2023! What a yr!
I believed it will be enjoyable to place collectively a spotlight of 2023 month-by-month. What was occurring on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe…and what was occurring in actual life, too!
Thanks for being right here each step of the way in which. By all of the recipes, life updates, bizarre jokes, fascinating remark threads, and extra.
January
Weblog:
I posted this consolation soup recipe, and it was immediately one of the vital fashionable recipes of all time! So a lot of you made it, cherished it, raved about it, and then made it once more.
Life:
Sick with Covid, I used to be flat in mattress for a complete week and used the time to lastly watch Crash Touchdown on You. I might find yourself watching this best-ever collection thrice in 2023, which isn’t any small feat for somebody that doesn’t watch an entire lot of TV. (Seems, this was simply the beginning of my Ok-drama obsession.)
February
Weblog/Instagram:
I made an Instagram reel for this epic twisted croissant French bread and it hit a million views. Right here is why everybody ought to make this bread: a) you get to pound the heart out of a butter packet and b) you additionally get to get pleasure from twisty, buttery croissant-like layers with out having to spend three days of your life making precise croissants.
Life:
I had a birthday and turned the whopping 4-5. I additionally fell in love with these dill pickle pretzels. (Nonetheless in love with them nearly a yr later.) We had been hit with sudden information when Brian’s place at work was eradicated.
March
Weblog/Enterprise:
March would show to be an enormous month that might influence my complete yr: I made a decision to jot down and publish a cookbook! I had been fascinated about this for years, however lastly took the plunge primarily based on life circumstances that meant Brian might be round to assist out a bit extra whereas I took on writing a manuscript, testing and photographing a whole bunch of recipes, and navigating deadlines, bi-weekly design and modifying calls and extra.
Life:
See above. 🙂
April
Weblog:
I solely posted two new recipes this month, which I believe is the least quantity of recent recipes to hit the weblog in a given month for the reason that onset of my weblog in 2007 (even once I had a brand new child!). A number of you reached out to ask if I used to be okay (thanks! the cookbook course of was hitting full power and I used to be buried!). Additionally, Gladys the hen and her no nonsense side-eye made their debut on Instagram. (Gladys is now not with us, so I’m glad she had a second in the highlight.)
Life:
Two household birthdays, center college tennis meets, and lovely spring climate rounded out this month. I began consuming Athletic Greens/AG1 after a bunch of influencers advised me I ought to (hoping it will assist with hair thinning and magically treatment all my illnesses). It was gross. I finished. Upon additional reflection, I noticed all my illnesses are possible attributable to age, life decisions, and my consumption of darkish chocolate. #worthit
Might
Weblog:
I made up for April and posted six new posts this month, together with these copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls, which you went CRAZY for.
Life:
College acquired out for the summer season, my dad and mom came visiting from Montana (which doesn’t occur fairly often, so we cherished each minute), and my second kiddo headed off to the Dominican Republic for a 2 half of week humanitarian journey with HXP (this program is superb and has been extremely impactful for my two sons who’ve gone on journeys).
June
Weblog:
My son, Ty, satisfied me to lastly publish the recipe that has change into his signature bake. Mini banana chocolate chip muffins. That was a great determination since you guys have cherished them, too! Enjoyable reality: he made the muffins which can be pictured in that recipe publish (and even took just a few of the photographs!).
Life:
We acquired away for a number of days to one in all my favourite locations on the planet (Redfish Lake) and it was simply the reset my thoughts and soul and physique wanted after one of many busiest spring seasons of my life. I additionally wore crocs nearly on daily basis this month with zero regrets. Apparently, primarily based on this image, so did my youngsters. 🙂
July
Weblog:
Okay, OKKKK, the second month this yr I posted solely two new recipes. 🤪🤪🤪 #sendhelp 😂 In my slacking, nevertheless, I DID provide you with these Hawaiian Hen and Veggie Teriyaki Bowls and they had been (and are) spectacular.
Life:
Celebrated my 21st marriage ceremony anniversary with huckleberry milkshakes on the again porch, gratefully acquired information that dominated out a significant medical emergency with one in all my youngsters, and helped out two good associates with meals for his or her youngsters’ weddings. Additionally, Boise is HOTTTTT in July and August, and I hate it. I’m a high-60’s sort of woman.
August
Weblog:
Chocolate Oreo Crumbl Cookies. Want I say extra?
I additionally made some modifications with just a few areas of focus for my weblog (video, e-mail, and many others). That’s in all probability not terribly thrilling to anybody else, however there are huge modifications looming on the horizon for bloggers and the way in which they can earn income (spoiler alert: it’s not nice information), and I’m making an attempt to transition and keep up with the altering tides in order to have the ability to proceed doing what I really like right here on the weblog.
Life:
Took a completely spontaneous journey (18 hours spherical journey 😜) with Camryn, the one keen household participant, to go sleep in a tent and decide huckleberries with good associates who willingly shared their secret choosing spot. Finest three days of my life (apart from the sleeping in a tent half).
Additionally, college began up once more, which meant I may cease pulling all-nighters to get issues achieved and depend on the quiet(er) college day to knock issues off my to-do checklist in this superior, bizarre world of being a stay-at-home-but-also-work-at-home-mom.
September
Weblog/Instagram:
Strayed from actual recipes for a scorching second and posted an Instagram reel for my go-to “recipe” for window washing. It shortly hit a million views and landed me on the Yahoo information web page, which subsequently had me regretting my harmless try to share one thing useful and enjoyable as I advised my youngsters that going viral is very overrated when it means individuals ship you vicious hate feedback about the way you wash your home windows. 😂
Life:
Began a significant kitchen transform (!!). Additionally felt overwhelmed by some private/household challenges and took numerous night prayer-walks on my own to strive to determine life. Spoiler alert: by no means acquired any huge solutions, however I positive did see some lovely sunsets and really feel God’s acknowledgement and love.
October
Weblog:
Mini pumpkin donut muffins and homestyle rooster noodle soup got here from this month (each had been a number of the hottest recipes I posted this yr), nevertheless, probably the most thrilling factor to occur this month was once I was lastly in a position to reveal the key I had been conserving since March and I introduced my cookbook. Your response was OVERWHELMING. I nonetheless get teary-eyed remembering how your feedback of assist and pleasure simply saved pouring in.
Additionally, I began a Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Insiders group on Fb (completely free, completely enjoyable), and it has been superb! A lot neighborhood assist and suggestions to questions individuals ask. It’s actually such an ideal little spot on the web.
Life:
Acquired the stitches out from one other pores and skin most cancers surgical procedure and started the facial scar therapeutic course of. Had at the very least 6 half of post-it notes flying round with unproductive lists written beneath the heading: Issues Stressing Me Out.
Averted each occasion of Bulgarian break up squats on my exercise app (no regrets). And by some means managed to make it by one other month with no kitchen.
Additionally witnessed some candy associates face unimaginable trials this month. 💗
November
Weblog:
I advised you how you can make one of the best gravy of your life, and wow, DID YOU EVER. The stories again on how this gravy saved Thanksgiving made the entire yr of running a blog price it. This recipe publish by some means made google very joyful, and I had tens of millions of additional guests to my weblog this month.
You additionally confirmed up huge time and helped provide the objects wanted to place collectively over 1,600 winter kits for refugees (my objective was 100!). This was an enormous challenge that consumed a number of weeks this month, and it was one of many highlights of the yr for me and my household. It wouldn’t have been attainable with out your assist!
Life:
Nearly all of the kitchen transform completed up simply in time to host nearly 50 individuals for Thanksgiving! I acquired misty-eyed once I lastly noticed double ovens in my kitchen (waited 22 years for this) – I’ll publish some earlier than and after footage quickly.
My 16-year outdated son, Cade, traded social media for a brand new pet. Hello, Walter. And my 19-year outdated son, Jackson, moved sort of far-off to New Mexico, which elicited plenty of tears from this mother.
December
Weblog:
Cookbook pre-orders went reside this month, and once more, you blew me away together with your assist. Significantly: THANK YOU.
Additionally, these chocolate crinkle cookies stole the present this month. I made them six occasions this month for various events (and twice simply because), and they is perhaps one in all my favourite cookies ever.
However wait! There’s extra! You got here collectively AGAIN (over on Instagram) to boost over $50,000 for a household buddy whose mother is battling pancreatic most cancers. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen such an outpouring of generosity and love in such a brief period of time. I used to be humbled (and dropped at tears a number of occasions), and it made a huge effect on this candy household.
Life:
Brian began his lengthy anticipated objective of small enterprise possession. With the craziness of non-public and work life (for each me and Brian), some heartbreaking challenges close to and far, and two of my excessive schoolers in the center of their wrestling season, I simply couldn’t accomplish every thing I needed to this month, however regardless of the angst of getting to desert some traditions, I’ve appreciated the time I’ve needed to simplify and spend with household.
I additionally acquired Legos in my stocking for Christmas, which mainly made my life full.
Properly, that’s a wrap on the highlights of this yr! I recognize you greater than you understand. And I really like whenever you share your highlights (and even the “lowlights”) with me.
This little area has been a vibrant spot for me in 2023. Thanks for making recipes, commenting on recipes, and reaching out in all of the methods you do. 💗
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