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 in 2017 so far was biking to see the lava ocean flow in Hawaii with my family!
I ran Boston marathon this year, and even set a new PR! The moment of crossing the line was like a slow motion reel in my head of everything that led to it. I’m new to running and I couldn’t even grasp a thought of running a marathon before, so when I ran my first marathon and qualified for Boston, it was nothing short of a miracle. I’m turning 30 in a few months and it scares me. But looking back at the last year of my 20’s, Boston sumps up my growth and makes me feel ok, considering I’m still going through quarter life crisis. So that was my favorite/most memorable moment of 2017.
I turned 50! I had a great party with my family and friends! Life keeps getting better!
Changing jobs to be with my family more is the best change of 2017!
My most memorable event so far in 2017 is seeing the collie puppy I’m going to make part of my family. He was 5 weeks old at the time, and it was love at first sight.
My oldest started kindergarten which was a huge family change and a week I will never forget!
My most memorable event this year was going on a cruise along the Danube, celebrating finishing radiation for breast cancer. As soon as I finished, my husband booked it.
Have pre-ordered the book, and can hardly wait.
My most memorable moment this year came when i was blessed to celebrate with my wonderful mother on the occasion of her 80th birthday. I have both my parents with me still and I could not be happier about it =D Congrats on your eight years blogging too <3
My most memorable moment this year would probably be buying a house!
I preordered The Pretty Dish! Can’t wait for another beautiful book!
2017 marks my last year in my 30’s & my husband turning 50 omg how did that happen!!! My husband and I signed up to run of first marathon this November in Nashville.
Bought a baby dwarf goat. We call her LILO. Will dress her up as a unicorn for Halloween. 🦄💕🐐
My most memorable moment for 2017 is hearing my dad that is living in a memory care section of assisted home tell my mom that he loves her. He always remembers who she is and what she is to him. But I am looking forward to another memorable moment in about 6ish weeks as well. My second grandchild will be born!
It’s been wonderful following your blog all these years! Memorable moments this year include moving and starting a new job.
Relocating to a different state, and it happens to be the one you’re living in!
I preordered the Book, too!
Pre ordered!!!
I can’t think of a memorable moment in 2017 that is climactic enough, so I’m going to go ahead and say every morning when I take my first sip of coffee is probably my most favorite moment of the day :)
Congratulations on 8 years! I have been reading your blog for almost that long. I guess my most memorable moment this year actually just occurred. I spent my birthday, the big 5-0, hunkered down in my house while Hurricane Irma passed over. Luckily we didn’t have any damage to our house.
My most memorable moment this year was getting engaged while on vacation in August! <3
Just pre-ordered your book too!
We decided to make 2017 the year of us slowing down, enjoying each other & life more. I have really enjoyed this slower pace. It’s been wonderful! I can see this becoming our new norm. Congrats on your blog anniversary!
My most memorable moment this year was moving hours away from my family at the age of 34 to go back to grad school with my 13 year old, 11year old and 10 month old. I’m both exhilarated and nauseatingly scared.
My favorite moment of 2017 is when I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a children’s book illustrator. You’ve definitely been an inspiration for that. Thank you and congrats!
My husband and I were married on May 27, 2017. Best day ever!
my most memorable moment as passing my professional licensing exam!
I have several… but definitely tops on the list was seeing granddaughter #2 born!!
Seeing the total eclipse from my back deck. Just had to step outside. So lucky!
My favorite moment would have to be when I got engaged this year! :)
I also pre ordered your book! Can’t wait to get it in my hands- you’re work is stunning and I’ve been a huge fan of yours for years!
my first niece was born last month and i will probably never get over how it felt to hold her that first night!
I moved cross-country and started graduate school this year making it one of my most memorable (and challenging) years yet!
Hiking trip in Yellowstone and Grand Teton with just my dad!
I would say one of the most memorable moments of 2017 for me is taking steps to continue my education.
The birth of our daughter in April. 😁😁
Going to grandparents’ day at my granddaughter’s kindergarten!
My most memorable moment of 2017 thus far has been my youngest starting High School!
Congrats on 8 whole years! My most memorable part of 2017 was making it through my first Seattle winter, which I thought would be nonstop torrential rain and darkness. It was not. Coming from a lifetime of Wisconsin winters, it was basically what I imagine Hawaiian summers must be like :D
My memorable moment was my graduation ceremony for Eden Energy Medicine. Amazing journey! The first post of yours that I can recall thinking, Oh, okay, I love this girl! was your Layered Cake Batter Bark. You definitely deserve all that has come to you and I wish you much more success!!
2017 has been quite tumultuous! One of the many memorable moments was walking into my new apartment for the first time. After basements, roommates, and unhealthy living arrangements for years, I finally have a place of my own where I am happy and comfortable. So full of love for this blog- can’t wait for another 8 years!
Meeting my baby nephew!
I got to go to London to do the first part of pastry school this year and it was amazing.
Preordered the book, can’t wait!
In May we found out we’re pregnant – so finding out was pretty spectacular for 2017, and meeting him in January will be a pretty memorable moment for 2018 :)
Memorable moment of 2017: Traveling to Iceland and romping around that beautiful country. Take me back!!!!
We flew back to Ohio from Tucson as a surprise to my step daughter for our granddaughter’s first birthday
After dating long distance for 5 years, I got married in May and moved from NC to PA the day after!! It was hectic and crazy but oh so worth it. :)
A great moment from my life so far in 2017 was listening to the ocean crash against the rocks on Chesterman Beach in Tofino, British Columbia. The summation of the sun, the wind, the water, the glittering sand, the tide pools by day and then breezes and sun sets by nightfall were magic, a tonic. And there was lots of fresh seafood too! As for your book, I’m in! Your recipes and charm are addictive. Thanks so much for sharing your life and your passion.
My little chunktot turning 2 years old and talking up a storm! Love your blog – cheers to eight years!
Eight years is a big deal! I’ve been reading for at least 5 and you’ve always been one of my favorites ❤️ Congratulations!
My favorite memory this year is just last week when we got our second cat, Otto. We love him to death already!