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}”
Best moment of 2017: all the love I received from my friends and family during my birthday month which was August. I struggle with loneliness, so all the little acts of kindness towards me throughout the month spoke volumes. Life is joyous and it is a blessing to share that with my family and friends.
Be well!
I just pre-ordered “The Pretty Dish” and cannot.wait.to.get.it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much love to you, SWEET Jessica!
My best moment of 2017 was when I hit by 500 pure barre class!
Dana
http://www.somethinggoodblog.com
I don’t know if I was supposed to do this as a second comment or not, but I also pre-ordered the book!
Dana
http://www.somethinggoodblog.com
8 years?!?! You were one of the first food blogs I found and followed! Hello 90’s references!! Congrats!!
Best moment of 2017 was my trip to Toronto for Canada Day!!
(Doesn’t look like my original comment went through!) . My first and favorite memory is when I discovered your oatmeal chocolate chip cookie muffins and I have been following religiously ever since! That was back in 2011! Since then, jalapeno feta dip is a regular in our house =)
My most memorable moment of 2017 was seeing my baby (he’s 21) fulfill his career goals. Did I mention that he’s only 21! Its a wonderful thing to see your childrens dreams come true. Especially when they are driven and do it all themselves. Proud mama moment.
My favorite moment of 2017 would have to be my wedding!!! I love your blog and often read the posts like a novel :)
Best moment of 2017 – finding out I’m pregnant with baby girl #2!
I just pre-ordered the book! I love Seriously Delish and already know I’m going to love this one too!
Best moment – oldest daughter met the love of her life and is getting married on Dec 30th. You were my first food blog I started following and you have continued to hit it out of the park with great recipes every week! Congratulations!
Congratulations Jessica! 8 years is a long time & I salute your perseverance.
A memorable moment for me this year was hiking through the Redwoods after dreaming for years of visiting. My husband with our son on his back & our 2 friends explored the forest & it was a trip we’ll never forget!
Best thing in 2017 was my trip to South Carolina with all 3 of my kids and the hubby. First big trip as a family of 5.
You bet your buns I have pre-ordered your book! Can’t WAIT!
Ahhh a memorable moment of 2017? We took a 12 day trip down to Tulum, Mexico, did the whole airBnb and rental car and it was just paradise. I miss it so much!
The best thing I’ve made from your blog this year is either the grapefruit palomas or the mini orange glazed scones. YUM!
Best moment of 2017 – I had my first baby!
Congrats on 8 years! By far my favourite blog out there and part of my daily routine to check out the lastest post! Thanks for all the amazing recipes and influences on what I need to buy next!
My favourite 2017 memory is travelling to Whistler, BC in February with my hubby!
My best moment thus far in 2017 was hiking Trolltunga in Norway. I was unsure if it would be too tough after reading lots of reviews of hikers getting turned around. I spent about six weeks trying to get into better cardio shape to do it. Once we started my boyfriend encouraged me the whole way up and I was super proud of myself at the end to be able to take an iconic picture and be able to say I had done it!
Memorable moment is: my son starting soccer this fall. It is amazing to watch him and see how old he is getting. This along with him swimming solo in the pool this summer, this momma needs a drink!
Preordered! I’m still diving into your first book!
This year was pretty crazy! Got married, immediately got pregnant, new job earlier this year. 2017 was a good year for the dunham-ghosh’s!
Looking forward to your new book as well- pre ordering now 😀
Jess: Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement in an era when there is a lot of internet “noise” — you are the real deal and I have loved following you while giggling at your post’s commentary.
The best moment of 2017 for me was buying my first culinary blow torch to make creme brulee french toast…. because treat yo self :) which is actually something I’ve learned from you – so thank you.
xo
My most memorable moment so far this year has been going to Italy with my husband!!!!!!!!!!
I definitely pre-ordered your book from Amazon. I’m a cookbook addict and cannot wait for it to arrive!!!!
First, congratulations on eight years! I have been a fan for all of them!
My biggest moment of the year was graduating from a Master’s of Accounting program.
I also pre-ordered your cookbook. Can’t wait to get it!
Best moment – when I realized I have met the love of my life.
Congrats on 8 years!! Best moment of 2017 would definitely be the birth of my first niece Saylor, she is the sweetest cutest little lady and I can’t wait to spoil her and watch her grow up!
Congrats on 8 years!! Best moment of 2017 would definitely be the birth of my first niece Saylor, she is the sweetest cutest little lady and I can’t wait to spoil her and watch her grow up!
Best moment of 2017 so far was moving into our new apt! I am going to week for a week on Monday so I am sure that will be another top moment for me!!
So many memorable moments this year! I got married, bought our first house and became an owner at my job! 2017 has rocked!
Preordered! Can’t wait!
The best moment of 2017 was meeting my beautiful baby boy on the morning of January 24th…after spending the night before making multiple pans of your roasted veggie lasagna + freezing oatmeal/bourbon soaked cherry cookie dough. Thank you so much for your recipes!!
Oh goodness – SO many awesome things in 2017! I guess I’d have to say that the best of them all was the first time my 2 year old said “I love you too, Momma”. 😍😍😍
Happy 8 years!
I would love to say that my favorite part of 2017 was our three week trip to southeast Asia, but honestly, it was seeing our 1 year old when we got home, and the sweet look on her face when she connected the dots that we were home!
Also, I preordered on Amazon!
One of the best things to happen this year was being able to visit the gorgeous islands of Hawaii with my family!
Probably when I finally got to start teaching!
Jessica, I have been reading your blog since you were pregnant with Max. I felt a kinship with you because I pregnant at the same time with my daughter, who was born a couple weeks after Max. I loved reading your pregnancy updates and then baby favorites posts. So actually it was your personal narrative that brought me in as a reader rather than your recipes (which are delicious by the way)! I am also a native Pittsburgher, born and raised, so I feel a connection there as well.
My most memorable moment of 2017 was giving birth to my second daughter in July. I’m so happy that you will get to experience your kids becoming best friends. The love is intense and fierce, and it happens immediately — it’s EVERYTHING. I hope you make it to Philly for a book signing — count me in! Best of luck with baby #2 and congratulations on 8 years of blogging!
My best moments in 2017 are the times I bake with my grandma. She’s losing her memory and I’m trying my best to slow down the process by making the things she used to do and she did so many times in her life. At the same time I’m building my personal memories to keep <3
Congrats on 8 years!!!! A crazy milestone. I’ve always loved your writing voice and I’m thankful for this happy, neon, glittery space on the internet❤️ My memorable moment(s) of 2017 was spending a week on the beach in the DR alone with my husband to celebrate 10 years of marriage!
Everytime I make a semi-successful version of one of your “trashed up” recipes, is a happy memory for me. Most recently you inspired me to get a bundt pan and make a crazy delicious zucchini lemon pistachio cake (Everyone thought I was a goddess). And you’ve given me so many tasty drink recipes, under the guise of virgin drinks (lol, everything is better with vodka!) And you’re one of a handful (literally maybe 3 or 4 total) of food bloggers that constantly make me excited to try new things in the kitchen, to the point that I finally will be biting the bullet and have signed up for a tour and interview at the natural gourmet institute in Manhattan. Hoping this will start a new chapter where I can “trash up” good for you meals too. Thank you for everything, Jessica!
PS. Do you know how many sprinkles one can buy with $1000 on Amazon?!
I’d say one memorable thing that has happened is that my son was born!! :D
I first found you on TASTY Kitchen. I loved your recipes like Honey Crunchy Chicken and your Better than Crack Brownies. So many great recipes that are now a favourite in my family! I so enjoy reading your posts and love you right tv and book suggestions! PLease keep them coming for another 8 years.
Fav moment of 2017, trip to NYC with my husband and kids.
I had a huge, memorable fan girl moment when I met you this spring in NYC at Mackenzie Childs. I was so awkward because I was starstruck meeting you! I just love your content and writing and meeting you was a huge deal for this humble foodie. Can’t wait to get your next book.
You were the first blog I started reading and the only one I consistently read every week (love love tuesday things).
My favourite memory of 2017 so far would be doing a West coast roadtrip with my best friend! Driving through the PNW and just loving it.
Can’t wait for the new book!
Most memorable thing is quitting my job and starting a phd program in my 30s!!!!
Still love reading your blog after all these years – and love the once a month beauty update :)
Having my second sweet babe takes the cake! Excited for your new book & the many delicious memories it creates🥂
The birth of my third child 👶🏻
This month my parents moved to the same state as me after living in Europe for over 25 years!!! 😱 So that’s been exciting!
Congrats on 8 years of blogging, how exciting!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was cooking together on a first date! :3 We made one of your recipes, roasted broccoli, lemon, and goat cheese pasta. Not only was it delicious and absolutely perfect out on my balcony in the sweet Virginia summer with a nice glass of wine, but he and I are still doing pretty well together a few months later ;)
My memorable moment is very bittersweet. The one year anniversary of my Nanny passing happened in January. After a long year of feeling very very fuzzy and really down I decided that she would want me to be happy. I have had to claw my way back to regular life but I’m proud to say I’m back on track. Part of that journey has been reassessing my own life and trying to simplify it so I can get down to what makes me happy. I had just started my own food blog a few weeks before she passed. And though I tried, I quit working on it about a month later because I was just too broken to really care, much less be creative. I mean, how do you write a blog when you’re sad? Nobody wants to read super sad things. It was just too hard. This week I turn 32 and this week I decided it was time to get back to my teeny baby of a blog. For Nanny and for myself.