Year Eight. (& a Giveaway!) {CLOSED}
{Thank you all so much for entering the giveaway! The winner is commenter Beth Cook who said “I think the most memorable moment was my father moving into an assisted living home with hospice services. You just think your parents will be around for a long time to enjoy their retirement years and their grandchildren. It’s hard on my mom going back and forth despite him not really knowing when she’s been there or the last time she came. It’s hard emotionally and financially. This is NOT what they wanted to spend their retirement money on. My guilt is living three hours away. Close enough to visit, but far enough away to have to balance family life/plans.” Congrats Beth!}
This week marks my eighth year of blogging.
Which is totally insane. EIGHT YEARS?!
That’s almost ten years. Ten years is a decade. I still feel like I’m 17 so how on earth this has happened… I have no idea.
I wish that I had the words to tell you just how much I appreciate you being here and visiting the site. I know what it is like to read the same blog for eight years. You are only reading one voice. It gets repetitive and sometimes boring and it is a lot of the same thing, because it’s written by one person. I’ve come and gone and come back and re-fell in love with many of my favorite bloggers over the years. I can’t really offer you anything other than myself (okay and maybe a plethora of trashed up recipes) who might occasionally change or stay the same or repeat herself or still think that she’s 17 years old inside.
So it means the WORLD to me that you have stuck around, read these rambles, been so kind and wonderful and shared your own thoughts in our little community here. Means seriously everything to me. I actually think of you all as friends, my invisible but real BFFs.
I hope you can see that I (still!) do this because I 100% OMGloveitsomuch and even though it became my job a really long time ago, I do it as authentically as I can and because I love it and so I can share things with you in this wacky internet world.
To celebrate these eight years and frankly, to celebrate YOU who has given me the chance to do this for so long, I’m giving away a $1000 amazon gift card to one lucky reader. This giveaway is not sponsored and given by me to show my appreciation for you. Giveaway is open to everyone and anyone!
To ENTER:
- Leave a comment on this post telling me a memorable moment you’ve had so far in 2017.
- For an extra entry, I would love if you’d preorder a copy of The Pretty Dish and leave a second comment saying you did so. You can preorder the book on amazon, barnes and noble, indiebound or books a million! I cannot thank you guys enough for giving me the chance to write another book. If you’ve already preordered, THANK YOU SO MUCH and be sure to leave a comment telling me you did so. If you decide to preorder, this is just the first of many exciting things we’re giving away!
And who knows, maybe if the internet is around, I’ll be here in another eight years! xoxoxo
2,292 Comments on “Year Eight. (& a Giveaway!) {CLOSED}”
asking my spirit guides for a sign to help me with my grief and within minutes seeing a male cardinal outside my window peering in as if he was looking at my face…”Hey Daddy. Thanks for the sign.”
I come back to your blog over and over BECAUSE of your rambles! ;)
My best moment of 2017: turning 30 and reprioritizing my goals :D
My most memorable moment of 2017 was finding out that a baby will be joining our family early next year!
My favorite moment of of 2017 is quitting the job I absolutely hated- working at a call center to for angry financial advisors, and starting grad school to earn my masters in social work!!
I also pre-ordered a copy of your new book, just as I did before your last book came out! I can’t wait to read it cover to cover!!!
Most memorable moment– telling my husband I’m pregnant with our first babe! Eight years is quite an accomplishment. Thanks for keeping it fun!
I traveled to South America for the first time this year, solo. Lots of memorable moments on that trip, starting with waking up on the flight south and realizing that I was about to land on a new continent!
My baby going to Kindergarten! CONGRATULATIONS!
I’ve been loving your recipes for years! I still make your Thai quinoa chicken recipe all the time. 2017 has been a huge year for me, most memorably buying a house and moving in with my boyfriend! Gardening every weekend still hoping for actual vegetables to grow ha.
My best memory of 2017 was getting married on June 23!!!
So far, in 2017, I’ve been able to be the maid of honor in my best friend’s wedding and a bridesmaid in another close friend’s. I loved celebrating them and being a part of their special days!
My favorite: getting my dream job!
LOVE the blog and all the trashed up recipes.
I preordered your newest cookbook the day it became available and can’t wait to get my hands on it!!
Dropping my daughter off for her first day of Junior High this year. Of course I had to take pictures from across the street bc she is way too cool for me to walk her in anymore, but still . . . memorable.
Most memorable moment: quitting my job and starting a new, more creative career! I’m so inspired by your work and I appreciate that you keep showing up here and telling us about it. Thank you for all 8 years!
My most memorable moment of 2017 is teaching my two-year-old twin nephews to say “choppin broccoli,” a la SNL/Dana Carvey, whenever their mom gets the broccoli out of the fridge! :-)
I had my first anniversary on August 19! It’s been a crazy year full of adventures and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!
most memorable moment was giving birth to my son on Valentines day, 11 months after his sister was stillborn <3 i was so relieved and overjoyed that day, best valentines day ever!
My favorite moment from 2017 was a tie – my husband and I took a weekend getaway to Quebec City in May and we went to see Billy Joel at Fenway Park last month, which was a HUGE bucket list item of mine.
My most memorable moment so far in 2017 has been changing jobs to basically my dream role. However by far my most memorable moment of 2017 will be my wedding in just over a week!
I preordered your book the day you announced you could!
My most memorable moment of 2017 is graduating with my Bachelor’s degree in May and then starting a job in my field (child abuse prevention) in June! I started reading your blog right when it started and have loved it ever since. Congrats on 8 years :)
I gave birth to my second daughter in December so needless to say, most of 2017 has been pretty special. If I had to choose a favorite memory, it would be when my 2 year old hugged and kissed her month old baby sister and said “I love you sister” for the first time.
And I just preordered your book! So excited to see what you’ve created this time.
My most memorable moment in 2017 was when my 10 month old started sleeping through the night. FINALLY!
My oldest left for college and it was a moment of complete joy but also loss.
On another note, THANK YOU for the entertaining, inspiring voice you bring to my life. I met you at your book signing in SF and can’t wait to see you again with The Pretty Dish!
i love this post! all the feels!
So far my most memorable moment has been my trip to Japan. Such an amazing place, and so much good food! I’d go back in a heartbeat <3. Also, I've been reading your blog for longer than I can remember – still love it!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was finding out I am pregnant!
My most memorable moment happened just last week! My husband and I took our three year old to Hawaii for a week. We played hard, laughed, and got to spend an entire week free from work, stress and worry.
Best Part of 2017 was our Hawaii vacation in the Spring!
Congratulatuons on 8 years! I’d have to say my most memorable moment of 2017 is right now, hopefully not overstaying my welcome at my best friend’s house in Atlanta after evacuating FL for Irma. As a native Pittsburgher, this has been quite an experience!
Buying a condo!
I have pre-ordered your book! :)
My favorite event of the year was closing on the house of our dreams on our 10 year wedding anniversary!
2017 has been a good year. A standout moment to me was spending my one year anniversary with my husband at a local winery!
CONGRATULATIONS on 8 years of blogging! I remember coming across your blog and making the BLT salmon tacos and falling in love with your simple yet delicious recipes! I can’t wait to get your book in the mail :) My most memorial moment of 2017 (so far) is beginning my practice with yoga! I have a very stressful face paced NYC life and it has truly changed my life!
My favorite moment this year has been my husband and making the decision for me to stay home with our son! He is almost 9 months old and I am so thankful to spend everyday with him and watch him grow! I wouldn’t trade it for the world!
I have also been a long time reader of your blog and your recipes (especially being a part of sweet peas meals) have been such a lifesaver since Lincoln was born!
I also preordered your book! ❤️
My most memorable moment was spending time in Maine this year.
My best 2017 memory is definitely the birth of my second child in June. Can’t wait to see your second little bundle of joy later this year!
I have your first cookbook and my favorite thing is the photo of the HUGE cheese tray. Best moment of 2017 was taking my niece and nephew to Disneyland.
The birth of my second little girl! My two kids are around the same ages as yours. :) Love your blog. I’ve been cooking your recipes for years.
My favorite moment of 2017 was FINALLY ending three years of long distance with my partner and moving from Chicago to New York City. Congrats on 8 years!
And I pre-ordered you new book as soon as it was available!
I always love your creativity, and I make the mojitos from your first cookbook whenever I have fresh mint. My favourite memory of 2017 so far is roadtripping from Ontario to Alberta through the US, I’ll never forget it!
Surprising my Grandad by visiting him in the UK for his 84th birthday!
My most memorable moment of 2017 may have been ringing it in in Old Town Square in Prague with fireworks surrounding us from every direction! (that and the amazing 3 course meal we had before it, of course!)
Lots of ups and downs so far, but one of the most memorable moments was the dinner my boyfriend took me out for on my birthday–such a delicious meal, amazing views of the city where we live, and an overall feeling of great happiness!
What an amazing 8 years! I am so happy I stumbled upon your blog and have enjoyed making so many of your recipes. I’m still waiting for my best moment of 2017 – but I’m positive it is coming!!