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}”
My most memorable moment was bringing my son to Knoebels for the first time this year. It’s an amusement park we would always go to growing up and it was amazing to be there with him and experience it through his eyes.
Congrats on 8 years! My memorable moment was traveling to China this summer. Also, I preordered on Amazon!
Congrats on 8 years!
Most memorable moment of 2017 has definitely been finding out that I’m pregnant!
2017 has been incredibly memorable, but I think the most noteworthy moment was my graduation from my master’s program. It was so rewarding to see all my hard work come to fruition! Congrats to you on the new book!
I discovered your blog 6 years ago and I’ve been reading it ever since and love it! One of my favorite moments of 2017 was graduating in May, turning 20, moving into my own apartment, and starting my first full time job all in the same week! Crazy but exciting time.
Another favorite moment was meeting you in the Spring at your book signing in NYC!
1. Memorable Momenr- Moving into my new home!
2. Bonus entry- pa-lease. I pre-ordered that the day it was available , just hoping I can get this one signed like my first.
Congratulations on 8 years of delish!
Already pre-ordered your next venture! I saw a teaser pic on your Instagram that involves queso, and from that moment I knew I had to have it!
the best part of 2017 was traveling around Spain for a week with my two best girlfriends! we ate, drank and explored some amazing cities and towns!
HOORAY! One of my most memorable moments this past year was watching my son Jase take his first wobbly steps :)
My most memorable moment this year was when I got to visit my mom in August, after being apart for a YEAR! :)
Congratulations Jessica!!! One of my memorable moments this year was my trip to visit my sister and go to the Minnesota State fair for the first time!
we’ve moved back to ohio after being gone for 8+ years
Congratulations on such an amazing 8 years! The most memorable part of 2017 for me has been several great trips home to spend time with family.
Congrats on 8 years! I enjoy reading your blog every single day!! The most memorable moment for me in 2017 is getting a job as a first grade teacher at the same school I went to as a kid! It’s amazing how life comes full circle sometimes!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was getting to touch a Giant Pacific Octopus in the wild!
My most memorable moment this year has been finally moving in with my husband after being posted across the country from each other for a year!
A trip to Greece this summer to do some mission work and travel the beautiful islands!
Congrats on 8 years!! You’ve always been my favorite go to for fun, delicious meals, so thank YOU!
A memorable moment this year would be a super fun camping trip my family took over the summer, a rare moment we were all together ❤
I can’t believe it’s already been eight years!! Congrats on being my go to food blogger for all things delicious! I’ve loved following your journey through marriage and Max and now baby number two! My favorite memory of 2017 so far was moving into our new downtown house on New Year’s Eve. We spent our first night of 2017 here and have loved it ever since!
Congrats on 8 years and on your newest book!!! And I would have to say my most memorable moment this year is having baby #5. Such a sweet, sweet boy who is 2 months old now and just the perfect addition to our family <3
My most memorable moments (actually two) was watching my siblings graduate from high school and college, respectively. So proud!
Pre-ordered ❤
WOW! Congratulations on 8 wonderful years!!
My favorite moment so far was making a close friend’s wedding cake a couple of weeks ago! There’s something so wonderful seeing two people starting their lives together by enjoying something you created.
My most memorable moment of 2017 wasnt even really about me. I spent the entire first half of the year planning a SURPRISE Baby Shower for my best friend of over 20 years. And I did it from 1800 miles away! The look on her face when she saw her old friends (from CA), her new friends (from TN), and her family, was a priceless moment I will never forget!
P.S. Going to Preorder the book now!
P.P.S. Sweet Peas Meals has CHANGED my life!
Most memorable moment of 2017: Getting my dream job!!! I’ve only been trying for years..lol
Congrats on 8 years! I love your recipes, especially your vanilla ginger cranberry margaritas 😉 My favorite moment this year was my first visit to Maine. We almost went to the Lobster Shack too!
Congrats on 8 years. It seems odd but one of my favorite memories this year was leaving work early at 2:30 to go to a winery with my husband and in laws purely because the forecast said we were going to get a thunder storm and we wanted to sit out on the patio drinking wine during the storm. It definitely did not disappoint, it was a pretty intense rain and lightening/thunder for so cal and it was so fun that we got to enjoy it that way.
I preordered the cookbook and CANT WAIT to get it!! xoxo
Congratulations on all you success thus far!! My moment is probably when I realized that I wanted to start my own online vegan bakery and watching it happen step by step since then. Thanks for all your food inspo!
Heading to New York and D.C. With my family coming up in October. Hope it’s memorable!!!
Definitely having my daughter in January, what a way to kick off the year! Congrats on 8 years!!
Memorable moment of 2017 — gosh, so many!! Probably exploring Maine with my husband and 16 month old daughter!
omg i still remember morgan in your early posts, how is she 8 already 😭
Most memorable: getting a phone call during breakfast one Saturday morning from a friend who said “your daughter said you wanted to get chickens. I have 4 and will be over in about an hour.” Wait, WHAT!? I guess I just needed someone to force me to take the plunge! Now we have 7 and we love them all!
My daughter learning to walk! Or really, anytime my daughter (18 months) has giggle fits. 2017 has been so full of joy, and we are so grateful for a happy and healthy daughter. I am excited for you, your growing family, and your many adventures ahead. I love reading your blog!
Making my own bread for the first time!
YAY Happy Blogiversary!! Hands down most memorable moment of 2017 was finding out I was pregnant with my first. After a really long journey to conceive, it finally happened! <3
A memorable moment of this year so far has been watching my sister graduate from college. There were many long nights that were spent working on school work so I was glad to see her accomplish this goal!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was welcoming my beautiful baby girl, Luella Fox, into the world on July 20th ((her due date!)).
My son turned FOUR! HOw is that even possible? Congrats on eight years!
Having my sweet little girl on April 20 was definitely the highlight for me. We waited a long time for her and she is such a blessing. Congrats on this milestone- what an achievement! And we’re here bec we love reading your words!!!!! and recipes of course ;)
Congrats on 8 years!! I know I keep coming back to your blog because you are truly and artist with food. Everything you make is always so creative and unique. My most memorable moment so far this year has of been getting engaged in Chicago on birthday. I can honestly see best moment of my life.
MY most memorable moment was moving from Phoenix to Charlotte at the beginning of 2017!
I got to see my boyfriend on his eight hour pass from Ranger School!
My most memorable moment of this year was being Able go on vacation with my husband after a really hard year of him being in school!
We went to Kauai this year and loved it!!
Loved your first cookbook so much and I can’t wait until the new one comes out. Preorder done and done! Congrats on 8 years!!
I love you + the fact that we’re BFFs!!! This year something memorable is that I had my 2nd little girl!!! 💕 xo
Congrats on year 8! I’ve been following you since 2009 and have loved watching your family grow and your recipes evolve! Your recipes rock! My favorite memory so far is starting year 5 of teaching! It’s been challenging but very rewarding :)
probably the most memorable moment of 2017 was buying our first homeboy my husband and i had been looking for a couple months and had put in 5 offers that fell through until we finally got our house! we’re so excited to move in and host our family and friends and cook up a storm!! :)