ONE YEAR and a Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!

One year ago, today, I posted my very first blog entry. I started this blog after my sister, Sarah, casually mentioned that I should start posting some of the recipes I was trying--I certainly never thought I would enjoy it this much! I have met some extraordinary people and have truly enjoyed following so many different blogs...both cooking and otherwise. As you've all probably noticed, I do tend to go in spurts...I'm either posting up a storm or you'll notice a 2-3 week gap in posting. This past year has been quite challenging for so many reasons, but cooking has almost become a therapeutic outlet for me--I love experimenting and becoming more "adventurous" and am always so excited to share recipes that I feel are "keepers". It's also been a fun bonding experience for my family--my husband, son and even my daughter all enjoy helping in one way or another and it's great feeling as if the preparation of dinner was a "team effort" :) I'm anticipating some fairly major life changes in the next couple of months, but once things calm down a bit, I am unbelievably excited to get back on track and post more regularly...and comment on all of your blogs!

In honor of my one year "blogiversary", I wanted to give a little something away to my faithful followers--I am so touched that I currently have over 125 people following my blog! While I was running my errands yesterday, I picked up a new "Taste of Home Prize Winning Recipes", featuring 200 "best-of-the best recipes". I'll have you know...I'm kicking myself right now that I didn't pick up a copy for myself--I mean, seriously...the front picture is of Bacon-Cheese Topped Chicken...does it get much better than that?!? I was flipping through it this afternoon while waiting for my son to get out of preschool and spent the entire time drooling! There's an entire section on muffins, ham, party foods, chicken, one-dish classics, pasta, soups and stews, cakes, and a TON of other assorted desserts. Just at quick glance, I know that I would be interested in trying well over half of the recipes! I will DEFINITELY be stopping back at the grocery store to pick up my own copy :)

To enter for a chance to win this magazine, all I ask is that you leave me a comment, letting me know if you have a favorite recipe of mine that you've tried or if there's a particular recipe you've been itching to try. Winners will be selected at random...more than likely, I'll put each name in a hat and let my son pick--it doesn't take much to excite a four year old :) All comments must be posted by 11:59 EST on Sunday, January 31st and the winner will be announced Monday morning. PLEASE make sure you either include your email address or another way to get in touch with you. If the winner does not claim their prize within one week, another winner will be selected.

Now, just for a quick recap of my first year blogging! Here are some of my favorite recipes...

77 Meatballs

Beijing Beef

Cheesy Garlic Bread

Frosted Fudge Brownies

Triple Layer Banana Cake

Crunchy Garlic Chicken

Chicken with Lemon Sauce

Chicken Noodle Soup

Oatmeal Butterscotch Toffee Chip Cookies

Orecchiette with Spinach, Sausage and Tomatoes



Oven Roasted Potatoes

Baked Asparagus with Balsamic Butter Sauce

The above recipes are all exceptionally good and it was VERY hard to pick just a handful to feature! Of all of the recipes I've posted, there were literally only a couple that I wasn't completely sold on--and those were recipes that I thought could in fact have great potential, with a little "tweaking". I hope you all have enjoyed my blog as much as I have enjoyed all of yours and I can't begin to tell you how much I have appreciated all of the very sweet comments and feedback. Wishing you all a wonderful year and I'm so excited to see what everyone has in store!