Wednesday, December 31, 2014

My Favorite 2014 Yankee Belle Posts - Year-end Review

I don't mind saying it, I am as big a fan of my fellow Yankee Belle cooks as any other reader. We're all in different parts of the country, at different points in our lives, but we share a love of food, Jesus, romance and fun!

Lots of great posts this past year as sugar was exiled, life changes happened, and kitchen fails were confessed. It's hard to pick favorites of mine but I'm giving it a go.

Jan Drexler - anything with Mt. Rushmore, corgis or bison caught my eye. My favorite recipe was Jan's pumpkin curry soup . So simple and so good. And exotic!

You also may have noticed we've talked about life and events more this year. After all, we are more than just cooks, more than just writers. My favorite non-foodie post from Jan, A Story of Poverty and Redemption about her grandparents, included some of the most stunning family pictures I've seen. But it is the story of  the couple that had me teary-eyed. Just a marvelous message.

Mindy Obenhaus - has a ranch. In Texas. Need I say more? Yes! The woman had some fabulous chocolate themed posts but what struck me the most was her soldiering through six weeks of a liquid diet post surgery and her campaign to get sugar reduced in her diet. In between all this excitement was a wedding. My favorite recipe post was the scones in her bridal shower buffet post.  

We got an education in Texas culture this year, thanks to Mindy, and her Friday Night Lights and Homecoming post  introduced me to something I've never heard tell of, mums. Only they are not like any flowers my mother ever introduced me to!

 Yep, boas, streamers and teddy bears make up these mums!



Virginia Carmichael Munoz  -lives on the West Coast in a small town and a house bursting at the seams with children and creativity.  Her appliances have lives of their own and she has found more retro treasures than you can shake a stick at. My favorite recipe post from Virginia? Stuffed Cheese rolls . Yep, I am gluten free but I can still appreciate this marvelous recipe based on the Hunger Games and full of pictures of her adorable sons. I mean, head on over to the post and  look at those eyes.



Favorite non-recipe topic? So easy. In fact it was the first post I thought of to include in my year end review.   Virginia's Little Free Library is as charming a post as can be. I've seen local LFLs and read about them but never knew anyone who made their own.
 

Ruth Logan Herne - doesn't ever stop. In fact, I don't think she sleeps. But that is to be expected of folks who live in the Northeast. The woman is the queen of easy recipes so it was really hard to pick one but Amish cauliflower salad really won me over to cauliflower. Not to mention there are baby chicks and cute kids in that post.
The non-recipe post I loved the best was when Ruthy got to play (SHE GOT TO PLAY!) for the Weekend in Manhattan with the boys .

Missy Tippens is the Belle in Yankee Belle. Southern through and through. We also share a history as microbiologists and Methodist buddies. She has taught me when it comes to cooking, the easier the better. I loved this Low Country boil she posted because I always thought that meal was hard to make. Of course, I leave the corn out but I serve it over rice.

Favorite non-recipe post? Well, it does involve food but what warms my heart the most about Missy's Ham and Egg Supper post is it is representative of all her lovely church community stories. And there's cracklins!

Bonus thanks: This year, we've all needed some fill in help. We've been blessed with a ton of guests who brought fabulous recipes, new insights, books and gadgets to Yankee-Belle. Thank you all, especially semi-regulars Tina Radcliffe and Mary Connealy.  How great is that? And readers with great comments always made the cafe hum.

Blessed New Year to you all!

So, what do you remember most about this past year? Did you have a favorite meal or does one event stick out in your mind?

22 comments:

  1. Julie, there are so many!! I've loved your GF recipes. We've been trying to do more of that for my daughter and I love having a place to come look for tried and true recipes from the GAL. :)

    BTW, I made the Low Country boil again this week! :)

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    1. Happy New Year, Missy! I am looking forward to exploring more GF recipes in the new year. More and more people are dealing with the same! And the Low Country boil. Just marvelous for the holidays.

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  2. I don't think I have a favorite- I also enjoyed Jan's post you mentioned and Virginia and Ruthy always have cute kid pics. I like looking at the vintage pyrex and fireking and tea cups! and puppies/dogs...I liked the little library post too
    Susanna who's tired- first night shift in a loonnng time!

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    1. Ugh, my daughter's boyfriend shifts off and on shifts. Take care of yourself for sure. It's hard to beat kids and puppies!

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  3. Oh, what fun this is!!!! Julie, this is a great idea. I would never have thought of it, hats off to you!!!!!

    The one I use most often over the years is Lindi's macaroni and cheese with the added 1/4 cup of Red Hot sauce... and it's become a family staple. Dave fell in love with me ALL OVER AGAIN because of that recipe!!!

    I'm wearing my Seekerville Hostess Hat at the moment, it's New Year's Eve and the party is soon to commence!

    Let's rock this new year into fruition!

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    1. Thanks, Ruthy. I am sure Hot Sauce makes almost everything better though I've even seen desserts with a dash. See you over in Seekerville!

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  4. Great post, Julie. All of the YB bloggers and our regular visitors inspire me. I love seeing the different recipes from across the country.

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    1. I have to admit Mindy. I have serious Texas envy. Here's to a great new year to you.

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  5. A great wrap up post Julie! I'm with Ruthy--a great idea. Happy New Year to you!

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    1. Thanks. And a happy new year to you! I have a feeling 2015 is going to be a wild ride for you in a very good way. And thanks for your contributions to Yankee Belle!

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  6. Love reliving some of those blogger posts. You guys have created such a friendly, helpful community here I'd say that what I remember most is stopping by for the comradery and shenanigans. And the puppy pictures. And kid pictures. And great food, of course. Some of my go-to staples have come from this site...not sure what's from this year though. Just made corn chowder yesterday...it has become my comfort food and I was introduced to it here at the café. Happy New Year everyone!

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    1. Happy New Year to you, Kav. May your new year shine bright!

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    2. Funny how some things stick with you, Kav. I really remember how much you loved that corn chowder!

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  7. What a great post, Julie! Perfect end to the year.

    I get all my favorite recipes from the cafe. My daughter made the Oreo truffles last night to take to a party later today - they turned out wonderfully.

    And Ruthy's Scalloped Potatoes and Ham has become a staple. I never make it often enough for my family.

    All I can say is that I love this cafe!

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    1. Oh, the ham and scalloped potatoes. And the truffles and cake balls. I think what I also love is the way we share our fails as well. Practice makes perfect.

      Blessed New Year to you!

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  8. I just tried Ruthy's chuck roast recipe......delicious......THANKS, Ruthy!

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    1. With all those boys, Ruthy knows how to do meat! Happy New Year, Jackie!

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  9. Sadly, I've had little time to hang out at the cafe this year and I miss you all! Must put that on my priority list for 2015.

    Julie, your cauliflower comment above reminded me of a recipe I saw in one of my daughter's vegan cookbooks. It was for cauliflower roasted with almond meal. Sounds delicious and slightly crunchy. I'll have to send you the recipe.

    Here's hoping 2015 is a fabulous year for all of you wonderful ladies!

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    1. Oh, yes, you must. And we need to have you guest when your book comes out this next year! YAY! Happy New Year.

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  10. Wow, you picked some of my favorites, too! SO MUCH FUN.

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  11. P.S. I came over here from Twitter. I may spend a little too much time on Twitter when it reminds me that I need to cook dinner.

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    1. Haha! Yep, so true. But it was really delicious year, wasn't it? I really wanted to put up your hubby's stellar book cases too but you didn't have a picture of the shelves rearranged for the really large books. Loved that!

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