Today's a special day for me. Of course, it's New Year's Day, but today also marks the first anniversary for PhamFatale.com. I can't believe I've been blogging every single day for an entire year. I managed to complete all of my 2009 resolutions except for making macarons (there's always 2010).

Cooking for a large crowd can be challenging at times, but it's so worth seeing your loved ones enjoying the fruit of your labor. I find it incredibly rewarding. Food is an ephemeral art form, so it's easy to forget what you've made, and what you've eaten. This site in a way has become a record of the dishes I've prepared for and with my friends and family. Several food-related posts and exactly 305 recipes were published this year. I don't know how long I'll keep doing it, but so far, I'm enjoying it a lot. It's been a real pleasure to learn from, share tips and otherwise interact with food lovers from around the world.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support this past year. Even if sometimes I'm a little overwhelmed and I don't have time to answer all your lovely comments, I want you to know that I read every single one of them and they always fill me with joy. In fact, the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is stumble over to my computer to read the new comments and emails. That, a cup of milk and a Europe 1 podcast (French radio) complete my morning rituals.

So let me be one of the first to wish you a bonne année (Happy New Year), bonne santé (good health) and of course a lot of delicious dishes for the New Year to come!

Isn't downtown Los Altos beautiful during the holidays?