Merry Christmas
The picture above sums up this crazy year and is definitely a representation of things seen and unseen.
The joy in my life.
The imperfections.
The groans as my boys had to actually touch each other.
The silliness.
The sweetness.
The fact that one of my kid’s heads is getting smooshed by dad’s elbow.
The unapologetic open mouthed laughs.
The things that really matter.
The things that don’t.
Over this last year, due to some circumstances in and out of my life, my priorities have snapped into focus with laser precision. Things that have seemed really important in the past, suddenly, do not.
All of that is why, despite my best intentions and beginning of the year goals I haven’t posted to or been as present on social media as often as I had planned.
Why there are about 32 recipes in my “ready to be posted” folder that won’t actually get posted this year (or maybe ever).
Why I haven’t actually launched that super important email campaign.
Or grown my following by leaps and bounds (spoiler alert: I think I’m the only blogger alive that doesn’t track their traffic – please don’t tell on me).
It’s why I’ve put down my phone more.
Prayed more.
Spent late nights talking with teenagers instead of blogging more.
Tried to follow my heart and ignore social pressures more.
I wish I could say this means I have it all together and I’m never grumpy and my house is spotless and my kids never bicker. Ha.
The reality is, my vacuum doesn’t run as much as it should, I haven’t exercised in weeks, I still burn the candle at both ends futilely trying to hone down my personal and blogging to-do list (which often makes me prickly and ornery), and I often feel like I’m failing.
But my solace is that I really am trying to gain value from the lessons life is trying to teach me right now.
I guess all I really want to say is: despite my imperfections as a food blogger and my tendency toward over talking things, thank you for being here.
Thank you to those of you who “get me.”
Who understand my heart (and my weird sense of humor).
Who make the recipes and comment on posts (and those who don’t; I’m still grateful for you!).
And who trust me to really dial down and give the best of the best of the best.
You don’t have time for average recipes and filler content, and neither do I.
Thank you for allowing this space to be a place that I love to connect with, even if it’s on a slower schedule and timeline than anticipated or promised.
You have taught me so much this year. Your comments and emails and stories and humor and vulnerable experiences have buoyed me up more than you can know.
YOU are the reason I come back and bust out a new recipe blog post when I have time. I love your guts. This space takes a lot of time and planning and effort, but it’s worth it because of you!
Mostly, I am endlessly grateful for that family you see above. For their continued patience with me.
And even more than that, I am humbly and ever grateful for an infinitely loving Savior who has made every good thing in my life possible – and provided a way to get through the terribly tough moments with hope and perseverance.
Without Him, my life would be completely meaningless, and I am so grateful for this time of year when the joy of His birth and life brightens every moment.
Merry, merry Christmas, my friends.
{I’ll be taking a few weeks off from blogging and social media, but I’ll see you in the New Year with some amazing new recipes!}
I am another many-years follower who loves you and your family! I appreciate your low-key attitude and loving supportive presence to this community while maintaining boundaries.
Just the other day my sisters and I were checking in with each other about what recipies we should try and who has tried what. We appreciate you!
As for this ‘clean house’ nonsense – my home is and always will be a workshop, not a showroom. I suspect yours is too. If people come over to see me at work, well, that’s what you are going to see. And I don’t want to apologize for it!
Sorry I get very worked up about that!
Love this comment! Home is a workshop, not a showroom.
Love you, love you, Mel. Always have, always will. ❤❤❤ Merry Christmas to you and your darling family.
Merry Christmas! Thank you for the time and effort you put in here to make our lives easier! Not only are you my go to for all things food but while living back East I totally had a first bonding moment with a new friend over a love of you and your site(at a time when I really needed a friend!) Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Tears filled my eyes as I read this. It sums up my year perfectly, also. 🙂
As I racked my brain as to what to give my mom for Christmas, the best thing I could think of was the Famous Frozen Bean Burritos. I stocked up her freezer with these gems, in order to giver her more time this winter. Thank you for all you do. You re-center me with your posts, and keep my table full and yummy with your recipes.
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! I appreciate your recipes and stories more than you know. I wish you a multitude of blessings this holiday season and in the New Year! Thank you for ALL you do!
Love you, Mel! You are such a lovely human being!
God/dess Bless you and yours, always!
Mel, been a fan for a long time. You have fed my family better than I could have. I thank you! More importantly, I thank God you know when to step back and spend more time with your family, after all, our children are our future, and they need guidance in this pretty messed up world. As for your faith, we all need to grow spiritually, we need more prayer time, and more time away from devices. Thank you for having courage to stand for what is important. I pray God blesses you all, with good health, hope, and lots of laughter in 2020.
Merry Christmas. Our kids all love you because you have helped us make so many great recipes. They all say that you will make the best grandmother EVER because you are such a wonderful cook! I also really appreciate that you never sell stuff on your site. It makes me feel like you love what you are doing and aren’t monetizing it (which it seems every blogger does now!). Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Mel, I don’t comment much, but I wanted to say thank you. I want to be like you when I “grow up” (I will be 40 this year lol). These are exactly my goals for the new year. Focusing on what really matters. Quality, not quantity. Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas to my favorite person I have never met! Thank you for all that you do and for giving so freely! I have made at least a hundred of your recipes and I have loved (nearly) every one. You are so fabulous. Thank you for NOT being like other food bloggers! (PS, this picture is so, so perfect!)
I think one of the reasons you are my favorite blog for recipes (aside from the actual fabulous recipes and your personality that comes through in your posts that I actually want to read instead of scroll past!) is that you AREN’T all up in my face with your social media and emails, etc. I’ve noticed some of those blogs I follow that have more of a presence just add to the noise and I start to ignore. I say keep doing what you are doing – it’s keeping us all excited for what you do post and coming back for more!
Merry Christmas! Proud of you for dialing back and taking a break. Also – where would we be without your tried and true recipes to go to?!
Merry Christmas Mel! You’re presence is always in our home, wether from newly posted recipes (your tater tot breakfast casserole is happening) or older recipes that I’ve found (cinnamon roll cake was taken to a family dinner just last night yum!! And your pumpkin roll taken to another tomorrow! We love those!) There is SO much goodness to be found on your blog, this is my most frequently visited site, even above Amazon, ha! The struggle for balancing everything in life is so real! Have a wonderful holiday time with those that matter most!!
Merry Christmas. Post as little or as often as you like; you have scores of recipes for us to draw from. Priorities should take priority!
I just love this. I so appreciate your blog and honesty and wonderful recipes.
I have been following your blog since the beginning and I’m so grateful for you! I rarely post but I think we would be friends in real life! My whole family loves your food (and that is saying a lot) thank you for everything you share. Enjoy your family and everything that Christmas brings!
We love you, Mel. You are real and amazing and that is why we follow. No pressure.
Merry Christmas to you and your family! I can’t tell you how much I love your recipes and how many of your breads have made me a rockstar with my family and friends. Have a wonderful break with you family, and I am looking forward to checking in with your blog in the New Year!
Merry Christmas Mel! I was teary reading your post and then the comments above because I feel so much the same as everyone else. Your recipes are over and over again our favorites. You are amazing and fun and real, and I trust you more than anyone else I follow. I don’t comment much but really should, because I’ve followed you from just about the beginning and absolutely love you. I hope you enjoy your break! Thank you so, so much for this blog and sharing yourself with all of us!!
Thank you for all of your recipes. I know I can always trust them to be delicious and your gingerbread cookie butter oatmeal cookies are my husband’s favorite. And that says a lot because his mom is an excellent baker. Merry Christmas
Mel, I think you do a wonderful job. You have created a sweet, caring community. When I reached out to you after the loss of my son, you responded with such kindness as well as many of your followers. So very much appreciated. We all make plans but have to deal with many curve balls. Keep up the great work!!! Merry Christmas xoxoxo
Merry Christmas Mel! I wish you all the best and a Happy Healthy New Year! You have a beautiful family and that’s a blessing.
I absolutely love all you share You are my “go to” recipe site. I just popped in to get the cheese ball recipe and make sure I had everything because I’m boycotting the stores 100% after today (it be cwazee!) 😀
Here’s to 2020!
Merry Christmas!! Beautiful family! I love your blog. I gave out your cheeseballs plus a copy of the parable. Everyone loved it. Thank you so vey much!
I’ve followed you for 10 years now Mel, and you are my favorite blogger and go to for the best recipes! Love your guts too
Your testimony had me tearing up Mel! Thank you for sharing your beautiful self with us! And a very merry birth of Christ to you❣️
Cutest picture ever!
I just made your fudge recipe yesterday. I told my sister it was another one of Mel’s. It’s like we actually know you and you’re part of the family! I am making your overnight tater tot breakfast recipe for Christmas morning.
Love your site, your commentary, and all the delicious recipes.
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Love from VA!
I love this post! It’s been a joy to follow you for years—I’ve never commented, as it’s not really my thing. But know that you are not alone! This life can be tough and unexpected. I appreciate your honesty and thoughtfulness. You are amazing! Merry Christmas blessings to you and your family.
Merry Christmas Mel! Enjoy a wonderful holiday with your sweet family! Thank you for all the work and intention you do for this online community, I’ve not a big commenter but I’ve been making and enjoying your recipes for at least 10 years and I’m so thankful for the delicious recipes and for your thoughtfulness that goes into each post.
Merry Christmas, Mel! I don’t know how I’d function, during the holidays but also all year long, without your blog. This week I’ve come to your blog for 4 out of 5 recipes I’ve made. Last night I made a new cookie recipe from your blog and the family wanted to eat the remaining cookies for breakfast this morning! Thank you for everything you do! ♥️
Merry Christmas Mel! Thank you for being you! I’m so happy you are taking time for your family and putting us on the back burner. This time with your kids is fleeting. I feel it everyday as my kids are ages 8-16. Your kids need you more than we do. You are doing the right thing. Thank you for being such a great example of a wonderful mother! I love your recipes! But my favorite posts are always your Christmas post when you share your feelings of Jesus Christ and your love of your family. You are always so good at sharing His light. Thank you. You are an inspiration! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!
Mel you are the best – thank you so much for all you do to keep this blog running. I hope you and your family have a wonderful, relaxing Christmas!
❤️❤️❤️
Merry Christmas Mel!
Merry Christmas, Mel. I love your recipes (I check for a new post every morning) and often wonder how you do it. Home life, family time, work life, and so much cooking and baking to make sure every recipe is perfect and ready to go. I know the struggle (minus the blogging part) and want you to know how thankful I am for the time and energy you put into this site for the rest of us. It is so awesome to have a place to come for a recipe and already know it will be delicious. I trust no other food blogger the way I do you 😉 Take care of yourself! Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to my favorite virtual friend! Thank you for the space you have created here, and for allowing me to grow and develop in my food skills thanks to your amazing recipes and tutorials for these past many years. I think I’ve been following you almost since the beginning, and you’ve blessed my life, and my family’s life, immeasurably. Enjoy your well-deserved time off!
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family.
My family is forever grateful to you for your site (it makes me a rockstar in the kitchen!). Praying you have a blessed Christmas.
♥
Mel!
I am so grateful for you! I didn’t know how to cook when I got married 4 years ago. Now everyone raves about my food and I always tell them, “it’s from my best friend, Mel!” 🙂
Thank you for sharing pieces of you with us through your food and your blog. It has often inspired me to reach out to others in ways I wasn’t expecting. I do consider you a friend and a mentor even though I’ve never personally met you. Isn’t it funny how that can happen? 😉 I am grateful for technology that makes it possible to do things like this. You rock, Mel! Keep keeping on and trusting in the Savior. 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Mel! Love your site! Thanks for working so hard to give us fabulous recipes.
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family, I am grateful for you, Mel. I don’t think you realize the impact you have had on me and my family. Food is the language of love and your recipes have brought my family together and strengthened our time together. Thank you and God bless!
I don’t know why this made me cry but it did. You are real and don’t try to pretend that life is perfect (it never is). Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself and your talents with us. I am a much better cook because of your blog. We will be thinking of you as we make your mom’s lasagna and your cranberry bliss bars. Virtual hugs and Merry Christmas.
Mel! Thank you so much for being real, relatable, down-to-earth, all that is good. Please keep doing what you’re doing. We love your recipes. You are a household name. Enjoy that sweet, crazy, beautiful family of yours. Merry Christmas!
Mel, I SO appreciate this blog and the woman who makes it possible! Your recipes have become a part of our family celebrations, now and all year. Thank you for all you do. Have a wonderful holiday!
Merry Christmas, Mel! You are amazing! Thank you for everything – the recipes, the real talk, the weird sense of humor. You’re my favorite part of the Internet!
Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time with those you love most and know you have left us with an arsenal of recipes to get us through. I’ve been a groupie since the beginning and there are still so many recipes I want to try. I have been eyeing your raspberry ribbon salad for years and finally made it for an early Christmas dinner last night. Talk about YUM! My husband kept yelling in our noisy kitchen, “Try the JELLO salad. It’s amazing!!” I had to correct him on the name since it’s was so much tastier than any JELLO salad I have ever tried. And now I am already dreaming about how I can turn it into a trifle. Not only that a dear friend of mine arrived to her in-laws only to find things in a disheveled state. Christmas is busy and traveling 12+ hours with three little ones is no easy feat. She was overwhelmed by the situation they found upon their arrival. I couldn’t help her in the moment, but I could consult your blog to find a quick, easy meal to take in for lunch. Your creamy black bean soup was the winner. I had everything in my pantry/freezer, which is one of the things I love most about your blog—no fancy ingredients. I wasn’t planning on making food in addition to our early Christmas dinner, but thanks to you, I could and it didn’t overwhelm me. So thank you for blessing my life, so I can pay it forward on some small scale. Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Mel! Thank you thank you thank you for all you do! Your blog supplies a good 75% of the recipes our family makes and eats. We love your gift guides and commentary as well. Thanks for out I g in all the time and effort. Enjoy a well-deserved break with your family!
Merry Christmas Mel, and thank you for all you do for us! I’m to make 3 batches of Gloria’s cinnamon rolls to deliver to family and friends…something I never would have attempted without your encouragement and detailed posts. Enjoy your time off, you deserve it!
Merry Christmas Mel. So thankful for anything you post! You don’t owe any explanations. Just know that when you do post, it is like a Christmas present. I get so excited, and obsess like crazy until I finally make it. Even though we have never met, you are like a very dear friend to me. Happy Holidays and enjoy your time off with your family.
Merry Christmas Mel! I am one of your biggest fans (as are my kids and husband that enjoy eating all the recipes I make!) I trust all your recipes, shop from your gifts guides, am more careful with sunscreen, and gain so much inspiration from you and your words! Thank you for your example and all the good you do!
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mel! We lost a dear, long-time friend a week ago and I feel I’m in a similar place as you. Somehow cookie baking doesn’t seem so important right now.
Your recipes are (hands-down!) my very favorites!!! (Bonus: my husband and 3 kids love your recipes, too!)
But most of all, your heart really shines through your blog, and you truly inspire me! God bless you and your sweet family!
Merry Christmas Mel.
I love how authentic you are and that you put your faith and family first. I love your blog and your recipes. Every one I Have tried has been a keeper. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family. Thank you for taking time for your family and showing us that it’s ok to do the same. Thank you for not posting just anything…but waiting until you have the time to post a “keeper.” I have never once doubted that a recipe of yours will work and produce a quality meal, treat or snack. I can’t always guarantee my kids will try it…but I’m always positive the blame is on them! Enjoy your time off!