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’ve enjoyed your site and recipes. Thank you
I ❤️ this, and your blog. Thank you for being real and giving me a reminder on what (who) I should be focused on.
Merry Christmas, Mel! I have loved cooking your food for years now and most of my go to recipes are from you at this point. I say “this is from Mel” when people ask as if we are old friends.
And even if the only recipe you posted this year was the Cafe Rio pork….you still did right by your followers! Lol!
Love this. Thank you for always being real and putting your family first. The world of social media is overwhelming to creators and users, and I think whatever you have to offer is enough. We should all do less on our phones and computers. I have been a loyal fan for years and I’ll be here forever no matter how much or little you post. Your archive of recipes is a treasure. I also love your game and gift guides, product recommendations, following your skin cancer and charitable journeys and seeing your cute family and amazing life. Thanks for sharing your light and goodness.
You’re my favorite food blogger, hands down! Your brown butter salted caramel chocolate chip bars have made me extremely popular at my children’s school. A teacher (not one of my children’s teachers, just another teacher at their school) asked how much I would charge her to make her a pan of them!! I said a $100- no, just kidding, I said I’d be happy to do it for free because she’s a teacher and it’s Christmas. Honestly, that was the best compliment I’ve ever received about my baking. Thank you for all you take the time to do, but I’m glad you’re finding the right balance that works for you and your family. Nothing is more important than our families. Sending lots of love to you and yours from Miami, FL!
❤❤❤
Oh, sweet Mel, we love you so much! Thank you for creating a space for AMAZING recipes and allowing us to get to know you. I feel like you’re a part of our family and we’ve never even met! I started looking reading when my husband and I had just gotten married and now, two kids in, you’re still my go-to source for family pleasing recipes.
I’m thankful for you, for your faith, and your dedication to your family…this is SO much more than recipes. You’ve created a community! And we love you for it.
Thank you for your kindness in all things you touch and create. There is never a time when I come here that I dont leave better for it.
May your time with family be enriching and loving and fun!
Happiest Holidays to you. It doesn’t feel right to just send a message this way, after you opening and sharing all your best recipes with the world. We LOVE basically any & every recipe we’ve made, as a family, from this blog. THANK YOU THANK YOU!
Merry Christmas Mel!! Thank you for being the wonderful and real person you are. I appreciate all your hard work and I look forward to reading your blog every time you put out a new post. I love your writing style and humor. I also appreciate that you share your faith. And of course I love your recipes! You are my go to for recipes. Enjoy your time off with your family and I look forward to hearing from you in the new year!!
Merry Christmas back at you! I love your candor and everything about your blog. It is a bright spot in a crazy internet world and whatever time you have to give is enough!
Merry Christmas! Many thanks for the thoughtful time and effort you put into this for all of us. It is so much appreciated to have an amazingly trustworthy blog to go to for real food. Keep it up (at your own pace; don’t stress about it!!) 🙂
I love ya, Mel! In fact, my husband sometimes jokingly accuses me of having an emotional affair with you and your food, haha.
I have thanked you numerous times over the past and I thank you once more for sharing, for taking the time to help us feed our families, for caring about us, and for being an inspiration to me. Yesterday I took two different neighbors, one sick and one elderly, your chicken pot pie crumble. Today I took my mom your spaghetti pie and no bake lemon cheesecake. Tomorrow I plan to make the delicious Korean beef tacos, and on Christmas morning we’ll have the tater tot breakfast casserole. So you see, you are a true blessing to me and those I cook for. I’ve followed you since 2007 when you were My Kitchen Cafe and your three boys at that time were just babies. Now you have five children and hundreds of followers! Merry Christmas and may 2020 bring you and your family health and happiness! God Bless, Teresa
Merry Christmas Mel! Thank you for taking the time to post and share all of these delicious recipes! I hope you get to enjoy the time off with your family. And from someone who has watched your family grow up from afar, it goes by way too fast. I am a few years ahead of you on the parenting front and enjoy every moment. Even the tough stressful moments. I have one that is married and getting ready to move 7 hours away, one in college and one in high school. It.Goes.By.Fast. So don’t ever apologize for taking time away to be with your family! When it’s all said and done, that is what matters!
Thank you for being so honest and true to yourself and your family. If you put out one recipe or 100 I will still be your biggest fan. I love that I can pick anything on your blog and know that it will be amazing. Shoot- you are the reason I am pretty sure there is a Bosch mixer under the tree 🙂 who knew I would love making rolls and bread so much. I think the mixer will give me the courage to attempt my grandma’s Swedish rye bread recipe.
Love this comment! I too am blessed to be a better cook due to Mel! I’m excited for you on your new mixer! I know I have a few games under our tree that wouldn’t be there without Mel!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! …and you are the cutest. I love that you are down to earth and real and that’s the best! I honestly think we would be good friends if we lived by each other! Happiest of holidays to you and that darling family of yours!!
Good for you!
Mel–the only thing that I prize above your wonderful recipes is your focus on the Savior and your family. Thank you for your hard work and also for your priorities that make your blogging even more priceless to me. Thank you for taking time off! Thank you for talking about your faith and your desire to be the best you can be. Merr Christmas! Love your blog.
You are amazing and I’m thankful for you. Every. Day. You are my go-to for recipes and one of the reasons is because I can relate to you! You are real, you have five kids, you love God, and you’re doing your best to survive… Just like me! Thank you for not quitting your blog even though you are so very busy. As one working mom to another, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Love ya Mel!
Mel. Im one of those who looks at your blog all the time, reads your adorable words (you have such a way of describing food….my gosh! it’s better than reading a novel! Honestly! ) Yet I haven’t posted my compliments and appreciation to you.
You inspire me to COOK! girl. Its takes magical power to do that.
What a talent you have. We just enjoy you so much! I know it must take so much (family-away) time to do what you do. So thanks a million. You are truly amazing!
Since my daughter and I have found you, you’re the only place we want to go. for a recipe. We trust you completely ! I”f it’s from Mel… it will be right!” You are just the best of the best!
Of course your family has to come first! You only have one chance to raise those kids. So do what needs to be done. We understand. (I may ‘cry me a river’ but I’ll live. )
Merry Christmas to all of you.
PS Your dad is Ryan Walker, right. I am his cousin on the Walker side. His dad (Owen) and my mom (Lois) are siblings. Small world huh! My dream is to sit at your table , partake of your food and feel your goodness- up close and personal. tee hee.
Love you. Barb Bodily
This is why we all love you, Mel. You are so real and down to earth and relatable. And you’re right – we don’t have time for just any old recipe, so we come here for the best of the best. I am also so incredibly grateful for the Savior of the world. He is the giver of hope and I think we all need more of that.
I love your recipes and go to your whenever I wonder what WILL I cook for dinner! I send anyone looking for an easy meal, a Crock-Pot meal, an instapot meal, a killer dessert…to you. I’ll take whatever you give us, whenever, and as often or little as you can give it. Thank you for all you do, you’re doing a great job! Merry Christmas Mel!
You are a gem. Truly whenever I need a recipe for an event, I come here. When I need a recipe to bring dinner to someone, I come here. When I need some delicious cookies, I come here! Thank you for sharing your talents with us, it is so appreciated! And your priorities are just
I love your blog and wonderful recipes. I am beyond grateful that I found you 2 years ago. You are a special gift to me and my family. Merry Christmas! Wishing you a happy and healthy 2020❤️
I have a recipe binder of all of our favorites and probably 90% of it is your stuff! I really should just print your entire blog and bind it up because your recipes are all my family needs. You really do bring so much goodness to so many homes, and not just through food! You are a light – everything you post is real, down-to-earth, funny and relatable. Thank you for being amazing! Merry Christmas!
So grateful for your blog, and all the work that goes into it! You are the first one I go to when looking for a certain recipe, every time! Pretty sure I’ve made over a hundred. Thank you for continuing to post incredible recipes, and hilarious monologues:) Merry Christmas!!
Love this post and you! Thanks for sharing yourself with us and for all the blood sweat and tears you put into this lovely little site for us food lovers.
Congratulations on realizing your priorities and making efforts to keep them at the top! That isn’t easy.
As far as the website and all the tracking, who needs it. But if you ever wanted some part time free help, holler at me! I do marketing, social media and communications. I’d love to help you with your blog if it meant for Mel recipes and you getting more sanity!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Go love on that beautiful family❤️❤️
I’m glad you are taking a Christmas break! In the meantime, pretty much every recipe I make this break will be from your website. Thank you for that!
Merry Christmas, Mel and family. Thank you for being real for us, for finding the best, and being a source of excellent recipes and good reading.
Thank you, Mel! I appreciate your “friendship”, wisdom, willingness to be vulnerable – and of course your recipes!
In the midst of the craziness of life, please remember you are making a difference in the lives of so many people – even those you’ve never met! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
You are the best of the best Mel! Thanks for putting good stuff on the internet!
Merry Christmas Mel! Thanks for sharing your great recipes and tips, your amazing gift guides, your family, and “life happens” moments. I love it all!
I love your blog so much and I appreciate your honesty and generosity. This has been a challenging year for me and my family. It’s hard to let go of my own expectations for life and just enjoy where we are. Thank you so much for your down to earth positivity!
Yes to this post!! Love all of your recipes and for the heart and soul that you put into them! Thank you for making the world so much brighter around my kitchen table. Family is first and foremost the most important priority. How grateful I am for honest, down to earth bloggers like you! Thank you!
I love all that you do and share Mel! Merry Christmas! ❤️
Hey Mel! We’ve never met, but I feel like we’re friends! (I think we would be in real life!) I have 5 boys and one little girl, we are wading through the teen years with our oldest, and my husband has been serving as bishop for 3.5 years. I feel like we would have a lot to talk about. I just wanted to thank you for blessing my life with so many wonderful and trusty recipes. Your site is the first (and often only) place we turn for any kind of recipe. We just refer to you by your first name around here and everyone knows what we mean. Even more than the recipes, I love the glimpses into your very real, and very beautiful life. They feel like a chat with a friend, and leave me lifted, inspired, and feeling like I have a comrade in this crazy mothering adventure. Merry Christmas!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being YOU and for sharing your talents, and passion, and family with us. (And for the record, you could post once a year and I’d STILL be a loyal follower! I think many feel the same, so- no blogging pressure on our account!) ❤️
Mel I appreciate this post! It’s been a tough couple days for me. Patience gone. Thankfully I can refocus! And eat sugar cookies. Put the phone down, pray more, talk to the kids more, try to keep my voice calm (today I’m doing better than yesterday ) basically you nailed it and I believe your words were inspired. Challenges tend to bring us closer together. And I Absolutely Love your family picture. Thank you! Off to pray and make cinnamon rolls
❤️ Merry merry Christmas Mel! Love that photo! Thank you for your openness, admitting imperfections and being a positive influence I too have had my priorities refocused this year. I love that you’ve prayed more, followed your heart and can admit your vulnerability. God’s working with me on that one ) Thank you for your inspirational words. Thank you for the best of the best of the best recipes!
To your guts: I love you
Thanks for loving us too! Even if we’ve followed you since 2011 but only commented once
Peace, joy and His endless love today, tomorrow and forever.
Love this post!! I am one of those rare commenters, but I have read every. single. post. on your blog. Your page helped me get through my newlywed cooking years, encouraged me during my skin cancer journey (I was checked because of your initial post), given me many laughs (I have a similar sense of humor), and you have never once left me feeling like I will never be good enough at this whole “mom thing”. Your blog has been a place where I can go take a quick 15 minute mental break and walk back into life feeling a little “lighter”. My recipe binder is exploding with printed pages from Mel’s blog and my whole family is thankful for the kitchen skills I have learned from you. I appreciate you don’t have tons and tons of daily content to sort through, as a busy mom that would be overwhelming! I will take quality over quantity any day and I love that about your blog. Thank you for the sacrifice that has gone into maintaining this online space, I am truly grateful! Merry Christmas Mel and family, wishing you you a blessed 2020!
Mel
You really do have the best food blog out there. All I say to my daughter when she asked where I got this recipe is, “it’s Mel’s”. She know who I mean. I check out all your gift ideas and games as well. You’re the best. I’ll take a little Mel over no Mel at all so take your rest. These days with your kids will fly by and they are what’s most important. See you in the new year.
Merry Christmas to you! What a beautiful family picture. I love that you take your time and focus on quality over quantity. Have a wonderful break and Happy New Year!
Merry Chirstmas Mel! I hop you have the sweetest holiday with your family!
I love your blog and I’ve been here since the beginning! Merry Christmas and take all the time you need! I’ll be browsing the archives for all the recipes I’ve missed. You’re the blog I turn to first anytime I need a recipe.
From one bishop’s wife and mother of teenagers to another, I totally get it, and send you so much love and best wishes. I have been a faithful follower of yours for years (8 maybe? or more?) and I make something of yours almost every day. You are amazing and my family and I are so grateful that you share so we can enjoy!!! I have been married 24 years this month and every year I have done cookie plates for Christmas. every. single. year. This year I just could not. So, I talked with my hubby and we decided we would do your cheese balls and it turned out great!!! Thanks so much! We didn’t make near as many as you (25 total for us) but they were so good and it was such a blessing to not make 5 different kinds of cookies and everything that involved. My daughter made a tag for the cheese balls that said, “Keep it simple, celebrate Christ, and have a ball!” I am a firm believer in keeping it simple! I also have several new games wrapped and under the tree because of you. Thank you!! God bless you and yours this season and always and thanks for being such a rock star!!!! See you next year!
Merry Christmas Mel and Family! Thank You for sharing so much Light with the on-line world. I am so thankful for all you have added to my life over many years. We will be enjoying many family food traditions over the next few days that came about because of you! Love You!
Love you Mel! Thank you for sharing your talents with us so we can look like rockstars in the kitchen just like you! But more than that, thank you for being real with us and helping us know it’s okay to not have it “all together.” What matters most is nurturing and loving our families, and you do that with so much grace and love, I can’t help but be inspired by you! Happy Christmas and see you in the new year!
And for the record, you don’t ever seem like you don’t have it all together.
Merry Christmas and thank you for being the most genuine food blogger I know of. You e been my go to blog for recipes for so long my kids just assume anything I make that’s great is a “Mel recipe” I appreciate you!
True statements. Be humble. Love and feel deeply. Bruce was diagnosed with Parkinson’s. We are adjusting. Greet Brian and the kids from the MN grandma
I just want to say thank you. I am one of those people that never comments. But I did make your recipes a couple times a week. You are my go to when looking for a recipe. Thank you so much for all your work. You make feeding my family a doable task. Merry Christmas and enjoy your break!