel like i have something to say 😉 i hope to get to make a recipe of yours before the 30th, but things have been crazy… at least i’ll link!

I’m coming out of hiding (it’s vegetation) to tell you not to feel bad! I did a whole lot of pruning recently in my google reader and have also been following blogs silently for a while. It made me feel bad to do it, but my whole life was being taken over by blogs!

Blogging is meant to be fun and enjoyable, not stressful and making us feel terrible about ourselves!

I’ll be here, still reading silently and commenting from time to time, but the most important part is…..I’ll still be here reading!

hey girl. I understand where you are coming from.

To me I don’t get why some of the more popular blogs get a billion comments..and other decent smaller blogs get..5. haha it makes no sense. I’m glad you brought this up.

Aww, I’m sorry you’re feeling guilty. That’s no fun. After reading all the nice notes (I’m not even calling them comments!) that your readers have left you, I hope that you don’t feel guilty or selfish anymore. You are young and fun and beautiful – you should be enjoying life, not chaining yourself to this comment madness!

One of the reasons why I wanted to move to a new blog with a new name and username was because I wasn’t going to be able to keep up with comments anymore and I wanted to start all over again. Wing-it used to get about twice as many comments as my new blog gets, but that’s only because I felt like I needed to return every single comment that was left for me and it kept escalating until it was too time (and energy) consuming. What really makes me happy is when I see that people have added my blog to google reader! I just want people to read my kookiness, and although comments also make me smile, it’s OK if my readers don’t feel like leaving me any feedback.

This has absolutely nothing to do with this topic, but did you see that Mr. Phoenix shaved off his big beard? 🙂

AMEN for this post. I’m not sure I understand all the politics of blogging but it’s pretty obvious when people want to be popular vs. when people want to join the community and share their personalities. I feel guilty for not leaving comments (or reading) every single person’s blog…but I can’t keep up! Thank you thank you for sharing this- I feel a lot better!

Hey Katie! I featured your fudge babies on my blog! Check it out!

Bring Back the Fun CCK! Only you have that power. Here’s a quote that’s very fitting rt now:
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.” -Bill Cosby.
Succeed, my friend!! Succeed!! YAY!!
Love You Katie

It is hard trying to balance writing a blog, reading comments, and trying to comment back and visit everyone else’s blog! But ultimately, I think readers find blogs they enjoy, and stick with them, whether it’s reciprocal or not. Because we care about the content. Although, I always get a thrill when my favorite bloggers visit me and leave me comments!

Anyway – your readers won’t mind whether you visit us or not! We just like visiting your “blog kitchen!”

YW
(aka: A Green Spell)

Sex bombs look killer!

A while back, Oprah once said on her talk show that she stopped shaking every audience member’s hands, because it took too much energy out of her on a daily basis.

Which comes to my point that I don’t think you should feel pressured to comment on or read everyone’s blog. I don’t know how some of you could reply to so many responses. Most blogs are a hobby and not work. Bloggers have lives other than the blogworld. I think your group replies are good enough. Only if someone asks a specific question, do I think it involves a personal response. Now this is my opinion based on the volume that you receive. For a blogger that has less than 30 people commenting, of course it is easier to reply individually. I think you are one of the sweetest and one of the more considerate bloggers out there. I agree with you that there are a lot of bloggers that are only commenting on the “BIG” blogs and ingnoring the others. And that’s because they are trying to get more traffic, so they can get freebies or become the next “Julie, Julia”. I love your blog and I wouldn’t change a thing! 🙂

oh Katie, you don’t have to worry so much about commenting on people’s blogs. We know you’re busy with your own stuff. I used to worry about commenting on other blogs to get more comments, but then I found myself stressing out more and sometimes I was very aware of what I typed. This all made blogging become a chore for me, so I stopped worrying about all of that and just did what I could. I think you just have to find that “balance” you know. Nowadays I visit blogs and don’t visit them. Sometimes I comment and sometimes I don’t. true I’ve lost some readers, but I knew that as long as people were still reading, I’d still be blogging. Hope this helps! 🙂

P.S. I was so overwhelmed that I completely forgot about the Vegan Thursdays. ah!

Every time I get a comment I am so happy. That doesn’t mean that when I don’t have one, I’m not happy.
Blogging has to be for yourself first, I think, and you seem like one happy gal!
Now go cover something in chocolate and CONSUME!! That’s what I’m doing, 100+ posts ro read in Google Reader. Yipes! 😛

Hey girlie,
Thanks for putting this out there. It’s just crazy how much the blogosphere can stress us out, when it is supposed to be a fun hobby! I’m not a big blogger and still have so many comments that I want to respond to. I can’t imagine what a really big blogger goes through. I never want people to feel obligated to comment on my blog. I’ve stopped trying to comment on every single post for every blogger I read, because it is just impossible. There are so many good blogs out there that I could never keep up!
I would rather comment occasionally and have it be meaningful and genuine 🙂
P.S. Thank you for adding me on FB! I don’t talk about my blog on there, just FYI, but I am glad we can be buddies and connect on that level, too!

This is the most honest post ever!

It’s exactly how I feel right now. I try to comment on a few blogs every day so that people will get a chance to be familiar with my page. Also, since I’m still small, I read and reply to just about every comment. I don’t worry about only posting certain content though; I post what I want to post.