A Landmark Year in Review: Reflecting on Five Years of Culinary Adventures

It’s truly surreal to be writing my fifth annual “year in review” post. Five years! It feels like just yesterday I tentatively launched this blog, not knowing it would become such an integral part of my life, a vibrant platform where I share my passion for food, life’s simple joys, and all the delightful randomness in between. Looking back at this incredible journey, it’s astonishing to see how far we’ve come.

These past five years have been nothing short of exhilarating. The growth, the learning, the countless kitchen experiments – it’s been an absolute whirlwind. I’ve gathered an immense amount of knowledge, not just about cooking and recipe development, but also about the incredible community that has formed around Simply Scratch. With over 700 recipes now gracing these pages, our culinary journey together continues to thrive with unwavering enthusiasm.

Recapping what I consider to be one of the most remarkable years yet – perhaps second only to the extraordinary years my daughters were born, though those memories are a blur of sleepless nights and overwhelming joy – fills me with immense excitement. I’ve been eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share the highlights and profound moments of the past year with all of you, my cherished readers.

Embracing the Dream: My First Full Year as a Full-Time Blogger

The year 2014 marked a monumental turning point for Simply Scratch and for me personally. It was the first full year I dedicated myself entirely to blogging, having made the bold and somewhat terrifying decision to leave my previous job outside the home. This transition wasn’t without its anxieties; stepping away from a secure career to pursue a passion project full-time required a leap of faith. However, it was a much-needed decision, one that ultimately liberated my creative spirit.

With the demands of a traditional job no longer occupying my time and mental energy, I found an unprecedented clarity to focus on all things culinary. The fear of career instability, which once loomed, has now receded, replaced by an invigorating sense of freedom. My mind is now unburdened, free to dream up new recipes, explore innovative flavor combinations, and immerse myself fully in the creative process. No longer do I juggle recipe writing and grocery list planning between answering phones, tracking patient appointments, or managing tests – the kind of multi-tasking that defines a busy healthcare role. Now, my “work” is entirely devoted to the art of food, and it’s a profound privilege.

Culinary Delights: A Year of Flavorful Creations

As many of you know, 2014 was a remarkably productive year in the kitchen, brimming with the creation of countless delicious dishes. Among the many new recipes I developed, a few truly stand out as personal favorites, not just for their taste but for the joy they brought to my table and yours. These include the comforting and nourishing Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower Soup, a perfect blend of wholesome ingredients and warming flavors. The crispy and utterly satisfying Sweet Potato Home Fries became a breakfast and brunch staple, proving that simple ingredients can yield extraordinary results. And for a touch of seasonal indulgence, the Whole Wheat Salted Pumpkin Spice Knots were an undeniable hit, capturing the essence of autumn in every tender bite. These are just a small sampling, of course, from a year filled with culinary exploration and shared joy.

Cherished Moments and Milestones: Beyond the Kitchen

While the kitchen remains my sanctuary, life outside of it brought an abundance of cherished memories and significant milestones. It’s challenging to encapsulate an entire year, but I’ll do my best to share some of the most memorable moments, many of which you can glimpse in the accompanying photos:

A Long-Awaited Ballgame: I finally made it to a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park! The entire experience was fantastic – pre-game burgers at Nemo’s, cold beers shared with great friends, the stunning sunset over the stadium, the roar of the crowd, and to top it all off, a thrilling win for the Tigers! It was a perfect slice of Americana.
Thirteen Years of Love and Partnership: Pat and I celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary, a testament to a love story that began in high school. Six years after meeting, we tied the knot, built a beautiful family with our two daughters, and through it all, my love for him has only deepened. He remains my unwavering biggest fan and supporter, and I truly count myself as one lucky woman.
A Brief Foray into Golf: I actually played golf! And to my surprise, I wasn’t terrible, nor did I despise it as much as I anticipated. However, don’t expect to see me on the green anytime soon; my heart will always pull me back to the kitchen, where my true passion lies.
Summertime Fishing Adventures: This summer, Pat and I spent a considerable amount of time fishing. While he might playfully dispute it, I’m quite certain I out-fished him on several occasions! Regardless of who caught more, I absolutely adore being out on the water. The serene views are breathtaking, and Pat, ever the gentleman, graciously removes every fish from my hook. What a guy!
Our First (and Last, Says Pat) Oktoberfest: We ventured to our first Oktoberfest with friends. While one particular beer cost a rather shocking ten dollars, the joy of unexpectedly running into so many dear friends made the experience priceless. It truly underscored the value of shared moments and camaraderie.
Proud Mom Moments on the Volleyball Court: It was incredibly special to watch my daughter excel in a sport other than softball. She made the 8th-grade volleyball team and proudly stood out as the only lefty on the squad, showcasing her unique talent and dedication.
Meaningful Connections: The year was dotted with numerous delightful lunch dates with my daughters, and countless coffee dates and hangouts with my wonderful friends and their families. These moments of connection and shared laughter are truly invaluable.
A Rare Adult Movie Night: This might sound trivial, but it had been ages since I’d seen an R-rated movie in a proper theater! With most of my cinematic experiences revolving around my girls, films like “The Hunger Games” or “The Fault in Our Stars” are usually as daring as it gets. My sister Julie and I finally managed to see “Gone Girl,” and I can confirm, the movie is every bit as gripping and brilliant as the book!
A Mini Getaway to Lake Michigan: Our family embarked on a memorable mini-vacation to Lake Michigan. It was Pat’s first time to dip his toes in the sand of this majestic lake, and truly, beautiful memories were forged. We even made a collective vow to prioritize more family vacations in the future.
Ball Field Summers: I absolutely adore summer, largely because it means spending so much of our time at the ball field. The sight of my oldest daughter gracefully playing first base, or my youngest daughter confidently donning her catcher’s gear, never loses its charm. My mind constantly captures these precious mental photographs, preserving the joy of these fleeting moments.
Heartwarming Christmas Reunions: The year beautifully rounded out with much-needed quality time spent with family and friends, especially my beloved sisters. Two of them live out of state and were in town for Christmas, creating an atmosphere of pure joy. Let’s just say many bottles of wine were opened (and happily finished!), quality conversations flowed, kids’ faces were painted, and laughter echoed through the house. My year truly felt complete with these precious, unforgettable moments.

The Grand Reveal: My First Cookbook is Coming!

And now, for the biggest, most electrifying news of all! I couldn’t possibly conclude this incredible year-in-review without sharing the most monumental development. To cut a long story short… I have signed a contract with the prestigious Penguin Group, and I am currently knee-deep in the exhilarating, yet demanding, process of cooking, writing, and photographing my very first cookbook! Even just typing those words sends a peculiar flip-flop sensation through my stomach, a mix of disbelief and overwhelming excitement. If I weren’t living it every day, surrounded by a perpetually messy kitchen to prove it, I might not believe it myself.

Writing a cookbook is an immense undertaking, a labor of love that demands every ounce of my creative energy and focus. The transition from being solely a blogger to becoming a blogger and a cookbook author has been an incredibly challenging, yet profoundly rewarding, journey. This intense dedication to the book explains the recent decrease in my blog posts; every available moment has been channeled into crafting this culinary dream. However, I am nearing completion of my first manuscript, and soon, things will gradually return to a semblance of normal. I fully intend to share a more detailed post later, delving into the fascinating story behind how this cookbook came to be. It’s a wonderful narrative, one I’m eager to recount to you all. But for now, I’ll leave you with this tantalizing tidbit: anticipate seeing my cookbook on store shelves in the fall of 2015! Please, someone pinch me; this still feels like a dream.

A Heartfelt Thank You and Looking Ahead

As I bring this extensive reflection to a close, my heart overflows with gratitude for each and every one of you. To my incredible family, both visible and invisible, to my dear friends, and to every single person who pops into this space, leaves a comment, sends an email, tries and shares my recipes – I love you all more than words can express. It truly never ceases to amaze me that I am living out my deepest dream, transforming a passion into a fulfilling career. I find immense joy in every aspect of this journey: the creative act of writing, the therapeutic process of cooking, the artistic challenge of capturing food through photography, and, perhaps most importantly, the simple pleasure of eating all the delicious results. Amen to that!

Happy New Year, everyone! I am incredibly excited to see what this new year unfolds, brimming with new recipes, new adventures, and undoubtedly, many more cherished memories to share.