What a strange year 2013 has been to say the least. There have been ups and there have been downs but that’s all a part of life I suppose and what’s most important is what you take away from those moments. For me, it’s helped me re-instill what’s truly important in my life and what honestly matters.
First and foremost, Mr. Fantabulous. He’s is my everything. My world, the reason I breath, the reason I work as hard as I do. Never in my life did I think I was able to love that man any more than I already do but somehow as the days go by and the years pass I find myself even more in love with him. He keeps me on my toes, challenges me, pushes me when I think I have no more to give, supports me and loves me unconditionally – through feetie pajamas, pig obsessions, witchy pooh hair days and complete kitchen flops.
Next honestly is my family but not just my blood family but my extended family. My friends and my TKW family. We’ve connected in a way that is genuine and well, real. We talk, we laugh, we bicker, we cry and yet at the end of the day we still love. We share stories of our daily lives; the musings of my life with Mr. Fantabulous – like the day the Ganache “came to life” or the fact that I ruined chocolate chip cookies by turning them into ‘itsy bitsy spider’ cookies for Halloween AND that he refused to be near them at all. You all know what ‘Date Day’ means in my world, how I firmly believe cherries come from the Devil, Mayo is evil and I want a kitten, a puppy and a pink teacup girl pig that I can name Princess Bacon. We share and talk – not just about food but about life in general – your kids, your concerns, dreams, hopes, fears. When you’re sick (or me for that matter), when you’re mad and when you just want to celebrate. What I find the most rewarding out of all of this is not the money I make from it but rather the fact that you choose to be a part of this with me. You not only opened up your kitchens to me but also your hearts. That to me is the best gift I could ever get. To know that I’ve inspired someone to either venture into the kitchen for the first time or go back into it after years of being away from it. I’ve seen you tackle some of your baking and cooking fears (pie crusts, breads to even osso bucco) with ease. Just truly amazing! Thank you for letting me be a part of that!
What I’ve noticed with TKW, the website and social media is that I’ve become a brand; someone of respect whose opinion matters. An entity that companies now seek out to work with on recipe development and creation. But what is even more amazing and priceless is your feedback, your involvement. To hear that your kids LOVE my recipes and while they would never eat Brussels Sprouts before and now after making one of my recipes, they love them. Seriously, you can’t buy that type of reaction. THAT is priceless and true. Thank you!
I’ve had recipes go completely viral; some getting over 11 million hits. Seriously 11 MILLION (as she does her Dr. Evil pinkie-to-the-lip impression) hits. The visitors and traffic has quadrupled and the TKW Family social presence has tripled in size!
I’m happy in my life and love where my dreams are taking me. I’m blessed with amazing people, amazing food and unconditional love. The rest – that’s just ganache on top of my cake. It’s sweet, decadent and well… fantabulous!
So here’s to 2014 and to what life has to offer! You control your dreams and where your life goes. You control your choices and decide what you want. Let’s achieve our dreams together!
Here’s to a blessed and delicious New Year!
Now, enough mushy stuff – let’s get on to the food! My WORD the food! This was honestly harder than I thought as there were a TON of recipes and postings that were tied for top recipes. Did one of your favorites make the list?
Top Recipes of 2013
♥ Loaded Potato Soup
♥ Strawberry Pretzel Tart
♥ Crab Stuffed Zucchini
♥ Guinness Corned Beef
♥ Asian Lettuce Cups
♥ Baked Avocado Fries
♥ Life Changing Bacon BBQ Sauce
♥ Buffalo Cheesy Stuffed Meatballs
♥ Perfect Mashed Potatoes
♥ Ultimate Eye of Round
♥ Sriracha Man Candy
♥ Ultimate Crispy Home Fries
♥ Eggroll Pepperoni Cheese Sticks
♥ Classic Egg Salad
♥ Smashed Loaded Potatoes
♥ Most Awesomest No Knead Crusty Bread
♥ Pulled Pork Sammi
♥ Chili Spiced Man Candy
♥ Pittsburgh Steak Sammi
♥ Gluten Free Chicken Parmesan
♥ Itsy Bitsy Spider Cookies
♥ Thanksgiving Gobbler Pizza
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