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}”
Riding a horse in Iceland!
Every day that I live is a good day and a blessed day. In 2017 specifically, I’ve really enjoyed being with my granddaughter. She is such a joy and at 4 years old, its something new every day!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was meeting my best friend’s baby! So cute.
My husband and I were able to see the solar eclipse in its totality. He was so excited about it that he ordered our glasses six months in advance. Seeing the eclipse in totality was unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced, and it was so fun and special to see my husband experience something he’s dreamed about seeing since he was a little kid.
My most memorable moment just happened! We just returned from a family trip to Ireland. It was wonderful!
Love your recipes so much!!!
A memorable moment in 2017: getting a raise at my job, like not the annual cost-of-living raise but an actual “we notice your hard work and we’re upping your pay significantly” raise :D I love my job, but in my industry (higher education), we’re not known for making the big bucks.
I pre-ordered!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was my boyfriend telling me he loves me! SO sappy right?! Love love love your blog, thanks for creating such a fantastic corner of happiness on the internet!
Congrats on 8 years!
Graduating from college this May was one of my most memorable moments, even if I was kind of in a daze all day!
My most memorable moment of 2017 is definitely getting married to my fantastic husband! Can’t beat that. :)
I got married in February 2017 and although this has been a busy year (we also got a puppy)- it’s definitely the moment that stands out! :)
Happy blog anniversary! I love reading! :)
Yours is one of my favorite blogs and I think I’ve been reading since about year 7. Keep up the great work and please never leave us! :) Most memorable moment of 2017 so far was our family trip to DC this summer where we got to hang out with our Senator, like in her office for about an hour, who after presenting my husband with a military coin to thank him for his service (he’s a full time military man) gave us a behind the scenes tour of the Capitol building including the Speaker’s Balcony looking out over DC, right above where Presidents are inaugurated. It was incredible and she was the nicest lady. Topped off by a White House tour the following day. The whole experience was INCREDIBLE and one we’ll never forget.
My most memorable moment so far this year: Crossing the finish line of my first half Ironman! I was totally exhausted but Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” was blasting and I sprinted through the final bit in complete excitement.
My most memorable experience of 2017 has been watching my husband complete the San Francisco half marathon! We followed up the race with a week in Sonoma and it was magical!
I have already pre-ordered. All the moments are memorable as your children get older. I try to cherish every Little League game, seeing my now-teenager develop a personal drive in studying, watching both boys play music., soccer games, school plays, etc. I embrace the craziness that has been 2017 because I know I’ll miss it all when it is gone.
My most memorable moment is getting married! :-D
There are too many to count! We had a flood and survived. My mother in law celebrated 92 years and it was so nice to see the happiness on her face at her party. My sis and her husband became business owners. This was something they have wanted for years. My husband retired and survived two bouts of breast cancer. I would say that last one is the best.
I preordered your book already! CANNOT wait!
Also, I preordered the book!!
One of my most memorable moments is spending the week with my family in Whitefish, Montana – my happy place!
I preordered your book. I was happy to see a kindle edition offered but I ordered the hardcover. I might order one for my daughter too.
I got a new cat for my birthday this year! We have some big things planned for the rest of 2017 too but I’m loving the new member of the family.
My daughter starting kindergarten and my youngest starting preschool. Big year!
My most memorable moment was meeting my daughter Ava, on April 17th. I have wanted to be a momma my whole life and with a blissful pregnancy, I had so many expectations (I know, HAHA) of how things would go. But she was breech, came via emergency C-section, and ended up having to spend almost 20 days in the NICU for two surgeries on her belly. HOWEVER, going through all of this made my little family closer and she is the light of our life! ❤️❤️
2017 has been a year of ups and downs, I met the love of my life, I got to officiate a wedding of a very dear friend. Also, unfortunately this year I lost my job. I was fortunate enough to get another one fairly quickly but it’s a challenging transition, leaving me in a place to be unable to preorder your book, even though I’ve been eyeing it since you announced! It’s already on my holiday wishlist, so hopefully someone will come through. Happy 8 years!
I preordered
My most memorable moment was actually on January 1 when decided to put my pastry degree to use and start a cookie business. It’s been a great adventure! Thank you for the chance to win!
My best memory so far is finding out I’m pregnant with baby 2! I plan on pre-ordering your book today. I love your first book!
Happy 8 year anniversary!! One of the best food blogs out there. I think I average one of your recipes per week :) Can’t wait for your new book! My most memorable moment of 2017 so far was meeting the love of my life :)
I got engaged in 2017!
soooo many memorable moments this year…but by far my fave is seeing the pure joy and wonder on my kiddos’ faces as they saw disney world for the first time. pure absolute magic.
Love you and your blog so much! I love cooking and you inspire me so often and have for years, thank you for continuing to do so! A memorable moment so far this year just happened. My baby just started school, it’s a transition for both of us and it’s crazy it’s here already.
The most memorable thing this year has been my 3 year old started preschool. Sooooo many feels.
Keep doing what you are doing! I love it and am impressed by what a major boss lady creative genius you are!
My most memorable moment was waking up yesterday to a flooded street, water feet from my door. The water receded within a few hours, everyone on the street was safe. Its given me a new appreciation for the bright sunny day we’re having today.
Oh and you better believe I already preordered!!!
So far, my most memorable moment of 2017 was my dog and I getting chased by a skunk! Thankfully, we didn’t get sprayed….but I’ll never forget it!
I’d say buying a house has been my most memorable moment, but honestly 2017 has been full of them!
We had our first baby in May (also on my birthday)!
Wow 8 years, congratulations! I’ve only been following along for about 3, but I love reading your rambles and seeing your beautiful photos and of course cooking your delicious and creative recipes! I am currently in the hospital waiting to deliver my baby, so that would definitely have to be my most memorable moment of 2017 so far, that is until I finally meet him! Congrats again, keep it up!!
My most memorable moment of 2017 has been seeing my significant other work through the darkest part of his depression and come out the other side with healthy coping mechanisms and a drive to overcome the inevitable dark days. Being able to share meals together is a special moment for us so recreating your delicious meals is something we look forward to! Happy 8th, Jess!
Most memorable moment of 2017 so far was graduating from my doctorate program!
My most memorable moment of the year was seeing that first pregnancy test with the faintest line in the world. Before I took ten more tests.
Can’t wait for many more years of this lovely blog. And looking out for another baby post soon :)
When my church help funded my sons education, reminded me of the faithfulness of God!
Reaching my 15th wedding anniversary with my lovely hubs…..since I am also 17, no idea how this has happened.
This year has been…. memorable (to say the least)! One thing I will always remember is helping to deliver my best friend’s baby on New Year’s day. She was the first of my friends to be pregnant and I was so honored to be a part of her story. It was completely life affirming– such a special and intimate moment, I doubt I’ll be on that side of the hospital bed again! Thank you, thank you for such a generous giveaway. We’re all so lucky to be able to read your funny stories and incredible recipes every week. You’re the best!
I preordered as well!
My most memorable moment of 2017 was my baby’s first birthday party this summer!
Oh my goodness…. what an amazing cookbook this is! I would love love love to have it in my collection.
My most memorable moment this year was getting a pool for our new home. I floated around on my rainbow unicorn as much as possible… so relaxing. My daughter, Chloe Pearl, enjoyed our gigantic pizza float. She wishes she was a mermaid!~ Seeing her so happy in our pool warmed my heart. She had the time of her life this summer.
Congrats on 8 years! I love reading your blog. My most memorable moment of 2017 was a trip to Iceland and Paris with my husband!
OK, SO! I have been reading your blog since my University days, and I’m pretty sure my mom & I cried when we found out you and your husband were pregnant with Max. Since then, lots has changed but you are still my GO-TO for all of my kitchen-related questions/concerns/fires.
This year I got engaged (WooO!) and I think your Chicken Enchiladas were the first meal I ever cooked my fiance. But that Cajun Chicken Penne 100% sealed the deal hah!
I’m a avid reader from Toronto, Ontario – aka the Great White North. We love you up here :) and cannot be happier for you and your success! Keep up the amazing work – I read your blog every morning at work with a coffee in hand XOXOXO