Thursday, February 5, 2009

Getting to know you...

When I started this blog a year ago, I did it solely to motivate myself. I had just closed my bakery and had a baby and found I was having trouble making meals for my family every night. Granted, when I had the bakery, by the time I got home, I didn't have the energy to cook, so my cooking skills suffered and my family suffered because we weren't getting the nutrition we needed.

So I decided to challenge myself.

A friend of mine had a cooking blog (Hi Kami!) and I thought it was such a great idea! I thought perhaps this would be exactly what I needed because it would make me accountable to someone other than myself. Here we are a year later!

Did you know I have had just shy of 70,000 hits in one year? I think that's pretty impressive! However, I don't think I know much about any of my readers. So I would like for you to take a minute to say hello and tell just a tiny bit about yourself. What brought you to my blog? What types of food interest you? What would you like to see me make in the future?

You have to promise that once you say hello, that you will comment from time to time so I know you're still out there kicking around. :) Also, if you didn't know this, you can subscribe to this blog. There's a button in the menu to the right. Just click it and everytime I update, you will get a notification! How cool is that?

Thank you to all of you blog readers for making this first year such a great one. I hope you have much happiness, love, and full stomachs for all of 2009.

Love, Suzanne

PS: If you haven't signed up for my 2 dozen sugar cookie giveaway, make sure you do it now! Details are in the banner to the right.

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi
I saw a link to your blog from a 2 peas mb post so I came on over. I like that you put pictures of the steps. I've actually only made one recipe so far, the dutch apple cheesecake (Yummy!). I printed out the cornish hen recipe to try, it'll be my first time. There are many more recipes on your blog that I want to make. I've been trying to cook new dishes lately, my husband loves it, my 4 year old son doesn't!! I like that you use fresh ingredients. Anyway, I've been here for about 3 or 4 months now. Thanks for sharing you cooking knowledge.
Jennifer

Kerry Johnson said...

O.k. I'm delurking! I found your blog through two peas and love that you de-mystify things that I've never tried - like making dinner rolls, or all the other yummy things you make. I have to admit, I love the quick, simple, nutritious, everyone will eat recipes. I've been subscribed through google reader for quite a while now. Thanks for all the instruction and inspiration!

Renee Camacho said...

I remember you from 2Peas and when I found your food blog, knew I was hooked...

Love cooking, and love looking for and trying new recipes...

I love simple foods, breads, baking. Anything you share that doesn't require a lot of my time is the one I'll try!

Thanks for sharing your great food blog...

Shirley said...

another 2pea-er here but I also loved your bakery blog. and your cookies! have tried several of the recipes that you have posted and they've been awesome. next time you're in town, lemme know!

Catherine said...

I am here because it's the best way I've found to keep up with you and your busy life. And because I'm addicted to food blogs.

And let me just say that since my youngest just turned three, that means it's been that long since you came to visit us! How long is the drive from here to there?

Anonymous said...

Aminah from OM here. I am interested in new recipes and trying things I haven't made before. I LOVE your recipes. I've tried quite a few of them and will keep trying more.

April said...

I found your blog from 2peas a long time ago. I LOVE it. I have tried so many of your recipes. I am really interested in the recipes that have basic ingredients. My family is really picky so foods with mushrooms,etc. are out for us. I plan to try a lot more of your recipes really soon. Thanks so much for sharing all of them with us. :)

Marie Starr said...

Hey, Girlfriend! I come here because I love ya and also for the great recipes and cooking tips!

Marie
Mom2Pea-er

Anonymous said...

Hey there,
I found out about your blog through 2peas. So far I've made your bread recipe, wild rice soup recipe and a variation of your sun-dried tomato/pesto pasta recipe. All of the have been terrific! I have the whole wheat/honey bread recipe printed out and waiting to be made. Becca :)

Anonymous said...

Hi
Love your recipes and how you show how to make everything, it makes me feel like I can make great meals too. Thanks for all your help.

Brandi

Anonymous said...

Hi there!

I also found you through 2ps. Your food blog is exceptional. I enjoy your recipes because you cook the same way that I do. Keep up the good work!

Regan said...

I think I first started reading your recipes when your cinnamon roll recipe on your bakery site was posted on 2Peas. I've been following every since, and have tried many of the recipes here! I live in TX and work full time, so it's hard to make great meals for my hubby and two little girls every night, but I like to do a little more on the weekends. I would love to see more quick-and-easy recipes using common ingredients that kids like! Keep up the great work here!

Jenny said...

I found you just by clicking! Through Lorilee's blog...I don't even know if she knows you, but it doesn't really matter. I love your step by step instructions. I'm looking for quick, easy, yummy dinners for my family of six. My kids are pretty picky, but I like to try new things. I get tired of the same old recipes over and over.

snbjork said...

I honestly can't even remember how I found your blog. I just know it was through someone else's and it was some time ago. I love the way that you somehow make dishes, that always seem so complicated to me, look so easy to make! And, oh, the VARIETY! Yum! There are so many in my "to try" recipe file! We've recently been really enjoying your honey wheat bread recipe. Yum! In fact, I need to make some more this afternoon because it's almost gone. I would like to learn to be more daring with my cooking. My kids are both pretty picky. But, if I only made things they liked, then we'd have sandwiches (pb&j, of course), mac n cheese, or pizza every night. No can do! Currently I am obsessed with wanting to plan a Chinese night. I want to try every single one of your chinese dishes! I will admit, though, that I am scared of the deep fat frying. The one and only time I've ever done it (with fried zucchini) I smoked out our entire house. It scared me to death! But, I want to give it a go anyway. They just look too good! Thanks for all of your hard work! You wanna open up a bakery in my area?? =) We don't have anything like that here....

Anonymous said...

Hi! Found your blog through 2Peas! I love trying out your recipes, especially for baked goods! Thanks for doing this blog!

An

Susan said...

I'm a longtime lurker on 2Peas and saw a link to your blog on there.
I am the sort of person who buys cookery books purely to read the recipes and look at the pretty pictures - very rarely do I attempt to cook anything from them!
I like your simple step-by-steps but, being from the UK, I am a little mystified by some of the ingredients LOL.
One day....I might....just might try one of your recipes, if I do I will be sure to let you know :)

christa said...

Hi! I have no idea how I found your blog, but I love it. I love the step by step instructions, and everything looks so delicious! I don't recall if I have tried any of your recipes, but I plan on trying the risotto really soon. I wouldn't change a thing about your blog. : )

-Christa

PS: your girls are really cute too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Squillen! Another pea here! (pea-sun). I love your pictures and recipes, just recently subscribed. Happy 1 year anniversary!

Unknown said...

Hi
Longtime lurker @ 2peas, became a lurker here.

Love your writing style and your recipes. Love to bake, so am most interested in your breads, cakes, cookies etc.

I wish you many more years of successful blogging and look forward to your future recipes.

My one regret is that I did not know about your bakery while it was open. I am from Saint Simons Island.

I see that you have moved to the Hudson Valley. I lived in Greenwich, CT right over the NY border on Long Island Sound before moving to GA.

God bless you and your family.

Pat

Belabrava said...

Hi!
I found your blog through 2peas and I love it!
Thank You for sharing your gift of cooking and for giving me great ideas to make at home. I love cooking and trying new things.
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Found your blog cruising 2peas and I have checked in faithfully since. I'm an Army wife, so I my interest was picqued that you were a military wife as well. I got married not knowing how to cook *at all* and have learned how to read cookbooks, take liberties with cooking and really enjoy creating for my family and friends. Your posts both cooking and non-cooking are interesting and I LOVE the recipes, instructions and pictures you share on your blog. I might forget the specific name of something but I almost always remember what it looked like! Keep up the great work :O)

Shannon said...

I'm a mostly lurker from 2 peas. I saw a link to your blog and I'm a major foodie. I've made your white bread several times and my family loves it. It was my first time making bread from scratch.
Thanks for sharing your recipes with us! Shannon

DebW said...

Congrats to a first good year! Looking forward to lots of holiday sweet treets for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
You know I've hung out on your blog since I've known you in the pub!And then we met! No need for any more details. Besides, how many others would meet you,squeeze into a way too small booth for 2 at lunch and steal crackers from the salad bar for Perry? I could have been arrested! (What are friends for?)LOL!Hope the girls and Jim get well soon and hope you don't get what they have!!

Rene said...

Hi Suzanne!

I followed a link from the Two Peas Message board about two months ago and immediately bookmarked your blog. I am a 44 year old graduate student at the University of Tennessee (I'm a paleontologist) who loves to cook and scrapbook! I take one cooking class per month at one of our local shops and would take more but it is cost prohibitive. So, I experiment myself. I only cook for one person so I really only have to cook 2-3 times per week. At least once per week I try a new recipe and your blog has been perfect for that. Thanks for sharing with us! I can't wait to see what you have in store.

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzanne! I love you on 2peas and when you started the blog followed you here. I wish I had joined your cookie club so many years ago -they always sound soooo good!

Also -I tagged you on my blog (in a getting to know you thought!) in a picture tag....hope you will hop over there and check it out!

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzanne! I "know" you from the morning thread at the Pub on 2Peas! I don't like to cook, unless I have a new fun recipe to try. I find that the first time I make a new recipe it turns out well, and each time after, not as good. So, I'm always looking for something new. I can't wait to try a lot of your recipes.
Stacey (Maryland on 2Peas)

Beci said...

I love your recipes, found you on 2peas, and have been hooked every since. Thanks so much for all that you do. You have made me a much better cook cuz I can't wait to read what you are doing next.

Anonymous said...

Hi:

I learned about your blog from 2 peas. I found it just about the time I decided to start cooking more so that I could eat better.

I love the fact that many of your recipes have easy-to-find ingredients.

My absolute favorite: your Tuscana soup. It was so easy to make and so delicious. I make it often.

Thanks for sharing with us.

Lauren

LeAnn said...

Hi, I'm was a lurker on 2 peas with a mini obsession for the LDS girls and their cute little lives. So, I wasn't surprised, after I moved to Norfolk, that the girls from church were talking about you and your fabulous recipes. I just thought they knew you through 2 peas, too, but imagine my excitement when I learned that you used to live here. I felt like I had come *that* close to meeting a celebrity. lol

Tiffany said...

Hey! I met you when I lived in Virginia Beach. Our husbands were both on the USS Roosevelt. One day, I got talked into starting my own blog, so I set out to find people I knew in the past. I Googled your name and here we are. Oh - I was Tiffany Burns then, but as you can tell , I don't have that last name anymore!

Kathy said...

Hi, a friend from work shared your blog with me. I love your website and the pictures are awesome. Your lime cream pie is to die for. Wish I had your recipes when I was raising my five children. Thank you for sharing! Kathy

Mom to 4C boys said...

I found your blog through 2peas. I love how you break down the recipe and show pictures of steps. I've made a few recipes and have had good luck with them. My husband in the Navy so I understand all those feelings with moving too!

cindyMN said...

I found your blog thru 2Ps. I have tried several of your recipes and really liked them.
What I would like to see more of is good quick, done in 30 mins family dinners. A dinner I don't have to go out and buy a speciality item, such as a pepper, or appliance. I want it quick and easy, and down home.
I asked you a question on the creme brulee recipe that I might have posted too late. But I asked about the broiler method for doing the crackle. Have you tried this? I'm worried about putting a cold ramkin under a hot broiler and cracking the ramekin?
Thanks!

Kellee said...

I found you on 2 peas and love your blog. I just popped on today to see if you have a sugar cookie recipe (and one for icing too) posted. My SO bought me a Kitchen Aid Pro 600 mixer for Christmas and you were right, I love it!

Sharie said...

I found you at Studio Calico and have had you on my bloglines ever since - I am not a lurker and have commented a few times! Thanks for inspiring me to get creative in the kitchen. I'm a vegetarian cook and have fun modifying your recipes to appeal to my meat-free family. Congratulations on one year!

Kasey said...

Love your blog! You need to try out for one of those cooking shows.

Anonymous said...

I'm another one that followed your link on 2Peas. I've been coming here since there were only a handful of recipes and I have tried a lot of different things. One of my family's favorites is the Molasses Oatmeal Buns. I have made them a few times. So different and so good!
-Filet-o-Mich (on 2 Peas)

Kristine said...

Hello there. My aunt sent me over to your site awhile ago. I'm not sure how she found you. I'm not a daily lurker, but I come see what is new every once in awhile. I have tried a couple of your recipes, but I'm mostly not as adventurous as you are in the kitchen! LOL! Everything looks so yummy though! I am a mom in Utah. I enjoy baking mostly and cooking from scratch. I'm not a boxed food fan so I love seeing you mix and chop and make things from scratch. Thanks for sharing your life with the world!h

Julie said...

I am not sure how I found your sight but I love the recipes. I have tried a few and hope to try more in the future.

Ronda said...

I have known you your whole life and I love you so much!!! You were always so talented in so many ways. Those of you who don't know Suzanne Off-line probably don't know that she is also VERY musically talented and is also very artistic, which carries over into her food. She got all the talents in the family!I loved your bakery and would love to open one with you here in Maple Valley, WA. They would love it! I love your blog so much because it's like getting to see you every time you post. I miss you little sister! Keep up the good work on your fabulous BLOG. And to all your followers, PLEASE LEAVE LOTS OF COMMENTS!! It makes her so happy!

Anonymous said...

i have been a loyal follower and recipe trying girl for a while now. I remember when youposted crock pot meals on twopeas! you hooked me then! :) I have tried over a dozen of your recipes and EVERY ONE OF THEM is awesome. I am always looking for new recipes. :)

I would love to see you do a chicago style deep dish pizza...I have been trying to replicate it myself and FAILED. I also am curious as to how you meal plan for a week and what all you pair together.

I know any recipes you share will be wonderful. I look forward to another year full of great food!!

Angela said...

Hi! I am new to food blogging and found your blog through a friend's blog. Really like your site, everything looks delicious! Congrats to you for being able to pull off so many amazing meals! I am a visual learner and love food! Thanks for sharing!

Joanne Brown said...

Hi Suzanne! I'm another one who 'found' you originally from 2peas! I've been reading (and drooling over!) your blog for a long time now and read every entry! I'm also LDS which drew me to you. I live in England and am married with 2 boys aged 7 and 5. I love, love all the pictures on your recipes and am amazed at the time and effort you put into every meal you make. You put me to shame!! Your blog is the first place I come when looking for a recipe for a dish that's out of the ordinary, a little special. Keep doing what you're doing! love it!!

Annette, Kent, Signe & Anni said...

I saw your link at 2peas also. I can't believe it took me so long to post this. I am always inspired by you recipes. I've tried a few. I'd try more except for my picky 6yo.

I look forward to seeing what you'll cook next.
Annette

Melissa said...

I just happened to come across your blog today using the next blog function and am so glad I did. Your recipes look delicous and I can't wait to start making them! Plus a bonus---I was thinking the other day I need to make my own crossaints and lo and behold I came across a recipe on your blog. Thanks!