As another year draws to a close, the tradition of a ‘Year In Review’ once again comes knocking. It’s truly astonishing how quickly time accelerates, especially as we navigate the busy seasons. From the first day of school in autumn, life transforms into a vibrant, non-stop whirlwind. Before we know it, the festive holiday season has arrived and departed, leaving us at the threshold of a brand new year. This annual reflection offers a precious opportunity to pause, take stock, and appreciate the journey we’ve just completed. It’s a chance to consolidate memories, acknowledge growth, and prepare our hearts for the adventures that lie ahead.
For us, 2017 unfolded as a tapestry woven with countless experiences, moments of joy, and a few inevitable challenges. Like any year, it had its fair share of peaks and valleys, but through it all, we remained grounded in gratitude. Our health, our bond as a family, and the simple fact of having each other have always been our greatest blessings, overshadowing any minor grievances. While it felt like 2017 sped by even faster than the year before, akin to a high-speed train, it undeniably marked our busiest period yet. Raising vibrant, young teenagers who juggle multiple sports and boast social calendars that I sometimes envy certainly contributes to a year that passes in a beautiful, exciting blur.
A Culinary Journey: SimplyScratch in 2017
Before delving into our personal family highlights and humorous mishaps, let’s take a moment to reflect on the culinary adventure that was SimplyScratch in 2017. This past year was incredibly rewarding in the kitchen and on the blog. I meticulously crafted and shared an impressive 136 new recipes, each designed to inspire home cooks with wholesome, approachable dishes. Beyond new creations, I also dedicated significant time to refreshing and re-shooting many beloved older recipes, giving them a new lease on life with updated photography and refined instructions. This ongoing process ensures that every recipe on SimplyScratch meets our high standards for quality and visual appeal.
The rhythm of food blogging often involves a delicate balance of creativity and consistency. Most weeks, my schedule included shooting anywhere from three to five recipes, striving to publish at least three to four new posts. While this year saw a slight decrease in the sheer number of posts compared to the previous year (falling short by nine recipes), the quality and intention behind each creation were paramount. My personal goal for 2017 was to challenge myself, to venture beyond my comfort zone, and to embrace more creative and adventurous recipe development. I aimed to take bigger risks with flavor combinations and presentation, and honestly, looking back, I can confidently say that this has been my favorite year of food blogging thus far. The dedication paid off, resulting in a collection of recipes I am immensely proud to share with our loyal community.
My Favorite Recipes from 2017
Among the many dishes that graced our tables and the pages of SimplyScratch, some truly stood out as personal favorites. These recipes not only delighted our palates but also represented the creative spirit and culinary growth I aimed for this year. Here’s a curated selection that I hope you’ll enjoy exploring and recreating in your own kitchens:
- Spicy Ginger Sesame Chicken Stir-fry
- Healthy Kale Caesar Salad (with Tahini Caesar Dressing)
- Lemon Rosemary Chicken Noodle Soup
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- Mandarin Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- Easy Chicken and Rice Enchiladas
- Chicken Shawarma Wraps with Lemon Tahini Yogurt Sauce
- Tomato Florentine Soup
- Roasted Beet Salad with Avocado, Goat Cheese, Candied Walnuts and Honey Dijon Vinaigrette
- Firecracker Chicken
- Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes
- North African Spiced Meatballs with Roasted Red Pepper Harissa
- Cantaloupe and Prosciutto Arugula Salad
- Grilled Sticky Sweet Chicken Skewers
- Easy Ravioli Lasagna
- Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad
- Grilled Zucchini with Lemon, Garlic and Parmesan
- Red, White & Blue Trifle
- Watermelon Feta Salad with Honey-Candied Pistachios
- Grilled Chicken Caesar Pizza
- Vanilla Chai Ice Cream
- Weeknight Mongolian Beef
- Creamy Chicken Gnocchi Soup
- Sweet Potato Wild Rice Arugula Salad
- Salsa Verde Chicken Tortilla Casserole
- Pumpkin Pudding Cake
- Scalloped Corn Casserole
- Machus Red Fox Salad
- Real Detroit Style Pizza
- Goat Cheese Cheese Cake with Tahini Shortbread Crust
- Oven Tandoori Chicken with Mint Yogurt
- Whipped Blue Cheese Crostini with Pear and Honey
- Cider Mill Doughnut Bread Pudding with Butter Rum Sauce
- Homemade Three Meat Bolognese Lasagna
- Christmas Fettuccine
- Cheesy Gruyere Potatoes
- Roasted Garlic and Rosemary White Bean Dip
- Sweet and Sour Chicken Stir-fry
I think we can all agree that 2017 was indeed a deliciously fulfilling year for SimplyScratch, bursting with flavor and innovation.
Navigating Life’s Little Challenges: The Year of Unexpected Breakdowns
Whenever my husband, Pat, has both good and bad news to share, I always insist on hearing the bad news first. It’s my way of “ripping off the band-aid” quickly, allowing me to process the difficult parts before savoring the good. So, in keeping with that tradition, let’s address some of the more challenging, albeit often humorous in retrospect, aspects of our 2017. This past year was, quite unexpectedly, the year of *everything* breaking. You might think I’m exaggerating, but the sheer volume of household misfortunes was truly remarkable, testing our patience and our wallets!
Our saga of breakdowns began innocently enough with my trusty Keurig coffee maker. It started acting up, consistently exploding pods, refusing to brew a full cup, and leaving a trail of coffee grounds in the bottom of my mug. After two futile replacements within the year, I finally waved goodbye to the Keurig, frustrated but ready for a change. That’s when I discovered this fantastic Cuisinart Coffee Bar (affiliate), pictured above. It’s a relatively new addition, but I’m absolutely loving it! The water heats up incredibly fast, and it consistently brews the best-tasting cup of coffee I’ve made at home in years. I particularly appreciate the versatility of being able to brew a full pot for guests or a single cup for myself, making it a perfect solution for our household needs.
Soon after, we faced a much more significant challenge: our well broke. You might recall me mentioning this, as it left us without running water for six arduous days. It was a period of intense frustration, as we navigated a series of unresponsive companies before finally finding one that could come to our aid. Unable to cook, wash clothes, or even brush our teeth without bottled water, this experience brought a profound appreciation for the simple luxury of running water—a convenience I had truly taken for granted until then. The relief when it was finally restored was immense.
Just a few weeks later, as summer drew to a close and temperatures soared into the 90s, our central air conditioning unit decided to give out, blowing a fuse in the basement. Thankfully, Pat, with his extensive heating and cooling experience, quickly diagnosed the problem. Given that autumn was already upon us, it made little sense to invest in a brand-new unit right before winter. So, we endured the heat and made plans to purchase a new unit in 2018, looking forward to a cooler summer season.
Then, in early fall, Pat embarked on a major home improvement project: relocating our washing machine and dryer. Previously, our laundry area was inconveniently located upstairs in a closet-style pantry within the kitchen. While incredibly handy for quick loads, it could be quite noisy. With plans to gut and remodel the kitchen in the coming year or so (a project we’re cautiously optimistic about), moving the laundry facilities became a priority. Pat meticulously hooked up the electrical, installed the dryer, and cut the necessary pipes for water. With the help of a friend, he expertly sweat the pipe connections, ensuring a seamless water flow to the washer. His hard work transformed a large storage room in our basement into a functional and aesthetically pleasing laundry space. I genuinely don’t mind the extra trip up and down the stairs to do laundry now – it looks absolutely amazing!
However, not even a week after Pat completed this impressive renovation, my washer unexpectedly broke down. It would no longer complete a wash cycle, leaving a drum full of water. Despite being only five years old, and after Pat and I painstakingly took it apart, cleaned it, and reassembled it (thinking it was merely clogged), a Maytag repair technician ultimately delivered the grim news: it wasn’t worth fixing. A $900 washer purchased just five years prior was deemed irreparable—a concept we found difficult to grasp. Nevertheless, a new washer became our next unavoidable purchase. It truly felt like things were breaking back-to-back-to-back, a constant drain on our resources. The old adage, “things happen in threes,” proved remarkably true this year, perhaps even more!
Family Milestones and Triumphs: The Highlights of 2017
Now, let’s transition to the truly joyful aspects of 2017—the moments that made all the challenges worthwhile and filled our hearts with pride and happiness. These are the highlights, the memories we’ll cherish for years to come.
Malloree’s Remarkable Year
Malloree started 2017 with an incredibly generous act, donating a remarkable 14 inches of her beautiful hair. After years of sporting long locks, Mal decided it was time for a change and expressed a desire to donate her hair. With invaluable help from our wonderful friend and hairdresser, Nancy, Malloree specifically chose Wigs for Kids, ensuring her donation would directly benefit a child in need of a wig. This moment proved to be far more emotional than I had anticipated. I still have a video of Nancy carefully cutting the rubber-banded sections of Mal’s hair, and I remember trying desperately to hold back tears—but of course, I failed. It was a powerful mix of emotions: profound pride in my 12-year-old’s incredible generosity, intertwined with the bittersweet feeling of seeing years of her signature long hair being cut away. Mal shed a few tears too, but by the end of the day, we all agreed it was a truly wonderful decision. The shorter style made her look a little older, and to this day, she doesn’t regret it one bit, even expressing a desire to do it again.
Malloree also enjoyed an outstanding year in sports, particularly in softball. Her winter was spent playing indoor travel softball with her team, culminating in a first-place finish—a fantastic start to the year! In the spring, she proudly played for her middle school team, transitioning seamlessly back into summer travel ball immediately after. Her schedule was packed with games throughout the week, and nearly every other weekend involved intense two-day tournaments, showcasing her dedication and talent.
Among her many achievements, two memories stand out vividly. The first was when she finally got the chance to pitch in a game and absolutely dominated, leading her team to victory! She was deservedly awarded the game ball, signed by her teammates and coaches—a truly cool moment for her. The second highlight occurred when she was subbing for another travel team within the same organization. Mal hit a powerful line drive into left field, close to the third baseline, earning an impressive three-run double. I still get chills watching the video and hearing the cheers from the crowd. Beyond softball, Mal also excelled in 8th-grade volleyball. Her most memorable moment was serving an incredible nine aces *in a row*, shifting the momentum and putting her team in the lead to win a crucial game against our long-standing rival team. It was a testament to her focus and skill.
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And yes, defying all my attempts to keep her young, Malloree officially turned 13 this October. What-the-what?! She wasn’t supposed to get older; I distinctly remember making her promise me when she was just six!
Haileigh’s Journey into Adulthood
Speaking of getting older, Haileigh celebrated her 16th birthday this year, marking a significant milestone: she can now drive! Over the past six months, we’ve spent countless hours together in the car—over 50 hours, to be precise—navigating roads and mastering driving skills. Initially, I was absolutely terrified at the thought of her behind the wheel, but I now have full confidence in Haileigh’s ability to drive safely and responsibly. While a part of me will probably always be a little scared (it’s a parent’s prerogative, after all!), she truly is an exceptionally mature and responsible teenager, a stark contrast to how I was at her age. We trust her completely, knowing she approaches this new freedom with the seriousness it deserves.
Earlier in the year, Haileigh played with distinction for her high school softball team. She earned the captaincy of the JV team and was frequently called upon to sub in on varsity when needed, showcasing her versatility and skill. A particularly memorable highlight was her participation in the varsity game that ultimately secured the Metro League title for our school. This was a truly significant achievement, as it had been 40 years—dating back to 1977—since our school last claimed that title, making it an historic win that she was proud to be a part of.
Just when we thought her travel softball years might be drawing to a close, Haileigh made the decision to play one last season of travel softball with her coach from two summers ago before officially hanging up her helmet. For the upcoming 2018 season, she chose to dedicate herself to winter and summer travel ball, opting out of high school spring softball to prioritize her demanding academic schedule. Haileigh’s junior year is incredibly intense, with Advanced Placement (AP) Government, AP Language, Honors Algebra, Spanish IV, Chemistry, and MME prep, which helps prepare her for the SATs. Her two AP classes count towards college credits, and she is fiercely determined to earn those. Naturally, Pat and I fully support her decision. She has played softball since she was five years old, and while it’s been a huge part of her life, we know her future aspirations extend far beyond the softball field. Her dedication to her studies is inspiring.
Looking ahead, 2018 will bring another monumental chapter: Haileigh will embark on her college search. Just typing those words makes my stomach drop a little. She is currently weighing her options, deciding whether to venture away for the full college experience or stay closer to home and commute. As much as it pains me to imagine not seeing her every day and knowing she’s safely under my roof, I believe she would truly benefit from the independence and growth that come with living away at college. (This sentiment leans more towards Pat’s perspective, though deep down, I know he’s right). Ultimately, this is her choice to make, and I’m incredibly excited to accompany her on college tours and support her wherever her path leads.
Regardless of their individual journeys, Pat and I couldn’t be prouder of our girls. They are intelligent, caring, generous, and wonderfully confident young women. We feel incredibly lucky and grateful to be their parents and truly couldn’t ask for better daughters. They bring so much joy and meaning to our lives every single day.
Beyond the Kitchen: Hobbies, Reflections, and Family Time
Among the various purchases and experiences of 2017, one of the best investments I made (besides that fantastic Cuisinart coffee bar!) was a MacBook Pro (affiliate). Oh my goodness, it truly is the best computer I have ever owned! It came into my life at the perfect moment. Here’s a quick story: in October of 2015, I was in Utah with a wonderful group of fellow blogger friends. We were all gathered around a huge dinner table, talking shop and sharing insights. It struck me then that *everyone*—and I mean absolutely everyone—had a MacBook, except for me. My laptop, while older, still did the job… or so I thought. That is, until I accidentally shut it with a pen inside, cracking the screen and creating a persistent white line right down the middle. In that moment, I’ve never been happier to break an electronic device in my entire life! It was the perfect excuse for a much-needed, well-deserved upgrade, and the MacBook Pro has been an absolute game-changer for my workflow and creativity.
If I had to sum up my entire year in just a few words, I would undoubtedly say that I was either at a softball field or out on our beautiful lake. These two locations truly captured the essence of our family’s busy yet incredibly fulfilling 2017, reflecting both our daughters’ passions and our own cherished moments of relaxation and connection.
Pat and I made it a point to spend almost every available evening fishing on the lake. It became our daily ritual, the activity we looked forward to most after a long day. As soon as Pat would get home from work, we’d quickly eat dinner, then pack up our poles, tackle box, and towels, enthusiastically bidding “sayonara” to Haileigh and Malloree as we headed out. Our efforts were richly rewarded; we caught a ton of crappie, and I even reeled in an occasional bass. Pat, ever the keen fisherman, primarily caught impressive largemouth bass and a few good-sized pike, making each outing an exciting adventure. I’m proud to report that I officially no longer need his help taking fish off my hook—I’m quite the pro now! Though, he did teach me how to carefully remove a hook if a fish swallows it, which, while not my favorite task, I can now manage. We never kept any of our catches, always practicing catch and release, gently returning them to the lake. It was a time filled with so much fun, occasionally a little competitive, but always a deeply cherished way for us to connect and unwind together.
While Pat was away hunting, I decided to create a special “girls’ night” for Haileigh, Malloree, and me. We enjoyed a lovely dinner out before heading to see “A Christmas Carol” at Meadowbrook Theatre. I had fond memories of seeing the play myself as a teenager, so I wanted to share that experience with my daughters. I splurged on front-row tickets, and we were incredibly close to the stage! It was a fantastic vantage point, though when the stage “fog” rolled in, we could actually taste it, which was a bit less enjoyable. Despite the misty taste, they absolutely loved the performance, and we had such a fun and memorable evening together, creating new holiday traditions.
The holiday season, as it often does, passed in a wonderful blur of delicious food, laughter, and an abundance of wrapping paper. Every moment was deeply cherished. I feel incredibly fortunate for the wonderful friends and family who enrich our lives, and for the privilege of working from home, which allows me to be present for all these precious moments. I don’t take any of it for granted, especially knowing that Pat and I are heading into the final years of our daughters living at home before they embark on their college adventures. With that in mind, we are committed to making the most of every single moment we have together, creating lasting memories and savoring our time as a complete family.
Looking Ahead to 2018: New Goals and Creative Endeavors
As we step into 2018, I’m excited about the new goals and creative endeavors on the horizon. My primary plan is to give this blog a much-needed mini-update and redesign. The aim is to enhance its user-friendliness, making it even easier for you to navigate, discover new recipes, and enjoy the content. I want the site to feel fresh, intuitive, and welcoming, reflecting the evolution of SimplyScratch.
Beyond the visual refresh, I also plan to learn and dabble in video content creation—a venture I’ve been contemplating for a while. I admit, I feel a little late to the game and am still a bit reluctant, as it’s an entirely new skill set. However, I believe it’s an important step for the blog’s growth and for connecting with you in new ways. Even if I can manage to produce just one successful video, I will consider it a significant achievement and a step in the right direction.
Gratitude and Warm Wishes for the New Year
With all that said, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to YOU, our incredible readers. Thank you for stopping by day in and day out, for taking the time to read my posts, for trying out the recipes, and for leaving comments or sending emails. Your engagement and support are truly cherished and mean the world to me. It’s your encouragement that fuels my passion and keeps this blog thriving. I sincerely hope that you all have an absolutely amazing 2018, a year that brings you an abundance of joy, peace, love, and laughter.
From my family to yours, Happy New Year!
Explore My Past Year in Review Posts
Curious to see how our journey has evolved over the years? Here are links to my year-in-review posts from the past seven years. Enjoy a trip down memory lane! 🙂
- 2016: A Year In Review
- 2015: A Year In Review
- 2014: A Year In Review
- 2013: A Year In Review
- 2012: Bring It 2013!
- 2011: A Year In Review
- 2010: A Year In Review
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