Thursday, July 30, 2009

Happy Blogiversary to me and a GIVEAWAY for you!


WOW! It has been one year since I started this blog. I can't believe it! I started blogging with the gentle nudging of my friend, Monica. She had suggested it a few times, but I kind of shrugged it off. Then after being sucked into the world of following food blogs, I decided to start one of my own.

It all started with a cooking challenge. I challenged myself to make at least one new recipe per day for an entire month. I ended up making 56 new recipes that month! 56!!!! It was so much fun finally pushing myself to make new things. I have always tried new recipes, but this challenge gave me the chance to chisel away a bit at my "to try" file.

Another wonderful part of blogging has come from the great groups that I am a part of - The Daring Bakers, Tuesdays with Dorie, Cookie Carnival, Cheese of the Month, and Sweet Melissa Sundays. Believe it or not, I will also be joining fellow bloggers in a cupcake baking group! I enjoy being told what to make and discovering new favorites and/or techniques. Plus, I am never short on desserts! :)

I wanted to post about my favorite recipes from the past year, but the problem is that I have too many. I couldn't even begin to narrow it down if I tried. I hope that you have all enjoyed my recipes as much as I have. It always makes my day when I read that someone has tried something I posted about.

Throughout the last year I have enjoyed being a part of this blogging community. I appreciate all the people who stop by and comment on my blog. I am so grateful to everyone who reads my posts. I am looking forward to starting another year and sharing more recipes!

To celebrate one year of blogging, I am going to give away one of my favorite things. Have you heard of Tastebook? It is a fantastic website that allows you to purchase pre-made cookbooks or create your own. My friend, Erica, told me about these earlier in the year. I have made one already and have two more in the works. They are wonderful books and look great! Each book can hold up to 100 recipes and if you don't fill up the book at the time of purchase, you can add more later. Easy, convenient, and super cool!




One lucky person will win their very own Tastebook (25 recipes; shipping not included)! All you have to do is leave a comment here by midnight EST on Sunday, August 2nd. I will announce the winner on Monday, August 3rd.

Good luck and thanks again for making this past year awesome!

38 comments:

Flourchild said...

Happy happy anniversary to you. Im so glad you joined the blogging world. I was also encouraged by a friend to start a blog. Im so glad I did. Your recipes have been a joy to me and I love seeing your sweet comments on my blog.

Megan said...

Well, I am so glad you decided to start a blog too, because you always have something fun going on here. And besides, your kids are just too cute! More pictures, please!!

ALLRED FAMILY said...

Oooh, count me in Cristine!!!


Happy Blogiversary! I love your blog and seeing the new recipes. You are much more daring than I am and I totally love trying your pastas especially. Your Chicken Basil Pasta is a family favorite at home AND when we have big family get togethers.

ONE YEAR! YAY!!! Cheers to you and hopefully another year of trying new stuff and seeing your adventures!

Coleens Recipes said...

Happy FIRST blogiversary Christine!! I enjoy your website every day. Keep the great recipes coming.

The McBride Family said...

HAPPY Blogiversary Cristine!!!! I am so glad you started this blog and you know I LOVE making your recipes. Even if Travis asks me if I'll ever try a recipe of my own. Why would I do that? Cristine has already tried it and she knows what's best!! :) Love you girl and I'm going to miss you so incredibly much when you leave (well you, Nate, Anya, Eric, AND your cooking!)

Brad and Erica said...

Happy, happy blogiversary! I am so glad you started this blog, and I am so glad I have been able to taste so many of your creations. I was trying to think of my favorite recipes of yours for the past year, and I couldn't narrow it down either. It seems like every new post becomes a new favorite! I hope you have many, many more blogiversaries to come. You know I will be there (at least in cyberspace) for every one!

Parita said...

Happy Blog anniversay dear! wish u lots more!

Katy ~ said...

Not entering your WONDERFUL giveaway (I purchased software recently to make my own cookbook at home) but I could not pass up this opportunity to say how much I enjoy your blog.

Happy Blogiversary, my foodie friend! So many good recipes and memories have been shared here. I am looking forward to another delicious year.

Mrs. G said...

Happy Blogiversary and many more!

Claudia said...

Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for turning me on to the Tastebook website. I am compiling a coobook for grand student son who is poor and wants simple and fresh. Now to check out your Tangerine Pork Belly (scrumptious sounding).

Maria said...

Congrats! Love your blog!

Unknown said...

Happy Blogiversary!! I love reading and seeing your cooking/baking!!

Tara said...

Happy Blogiversary Cristine! I need some major help in the kitchen, so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I win! :)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Happy Blogiversary Cristine. Hope this next year is even sweeter! :)
~ingrid

Lindsey Alexander said...

Happy Anniversary! Good luck on another great year.

Anonymous said...

Happy first anniversary, Christine! I'm so impressed with your ability to keep up with so many groups- I know I could never do that. Good luck with your new cupcake group!

-Jen

betty geek said...

Love you, Cristine!

HAPPY BLOG ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I greatly, immensely, and truly enjoy your blog posts, pictures, and everything else in between.

I admire your tenacity and passion for food and experimentation. It's like reading a personal food diary, through the good times and bad!

You are one of my favorite bloggers in the whole wide world and I am so glad that you are my blogger friend.

PLEASE KEEP IT UP!


XOXO

Natalie said...

love your blog, and this giveaway! i just heard about tastebook recently for the first time and i so want to make one!

Thanks!

teresa said...

Happy blogiversary!!

Brad and Erica said...

Geez... all these comments. It is lowering my chance of winning. If I comment twice, do I get entered twice? (Just kidding). I can't wait to see you tomorrow -- but I don't know if I am more excited to see you or to see those delicious cookies!

Conforti Family said...

Im in!

Ive Love to bake and love love to make desserts but now im branching out and making homeade bread for my family instead of buying it and i want to get a wheat grinder so i can grind my own wheat for bread. I was looking at your cookies and i think im will try making the peanut butter cookies, they looked really good!
Happy blogiversary!

Millers! said...

Congratulations, you are an amazing lady!!!! Love your blog!
PICK ME PICK ME.. LOL

The Grows said...

This taste book will have your recipes in it right? I already love the one you gave me and use it all the time. I even took it with me in my suit case because I didn't think I could go a whole month without it. I am all for entering to get another one. On another note....I can't believe it has been a whole year. What a year it has been. I can truly say that you cooking sure made that year a lot better. Not to mention that you yourself made it great too. I miss you so much already and I have only been gone a little over a week. Well, this is turning into a sappy novel so I better go!!!

Julie said...

Just found your blog and the food looks great! Never heard of tastebook..sounds interesting :)

Carolyn Holtgrewe said...

I check your blog almost every day and I can't believe that it has already been a year...oh how the time flies. Congrats on 1 year keep up all the good work oh and the cooking also!!!
love ya- Carrie
mchholtgrewe@yahoo.com
(just in case you didn't know where to find me)

Michele said...

Happy blog anniversary!!

sarah trimble said...

always lurking - and loving your blog... can't wait to see you soon! *hugs*

Hayley said...

That is really neat I will have to tell my MIL about that! Happy Anniversary!!!

Cari said...

It's been a year already! Crazy!

Heather Evans said...

Thanks to Monica we check your blog often and use your delicious recipes all the way in Arizona. Love it!!

Tina said...

Sounds like fun! Hope to make one even if I don't win. Love the blog and have used several of the recipes in our house.

Bunny said...

Happy Blogaversary Cristine, it has been a pleasure to be here with you! I have to check this site out it sounds wonderful!

Kaitlin said...

Happy anniversary! It sounds like it's been a very productive year. Thank you so much for the giveaway; what a cool idea!

HanaĆ¢ said...

Happy blog-aversary. I'm glad you've enjoyed blogging. I enjoy reading your posts, and am always surprised you have access to everything we do here, even though you're on the other side of the pond :o) When I travel to Europe to visit family, I have to bring a bunch of baking stuff with me :o)

Katie Evans said...

Wow, one year. Congratulations. You're doing a great job. Thanks for sharing all the great recipes. Here's to another great year!

Marthe said...

Happy Blogoversary!! My first blogoversary was also on this 31st of July, doesn´t a year go by fast??

I'm also having a giveaway to celebrate a year of blogging: giving away some of my favourite things.

Leslie said...

I know I am too late for the giveaway, but HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Anonymous said...

Happy blogoversary!! It's been great cooking/baking along with you.

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