Top 10 of 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes from 2010.  It was hard to choose my top ten but these are recipes that I have made several times throughout the year.  When I looked back at my posts from 2010, I realize that my food is not fancy at all.  It is comfort food.  It is simple and easy food.  It is good, delicious food.  It is me.

Thank you for everyone that has visited my blog this past year and has taken the time to leave me comments.  I truly appreciate all my visitors and all your kind words.  I'm looking forward to sharing more recipes in 2011.

Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

Onion-Herb Focaccia

Spaghetti with Sausage and Simple Tomato Sauce

Lemon Chicken

Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake



Beer Can Chicken





Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad



Herbed Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Orange Glazed Salmon

Mandel Bread

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  Don't forget to go back and look at the recipes you made in 2010.  Put your "keeper" recipes in a binder so you can remember all your favorite ones.  Make them again in 2011.   

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

Do you still have any cans of pumpkin in your pantry?  Or does your store still carry pumpkin this time of year?  If so, you must make this quick bread.  Who said pumpkin bread is just for fall and the winter months?  It really is for any time of year.  This recipe comes from one of my favorite blogs, Barbara Bakes.  My entire family loved this bread.  Even my picky eater, Mariah, who doesn't like pumpkin bread, loved this one.  I think it had something to do with the chocolate chips.  This recipe makes 2 medium loaves and I took some slices to work.  My co-workers loved it also and my boss has requested the recipe.  So, thanks Barbara for passing on a wonderful recipe that I will make over and over again.

Note:  I used mini chocolate chips instead of regular size since that's what I had in my pantry.    

Please go to Barbara's blog HERE to get the recipe for this moist and delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread.       

Enjoy!

I also wanted to mention that my 1 year blog anniversary was May 6th.  I didn't want to make a big deal about it but I can't believe I have been doing this for a year.  What fun it has been to share recipes with you and to "meet" so many incredible bloggers who inspire me everyday.  I want to thank everyone who has ever visited my blog and to those who have left comments.  I really do appreciate all my visitors.  I'm looking forward to another year of cooking, baking, eating and sharing!  

On a final note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day this past Sunday.  I spent the day at the beach with my husband and 2 daughters.  It was a gorgeous day.  I posted some photos of the day below.

 

The beautiful and peaceful Gulf of Mexico

Mariah and Marissa braving the cold water

 

Me and my girls.....I'm a lucky mom!

 

Marissa found this awesome shell.  It's on my kitchen windowsill now where I can enjoy it and remember this perfect day.   

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson:  The pumpkin bread calls for 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.  The recipe also notes that you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves for 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.  Just continue with the remaining spices listed in the recipe which does call for 2 more teaspoons of cinnamon.

A Special Birthday Celebration

13!

There will be no recipe today. This blog post will be to wish my daughters, Mariah and Marissa, a very Happy Birthday! So, this will be dedicated to them today. I can't believe your father and I are parents of teenagers. Where has the time gone? You are both growing up to be wonderful young ladies.

We are very proud of both of you. You are both dedicated and hard working girls and you should be proud of your sports accomplishments, band achievements and school work. I know 7th grade is hard and there is alot of pressure and expectations on you but you are handling it well.

I want to thank my family and friends for the positive influence you've had on the girls and for loving them so much.

We love you Mariah and Happy 13th Birthday! - always keep laughing and being silly

We love you Marissa and Happy 13th Birthday! - always be yourself and stay creative

Live, Love, Laugh!!!

Marissa really enjoying her birthday cupcake at her Halloween Birthday Bash!

Mariah REALLY enjoying her birthday cupcake!

(I hope the girls don't get too upset I posted these photos but I think they look adorable with their cupcake faces)

Enjoy!

Mom's Cooking Club Lesson: I hope my husband and I have taught my daughters many life lessons. We continue to do so every day. Through this blog and our every day life, I hope I'm also teaching them cooking, food and kitchen lessons. Recipes and skills that they will use in their adult life and pass on to their children one day.