A little over two years ago, I began writing Random Cravings on a whim. I am one of the most passionate people you will ever meet when it comes to food, and I had never had an actual outlet (other than my own kitchen) where I could express my complete and total love of all things culinary. My passionate little blog grew wings and started to fly pretty quickly, and soon, I was savoring culinary experiences I never dreamed would happen to me. I met many of my culinary idols, and even befriended some of them. I tasted ingredients and dishes I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams, and honed my own personal cooking skills based on my experiences. I found so many new friends along the way, both in person and on social media, and even proudly defended myself against a few who thought I was just in this for the attention.
The truth is, I was never in this for the attention. Every second I spent on Random Cravings stemmed from a true, passionate, everlasting adoration of food. That love still burns as strong as it ever did, but as my blog has grown, so has the time it requires to keep it going. Mixed blessing that it is, unfortunately, the growing pains have resulted in the need for me to put an end to the wonderful little blog that I love so much.
Those of you who I know personally know that I burn the candle at every end possible in order to keep producing new material for Random Cravings. For those of you who don’t know me, let me explain – Random Cravings is not my job. It is basically a hobby, although that term seems to belittle it somehow. It is a hobby that I adore more than I could ever explain. But I am a full-time paralegal, with a relatively stressful job. I also work as the bookkeeper for my husband’s business. Speaking of Mr. Random, I have a husband who has never, ever complained about a second I spent publishing Random Cravings, and has fully supported me every step of the way, but who deserves more of my time. I have a daughter who, in five short years, will be leaving for college, and time with her seems to be growing increasingly valuable every day. It has gotten to the point where I have no time for even the simple joys in life, and I am becoming a stressed out, cranky person – a person who is the polar opposite of the real, optimistic, generally cheerful me.
I am not sure how I kept this pace up for as long as I did, but its toll is starting to show. This is not how things are supposed to be – cooking and writing about food is supposed to be my lifeblood, what makes me deliriously happy, and lately, all it does is cause me stress. I miss spending good, quality time with my family, and I miss cooking just for the simple enjoyment of it. I don’t know when cooking because I want to turned into cooking because I have to, but I must change it back immediately. I have always said that I am more relaxed when I spend time in my kitchen than during a day at a spa, but lately, neither option seems to be able to relax me. I have literally not a second to breathe, and unfortunately, that is sucking the joy out of what I love to do.
So, short of a miraculous job offer as a full-time food writer (a girl can dream, right?), I must say goodbye to my little corner of the culinary world. This will be my last post on Random Cravings. I am so grateful for everyone who read Random Cravings, every person I met and everything I was fortunate enough to experience over the past couple of years. I still have a completely unbridled passion for food, and I plan to continue to indulge it whenever I can, simply for the pure joy it brings me.
So sorry to know that Random Cravings will no longer be there for all of us who loved your posts. But as we all know – doors close and others open. I don’t think this is the last we will heard from you Holly! Have fun with your family and cook up a storm!
Thanks!
This is the honesty that made your blog so much fun to read. I know how much of a leap it is to go from cooking as a hobby to cooking as a job, then adding a blog. It *is* a full time job and with all of your other life, I’m surpised you kept it going this long. Thank you for years of good food stuff: recipes, photos and stories. Plus, thank you for becoming one of the social media friends you talked about
. I wish you and your family-time plenty of smiles and great meals we’ll never hear about! 
Sunny
Thanks Sunny! And don’t worry…you’ll still hear from me (and about my cooking) on Twitter!
sorry to see you go. I did like your restaurant reviews and pix.
Thanks Sarina!
You are one class act! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. You were always honest and entertaining. Good luck in the future and please consider coming back at some point. You will be missed!
Thanks Carol!
I have only recently begun to follow Random Cravings and everything that I have read, I have thoroughly enjoyed. I am sorry to see that it has become a chore vs. an enjoyable pleasure. Like Karen, I do not
think this is the last we have heard from you Mrs. Random. Maybe you will have some free time for drinks with a friend……
Definitely!
Good luck on all your future endeavors. Your blog was fun to read and sure we will see more of you. Your reasons for stopping make complete sense to a ‘family-person’ like me who loves to cook for fun:)
Wishing you the best, Peri.
Thanks!
Holly,
As sorry as I am to see the blog go, I truly empathize with you. I am at the same crossroads right now, deciding whether to continue to blog or not. I know exactly how you feel, When cooking becomes less of a joy and more of a job. I am glad to know that I am not the only blogger who feels this way. I wish you and your family all the best and will miss your so eloquently written blog.
Cheers! Heather
Thanks Heather!
I’m so sorry to hear this news! Holly, I wish you the best of luck! I know all too well how you feel. I’m so glad we got to meet at ACWFF last year! I hope to see you around at future festivals as well. If you’re ever in Philly let Aly and I know! We’d love to meet up! Keep in touch!
Thanks! I’ll be sure to keep in touch via Twitter!
Dear Mrs. Random,
As you know I am really sad to see Random Cravings’s last post. I like to believe it is the “last post for now” and that at some point there will be more to come. Actually I am quite sure about that because you have so much talent and such a great personality that you will find an outlet to let it shine.
Baci,
Serena
Wow – thanks!
Aw, I’m sorry you have to end the blog but I’m so glad I got to “meet” you through it! Best wishes in your life!!
Thanks Allison! I’ll still be around on Twitter, so we can keep in touch!
I’m really going to miss your blog. Will you still post the occasional great recipe and let us know when you’re on The Chew?
You’ll still see me on Facebook…and maybe you’ll come over for dinner sometime!
Auntie Random and I were just on this past Tuesday’s episode – you can watch it here: http://beta.abc.go.com/shows/the-chew/episodes
I actually saw the episode because I knew you were on it. That food looked insanely good.
Holly,
So sorry to hear that you are stressed — I know how much you enjoyed your blog at one time. But you are putting yourself and family first — as you should. Hope things calm downa a bit and you can enjoy life more — Love, “Mom :C:
Thanks…hopefully we will see you soon!
Mrs. Random, I have enjoyed keeping in touch with you through your blog. I know you will find ways to keep your passion going, I will be in NJ the last 2 weeks in July and hope we can make our schedules work this time.
Definitely!!
As you can see by the responses so far, you have made a huge impact for foodies everywhere from your corner of foodie world! We are so proud of you!!
Auntie Random
Thanks! I am so grateful for Auntie Random and Uncle Random!
I’m a relative newcomer to your blog and have enjoyed every minute of it, but I can understand that you need more family time, which is something one can never retrieve once it is gone. So enjoy your relative “leisure” and someday, somehow you will again be giving all of us food pleasures via your writings.
Thanks Elle!
Holly, I was shocked to read this. I know how much Random Cravings means to you, but I know your family is everything to you. Maybe now we’ll have time to go out to dinner again. See you Tuesday.
Thanks Robin – dinner sounds great!
Holly – .Have to admit that I was surprised to hear this. I can certainly understand the work that goes into keeping up a blog and trying to balance that with everything else. I hope that we continue to keep in touch, get to Mr Random’s place for a drink, and maybe we’ll still see you down in AC.
Thanks!!
You should be very proud of your Random Cravings accomplishments. It takes an incredible amount of time and love. Your blog was always one of my favorite stops on the net . Thank you for all the great tips on local restaurants, recipes, and other cool foodie fun. I was thrilled to have met you a few times at food festivals and to find that you are the same interesting, friendly, happy person that your blog makes you seem to be. I hope we run into each other in the future. Random Cravings will continue to be my FAVORITE food blog. Cheers!
Thanks for being one of my very first readers – hopefully I will run into you at a food adventure in the future!
Holly, I know all too well the precarious “balance” of work, family, and self-fufillment. While I totally understand your decision, I have to say: you will be missed!
While i fully understad WHY, I will miss your blog. Which is pretty much what everyone else is saying. Enjoy the scraps of free time this decision creates!
Thanks Audrey!