Celebrating Friendship and Food in 2026
I’ve always said that I have the nicest readers that follow my blog. People from around the world that I’ve never come face to face with but feel like friends. I think Julia Child was right when she said “People who love to eat are always the best people.”
I’ve been writing about food on Back Road Journal for almost 15 years. Over the years, I realized that many of life’s joys revolve around good food and especially good friends. .
Food is not just about filling our stomachs. Food can create memories that we enjoy savoring. It doesn’t matter if it’s a meal at home or an exotic dish discovered in another country. It’s about connecting with others over a shared meal.
Food lovers enjoy discussing food on social media. We share experiences from our travels. We highlight local specialties and uncover hidden restaurant gems. We provide tips on where to buy unusual ingredients. We also offer advice on preparing a meal ahead of time for entertaining. Yes, people who love to eat are the best people.
Before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, I want to take a moment to thank each of you. I am grateful for your friendship. I appreciate you taking the time to read, like, and comment on my food and travel posts.
Your interactions really brighten my day. Your kind words about my recipes inspire me to create more delicious dishes. I am thrilled to share them with you. When I travel the back roads, you encourage me to continue taking you on new adventures.
So here is to friendships old and new. May 2026 be filled with laughter, delicious food, and fun adventures. Enjoy all the little things that make life beautiful. Create memories that will last a lifetime.
Wishing you and your family health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
Karen
💕happy new year!
Thank you.
I agree, Karen! Food brings people together! Thank you for sharing your recipes and travels with all of us. Wishing you and your husband a wonderful New Year!
Thank you Barb, I’m glad you enjoy the blog.
I agree that sharing a good meal with friends and family create memorable moments. And sharing a kitchen with loved ones to make something traditional or something new are memories that stay with us. We both started our blogging journey the same year and have supported one another all those years. I enjoy your posts whether they are recipes or your travels around the world. You are a dear friend Karen!
Thank you so much Jan, we have been traveling down the same road for a long time. Here is to more years as being blogging friends.
Being a foodie myself, I wholeheartedly agree with you and Julia. Happy New Year!
Thank you Tricia, here is to more good eating. 😊
Happy New Year! My wish for you is that you and yours experience joy and good health!
Thank you very much Kelli, I appreciate you dropping in all these years.
It’s a joy to do so!
We have been following our blogs from the start. I have enjoyed many great recipes and food ideas, as well as travel destinations. I agree, people who enjoy food are the best! Thanks for your friendship and support, Karen. Happy New Year!!
It’s nice to have blogging friends that have been faithful for so many years. Thank you.
😊❤️
You and Julia Child are so right! I cooked for people each day last week and loved every minute of it. Happy New Year to you and your family – thanks for all the blog posts!
Thank you Mad Dog, I wish I was a neighbor and could sample some of your cooking.
Me too and vice versa!
Happy New Year, love your blog and YES food people are the best. When I traveled for work, I always choose the hotel based on the location of restaurants, not the office.
Hi Danny, thanks for stopping by and your nice compliment.
Happy New Year – here’s to many more delicious and nutrious meals!
Thank you, I hope you will enjoy the new dishes I’ll be creating.
Thanks so much, Karen, for providing temptation along with the friendship. Wishing you a healthy, happy 2026. Keep those recipes coming!
Thank you Jo, I’ll be interested to see how you like the next recipe. Ho;efully it will earn your seal of approval. 💕
Happy New Year, Karen. We’ve been follow each other through thick and thin over many of those 15 years. I hope 2026 is a special one for you and yours.
I hope you keep the writing flame alive.
Thank you Gary, yes and here is to many more years, my friend..
I never heard that quote from Childs but it makes a lot of sense to me. I’ll have to start using it.
Wishing you a happy and healthy 2026.
Thank you Carol, the same to you.
Happy New Year to you, Karen!
Thank you Angie.
Methinks each and every one of us agrees with your feelings and words – we would not be sharing life here with you and each other otherwise. Thank you for your always interesting part on the journey which I also have followed for over a decade. As the New Year turns its face towards us – may there first of all be health and peace . . . the rest will follow! Blessings . . .
Thank you Eha, yes it has been many years. Let’s hope this year will be a healthy one for us all.
There’s nothing as lovely as sitting around a table with great food and the people you love most. I’ve enjoyed your blog for many years now, Karen, and am always delighted when a new post from you drops into my inbox. And yes, although we’ve never met, you do feel like a good friend after all this time. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2026 full of good travels and good food!
Thank you for your kind words Kay, I feel the same way.
Thank you Karen for all your contributions here. We always look forward to your delighful posts. We wish you and your family all the best for 2026!
Thank you.
Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2026.
Thank you Judy, lets hope 2026 will be a healthy one for us all.
Well said and Happy New Year to you.
Thank you.
Happy New Year! I look forward to more of your recipes and alway enjoy your travels!
Thank you Pam. I always enjoy your lovely gardens.
Happy New Year!
Thank you Beth.
Cheers to all that and even more to celebrate in the New Year!
Thank you for your wish Hannah.
A beautiful post! Happy New Year Karen!!!
I appreciate your nice compliment Mimi, thank you.
I love that Julia quote! Happy New Year!
Hi Jeff, I think it really is true. 😊
Karen, wishing you a very happy & healthy new year! To another 15 of blogging 🥂
Thank you very much Kiki, that would be nice.
Happy New Year! 🥂
As a long-time reader of your blog, I always enjoy your food and travel posts. Cooking is one of my main hobbies, and I feel lucky to have found a partner (now fiancé) who feels the same. Meal planning doesn’t feel like a chore 🙂
Yes you have been following along for a long time. Looking forward to reading about a wedding this year. 💕
Thanks for all that you do in inspiring us with new recipes and beautiful places to explore. Cheers to 2026!
Thank you Carolyn, I appreciate your nice compliment.
Such a lovely message Karen. Happy New Year!
Thank you Cathy, I appreciate your compliment. I’m sorry that we never got to meet during our travels to your region of Germany.
I wonder if you will travel so far again since your husband’s fall last year. I do hope he is still doing well and his mobility continues to improve. And who knows, we may meet yet!
Happy New Year, Karen! I love what you have written and agree completely — the food community we share is such a bright part of my life. I have been fortunate to meet quite a few of my blog friends — Mark calls them my imaginary friends (at least until we meet in person) — and I feel that these are true friendships. Thank you for being a part of my food-sphere. I look forward to sharing many more recipes and travels in 2026.
Thank you David. Tell Mark that your imaginary friends are very real. Who knows, perhaps someday we will all meet and spend the entire time talking about travel and food. 😊
Wouldn’t that be fantastic, Karen? I will definitely hold onto that thought!
Happy 2026 and I look forward to your culinary delights and worldly sojourns!
Thank you Mary, it is nice to know that you enjoy all my blog posts.
I couldn’t agree more with all you said, both about food and the wonderful world of blogging. The support, the learning, the friendships. I treasure them all. I always look forward to your recipes and travels — they take me around the world! Happy New Year!
Thank you for your kind words Jeanie. Lets hope this year will be a healthy one for us all.
Karen, what a great post! I could not have said it better how I feel about blogging and writing. I always enjoyed reading your blog . Wishing you a happy and healthy new year.
Thank you Gerlinde, I’m happy that you enjoyed the post.
Love Julia’s quote that you shared! Happy New Year, Karen! 🙂
Thank you Nancy, I think it is so true.
May 2026 hold all that you need!
Thank you very much Tandy.
Food really is a common language that cuts across cultures, borders and countries…but that’s what makes it fun! This was a great post, and I completely agree with everything you said. May 2026 bring many more delicious foods and great friendships!
Thank you David, that is so true. I appreciate your kind words.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Karen!
Thank you Frank, have a great year ahead.
Happy New Year To You and Yours!
I enjoyed the quote from Julia Child.
I always enjoy your travels and recipes. Here’s to many more in 2026!
Karen, this was such a warm and heartfelt read, you really captured what makes this little food‑loving corner of the internet feel like a real community. Cheers to more good food, good stories, and good company in 2026.
Happy New Year Karen! Foodies are really the nicest people and you have a wonderful way of bringing this community together. Cheers to a fabulous 2026! Healthy World Cuisine
Happy New Year to you and yours, I hope it’s a special one for you!
Wishing you a very very happy 2026! I think hubby and i have many hurdles to jump over (esp. healthwise for him) but we are hoping for a good year.
all the best
sherry https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
Karen,
What a lovely post that you shared with your readers. I have enjoyed your blog, your food recipes and insight, and your delightful personality through the years!
Cheers and salute to 2026 and beyond!
Ciao,
Roz