“Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley
Reflecting on 2025: A Year of Growth, Gratitude, and Delicious Discoveries
It’s truly incredible to realize that this coming February will mark my sixteenth year of creating, photographing, and sharing a myriad of recipes here on Simply Scratch. As is tradition, this time of year calls for a thoughtful recap of the past 365 days, delving into both professional milestones and cherished personal moments. Crafting these annual “Year in Review” posts, often accompanied by a bounty of photographs, has become a cherished ritual. It’s an opportunity to truly relive all the significant and subtle, the exhilarating and the everyday occurrences that shaped the year gone by. What initially began as a simple compilation of popular recipes has gracefully evolved into a personal journal, a space where I can reflect on personal growth, exciting opportunities, and moments that hold deep meaning. Looking back over sixteen years of shared memories is, as you can imagine, filled with immense joy, yet it also carries a bittersweet undertone. To witness our children blossom into young adults, to bid farewell to beloved pets, and to truly grasp the passage of time is a profound experience.
Just like so many years before, I’m delighted to share that the past twelve months have been among the most fulfilling. Our family embarked on new adventures, forged countless indelible memories, and celebrated milestones both grand and intimate. While not every year navigates entirely smooth waters, we invariably discover a path forward, united in spirit. For every individual who enriches my life, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and blessing.
But first, let’s dive into the heart of Simply Scratch: the food.
Our Top 15 Favorite Recipes of 2025: Culinary Highlights from Simply Scratch
The year 2025 saw the introduction of a wonderful collection of new recipes to the Simply Scratch repertoire. However, my commitment to quality extends beyond new creations; I am continuously working to refresh and enhance older posts. This ongoing process involves retesting recipes, reshooting photography, and often completely rewriting instructions to be more clear, concise, and user-friendly. When I first embarked on this culinary journey sixteen years ago, my skills in food photography were still nascent, and the visual evidence in those early posts certainly reflects that learning curve. While I’ve stopped meticulously counting every single new recipe shared or old recipe updated – a task that quickly became overwhelming – I am thrilled to present a curated compilation of our community’s top 15 favorite recipes from 2025, a delightful mix of both brand-new culinary innovations and beautifully republished classics that found renewed love.
Buttermilk French Toast – Experience a delightful twist on traditional French toast with this exquisite recipe! Thick slices of challah bread are lovingly dipped into a rich vanilla buttermilk egg mixture, then griddled to golden perfection. Serve these delectable slices with a dollop of salted butter, a super simple yet incredibly flavorful maple blackberry sauce, and a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest for an unforgettable breakfast or brunch.
Italian Wedding Soup – Savor a truly flavorful soup featuring tender, small bite-sized meatballs, an array of delicate vegetables, and fresh spinach, all nestled in a light and simple Parmesan-infused broth. This comforting soup is then generously ladled over perfectly cooked acini di pepe pasta and finished with a generous sprinkle or two of freshly grated Parmesan cheese, making it a warming and satisfying meal.
Lemon Lime Bundt Cake – This vibrant Bundt cake bursts with both zesty lemon and tangy lime flavors, creating a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Each slice is further enhanced by a delicate brush of a simple, homemade lemon-lime glaze, adding an extra layer of citrusy sweetness.
Loaded Beef and Bean Nachos – Indulge in these hearty nachos, built upon a base of thick, crispy corn tortilla chips. They are generously piled with a rich, saucy mixture of seasoned beef and refried beans, blanketed with an abundance of melty cheese, and crowned with a vibrant array of toppings including crisp bell pepper, sharp red onion, and briny black olives. Once baked to perfection, serve with creamy guacamole, cool sour cream, and your favorite hot sauce for an ultimate crowd-pleasing snack or meal.
Italian Sausage and Sweet Pea Gnocchi – Discover a super simple and incredibly quick meal, ideal for any busy day of the week. This delightful dish features perfectly toasted gnocchi, savory Italian sausage, and sweet peas, all brought together in a simple yet irresistibly delicious, light, and creamy Parmesan sauce. It’s comfort food at its finest, ready in a flash.
Tuscan Tortellini Pasta Salad – This vibrant pasta salad combines tender, cheese-filled tortellini with fresh baby spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, savory salami, a delightful mix of Italian olives, sun-dried tomatoes, fragrant fresh basil, a rich Tuscan cheese blend, and delicate mozzarella pearls. Every ingredient is harmoniously tossed in a simple, sweet balsamic vinaigrette, creating a salad that is bursting with authentic Mediterranean flavors and textures.
Baked Vanilla Cardamom Nectarines – Indulge in this warm and inviting dessert where juicy nectarine halves are baked until tender with a sweet medley of butter, rich brown sugar, and aromatic spices. Each serving is then crowned with a cool scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream and a scattering of homemade granola, offering a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
Blistered Tomatoes with Burrata and Pancetta – Elevate your appetizer game with this elegant dish featuring perfectly roasted, blistered tomatoes, luxuriously creamy burrata cheese, and irresistibly salty, crisp pancetta. The ensemble is then gracefully drizzled with high-quality olive oil and a sweet, tangy balsamic glaze, and finally adorned with delicate ribbons of fresh basil. Serve this exquisite combination with crostini or rustic torn bread for a truly sophisticated experience.
Grilled Honey Lime Chicken (rice bowls) – Craft a meal that’s both incredibly simple and bursting with flavor using these succulent grilled honey lime chicken thighs. Once perfectly grilled, slice them and serve atop your favorite rice, accompanied by the most extraordinary pineapple teriyaki salad for a complete and satisfying rice bowl experience!
Gluten-Free Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies – This recipe offers a remarkably quick and effortless way to create delicious cookies, coming together in just 20 minutes with no chilling required! The delightful result is cookies with wonderfully crispy edges, soft and chewy centers, and the perfect balance of cookie dough to chocolate chips. You might find it hard to believe that these exceptional treats are both entirely gluten-free and vegan!
Cheesy Chicken One-Pot Pasta – Enjoy a wonderfully comforting dish where perfectly cooked ground chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and aromatic garlic gently simmer with penne pasta in a rich and creamy tomato sauce. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity – everything cooks together in a single skillet, making it an ideal pasta dish for any busy weeknight. It’s also a fantastic way to utilize any surplus cherry tomatoes from your garden!
Crispy Honey Sriracha Beef and Snow Peas – Delight in this vibrant stir-fry featuring crispy, thin strips of beef and fresh, crunchy snow peas. Both are generously tossed in a simple yet incredibly flavorful honey sriracha sauce, then served artfully over a bed of fluffy cooked rice for a quick, satisfying, and utterly delicious meal.
Peanut Chicken Sweet Potato and Broccoli Bowls – These bowls are a celebration of flavor, packed with fiber and protein, and incredibly quick and easy to prepare. Roasted sweet potato, tender broccoli, and hearty chickpeas are served alongside succulent rotisserie chicken (or any leftover roasted chicken you have). The dish is then generously drizzled with a rich and flavorful peanut sauce, and garnished with chopped peanuts, fresh cilantro, and vibrant sliced green onion. As an added bonus, this versatile recipe is also fantastic for meal prepping, ensuring delicious and healthy meals throughout the week!
Salted Maple Pie – This elegant custard pie showcases the rich, natural sweetness of maple syrup, beautifully combined with brown sugar, luxurious heavy cream, melted butter, eggs, and a hint of vanilla. All of these delightful ingredients are baked to perfection within a golden, sweetened pie crust. The distinct maple flavor truly shines, while a delicate sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a captivating pop of texture and a wonderful contrast to the pie’s inherent sweetness, elevating it to an unforgettable dessert.
Honeycrisp Manchego Kale Salad – This vibrant salad features a base of tender Tuscan kale, generously topped with crisp slices of Honeycrisp apple, savory Manchego cheese, irresistible crispy pancetta, and crunchy fried shallots. Dried cranberries and toasted pumpkin seeds add bursts of flavor and texture, all brought together with a delectable maple Dijon vinaigrette, subtly spiced with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s a symphony of sweet, savory, and tangy notes in every bite.
Embracing Opportunities: Our Personal Journey Through 2025
For our family, 2025 was defined by a resounding “yes.” It was a year dedicated to embracing new friendships, accepting invitations for coffee or lunch, daring to take those longed-for trips, and fearlessly pursuing activities that initially stirred a sense of nervousness. Simultaneously, we made a conscious effort to release anything that no longer served our highest good, creating space for more significant and meaningful experiences to flourish. Naturally, our path wasn’t entirely without its minor challenges, but we navigated each one with resilience and a collective spirit. This positive and proactive energy is precisely what we are carrying forward into the new year.
Haileigh’s Milestones: A Year of Teaching, Learning, and Adventure
Our eldest, Haileigh, celebrated her 24th birthday in memorable style, embarking on an exciting road trip with her closest high school friends. Their destination was a charming condo in Port Clinton, Ohio, offering the perfect base for adventure. They dedicated a thrilling day to Cedar Point, spent another relaxing by the pool, and enjoyed a delightful dinner at a lakeside restaurant on Lake Erie. The spring saw Haileigh successfully complete her first year of teaching, a significant accomplishment that she embraced with passion. Not one to rest on her laurels, she then began working towards her master’s degree while simultaneously stepping into her second year as a dedicated 2nd-grade teacher in the fall. We are immensely proud to anticipate her master’s degree completion soon – a truly exciting prospect! Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Haileigh made time for self-care by joining a gym near her workplace, attended several exhilarating Tigers baseball games, cheered on her alma mater at the CMU homecoming game with friends, enjoyed a hilarious comedy show, and rocked out at The Weeknd concert. Her energy and dedication truly inspire us all.
Malloree’s Journey: From Acceptance to Accomplishment
Early in 2025, Malloree received the highly anticipated acceptance letter for her dental hygiene program – a moment of immense pride and celebration for our family! She enthusiastically commenced her studies in the fall and has been excelling remarkably, absorbing a wealth of knowledge and growing to love the program more with each passing day. Over the summer, she experienced the electrifying sold-out Zach Bryan show at The Big House (Michigan Stadium) and also had the chance to see The Weeknd in concert, creating unforgettable musical memories. Malloree’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly as she took on the role of managing social media for the salon where she works, a skill she has since expanded to assist other businesses, even creating content for a friend’s wedding. The fall marked another significant milestone as Mal turned 21, and we celebrated this special occasion by enjoying a wonderful dinner out, complete with her first legal espresso martini! When she’s not diligently studying or working, Malloree cherishes her free time, spending it with her sister, her amazing girlfriends, and of course, her beloved buddy, Finn.
Finn: Our Sweet, Silly, Six-Year-Old Angel
Speaking of Finn, our furry family member celebrated his sixth birthday this year, a fact that still utterly bewilders me. It feels like just yesterday, back in 2019, when we first welcomed him into our home as a tiny pup. Time, regrettably, possesses an incredible speed, yet Finn remains, as always, the sweetest, most hilariously funny, and deeply loving angel. While a touch more white has begun to sprinkle his adorable face, we prefer not to dwell on that particular detail! He enjoyed numerous hunting expeditions with Pat, venturing both up north and into the vast landscapes of South Dakota, fulfilling his natural instincts. He absolutely adores car rides, especially when he can proudly poke his head out the window, feeling the wind rush by as we cruise down the road. His love for treats and popcorn remains undiminished, and snuggling with his favorite humans is still a top priority. Without a doubt, he continues to be the very best boy, bringing boundless joy and companionship to our lives every single day.
A Heartfelt Goodbye to Our Beloved Izzie
June brought a profoundly sad moment as we said our final goodbyes to our cherished cat, Izzie. She had been an integral part of our family for eighteen beautiful years and held a particularly special bond with Haileigh, serving as her constant companion. Over the course of her last year, Izzie began exhibiting increasing signs of malnutrition and lethargy, indicators that her quality of life was steadily diminishing. It was an agonizing decision, but one we collectively arrived at with heavy hearts: before her health declined further, we knew it was time to release her from her struggles. A compassionate veterinarian came to our home, allowing Izzie to enjoy a small, final dish of ice cream, a moment of comfort and sweetness. Then, cradled gently in Haileigh’s lap, Izzie peacefully crossed over the rainbow bridge. She was a truly stunning black cat, her fur gleaming like midnight, and possessed the most incredible, piercing green eyes. Her absence is still deeply felt, and we miss her dearly every single day.
Global Adventures: Dominican Republic & Nashville Highlights
Early last year, Pat and I embarked on a blissful escape to the Dominican Republic, where we met up with my sister and brother-in-law. For five idyllic days, we reveled in the luxurious tranquility of the Hyatt Zilara in Cap Cana – a resort I wholeheartedly recommend. Each day unfolded under a warm, perfectly sunny sky, with temperatures consistently hovering around a delightful 84 degrees Fahrenheit. We experienced only one brief morning shower, which quickly cleared to resume the island’s incredible, inviting weather. Our mornings would typically commence with an exquisite breakfast at the gourmet buffet, a true highlight. They boasted an impressive “build your own omelette” station, among many other culinary delights, where you could select your ingredients and watch the chef expertly prepare it before your eyes. It was an extraordinary experience, and I indulged in the same bespoke omelet almost every morning without a single regret. Following breakfast, we’d return to our rooms to change, then head down to the pristine beach for several hours of sun and sea. My sister and I cherished our daily walks along the shore, engaging in long, heartfelt conversations – undoubtedly one of my favorite memories from the entire trip. Later, we’d grab a delicious lunch on our way to the pool, where we’d relax further and enjoy a few refreshing cocktails. Midday often found my sister and me grabbing iced coffees from the charming, South of France-inspired café, savoring them poolside. Once we had absorbed all the glorious sunshine we possibly could, we’d return to our rooms to prepare for dinner. Evenings sometimes included catching a captivating live show, enjoying a sophisticated cocktail at the martini bar, or simply finding a quiet spot outdoors to converse in the warm evening air. This delightful routine would rinse and repeat the following day. I absolutely adored it! The freedom from obligations, the absence of pressing schedules, coupled with the perfect warm weather and exceptional company, made it a truly magical trip. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to return.
In December, Pat and I journeyed to Nashville, Tennessee, where we joined nineteen wonderful friends to celebrate our dear friend Kelly’s 50th birthday over a fantastic weekend. It was an exuberant few days, brimming with laughter, captivating sightseeing, incredible live music from talented bands, and even greater food and drinks. Nashville had long been on my personal travel bucket list, and this trip certainly proved to be an unforgettable experience, exceeding all expectations!
Pat’s Pursuits: Hunting, Craftsmanship, and New Creations
Early in the spring, Pat’s hunting prowess was rewarded with a magnificent turkey, and then in the fall, he successfully harvested a impressive 6-point deer. Our freezer is now wonderfully stocked with delicious roasts, succulent blackstraps, and versatile ground venison, filling me with immense satisfaction and gratitude for his efforts! His burgeoning wood shop continues to progress beautifully, and he consistently crafts gorgeous, high-quality pieces. We were thrilled when our local bookstore began carrying some of his exquisite charcuterie boards, and he also generously created quite a few for friends to give as thoughtful gifts. More recently, he has ventured into the intricate art of making turkey calls – a fascinating new hobby you’ll undoubtedly hear more about in my 2026 year in review!
My Intentions for 2025: Embracing Growth and Community
While I don’t typically make strict New Year’s resolutions, I am a firm believer in setting clear intentions for the year ahead. In 2025, I committed myself to a proactive mindset of saying “yes” to more opportunities, particularly those that pushed me outside my comfort zone. I diligently continued my yoga classes and maintained a focus on my overall health and well-being. A significant highlight was joining a book club at our local independent bookstore in January. This experience unexpectedly led me to explore genres I wouldn’t typically choose, and I thoroughly enjoyed the literary journey. More importantly, it introduced me to a wonderful group of women who have since become cherished friends. This newfound passion even inspired me to start hosting my own book club later in the year – so much fun and an incredible way to connect! Another personal highlight was accepting an invitation to be a guest on my friend Meg’s podcast (who also owns the local bookstore), where we had a lively discussion about a book we had both read. Beyond these community-driven activities, Pat and I upheld our annual tradition of traveling north to hunt for elusive morel mushrooms, and I even had an exhilarating session practicing target shooting with his handgun. We also enjoyed a few exciting casino trips, culminating in a memorable “hand pay” during our final visit of the year! Before the rush of the holidays, I shared a delightful outing with my dear friend Kristen, where we crafted festive holiday porch pots at a local nursery. It was a surprisingly therapeutic and immensely enjoyable experience. These moments, both big and small, truly enriched my year.
Looking Ahead: Gratitude and Anticipation for a Delicious 2026
Here’s to another truly incredible year! My heart overflows with thankfulness for my cherished friends and beloved family, and for every memorable moment we’ve shared together. In equal measure, I am profoundly grateful for each and every one of you, my wonderful readers and supporters. Your continued encouragement, your willingness to try these recipes, and your kindness in sharing them with others means the world to me and my family. Your unwavering support is the fuel that keeps Simply Scratch thriving, and for that, I am eternally appreciative. I am genuinely excited for yet another delicious year ahead, filled with new culinary adventures and shared experiences.
From my family to yours, we extend our warmest wishes for a happy and healthy 2026. May the coming year bring you an abundance of peace, love, joy, and laughter.
Explore Our Journey: Past Year in Review Posts
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010