God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. #wordstoliveby
Welcome 2021: Reflecting on a Transformative Year
There’s a special joy in crafting these annual “Year in Review” posts. It’s an invaluable opportunity to sift through 365 days of experiences, capturing fleeting memories and significant moments in lasting words for reflection and remembrance. However, 2020 stands out as truly unparalleled, a year that defied all expectations. Before diving into the personal highlights and culinary triumphs, it feels essential to acknowledge the unprecedented landscape that shaped our lives.
For many, 2020 was a mosaic of conflicting emotions: devastating, yet strangely enlightening; terrifying, but also encouraging; frustrating, yet filled with moments of profound connection. It demanded immense sacrifices from people across all walks of life. Yet, amidst the storm, I hold a deep conviction that a rainbow awaits. I am profoundly hopeful that the most challenging times are behind us and that a brighter, more settled future is on the horizon.
When the stay-at-home order became our new reality, I responded in the only way I truly know how: by immersing myself in activity. My days became a rhythm of work, cooking, and relentless recipe development. Initially, I envisioned “taking time off” to embrace this unexpected period with my family. Haileigh was home from college, Malloree from high school, and Pat was working remotely, frequently on call. I yearned to share this time with them. We explored local trails, binged countless shows on Netflix, and revived our love for board games and card nights. I even indulged in air-drying clay, paints, and puzzles, seeking creative outlets. This initial honeymoon phase, however, eventually gave way to my inherent restlessness, propelling me back into the kitchen with renewed vigor.
Simply Scratch Flourishes: A Year of Culinary Creation
This year, my passion translated into 146 brand new recipes and over 35 updated recipes, boasting fresh, vibrant photography.
Simply Scratch has consistently been a profound blessing in my life, and its significance amplified exponentially this past year. The ability to continue working, especially from the safety and comfort of my home, filled me with immense gratitude. As restaurants faced unfortunate closures, more people turned to home cooking, seeking reliable and inspiring recipes. It’s incredibly humbling to think that Simply Scratch recipes found their way onto so many kitchen tables, offering comfort and deliciousness during uncertain times. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your culinary creations and the joy they bring when you tag me on social media.
My love affair with food began at a very young age. From playing with miniature plastic food in my Strawberry Shortcake particleboard kitchen to pulling up a step stool to watch my mom conjure magic in her own kitchen, or tuning into PBS for the Frugal Gourmet and Yan Can Cook (and, let’s be honest, Bob Ross!), food has always captivated me. Since founding Simply Scratch in 2010, not a single day passes where I don’t feel utterly blessed to be living my literal dream job. In 2020, this sense of gratitude deepened immeasurably, solidifying my connection to this beautiful culinary journey and the community we’ve built together.
Our 25 Most Loved Recipes of 2020: A Culinary Journey
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Chicken and Cauliflower Rice: Experience the ultimate in easy, epic sheet pan dinners. Thin strips of tender chicken and a colorful medley of vegetables are tossed in a savory teriyaki sauce and aromatic sesame oil, then roasted to perfection alongside fluffy cauliflower rice.
Homemade Air Fryer French Fries: Indulge in crispy, golden fries with a fraction of the fat and calories. Russet potatoes are expertly sliced, lightly tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then air-fried in your countertop appliance until irresistibly crunchy.
Korean BBQ Beef Bowls and Spicy Korean Vegetable Slaw: Savor lean ground beef, expertly cooked with fragrant onions, garlic, and fresh ginger, then simmered in a luscious homemade Korean BBQ sauce. Serve these flavorful bowls over rice, crowned with a vibrant spicy Korean slaw and a perfectly fried egg.
White Bean Chicken Poblano Stew: Discover this wholesome one-pot wonder, featuring tender shredded chicken, creamy white beans, and the mild spice of poblanos. This healthy, hearty stew is perfect for any weeknight, serving 6 to 8, and freezes beautifully for future meals.
Classic Minestrone Soup: A comforting bowl brimming with fresh vegetables, hearty beans, al dente pasta, and a rich, flavorful tomato broth. Elevate your experience with a spoonful of homemade basil pesto, a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, and crusty grilled bread.
Air Fryer Everything Bagels: Enjoy healthy, yeast-free bagels made with Greek yogurt, boasting incredible flavor. These delights are studded with sunflower seeds and generously topped with a homemade everything seasoning. Yields 4 irresistible bagels in just 45 minutes.
No-Knead Rye Bread: Effortlessly bake a delicious loaf by simply combining ingredients the day before, allowing time to work its magic. Baked in a hot Dutch oven, this bread develops the most exquisite, flavorful crust. Recipe yields 1 loaf, approximately 12 slices.
Beef Street Tacos: Experience simple yet explosively flavorful tacos. Finely minced skirt steak is cooked with onions, generously stuffed into toasted corn shells, and garnished with fresh white onion and an abundance of cilantro. Serves 6 in about 30 minutes.
No-Churn Pistachio Ice Cream: Indulge in lusciously creamy and nutty homemade ice cream. This simple yet decadent recipe combines whipped cream and sweetened condensed milk with rich pistachio butter and a hint of vanilla for a truly delightful dessert.
Small Batch Lasagna: Discover a saucy, cheesy, and effortlessly assembled lasagna. Oven-ready noodles are layered between four sumptuous layers of rich meat sauce, melted mozzarella, and creamy ricotta, serving 6 generously.
Honey Barbecue Sausage Sheet Pan Dinner: Enjoy a complete meal as potatoes roast alongside turkey smoked sausage, crisp green beans, and sweet onions, all coated in a simple yet irresistible honey barbecue sauce. Smoky, sticky, and sweet, this dish serves 4 in just 35 minutes.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Blondies: These sweet, chewy blondies are bursting with flavor, made exceptionally special by the nutty depth achieved from browning the butter beforehand. Yields 16 delectable squares.
Grilled Peach and Sweet Potato Arugula Salad: A vibrant salad packed with grilled peaches, tender roasted sweet potatoes, juicy fresh tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and crunchy pistachios. This delightful medley rests on a bed of peppery baby arugula, drizzled with our signature house balsamic vinaigrette. Yields 4 generous salads.
Summer Tomato Caprese Salad Recipe: Celebrate the flavors of summer with garden-fresh tomatoes, expertly sliced and adorned with fresh mozzarella and fragrant basil. A drizzle of olive oil and balsamic glaze, finished with flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, enhances both flavor and texture.
Smoked Pork Shoulder: This comprehensive guide shares our cherished method for brining, seasoning, smoking, and serving incredibly tender, deliciously smoky pulled pork – perfect for your next barbecue.
Dutch Apple Fritter Bread: Savor this moist, flavorful bread, generously studded with tender apples, rich brown sugar, and warm cinnamon. A delightful yogurt glaze drizzled over the top adds the perfect finish.
Easy Brioche Dinner Rolls: Bake a batch of tender, rich, and subtly sweet brioche dinner rolls with this simple recipe. Perfect for a cozy weeknight meal or an elegant holiday dinner, this recipe yields 12 soft, delicious rolls.
Homemade San Marzano Marinara: Craft a luxurious, deeply flavored marinara sauce by simmering sautéed onions and garlic with premium San Marzano tomatoes and wine for hours, then finishing with a medley of fresh herbs. This recipe yields 10 cups and includes detailed freezing and thawing instructions.
Lasagna Soup: Enjoy all the beloved flavors of classic lasagna – savory Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, and rich marinara – transformed into one comforting bowl of soup! Serve with torn bread or breadsticks. This recipe generously serves 6 to 8.
Salted Caramel Espresso Hazelnut Cookies: A harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and nutty flavors, elevated with a delightful espresso chocolate chip flair! These cookies are even more irresistible served with a tall glass of ice-cold milk. Yields 3 dozen, perfect for sharing.
Halloween Candy Cookie Bars: Transform homemade cookie dough with chocolate and peanut butter candies, then bake and press with all your favorite candy bars and fun spooky eyes! Yields 18 festive bars.
Make Ahead Turkey Gravy: Create an incredibly flavorful homemade gravy by roasting turkey wings, vegetables, and herbs before simmering them with wine and stock. This delicious base can be made weeks in advance and frozen, or 3-4 days ahead and refrigerated. Yields 4 cups.
Ancient Grain Arugula Salad: This delightful copycat version of Panera Bread’s Ancient Grain Arugula Salad features grilled chicken, wholesome cooked grains, crisp fresh grapes, and sweet apples, all atop a bed of peppery arugula and drizzled with a simple cider vinaigrette. Serves 4.
Christmas Morning Mimosa: Elevate your holiday morning with this festive cocktail. A blend of cranberry and pomegranate, spiked with Grand Marnier, and sweetened with cinnamon simple syrup, then topped off with Prosecco and served in elegant sugar-rimmed champagne glasses. Serves 8 (depending on glass size and pour).
Winter Farro Salad with Fried Shallots: A vibrant and hearty salad featuring cooked farro tossed with crisp green apple, tart dried cranberries, tender baby arugula, and toasted walnuts. Dressed in a delicate honey Dijon vinaigrette and crowned with crispy fried shallots, this recipe serves 8-10.
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Beyond the Kitchen: Our Family’s Journey Through 2020
Looking back, I truly believe our family made the absolute most of what was undeniably a “craptastic” year. While the girls eventually developed a mild case of cabin fever, Pat and I, being natural homebodies, found ourselves surprisingly content. I often joked that I’d been unwittingly training for this mandatory stay-at-home order for years! As mentioned, I cooked an incredible amount, but I also dedicated myself to reading and meticulously organizing our home from top to bottom. There are still a few bags awaiting donation, but the bulk of the clutter is gone, a silver lining I owe entirely to 2020.
Pat and I made several trips up north, finding solace in Michigan’s natural beauty. Our annual morel mushroom weekend with close friends, however, was a bust due to an unexpected late frost. We might have found a mere five mushrooms, if that! Despite the foraging disappointment, the trip was a much-needed escape, filled with laughter, games, amazing food, and relaxed evenings enjoying adult beverages. After months of limited social interaction, it was the perfect remedy for our spirits.
Early in the year, Pat and I made what turned out to be one of our best purchases ever: a smoker! So far, we’ve successfully smoked several succulent pork butts and a glorious brisket. My initial attempt at smoked queso, while delicious, definitely needs a bit more refinement – practice makes perfect! We have an extensive list of new things we’re eager to smoke in 2021, and I can’t wait to share our smoky adventures with you. Stay tuned for more!
Pat, ever the outdoorsman, had a fantastic year filled with his favorite pursuits. He spent ample time on the golf course and dedicated many hours to hunting. In the spring, he proudly harvested a magnificent 21-pound turkey. Early fall saw him reeling in a couple of impressive Chinook (king) salmon, which I promptly transformed into this incredibly flavorful salmon chowder. October brought a truly special trip to South Dakota for Finn’s very first pheasant hunt – our pup did exceptionally well! Pat even described it as a “trip of a lifetime.” For him, 2020 was a year abundantly filled with the joys of nature and outdoor adventure.
As for me, much of 2020 was spent in a comfortable uniform of leggings and hoodies, often without makeup and with my hair effortlessly pulled into a topknot. After all, where was I going? My year also saw me expand my plant collection, adding more vibrant greenery to our home, and I savored countless hours on the lake throughout the summer. I dabbled in refinishing a few pieces of furniture, though nothing as major as previous years’ projects. In September, I celebrated my 40th birthday, and by December, Pat and I had invested in a treadmill and a dumbbell set. There’s something about turning 40, especially amidst a global pandemic, that truly ignites a drive for change. Since acquiring our new fitness equipment, I’ve been diligently running, lifting, and toning almost every single day. It’s funny how life’s milestones can be such powerful catalysts.
Speaking of turning 40, Pat had meticulously planned a wonderful long weekend trip to Las Vegas for my birthday. Sadly, we had to postpone it due to the obvious global circumstances. Instead, in July, he creatively orchestrated a “casino crawl” for us, booking rooms at three different Michigan casinos. This unique celebration was significant for another reason: it was the first time I had ventured anywhere beyond the grocery store in months, a stark reminder of the year’s confinements.
A Memorable Michigan Road Trip
On our journey to the second casino in Traverse City, we embarked on a scenic drive along M22, tracing the breathtaking coast of Lake Michigan. As we passed through charming towns, we found ourselves daydreaming about potential summer homes and made several stops to capture the stunning scenery with photographs. While we both enjoy gambling, we wholeheartedly agreed that this impromptu road trip was the absolute highlight of the trip. On day three, we ventured into the Upper Peninsula, driving across the iconic Mackinac Bridge – a first for both of us! We stayed at a casino in St. Ignace, nestled on the shores of majestic Lake Superior. Our final evening was spent walking the serene shoreline, where I collected some beautiful driftwood, and we watched a spectacular sunset. Later, a couple of unexpected jackpots made the trip even more incredibly memorable.
Haileigh triumphantly completed her first year of college, making the prestigious President’s List – a truly incredible achievement! Her dedication and hard work shine through in everything she undertakes. In late August, she embarked on her sophomore year. While most of her classes were online, she was able to move into her dorm with her roommates, a precious sliver of normalcy for which she was profoundly grateful. She embraced the experience, forged new friendships, and truly made the most of her college life during these unusual times.
Just before she left for college, Haileigh decided to go brunette. Oh my goodness, when I thought she couldn’t be more beautiful! Her stunning blue eyes now pop even more, and she playfully jokes that she finally looks related to the rest of us. She has been home since the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, working full-time as a cashier, and is eagerly anticipating her return to college in mid-January to finish out the school year.
For Malloree, the undeniable highlight of her year came in February when she finally had her braces removed. This was a process that began back in 2016 with expanders and countless orthodontist appointments. It seemed as though the moment they came off, she blossomed five years overnight, with a palpable surge in her confidence. I’m so incredibly happy that she absolutely adores her beautiful new smile.
Just a week later, she boarded an airplane with her varsity dance team, bound for Florida and a highly anticipated DTU dance competition. This talented team pushed through prelims, advanced to finals, and achieved remarkable placements: 10th in varsity jazz and 11th in varsity pom! Their hard work and dedication truly paid off, marking a significant accomplishment for these gifted young dancers. In October, Malloree celebrated her 16th birthday, and a month later, she proudly obtained her driver’s license, embracing new independence.
The week before Christmas brought a terrifying experience. Malloree was driving to get Dunkin’ Donuts, a route she’d taken dozens of times. Before she left, I glanced outside; it was just starting to snow lightly, so I believed she’d be fine for the short drive. On her way home, before even a sip of her iced vanilla latte or a bite of her glazed doughnut, she hit black ice and lost control of the car. Her vehicle veered into a ditch, flipping onto nearby logs destined to be milled for mulch. It was every parent’s worst nightmare, unfolding in an instant.
Thankfully, she emerged absolutely unharmed.
I’ve driven with Mal countless times and know her to be a confident and safe driver. However, if I had known the road conditions were treacherous, I would never have let her go. The “mom guilt” I carried when reflecting on that day was immense. I had no idea that just ten minutes away, there was more snow and a drastic drop in temperature had rendered the roads icy. I was tracking her on the Life 360 app and noticed her going into an area that, in summer, is a farmer’s market, and then suddenly, her speed registered zero miles an hour. Confused, and having spent 14 years in a level 1 trauma center which often pushes me to think the worst, I instead tried to rationalize, imagining she’d pulled over for a phone call. Then, my phone rang in my hand, and it was her. Crying, she told me she was upside down but okay. Two angels, a father and daughter, stopped immediately, called 911, and stayed with her until paramedics arrived – bless their compassionate hearts. Because she was driving my car, I had no immediate way to reach her, as Pat was at work. Haileigh, coming home from her job, picked me up, and we rushed straight to the scene. Fortunately, Malloree’s best friend and her mom were also there, offering comfort until we arrived.
It was the best worst day – if that makes sense.
Once my car was uprighted, I needed to retrieve the insurance and registration from the glove box. Both airbags had deployed, glass and coffee were scattered everywhere, and I noticed her doughnut still wedged in the door frame. A week later, at the tow yard to collect the license plate and our remaining belongings, the doughnut was still there, in the exact spot, and remarkably, still in pretty good condition. Needless to say, my car was totaled – and that is perfectly fine. Cars can be replaced; our daughter cannot. We thank the universe every single day that she walked away from that horrific accident uninjured. We all recognize that day could have ended so differently. Not many parents are as fortunate to see their child emerge from such a crash unharmed. I think we’ve all hugged her a million times since then, cherishing her presence more than ever.
Finn, our beloved dog, probably had the best year out of all of us. Blissfully unaware of the world’s turmoil (lucky him!), he truly lived his best life in 2020. He enjoyed countless walks, celebrated his first birthday in July with plenty of special treats, and was spoiled rotten with ice cream. He played hours of fetch, chasing balls with boundless energy, and patiently posed for lots and lots of photos. Honestly, he was the brightest spot of the year for our family. Finn has an uncanny ability to make everything fun, constantly eliciting laughter and smiles with his silly faces and adorable shenanigans. I seriously cannot imagine our family without his joyful, goofy presence.
Even a harrowing encounter with a porcupine couldn’t dampen his spirits or his status as the best dog ever. A minor surgery to remove twenty-some quills, and he handled it like a true champ. However, wearing the “cone of shame” was a different story. The moment one of us put it on him, it was as if we pressed a pause button – he would freeze, utterly bewildered, eventually just lying down. It was absolutely hilarious to watch. FYI, the ace bandage didn’t last long, but he looked so incredibly cute that I simply had to snap a picture.
This heartwarming shot was taken by Pat, just two weeks after Finn’s little “booboo,” during their pheasant hunt in South Dakota. I absolutely love this picture; it captures his adventurous spirit perfectly.
Embracing the Future: Hopes and Gratitude for 2021
Well, what a year it has truly been. It was certainly not the one we anticipated, nor the one we could have ever predicted. However, I can only hope that 2021 will be better – it simply has to be, right? If there’s one profound lesson I’ve learned from this last year, it is this: there is no way to predict the future, life is incredibly precious, and it is imperative to always make the most out of any situation, no matter how challenging.
To each and every one of you who visits Simply Scratch, who cooks or bakes one of my recipes, who takes the time to leave a comment or send an email – I want to express my deepest, most heartfelt appreciation. Over the past ten years, many of you have grown from readers into cherished friends, and to me, that connection is the very essence of what this blog is all about. Without each and every one of you, Simply Scratch simply wouldn’t exist, and I am eternally thankful for your years of unwavering support and companionship on this culinary journey.
I am eagerly looking forward to this new year, to fresh beginnings, and to all the delicious food and memories yet to be created!
From my family to you and yours, we extend our warmest wishes for a healthy, prosperous 2021, and hope that it brings you an abundance of peace, love, joy, and laughter.
Looking Back: Our Previous Year in Review Posts
For those interested in revisiting past reflections, here are the links to my previous nine year-in-review posts:
2019: A Year of Culinary Growth and Family Adventures
2018: Milestones and Memories on Simply Scratch
2017: A Journey of Flavor and Personal Bests
2016: Celebrating Creativity and Community
2015: Delicious Discoveries and Fond Recollections
2014: Expanding Horizons in the Kitchen and Beyond
2013: A Year of Growth for Simply Scratch
2012: Looking Back, Leaping Forward
2011: Early Chapters of Simply Scratch
2010: The Genesis of Simply Scratch