On March 20th, exactly 13 months after my blog was published, it was kidnapped by Blogspot and Google. I lost my work, my followers, stories that cannot come back, happy blogs, sad ones and a very big part of me. At least I have the first six months bound.
After the reality set in, I cried, cursed, had a few tantrums, broke a few things and realized that it did not help. I enlisted the help of my friends with this post on Facebook. They racked their brains out trying to bring my baby back home. Many blogger friends sent ideas to me and I received such wonderful support from all.
Blogspot kidnapped my blog,
Google held it ransom
And not even a sympathetic posse
of bloggers could get it back.
RIP
I realized how wonderful the blogging world is…full of love, compassion, support and solidarity, not to mention an enormous amount of talent. THANK YOU!
platanosmangoes.com 
Nobody is happier to see this ordeal over than me! Getting you to switch to wordpress is the icing on the cake. Now if I could only get you to ‘go mac’, we’d both be happier!!
Buena suerte, amiga!
*looks around the room* Is it possible? Am I the first one here?!!! YAY! *jumps up & down*
I’ve missed you, get cookin’!
You are just too funny. Thanks for being patient.
Hi Norma,
I know how hard that experience was, losing your former blog.
Really I hope you’ll have the BEST of the luck with this brand new blog – backup it often and enjoy WordPress 🙂
La mejor de la suerte Norma!
Gera
It’s so wonderful to see you back Norma. I was in the middle of shelling spot prawns for dinner and I thought of you. More than likely I was thinking fresh, local and sustainable and trying new foods in different ways and the markets of New York…wink.
Decimos en español: “Yerba mala nunca muere” ;D (se entiende?)
it’s great to see you back!!! I’m opening a bottle of champagne for you! ;D
Besos,
Cristina
Mi Mami siempre usaba ese refran. Gracias Cristina…
Dear Norma, Welcome back. I’m encouraged by your hope and strength….and so sorry that your blog disappeared. It is well – I look forward to reading your new posts – so take heart, we love you and are still here! Que sera sera……and chuffed that you have the first 6 months bound. Smart chic
Thank you so much for your lovely words….
I have now this little voice in my head that’s telling me to print out and ‘backup’ my blog. Funny that you come back on the week when Blogger/Google are acting up on everyone’s blogs! You rose above!
Look forward to this new chapter. Exito y felicidades!
Please do back up everything. The thing is that Blogspot/Google were not helpful at all. The most horrible experience full of frustration that one could not talk to a person…no address to write, no phone…nothing. Thanks for support Adriana.
I’m so glad you’re back, Norma! I wish you lots of success with the latest reincarnation of your blog. I’m sure it will be bigger and better than ever.
I think I had mentioned to you before that I still have access to all your old posts in Google Reader. Your photos are no longer visible, but the posts are still there. A little bit of cut and paste and you’re good as gold (I tried to find out if they could be exported into a file, but it appears that the answer is “no”).
Thanks so much Katie. I will look into it. My friend from Buenos Aires is coming on the 27th and will return mid June. She will mail your little package when she gets there.
Great! Thanks so much, Norma. You’re a doll. 🙂
I am so glad!!!!! Congrats!!!! looking forward to reading more and enjoying your posts.
Big kiss
It’s good you changed to WordPress. A bunch of people who blog on Blogger said they lost their work from the past day or two. I couldn’t imagine losing ALL of your work. How awful!
So good to have you back! I can’t imagine what you went through. I would of lost it. Your new site is lovely – can’t wait until you start filling it up! I wish you the best!
Thanks Reeni…I am going back to all the people I follow…what a great support system I found…you included
Norma, I am glad that you are BACK!! Yesterday there was a huge broke down in blogger, and many kind comments left my friends are totally gone.. I know how hard this is for you.
Google/Blogger is never a good helper when shit happens…..darn it! And the so called new blogger dashboard is just like a pain in the a$%s…and I keep missing the updates from friends.
If I were you I go to WordPress and always back up…Thanks for coming back. I was so depressed after what happened.
Welcome back, Norma!!! So glad you took the leap to begin again. The new site is looking wonderful 🙂
Hi Norma, thanks for your comment on my blog. I have never worried about my Google blog but after losing posts and comments this week I realize that I need to back it up if I want to be sure it’s safe in the future. I’m glad you’re back and I will be follwing you. Ps. I am going to a ranch today with more Padron pepper plants growing than you can imagine, I will take a ton of photos and be sharing on my blog in the next few weeks, along with recipes, yum;-)
So lucky. When I was in San Francisco I was able to eat loads of them. Thanks for following and back up everything so you don’t go through my mess
Norma – congratulations and good luck!!! Thinking of you – c.
Norma,
It’s great to see again, welcome back!
Your new website rocks, congratulations.
Keep up the awesome work.
Wepaaa! back in business. I’m glad you are back, so nice to know many have pulled together to help.
I am glad you are back, Norma! I love wordpress!
Norma,
Good to see you back in the game. Onward and upward. My best to you as enjoy your blogging adventure. The site looks great.
Quidate
Lazaro
Welcome back, Norma!! Here’s to a fresh start!!
I wondered what happened. What, did you just get up one morning and it was gone? How weird. I know you will like WordPress. Welcome back!
it’s quite a long time I have been thinking about moving to wordpress and probably will soon.
good you didn’t give up after that incovenient, I only felt a 1% of your emotions when I cancelled some dear pictures without intention, I can hardly imagine your feelings loosing all your work! 😦
but decide to start a new blog life is exactly the right thing you could do, so … welcome back and good luck to the new baby born!
GLAD TO SEE YOU’RE BACK…GOOD LUCK AND KEEP COOKIN!
oh my gosh! makes me want to back up stuff… i’ve already accidentally deleted photos. Glad you’re back 🙂