A Shocking Loss. Farewell, Sweet Lis.

I know I haven’t been around in a long, long time, and I do owe you all an explanation, but for now, there’s something more important I need to touch on.  I will be back..and definitely back soon with the end of the BBFL story, but today I need to talk about a wonderful, amazing lady.

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If you’re a regular reader of my blog, when I’ve put up Daring Bakers or Daring Cooks challenge posts, you’ve probably seen me talk about my friend, Lis, on occasion; the co-founder of The Daring Kitchen; the girl I jokingly referred to as wifeypoo.

Lis passed away, suddenly, on November 12th.  She was taken from us way, way, way too soon, and I know she’s really pissed off.

I’m so heartbroken.

Today, via a tribute page set up by Kelly from Sass and Veracity, current and former Daring Kitchen members/friends are paying tribute to Lis with blog posts and/or instagrams, facebook and tweets in her honor. We were asked to choose anything from the many Daring Kitchen challenges to bake or cook in her honor.  Some are baking pretzels, the ‘first’ Daring Bakers challenge.  This first challenge was just Lis and Ivonne wanting to tackle something they never tried before and post it on their blogs simultaneously.  This became a monthly thing and soon more and more bloggers joined in. Voila – The Daring Bakers was born.

eclairs                                  My first Daring Bakers Challenge – Eclairs.

I wish I could bake something, but I can’t at this time, so I just linked back to the first Daring Bakers challenge I participated in, in 2008..and the first ever Daring Cooks challenge back in 2009.

Lis, along with Ivonne, were pioneers in getting food bloggers together to cook or bake a challenging treat once a month; creating a community where we could share our culinary successes and failures, supporting each other and having fun throughout the process.  This led to others starting food blogger cooking and baking groups..but Daring Bakers, prior to the addition of Daring Cooks, and finally The Daring Kitchen as a whole, was and will always be the first.

When I joined The Daring Bakers in 2008, Lis took me under her wing and made me feel so welcome. We became fast friends, and when I was going through a difficult time in my life, she was there, even sending me aromatherapy to soothe and relax me. This is the kind of person she was; unselfish, kind, and caring. She was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever known, always bringing me to tears of laughter during one of our several hours long phone conversations.  In addition, she was the queen of the ‘epic’ email, and I’m going to miss her weekly emails keeping me up to date on what was going on in her life. They always made me smile, laugh and/or gasp, and even when things were not going well, she had a way of putting a funny spin on them to lessen the bulk.

Her glass was always half-full.

I’ve been reading through her emails the past few days, and the tears came when I realized I’d never be typing lamiacuc and waiting for the rest of her email to come up underneath so I didn’t have to type it in when replying to her…ever again.

I don’t think this sadness will ever dissipate.

Ricotta Gnocchi/Gnudi The first ever Daring Cooks challenge..Ricotta gnocchi, although mine were more like Gnudi.  I made them way too big..but they tasted great!

If you didn’t know Lis, you can get a taste of her amazing wit and humor at her food blog, La Mia Cucina.  She stopped posting about 3 years ago, but that never stopped me from begging her to start again, especially for posts like THIS ONE.  I literally cry with laughter every time I read it. Nothing cheesy about her!

I was just re-reading her post from the Daring Bakers cheesecake challenge, April ’09.  She wanted to make a cheesecake using the flavors of her favorite ice cream…Haagen Dazs Caramel Cone.  Bittersweet fits of laughter when I read this..

HEY YOU PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN MY NECK OF THE WOODS.. DON’T YOU DARE! GO BUY THIS ICE CREAM. IF I GO TO BUY IT AND IT’S SOLD OUT I WILL HUNT! YOU! DOWN! AND! BEAT! YOU! ABOUT! THE! HEAD! AND! SHOULDERS! WITH! MY! HUSBAND’S! DIRTY! TUBE! SOCKS!

On the other hand, his cotton, reinforced toe socks were not to be used as weapons.

And then….

“…when the day comes that I stop breathing.. I’d like to be buried, completely submerged, in Caramel Cone ice cream.”

If only, Lis..if only.

Having said all that, The Daring Kitchen was Lis’s baby, and it made so many people happy.  If she had a last wish, keeping it alive would be it.

Sleep well, wifeypoo, and rest assured, The Daring Kitchen will continue on exactly how you’d want it to. We will see to that. xoxoxo.

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43 Responses to A Shocking Loss. Farewell, Sweet Lis.

  1. travelnole says:

    Oh my gosh. :'( I’ve no idea what it’s like to lose a friend like that as I’ve thankfully thankfully never had it happen, but I imagine it’s a TERRIBLE feeling. I’m so so sorry to hear about your loss.

  2. Jessica says:

    I’m so sorry to hear about this, Lisa. She will be missed.

  3. Rosa Mayland says:

    A wonderful tribute! Very sad indeed…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  4. Manu says:

    So sad! I still can’t believe it! Sending you a big hug! <3 Lis will be terribly missed!

  5. Such sweet words Lisa. I’m so sorry to read about it.

  6. Liz Berg says:

    I am so sorry, Lisa. The world lost a delightful woman…heaven’s gain is our loss.

  7. ramblingtart says:

    I’m so deeply sorry to hear of your loss. I did not know Lis but she sounds absolutely fabulous and hilarious and kind. XO

  8. Mary says:

    So sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful friend. Hugs!

  9. I am still in shock too. Thanks for letting me know in the first place. She will be so missed. Wonderful tribute to her. And I MISS YOU xoxoxo

  10. cake duchess says:

    oh, Lisa. So sorry that Lis passed away suddenly. I thought of you when I found out. I remember all your posts from DK and DB and everyone else’s I admire. That group is inspiring and Lis was inspiring (I only participated maybe twice or maybe it was just once? in DB). So good to see a post from you. xo

  11. I am so sorry my friend 🙁
    I cannot imagine a loss like this. We are all here for you, this was a lovely tribute!

    Hugs
    Uru

  12. I saw you active on Stumbleupon and thought I’d give your site a try to see if you’d resumed posting. What a sad event. I’m so sorry you lost your good friend Lis. She sounds like she was a wonderful blogger and friend, and I know you’ll miss her very much. Lis left a wonderful blog by which to remember her; and hopefully you and others will find comfort in that.

    I look forward to when you can start blogging again, Lisa, and wish you the best. I’ve missed you!

  13. The dirty tube socks, OMG. She was hilarious. I hope there is some caramel cone ice cream at her memorial service. She would love that.

  14. Pingback: Caramel Cake Recipe with Caramelized Butter Frosting - Andrea Meyers — Andrea Meyers

  15. Margaret says:

    Sad times.

  16. Linda says:

    So sorry to hear of your loss, prayers for you and Lis, and her family.

  17. I’m so sorry to learn about this, Lisa. Prayers for the family and friends.

  18. jamielifesafeast says:

    Sad, sad, sad. Really a wonderful person. Your tribute is lovely and she must be smiling down on you as she eats her caramel cone ice cream. Heaven is now filled with some fabulously wonderful people. xoxox

  19. bellinivalli says:

    The blogging community has lost a very special lady. We all learned so much with a sense of style, humility and humour,and ALWAYS laughter and fun. Some of us may no longer be Daring Bakers but we are still those fledgling bloggers in spirit who rose to every challenge at “dawns crack”. Thank you Lis. I remember the eclairs well:D

  20. Laura says:

    Thanks for this tribute. I didn’t know Lis, but nonetheless I feel the sadness of the loss, way too soon.

    Loved being a member of the DB, those were great memories.

    Hugs to you, sorry for your loss.

  21. Dear Lisa – I check in with you to see what I’ve missed and am so sorry to read about the loss of your dear friend and mentor. Thanks for sharing this tearful, heartfelt tribute and I hope there is a never-ending supply of caramel cone ice cream in heaven for Lis.

  22. G’day! What a lovely tribute to a wonderful person we were all connected through!
    It is bittersweet to read all of these wonderful tributes to Lis, shared one and feel glad and sad through each one!
    Cheers! Joanne

  23. sweetiepetitti says:

    What a gorgeous tribute. She was so kind to me when I was a blogging newbie joining Daring Bakers. I miss all those fun folks, but life gets in the way. Happy to see you plucking away on the keyboard. Come back Lisa, we miss you!

  24. healthyyou72 says:

    I read about Lis’s passing on FB, and was immediately saddened. I didn’t have the pleasure to know Lis, but I did enjoy Daring Bakers for a short period of time….and loved it! I am sorry for your loss. It sounds like she would want everyone to celebrate her, and enjoy the beauties of Daring Bakers! Sending hugs, Terra

  25. Lisa, I had no idea. You have posted a wonderful tribute for your friend. DB was (is) such a supportive group for a new blogger like me, when I joined. I miss it. I hope you find a measure of comfort in continuing on with blogging, in the absence of your dear friend. Thinking of you.

  26. Lori says:

    OMG. I had no idea. Lisa, I am so sorry and so shocked.

  27. kellypea says:

    Checking in to see how you’re doing — I’ve been thinking of you, wishing you well. xo

  28. Jaime says:

    I found your blog looking for a lower fat cheesecake. Then I saw the Dreamboat story and got hooked. I read all the way back and forward, bookmarking recipes along the way. For 2 days, despite the fact that I have 4 kids at home and a salon to run, I have stayed in my pj’s going thru your blog looking at recipes and reading the story. You see, I give myself a break this time in Feb each year because my only brother died on the 5th. I was so saddened to see that your blog, and the story, stops here because you too have suffered a great loss. I will keep tuning in to see if the great recipes and ending to the story are posted:)

    • Lisa says:

      Jaime, first off, I’m so, so sorry to hear that you lost your brother. It’s so recent, I can only imagine what you’ve been going through. Please accept my deepest sympathies for you and your family. *hugs*

      ——————
      As for my story, I’ve been struggling with some health issues and that’s the reason I haven’t posted. But, I’ve spent the past 7 months slowly finishing the story, and it’s pretty long, like three parts in one long! I’m hoping to have it up around Valentine’s Day.
      ————
      Thank you so much for reading (with 4 kids and a business, wow!), and I hope you enjoy the recipes you picked up along the way! Once I’m better, there will be many more to come, and NO waiting on any stories I start! xoxo

  29. Bobbie says:

    I’m so glad to see you are still here. Please come back soon, we miss you!!

  30. Rebekah says:

    I found your blog through Pinterest. The pin happened to be for the recipe/post where you started your Dreamboat story. We got a foot of snow today and are shut in, so I’ve spent the last several hours reading all the posts about your love story between housewife and mommy duties. I’m hooked! It would make a great book. 🙂 Hoping you feel well enough soon to finish your story and share some new yummy recipes!

    • Lisa says:

      Thank you so much, Rebekah. You have no idea how much it means to me when someone actually likes my rambling, sappy and too revealing at times, love story, because it was a very special time in my life. That said, we got over a foot of snow here too, and I used that time to write more of the story, which is now like 10 pages long! I had no idea I’d written that much until I previewed it! Looks like I may have to split it up, but there will be no more waiting since everything after is already written. xoxo

  31. Kelly says:

    Don’t split it up!! I’ve waited so long for it!!

    • Lisa says:

      Kelly, it’s so long now, as I mentioned, it would swallow up this blog. But, once part 22 goes up, I promise the next part will be up a few days later. It’s already written, so no worries. You see, I like to let the recipe part marinate for a few days before posting again, but, again, I promise, no more waiting 🙂

  32. Anne says:

    I just came across this an I cried and I am excites at the same time and I hope where ever she is she gets to eat all of the ice cream she wants and cook all she wants it is just the way it should. And she gets to taste it, and most of all I hope she is having fun.

  33. lisa g. says:

    Ohhh, now I know what the Daring Bakers are all about. Your tribute is tearfully heart touching. I can relate to such a heart to heart story. Keep your chin up especially when baking.

  34. Hey Lisa, For some reason I ended up over here and thought I’d say HELLO! I hope you are doing well. Take Care, Sue

    • Lisa says:

      Hi, Sue..I never got an alert for your comment, probably because you’re already approved to post here 🙂 I was going through my comments in my dashboard to see if any spam got through, and there you were! Thanks so much for stopping by to ask how I am, as it was so good to see your name! Hope all is amazing with you and yours! xoxo

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