2023: A Year in Review {Blogging and Life!}
2023! What a year!
I thought it would be fun to put together a highlight of 2023 month-by-month. What was happening on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe…and what was happening in real life, too!
Thanks for being here every step of the way. Through all the recipes, life updates, weird jokes, interesting comment threads, and more.
January
Blog:
I posted this comfort soup recipe, and it was instantly one of the most popular recipes of all time! So many of you made it, loved it, raved about it, and then made it again.

Life:
Sick with Covid, I was flat in bed for an entire week and used the time to finally watch Crash Landing on You. I would end up watching this best-ever series three times in 2023, which is no small feat for someone that doesn’t watch a whole lot of TV. (Turns out, this was just the start of my K-drama obsession.)
February
Blog/Instagram:
I made an Instagram reel for this epic twisted croissant French bread and it hit one million views. Here is why everyone should make this bread: a) you get to pound the guts out of a butter packet and b) you also get to enjoy twisty, buttery croissant-like layers without having to spend three days of your life making actual croissants.
Life:
I had a birthday and turned the whopping 4-5. I also fell in love with these dill pickle pretzels. (Still in love with them almost a year later.) We were hit with unexpected news when Brian’s position at work was eliminated.
March
Blog/Business:
March would prove to be a huge month that would impact my entire year: I decided to write and publish a cookbook! I had been thinking about this for years, but finally took the plunge based on life circumstances that meant Brian could be around to help out a bit more while I took on writing a manuscript, testing and photographing hundreds of recipes, and navigating deadlines, bi-weekly design and editing calls and more.
Life:
See above. 🙂
April
Blog:
I only posted two new recipes this month, which I think is the least amount of new recipes to hit the blog in a given month since the onset of my blog in 2007 (even when I had a new baby!). Lots of you reached out to ask if I was ok (thank you! the cookbook process was hitting full force and I was buried!). Also, Gladys the hen and her no nonsense side-eye made their debut on Instagram. (Gladys is no longer with us, so I’m glad she had a moment in the spotlight.)
Life:
Two family birthdays, middle school tennis meets, and beautiful spring weather rounded out this month. I started drinking Athletic Greens/AG1 after a bunch of influencers told me I should (hoping it would help with hair thinning and magically cure all my ailments). It was gross. I stopped. Upon further reflection, I realized all my ailments are likely due to age, life choices, and my consumption of dark chocolate. #worthit
May
Blog:
I made up for April and posted six new posts this month, including these copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls, which you went CRAZY for.
Life:
School got out for the summer, my parents came to visit from Montana (which doesn’t happen very often, so we loved every minute), and my second kiddo headed off to the Dominican Republic for a 2 1/2 week humanitarian trip with HXP (this program is amazing and has been incredibly impactful for my two sons who have gone on trips).
June
Blog:
My son, Ty, convinced me to finally post the recipe that has become his signature bake. Mini banana chocolate chip muffins. That was a good decision because you guys have loved them, too! Fun fact: he made the muffins that are pictured in that recipe post (and even took a few of the photos!).
Life:
We got away for several days to one of my favorite places on the planet (Redfish Lake) and it was just the reset my mind and soul and body needed after one of the busiest spring seasons of my life. I also wore crocs almost every day this month with zero regrets. Apparently, based on this picture, so did my kids. 🙂
July
Blog:
Ok, OKKKK, the second month this year I posted only two new recipes. 🤪🤪🤪 #sendhelp 😂 In my slacking, however, I DID give you these Hawaiian Chicken and Veggie Teriyaki Bowls and they were (and are) spectacular.
Life:
Celebrated my 21st wedding anniversary with huckleberry milkshakes on the back porch, gratefully got news that ruled out a major medical emergency with one of my kids, and helped out two good friends with food for their kids’ weddings. Also, Boise is HOTTTTT in July and August, and I hate it. I’m a high-60’s kind of girl.
August
Blog:
Chocolate Oreo Crumbl Cookies. Need I say more?
I also made some changes with a few areas of focus for my blog (video, email, etc). That’s probably not terribly exciting to anyone else, but there are big changes looming on the horizon for bloggers and the way they are able to earn revenue (spoiler alert: it’s not great news), and I’m trying to transition and stay up with the changing tides in order to be able to continue doing what I love here on the blog.
Life:
Took a totally spontaneous trip (18 hours round trip 😜) with Camryn, the only willing family participant, to go sleep in a tent and pick huckleberries with good friends who willingly shared their secret picking spot. Best three days of my life (except for the sleeping in a tent part).
Also, school started up again, which meant I could stop pulling all-nighters to get things done and rely on the quiet(er) school day to knock things off my to-do list in this awesome, weird world of being a stay-at-home-but-also-work-at-home-mom.
September
Blog/Instagram:
Strayed from real recipes for a hot second and posted an Instagram reel for my go-to “recipe” for window washing. It quickly hit one million views and landed me on the Yahoo news page, which subsequently had me regretting my innocent attempt to share something helpful and fun as I told my kids that going viral is highly overrated when it means people send you vicious hate comments about how you wash your windows. 😂
Life:
Started a major kitchen remodel (!!). Also felt overwhelmed by some personal/family challenges and took a lot of evening prayer-walks by myself to try to figure out life. Spoiler alert: never got any big answers, but I sure did see some beautiful sunsets and feel God’s acknowledgement and love.
October
Blog:
Mini pumpkin donut muffins and homestyle chicken noodle soup came from this month (both were some of the most popular recipes I posted this year), however, the most exciting thing to happen this month was when I was finally able to reveal the secret I had been keeping since March and I announced my cookbook. Your response was OVERWHELMING. I still get teary-eyed remembering how your comments of support and excitement just kept pouring in.
Also, I started a Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Insiders group on Facebook (totally free, totally fun), and it has been amazing! So much community support and feedback to questions people ask. It’s honestly such a great little spot on the internet.
Life:
Got the stitches out from another skin cancer surgery and began the facial scar healing process. Had at least 6 1/2 post-it notes flying around with unproductive lists written under the heading: Things Stressing Me Out.
Avoided every instance of Bulgarian split squats on my workout app (no regrets). And somehow managed to make it through another month without a kitchen.
Also witnessed some sweet friends face unimaginable trials this month. 💗
November
Blog:
I told you how to make the best gravy of your life, and wow, DID YOU EVER. The reports back on how this gravy saved Thanksgiving made the whole year of blogging worth it. This recipe post somehow made google very happy, and I had millions of extra visitors to my blog this month.
You also showed up big time and helped supply the items needed to put together over 1,600 winter kits for refugees (my goal was 100!). This was a huge project that consumed several weeks this month, and it was one of the highlights of the year for me and my family. It wouldn’t have been possible without your help!
Life:
The majority of the kitchen remodel finished up just in time to host almost 50 people for Thanksgiving! I got misty-eyed when I finally saw double ovens in my kitchen (waited 22 years for this) – I’ll post some before and after pictures soon.
My 16-year old son, Cade, traded social media for a new puppy. Hi, Walter. And my 19-year old son, Jackson, moved kind of far away to New Mexico, which elicited lots of tears from this mom.
December
Blog:
Cookbook pre-orders went live this month, and again, you blew me away with your support. Seriously: THANK YOU.
Also, these chocolate crinkle cookies stole the show this month. I made them six times this month for different occasions (and twice just because), and they might be one of my favorite cookies ever.
But wait! There’s more! You came together AGAIN (over on Instagram) to raise over $50,000 for a family friend whose mom is battling pancreatic cancer. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen such an outpouring of generosity and love in such a short amount of time. I was humbled (and brought to tears several times), and it made a huge impact on this sweet family.
Life:
Brian started his long anticipated goal of small business ownership. With the craziness of personal and work life (for both me and Brian), some heartbreaking challenges near and far, and two of my high schoolers in the middle of their wrestling season, I just couldn’t accomplish everything I wanted to this month, but despite the angst of having to abandon some traditions, I’ve appreciated the time I’ve had to simplify and spend with family.
I also got Legos in my stocking for Christmas, which basically made my life complete.
Well, that’s a wrap on the highlights of this year! I appreciate you more than you know. And I love when you share your highlights (and even the “lowlights”) with me.
This little space has been a bright spot for me in 2023. Thank you for making recipes, commenting on recipes, and reaching out in all the ways you do. 💗
Thanks for sharing about your year! Sorry 2023 was so heavy, I hope 2024 is a little kinder to you. I need to try those new swig cookies. And the croissant bread is probably the best effort to fanciness ratio ever. That might only make sense in my head. Anyway, thanks for always being such a bright spot in the world!
You have been my very first stop for reliable recipes for 10 years, Mel! Many of your recipes are weekly staples in our house. My family and I thank you so much!
Mel,
I and my 2 daughters have been recipe/blog followers of yours since nearly your beginning! When I saw your cookbook announcement this fall, it brought a tear to my eye to see the cover with your full name on it! I only knew Mel’s recipes for the longest time! So, when my 4 kids chipped in for your cookbook as a Christmas gift to me, I couldn’t be happier, Mel Gunnell! Another tear shed for sure!
My husband and I are creating a recipe index of what we like to eat for quick quality planning. Your recipes and ideas are helping us as empty nesters find variety and spice in our cooking!
Thanks for all you do for our family!
Mom-Keri, daughters-LoraLynn and Katie
I so needed this today. Feeling generally overwhelmed by life and it’s just refreshing to hear someone else is just trying to figure it all out too…the health stuff, the scares, the kid and family stuff. Thank you for being willing to be vulnerable, for BEING REAL, talking about Christ and life and all of the things. I laughed out loud at your attempt at greens – been trying it myself to no avail. You’re an inspiration… not to mention your recipes have been a favorite around here since 2009!!!!!
Ps- kindred spirit!! My happy is 60’degrees too and I live in HELL (aka Arizona)
Thank you for sharing this post, may 2024 be a blessed year for you and your family!!!
You are my go-to when I need recipes I can rely on. Also…I am close enough to NM to check on your kid…let me know…
Thank you for all of your posts! I was so excited to try and love your window cleaning hack. Seriously the best. So, thank you so much for posting it!
Thank you for sharing! This was so fun to read the CliffNotes version of your past year. Hope this becomes an annual tradition!
Love you girl. I’m not baking at all and cooking hardly at all but I’ve been with you from the beginning and will be till the end! (Insert hysterical laughter, also hoping there is no end.)
It’s not an overstatement to say that I make something from your blog every day. You have saved my family! I can’t believe I’ve been around your blog for over 10 years now. I feel like we’re friends. Happy New Year!
What a year. Thanks for sharing the highs and lows. You’re still one of my favorite people on the internet. I make one of your recipes almost every day, and just know that you are a kindred spirit. Happy New Year, Mel. ❤️
I absolutely love you and your site.
I recommend it to eveyone. I made the applesauce spice cake with browned butter cream cheese frosting for a group of women and everyone wanted the recipe. My husband has declared it his favorite.
Kdrama’s have become a favorite of mine too. Aside from the obvious reasons to love them, I have to read the subtitles and can’t even look away or I will miss something. This leaves no room in my brain for stress and worry. It makes for a great self-care session 🙂
I got a crepe maker you recommended for Christmas, the kind of electric pan you dip face down into the batter, and my daughter and I made crepes together this week.
My husband and I and kids are going on a cruise tomorrow to Mexico to celebrate 2023 and ring in 2024!
I rely on your recipes every week, almost every day. Thank you for your blog.
I love these kinds of posts, Mel! Sounds like your family has had a very full year of both the good and the hard. I also love the pictures to see your kids growing up! Thanks for all you do to help so many of us feel like rock stars in the kitchen!
My mom got a present for the whole family – the Lego Home Alone house! I realized I’ve never owned a LEGO set and apparently have always secretly wanted one. It’s amazing and fun to put together with my teenagers! Happy New Year!
Love you so much! Thanks for sharing your life… love and recipes! You make my life so so much better!
I love you so much and am so inspired by you, thanks for sharing your life, and your recipes with me ♥️
Oh, why are you not in my ward?! I feel like we are kindred spirits. I love your honesty. I love your recipes! I love your stories! So excited for your double oven! One day I’ll have one…still waiting for the $$ to fix all of the things that need fixing first before the dream kitchen!! 🙂 And, so excited for your cookbook (even though I really haven’t used any of my cookbooks since starting to follow you back in 2009, I just open up my phone or computer to your website to figure out what to make!) Merry Christmas, Mel! If you ever want any drop-in company from our crazy family let me know (or if you ever make it to LA)! Ha ha ha!
My kids got me Legos for Christmas too and I was thrilled!!! We’re basically twins!
I can’t wait for your new cookbook! Also did you ever post your new kitchen reveal?
You are simply the best, Mel. I love your year in review. It makes me know we have each other as we do life & when we face the unimaginable. And that we have an almighty God who is there.
Athletic greens taste disgusting. Thanks for admitting it! Seriously, though, you’ve blessed me this year Mel! Thanks for everything. I can’t wait for the cookbook!
Such a wonderful recap to read. So many times I wish we were friends IRL so I could hug you through the challenges and share delicious food with you (which inevitably would be from your own blog, but at least you wouldn’t have to make it).
I CANNOT WAIT TO RECEIVE YOUR COOKBOOK!!!
It will be a 2024 highlight!!
This was a super fun read. Love it and you. My favorite was the part about the gross greens drink. Hilarious. You are the best, thank you for being my best internet friend. Can’t wait for my signed cookbook in the next few months!
Love you, Mel! Thanks for sharing your life and heart and excellent food with all of us! <3
PS – I have used so many of your recipes this year but I think my favorite is the creamy garlic sauce in your creamy garlic shrimp pasta – I think it deserves its own post as the best Alfredo sauce ever. Seriously life-changing. 🙂
You and your recipes are a hug part of our family’s lives! I’ve gotten to meet you two different times and I still feel like I met a celebrity!! Because in person you are as sweet as you are online, thank you.
Thank you for your delicious recipes, sharing your highs and lows, your family with us. Your the best Mel.
Love the recaps. My family loves your recipes. My sister who has 5 boys (ranging from 10 years old to one month old) (bless her heart) also loves your recipes. I gifted her a cookbook from you for Christmas and she is so excited.
I love crinkle cookies.
One of my highlights this year is Mel’s Facebook group starting. Your fans have helped me with ideas and tips quite a few times. You’re doing good in the world Mel! Happy New Year! I can’t wait to see you where 2024 takes you.
Love you, Mel, you always brighten my day!
Thank you Mel for sharing your life with us. You are one of the bright spots on the internet and I always look forward to a post from you!
I’ve been wondering about the hype around the greens and now I know it’s exactly what I expected. Thanks for saving me the moolah!
Chocolate crinkle cookies stole the show here too! I’ve been making your other chocolate cookies for comparison and the crinkles keep getting voted best. Well, except for my husband who says he prefers whichever ones are available hah!
Your blog makes me happy and your recipes bring love to the table – thank you! Here’s to lots more things to smile about in 2024
While I love all the recipes and use them almost exclusively to feed my family, it is posts like these that make me love you and this community so much. So appreciate your honesty, your humor, your openness. Thanks for being such a great friend that I’ve never met!
Thank you, Mel. Happy New Year!
I loved waking up to this post this morning ! As a longtime fan and follower, who considers you a personal friend -and you are a household name with my crew! I recognized that I haven’t taken time during the crazy year of 2023 to make many comments on your blog posts! Just want you to know we’re still making all your recipes old and new- and they are part of most of our family traditions happiest of New Years in 2024 to you and your family.❤️
Thanks for the recap! I loved reading this and remembering all the great recipes you posted and we tried this year. (The creamy beef & tomato noodle soup is a new favorite at our house and was the requested birthday meal a couple weeks ago for my 9 year old!)
We’re in Albuquerque— where is your son and why is he in NM? You’re right— New Mexico IS far away. Even when you live here it feels far away from everything.
Can you give more insight in trading social media for a puppy please!?!?!?!
What kind of a dog did your son get?
This year I made your instant pot baked ziti and one hour breadsticks more times than I can count for families in need in my area. Each time I think of you and how your recipes are blessing the lives of people all over the world. Sharing food has always been part of the human story. I love you for giving us good food and good things to read. Wishing you peace and love! Thank you, Mel!
Oh my gosh, I love you. I laughed out loud when you said the greens were gross and you stopped them and when you skipped the Bulgarian split squats 🙂
Also, thank you for sharing that you didn’t receive any big life-changing answers on your evening prayer walks. I think one of life’s biggest challenges is just to keep going when the path ahead is not clear and you do it admirably.
My neighbors must think I’m crazy because I can often be found just standing in my front yard staring at the sky when there’s a pretty sunset.
Thanks Mel for sharing your genuine love and life. You are amazing! Can’t wait for your cookbook and all that 2024 brings. Love ya!
Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year 2024! Thank You for all your wonderful recipes throughout the years and I trust there will be more to come! 🙂 Lucky Me! Enjoyed reading the above sometimes getting teary eyed over your life struggles and then feeling the Joy of you bake in your new kitchen (YAY!) blessing it with 50 people for Thanksgiving! Wishing you again Life’s Best….let’s cook and bake! 🙂
I’ve been reading your blog and making your recipes for YEARS! Love it all. Thank you from our family for how much light and love you share from yours. ❤️
Those mini pumpkin donut muffins have taken our little town by storm. We have made them for several Christmas parties and people go nuts for them!!! Thank you for continuing to show up here even when life is hectic and sad and challenging. You really have made the world a better place with your cooking and recipes and I literally can’t imagine my life without you!!!
Clearly I don’t know how to do star ratings because I meant to give you 5 full stars but alas I did not!
Thank you for being real. A human that loves and lives and thrives and struggles. God is mindful. There are angels among us. You are one of them.
Girl, I feel you on the Athletic Greens! Didn’t even feel bad about wasting $80 when I threw it out.
Love you, Mel! Thanks for keeping it real and delicious all year. I especially loved the cranberry cream cheese dip, applesauce spice cake (that browned butter frosting!!!) and the Hawaiian chicken and veggie bowls this year! You’re the best!
Thank you for sharing true joy with us. 2023 has been a challenging year for me personally and your humor, content, and honesty has gotten me through some really hard moments. I am elated to have your cookbook and can’t wait to learn more about hubby’s business!
Side fact: you once came and
spoke at BYU years ago and I was supposed to be there but missed it due to an exam. It’s probably the only regret I have in my life. You are amazing!!
Somehow I KNEW that AG gunk would be gross!!! I have resisted trying it and now I know I won’t. lol Thanks for sharing all that you do with us. You have been a tremendous influence on my cooking/baking skills for the last 10+ years. I wish you and your beautiful family peace and happiness in 2024.
Mel, thank you for all that you do! My success in the kitchen wouldn’t be the same without you 🙂
LOL Sarah, you are up WAY too early!!
Eastern time zone 🙂 but my alarm does go off earlier than I would prefer!