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}”
Congrats on 8 years, Jessica! My most memorable moment was getting my new puppy, Precious Roy! He’s a great addition to our family. <3
My most memorable moment of 2017 has yet to come… my wedding is in 39 days :)
Going on a vacation with my hubby with no kids. We’ve left them for an overnight and have each gone away for long weekends, but this was a first. It was awesome!!
My most memorable moment was celebrating my son’s first birthday :) Congratulations on the 8 years!
Trip of a lifetime to Italy!
Seeing my daughter start college last month is my favorite memory so far. I love your blog and your recipes and your beauty favorites!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was when my husband received military orders to relocate from AK back to VA. It’s so nice to have our family and friends less than two hours away. Now we’er able to visit them more than twice a year! Congrats on 8 years!
My most memorable moment was receiving so much support from friends after an unexpected hospital/rehab stay.
My memorable moment was when I went over my finances with my investment advisor and proved that I could easily live within my means….so, I am officially RETIRED! Happy dance!
Hiking the Path of the Gods with my husband along the Amalfi Coast in Italy — heaven on earth!
Well, this wasn’t a good moment, but certainly memorable; I totaled my car in January (and might I add, it wasn’t my fault). It was probably the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced.
I know it sounds silly, but my most memorable moment of 2017 was helping my niece do her hair for her first homecoming. We weren’t able to have children and she is my only niece, so it meant the world to me to be asked to help her and to be a part of her getting ready for the dance. And, yes, I did get a bit teary-eyed…
My most memorable moment of 2017, so far, was getting the keys to our first home. My husband and I got married last October and bought our first house in March…whirlwind year! Runner up memory was watching my little sister get married in July – such a beautiful night!
Congrats on 8 years, Jessica! I don’t know for sure how long I’ve been reading but it’s gotta be at least 6 years, if not more. Thank you so much for all the inspiration!
My most memorable moment was my first international trip to Mexico!
Moving into our new house!
Our most amazing moment was the adoption of our grandson by our daughter and son-in-law – he was (is!) the most wonderful, perfect surprise and joy after many years of tears and prayers – we are all so blessed!
My most memorable moment was taking my kid to the Bahamas and swimming with dolphins! Their faces were priceless!
Participating in my very first craft show :) It was a lot of work, I learned a lot and I feel like it was kind of a pivotal moment for me (or I’m hoping I can turn it into one!).
Had my second baby on Feb 1st and my oldest is close to Max’s age. Love updates on motherhood and cooking!
My memorable moment happened just this past weekend as I experienced my first hurricane as a mother. I live in Jacksonville, FL and have all my life so I’ve experienced hurricanes before, but going through Hurricane Irma and being a mother to a little girl who relies solely on me for her safety was something I never thought I would have to do. We still have no power at our home but luckily that’s the extent of our personal damage. During this experience I’ve learned so much about myself and my community that I didn’t know before. I am so thankful for the little things that we mostly take for granted these days.
Most memorable moment this year was getting engaged!!! woohoooo!!
preorderd + SO EXCITED!!!!
I solo traveled for the first time in my life this year to the Columbia River Gorge! My car was stolen, I was pulled over by a cop, and ended up very I’ll, but I still look back fondly.
My most memorable moment this year was going white water rafting for the first time! It was unreal!
Congratulations! My most memorable moment this year is finding out I was pregnant.
Congrats on 8 years! My most memorable moment this year has been celebrating my Dad’s 80th birthday!
Finding out I was pregnant!
My most memorable moment in 2017 is my son being born! <3
Congrats on 8 years!
My favorite memorable moment was getting the call that I’d been offered a job I’d been wanting for over a year…especially after being unemployed for about 8 months.
My most memorable moment was watching my wife give birth to our first child, a daughter with my dark brown hair and her mother’s stunning blue eyes, and spending an incredible 16 weeks home with her on paternity leave.
My most memorable this year was getting our corgi puppy! She has grown so fast, but it is so rewarding to see her develop.
I may be bias since I am from Michigan but I love seeing your vacation posts. Northern Michigan is my favorite vacation place also! Happy Anniversary!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was when my youngest child (youngest by far; he has siblings ranging in age from 18 up to 31) started 3rd grade. It seemed like such a milestone to see him getting bigger and more independent. :-)
Also; preordered the book off of Amazon :-)
My most memorable moment this year is finding out we’re having a boy after two girls!!!!
Love your blog! My most memorable moment is easy-the birth of my first child!!!
So hard to pick just one…my daughter is 9 months so every new thing she does is so memorable! Maybe the first time she
laughed! It was such a picture perfect moment with my husband, her and I! <3
My most memorable moment of 2017 was August 11th when my very best friend in the entire world, gave birth to her first child
I also pre-ordered your newest book on Amazon! :)
I feel like this year has had so much public sadness/outrage/disaster that it has really been the smallest things that have been the most meaningful and memorable. I have two:
1. my sister lives 3000km away, I went to visit in March and after a truly terrible sleep, we were up before 5am and decided to go watch the sun rise over the Rockies. Truly remarkable.
2. My favourite band played a special Motown set in a tiny, seedy bar. It was 40C, everyone was sweating but everyone was also smiling and dancing. It was so simple, and so wonderful.
oh ps: congrats on eight years! This site is such a ray of sunshine in my morning! I’m a bit of a lazy and picky eater and can’t attest to making a ton of the recipes (tho the ones I have are amazing), but the tone and conversation presented, like you’re legit chatting to friends is why I’m here everyday.
Most memorable moment so far this year would be having my boyfriend come visit me on the west coast after I took a trip out east (for the first time ever)! Now he is off to teach in Japan, it’ll be an interesting year!
My most memorable moment so far this year was sitting outside by the lake in Charlevoix with my family. It was chilly so I was wrapped in towels but it was just the best!
a california adventure, including the wedding of my all-time favorite couple, lots of solo exploring, and a trip to Joshua Tree.
Wow, 8 years! I think I’ve been reading for about 6!
My most memorable moment this year was watching my little guy take his first steps. I’m amazed my heart hasn’t burst yet, I had no idea I’d be SO proud watching him grow.
Isn’t it crazy how fast time goes? My memorable moment this year was hiking with my husband and kids out to Grinnell Glacier (at GNP).
Visiting Jackson Hole, WY this summer. Congrats on your book coming out! Can’t wait to get it.
Congratulations! I started reading your blog before I had a home of my own, before I was making dinners each night, but near enough to that time to know it was looming in the near future. Now I’m so happy to have an arsenal of recipes to bring in to my kitchen from you.
My favorite moment of 2017 was when we went on vacation to Olympic National Park. We always read a lot of signs warning us about wildlife while hiking, which get us excited to see said wildlife. We’re often let down, but this year we saw a cougar run across our path!
I traveled around Asia and Colorado for 7 months this year. Most memorable moment was the day I met the kids at the school I was building in Nepal <3
A Memorable Moment in 2017 would have to be a family trip to Maui for 10 days, nothing like sun, sand and family!
Thanks for consistently producing awesome recipes!!
My most memorable moment was learning that I am pregnant with our first little one! It is truly a joy to go through pregnancy at the same time as you!