My Blog Turns 15!
Fifteen years ago, when I was young and full of hope, I started a recipe blog.
It was called mykitchencafe.blogspot.com
If you recognize the blogspot address or either one of these original logos below, it means you’ve been around a long time…and…you probably deserve an award.
A few years after I started My Kitchen Cafe, I swapped out the blogspot address for a real, live dot com and it has been Mel’s Kitchen Cafe ever since (with no shortage of logo changes until I finally hired a professional, ha).
It would be impossible to describe all the changes that have occurred over the last 15 years. Both personally and in the internet/blogging landscape.
When I first started my blog, life looked a bit like this:
Whereas now, “life” has increased in the number of humans…and in wrinkles. 😉
Some days, it’s hard to wrap my brain around the fact that I’ve been sharing recipes in this space for 15 years. THAT’S A LONG TIME!
My kids don’t really remember life before “mom had a blog.” Sometimes, neither do I!
Funny story: when my kids were little, little, I’d spend our days doing kid/mom things and making a concerted effort not to be on the computer. However, the minute my kids went to bed, I would rush to my computer and do all the blogging “stuff” on my to-do list. Inevitably, as kids do, mine would wander out of bed and into the office to find me and ask for a drink or want to tell me a random story to delay bedtime or just sit on my lap for a minute (you know, because I HADN’T JUST SPENT THE WHOLE ENTIRE DAY WITH THEM). 😉 During this time, a teacher at church told me that one of my kids had announced to his class: “my mom likes to play games on her computer every night after we go to bed.” I didn’t know whether to laugh or feel mortified (both!). Turns out, all that time, my kids thought I was hiding in the office to play games when they went to bed! We had a quick family discussion about how mom goes into her office at bedtime to work on her food blog…not to play solitaire until the wee hours of the morning. 😂 But honestly, I think they still told their friends and teachers and friends’ parents for years that I was a late-night internet gamer.
Photo Growth
My kids’ shoe sizes and the number of animals we have acquired over the years aren’t the only things that have changed either. HAVE YOU TAKEN A DIVE INTO THE ARCHIVES TO SEE SOME OF MY OLD PHOTOS?
I mean, my goodness. Talk about before and after growth. 🤣
Things Change but My Motives Haven’t
I could write an entire blog post about how, outside of family life, things in the blogging world have changed so drastically over the last 15 years.
Over the years, the online world of food blogging has become less simple and more strategic.
Less relatable and more robotic.
Less carefree and more calculated.
It’s not all bad. It’s just different.
I started my blog as a way to share recipes with my mom and sisters who didn’t live near me. I never had any intentions of becoming a “full-time” blogger.
In fact, I was completely freaked out when a few months after I started putting recipes up on my blog I received a comment from a stranger saying they had made a recipe and liked it. I thought for sure that person was an internet stalker coming after my children.
Turns out, that first blog reader was a perfectly nice, normal human being who still follows my blog after all these years (hi, Kim!). Millions of readers have followed!
Years ago, I did a blog post called “This is Why I Blog”, and I could honestly repost that word for word because I still adhere to the same philosophies I always have about blogging. If you haven’t read that post, please do. It might give you some insight into why I am the way I am and why I blog the way I blog.
While blogging has changed infinitely over the years, my motives have not. Just like when I started putting recipes up on the internet late in 2007, my reasons I still do so are the same: to share my favorite, tried-and-true recipes with the world.
My blog started out as a hobby.
Now it is equal parts hobby and full-time job!
I never would have thought 15 years ago that my readership of about five people would grow into millions! What a tremendous, awesome opportunity and blessing it has been for me.
Some Fun Stats
For those who like geeky number-type stats, I thought it would be fun to share a few details/facts/numbers that help give a big picture look at Mel’s Kitchen Cafe!
At the Beginning (from about 2007-2010):
- Revenue/Income: $0
- Blog Visits: 50-1,000 per month
- Additional Employees: 0
- My Time: 10-20 hours/week
The Middle Years (2014-ish):
- Revenue/Income: part-time
- Blog Visits: 750,000-1,000,000/month
- Additional Employees: 1 part-time virtual assistant (5-10 hours/week)
- My Time: 30-40 hours/week
Current Years (2022):
- Revenue/Income: full-time
- Blog Visits: 3,000,000-4,000,000/month
- Additional Employees: 1 part-time virtual assistant (10-20 hours/week) plus a few contracted employees to help with videos/projects
- My Time: 20-45 hours/week
A Note About Income and Revenue
Things can get kind of weird when people talk about money (and heaven knows, I don’t want things to get weird between us!), but lots of people have been curious over the years if my blog makes money.
It does! But it didn’t always.
For the first several years, I made approximately zero dollars.
Around 2010, I started putting display ads on my website (first just on my own with Google Adsense and then with a long since outdated company, Foodbuzz through Federated Media). I remember literally falling over with excitement when I got a check one particular month for $125. I couldn’t believe I was getting paid that much to talk about recipes I loved!
I later changed ad networks to AdThrive and then switched to Mediavine in 2016 and have been with them ever since.
A VERY simplistic description of how ad networks, like Mediavine, operate is that they work directly with ad exchanges and companies to service and display all the ads you see on my website (and they work on the ad technology and gaining new ad customers so I don’t have to!).
I am paid based on a revenue split – meaning, I don’t pay Mediavine directly for their work servicing ads, rather, Mediavine and I split the revenue that comes from the ads on my site.
I can choose which ads I want displayed. Although that system isn’t always perfect, which is why you may occasionally see a questionable ad, like an alcohol ad, even though I have alcohol ads disabled in my ad settings. Please feel free to always report those ads, by the way! You can do that by clicking on the Mediavine logo in the lower right hand side of the ad and selecting “report ad” (see screenshot below).
Over the years as I’ve worked hard and traffic has increased and my ad structure has changed, my blog has grown to provide a full-time income for me and my family.
My income comes from: the ads you see on the blog, Amazon affiliate links (and L’Chef affiliate links when Bosch mixers are on sale), and Prepear menu planning subscriptions. I know ads can be annoying – and because of that, I only run about half of the ads available to me through my ad network – but those ads serve a purpose to help pay the costs of running and hosting a website, pay my employee and contractors, and compensate me for my work on the blog.
My Virtual Assistant(s)
I’m blessed in that my sister, Emily, is my virtual assistant! She started working with me in 2013 and she is a lifesaver. She schedules posts to Facebook, answers emails, works on Prepear menus, does tons of behind the scenes work updating recipes and categories on the blog, and more.
Her help allows me to focus more on recipe testing, taking all the photos, writing the posts, answering comments, interacting on Instagram, occasionally taking a nap, and maintaining the authentic voice here on the blog.
And since I’m deep in the middle of this acceptance speech (?? kind of starting to sound like one! haha), I would be remiss if I didn’t give a huge shoutout to my faithful partner and best friend. He’s the unpaid assistant around here.
Brian has been my biggest champion since the beginning. And as the resident taste tester (all those pictures on my blog with one bite taken out?? Yeah, thank Brian for that effort), he offers the support, compassion, brain gasoline, and endlessly patient listening ears that keep me and this blog putting one foot in front of the other.
The Numbers Game + Blog Visitors
2020 was a huge year for internet traffic. Because of the pandemic shutdowns and increase of at-home cooking, my visits per month were at a record high that year – nearly 10 million per month! But things have gradually slowed down and my traffic is actually less than it was a few years ago.
The thing is, I rarely check my stats. I can’t really tell you month-to-month how many visitors I’m getting or if it is waxing or waning.
The numbers game can be debilitating (both in traffic and with social media), and I’ve just chosen not to play it so that I stay better focused on my overall intentions. I monitor and check things out now and then, but I don’t dwell on it.
However, I did do a fun little check for this post to see where my visitors are checking in from!
United States: 81.38%, Canada: 8.35%, United Kingdom: 2.53%, Australia: 1.35%, South Africa: .56%, New Zealand: .36%, Philippines: .35%, India: .33%, Germany: .29%
The Right Way to Blog…Or Not
Many bloggers in this food space are intensely savvy. They do keyword research and create their recipe posts strictly around what Google wants (with the goal to get high up in search results). They network with companies (and each other) and grow virtual empires. They publish books and videos and create products.
It’s amazing to watch and see. I love it!
My strategy, which should come as no surprise, is more of the homebody, naturalistic, girl-next-door approach. Meaning: I don’t network all that much, I don’t do keyword research, I don’t do sponsored posts.
I make a recipe. I squeal in delight. I force my family to taste it and review it. I make it again. And likely, again. And then I post it for you, because if I don’t, I want be able to sleep at night.
That’s not to say I don’t work hard at this gig. I do! Blogging is a ton of work (certainly more than just taking a pretty picture of food and slapping it up online!).
I set priorities for certain projects (like email growth, etc), and I’ve always put high emphasis on staying up to date with SEO principles and technology updates, but at the end of the day, I’m still an old school blogger who just wants a space to share my favorite recipes with the world.
Which means sometimes I turn a blind eye to “best practices” and do my own thing. I don’t do this to be ignorant – it’s really just a survival skill to preserve my mental health and ensure I continue to keep blogging.
For me, this space, is about so much more than numbers and stats and money and notoriety. It’s truly about human connection and sharing good things with you.
A Day in the Life
My schedule has shifted and changed over the years. Now that all of my kids are in school full-time (and one has graduated high school), I try to get all my blogging work (particularly) computer work done during the day instead of staying up super late to tackle my to-do list.
I don’t set specific “work hours” but it naturally ends up that about two days a week are spent on the computer side of blogging. Writing and publishing blog posts, answering comments and emails, coordinating projects with my sister-VA, and working on other techy-stuff.
Once I get my kids off to school, I feed farm animals, do scripture study, write in my journal, exercise, and (sometimes) shower, before diving in to blog work from about 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with laundry and other household/farm chores scattered in there.
Additionally, I end up spending another day or two a week bustling around the kitchen to test and photograph recipes (I use natural light, so right now during the winter, I have to get that done before 4 p.m.).
I usually make about 5-6 new recipes a week. Sometimes just for fun. Sometimes to test them (again) and/or take photos. I know, I need to get a life and/or diverse hobbies, but I can’t help it! I love food and making new recipes.
My kids always have Fridays off school, so I try to fit the blogging work in Monday through Thursday; however, inevitably there’s an evening or two that it spills over and I work in my office from 8 – 11-ish p.m.
I don’t shy away from saying I work from home or that I have a full-time job. But I do consider it a serious blessing that my job is this blog and that even though it requires hours and effort, I’m able to set my own hours and schedule.
And doing so allows me the flexibility to volunteer in my daughter’s class, do church and community service (right now I’m helping at a refugee organization, and it is life-alteringly rewarding), run errands when I need to, take a break from everything and help one of my kids or work on a house project, or just aimlessly waste time on the internet searching for watermelon carving knives.
To Sum it All Up
While my focus is mostly on really good recipes, over the years, I’ve also shared gift guides and Friday Thoughts (used to be Snapshot Saturdays!) and glimpses of real life.
At the end of the day, I’m a very average, real human who has a lot of highs and a lot of lows. And I don’t do a great job of pretending like those things don’t exist. Normalize real life. That’s my motto. 🙂
I have no idea how long I’ll continue to blog. If asked, some days my answer would be “forever” and other days the answer is more like “um, ask me tomorrow – I may have pulled the plug on the blog by then.”
The truth is, even with my laid back style, it’s hard work. Something is always going on (or breaking!) behind the scenes and there is a lot of management that blogging requires besides the delicious pictures of food and brand, new recipes.
I get tired and burned out.
But the reason I always, always end up sitting at my computer at midnight NOT playing solitaire 😉 is because of you guys.
Seriously.
It’s Because of You
If it weren’t for the real human connections I’ve made with you over the years, for the comments you leave and the stories and experiences you share, for the notes that tell me how a recipe has impacted your family or changed someone’s life for the better, for the hilarious anecdotes and the heartbreaking life experiences…if it weren’t for that, I’d be long gone.
I tell my family all the time that it’s ok I never leave my house because I have millions of friends online.
And, ok, I know that sounds completely weird, and if my kids said that back to me, I’d definitely get them professional help.
But.
It’s also true. Thank you for sticking around. For being my virtual friends. For making this a space that I want to come back to day after day.
Love your guts. 😘
Also, a special shoutout thank you to all of you who leave comments/ratings/reviews on recipes after you’ve made them. This makes such a huge difference! For me, and for those who scroll through comments to get ideas/variations/suggestions when they are planning to make the recipe. Thank you for taking the time to leave comments and reviews and ratings!!
What’s to Come
Well, first of all, count on the best of the best new recipes to continue popping up here! I have some exciting new recipes coming your way. My goal is to get you 4-5 well-tested, fantastic recipes each month in 2023.
Additionally, I’m planning:
- lots of updates to many of the recipes that have been on here for over a decade (not changing the recipe, per se, just updating photos and recipe notes, etc).
- some additional content projects that will likely involve hiring another assistant to help with marketing and development
- site updates and changes to make the website sleek, savvy, and even more SEO-friendly
- continuing with Friday Thoughts posts now and then
- and a few other things swirling around in my brain
I get asked all the time if I’m planning to do a cookbook. I have a cookbook started on my computer – some content, lots of ideas, etc. But every time I get close to signing a publishing contract or going the self-publishing (or hybrid) route, I can’t ultimately commit. It feels stressful and wrong. I think my biggest hangup is that my first priority is to continue to publish a wide range of amazing content on my blog, and I don’t think I can manage a cookbook and the blog. Additionally, I’m not sure I really have anything to offer the cookbook world that hasn’t already been done. So. We’ll see! Never say never!
Anything you are dying to see on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe? Let me know below in the comments! I love getting suggestions from you!
The End, Finally
And herein lies another extensive novel-like post about nothing all that important, which will surely garner some hate mail from those that “just want the freaking recipe already so stop blabbering,” but hey, 15 years in, it’s hard to change these long-winded stripes.
OK, BYYEEEE. 😘 Here’s to the next 15 years!
If you have any other questions about blogging or Mel’s Kitchen Cafe or just want to tell me about YOURSELF (yes! that’s a good plan!), leave me a comment below!
In case you didn’t clearly hear me earlier in the post: I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU!
The Comments
Thank you for all of your heartfelt comments. They’ve made me laugh and cry. I’m just so grateful for each of you. For the good humans you are. The efforts you make in your own lives. The affirmations you’ve allowed me to feel that this blog is “more than just a blog.” I’m just very grateful to be here with all of you.
Thank you for all of your suggestions, as well! I keep a running list of things you would like to see on the blog, and I’ve taken note of all of them!
To answer a few questions coming through in the comments:
- Where do you get ideas for new recipes? I have so many recipe ideas swirling around in my head, it’s a miracle I ever get to sleep! I’m so anxious to share all of them with you! I find inspiration from recipes you share with me (I LOVE GETTING NEW RECIPES FROM YOU SO MUCH – thanks for sending them to me!). I also get inspiration from a few recipe magazines and social media. But a lot of my recipe inspiration just comes from me thinking about food nonstop and figuring out recipe mashups I want to make.
- How many times do you make a new recipe before posting it? At least twice, but for baking recipes, usually an average of 3-4 times (with some recipes taking a few more testing sessions).
- How many of your recipes are original or modified from other sources? There are a lot of both! Although I would submit that there’s probably no such thing as a truly original recipe anymore since there are so many recipes “out there” already. I always cite a recipe source if I’ve used a recipe as inspiration or modified it. But there are some recipes I’ve come up with on my own from all those ideas swirling around my head (and many other recipes from my childhood)!
- How adventurous are your kids when it comes to eating? My kids eat everything I make. They don’t always love, love certain ingredients (I have a tomato hater and a mushroom hater and a bean hater; they power through it), but they’ll eat it. I have two kids that love to try new things and will eat anything. They’re the ones at restaurants that order something unusual and fun and will dig into sushi with me and Brian. The other three go straight for the mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. 🙂
600 Comments on “My Blog Turns 15!”
Congratulations on 15 years of being the #1 recipe source for so many people, including me and my sisters! We love you and trust that everything you share will be worth our efforts. I can’t tell you how often I get compliments on my cooking, and I always give you credit. I’ve been reading your blog and sharing your recipes since the beginning, and I like to think we’re great friends!
My teenage daughter and I were making your carrot cake for Easter yesterday. Talking about how people choose to spend their time and use their talents. She said, “Mel’s kids are really lucky!” I have five children also and enjoy cooking and baking. She is always very appreciative as she likes to eat as much as I do! She was just imagining all the magic that happens in your kitchen and so I wanted to share!
Not to be creepy, but I pretend we’re friends all the time. I have been following since 2010 back when I really didn’t know how to cook and I was afraid of making bread and just thought yeast hated me. With your coaching and encouragement, I can say that yeast and I have a healthy respect for each other now and I can make things. Your recipes have made me literally feel like a Rockstar and I have tricked so many people now into thinking I can actually cook. If I need something new, need an oldie but goodie, have 3 things to cook with, your blog is the first one I go to, full stop. Thank you for being amazing!
Mel, If and when you ever decide to stop blogging, would the site still be available? Should I start saving and printing your amazing work now? I take for granted it is all right here.
I love Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I never go to a cookbook any more. Unless I can’t find it on your blog which is rare. Your recipes are tried and true. Thank you
Mel if your page ever went offline I would be in so much trouble! I found your page about 10 years ago as a young mom, looking for recipes to cook more at home and budget. I found that many recipes I found online or in cookbooks were terrible. Your recipes almost always worked out, so I kept using them more and more. Now all these years later, your recipes are family staples and requested for many extended family parties. The brown sugar ham has been nicknamed “vinegar ham” and is requested for every holiday by fam and friends (looking for leftovers.) Calico baked beans are such a pot luck staple, I think my friends forget I can make anything else. At home we love the Sweet and Sour Chicken (obviously), Beach Street Lemon pasta, your moms classic red chili, corn bread, baked crème brûlée French toast, Thai chicken salad, and many many more. Your recipes are woven into the fabric of our lives. Thank you so much for your time and commitment to posting such excellent, tested recipes. Here’s to another 15 years!
Hi Mel.
Thanks for the read. A cool story about what makes my VF tick.
The thing I love about your site is that I know there’s no bull dust attached to it, that the recipes work and that there’s lots of love here.
Keep up the good work Mel, or stop, or do what makes you happy. I know that what you do makes me happy.
Kind Regards
Rod Hart
I’m super late reading this post but I’m so glad I did because it was super interesting. Thanks for taking the time to write it, and thanks for continuing to blog all these years through all the highs and lows. You really are the best and I love your guts right back!
Mel, you’re a household name here! I still have my Rock Star apron. Thanks for getting me through the young children stage with delicious and simple recipes, and thanks for now being a go-to site for my grown kids out cooking on their own. We sure appreciate you!
I have always been happy with every recipe I’ve tried from you, and that’s saying something! Thanks for the great food ideas.
I love your authentic approach and you’ll always be my go-to!! Thank you for sharing goodness and blessing so many families!!
Mel – I consider myself a good cook and baker. About 10 years ago I was going to bake my standard peanut butter cookie recipe that I have used for years. On a lark, I decided to search for “the best peanut butter cookie recipe” and your site was the first one that popped up. Needless to say I still use your recipe for “the best peanut butter cookies” all these years later. I signed up for your newsletter and we enjoy so many of your recipes. When I try a new one and my husband raves about it, he asks where I got the recipe and he knows by now that my response will be “Mel’s”. You are part of the family.
What comes thru in your sharing is your heart from which you write. That means so much. It is evident that you love your family, you love serving God and others and you love to cook and bake and share your recipes. I appreciate that you have done all the testing too.
I pray The Lord bless you, and watch guard and keep you; The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious, (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you. The Lord lift up His approving countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually). Numbers 6:24-26 – Amplified Bible Translation
Merry Christmas
Don’t you dare believe for one second that you have nothing to offer the cookbook space. Mel, every single recipe you make is tried, true, dependable, delicious and nothing short of pure love. Recipe books are not just about the recipes in it, but also the person behind the recipe. You have a style and a technique unique to you and people adore it. If my internet bookmarks for your recipes could show wear and tear mine would have creases, sticky marks, oil stains and more because I reference them so often. I understand if a cook book isn’t the right path, however I just want you to know, the world would be very fortunate to have a cookbook written by Mel!
Fun to read this and reminisce with you. I’m pretty my sure I was here in the blog spot days. Can’t remember my cooking life without you, Mel. 🙂
I love your recipes and love even more how REAL and relatable you are.
I didn’t know you really liked receiving recipes. Now that I know, on the rare occasion that I find a winner somewhere other than your site, I’m sending it over!
Hi Mel!
What a milestone post. Although, I’ve been around since 2013, and have read bits and pieces, I enjoyed reading your story in full and the why you do what you do. I love your recipes, stories, tips, recommendations, gift lists, Friday thoughts and all the rest that your blog has offered through the years. I look forward to seeing what new things you have in store for us readers! Blessings to you and your family in the coming New Year!
Over the past ten years my family (and I) have shared many delicious home-cooked meals (and letsbehonest… oatmeal chocolate chip cookies) thanks to your blog, Mel! We SO appreciate your generosity and hard work! I did not grow up with parents who enjoyed cooking, so when my husband and I began a family I wanted to prioritize making nutritious, delicious family meals in our home. We share special meals and precious time together thanks to your recipes and blog. Your hard work has blessed us, and we’re so grateful! Thank you from Tennessee! 🙂
You are awesome Mel!! Thanks for sticking around the blog space! I’ve been following since the beginning and I credit it you for basically teaching me to cook and bake over the last 15 years. Keep it up!
I’ve been along for the ride since 2013. You are one of my favorite bloggers. Mainly because I do feel like you are so real, down-to-earth, and I believe we would be friends. My favorite recipe so far is the baked sweet and sour chicken recipe. I actually never order Chinese takeout anymore because of that recipe. If I could add anything it would be more Indian, Thai, and Middle Eastern recipes. And add more recipes to the freezer-friendly section!
I teared up when you wrote about the past 15 years. And especially when you talked about your husband. I hope you never pull the plug on this old thing! You’ve connected our family and our guests to many delicious meals around our table. I feel like I’m talking about a friend when I say “it’s from Mel.” Blessings to you! Kristin
Thank you for your post, Mel! I have been getting the majority of the recipes I make for my family of 7 from you since the beginning. My family always teases me about you being my bestie (creepy maybe?). When I tell my husband I have to check our a game because “Mel suggested it,” he rolls his eyes a little, but I can’t help it, since I’ve gotten so many great gift suggestions from you in the past. My oldest is a senior, and we both had our now-10-year old daughters close to the same time, so alright I’ve never met you, I’ve always felt like we would totally be buddies if we lived closer. Anyway, thank you for not giving up on your blog, because, as weird as it is, it’s helped me get through some tough times. Thank you for providing so many yummy, family-friendly recipes that have become absolute staples in my home! And thank you equally for being real and relatable. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels like they have a friend in Boise.
I so so SO appreciate your honesty and your clear reflections here (and I love the recipes you post.) As a fellow-blogger-but-in-the-infant-stages, it’s refreshing and validating. Thank you!
I am a long time follower and one of the reasons I stick around is due to your authenticity. You are truly a breath of fresh air. Plus your recipes are so so good! I’ve honestly never been disappointment by any of your recipes and I have tried a LOT of them. Thank you for all your hard work and for being so candid. It’s nice to see a real human online.
I can’t imagine my adult mom life without Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. I’ve long considered you my “food spirit buddy.” I’ve needed your recipes, your posts and your humor. I’ve always wished you were my next door neighbor because of your girl next door approach. Thanks for being you, for genuinely sharing real life and good food with all of us. ❤️
I know we diverge in opinions when it comes to casseroles but I’m always a fan of an amazing casserole.
I just love, love your blog. It is really the only one I consistently go to when I am menu planning (or just at all anymore) as I know anything I make from it will be good and probably make its way into regular rotation. I appreciate your approach. All good blogs/youtubers/instagramers end up changing who they are in the effort to get more followers. And I don’t think that is a good thing! They lose the authenticity and what made them popular in the first place. You have always remained the same in what counts and I hope you always do! Thank you and congratulations on 15 years!!
What a great recap and impressive stats! You may be “old school”, but you have the best blog around. A great balance of honest and tested recipes and sharing about parenting and other things. You recipes are always so good and the instructions are so clear and helpful. Thank you for holding back on the ads, some other blog sites are impossible to navigate because of the sheer number of ads. I hope you are compensated well because it is a lot of work and you deserve it.
I started reading your blog when you lived in Minnesota – I was searching for a food blogger from MN (I live there because it is God’s country LOL), and found you. Your blog is the first place I look for a recipe I need! I can’t tell you which recipe of yours in my favorite but the fact that your sloppy joe recipe was a huge hit with my very picky hubby says A LOT! Thanks for all you do and are, Mel!
I love this recap of your blog history! What an accomplishment! I’ve been around for a long time and you are my #1 website for delicious and simple recipes!! Thank you for all your hard work to help us have yummy meals for our families!! You are one of a kind food blogger!! Merry Christmas!
I think I’ve been around for 8 years or so? You’ve become my #1 source of inspiration for recipes AND games to try with my family, I feel so lucky to have this corner of the internet. You’ve also inspired me to be better about printing recipes and saving them in a recipe binder — it’s one of my prized possessions!
I’m a huge fan of yours Mel! I love your recipes, your farm-ness and how genuine you are. Your blog is my go-to for every meal and I love to send people to your site. In fact, a lady from my son’s mission texted me to get a recipe I often make and of course I forwarded your blog to her. Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing your talent! At work when I bring in food for treats, I always say “It’s Mels”, and everyone knows it’s you! My 82 year old mom knows about your blog and she doesn’t even cook. My favorites are your orange rolls, the ones that call for the scalded milk, they are so delicious! We had your Homemade Stove Stop Stuffing for Thanksgiving and I used your Rustic bread for the bread. That Rustic Bread is so yummy! And so easy! Actually I don’t even have a favorite becuase it’s all my favorite! Thank you! You are a bright light!
I’m part of your Canadian 8%, I’ve definitely been around for a few iterations of the page, but I never comment 🙂 We are a family of 6 and so many of your recipes are staples in our house now, my family thanks you! It’s nice to have such a longstanding, consistent resource, and also weird to think that some of my kids have been eating your meals basically since they have been born (they are teens and preteens now). I find so many other sites can be hit or miss, but with yours, I know that supper will always be a winner. I don’t have to hesitate, I know it will be good. Thanks!
I love love love all your recipes and time and work you put into it, thank you!!!!
A huge thank you from a UK reader. I found your blog when my son was a toddler as I needed more family friendly meals I could prepare in advance He’s now 13 & our weekly rotation of meals includes many Mel’s Meals. Favourites include your paprika chicken stroganoff, spaghetti sauce & not forgetting the soft & chewy choc chip cookies.
THANK YOU for time you’ve invested in your content and recipe experiments over the years! My friend told me about you and I’ve followed ever since!! I live overseas most of the time and have to cook everything from scratch. Your recipes have given my inspiration and ideas when I get stuck in a rut…which is often! Your peanut butter chocolate cheesecake a HUGE favorite for our family
Thank you for so sharing so much of your time and your heart!! I love your recipes, games, thoughts, jokes and farm. I love that you post recipes that you really love instead of what’s trending. I love that you keep ads to a minimum. I love how you are authentic which makes using your recipes feel like they came from a trusted friend. You’ve been in my kitchen more times than I can count and my whole family knows and loves so many of your recipes. Wishing you all your best with your blog and in life – you absolutely deserve it!!!
This was great reading!! Have been following you for years, I think you lived in Minnesota when I started. Love your recipes. Looking forward to 2023 with you.
Sheila
Mel,
So most people come here purely for the recipes, that are, might I add, SO delicious!! My girls will try anything if I tell them it’s from Mel!! I honestly just sometimes come here for a pick-me-up!! I know if I read something of yours, I’m going to smile, laugh, and cry all at the same time!! I feel like we are the best of friends living next door to each other loving life one day at a time!! Thanks for being you, authentic real you!! It’s so refreshing in this digital world of facades!! I hope you keep keeping on for years to come!! Much love to you my friend!! 🙂
Mel, I first started following your blog in the wee days of my marriage. (We’ve been married 11 years this past summer.) I was a fresh 24 years old and we had just moved to New Zealand from Arkansas where I had been a Pediatric ICU nurse. We were there for a year on my husband’s work visa and I did not have a job, so I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. To pass time, I made my way through your blog, making everything that looked good (so basically everything). I even had to special order a turkey for Thanksgiving. I painstakingly ordered all the ingredients, even getting some things mailed from family in the US. After all that, the turkey in its brining container was so big the fridge door would not shut. My husband saved the day and his teary wife, by using the TV to hold the door shut. I have learned so much through your posts on your blog. Everything I have ever made from your recipes has been good. You have my and my husband’s complete trust in all things food haha! Needless to say, you are a household name. My kids’ recent favorite are the Cowboy Cookies (who at first wouldn’t even try them because they have “stuff” in them). I told them to have faith and trust in Mel (insert laughing emoji here)!
Mel, I found your blog 13 years ago when I got married and have come to you first for EVERYTHING!! If you don’t have it, I’ve found it’s not usually worth making yet . Thank you for saving me and my family, and have delicious recipes that children will eat and that don’t feel overwhelming. When we get to heaven, I’ll be in line waiting to hug you and say thanks in person! For now, thank you!!
Thank you for all these years of amazing food! Your recipes have been served countless times at our table and not once have we tried something of yours we haven’t liked… they really are tried and true! We are all so thankful for this amazing place and all your hours that go into it.
Loved reading through this post. I’ve been following along for about 6 years. I turn to your website first and it is hands down the most user friendly food blog…you’re the best! It’s easy to search for recipes and I love how you have it organized. If you post it on fb or IG, then I know I can easily find it. And I love your novel-like posts!!
Mel, just so you know. You are a household name among my family and extended family. If a recipe is good my 6 year old asks, “is this from Mel?” When my sisters and I get together very frequently we talk about the recipes we’ve recently tried from “Mel.” We feel like you really are part of the family and we really appreciate the consistently delicious food we are able to make with help from your blog. Thanks from all of us!
I appreciate how you show your beliefs in how you live, not through a lot of talk. There have been times it seems like you have gotten reader flack, and I admire how you quietly carry on. Also, I have found your updates on sunscreens and skin health very helpful. Hope you are doing well in that area.
Congratulations! It was fun to read your post. I can still relate to a lot of what you have been through. Thanks for taking the time to test and retest your recipes. I can always count on your recipes being good ones.
Goodness this was such a lovely read! Happy to say I’ve been around for half of those years and that your blog is one of my top five. One of the select blogs where I go straight to the website a couple times a week to see what’s new, where I search your site first before doing a general google for a recipe, and where my husband knows you by name. Thank you for all your hard work over the years and I can’t wait to see what’s to come!
For the record, my favorite Mel recipes are: Monterey Chicken, Spinach Stuffed Shells, Broiled Parmesan and Lemon Chicken, Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Scones, and Dulce de Leche Twix Bars. Honorable mention to the Homemade Stovetop Stuffing that I’m pretty positive is going to be on that list after another few years of Thanksgivings!
Mel, I just love you so stinking much!! I can’t believe I’ve been the recipient of your amazing recipes for most of your blogging time, and that half way through your blogging life you just happened to move in next door to me. I couldn’t be more grateful.
Your blog is what it is because you are who you are. I appreciate you on so many levels.
Thanks for putting the best food blog out there in the virtual world. You never ever cease to amaze me on all levels. You are an amazing human and I love you so stinking much!
I feel honored to be one of those who followed your blog from way back when! I always recommend your site because even if I don’t ‘love’ every single recipe I’ve made from your site (I do mostly, but..) I’ve never made a bad recipe from your site. Thank you, thank you for sharing your recipes with the world!
Loved this post Mel! Thanks for sharing all this fun and interesting info! Please don’t ever stop blogging! I don’t know what my family would eat without you! Love your recipes, love your blabbering and love you!
Mel, Wow, congratulations to you. I have been a long time follower and simply live your food blog. Thank you so much for your recipes, sharing your special moments and thoughts with us. Also, and may I say, you and your lovely family feel like home to me.
Congratulations on 15 years of hard work and love through your blog. Any time I want a recipe I know will turn out I come here. They are the best recipes. It’s so nice to come to a blog that is genuine and pure. It’s hard to find anymore. We love you Mel!!!
Hey Mel! I’ve been following your blog for over 10 years and have told COUNTLESS people about it. And everyone I refer to your blog, loves it as well. Your blog is the first one I go to when I need a recipe (Sallys Baking Addiction being my second). I love how the recipe index is organized and all the other features you have on your blog. Thank you for all your hard work! Keep the recipes coming.
Came for the Chicken Pot Pie Crumble and Sweet and Sour Chicken, stayed for…well, everything else! 🙂 Tried and true, that’s for sure. You’ve been my go to for 7 or 8 years now! I think you’re simply the best!
I’m proud to say say I remember one of those earlier “My Kitchen Cafe” looks! I’ve been married 14 years in May and can honestly say I’m pretty sure we’d still be eating the same 5 meal rotation we started with if it weren’t for you expanding our horizons!
I always recommend your website and always tell people you are like my second mom in the kitchen! Thank you for giving me real, no fuss recipes to try with my family. You’ve been there through newlywed kitchen experiments and 3 babies… you’ve given me meal planning and lunch packing tips… you’ve been my go-to when I needed both a stellar recipe and a pick-me-up! Thank you for sharing the ups and downs of life; you keeping it real helps me know I’m not alone!
Thanks for being you and continuing to do what brings you joy!
I recognize both of those old logos! 15 years, that is a huge accomplishment, Mel! Thanks for making my life easier and more delicious for so long. Your hard work and willingness to be vulnerable and real mean so much to me. I’ll be here as long as you decide to keep posting!
Thank you Mel! I’ve been a quiet follower for at least 10 years! I have 4 kids and your site is my number one source to go to for recipes. I don’t know if I’ve ever commented but just know your recipes are loved by my children and family. Thank you for lowering the stress of finding delicious but healthy foods! I have so much gratitude for you and your work. Congratulations on 15 years!
Thank you so much for all the years of wonderful recipes and insights into your life! Yours is the only food blog I read, and I check it every week when planning my meals and grocery list. My kids know that all my recipes and pretty much everything I cook comes from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. Congratulations on 15 years and the growth of your blog and income during that time! You earned it!
Hey Mel. Where have the years gone? I’ve been a fan for 10-plus years, raised my kids on your recipes. Keep up the good work, kiddo.
Gord
Oh Mel! I just love you! I have been using recipes of yours for YEARS and am never disappointed. It’s so nice to know that if I’m looking for a good recipe, I know for sure that one from your website will be delicious. I discovered your basil chicken curry recipe when I lived in China and had to figure out how to cook with different ingredients than I had been used to, and I was learning how to tweak recipes to the things that I had available to me… and it’s still a go-to favorite. Thank you for your real-ness and sense of humor and down-to-earth style. I love what you do and what you’re putting out into the world. Thank you so much! (and we have a mutual friend, so I’m hoping someday I get to meet you in person — I’m pretty sure we’d be great friends 😉
I’ve been following your blog for 14 years. Back then I started a blog for the same reason to share recipes with family and friends because they were always asking for the recipe. That died a long time ago. Your blog is the only one I still use from so long ago because of your goals with it and it’s stayed true to what it was. I love that you aren’t trying to sell stuff or yourself. Your recipes are amazing and my personal recipe binders are 75% your recipes. Your blog is the one I always share with people when they ask for cooking ideas. Reading this post I felt guilty that I rarely rate recipes I make. I’ll try to do better. Keep up the good work. I’m sure you are told this all the time but you feel like an old friend to me. And you clearly have a lot of friends with the comments you make about friends that you do something for or they brought you something etc.
15 years!! Wow! What a fascinating post to read all about your blogging journey. I am a long time follower, since 2009-2010 and you literally have been my go-to since then. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made something and get asked for the recipe and it’s 9/10 times from you! You’ve made me look like a rock star multiple times over, helped me take in dozens of meals to neighbors and friends who were in need, fed my family a gazillion times, and like you, I am always wanting to try new things, and you always have something new and fun to try out! Here’s to another fabulous 15 years
Congratulations on 15 years! I think I’ve been following you for about ten!
We love your recipes and I’ve learned so much about the art of cooking from you. I especially love that your blog encouraged me to run a half marathon and then I got to meet you afterwards! I’ve loved your Friday thoughts and many of the fun games in our home are here because of your recommendations. When I needed to learn more about skin cancer I went back to your reassuring and honest posts. Thanks for taking the time to write! You’ve had a big impact on my family and on me.
We love you Mel! I have honestly used you, and basically only you, for recipes since 2015. You are authentic, real, fun, and a true keeper. Oh, and your recipes are always amazing. 😉 I’m grateful for you.
It was really fun to read this post and to see how the blog has changed over the years. Cheers to many more years to come! (And really, that’s more of a beg-plead. I would be lost at dinner time without you).
Thanks for all you do. – Kelsie
I’ve made lots of your recipes. The Sour Cream Pancakes have made me a rockstar with my 12 grandchildren! And the Life Changing Instant Pot mashed potatoes are a close second. Thanks for sharing all your talent and great recipes. Keep going!
I’ve been following you for about 10 years now. Your blog is by far my most used and most trusted recipe source.
One of the things I really appreciate is the lack of sponsored posts. I like knowing you are sharing a recipe because you really like it, not because you’re getting paid to.
Thanks!
Very interesting blog post about your past 15 years! I loved reading it. I love your recipes and your blog is my go-to place when I need to make my weekly dinner menu.
Hi Mel — I just want to thank you for everything about your blog — but especially for the “realness” of your life, posts and photos. Sometimes I come here just for relaxation, also for fun and funny stories, gift ideas through the years and for how you have shared your heartaches and family challenges. It is inspiring that you learn new life lessons and share it all with kindness and grace. Did I forget to mention the recipes? Those have been great too, but it is the depth of your spirit that shines through here and that has been the important thing that I love to come back to for my own deeper refreshment. Thank you so much.
Dont stretch yourself too thin. We love you and will be here whether or not you post once a week or once a month. Just take care of yourself 🙂
Congratulations on a successful 15 years! I found you when you were a BlogSpot (as I was). I was a young, married, and had a couple of kids. When I was younger, I loved baking! The only thing I made when I was young was chocolate chip cookies, but I made them well. My family, neighbors, and friends had told me how good they were/are. When I got married, we were young and poor (as most young marrieds are). I had never really cooked anything that wasn’t baked, but I could follow a recipe. I would watch The Food Network and try to come up with ideas (the internet was just taking off). I always felt a little overwhelmed by the pro chefs. Some of what they were making wasn’t relatable and some ingredients were a bit out of my already low budget. A friend of mine had started a food blog and from then on, I scoured the food blogs and found yours (the first recipe I made of yours was THE Cornbread, that my 6-year-old calls “corn cake” because it tastes like cake). I have been hooked ever since.
Every week, I sit down and do a food prep, grocery, dinner list. My first stop is always your page to see what’s new and go over recipes that I have wanted to try. I realize (as having a blog in the past) that this is a lot of work. Your work is much appreciated for those, like me, that are not super creative, but can follow directions well…and love good food without breaking my bank.
Thank you for your honesty and openness into your life and helping me out all these years…here’s to 15 more?!
I have been reading for probably close to 12 years! My kids who have grown up with your recipes know you by name. Since I started reading your blog and making your recipes I have been diagnosed with celiac disease. I have started making my favorite recipes gluten free. Thanks for teaching me how to be a great cook!
I always tell people you taught me to cook. You’re a household name. Where’s you get this recipe? Mel. Oh Mel, she never fails us. Thanks for what you do.
Oh how I love you and your website. I found you when I was newly married about 12 years ago and approximately 97.4% of all of the recipes I currently make are from you. 🙂 Those who frequently eat what I cook don’t have to ask anymore where the recipe came from. I have gained so much confidence in the kitchen by following your lead and I so appreciate it! But more than that, I have been so blessed to know that there is a real life human behind the scenes who is so relatable in all things woman, motherhood, marriage, disciple of Christ, etc etc. I feel like I’m getting recipes from a friend. Thank you for sticking around all of these years (and for the foreseeable future.) We all love you at our house!! ❤️
Mel, I’m a long time reader but first time commenter. I should probably chime in more often because you are my absolute favorite. I found you about 10 years ago. I had just had my 4th baby and wanted to level up my cooking skills to meet the challenge of getting dinner on the table every day, for lots of littles, without loosing my mind. Now I have six, and yours is the only food blog I still read regularly. Probably 2/3-3/4 of everything I make comes straight from you. In my humble opinion you strike the perfect balance between delicious and doable. 🙂 I love your food and I also love your gear recommendations, your thoughts on life, and your authentic voice. Thank you for everything, congratulations on 15 years, and I hope you are around for many more!
Mel, you have made me a rockstar in my own kitchen! Wouldn’t know what or how to cook without you. You are also the only recipe website I use that I read your entire post before the recipe. And sometimes without even making the recipe! I love your realism and humor. Keep up the amazing work!
Mel, I can’t tell you how much I love you! I love that I was there from the beginning with MelsKitchenCafe.Blogspot. I love that your site is the first only place I go to when I want to make a new treat or need a side to share at an event. I love that I got the best potty training advice from you. I love that I tell everyone you’re “kinda” my cousin. I love that you’re so loved, and it’s so well deserved. Thanks for being so awesome and sharing your beautiful talents, family, pigs and food with us.
I’ve been following your blog since 2009 (when it was MyKitchenCafe) and it’s ALWAYS the first place I look when I think, “I want to make… [cupcakes, cookies, enchiladas, etc]”. Now my kids know to go to your site first, too. 🙂
Two of the main recipes we’ve made on repeat over the years is HLCE (Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas) and Beef Stroganoff. I HATED stroganoff as a kid but have always loved yours!
Thank you for all of your work over the years. I’ve been so impressed with your dedication. It’s a LONG time to stick to something like food blogging! But I – and my family – have definitely benefitted from your efforts. It’s very much appreciated!
I thoroughly enjoyed meeting your beautiful family (including hubby). You have a very, very full life. I am 80 years old and know I’d get dizzy just watching you each day. You do have a lovely family and are very blessed with a great husband. Keep your faith and also keep doing what it is that you do every day and everything will be wonderful from here on. Thank you for sharing your life. You are a super Mom!
I echo so many of these comments… you’ve been with me for the past 14+ years and taught me everything I know about being a homemaker in the kitchen! I was a newlywed when I found you in 2008. My family, friends, kids, and neighbors know my source (I have no social media— you are the only site I check and they stop asking where I get recipes because they know it’s from here! )
Thank you for following the inspiration to do this blog. That would be a hard “calling”, but you are amazing and inspired and blessing the lives of so many people. I completely understand if there’s a shift in how the blog runs!
Also- some of my favorite posts have been about board games, running, faux farms, real life, etc. I like to think we are friends because we have much in common (husband in demanding calling and 5 kids, etc). Haha but I know the reality is we may never meet!
I would love a cookbook . . . But at the same time no cookbook in my life has transformed my cooking like you have done for me. (I’m looking at you bread video tutorials! ) I think there was some inspiration behind you not having a cookbook in the past. At least for me, I needed the transforming and consistently required to come back and check the blog each week rather than refer to a book on my shelf. (That doesn’t have weekly updates. . . No offense cookbooks!)
Congratulations on this 15 year milestone!
Thank you for keeping your blog down to earth and fun! I’m glad you have found a way to blog that still makes it enjoyable for you. I can still remember the first recipe (The best blueberry muffins) I made on your site and how amazed I felt that I had recreated a tasty muffin that I’d expect to find in a fancy cafe. Really, thank you for putting in all the work and allowing me to enjoy making delicious food for family and friends.
Congratulations! I have no idea how long we’ve been online friends, but it dates back to the My Kitchen Cafe years. I’m a big fan, even though I’m not a big or good commenter. I’ll try to work on that for you. You have been with me in Massachusetts, Indiana, Utah, and Nevada. You’ve even travelled with me camping in Canada! Your bits of life sharing has helped me with my boychild raising. Your game recommendations are on our shelves and on our game table.
I love knowing that if it’s on your site, it’ll be fine to make the first time, even if I’m taking it somewhere else. I often say a recipe came from Mel. My child asked when he was going to Mel’s house one day, because he was sure I was going when he wasn’t around to get recipes! I also love that if I’m buying a special ingredient, it’s because it’s essential to the recipe, like the tapioca flour for Pao de Queijo. (https://www.melskitchencafe.com/easy-brazilian-cheese-bread-pao-de-queijo/) It’s not just to be fancy.
I wish you luck as you keep blogging and making food. I’m very grateful that you have stayed with us. And I love the girl next door neighbor feel to your blog.
I think my only request (and I may have missed it if it’s already available in the links!) is a link to your equipment reviews/recommendations. I need new dry measuring cups, and I’m always looking for good mixing bowls. I’d love to see what tried and tested ones work in your kitchen over the years. And which ones fail. Like the dry cups I bought that are not accurate at all.
You’re the best!
There are so few BLOG spots in the electrical universe where the author (dare I say author? Who isn’t a figment of some groups imagination) Who is a real live person who wears her heart on her shoulder and a cross on her chest.
Thank You for being here for us.
I have many recipes that say “mykitchencafe” on the bottom because I joined you in 2009 and I just physically print all the recipes. I LOVE the way you blog! I want to apply to work for you too, by the way, so take this as my application 🙂 But seriously, I really do want to work for you. You are amazing! Such a rock star! Thanks for what you do and looking forward to 15 more years!
Love your blog-I’ve been here since the beginning. I’ve never commented but my best family recipes are from you. My 14 year old loves to bake and goes straight to your blog too. If I make something new my kids ask-“Is this from Mel?”
Thanks for your faithfully awesome recipes!
Love you Mel!!! It’s always so fun when someone I know makes a MKC recipe and I get to tell them you’re my cousin (once removed or whatever we are). I love how authentic and real you’ve been all these years. Keep being you!!!!
Also when I first got married I earned the title of “dessert goddess” with my in-laws because I made a bunch of your recipes (the knock off swig cookies, the homemade Twix, s’mores cookies, various cheesecakes etc.). Now that they know your blog they’re on to me. I don’t do anything special, I can just read your recipes and know it will be good!! They really are tried and true!
Loved reading this post! I started following you in 2013. I was a young mom of three little kids living in Wisconsin. I would sit up at night nursing my third baby and scroll through your website. And now here I am, 9 years later, and your recipes are my go-to each week as I plan our menu and make the grocery list. I have started to just say, “I got this recipe from Mel!” and the other day my daughter asked me if I know you. 🙂 Nope, but I sure act like I do! Our Thanksgiving menu came almost exclusively from your site. This was our first year making a turkey. We did the herb roasted turkey and my mother-in-law and I had tears streaming down our cheeks watching my husband stuff everything into the turkey cavity. It was a highlight of my Thanksgiving Day! And, the turkey turned out fantastic. 🙂 Thanks for your relentless work, and for sharing all that you do on here. You are nothing short of amazing.
Mel! I haven’t been following you for 15 years now because if I’m being honest that would be half of my life. Lol, no joke!!!
But I found you about 7ish years ago when I first got married. My mother didn’t grow up with her own mother, so she wasn’t very fond of cooking. My grandmother on the other hand found much joy in cooking. And I think I take that from her. But I literally had no idea where to start because my mother never taught me. My mother-in-law tried teaching me briefly. But when I got married my husband and I were living overseas and so there was no one to rely on. But thankfully the internet has involved so much that was the first place I went to look. And the rest is history! So, your blog has taught me so much. And for that I’m so very thankful!
Blessings and many more years of blogging!
I think my friends and family aren’t at all surprised anymore when I mention a recipe is from Mel. Yours is the only blog I keep up with and I think that’s for two reasons – I seriously love the recipes you share, and I love the real life. Being a fellow Idaho lover is a bonus. 🙂 Thanks for everything!
Jessica
I love this post!
Funny story for you. I feel like I’ve made nearly every recipe on your site. I’ve been following you since before I met my husband, which is 14 years ago, so clearly nearly the very beginning!
Anyway, yesterday was my birthday and everyone in the house has been sick and we are limping across the finish line of this week so I just said I wanted to stay home (please God don’t make me go out when all I can think about is getting back in bed-lol) and assumed we would just grab some takeout. Anyway, I got home from work and he’s in full cooking mode in the kitchen…got recipes all printed out and chopping away. So I go change clothes, etc and wander back to the kitchen he said “I checked your friend’s website and found some recipes” I said “what friend?” he said “Mel”…puzzled I’m thinking “Do I know a Mel?” so I said “who is Mel?” and he gives me a really bizarre look and said “don’t you have a friend Mel? I feel like you talk about her website all the time!” “no??” so he hands me the pages he’s printed off and I see they are from your site. OMG! I thought I was going to die from coughing after that. I was laughing so hard which quickly spiraled into a coughing fit but at least I would have died with a smile on my face. About an hour after we ate (delicious meatloaf, cheesy potatoes and green beans) we were watching tv and he mutters….”I can’t believe all this time I thought you actually knew this person!” Anyway….it might be one of those, you needed to be there, moments to really appreciate it, but it was so funny and just the levity we needed after such a long miserable week of all of us passing around this stupid cold/cough. Thanks for all the recipes and being such a great friend all these years!! Hahahaha!!!
Mel, such an interesting and lovable post. Thanks for all your efforts. I love the picture of your good looking kids!
Julie Hahn
Oh, and I love your recipes!
I wrote a super duper long comment (seriously. So long!!) and I think it just got eaten… so if it did… maybe I’ll come back and try to piece it together again later. Suffice it to say, we love you, Mel. And we’re glad you’re sticking around! Thank you for being here and sharing so much with us all!
Much love to you,
Arlene
I think it’s safe to say my comment really was eaten. Sad day.
Readers Digest version:
Thank you for sharing your recipes, tips, and heart in your little online space. I have learned so much from you, and you’ve taken me from a total novice to confident cook in the kitchen. When I first got married 17.5 years ago, i made a lot of things like cream-of-something casseroles, shake n bake pork chops, and canned or frozen veggies. I was afraid to try new recipes AND we rarely invited people over because I was nervous to cook for them. But now, because of all you’ve taught (and a small handful of other places like ATK), we invite people over and I’ll even serve something that I’ve never made before. Because I trust you and your recipes that much.
And lastly, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and kind words. I’m excited to be learning the ropes with my new Bosch mixer, and reading your email brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for being here as my dear friend and companion in the kitchen.
Hugs,
Arlene
Wellllllll, guess the comment wasn’t eaten, because now I see it. Oops. :/ Suffice it to say, you and your blog are loved.;)
Happy bloggy birthday, Mel! I’ve been visiting you for a long time, but not quite the beginning… closer to the end of the beginning years, about 2010/11ish. I think. I know it was when we lived in Nebraska that my best friend sent me to your website (after she made your amazing no bake lemon cheesecake), but I’m not totally positive what year it was. I’m pretty certain we only had 2 children at the time, but it could have been shortly before #3 was born (and now we have six! One girl in a household of boys, just like you guys.) So. That’s my long-winded way of saying I’ve been around since somewhere between 2010-2013.
I digress. (You’re not the only wordy one in this world, but we are all here for it, clearly, since we keep coming back week after week!)
Thanks for sharing your recipes and your time and your best tips! I have grown greatly as a cook in my kitchen because of you and your well-written online “cooking school.” I did a lot of spaghetti casseroles, shake n bake pork chops, and canned veggies when we first got married 17.5 years ago, but now I’ve increased in confidence and capability so much that some people come asking me questions and wanting help troubleshooting recipes in their kitchen.
Thanks also for giving us a glimpse of your heart and mind on lots of things… it makes you personable and relatable, and it feels like you’re a dear friend after all these years.
And lastly, thank you for the fun and generous giveaways! I hardly enter things (because I never win lol), and then you go and gift a Bosch mixer from your most recent giveaway!!! I was shocked and in tears because of your kind words and generous prize. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Mel!
Years after my friend first shared your website with me, I’ve made countless recipes of yours, and I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve gone and made a brand-new recipe when company is coming. Because I know I can trust you and your recommendations.
Speaking of recommendations, I have recommended you to many! So. Many. Even strangers! Every time we have moved (courtesy of Uncle Sam), I make new friends who ask for the recipe of something I’ve brought, and they get introduced to my friend and kitchen mentor, Mel, as well.
Much love to you (and to your family for sharing you with us),
Arlene
Thanks for this post I highly appreciate it! I connect with real and you most certainly are that. Some of us sense the authenticity of the less savvy overly marketed ones and it feels good 🙂 it feels cozy and like home. Keep it up! How awesome to grow something for yourself while raising children and taking care of a family and home. You go girl!
Thank you for the recipes Mel! You have brought a lot of delicious joy to my home and family. I selfishly want you to make a cookbook so I have a pretty collection of your recipes. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Mel’s kitchen is my number one go to when I’m searching for something to make for dinner. I’ve loved all your recipes and most of the time, my kids do too!! Win win! Thanks for sharing your talent for cooking with the world! I love your authenticity and the fact that you take time to write posts such as these. So fun to get to know you better and to relate with you on a whole different level. You truly are the best!!
This is exactly what I wanted to say. Your blog is a treasure. Grateful!!
Most of my kids’ favorite recipes are yours!
I’m so happy to know you- even if it’s just virtually! I’m grateful for all you share, recipes, and real life. You’re a force for good on the internet and in my kitchen. 🙂 thanks for all the hard work and sacrifice you’ve put into this for the last 15 years, Mel!
Thank you so much for all your amazing, hard work over these 15 years! If you do ever make a cookbook, it will just be a much more pretty/ organized version of my recipe binder… which is a mess of pages and pages of your recipes printed out (and covered with ingredients ). I’m certain there are 100’s of 1000’s more recipe binders out there stuffed full of your fabulous work! Thanks again. You are by far the BEST food blogger who has ever lived.
Mel, I’ve been following your blog since the very early days, and have learned and grown as a cook so much by following your recipes. Thank you so much for helping me feed my family over the past 14 years (I think I started following in 2008?). Sincerely, your recipes are wonderful and your site is a gift. Thanks for all of your hard work, it has been a true blessing in my life!
Congratulations on 15 years! You’ve never led me astray and I’ve loved every recipe I’ve made from your site. Yours is the only food blog I subscribe to, at first because of the food but then because you’re just so relatable and real.
You also taught me to make bread, for which I am so grateful! Before your step by step instructions my bread never turned out well at all. Now family asks me to bring your rolls to all our dinners!
Btw, I already own your cookbook since half of my recipe binder is printed out from your site 🙂
We ♥️ you, Mel! You’re our go to for recipes. Thanks for all of the work you’ve put into keeping the website going all these years. There’s one thing I’m hoping is on your to do list soon: all the things about girls camp food!!! You mentioned you would post about everything you learned last year and I’m in charge this next year I would LOVE to learn from you!
I found out about your blog a few years ago and its a game changer! I love how there are no cream of soups, ingredients are reasonable and how your healthy recipes are real recipes instead of just wierd trends. I love your tips like how to use a fresh garlic clove or blend butter into a pastry. You’re teaching me to be a better cook. Thank you! And trying a new recipe on other sites can be so risky but your site is a go-to! Your site really is a blessing! Ps. My idea for a cookbook which maybe isn’t reasonable is one where we can pick our favorites of your recipes and order those as a cookbook. There are a lot of your recipes I make so often and I’d rather have it in a book than bring them up on my phone every time. But maybe thats not feasible- but its an idea!
Thank you for keeping up this blog for so many years! You are a household name at our house! We love all your recipes so much!
Congratulations on all the hard work and the labor of love. When I need some-thing a little extra I look thru your recipes and find something perfect and something my family will eat.
Happy 15th blog birthday! Yours is the first place I go for recipes and ideas. But I think I love your blog so much, not just because of all the stellar recipes you’ve given us, but because I too feel like you’re a friend. You may not know me, but I’ve been around here for a long time and I’ve learned enough about you to know that we would be friends if we ever met. So there. Go tell your kids that. 😉
I have to tell you Mel, my sisters, sisters-in-law, and friends, all trust you immensely. You are our go-to for success in the kitchen. I will never forget one Thanksgiving when we were texting each other for recipe recs and my sis-in-law said, “Don’t worry everyone, we got this. In Mel we trust.” and I laughed my head off because it was so true!! And I think of that moment every Thanksgiving now! You’re a true gem of a human and we love you and your reliable, delicious recipes!
Thanks Mel. I have been regularly using and checking you blog for ideas to feed my family for 10 years now. I really appreciate you natural authentic approach rather than trying to play the numbers. Just wanted to say thank you for helping me get food in my families bellies and make memories together. I appreciate it!
Hi Mel! I really enjoyed reading that post. I was told about your website 10 years ago right after having my second child, and you have been my go-to ever since. There are probably about 20 recipes of yours that I use regularly. I always know that I can count on your recipes to taste good and that you use ingredients similar to what I keep in stock. Thank you for the time and dedication you put into your website, your recipes, and all your posts. I feel like we’re friends even though I’ve never met you!
Your recipes were the ones I tried as a college freshman, then later as I was trying to woo my future husband, that I now cook & bake daily for my three littles, that I take to friends who need some extra love & that I bring to family/friend/neighborhood gatherings. You’ve been with my through it all! I hope you know what an enormous impact you’re making on lives all over the world! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
I have been here since the beginning and LOVE everything I’ve made, which is about 90%. Thanks for feeding my family well.
Congrats on the milestone! I’ve been a fan of your website for several years. You should celebrate with a big, fancy glass of Mormon Champagne. It’s what my family used on Thanksgiving and Christmas my entire childhood, and now our family follows the tradition. Simple recipe! It’s equal parts 1. Ginger Ale, 2. Apple Juice, and 3. White Grape Juice. That’s it! It looks festive, tastes amazing, and make it feel like a celebration without a hangover.
Love you Mel!! So glad you’re real. And we’re about the same age and have the same fair skin….And the aging wrinkle thing is not fun! Thank you for your wonderful recipes. My very favorite from your recipes is that you introduced me to is the holy trinity of vanilla, lemon, and almond extract, they’re amazing when paired together!!!
I’m still waiting for that lemon-zucchini-pecan cookie recipe ;-). Maybe next summer ;-).
Happy Blogging Birthday! You’re a fellow mom’s hero!!!
Congratulations Mel:)
I recommend you to everyone, ever since you were recommended to me, *almost* 15 years ago. So thank you. For your candid-ness, your thoughts and of course your recipes. You’ve boosted my confidence in my abilities and as someone who didn’t always love cooking, makes me love it. So thank you, you’re the best! P.S. I wore out my Mel’s sweatshirt – any time soon for another pop up shop? 🙂
So fun to see the old logos!!
Your blog is my favorite! I found you as a newlywed in 2010. I followed many bogs back then but they’re all long forgotten. I have loved (almost ) every recipe of yours and I frequently make new things for guests because I know I can trust your recipes! 5 kiddos later, you have more fans now.
One of these days I’ll get around to sharing a chocolate meringue pie recipe with you. It’s from a lady in her late 80s who used to have a cake business. I make it twice a year for my father-in-law for Father’s Day and his birthday, but we have yet to perfect the meringue. And the dear recipe is a little clunky with awkward directions. I want you to do the hard work for me and get the meringue foolproof!
Thank you for all you share here and for keeping your sanity so that you can continue to share here. Your style is what makes me stay.
Oh bummer my emojis didn’t transfer over. But there’s a 😉 face after the (almost).
I’m glad I visited today and wish I knew when I started using your recipes – know it was sometime after 2006. When I cook for others I often hear “Oh, this is good – is it a Mel’s?” I haven’t been on your site as much in the past few years as my dear children have flown BUT I appreciate your content so much. You really stand out in the explosion of cooking blogs. I know you’ve thoroughly tested the recipes and aren’t copying others’ content or trying to sell me leggings or skincare you haven’t personally tried. You also assume I’ve cooked before but haven’t attended culinary school. A delicate balance! Thank you for your generosity, as I know your blog could likely be better monetized by being much more flashy, commercial and – dare I say millenial? – and I love that it is none of those. You’re like the reliable “red plaid” (Betty Crocker) cookbook I grew up with but more modern, versatile and free online. Congratulations on this milestone. Merry Christmas!
Okay, not a recipe, but I’m still rating this post 5 stars. 🙂 Goodness I love you! Thank you, Mel, from the bottom of my heart. Really! I’m not sure I’d survive dinner making without you. I say that in jest, but not really. I’ve relied on you for a decade and every week at this point. Often daily. I’m glad you consider us friends 😉 because I’ve introduced you as a friend, too. Lol. I love your heart, your philosophy, your humor, your honesty, your food. You are pretty spectacular you know! Sitting around the dinner table with my family is my favorite time of the day. Thank you for being a big part of that!
Dear Mel, I used to follow a zillion crafty and foodie blogs back in the day, and over the years slowly gave them up as they stopped fitting with my life. Yours is quite literally the only one I still regularly follow and utilize. I love that there aren’t ads and videos constantly popping up and blocking the content I actually came to see, and that you don’t do a lot of sponsored content. It makes it clear that you are honest and genuine and relatable. I don’t remember exactly when I started following you, but in 2007 I was pregnant with my second baby, finishing up my degree while working at BYU. Some ladies I knew had started a group blog called Telestial Kitchen, and someone shared blogs they followed. One was “My Kitchen Cafe, of course” which makes me think they knew you? So perhaps we have mutual friends, which I love to believe. I’m so glad that your little blog turned into such a good thing for you. Thanks for all you do. For keeping it real and sharing the good and the not so good. I make one of your recipes nearly every day, and whenever someone asks to have a recipe I’ve made, it’s almost always from you. You are a force for good in so many ways! Thank you.
I just want to say I love your blog! I always check yours first for inspiration if I can’t think of anything on my own. Your bread/roll recipes have made me into a really good bread baker which I never thought would happen (thinking about the bricks I made in the past) One of the most loved recipes I make all the time is your breadsticks. It is my daughter’s favorite, and my great niece loves them so much, she told me “I could get a job at Olive Garden” :0)
High praise from her! Keep up the fabulous work, you inspire many, and I look every day to see what is new!
LOVE your website, your recipes, your family and you!!
Hope you have a joyous Christmas season and a wonderful 2023.
Thank you for all you do!
Oh, I remember the blogspot days, so I’ve been around awhile! Thanks to you, my family ate well while my boys were growing up. Several weeks ago, I was talking to a woman I had just met, and we somehow got on the topic of food. She told me about her favorite carrot cake recipe and I told her about mine. She started telling me where she found it, and I finished her sentence! Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, of course! Needless to say, we instantly bonded :] Thank you for sharing your passion with us and making the world a better (and tastier) place! Love your guts, Mel!
I found you during quarantine when Jennifer Garner mentioned your bagel recipe in her baking video. I’m no longer afraid of bread because of you, and your blog is my first stop when looking for any new recipe. I’ve never been disappointed-your recipes are amazing! Thanks for all you do!
Congrats on fifteen! I’m a casual RSS blog follower for some number of years now. Always enjoy your content and format. Thanks for the notes on your picky and not picky eaters. My two kiddos (seems like child’s play compared to your 5) are both super picky. Still young though. I’m hoping I can get them to be a bit more food adventurous so I can try more recipes on them.
Thank you for what you do! You have taught me how to cook and my family eats well because of it. We make your recipes most nights and my family doesn’t bother asking me where the recipe came from anymore because they already know the answer, haha. I live in real fear that you will be done blogging and I won’t have access to your site and recipes. I won’t know what to do at dinner time! Promise you’ll publish a few cookbooks of fan favorite recipes from your site before you retire, pretty please? You are wonderful and your work has blessed a whole generation of children raised on Mel’s food. Thank you!
`15 years? I honestly don’t know when I became a devoted and committed lifelong fan. lol It’s been at least 9 years, because I am pretty sure I was using your recipes when we moved into our current house and that will be 9 years in January. Probably before that but only started to haphazardly embrace cooking around 2011 or 2012. My timeline remembering is a bit whacked since 2020. lol
You are my go to recipe source. I know anything on your site is reliable and if it doesn’t turn out, it’s absolutely my fault. lol
I’ve become a better cook and baker and just absolutely enjoy all that because of you and your lovely recipes. I was NOT a good cook before that. Oh the progress I’ve made. I’ve shared your site with my hair stylist, my dental hygienist and other random people I end up talking about food. When I see your email alerting me of a new post- I literally squeeee with delight. Generally drop everything to inhale your post and see if it’s feasible to make ASAP. I have my absolute favorites- The Italian lasagna rolls and the lemon Turkey skillet meatballs are my favorite right now, also the Lemon Chicken and Orzo soup, the leftover turkey and rice soup and your favorite coleslaw. *sigh* I’m going through a meatball phase. lol Lets not forget your foolproof pizza dough. OHhhh yeah.
Now I’m drooling. lol Thanks Mel! Here’s to another 15 years!!!
THANK YOU !!!!
I heart everything about you. Of course, your recipes, but mostly your kind heart and genuine personality.
Thank you for being my go to recipe website for over 13 years! My family is especially grateful. I am constantly sharing recipes from your site.
I found you in 2009 and you have shaped my abilities and motivation in the kitchen. I consider you a friend and refer to anything I make from your site to be ‘one of Mel’s recipes.’ My family all knows you by name and we praise you every time I make something of yours. Thank you and blessings to you and your family!!
You are something special! I’m always using a Mel recipe! One of my kids has even deemed my rolls (ahem…your French bread rolls) as world famous! Thank you for doing the hard work to share your recipes and heart with us! I’m a forever fan! <3
Your blog is such a go to site for so many people. Can’t believe it’s been 15 years. Thanks for all you do Mel! Love your guts too!!
If the whole world of bloggers and social media influencers were as genuine as you, the world would be a better place!
Dear Mel,
I’ve been following you for a few years now, ever since my friend shared your homemade spaghetti sauce recipe with me. I haven’t made a recipe from your site that I haven’t been thrilled with. Your fruit salad and decadent hot chocolate are my favorite. Thank you for all you do. Congratulations on 15 years! Most of all, keep up the great work. You make a difference in the world.
Congratulations Mel!
I started following your blog in 2010 from Wisconsin and we had a mutual friend, also named Mel. She led me to your blog and I haven’t strayed. Now that I live in Cincinnati I have many other friends who have become followers because of your recipes that I can’t help but share. It’s been so fun to watch your family grow as mine has over the years. Thank you for all of the effort and love you put into the world. You’re the best!
You’re the best. I remember following you in the early years with my kids about the same ages as yours. You got me through a lot of years of I didn’t know what I was doing. Now I’m confident. You are a household name. And I tell my students and all my friends why my soups, breads, and cookies are all so yummy, it’s because of you! If I make Any recipe on your site I know that I will end up with something delicious! I’ll continue to share, like, comment because you’re the best!! Thanks for helping this mom be a rockstar in the kitchen!!
Mel. I already have your cookbook. Pages and pages of printed recipes in several notebooks. I have no idea how many times I have shared your blog with friends and acquaintances. I should make a card with your name etc. on it. Maybe I should list my favorites on it too. There would be many. So, thank you so much for helping me feed my family and friends. They might have gone hungry without you.
I think I want a cookbook so I can have something tangible to hug tightly and feel like I’m thanking you for the many years of beloved recipes.
This is how I feel too!
Happy 15 years of blogging! I’m so glad I found your blog years ago. It’s usually the first place I go when looking for a recipe. I use your recipes several times a week. Tonight it’s Chicken and vegetable dumplings.
Oh, and the watermelon knife we got from my MIL is amazing. I hope you found a good one!
Mel, I hope you are making heaps of money off this blog! I couldn’t have raised my four kids without all of your amazing recipes! Thank you for faithfully giving us amazing recipes and sharing a bit of yourself with us along the way.
I love you MEL!!!! Thank you for giving the world such a wonderful thing! I want you to publish a cookbook just so I can have a hard copy of all your recipes! I don’t want anything new or fancy – I want to give you money and I want a hard copy of all your recipes! Sure I could print them out myself – but man I would LOVE a Mel’s Kitchen Cookbook. Thank you for being such a bright spot – from a reader since 2007 ❤️❤️❤️
I’ve been a follower for years and love your content. Keep on cooking, Mel!
Thank you for your recipes!! I look at your site just about every day so I feel like we are old friends! I am a mom to 4 young boys and they know that the majority of what I make comes from good ol’ Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. A few months ago I was driving down a busy street in Layton, UT and my 3 year old in the back seat said excitedly, “Mom, I see Mel’s Kitchen Cafe!”. If only we could have stopped by and had some delicious food whipped up by the one and only Mel herself! 😉 Not only do my boys know you by name, but over the years my mom, grandma & a few sisters-in-law have gotten to know it as well and they also regularly make things from your site. It’s just too good to not share! So many delicious recipes in one place.
I’m so glad I found you all those years ago! I’ve watched your kids grow up, and I’m fed my own kids your recipes. Thank you!
I don’t even know when I started following your site but it’s been a long long time. I have loved my one sided friendship with you and the food that connects all of us! Thank you for helping me to be a better cook with these great recipes!
You are the absolute best and I love your guts (if I can borrow your phrase). My family loves your recipes so much! I hope if you ever do stop posting food recipes you will continue to pop in every once in a while to share your thoughts. You have such a kind, compassionate, real voice and I would miss that at least as much as your recipes.
I love your recipes, so good, so easy, so practical, and almost always, I have the ingredients in inventory.
Love seeing your family grow, you are even a grandma, and that is progress!
Keep recipes coming! I do not use or keep all; however, in my 2 each of 3-ring binder cookbooks, I have accumulated recipes over the years, Mel’s Kitchen Cafe has contributed many!
Love ya
Old Guy in Eugene, OR
You’re going to hear this a lot- but we’re good friends, you and I. I talk about you on a first-name-basis (as does my Husband). “Mel says these are amazing!” “It’s from Mel.” “Have you heard of Mel?” My husband will even ask if something doesn’t look familiar, “Did you get this from Mel?” He is reassured when I say yes.
Thanks for keeping my family fed (and me sane) all these years. (I’m looking at you, 30 min meals or crockpot meals). You are my FIRST website to check when I don’t have any clue what to make for dinner. You saved the Thanksgiving rolls this year. We’ve used many of your game recommendations – because clearly you have similar tastes as us! I am determined to never raise pigs- as cute as the piglets may be.
I’ve followed you for many years. So many years that anytime I make something new my husband asks, “is this from Mel?”. My daughter, who now has her own family, is also a huge fan. We both go to your blog first for dinner and dessert ideas. Thank you for hanging in there through the ups and downs. We consider you a part of our family.
I’ve told you maybe a million times how grateful I am for you and your recipes, but I want to tell you 1000001! My sister found you back in the blogspot days and I have trusted you so many hundreds and hundreds of recipes since. I told my BFF once she is “the Mel to my recipe book” to adequately express my love. Thanks for being here, sharing with us, making it all work behind the scenes and being you! Love to the end of the recipe rainbow and back, Mel!!!! xoxoxo
Mel, congratulations on 15years! I’ve been around for 13 years- so almost the beginning! I was newly married, and beginning the journey of making dinner every night 🙂 Now I’m staring at my 14th wedding anniversary coming up, and we’ve added 5 awesome kids to the family! It means I do an awful lot of cooking and meal making. Your recipes have saved the day so many times!
I love your blog not only for the recipes (which are always amazing), but because you are so authentic and natural. I struggle with blogs that “work the system.” It feels so inauthentic and pushy. You are the complete opposite of that! You can tell you care about people and good food- that’s what matters to you. Thank you for keeping it real!!
You taught me to confidently work with yeast, and now that’s become sort of my thing- making delicious bread. You’ve also added so many regular family favorite meals and treats to my house (like lemon garlic breaded chicken, sweet and sour chicken, berries on a cloud, little quinoa patties, I could keep going!).
Thanks for all your hard work! I appreciate how much you care about your readers. It shows! Thanks for being a light and spreading goodness- not in a blind, ignorant way, but in a thoughtful and purposeful way. You’re the best!
Loved reading this! I first found you in 2009 and have been faithfully making and loving all your recipes ever since!
Thanks, Mel, it is great to learn more about you. My daughter is an adventurous young cook, and she and her husband love to try new recipes. That is how I found you. I can honestly say I have never had one fail and I love them all. So many blogs and Pinterest recipes have errors or do not seem tested, which is frustrating for me. I will start leaving reviews, something I have not been in the habit of doing!
You’re doing great work, and I am totally appreciative of your focus on your family first. God bless you!
Hey Mel! Thanks for making home life better and easier. You are a household name in our family. Love your recipes and the goodness you share. I’m sure this added more undue stress to your life, but any chance Mel Swag will be coming back? The advertising may not do anything to help your readership- but I’m sure happy to wear it! Hope your family has a Merry Christmas.
Mel! This is soo great. I have followed you since the very beginning! I remember having mykitchencafe blog on my bookmark tab. I also remember when you were thinking of switching the name of the blog to the website you had the readers vote. Good memories. I’m still coming to you after all these years:).
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your blog! I have been following for many years now and realize I consider you my friend, of sorts. It’s your blog I turn to to find dinner ideas, dessert ideas, appetizers, side dishes for church parties, dinners for kids dances, etc. My kids simply know if they need a recipe, they need to check “Mel’s”. I have loved the recipes you have shared, cried when your friend passed, commiserated watching kids grow, and felt a kinship when I had a melanoma removed. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life, and you in mine, for so many years.
Wow, 3-4 million views a month! I started following your blog when I first got married 14 years ago so I like to think of myself as one of the OG! Mel is a household name around here. Thanks for feeding my family!
Just keep on doing what you are doing. I thoroughly your recipes, and YOU!!!
Mel, you are a light in this world. I have been here from the beginning and keep coming back not only for your recipes, but because of the genuine person that you are. Thank you for persisting when this gets tough, your goodness is so needed! Happy 15th!
Mel! Congrats on 15 years. I’m pretty sure I’ve been around almost since the beginning. My oldest, born in 2007, named MELANIE, was the reason your food blog caught my eye. Stopped in because of your name and stayed because we love your recipes, your sweet down to earth self and naturally we stick around now also for the pig/farm content. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tried and true recipes with us.
I love you and your blog! My cooking skills have definitely improved over the years because of your delicious recipes I am always trying out. Thank you for everything you do to maintain this space! And I recognize your first logo. Got-to-love the blogspot days!
Wow! Has it ONLY been 15 years?? Because I thought I was subscribed to your blog for AT LEAST the past 15 years! I guess I must have subscribed in the early stages of your blogging career. Your blog has been my go to for so many recipe ideas over the years whenever I wanted to bake something new/different to share with family, friends, etc. It was especially a God send when we were missionaries overseas in Mozambique for 8 years and weren’t able to find many of the foods we (I!) craved. Thank you so much for your time and effort throughout these 15 years! Even though we’ve been back in the US since 2016 and I’m no longer looking for innovative ways to make stuff we couldn’t find overseas, your blog is still the one I go to first if I want to find a new recipe! Many blessings to you and your family!
Oh Mel, you’re the best! I think I have been around for almost all of those 15 years! SO crazy! You are a household name around my house. My kids and husband always ask if the recipe came from Mel. Little did you know, we are besties!! …although we’ve never met. 🙂 Your site is the first I go to for a recipe and I’m sure I’ve made and loved hundreds of your recipes over the years. Thanks for all of the hard work you put in to help make our lives easier in the food department! With love, from Utah! <3
Holy cow I love you. Definitely recognized the first logo!
I love reading your musings.
Also, I’m making peasant bread as I type this.
Happy 15 years of blogging! One of the reasons I love your blog so much, others than the fabulous recipes, is your down-to-earth, authentic approach!! I can only imagine how much work goes into running a website but I’m glad you’re still around. I looked forward to your gift guides and love to see glimpses inside your life. I’ve been following you for 13 of those 15 years! Thanks for all you do!
I love your blog and check it weekly. Your recipes always taste great and you keep the directions simple. Thank you and congratulations on 15 years. I appreciate you sharing your talent so i can pass this goodness onto my family.
Very grateful for you Mel, thankyou for all your hard work. My daughter sometimes makes fun of the fact that all my closest friends are through a screen you are so personable and honest.
We all love your guts right back! ❤️
Mel! I’ve been here since the blogspot.com days. You have inspired me to be the baker and cook I am today. 90% of the recipes I make on a regular basis come from you, your blog. If I need a recipe I always check here first. I love your Friday Thoughts, and your Faux farm life (although your Faux farm is feeling more like a real farm now a days). I’ve laughed reading your posts, I’ve cried reading your posts. I often think of your the Christmas cheeseball story. You inspire me. Thank you for always being so genuine and passionate about what you share. I loved reading the history of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. No pressure but I have so many printed recipes of yours. If you do ever choose to make a cookbook. I’m buying it, and tossing my stained white paper copies. So much love to you and your family.
Mel!
I’m so glad you’ve stuck around with all the hard work and sacrifice these past 15 years. 99% of what I’ve been cooking for the past 11 years comes from your blog and I’m beyond grateful! If a cookbook every feels right (and it may easily be a collection of 10 books), I’ll buy them all 🙂
Huge congratulations Mel! Fifteen years of blogging is incredible and you continue to share recipes and your amazing life with grace, kindness, honesty and humor. Right back at ya – love your guts too! ❤️
How absolutely awesome! I, for one, LOVED your words. I didn’t *need* a recipe today (haha). I love how real you are; and that was a fun peek-in to how it is. You do it well. Take breaks when you need to and I hope so much it continues to fulfill you.
You are definitely one of my go-to sources. I love when I make one of your yummy recipes I can tell my family “this one’s Mel’s. she’s the one who biked the Hiawatha!”
also, you kinda haven’t aged!! (:
Just here to say that I too have been following you forever and you are my first stop when looking for a new, or a tried & true, recipe. I agree with all the beautiful comments already posted!
My boss mentioned your blog years ago so I looked it up. Right away I could see that you had a lot of really good recipes and I was sure we belonged to the same church. Lemon Chicken Orzo soup is one of our favorites! I often say, “This is one of Mel’s recipes”. Thanks so much for the recipes, gift ideas, and for sharing so many tender moments from your life.
You’re the VERY best, and the only blog I religiously follow. I even ran a half marathon a few (maybe more?) years back when you did! And I took my family on the Redwoods vacation that you blogged about! We are close to the same age, and my oldest son started his mission in Brazil a week after yours did! Some of your insta posts during those first few weeks were an exact mirror to what I was feeling (you just knew how to put it into words!) Like so many others, I feel like you are a real life friend!❤️ Thank you for making my life better!!
Oh Mel, add me to the list of people who love.your.guts too!! Beautiful woman, beautiful family, beautiful blog. You’ve been an inspiration to me for a reeeaaalllly long time and I absolutely love that I can keep checking in on you! I’ve learned so much from you in life and in the kitchen. You make me want to be a better person. Although, I can’t seem to find a recipe for abelschnockers anywhere on here.
I’ve been around since near the beginning- Love your recipes & I consistently check “Mel’s” first if I’m looking for a recipe – I feel like your tried and true are also my tried and true – please keep doing what you’re doing & keep being you. You’re the best of the best!
Love your blog, you really do have the best recipes out there that my sometimes picky family will eat. You are my go to every time I need a recipe or just inspiration. Please never leave us☺️
thanks for doing what you do how you do it-without all the “false” blogging for the analytics. I’ve been following 14 years I think and I’ve referred more people to your blog/recipes than any other one combined. Not sure I’ve ever made a recipe of yours I didn’t like although sometimes if I’m honest I add a bit more sugar to things when I make them again 😉
Mel! What can I say? You have nothing but love, appreciation, respect, admiration, and thanks from me and my whole family. We have been eating your food for so many years, and like others have said, you feel like an old family friend that we have never met. Congratulations on your blog and thanks for sharing all the behind the scenes, so interesting!
I typically don’t comment l, but this post inspired me to pop in and say how much I love this blog. This is my favorite place for simple weeknight meals and instant pot recipes. Anytime need to take a dish to a party I stop by here to find a recipe I know I can trust to be delicious. Thanks for all your hard work, it very much appreciated my me and my family (I can’t think of any of your recipes my kids won’t eat).
I discovered you as a newlywed 12.5 years ago and your recipes helped me dive into the world of adulthood and making “real meals.” All this time later most of the recipes I make are from you! Thank you for all the good food you’ve helped to bring into my family’s life!
Gotta say, I would probably buy a cookbook of all your “best of” recipes, even if I can get them for free from the blog. I can’t tell you how many stained printer pages I have of your recipes: There’s a pizza casserole thing, swig cookies, a carrot cake, rolls, potato rolls, breadsticks, bread knots, bread, (clearly a carb queen), and your cinnamon rolls are tradition on Christmas Eve Morning. Thank you for being around!
Also, I’ve bought many many many games from your recommendations. I only have one kiddo, but we take card games to our group campouts and they are always a hit.
I don’t recall how I stumbled onto your blog, but I have been following it for years and I just love that the recipes are family-friendly recipes that are easy to make. Your pictures and directions are so helpful and easy to follow. I also really look forward to your gift-guides, particularly your game recommendations! We have discovered so many fun games over the years thanks to your suggestions. Thank you for being awesome and sharing your recipes with us!
A little over a year ago, my husband was called to the Stake High Council and I was called as our ward Primary President. My husband works full-time from home and I work part-time from home, and we have two autistic children who keep us very busy! I was feeling particularly overwhelmed last November with everything going on (I also have anxiety and depression), so my husband offered to start doing laundry (), create a monthly dinner meal plan, grocery shop, and cook 4-5 dinners each week. To help him out, I sent him to your blog. We now always start here when meal planning (which we now do together) or when wanting to make a specific thing we don’t already have a recipe for. You are our go-to every time! With so many recipes out there and so many bloggers, it’s hard to trust just anyone…but we have 100% trust in you. Thanks for making real food for real people with normal ingredients, and thank you a million times for your service to our family!!!
This blog MIGHT be the only reason my husband agreed to marry me. Well over half of the recipes I make come from your blog. Your blog is different because of your ability to stay true to the reason you started it. It is authentic and real life. Also your life motto of “normalize real life” needs to go on a t-shirt!
Thank you for giving of your time and talents! I was introduced to your website back in 2009 when we lived in Wisconsin Rapids. Many people there insisted that I take a look at your site. They were right. I always go to your site knowing that the recipe is going to be good no matter what that recipe is. I hope to continue seeing your recipes for the next 15 years. Thank you again!
Mel! You are amazing and I am here for the recipe AND the conversation! Thank you so much for helping me feed my family and inspire my own recipes for years. Cheers to you!
I’m pretty sure about a million hits on your blog have come from me and the people I’ve sent links to your recipes to. You’re just so delightful and your recipes so yummy. If you ever did make a cookbook I’d 100% buy it. (I did buy that digital cookbook for the water donation years ago, I’d buy another in a heartbeat!) Thank you for what you do!
Or maybe it wasn’t for water… micro loans? I can’t remember… )
I found your blog on my friend shared the recipe for sweet potato, black bean burritos with me. Coincidentally, they are for dinner tonight!
Your posts about making bread helped me a ton when I was trying to gain confidence with doughs.
At a time when my life felt like it lacked purpose, your post about ministering through food made me feel like I could make a difference in simple ways. It inspired me to use my love of cooking to help those around me (And myself!).
Thanks for being you, and sharing your life and your recipes!
For mother’s day one year, my friend’s husband printed a ton of recipes from your site (which is where she gets most of her recipes from) and put them in page protectors and organized them in a binder. I did something similar. Bam, Mel’s cookbook!!!
Thank you Mel! I’ve been here for 10+ years. We eat alot of Mels recipes over and over again. You’re the best!!!!!! and don’t forget it.
Karen
Mel,
Thank you for all your recipes and sharing of your difficult and joyous moments in your life. Your recipes are my first go to when I am looking for good food to cook for those I love. You’ve saved the day at my mother in law’s house with your crockpot recipes as that was all I had to cook with in her spartan kitchen!
Show someone you love them-cook great food for them….and you do.
Thank you again,
Dani Wyrick
You’re my favorite person on the internet! Seriously. I cannot thank you enough for bringing joy into my cooking and life. “It’s Mel’s!” is the answer to almost every time someone asks me for a recipe. My kids know you and love you!
Please never stop blogging!!! You are great at it and I like your style. I have been a fan since I moved to Utah 14 years ago! I don’t even remember who introduced it to me, but I wish I could give them a great big hug! You are my go-to for all things recipes! I share your blog and recipes often (because I make your recipes often and people ask for the recipe). I admire you even more after reading all this. Keep it up, you’re amazing and thank you for all your hard work so I can eat wonderful food!
My girls grew up eating your recipes at our dinner table. Now that they have established their own homes, they are fixing your recipes for themselves! Thanks for all your hard work over the years – you have impacted my family and we have enjoyed everything
<3 Beautiful!
You are my favorite. I have been a follower for at least 10 years and I’d say 98% of my cooking and baking is from you. I have 5 young kids as well and I love that I can trust your recipes to be (mostly) kid friendly (their loss) and easy. I really enjoy your writing style as well. Thank you for your hard work and staying genuine!
I ditched all social media platforms two years ago, so I feel a little old school saving all my favorite blogs as tabs on my browser, but yours is number one! I love your style, and I love all your recipes! Seriously, every night when I don’t know what to make for dinner I go straight to your blog and I can always figure something out. Can’t wait for your new recipes this year! Thank you.
Mel, THANK YOU for sparking new life into my desire to try new recipes that my family has loved! I love hearing about your real life adventures, so please don’t change much if at all!
Thank you so much for all you do! I keep coming back because of the way you blog. I like that it’s not about the numbers game, but about the connection and yummy recipes. Thank you for being authentically YOU and sharing that with the world.
I think I found your site back in 2007 or 2008 and I have been following you ever since. I have some favorites (like sloppy joes and tri-colored pasta salad) that I make alot!
Thank you for sharing your recipes and your life with us!
Loved this post. I love the occasional posts you do called, “Recipes the world forgot” – I think that is the gist of it. Fun to look back and see some of those ones that slipped my mind or that I never saw. I also love when you showcase an older recipe with new notes and photos. Well done Mel.
MEL!!! YOU are for sure an ANGEL
You are much loved and appreciated for your service and efforts- you are really a blessing in so many lives!!! Here’s to another fabulous 15+ ❤️ love you to pieces
-your devoted friend Helen
Thank you for being here! I lived & taught overseas for 20 years and your recipes were a Godsend…no packets or boxes, just wholesome ingredients that I could (mostly) find. Everything I have ever tried has been a big hit with my own kids and in my classroom where I often share “American food”. Many of your recipes are family favorites in my regular rotation. Never quit!
Congrats on 15 years! I’ve been a long time reader—I can’t remember if I found you before or just after I had my son (who just turned 10!), but many of your recipes are on regular rotation in our house and your blog is one of the first places I go look if I’m looking for a new recipe.
Thanks for hanging in there for so long!
You are the best! I always look for your recipe first and foremost. They always work perfectly. I love the details and all the in between to make it work. Once it fails, I give up, so thank you for details and pictures. I’m a visual gal.
I’m so grateful for your efforts. You are genuine, sweet and beautiful.
Love the pictures. 15 years is a long time to stick with it. Here’s to 15 more. Love you Mel and family.
I rarely post any comments on blogs I follow. But, you should know your blog is like a well-worn cookbook for me. When I need a good recipe for something, I ALWAYS check your blog first. I may check a few others, but most likely I come back to your recipe and I’m always glad I did. Thanks for being real and for providing a great place for ideas, even for people who don’t cook very much any more. You are appreciated.
Love your recipes and your blog. I have recommended your website to my mom and sisters. Every time they ask for a recipe the response is usually, “I got it from Mel’s Kitchen”. Your recipes never fail. I just printed off a few dessert bar recipes for a neighborhood Christmas party this weekend. Can’t wait to try them out. Keep cooking!
I don’t remember when I first found your blog, but I want to say it’s been about 10 years. (I think a mutual friend from church introduced me to the blog.) I still love making your recipes!
You have a unique ability to write in a funny, sweet, and authentic way that makes me feel like we’re good friends on a first name basis, even though obviously we’ve never met. When someone asks about the yummy food I made, I just tell them, I got the recipe from Mel. Thank you for being a reliable source of deliciousness. You are a nice “internet friend” to have. ❤️
Congratulations on your blogging reaching 15 years old. I love your recipes and especially the detailed notes. I enjoy the Friday Thoughts – you have a very entertaining writing style 🙂
Kickin’ butt and taking names for 15 years. Amazing! My favorite place on the internet. I think the number of comments you receive on every post speaks to your greatness. I like to think that I am your best virtual friend and other people just stop in occasionally but I am probably not the only one who thinks that. Every year, particularly around this time I want you to know how much I appreciate all you have done for me and my family. Words are insufficient. Thanks, Mel.
I love it. Thank you for ALWAYS keeping it real, even in this post! Most people shy away from talking money or numbers or business — but I love hearing about the inner workings of my favorite recipe website.
Me, personally? I appreciate that you’re a PERSON. And I’ve come to trust your website to always give me tried and TRUE recipes. No, you don’t churn out a new recipe every single day, constantly… but I am HAPPY FOR THAT. That means that I know 100% that what you choose to put up, you put up b/c you love it and you are really proud of that recipe. I’ll take quality over quantity any day!
I’ve said it before — you are a household name over here. “This is a Mel recipe” is said soooo many times. I’ve recommended your site on a zillion different mom group posts, I’ve used your strategies for picky eaters and recommended it to other moms as well…
Simply put: I’m a big fan. Thanks Mel!
Hi Mel, I can’t remember how long ago I discovered your blog, but it was a great discovery. Always love your style and recipes – the best out there. This was such an interesting post. Thank you for sharing this with your readers.
Always so appreciative of what you do and how much work it takes. Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season!
I am so very thankful that I found your blog! I know that I can find consistently good recipes from your blog!!!! My husband and I particularly love your “bowl” recipes. Thank you for your hard work and PLEASE keep those recipes coming!
I must of found your blog shortly after your mission in early 2008 when I went back to college. (I got home right before Thanksgiving 2007.) I’m not the biggest cook (forget about baking), but roommates and boyfriends after my mission sure lucked out from what I made before my mission. I really feel bad for my roommates my freshman year of college. I do love reading your blog and hear about you and your life. Thanks for being there the last 14 and a half to 15 years for me. P.s. your sister looks familiar. Congrats!
*I meant my mission not your mission.*
I love your blog and how you write it! I’ve tried so many of your recipes and they’ve always been hits! I’ve appreciated your encouragement over the years; your voice telling us we can do it (don’t overthink it, do pay close attention, etc.). Your recipe notes are GOLD. Thank you for everything, for all these years.
Thank you ❤️. You’re style of blogging is everything to me; you’re recipes are my go-to’s (my friends & I say, It’s one of Mel’s, as a way of explaining greatness); you are loved & appreciated.
Um, just wanted to apologize for using the incorrect You’re a billion times instead of your♀️♀️♀️♀️♀️♀️♀️♀️♀️
What a fun story to read!!! I found you through friends back in 2009 when I had only been married a couple of years. I grew up in a meat and potato only family and though I loved a variety of foods, I didn’t know how to prepare many things other than what I grew up on. Your blog transformed me into an adventurous cook who loves to try new things. Your recipes are so consistently good that I will make them for guests without even trying them first! You are talked about in our home as if you are my friend, even though we’ve never met! (Hello – professional help?) I’ll make dinner and someone will ask where I got the recipe and I’ll just nonchalantly say, Mel. Thank you for staying true to who you are in this online world.
I’ve been following you for probably close to 10 years or so and your recipes are my best, my go-to’s, my friends’ and families’ favorites. When I’m searching for inspiration for anything, I go to your site first because your recipes speak to me! Thanks for it all!
Discovered you in 2008 I think! I’d love a cookbook! You and taste of home magazine are my go to for recipes!
Thank you Mel for all your wonderful recipes! My family has sure appreciated them for many years!
Your recipes do not disappoint! I love the way they are geared toward family life. We have four kids and cooking is no small task:). It’s fun to search your recipe storehouse for delicious things to feed the family!
I love your blog spot and the recipes I’ve tried. One question, where do you get all the ideas for new recipes? Does something just pop into your head and you go from there?
I have been reading your blog for years and love it! Your posts always make me smile. Your recipes always turn out amazingly. Your name is a household name. Thanks for all your hard work. It has blessed me and my family!
I have been reading for a LONG time and it is because you have maintained your “blog” focus and continue to publish great recipes. I hope you continue for a long time.
Congratulations on 15 years, Mel! I’m not sure what my family would eat if it wasn’t for you. 99% of the recipes I make come from your blog and have for many years. I’d definitely buy a cookbook of yours if you ever decide to do it and I’d gift them to everyone who has been listening to me recommend this blog over and over again. Thanks for what you do!
Thank you for sharing all your recipes! The ones we’ve made have become our go-to tried and true recipes too!!
This was so great to read! You are, hands down, the best place on the internet. (Well, you and Sharon says so—which you introduced me to, so it’s the same.) Thanks for doing what you do!
Thank you for all of your hard work!! You have made my life easier, and better because I can go to your blog to get tried and true recipes! I love getting an email seeing you have posted. Thanks for being the best kind of internet friend!
Thanks for kicking it old school. I’ve been a reader for a long time. I even did some hobby food blogging myself and I often miss/feel nostalgic for the early days of blogging. Oh…and I love your food
I have used your recipes for years and even though there are literally hundreds of food bloggers out there, you always have the best recipes! You match my lifestyle and I can relate to you…..I love your honesty and transparency. Most of all, I love your recipes and have shared that love with my 6 daughters who also use your recipes in feeding their families now. Thank you for the time and effort you give to make all our lives better and for instilling the desire to cook delicious, doable meals for those we love. Your blog will always be loved and appreciated the most in our kitchens! PS…..I already have a “cookbook” from you in the printed recipe binders in my kitchen Thank you!
I haven’t been around as long as that logo, but I wish I could remember what recipe brought me here, I think it was vanilla bean cheesecake. I have stayed because of how amazing your recipes are plus the passion you have for the recipe you are sharing. I love the Friday thoughts posts, and other random things you share, Why do people complain about a recipes backstory? Isn’t that how it got here? I sometimes take for granted all the work that goes into what bloggers do. So many, including you have helped me become a better cook and baker. Congrats on the 15 year mark! Here’s to 15 more?! 🙂
Just found your blog, congrats on turning 15 cannot wait to go through and find some wonderful recipes. Blessings to you and your family
I feel like we’ve grown up together! In 2007 my hubs was in grad school and we had three little babies. Now we have five, but they’re growing up and leaving me! There are lots of options out there, but yours is the site I come back to time and time again. I don’t care for this growing old stuff, but in 10ish years I can 100% see me making cooking from your site with my grand babies! Love you, Mel!
Happy 15 years! I’ve been with you about 10 of them. I’m one of your 2% UK followers, I work in food manufacturing and I found your site when researching new product development for a brookie dessert. And I stayed ever since for recipes to feed my family. I love all your posts, even if I know I’m not going to make something I still read your lovely description, and posts about your family are also so sweet to read. Thanks for your dedication, you deserve every success x oh and P.S thank you SO MUCH for adding weights to recipes now! We don’t have sticks of butter etc here so weights makes life much simpler now I don’t have to google quantity conversions.
Congratulations on 15 years, Mel!!!! My family would be eating frozen dinners if not for you, haha! I find about 99.9% of all my recipes from your blog. They are always dependable, easy, and delicious!! Not to mention that I appreciate so much your style of blogging: you are always so personable, humble, and unafraid to share your faith. I can’t thank you enough for your hard work! I’ve been a visitor to your website for more than ten years!! Thank you so much for everything!!!! Ps: thanks for sharing your stats. I found them very interesting!
I have been a Mel’s devotee since 2009 when a friend suggested one of your recipes (coconut chicken curry!) to me. My kitchen skills have improved in so many ways since then and your website is the first place I go when decided what to make next and one of the only emails I’m happy to see in my inbox. Most of my kids are now grown and cooking their own food and they turn to you first too. Thanks for sharing your talents with the world and with my family. Congratulations on fifteen years of being a kitchen rockstar!
You rock! My daughter turned me onto your recipes. Anytime I’m looking for a recipe I check your blog first. If you have something I’m like, “Yes!” If it’s not on there then I’m like, “Hmm, do I really want to make this?” Thanks for your hard work. It’s nice to hear about you and your family.
I honestly love every one of your recipes I have tried. I’ve probably made about 50 different things. I am all for a cookbook!!! Having your amazing re pies all in one place!!! Or even an app! You’re amazing and so talented!
You are the bomb.com!! So thankful for you and the amazing tried and true recipes you share. I know I can always count on your recipes and often times make them for the first time when hosting guests. I always know they will be a hit! Thanks for spicing things up for us during the crazy COVID year… we loved trying so many new dishes and have added them to our regular meal rotation. Thank you!!
The way I found your blog is through a friend- I always admired her amazing cooking abilities and she clearly liked your recipes because she kept sharing them. Then, when I saw other people sharing them, I knew something good was happening over here. Looking at the site myself, I could tell immediately each recipe was right on the money, so, (and here’s the funny part), I decided to print out every. single. recipe. Because, I thought to myself, “what if she took the site down? or started charging for a subscription? or, or, or…” I knew I needed those recipes. That recipe collection has grown enormously as I squeal and hit the print button when a new recipe comes out. I have goals to make certain recipes and have surprised myself so much as I have tackled (and conquered) bread-making, sourdough, making real caramel, and so much more. Thank you. Love your guts.
I don’t even know how many years I’ve been following you, I feel like you had already had Cam, but I think she was pretty little. But you are my most used/visited site hands down ever since I found your site! And yes I tell others about your recipes often, and after I realize that I just told them about it like I know you in real life I usually have to add… ya I’m slightly a bit of a Mel stalker. Ha! I love the authenticity of your site! Getting to be a part of your life and how your recipes come about really does fill my cup! Even when you post a recipe that I know I will never make (sorry nothing you say will ever convince me to make anything with shrimp or fish) I still read the whole blog post about it. You are shining your light for the whole world to see and it’s beautiful! Thank you so much for this blog, for sharing your thoughts, and your recipes. You are in my home most days of the week, wether by the food we just made, or the games we just played, or books and presents that were recommended by you and then loved by us. Thanks for all you do!!
I would love a cookbook so I don’t have to always have my phone! Pretty much anything you suggest is my vibe. Like, your 30 minute meals actually take 30 minutes. I would love if in the recipe steps, you (and all online recipes) would repeat the quantity of the ingredients to save endless scrolling, which really wouldn’t be bad except for ads, which can create a lot of space between ingredient list and directions.
Love your blog! Made three of your recipes for Thanksgiving!
I am a MKK fan girl! I have been since the blogspot days. My sister and I will say things like “It is a recipe from my friend, Mel.” You are awesome. Keep up the good work!!
I found your blog when my oldest (who graduated this past May) was about 2 years old. At that time, my husband and the husbands of a few friends were in grad school. So we made a dinner group where once a week, we’d go to someone’s house to feed ourselves, our kids, and our need for adult conversation. The host cooked the main dish, and the guests brought sides. We ate at 5pm! (So early! But it had to be because we all had kids to put to bed at 7!) We made lots of the early recipes you posted and developed as home cooks. Thanks for sticking with it all this time. And not just the recipes…the gift guides, the family stuff, all of it. You are just the best! Happy anniversary!
I’m a recent Mel’s kitchen fangirl (only 3 years) but I think the reason I got hooked on this blog is how you do things authentically. It doesn’t feel like you are doing all the gimmicks other bloggers do. You just post dang good recipes. And if you tell me it’s good I trust you! And just something about your cookbook – maybe you don’t feel like it is anything new for the cooking world, but I just wish you would publish one because I would just love a tangible piece of you in my kitchen! I have lots of cookbooks from people simply because I like the recipes and I like the people and I just wish I could show my love and admiration by buying your book! I’m still crossing my fingers it will happen one day
Wow! Happy 15 years!! I had to go pull out my recipes and see when I printed off my first recipe from your blog. It was 2011!! You have been a part of our kitchen for a looong time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your amazing recipes with the world! I owe all of the compliments I’ve received, chili cook off wins, Christmas morning cinnamon roll excitement, Thanksgivings, bake sell success, pie success, bread success and so much more to you! You are the first site I go to for new recipes and weekly menu planning and the first one I recommend. So thank you for all of your hard work! You have blessed our life in so many ways with recipes, gift guides (so many good game recommendations!), cute animals, and with who you are and the goodness you share. Thanks a million! I’ll be here reading and baking from your blog until the day you are done and I sure hope that isn’t for a very long time!!
I love your recipes! Thank you!!
Congratulations! Fifteen years doing anything is a long time…..and you’ve been doing this while raising a beautiful bunch of humans! I love your recipes, you’re where I turn to whenever I need a great recipe. But mostly I love your humor and your authenticity. Please keep it up, you’re part of our family!
Your blog is the first place I go to for recipes on the daily and I have complete trust that if you post it, it will be yummy! I appreciate your approach to blogging so much more than all the others I have followed off and on over the years because you have succeeded in presenting yourself as real and genuine and just someone I would like to know in person. You never give the vibe that you are just in it for the show and “dough” (although I am so happy that this gig has become a lucrative venture for you since you give so much to your readers!). Thank you is not sufficient, but please know that I am truly so grateful for all of your 15 years of blogging and look forward to however many more years you are able to stick with it. Wishing you all the best! ❤️❤️
Thank you!! I’m fairly new to your blog… Jennifer Garner shared one of your recipes and I have been hooked ever since. Keep doing what you’re doing as long as it brings you joy! Congrats on 15 years!!
I remember that first logo! Years ago I won a subscription to Cooks Country magazine from you. I still have all of the magazines! So thanks again! And congrats on 15 years and a successful blog.
Congratulations on 15 years of blogging! I’m not one to comment very often (okay, rarely), but I’ve been a long time follower (probably 13-14 years). I love, love, love your blog and your recipes. Thank you for always being real and for making me wish you lived next door to me. You’re the best!
I started following you when your kids were small. You once sent me an apron with your logo on it that has almost worn off from use. It hangs in my kitchen until I start another batch of cookies or something with FLOUR. I love it! It reminds me of baking with my mother and grandmother.
You are my favorite blogger of all time and my go-to for great food. You are someone I respect that doesn’t feel manipulative or crass to get clicks. I can relax and enjoy my time on your site with confidence I won’t be wasting money, food, or time by trusting your recommendations. BTW, I got the socks you raved about recently and they are great. Your wordiness has made me a great cook that my family delights in. God bless you and so grateful for you and happy to know you are still in it! Merry Christmas! John 3:17-18
Hi Mel,
Not sure if I ever commented on your site before but I want to let you know that your blog has been a big part of my cooking life. I started following you about 10 years ago when my youngest son was born in Greece. We moved to Germany when he was one and we moved again to California two years ago. All these years I followed you and cooked your recipes. Your recipes still make up the bulk of my repertoire. Every time I need an inspiration I know that your recipes will work. Thank you for everything you have done. You have made me a better cook and kept my family of four men happy over the years. I also appreciate your down-to-earth and honest style. Btw – I read every word of this post. Thank you for being so open and genuine. Best, Ruth
Love your blog! Truly. Have been following for years and I use your recipes multiple times a week. Thank you for your hard work, your amazing sharing stories and you.
I love you Mel! My family & I really enjoy every recipe I’ve made from your blog! Been following you for about 10 years now! I have 3 kids under 11 and they love to bake with me! The cinnamon roll cake has become a Christmas tradition and is the best cake EVER! Your my fav and excited to see what recipe you post next! Happy Blogiversary! ❤️
Happy anniversary! We are so happy you do your “job” so amazingly well. I’ve been following you for forever. I truly think my family thinks we are personal friends. I can’t promise that if I were to ever see you in public I wouldn’t give you a big hug…and I’m not a hugger. Thank you for making feeding my family so easy and fun. Please never stop! I would miss you greatly. You are hugely talented and I love how low key and humble you are about your amazing talents.
I do not find joy from cooking. I actually covet the wandering Isrealites (to an extent 😉 that they got to have Mana provided for them for 40 years and never had to think, wonder, plan or prepare their meals.
That being said, thanks to your blog I have found joy in one area and that is baking bread. Because of your blog and your thorough tutorials and step by step guides I enjoy baking bread/rolls/breadsticks/ etc and have gotten pretty good at it. So thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing me something that brings me happiness in the kitchen.
On the other hand I have a teenage daughter who is a foodie like her dad and is the most helpful child I could ask for. She knows that if there is something she is wanting to make, to check your blog first for the best version of it. She knows that your blog is where most our dinners come from.
I rarely comment but have followed for many many years and so after reading this decided it was high time I give you a huge thank you and virtual hug!
Oh and I have an aunt who likes to buy us games. I always check your game guide first before deciding what to ask for! Thanks for being real with your suggestions!
Congrats on 15 years of blogging! Funny story, my friend kept asking me for the recipes of things I make and I kept sending her the link to your blog. She finally realized that all my recipes come from you. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this blog!
Wow, 15 years, congrats Mel!! I’m grateful for all your yummy recipes you give us all! Looking forward to seeing what else is coming:)
Happy 15, Mel! It’s no exaggeration to say you’ve changed my cooking life, and I’m forever grateful for you! I also love that you are real. I’m sure you have a million would-be besties out there, but I’m definitely on the list of people who wish we were friends in real life!
If you are looking for ideas for new things to try and then teach me about , I’d love to do more meat-free meals, but have had a hard time finding recipes that appeal to kids/teens/husbands (okay…just one husband, but he’s a meat lover!) I’d love some help making filling, delicious meals that are plant based (and not just subbing in fake meat.)
I hope you blog forever! ❤️
I first heard about you at a meal planning class on a “Super Saturday” about ten years ago and since then many of your recipes are my old friends (Texas sheet cake and beef noodle stew are favorites). It’s common to be talking recipes with sisters, mother-in-law or friends and have one of us say our favorite version is Mel’s. You’re like a friend we all know! Thank you for sharing the journey and congratulations on 15 years!
I am in Canada and have been following your blog for about 10 years and I can honestly say you are my favourite of all bloggers. You are so real and genuine and many of your posts make me laugh out loud. I feel like we could be friends in real life if we lived close. I also have a bunch of constantly hungry boys and your recipes are the first I look to! Thank you thank you!
Mel, you’re amazing! I can’t say enough about what your blog does for me and my family. I turn to your blog every single day – you taught me to be a great cook! Congratulations on 15 years of your hard work and dedication. Thank you for all you do!
On top of all of the blog work, you read and respond to these hundreds of comments. I have become a better cook and mother because of your blog. I have laughed and cried reading your posts and enjoyed every single recipe.
I try to click on ads because I know this is not easy to do and you give so much of yourself. Thank you. You are loved and appreciated.
I was introduced to you (and r your website) by a friend. She always would talk about how every one of your recipes she used turned out fantastic. Finally I decided to check out this Mel’s kitchen cafe and honestly anytime I’m looking for a specific recipe yours is the first place I go because like my friend said, I can count on it to be amazing. I remember commenting on a post which I never do and was thoroughly surprised when I received a response. I once emailed you and also received a response. I felt so valued. It felt like there really was a friend on the other end that perhaps I’ll never meet in person but has helped me in the kitchen. For Christmas we make all our own gifts and I have a daughter that loves to cook. I decided to make her a little “cook book” and noticed as I looked through it, although there are some of my childhood favorites and some collected from her or there a huge number have “Mel’s ….” For the title. (As I write this all of the sudden I’m thinking maybe that’s illegal and I’m going to get sued for copyright I promise you’re getting all the credit, you’ll be my daughter hero in the kitchen as well!) hoping we are still friends after my confession my reason for commenting is really to thank you for choosing to do this work, to be authentic and to help make my life as a mom and wife easier. Thank you to your family who make sacrifices as well to allow you to do it. I look forward to many more years to come of Mel’s kitchen cafe recipes. Congratulations on 15 years and many more to come!
I loved seeing the old blogspot logo! My family is grateful for all of your hard work as a food blogger… they might not know your name but they know I have a favorite food blogger where I get my favorite recipes.
Thanks for sharing so much of yourself (that sounds terrifying to me!)
Sending you lots of high fives and cheers for 15 years!
My friend is amazing in the kitchen! When I found out you were her go-to blog it became mine too! Thank you for all you have shared! In recipes, and in your goodness ♥️
I have followed your site since the early days! You’re still my favorite food blogger and I don’t think that will ever change! I know that my family will love your recipes and I love that I can trust that it will be good! I also love that you are so down to earth and real! I’ve been known to say a time or two that you and I could be BFFs! I’m so grateful for you and all of your hard work! And I happen to love your lengthy posts!
Hello! I have been following your blog since year 1 or 2. It was the first cooking blog I ever followed. I had a new baby and was learning how to cook and meal plan, and you helped me in learning to cook and love it (and be a rock star) I still check your blog often and just made the creamy black bean taco soup last weekend (for the millionth time.) thank you!!!
Have followed you for your 15 years and loved every post. I, along with my daughters now, always turn to your recipes first. Such a fun read. Thanks for sharing
I am so grateful for all of your hard work and many, many hours of “solitaire” that provides myself and my family and friends with delicious food. I am so confident that your recipes are indeed tried and true that many times I don’t even do a trial run before I take a new recipe somewhere. My family always asks when I make something new if the recipe came from you. My 11 year old son (who isn’t the least bit interested in learning how to cook) tells people he knows about your blog. He credits you for making my food so wonderful. I just know that we sure appreciate you and your sacrifice. Bless you and your family!
Our recipe books at home are literally filled to the breaking point with all of your amazing recipes. You are our favorite! And I mean FAVORITE. Whenever we want to try something new for dinner? Go to Mel’s. Craving some pie? Mel’s. Let’s make a fancy salad. Mel’s. So cool that you’ve been posting for 15 years, congratulations! We really appreciate all the effort that you have put into this blog and all of its components. Looking forward to everything that the coming years will bring as well!
Mel, when my kids ask me what famous person I would meet, I tell them you! I’ve been using your recipes since my kids were tiny, and 9 times out of 10 if someone asks for a recipe I’ve made, I send them a link to your site. Thanks for being real and making recipes that a family loves.
I wish I could remember the first recipe that I made from your blog, but I can’t! I have lots of good memories and a list of favorites! Thank you!!
You are my go to for a good recipe of any kind. I Couldn’t feed my family without ya. Thanks for all the amazing recipes!
I’m pretty sure the first time I came across your blog you were having a power outage in the Midwest and still making content for us! You also taught me how to make a dinner roll round and I have been a dedicated Mel fan ever since! I love the accessibility of your recipes. They are easy to follow and have surely been a main help in me becoming a confident cook. I love your recipes and I genuinely like you! Thank you for staying true to you and for feeding my family all of these years!
I think my reason for wanting allllll your recipes in a real life paper cookbook is honestly fear. What if your blog disappeared or the internet actually crashed. How would I literally feed my family. You are almost all we eat and I would most certainly die if I didn’t have you guiding me through dinner 7 nights a week. I been with you for 10 solid years and I love you so much and you have absolutely made me a better person a better wife a better mother and a better hostess. Your work matters so very much and I’m so grateful I found you!! ♥️
My family and I thank you for your recipes and your blog! The recipes are always good and you are my “go to” when I am looking for something! Thank you!
Mel, you are the best! My sister and I are convinced if we just knew you in real life we would be friends for reals and not just virtually. Thank you for doing things the way that works for you; it’s brave and refreshing and genuine. I tell everyone who asks for a great recipe to try your website first, and I’ve share recipes of yours I have made countless times. Thanks for being a wonderful constant for so many years, I am grateful for you.
-A SAHM of five kids in AZ.
Thank from the bottom of my heart for all the years you’ve fed my family with love and deliciousness!!! Congrats!
Mel. I thoroughly enjoyed your article. I had no idea of all that’s involved in blogging. I’ve been with you for several years and always get excited when I see a post from you. I love them all but one of my favorites is the recipe for your Moms Burritos. My husband and I have made these three times ( getting ready or the fourth). I’m the cook and he puts the burritos together. We freeze them and enjoy them until it’s time to make another batch. Thank you for your time and effort. It’s much appreciated and enjoyed!!
You’re the best, Mel! Your recipes work for me—and my hubby always knows when I’m trying something from you! His favorite is the Firecracker Chicken so keep up those spicy recipes!
Thanks for all the effort you put into your work. It is the best tip I was ever given on a flight from a seatmate. Don’t ever lose your sense of home because your love shows through in the recipes!
I found your blog 11 years ago when I had two toddlers and was in a terrible cooking rut of tacos and spaghetti, having never really learned how to cook or meal plan. I’m still not great at meal planning but have loved learning new skills. I don’t completely dread that daily event called dinner and my family is much happier about food! My daughter is 14 now and has been helping me bake your muffins and cookies for ten years, and this year she made 4 pumpkin pies and one apple pie completely by herself for our big family Thanksgiving dinner.
I have especially enjoyed laughing along with your stories about funny kid moments, mom struggles, Christmas lists, pictures of farm animals and discussions about everything from lip gloss to hard parenting decisions. You are my favorite imaginary friend and my life has been enriched by your blog. I’m so glad you are able to earn an income from it and hope you will be around for at least another 15 years! God bless you and your family Mel
Congratulations! Love your site and your recipes. Nothing has ever been a flop. So many of my favorite recipes come from you. Thanks so much!!! In a world full of “influencers”, I appreciate your sincerity and that you always keep it real. I think we all feel like we know you and are good friends. Hope you celebrate with something really yummy!
My girls have me hooked on your recipes! Michelene lives in Eagle, Idaho and Katie Ives in Highlands Ranch Co. You are invited to come to our pie day, March 14, @ 3:14 in the afternoon. (We use a ton of your recipes) Oh! I am the mom, Karie living in North Ogden, Utah! Thank you for your strong convictions about the Church! You inspire many.
I loved hearing your story! I have my own online business and have so much I can relate to!
And believe in that cookbook!! I always think to myself that yours would be my go to if it was an option! My son and I cook together every Sunday and he loves flipping through a cookbook to find what we should make. So I vote YES!!!!
Happy Blogiversary! I enjoyed reading this post! And your recipes are the best!
I have to say, besides loving your recipes, I love your blog! I love that I’m not spammed with a million ads that I’m continually closing just to see the recipe. Thank you for keeping it simple so that I have a desire to come back to this super user-friendly place! I LOVE the free menu plans that you have posted. The crock pot beef stew is my go to recommended recipe.
I got married in 2007 and yours was the first blog I found when I decided I wanted to learn how to actually cook (instead of just warming up food) for new and growing family! Since then I have mastered so many things including bread making (something that always intimitaded me) largely because of you! I just keep coming back for more! Your blog is always the 1st one I reference. Thanks so so much, Mel!! On a side note, when you moved to southwest ID I was excited because thats where I live and I thought maybe one day I’ll run into Mel in Costco or something! Well this past summer I saw a couple cute teenagers at the water park and recognized them (from your blog, of course) as your boys. I thought, yes! This is my chance to finally meet Mel! But then I realized that following them around so that they would hopefully lead me to you would be a very creepy thing to do! So alas, I still have not met you in person but if I do someday it will definitely be to say thank you for sharing great recipes, uplifting messages and your hilarious sense of humor than often makes me laugh out load. You are truly the best!
Ditto to just about every comment here! We love your recipes and your style! My friend and I joke about trying a new recipe from “our friend Mel” all the time. You do such a great job and we are so grateful for you!! <3
Mel, congratulations on 15 years! I think I found you (via a friend) in 2010, and you’re my first stop for recipes. I appreciate that you choose to limit ads so we can actually READ the post 🙂 and get to the good stuff. It’s noticeable compared to other food bloggers! And as for the cookbook – don’t do it unless you really want to. I’ve decided I just prefer to use recipes online nearly 100% of the time; I love pulling the recipes up on my phone, ipad, or laptop wherever I am.
I am cooking for my family of 6 in Nashville, TN; I have twin 12-year olds with nut allergies and twin 10-year olds, and they are picking some of your recipes to start cooking/baking now too! I love to make meals for friends in need or gatherings, so I appreciate the huge range I can find on your site and the allergy-sensitive notes.
Thanks for making this your passion and work!
Congratulations! Thank you for your hard work and dedication! Your blog is my go-to for recipes for at least the past ten years. I love your positivity and your excited info (not babble!!) before each recipe. I have learned so much about cooking and baking from you. I miss old-school blogging as well, so your Friday Thoughts are always some of my favorite posts.
Congratulations! . I love your style! We make recipes from Melskitchencafe every week. My family and friends ask about the recipes and I share your site with all of them. The ingredients are pantry staples and the details you provide in the recipes make preparation and completion a snap.
Keep up the great work! We all appreciate it!
I’m here to collect my award for following you for at least ten years! (I remember the first logo!) I’m so happy for all your success and glad that you continue to share amazing recipes with us all. You are a woman with excellent taste and an incredible heart.
Love your guts back so so much! You’ve been a huge part of most of my adult/married life. Don’t know what I’d do without you and your fabulous recipes, real life sharing, sunblock wearing, tear wrenching story telling and random thoughts. I’ll be here for another 15 years too!
I found your blog 8 or so years ago and many of our family favorites are from you (Korean beef bowls, weeknight spaghetti, easy chicken cordon bleu, garlic alfredo…). I jokingly say that the recipes are from “My friend Mel,” Thank you and congrats!
What a wonderful post! Thank you for your delicious recipes and being a down to earth genuine person. Looking forward to many more fantastic recipes. Thanks again.
I just love you, and your recipes to feed a family have immensely blessed my life! You are a breath of fresh air in the internet and I love the real life you bring to it. I visit your site probably multiple times a day and always can’t wait to see what you’ve put up next. I appreciate you and hope for that next 15 years!!
Thank you. Really.
I loved reading this about your journey!!! I seriously feel like we are friends even though I’ve never met you! Just followed you since almost the beginning. My kids all know your name and I’ve recommended you to friends over the years who have then met you at the finish line of your race with one of your cakes she had baked or still follow you today as well. You have made so many lives better, and we all appreciate you!! If I lived close by, I’m sure we would be friends, but virtual friends is good too :).
This blog is the absolute best. 90% of the food I make are Mel recipes!! So you bless my family pretty much every day with your gift of food. You should make Mel sweatshirts or other swag to sell!!
Congratulations on 15 years, Mel! When I got married a little over 10 years ago I literally had no idea how to cook. By the grace of God I quickly found your blog and you have truly taught me how to cook (and bake)! My husband and 3 kids all know that a new recipe is more than likely from you. Thank you for all your hard work over the years! I’m a confident cook and my family is fed well all because of you. Can’t wait to see what’s coming next!
You’re one of my heroes! Thank you for helping me to be a rockstar in the kitchen!!
No need to stress about the key Google words because if I’m looking for a specific recipe I just come to your website and use your search box because I trust you and your recipes!
Your white chicken chili was the first recipe I ever made and it’s still in a regular rotation at our house who knows how many years later.
My family and I love you Mel! You really are the only place I go for recipes because I trust you so much. You post things my family will really eat – all but that one picky eater but that’s not your fault.. Thank you for all your hard work and I know you said talking about money is weird but I believe you’re worth every penny you earn and much much more.
Thank you thank you for all this amazing content! Your recipes never fail I made a new one tonight, hawaiian grilled chicken, and of course it was quick, easy and a hit with everyone in my house. I am always recommending your recipes and if I ever want to make something I check your site first. Thank you!
Hi! I love your blog and am trying not too feel old (I remember the blogspot days!). I identify with your sister- I am my sister’s virtual assistant for her vanilla bean company (IndriVanilla.com) so feeling the kindred spirit. We adore all your recipes but especially your vanilla bean white chocolate cheesecake recipe – it is posted often in our vanilla Facebook group (Indri’s vanilla bean group)! If you ever had the inclination we would love to see more vanilla bean recipes!
I’m super glad you don’t accept free products and keep the authenticity real but check us out for a vanilla bean source – I’m happy to answer any questions. Our small family business is based in Hyrum, UT. <3
I am so grateful for your website. I have for many years used your recipes for many special occasion and family dinners. Thank for your efforts and your Consistency.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks again
Love your blog, your fun and exciting recipes that don’t take outlandish ingredients, and your down to earth nature!
I love the food posts, the Friday Thoughts, the gift guides, etc. I read them all. I don’t comment a lot, but I’m always keeping up. Thanks for everything!!
Hi Mel – Congratulations!!! You have grown an amazing job and meaningful connection out of a hobbie and you have managed to stay authentic, engaged and faithful all the while still enjoying what you do and why you do it! I think that is spectacular!!!
I have been following your blog and making recipes for at least 10 years. I loved reading all these details. A lot of this is stuff I’ve been curious about. Thanks!!
I have a couple of questions and a couple recipe suggestions.
1. On average how many times do you make a new recipe before you finalize and publish it?
2. And what do you think the breakdown is of recipes on your site between ones you have gotten from another source and modified versus once you’ve come up with yourself?
3. How adventurous of eaters are your kids?
Suggestions: have you ever tried a chocolate snickerdoodle recipe?
I wish you had a recipe for a layered cookie bar that had a buttery oat base and crumbled topping with chocolate in the middle. I’ve tried a few recipes from other sites for this kind of thing and discovered that I don’t like the taste (or texture) of the chocolate layer when it’s made with sweetened condensed milk. But the recipes I’ve seen use that. Hmmm.
Thankful for all your hard work and amazing recipes! I’ve been following you for a long time (rarely comment though) and you are always my go-to for anything. Not to mention, you have taught me so much about baking. Anyway – I have some amazing Georgia pecans that I want to use and I’m dying for a really great sticky pecan bun recipe. Please do one! I’ve searched your site and haven’t found one.
Blessings to you and your family!!!!
I’ve been following you since early days! I think your sweet and sour chicken recipe got me to your blog! You helped me learn how to cook! Your straightforward style and ease of recipes has been so helpful! Thank you!
I love your recipes, your posts, and you. I follow your farm page also. Thank you for sharing yourself and your recipes with us. Cooking is one of the ways I show my love and your recipes get used to share a lot of love.
Yours is and always has been the first website I go to for recipes. So many of my family’s meals are fueled by Mel’s! Thank you for sharing your talent with us!
Thankful for all your hard work! My family eats well because of you and has for years!
So glad you’ve stuck with it all the 15 years! Love reading your words just as much as I love your recipes. Bless you!
Thank you for sharing your life and love of cooking with all of us! I have made countless recipes from your blog and can always count on them being winners! Your Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars and Cheryl’s Famous Cinnamon Rolls are well known among our family, friends, and coworkers. On another exciting note, after years of looking at your Bosch Mixer, I finally purchased one on Black Friday. I can’t wait to use it! Happy 15 years of blogging!
What a ride the first fifteen years have been for you and your lovely family! I look forward to the emails with your writing, recipes, and heartfelt updates . You never disappoint so keep on writing, testing, and loving what you are so good at and the rest of us will keep looking forward to your emails with all the Mel’s nuggets to help us be the best bakers we can be! God Bless You and your darling family!
I remember finding your blog when my husband was in gradschool 15 years ago. I was home with 2 little girls and wanted my husband to come home to home baked goodness. Whenever I’m looking for a recipe, your site is my go to! Congratulations on 15 years!!! Hope to see you continue for many more!!
Me and my family love you Mel! We love that you are the girl next door, and that you make very delicious and tasty recipes for us to enjoy! You are our favorite go-to website for new recipes. You make cooking fun!
Congratulations on 15 years of awesome recipes, Mel. I have so many favourites on your site that I have made through the years. Love your clear instructions and notes. Would love more vegetarian and/or vegan recipes in the future.
Congratulations on 15 years.
Happy 15 years!!! Love your blog, love your posts, love your recipes… you’re hilarious and real and just pure wonderful. My fam and I are super grateful you do this awesome stuff!
Mel- the reason I have been coming back to your site year after year( yes, I remember all the photos in this post!) is that you clearly are here to care for your readers. It shows that you could do what so many others have done (no judgement!) and prioritize making your space as profitable as possible. It also shows that you haven’t done that and this makes this whole little food blog seem safe and a refuge against all the noise in the world. Thank you for that. And I forever hope that I will somehow run into you at Costco (I live in Meridian) and we can geek out together about how amazing it is that The Lord brings people together over a food blog. Congrats!
Now that you have thanked us (your loyal followers) it’s time for us to turn the tables and tell you how grateful we are for YOU. Not just the recipes, but the honesty, the inspiration, oh yes and the recipes! I love that you are smart and savvy, but have resisted the urge to go high end glam with recipes that no one wants or can afford to make. Keep on keeping it simple. You are valued for exactly who you are, warts and all.
Eight years ago my mother, whom I had been carrying for, passed away and before the word was even out, a good friend dropped off a whole batch of Healthy Applesauce Muffins (with chocolate chunks added, because who doesn’t need more chocolate?) She figured I could use a quick breakfast item for my kids while I sorted things out. I was touched by her kind act and the muffins were delicious. When I asked for the recipe she directed me to her favorite blog site, yours. Your recipes are great and reliable, but honestly I really enjoy the “blog” portion the most, because you so real and open. I find that very comforting, like talking to a good friend. So many blogs are formulaic and canned, and if I want need a recipe on another site I always “jump to recipe”. But on your blog, I always read the whole post, regardless of the recipe; not to say that I don’t print a lot of them, especially in the baking department! Thanks for such a great blog over the years, and keep it up.
Congratulations! I’ve followed your blog for several years (since I was a young wife with no idea how to cook) and have loved every single recipe I’ve tried. I’m so grateful for you and the time you’ve put into this! Thank you!
I just adore you and your amazing recipes!
Even my pickiest eaters will at least give your recipes a chance. Thank you so much for keeping up with your happy and delicious corner of the internet!
Thank you and congratulations, Mel!!! You are a household name here and our family loves your recipes! They are our go-to’s and we are so grateful for what you put out to the world to share. ❤️
Your blog is my tried and true recipe stop! Over 10 years strong with you… keep it up! Couldn’t do this mom/cooking gig without you.
Thank you, Mel, for sharing your recipes and family life with us. I’ve looked and cannot find a recipe for Bread Pudding on your site- my mother always made it for Christmas from bread that was toasted, etc and had a wonderful vanilla/ milk sauce to put over it as desired when cooled. Unfortunately, my mother is dead so the recipe is gone…
Thank you for being real, for being you! I love your tried and true recipes! Happy 15 years Mel!
Congratulations, Mel! Thank you so much for blogging all these years. Your recipes have completely shaped not only my cooking but also our family traditions! I love how down to earth you are and how every single one of your recipes is such a hit. I’m a huge fan!!
I enjoyed reading this post and the behind the scenes work involved. Thanks for always staying true to yourself and doing your own thing. I really appreciate your authenticity and keeping things simple. You’re a gem.
So grateful for you Mel. I’ve been following you for years. My kids, and coworkers, know that when I try a new recipe that it’s likely from you.
I’ve enjoyed your blogs, your recipes, and your animals.
The days/weeks when social media gets you down, please know that you are appreciated by many of us!
I wish you and your family a happy holiday season.
Thank you for all your work! I still love your recipes! I submitted a recipe to you at 15 (double cruncher cookies) and still love your blog now at 24. Congratulations on 15 years!
-Georgia
My oldest is 14 and I nursed her while reading your blogs and searching recipes. It was the first time I’d ever found myself returning to the same site and going back and repeating recipes. Your wacky cake and easy bread were my daughter’s first recipes she made. You have been a part of our lives and we appreciate all that you do and the integrity you have shown
Happy Anniversary! So glad I stumbled on your site many years ago! The majority of my “Recipes We Love” board on Pinterest are your recipes! Looking forward to the next 15 years!
I love your blog so much. I follow several food blogs, but yours is so consistently delicious and I love that I don’t feel like you’re just trying to sell me stuff. Yours is my favorite. (Don’t tell the others, though.)
But. What I want to know. How do you make all this delicious and not get fat???
For reals. I thought once I was done having babies it would be so easy. It is not easy.
Made the holiday salad for Thanksgiving! So pretty and delicious!
Congratulations on 15 years blogging! That is amazing! I first found your blog almost 11 years ago when I was searching for a recipe for meatball subs and I am so very grateful for all the recipes, cooking tips, and recommendations you’ve shared over the years. I can honestly say that you have made me into the confident cook that I now am—I only cook from your recipes and have learned so much from you! Just today I made granola bites, cinnamon lover’s granola, and, totally by coincidence, meatball subs—the very same recipe that brought me to your blog years ago! I also very much appreciate the personal side to your blog—you are a great example of a dedicated mom and someone who looks to share Christ’s love with all those you encounter. Sincere thanks to you, Mel!
Those meatball subs!!! One of my first and favorites I made from here.
Mel – Thank you! You made me feel confident that I could make healthy and tasty meals for my family when I had two young girls and worked full-time. We now have a rotation of 90 meals we work through, with many of them yours.
Talking about money is weird, but I hope you are well compensated for your work so you continue to provide your insight and recipes. It is a job and you deserve to be paid for it! We should celebrate women entrepreneurs like you,
I’m sure many people here can attest to saying, “Oh, this is a Mel’s recipe” at a family gathering.” Thank you for what you share beyond the recipes. I appreciate you.
Firecracker chicken. My daughter babysat at a friend’s house and could not stop talking about the dinner. I asked my friend where she got the recipe. “Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. It’s just good food.” That was many years ago and since then my family and I call you Mel and act like we know you. Your recipes work and taste good. Your game recommendations are excellent too. Thank you for all the hard work and for staying true to your vision. It has made a difference in our lives. My favorite recipe? Banh Mi Meatball Subs. Unbelievably delicious.
Mel,
Beautiful post! Love you, love your recipes, love every blog post, recipe or not! Wish we were neighbors!! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing recipes and life!!!
I love your blabbering Mel! You have become like a member of the family and your blabbering is simply real life. Continue to be you, you are fabulous!
Thank you for all you do. I love making your recipes and reading your blog!
Thank you Mel. I’m not sure how long now I’ve been making at least a couple recipes from your blog every single week, but it’s been a while. The other day, my 16 year old daughter and I were at a friend’s house. We were looking though a three-ring-binder of recipes her mother-in-law had given her for her wedding 20+ years ago. My daughter said, “I think my mom would just tell me to go to melskitchencafe.com”!
My family would not eat meals without your blog. Truly any meals haha. There’s so so many recipes I rely on and when I make them for others they always ask for the recipe and I always give you credit! Thanks for continuing to do this!
Mel: I love you, I love your family, I love your recipes, I love your faux farm critters. My 19 year old daughter (Melody), is also called ‘Mel’, so you are doubly endearing. Thank you for always staying authentically you (which is pure and wholesome). I haven’t followed since your blog’s inception, but happy to say that I have been around since 2012. I have unfollowed just about every other food & lifestyle blog in the past decade, but yours I will always cherish. I don’t need another blog, it is a one-stop shop for all recipe needs, virtual encouragement, and trial-&-tribulation relatability. And it helps that your recipes are a mix of comfort AND health, because they are there for me when I want to fix special treats to celebrate, and as I’ve grown older and keep learning that aging and the body has to nourish healthfully (& lightened up!). Thank you for always being there for all of us <3333
THANK YOU for 15 years of blessing our socks off and getting good food on our family tables, Mel! You’re my go-to for anything I cook and have been for close to 15 years. If you ever need to “pull the plug” we will understand but until then…yay for Mel’s Kitchen Cafe!
Lastly, Gloria’s Cinnamon Rolls and reading the story of the cheese ball are forever part of my Christmas traditions <3333
Hi Mel: I am a long time subscriber and am tickled by your personality. Your post is touching. You put your heart and soul into everything you do. What a wonderful way to be. Thank you for sharing so much with us!
I’ve been around since the blogspot days when my dear friend shared your blog with me. We were both young moms with brand new babies, and cooking was a struggle for me – I *could* cook, but I was supremely bored with what I knew how to cook. To this day, yours is the first place I go when looking for a recipe! I am so glad you’re in this blogging space and that I know that I can always trust what you share will be good! Happy 15 years!
I enjoyed every word you wrote. I’ve had my food blog since 2008, and started on blogspot. I’ve migrated to a word Press and hired a professional to design a template. I agree that blogging has become so different from back in the day! I don’t know how to make videos. Social media has expanded and has become vital for followers. Thank you for admitting you don’t do the keyword game. It’s daunting. I’ll never be as big as you, but we share our love of cooking and baking. I’ve made several of your recipes and loved them. I’ve followed you since the beginning. You are such an inspiration!
I’ve been a constant visitor of your blog since my babies were little. (2008) Back then, I would dutifully check my favorite food blogs everyday in hopes of new content. Yours was my favorite because the recipes were always winners. Thanks for always being candid and entertaining. I loved reading about your kids because my boys were similar in age and I would often shake my head in agreement.
Happy 15th anniversary!
P.S. More faux farm content!!
Mel, Congratulations on 15 years! How you did that with five kids and a farm, I’ll never know! I have followed you and your wonderful recipes for several years and so glad you are there for those of us who enjoy cooking! Keep up the great work! May God continue to give you the energy and ideas to share with your millions of followers!!
I’m glad you are still here and blogging. Me and my sisters have been following since around 2010 and still LOVE you and your delicious food. I share your site with friends ALL THE TIME. You are the BEST and over the years I can still say that I have had WAY more wins than failures from here. Thanks for all of your hard work.
Mel: I love you, I love your family, I love your recipes, I love your faux farm critters. My 19 year old daughter (Melody), is also called ‘Mel’, so you are doubly endearing. Thank you for always staying authentically you (which is pure and wholesome). I haven’t followed since your blog’s inception, but happy to say that I have been around since 2013. I have unfollowed just about every other food & lifestyle blog in the past decade, but yours I will always cherish and follow. I don’t need another blog, as yours is a one-stop-shop for all recipe needs, virtual encouragement, and trial-&-tribulation relatability. And it helps that your recipes are a mix of comfort AND health, because they are there for me when I want to fix special treats to celebrate, and as I’ve grown older and keep learning that aging and the body has to nourish healthfully. Thank you for always being there <3333
I’ve been following your blog and using your recipes for over 10 years! I don’t comment much but you are my absolute go to and one of my favorite humans. Congrats on 15 years! Thanks for the amazing recipes, the laughs and your incredible example!
Thanks for all the work that goes into your blog, I love so many of your recipes and the parts of your family and life you share.
It’s so funny you just posted this, because I had just asked the question to my kids, “How do you think cooking blogs have had to change and adapt to the ever-changing world of the internet?” Probably because I haven’t been cooking as much in the past few years, but over the holidays I’ve been visiting your blog to pull up a favorite recipe, and I just wondered. So thanks for filling us all in. I have my own small business (not a blog at all – I started a flower farm on our property) and I enjoy some similar benefits of deciding my own schedule and working from home. But the burnout part (and not making money the first few years!) is real. Thanks for giving us this behind-the-scenes peak into your world. I love that you are still posting new recipes, but if you ever did decide to give up blogging, if you keep hosting your recipes for the world, what you have achieved so far would continue giving everyone a huge gift of amazing recipes and thoughtful posts.
I’d love to buy your cookbook and one for my eleven daughters ( half are in-laws) and one for each of my six sisters
People actually send you messages for being too wordy? Don’t they know how to scroll and skim? I enjoy the stories or additional information and when I am in a rush I just skip to the recipe! I’ve been quietly following along since late early years- before I was married or with kids! You’re site was one of the first to help me get cooking and I haven’t looked back! Love to cook for my family! Thanks for the good years, here’s to the next decade and more!
Love you and your recipes and behind the scenes posts. All of it! Thank you for all 15 years (I’ve been around for almost 13 I think!) of deliciousness!
That 15 years went fast. I really enjoy your recipes and everyone I’ve tried have been super good. When I’m trying to find a recipe for a certain occasion I go to Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, one recipe I love is your Lemon White Chocolate Cream bars and your Carmel recipes, I followed your cancer on your nose .I had the same and hope you don’t have any more,, I’ve had three surgeries ion my nose from cancer but I’m a whole lot older than you. Keep blogging for we that love you..
So grateful for your real, honest self in this crazy world. LOVE your recipes-they are truly some of my favorites. I feel like if I lived by you we would be the best of friends. Thank you for being a light. Grateful for YOU!!!
Going through recipes for Thanksgiving (I literally have manilla folders filled with loose 8.5×11’s in no particular organized manner besides general categories “bread” “holiday” etc.), I came across several My Kitchen Cafe recipes and I was like, where did these come from! I forgot that was the name of your original blog!!! Lol. I’m so so grateful for you. You have and you do “keep it real”. Like so many have said, I feel like we are friends/family. Thanks for hanging in there! We adore you and I’m a much better cook because of you and your tried, tested and true recipes. Thank you!!!!
I have followed your blog for at least ten years and love your recipes. I was on Instagram one day and JENNIFER freaking GARNER was making one of your recipes and I was like “Mel, I know her!” even though I don’t know you but I was SUPER proud for you. You are amazing!
Mel, I just learned that I know your 2 younger siblings and your mom!!! My sister-in-law, Wendy, made Baked oatmeal for us while we were at here house for a family reunion, and she gave me your recipe. I have made that more times than I want to admit. I just went to Wendy’s house in Indiana for Thanksgiving and her twin sister and her husband Rob Weaver was there! He asked if I knew the Walkers from Billings since I grew up in Huntley, MT. I said yes I was good friends with Nate!!! He is such a cool guy. I also knew Emily though she was a few years younger. Your mom was such an awesome youth leader, so positive and full of energy. Her then mentioned that Nate’s sister was Mel’s Kitchen Cafe!!!! I was like WHAT? No way! Small world in the church. How cool that your hobby became an income for your family!!!! My parents still live in Huntley. Great job!!!
Hi Mel,
Happy 15th blog birthday! I found your site about 5 years ago, and love it-my now 19 yr old daughter also has become a fan. I have an idea for your cookbook…a while back (could be a short or long while) you wrote about planning and serving meals for a large church group and/or family reunion. How to feed a large group delicious meals would be great. Here in the Midwest we seem to have a lot of team dinners, where a family hosts, or when teams are in tournaments out of town and need meals. I liked how you were able to assign people what to bring as well. It would be great to have some tried and true menus that could be easily multiplied. You could do tips and tricks. Thanks for all your hard work, we have enjoyed your recipes and reading about you, your family and friends.
Your site is where my kids started to look for recipes when they were learning to cook, and it is still the source of our favourites – and new, yummy ideas! Thank you from our family!
Mel, I have been following you since your kiddos were little. I rarely comment—I’m more like a creepy stalker, lurking in the desserts tab. Lol! But my family and I have been having a big ol love affair with your recipes since the first day I stumbled upon your blog. Just for the fun of it, I searched my inbox for the oldest email I had from you (probably the last time I cleaned out my inbox—ugh!) and it was from May 25, 2016. That day you sent out the recipe for Divine 1-Hour Breadsticks. Oh and I’m gonna give you a witness on that—they are divine!! Mel, a BIG chocolate covered congratulations and way to go for this successful blog. But more than that, thank you for doing life with us and helping us feed our friends and loved ones such delicious food. I never have to worry what I’m gonna fix for special events and holidays; I have a treasure trove of amazing recipes at my fingertips. And I know they all have been made with love—at least once, twice or a hundred times. That is some kind of wonderful! I really appreciate you, Mel! May the Lord bless you more each day. ❤️
I remember the blog spot address! Years ago I started copying your recipes in a notebook. On the front of the notebook I wrote “Mel.” Later I got a printer and printed them out and put them in clear binder sleeves. Then one day I saw a recipe I emailed you on your blog. Fun!
Mel, thank you for helping me feed my family! Just this morning we had your baked oatmeal. I hope you realize how much your followers appreciate all you do. I can’t wait to see the yummy recipes you share in 2023. God bless.
Mel, a huge THANK YOU for so many years of bringing us great food! My toddlers know you by name and we regularly eat your meals around here. I started following you probably ten years ago and fell in love with many of your recipes. Since then I’ve been diagnosed with celiac disease and instead of finding a gluten free blogger I’ve just been reworking your recipes, I love them so much. Thank you for your work, for being you, and for so many good meals!
You are my go to for recipes! I would buy a cookbook just to not have to search for my favorites like cinnamon rolls, chocolate cake and French bread all the time. You are so good at what you do! Thank you for making my cooking look good!
Congratulations!! I’ve been around for the long-haul and I’m just as thankful for your blog then as I am now. THANK YOU!! Thank you for sharing delicious recipes and tutorials and gift guides. You are an unofficial part of the family as your recipes have become part of the family traditions we hold dear. I’m glad I know you in real life so I can honestly say I’m one of your biggest fans. You are THE BEST!
xoxo
Mel Ball
Mel, I’m so glad you do what you do. Over the last decade or so, you’ve basically taught me how to cook. I love, love your recipes and you are always the first place I look for a great recipe. Sending love!!
All of our favorite family recipes are from your blog- and I have been with you from the beginning. Every Monday when I sit down for the dreaded menu-making- if I get stuck I always go to your blog and find something to look forward to making and eating. You are the best of the best- your authenticity and beautiful soul shines in every post. My husband and kids have been teasing me about my “friend” Mel for many years. Thanks for all the great recipes and gift guides (also our favorite games!!). I also have 5 kids similar ages- and had basal cell on my face the same year. With a grateful heart ❤️
You’re an absolute gem! Been a following along for many of those 15 years! Sure appreciate all you do to make cooking more enjoyable for the rest of us!
Congratulations on 15 years!!! I enjoy your blog and know I can always count on your recipes! Thank you 🙂
Congrats on 15 years!! Love your blog for the tasty recipes, Friday Thoughts, and excellent gift guides. Thank you for continuing to share with your wide circle of internet friends!
And I am sooooo grateful for you! Thanks for being authentically you and sharing your tried and true. You bless me and my family and those I serve everyday with your delicious recipes. I literally had all the YCLs shedding tears of joy over Hawaiian haystacks and s’mores cookies at the YCL retreat celebrating all their hard work at girls camp. My neighbor was head over heels for the pumpkin rosemary rolls I shared with her for her Thanksgiving dinner. I could go on and on. I probably single-handedly add to your statistic count at least 10x/week. Sorry not sorry.
I love everything about your blog and about you. I have been following your blog for so long, and I love not only your recipes, but your down-to-earth personality and the reality of life that you show. It makes us all feel like you are our best friend even thought we’ve never met. Thank you for all you have done over the years to make this space have such an amazing, safe, community feel.
Your recipes are the most dependable of any food blog I’ve followed. Been coming for longer than I can remember. I appreciate the reliability in flavor and knowing that anything I make from your site is going to TURN OUT.
I also like your blog precisely because you haven’t sold out yet. I appreciate the effort it takes to keep doing it all!
I tell everyone about your blog. I don’t know if you remember me, but I used to be a Robertson and lived in Green Bay. I remember going to your house one time and loving your food. I didn’t know that I would use your blog almost everyday of my life as an adult! I search your blog weekly for recipes and have tried (and loved) so many of them. If anyone is ever in a dinner funk, I always tell them to look at your blog because I have loved everything I’ve tried. Thank you so much for you hard work on it! You change so many lives by providing easy, family friendly meals!
Congratulations, Mel. It sounds as though you have come a long way and you can be very proud of yourself. In pursuing your passion, you have helped many people improve their cooking skills. I wish to thank you for that. I wish you many more years of doing what you love. A loyal Canadian fan.
Congratulations Mel! I found your site about 9 years ago while trying to finds foods that my two picky toddlers would eat. And I would estimate that about 70% of the food we have made in those 9 years have been your recipes. My whole family is so grateful for you and your delicious food!! I will be forever grateful.
Ditto, ditto, ditto. Your blog is the only blog I’ve ever followed faithfully, ever since I discovered and made for my children those unique and awesome homemade chocolate marshmallow Easter eggs (remember those?!) Also, I couldn’t have gotten through nursing school without you, back in 2014-16. You cook the way my family likes to eat, whether it’s dinner/salad/soup/appetizers/bread/dessert or just plain ol’ granola. Whenever I make something for my church or friends, they often ask, “Is it Mel’s?”
You may be interested to know the only recipes I’ve ever had to adapt are, of all things, the cookies! I live in Florida, where using two sticks of butter is waaaay too much butter for cookies down here in these parts! They become pancakes in the humidity….Otherwise, way to go! Congratulations! Looking forward to the next 15 years with you! Thank you for being so generous with your gift for cooking and baking!
Congrats Mel! I love your blog, I always know your recipes are going to be good and usually great! I’m in love with your cinnamon granola and pecan bars are my husband’s new gluten free favorite! Keep creating in your kitchen and I’ll keep reading ❤️
I remember the blogspot website. Ha! Your recipes have always been some of my favorites forever and ever. Thanks for being you and staying true to what works for you!
xo, Becky
I’ve been here since the beginning Mel and you’re still my favorite! Love your recipes and your realness! Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Wow! Great job, Mel! 15 years!
I always enjoy reading your posts and appreciate your humor, your down-to-earth approach and your genuine sincerity. Though we’ve never met, I consider you a friend and mentor. Your blog has been my go-to recipe site for probably a dozen years. Crazy! I have enjoyed glimpses of your growing family while my own young family has grown as well (six kids ranging from 15 to four). You are a household name, haha! And yes, I agree with others, I always think I should get organized and print my favorites from your site in case they disappear or I can’t access the Internet. Thank you for helping me become confident in the kitchen. I have directed so many people to your site over the years. We eat more vegan/vegetarian style these days, but I still regularly check your blog and head here first when I want to make desserts, meat, or any variety of bread beyond our standard recipe. Thank you for everything! I am better (and we eat yummier food!) because of you!
-Sarah
Mel, I love your blog and recipes SO much!!! One thought—I would totally buy a cookbook that is just a printout of all the recipes currently on your blog. There is stuff I am making so much that I really just need a printout of it to save my poor phone screen.
I saw your email this morning but waited to read until this afternoon when I knew I had time to read and enjoy with no interruptions! (Love these glimpses of real life!) Congrats on 15 years! Since you’ve started I’ve followed along but my kiddos were off to college and it was just my husband and me. I’ve really appreciated notes on making ahead, freezing, and side dish recommendations as well as the low amount of advertising! (That one is huge) trying to read other blogs has become so annoying with the advertising that I just stop visiting those sites. Anyways, I also love the other readers of your blog who comment after making…so helpful! I organize your recipes by meals and clip all the recipes together. For example, last week we had company and I made your coleslaw, pulled bbq pork for sandwiches, and instant pot Mac and cheese…along with some peanut butter cookies. Those things just belong together in my mind so I always keep the recipes together. I’m curious if in the future you could share favorite meals with recipes that you always make together and if you organize recipes in anyone particular way. Thanks for all of your hard work…I really enjoy visiting your blog!
And I am so grateful for you! I squeal (quietly) when you have a new post – your style of writing just warms my heart and inspires gratitude, happiness, empathy, compassion and sometimes, sadness (life is like that). Here’s to another 15 years – raise a glass of home made root beer to celebrate!
Patricia
Loved this post! Love your blog, the recipes and the stories! Keep being you!
You are the best of the best! I love your honesty and amazing sense of humor. And your food. All the things keep me coming back. Can’t wait to see what you bring to the table in 2023. I know it will be yummy.
Thank you, Mel! My sisters, mom, and I all love your blog. Almost every time one of us brings a new recipe to a family event, we say “I got it from Mel.” And then we joke that we’re all great friends with you, or at least we would be, if we lived nearby. You have a lot of fans!
You are the best. I love how relatable and real you are. My family loves your recipes. We are GRATEFUL FOR YOU!!!!!
I don’t know if I have ever posted a comment here, but this post seems like one I should reply to!! i don’t know exactly how long ago I found your blog but I remember when you had your daughter so it has been a while. I can’t tell you how many of your recipes I have made over the years I have followed you or how many times I have recommended your site to other people!! Whenever I need a recipe for something (or a good new game – we love Double Ditto) your site is always the first one I check and I am never disappointed with the results!! So, I hope you keep posting recipes forever!!! I feel like I should have thanked you before now, but THANK YOU for sharing your amazing recipes and everything else you write about – I love all of it!!
Mel! We love you in these parts! You are seriously practically family. All my kids and close friend know who you are. If they ask me for a recipe I usually respond “Oh – that’s Mel’s!” And they know how to access it! Thank you for sharing these recipes, but for also making us feel apart of your world and sharing your light with the world! It’s a better place because of you!
Request: We want more pictures of your pigs! I couldn’t stop laughing at the one where they were looking through your window!
And more plant based recipes please!!
Love ya!
Thank you for all of the fabulous, well-tested recipes through the years! I find myself regularly printing them out and sticking them in my “go-to” binder. (Yes, I know it is old school, but I hate scrolling when I’m cooking.)
I am a tinkerer of recipes and spice profiles in general, because I’m (1) picky) and (2) like simple flavors that aren’t all mucked up. But I find I seldom/never have to tinker with yours because they are consistently balanced and good! They are truely a breath of fresh air in the trendy culinary world of over-complication! The How To instructions are also very clear and well documented. Thank you for the extra effort on that part of the blog. I cook for myself and my husband, but basically, I’m alone in the kitchen, so I love your conversational style. It makes me feel a little less alone, and helps guarentee better results on the first try without having to guess so much.
This Thanksgiving, I had someone ask if I had a good stuffing recipe, and once again, I found myself saying, “Not anything I want to share specifically, but go to MelsKitchenCafe.com and you will not be disappointed by anything you chose to make!”
Thank you for 15 years of effort and grace. You are deeply appreciated and I feel blessed to have shared your journey.
Mel! I love you and your blog so much! It actually feels weird that you don’t know who I am. You are that much a part of my life. So grateful for your recipes, they truly are the best. So grateful for your authenticity and example. You are a treasure! Thank you!
Thank you so much for all your amazing recipes!! I first made your Hawaiian Haystacks about 12 years ago… so I’ve been cooking from your website for almost 80% of your blogging time!! Once I had my second baby, i realized my hobby had to be something i had to do anyways, so making delicious food was it. And you help me succeed every time. Every week I make my recipe dinner plan for grocery shopping. I open a group of tabs with all the recipes I’ll make, and 99% of the time, there are 7 dinner recipes from you! My kids eat everything you post and it’s usually fast and healthy! So grateful for you!! Seriously. Dinner time is sacred time at my house and it wouldn’t be so easy or yummy without you!!❤️❤️❤️
I’ve been following your blog for about the last 11 years and I was sold from the beginning. I get when you say you have friends on your blog, because you do feel like a friend I haven’t ever met in person. I love your approach and your recipes speak for themselves. AMAZING! Thank you for the work you do that truly has blessed my life and my family that I cook for and other people that I give food to. You do make me feel like a rockstar in the kitchen. Thank you, Mel!
Ok, so I’m not the person yelling to get the recipe. I’m just the opposite. The best reason to follow a blog is to know the person and in this case you. I haven’t been around since 2007 as I was still working. When I retired in 2011 I set about looking for interesting blogs to follow. Yours was one. Each post I learn and enjoy so much. So keep going, I’ll be here. Thanks for the behind the scene looks at creating and maintaining a blog.
So very grateful I found your blog. I’m thinking about 10-12 years ago. I talk about you to my friend like we are friends. I am inspired by your love of family and friends. And I giggle at your sense of humor. Thanks for all you do to nourish me, my family, and my friends. (Made the pumpkin Bundt cake with vanilla cream sauce for book club tonight. And I can’t wait for them to show up so I can eat some of it!)
Mel, I’ve been following your blog since pretty early on, I don’t remember when exactly, and I’ve made so many delicious recipes! Thank you for the effort you put into this! I’ve loved a seeing your family grow just as much as getting great recipes and I was excited when you moved to Idaho, because I lived in Kuna! We moved and I love these little connections to a place I loved so much.
Hi Mel,
Really appreciate all your time & effort sharing your expertise
If you ever want a back to nature inexpensive beach vacation for you & your family, check out MacLeod’s Cottages, Green Bay, Nova Scotia
They have been in operation since 1929 & the same Family still operates the business, canteen, ie ; homemade everything, coconut cream pie, etc
There’s a beach, Crescent Beach, minutes away that you can drive on, 1 & 1/2 miles long
Mel, you are one of our top go to sites for recipes, we only have 2 or 3, & you are tops
We also have some Family recipes that we are willing to share with you, so you can share & enjoy
Keep well
Charles , Val, Anna & Connie Cook
charlesrcook@icloud.com
1-902-527-7608
Green Bay
Nova Scotia
I’m sure I’ve followed you for at least a decade! You are, for sure, one of my favorite food bloggers. With five kids myself, your recipes fit my family life so well, so often. I’ve definitely got a lot of your recipes on repeat. Thanks for your amazing work that helps me get excited about cooking and baking!
All I can say is thank you for sticking around. I’ve been a silent benefactor the last ten years of all the goodness you’ve created and rarely comment. Sorry! But your real life approach and real food have blessed my family and my confidence. Thanks Mel.
Hi Mel
Congratulations on 15 years of blogging!
I use a lot of your recipes and keep them in a folder.
Just wanted to add my congratulations from Canadian reader!
You’re a household name around here! “You know Mel?” Yeah-I speak about you like you’re a neighbor, and the family know exactly who I’m talking about. Thanks for all your recipes and for normalizing hiding in my pantry while eating chocolate chips!
I love love love reading your posts and i use your recipes 2-3 times a week. I essentially already have your “cookbook” because my 3 ring binder cookbook is full of mostly…well YOUR recipes! Ive been with you for about half your time on here and you have given me so much more confidence in cooking and baking! Your tutorial boot camp for pie crust was hands down amazing because my first pie crust last week turned out amazing!
Last week i was talking to my husband about a new recipe and i mentioned “its from Mel.” He assumed this was a friend, and i smiled and he recognized i was talking about you! . We mention you around here like we know you friend! Keep up the great work! I appreciate your humor and candor ❤️!
I’ve been a loyal reader for 13 years (starting as a newlywed). My husband and I now have two kids of our own. Your recipes are still family favorites! Thank you!
Love you! Love your blog! Love how real you are! Just so grateful you keep bringing us amazing recipes, fun stories, and so much love! ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Mel, I don’t care how you do it, I am just so grateful that you do.
You don’t know how many times you have saved my butt, so I am truly grateful. I have been reading your blog for years I enjoy your stories, love the pictures of your farm animals.
You are just one awesome chick!
Perla
This is one of the few blogs that I have followed and loved for many years. Your wonderful recipes and genuine authenticity is a joy to observe. I love how you remind all of us that life, although full of blessings, is often stressful, sad or messy. But in times of need there are always chocolate chip cookies.
You are the real deal Mel! Your authenticity and the unique way you blog makes you stand out from the crowd in the best of ways. I’m a loyalist.
Congratulations on 15 years!! You are awesome and your blog is the only one I check each Monday morning. It’s like a little gift when you post a new recipe! Thanks for all of your hard work! Also, if you could perfect and post a white cake recipe, that would be amazing!
My family always teases and says that they are going to ask you to give my eulogy st my funeral one day. I talk about you and your recipes as if we are real life friends. Which I am confident we would be if we lived by each other. Thank you for blogging and sharing your recipes. I’ve been around for the last 15 years and I plan on being here for 15 more!! You are the best. Thank you for sharing real life – it helps us moms out here just trying to keep up with life and some how get food on the table.
Hi Mel, I don’t comment very much on your blog but I do visit this website almost every single day and have for years! I love hearing about your hustle and you are proof that content and authenticity really matter. Plus also food. I’ve not told you this before but in my family, you are so well-known you have a nickname. My seven year old son dubbed you Evil Mel after I ambushed him with yet ANOTHER new recipe from your site (which we all loved, obviously). Now in my closest circles we affectionately refer to you this way.
I would love you to do another run of the aprons, and I would love a new flavor of caramels recipe! I make your vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, and licorice caramels every December. King Arthur Flour has an apple cider recipe made with a reduction. Sounds tasty, don’t you think?
Even if your someday cookbook has recipes in it already avail on the blog (so does Gina Homolka’s, and I buy every single one she cranks out!), I would buy and gift it 10xs over. Your efforts have meant the world to me and my family and our bellies!
Finally, you are so right about the readers and commenters on this website. I scrolled frantically after making the peppermint bark cheesecake for Thanksgiving last week, certain I had messed it up, and bless their hearts!! All the reviews and tips saved me from a spiral. It was so crazy delicious, my family was in freaking ecstasy. Thank you. I love you, and not in a creepy stalker way.
This post is really interesting, I am more familiar now with how a blog works.
You keep doing you! I love your recipes and have followed you for a long time because you seem to keep it real. Not trendy, but with genuine care for what a person or family would like and consider practical to cook.
I really enjoy your recipes!
Thank you so much!
I love love your recipes. Perfection comes to my mind when I think about your dishes. Congratulations, and I hope you keep sharing your talent with Us , so we can half as talented as you are!
Congratulations, Mel! I love your blog and several of of your recipes are favorites in my family. Thanks for keeping it real. Looking forward to cooking along with you for many years to come. (-:
Your recipes are awesome and I have shared your website with many people!! I think a cookbook would be great!! Including entrees, breads , cookies and other desserts. My first and fav is the French bread recipe.. I make it every week and share with many friends!! God bless!
Just want to add another voice to the many comments thanking you for all you do! I’ve used more of your recipes than I can count, and now both of my daughters look to your site first if they want to make something. Yours is the only food blog I continue to use on a weekly bases all these years later! And it’s because of the great recipes combined with a really approachable person! Thanks Mel!
Hi Mel! I started following your blog back in 2010ish. I can honestly say you taught me how to cook! Now I have a binder full of recipes that I go back to over and over again. I have so many i love that I rarely try new ones because then my favorites wouldn’t get to show up in the rotation as often. I also just love your relatable writing style and it feels like we are friends even if only through the virtual world. Thanks for not quitting and maintaining your presence on the web!
You have always been and continue to be my favorite resource for recipes. Thanks so much!!!
I haven’t been here all 15 years, but it has been more than a few. Thank you for all the recipes, tips, inspirations and thoughts. You truly are a blessing to the blogging world. You definitely are appreciated in my household, for your words, as well as your fod.
I don’t usually comment but I have been following your blog since shortly after I got married 13 years ago and didn’t know how to cook anything! I love your recipes so much and always come to your website to search for a recipe before pinterest or googling it. Most times I can find exactly what I am looking for, and some have become family favorites! Thank you so much for all the yummy recipes over the years!
Thanks for continuing to do what you do! And I LOVE that you keep it real, it makes such a huge difference. And if you ever made a cookbook I’ll be first on the presale list! I have a lot of your recipes I look up all the time but there’s something comforting about looking at a book not just phone ☺️. Though how you’d ever choose which ones to put in it I don’t know!
Mel, you’re my favorite blogger and #1 source for tested, scrumptious recipes. I l-o-v-e your blog! Thank you for all you do and share; for being real and a woman of faith. God bless you and your family and Merry Christmas!
For just a moment I thought you were going to say you were done blogging. I had this feeling of panic – no, how will I continue to make good food. I’ve made pretty good food for most of my almost 60 years, but I’ve come to count on you for tried and true, really good recipes. May God continue to bless you for sharing your gift with us!
Love your blog. Love your recipes. Love your realness and your desire to be a resource and help to others. Been a follower for about 12 years or so! You’re doing a great work and your light shines bright in all you do – whether it’s posting recipes or sharing entirely different things.
Good job Ms, Mel. I love all your recipes when they via your newsletter. I love them all. Here is to another 15 years!
Your girl-next-door approach is exactly what my life needs. Thank you for bringing your life, light, wisdom, skills, and AMAZING food into the world every week! I’m a forever follower! ❤️❤️
Love love love this! I found you in 2010 when my house in the sticks only had dial up. I purchased a smart phone that year that had personal hotspot capabilities and felt so techy.
I spent hours in the morning after my husband left for work and before my 2 little little boys would wake up, looking through Google for recipe blogs. My sisters loved The Pioneer Woman, but with my slow internet (even on the smart phone) her site wouldn’t load because she had too many pictures. So I paged page after page on Google finding food blogs. I had 3-4 bookmarked back then, and truth be told, yours is the only one I ever subscribed too, and I don’t even remember who the other bloggers were.
We enjoyed (enjoy) your recipes, the banter, the long winded story telling. (I’m the same way)
My recipe binder is predominantly recipes from you!
Some favorites of the family:
Chicken with mushroom gravy
French bread rolls
Sweet and sour chicken
Buttermilk waffles
Super soft chocolate chip cookies
Drop Sugar Cookies
Sour Cream Banana Bread
And so many others. Thank you thank you! And if you ever quit, please give plenty of notice so I can print as many of these as I can! Haha
Congrats Mel! I’ve been here for a lot of the 15 years. The first few were drooling over your recipes in college and now I love trying new recipes from your site and sharing my favorites with my friends and family. I’ve learned so much from you!
I don’t know you, but I love you and your blog! You do us all such a service by providing us delicious, well tested recipes. And then inspiring us that we really can actually make bread, or cinnamon rolls, or whatever it is that we’re afraid to try. How wonderful is that?!
And, I love that you share your life experiences as they come – for good or for bad. Because that is what we are all going through, and it helps tremendously to hear that someone else is not having the greatest day either. By that I mean, that maybe we can get through it too. Even if it takes a while.
Anyway, your blog is the first place I turn when I am wondering what to make. You never fail me! So, thanks so very much and I’m excited to see what you bring us in the next 15 years.
I think I’ve been following your blog for pretty much all 15 years!! I love your approach to sharing the recipes, but more so, the genuine reality of life. I’m so grateful for all you’ve done, all you’re currently doing, and all you will do to help make meal times better for me and mine. You’re a good lady and I appreciate your efforts so much!!
Whenever I need a recipe for something I always check your site first. Our tastes are so similar and I credit you with helping me learn how to cook in the early years of my marriage. Thank you for everything!
Hi friend, I recognized every single one of those headers. My family and friends don’t even ask anymore for me to share a recipe, they just go straight to your website knowing it’s on there somewhere. Thanks for being my friend for, gosh I don’t know 14 years? Here’s to a lifetime of looking at your blog for those tried and true recipes. ❤️❤️❤️
Any time I make something new and it tastes delicious, my kids ask if it came from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe. Even they know and love what you are doing! Always my go-to for every recipe.
Thank you for 15 years of yumminess and looking forward to many, many more.
What would we do without you, your recipes and personal posts?! I can’t remember how I found your site, but am so glad I did. All of your work is so very appreciated.
Congratulations Mel! I can’t believe it’s been 15 years! I know you were a few years in when I came along. Maybe 13 years ago? I know your site has gone through lots of changes in that time. Thank you so so much for all of your fantastic recipes! I basically search your site or Cooks Country (cooks illustrated) for a recipe and that’s it. Anywhere else seems like Russian roulette. It has been fun to watch your kids grow up. And live vicariously through you on your mini farm. I love the way you blog. If I had a food blog, I would do it the exact same way. That’s sort of how the philosophy I take with most things. With my quilting, my cooking, my gardening. It’s not worth doing if it’s going to cause huge amounts of stress. Thank you for putting up with the weirdos out there and continuing to show up and put out content. I don’t know how bloggers/people do it in this day and age. Some people are so weird and demanding. (Can I make 47 substitutions and have it taste the same?!) Sorry, I don’t think I would have the patience. Thanks for this space and still doing it long after a lot of others have thrown in the towel. If you ever did I wouldn’t blame you. I would be sad, but I wouldn’t blame you. We love your guts too! 🙂
Congratulations on your 15th year. I use your site frequently, and have never been disappointed with a recipe. Thanks for all you do!
I hope you know how much you’ve enriched my life and the life of my family. I’m an empty nester now but I use your recipes at least three times a week and the confidence you’ve given me in the kitchen is immeasurable. That’s trickled down to my sons who now use your recipes in their college apartment. If anything yummy comes out of my kitchen everyone knows there’s a good chance it’s a “Mel recipe”. I’m just really grateful for you and your blog. And you’re always so kind when you take the time to comment or like a message on here or Instagram. I think you’re the bees knees and I’m happy you’re here!
What would I do without your website?!? I feel like maybe I should be printing out all your recipes in case of some bizarre event shutting down the internet. Your recipes are essential to my family’s well being haha.
An idea for you: I remember you saying you made a booklet of simpler recipes and how tos when your son left home. I would love something like that to give my kids as they leave home. My eldest is a freshman in college, and I think she could really benefit from something tangible like that.
Thanks for your friendship, Mel!
Your blog has been my go-to recipe site for YEARS (probably 10 or more years). The only other “food blog” I regularly search is Sally’s Baking Addiction. I know I can count on you for “normal” food that my family will like and that won’t take 2 days to prepare. You are the source of BOTH of my cinnamon roll recipes, and 2 or 3 other recipes that have made it to a coveted spot in my recipe box. Thank you for this food blog! I am so glad it is able to help provide for your family, but I really appreciate how it feels more like a blog to share recipes than a business. Thanks again!
Thank you for teaching me how to cook! Truly, your recipes have taught me so much of what I know in the kitchen. Your first recipe that I tried was the giant chocolate chip cookie- the original post in 2010!- and you are still my favorite and pretty much only food blogger. I always tell my family if I die before writing down their favorite recipe, just check Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, chances are they’ll find it here!
and I am so grateful for you!!! The majority of my recipes that I get online are from you. You are so appreciated!!
Hey Mel! I’ve been around since 2008! Probably one of those initial creepers, and I have love, love, loved your blog since then! I always share it with everyone and I cook from it ALL THE TIME! So glad you are still around!
I remember when your site was a blogspot. You are the only “blog” I still follow. I love it. If you do ever decide to do a cookbook I’d love to have all of your current blog recipes in a hardcopy book. An easy go to option where I don’t have to pull out my phone. I’ve been creating my own cookbook recipes using Familycookbook project. There is an option to copy a recipe webpage and then it inputs everything into the cookbook after that one click. Maybe there is an option like that where you can copy your webpage recipes really quick? I would be more than thrilled to help convert your online recipes into book form because your recipes are pretty much the only ones I make anymore. 🙂 I know they always will turn out beautifully.
Just wanted to thank you Mel for being here. You’re a bright light on the internet and I’m always excited to see what you’ve posted- whether it’s a recipe or gift guide or Friday thoughts or book recommendations or whatever. Thanks for all the hard work and time over the years! ❤️
So weird that you posted a comment at the same time as me. My name is Melanie and my last name starts with C too. 🙂 So funny!
Whenever I cook something new, my husband views it suspiciously and asks who gave me the recipe. When I say “Mel”, he relaxes a bit and gives it a try. Usually with good results! I think he thinks we are actually real life friends. I feel like we are! Congratulations!
Like others, you have changed my life in a positive way, and I count you as a friend. I think about you every time I make one of your recipes, which is often, and give thanks for the effort and work you share with the world. So many of your recipes have become family favorites and I always check your site first when I’m looking for something new to make or to use a specific ingredient and you have never let me down! And you always have great product recommendations also. You are a blessing to all of us “unknown to you” people that you touch everyday and that are strengthened by the words you share and the genuine person that you are. I’ve never posted here before, but I want to thank you and let you know how you have blessed my life! Congrats! You are a friend and sister to us all!
I can’t believe how big your readership is. That’s. So. Cool!!
You are my one and only go-to online recipe source. You never fail me. Thank you.
I’ve been here almost since the beginning, and definitely love this blog. I’m always directing people here. My goal in life is to meet you in real life you’re famous in my house, since my kids know Mel is our go-to. There’s things I haven’t tried making yet, because you don’t have a tried-and-true recipe on your blog you’re the best!!
CONGRATULATIONS ON 15 years!
Cheers for another 15!
I enjoy your site very very much.
Fondly,
Connie
Congratulations on your acccomplishments over the past 15 years ! Thank you for all your hard work and sharing your love of cooking and baking! Thank your family for sharing you with us as well! Liz
Food Network, film this girl!
Mel! I found your blog probably about 7 or 8 years ago. It remains my go-to site for anything food related. We’ve been through a lot of food intolerances over the years and I have learned how to tweak your recipes to fit our dietary needs. Your blog really helped shape our family culture around meals + family time together! I talk about you to others like you are my friend, which is weird, but I know you understand 🙂 Thank you for this blog. It means so much to my family and me!
Favorite recipe on the blog:
Savory-Meatball subs with homemade french bread shaped into sub rolls
Sweet-Cheryl’s cinnamon rolls
Congratulations on 15 years! I found you through my sister-in-law in 2010. So glad you are here and that this little happy corner of the internet exists! All the best to you and your family!
I’ve been following your blog, and loving and recommending your recipes for ten years now—when we had a little one year old and were new home buyers—me still learning my own style as a cook and as a mom. Now we have five busy kids (11 on down) who have grown up on your ever-consistent delicious recipes and have benefitted from your relatable, encouraging words. Thank you for shining light from your portion of the internet. (A highlight was meeting you when you spoke at BYU. You are always welcome around here!)
I have been following your blog for a long time—not 15 years—I don’t recognize all of those early logos! We have really enjoyed so many of your recipes over the years. Thank you for doing this blog! You’ve truly made me a “rock star in the kitchen”! And my kids and husband know it’s going to be good when I tell them “It’s a Mel recipe.”
Congrats on 15 years! I feel like I found your blog from the beginning, when I was just starting my stay-at-home mom journey. My son turns 16 in May. 🙂 I love your authenticity, your spunk, your love of board games (I trust your gift guide suggestions implicitly!) and most of all – your recipes! If I’m craving something I can just search your site and most likely find what I want. Plus have all the ingredients in my house. I just made 2 batches of buttercrunch yesterday (my go-to Christmas candy) and I asked myself again why I don’t make it all year. Thanks for sharing a part of your world with all of us! Love from WI.
Hi from Canada! I’ve been reading your blog, and making your recipes for probably 10 years. I appreciate all the hard work you put in, so that my family gets variety on the table :). Congratulations on 15 years!
I send your recipes to people all the time. They are the best! And I love your Friday Thoughts. The internet and social media can feel so out of touch, especially when someone makes it as big as you have, but you still live a normal life. Thank you for your love of food, family, and God.
Love, Sarah from Pullman, WA
Love ya to pieces and always will!!! You have made me laugh, you have me cry and through it all, you’ve helped me put dinner on the table as well. Mel, you are the best…..
judi
P.S. I remember the post when you put the picture up of you and the kids on the couch….has really that much time gone by??? Or can we just say, it’s just you imagination!!! Merry Christmas and blessings to you and your family this holiday season and the New Year ahead!!!
Mel,
I’ve been around since the beginning. I definitely remember My Kitchen Cafe. I remember sending you an email a million years ago telling you how I had tried your honey lime enchiladas and my husband LOVED them and how he’d take leftovers to work the next day for lunch and tell everyone (on a construction site) how amazing those enchiladas were. He’d share his leftovers and all of his construction worker buddies would ask him to go home and ask me to write down the website address for the recipe so they could make them too.
I was a young wife/mom when I started following you, trying to teach myself how to cook and gathering recipes. I would print off your recipes and try them, then keep all the recipes in a big binder. I still have the recipe binder and probably 85% of the recipes are yours— most still with the original pictures. (In fact, my 15 year-old just made your baked oatmeal. I just put the recipe back in the binder and noticed it had an old picture on it.)
Anytime I need a good recipe, your blog has always been the first place I check and my #1 recommendation to others for fool-proof, delicious recipes.
Over Thanksgiving, I followed your pie crust tutorials and made my first completely amazing and totally perfect apple pie!
I completely credit you with my ability to cook!
Thank you for all of your efforts to share your talents with me and a million others! ❤️
Thank you for doing all you do. Your website is a staple in my kitchen!
Thanks for sharing so much goodness with the world! I remember your first logo when I was a mom to three little ones in Michigan. Now I have 6 kids and have lived in Wisconsin & Utah, making your recipes all through the years. Whenever I make something new, they all say, “Is this Mel’s?’
Love you so much, Mel! Happy blog birthday!! So glad it (and you!) were born!
Real conversation with my husband last night: “I need to start writing down recipes on cards. What if Mel’s website disappeared?! That would be a tragedy!”
For real though, I think it’s been close to 10 years since I first discovered your blog and I feel like you’ve made me a better cook and taught me various life lessons along the way! I’d say a week rarely passes when I don’t make one of your recipes (I think I’ve made 5 in the past week!) So thankful for your willingness to share your life, family, and recipes with the world. You are a blessing to me and many others!
Love you, your recipes, and your occasional long-winded updates! Keep up the good work. We’ll be right here with you❣️
Hi Mel, I have only commented a few times in the probably 10 + years that I’ve been coming to your blog, but I have to say that I’m so grateful for you, and I hope you keep going for another 15 years! There were many years that pretty much every time I made something new, my husband would say, this is good, is it Mel’s? and of course the answer was yes. I don’t use as many of your recipes anymore because we eat more vegetarian/vegan the last few years, and I would love to see more of that kind of main dish recipe in the future if you have any up your sleeve! Also, I would love to see more sourdough recipes, I make your pumpkin muffins and peasant bread all the time!
Thank you for family testing the recipes for us so we know we are going to have good results. Congratulations on 15 yrs! What an accomplishment!
Congratulations on 15 years!! I can’t tell you how much my family has enjoyed your recipes over the years. A LOT!! So many of our go-to recipes are “Mel’s.” Thank you for all your hard work. I get so excited every time you email a new recipe.
Happy Happy 15th!!! I think I’ve been around for most of, if not all of, those fun years. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. We’ve had rave reviews and epic fails. Ok, that last one was all me. (Sometimes I get in a hurry and miss a step or ingredient or something else of great importance.) I truly love your guts and love that you use that phrase. (I 1st heard it from my BFF that passed 2 Thanksgivings ago. It always brings the biggest smile to my face when you use it. Thanks for that too!)
Thank you for being my go-to place. Thank you for being such an amazing instructor. Who knew I could make rolls?!? Never happened before some of your step by step blogs. I am a better cook, a better baker and even a better person because of what I glean from what you share. I think we could be great and crazy friends but I work really hard at not stalking people so chances are I won’t bump into you at the grocery store or anything like that. Though that would be crazy cool! Ok, I’m gushing on a bit (see why you wouldn’t want to bump into me.) Keep up the great work! Here’s to another 15 scrumptious years! Whatever they’re paying you they should at least triple it! Love your guts!!!
Sometime around 11 years ago your blog became a part of my life. Throughout that time, I have followed/unfollowed/discovered/forgotten so many various bloggers and social media people. You’re the only one that has stood the test of time! You have helped me keep my family well-fed. Thank you! Keep up the hard work – I appreciate it!! Kristin
So much I want to say….to keep it brief: Thank you Thank you Thank you—I love this blog so very much!
I love sharing your website! And I cook from your site nearly everyday.
An idea: share with us how you organize your physical copies of recipes or how you organize your kitchen or your pantry. I need help with organizing. ♀️
Also, can we be friends in real life? Ok. Bye!
Love you Mel! We were invited to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving, and they requested I take potatoes & a salad. I went to your site for both, & they, of course, turned out fabulous. I used to be nervous to try new recipes to take places, but I know with yours I am good to go! Thanks!
Thank you for a look into your life! I have always wondered how it actually works. We are blessed by your efforts to share your recipes with us and I appreciate reading your blog content. Thanks for hanging in for 15 years!
I’ve been reading your blog for years and make recipes from your site at least a few times every week (maybe more). I was tickled to find some of your recipes in my sister’s recipe binder too.
Many times you’ve saved me from the dreaded question “What’s for supper tonight?” (I literally just got this text from my son as I’m typing this comment.)
Thank you for all you do. I appreciate your recipes and that you seem very authentic and down to earth.
I started reading your blog around 2009 (?) When my kids were tiny and I had no idea how to cook. You taught me how to cook and my family is ever so grateful! It’s also been fun to follow along with your life because we have a lot in common and I feel like I know you like any other friend I have in real life. I love your approach to blogging and how down to earth you are. It’s refreshing and part of what makes you so loved. Thanks for everything!
Congratulations, Mel!! I have been cooking for a long time and your blog is a favorite. Your recipes are tried, true, reliable, delicious and interesting without being overly fussy. I love your authentic voice. Your red sauce chicken enchiladas are an all time family favorite. If you were to ever end the blog, there are no words for how very much you would be missed.
Your site is the first one I go to, for sure on Sunday for thoughts and ideas for a weekly meal plan. I appreciate your hard work and haven’t cooked one thing from you that our family hasn’t loved!
Thank you for 15 years of hard but tasty work!
I have been here almost since the beginning and have enjoyed every minute. We eat differently now because of you my friend.
Love your guts, Mel! Thanks for all your hard work to create this special place. I can’t wait to read the Parable of the Cheeseball again this holiday season.
Those old blog logos bring back such nostalgia! So glad you’ve been a part of my family for as long as you have too. I rarely go anywhere else when I meal plan because I know that you’ve already found the best version and tested it out. I love that you’ve had so much success but you still come across as my neighbor next door (just two hours away.) You are so relatable (except for your love of dark chocolate) and down to earth and a genuinely kind and empathetic person. I hope we get another 15 years of your blog! PS..I love that I can get a printer friendly version up on my computer so I don’t have to keep scrolling up and down. Thank you for making my life easier!
The only change I would like to see is having your recipes divided by food category like Mexican, Asian or Italian etc. to help with meal planning.
LOVE your blog and that you post such great informational thoughts! It was interesting to read about income and these past 15 years of blogging and how that has changed for you. What a blessing you have been given.
I’m grateful for your blog and all the incredibly yummy recipes over the years. Whenever I need a good recipe, I have always found I can count on you! Even though I love cookbooks, I am glad you are open to keeping the content free on your blog. Quality content for all. Thank you for that!!!
And I LOVE your Christmas game guide, each year I look for it and know I will find a few good items to get for my family members. We have NOT been disappointed yet! Thanks for all the effort and thought you put into it!
Love YOUR guts! And your blog. And if you ever did a cookbook—I recommend the theme be based on your “the best” section of your website. That’s where I go first for new recipes when I want something specific.
And a lot of people love reading cookbooks; the market isn’t too saturated imho. Definitely only do what feels good to you though. If you never do a cookbook (or even another blog post for that matter), you will still be successful, wonderful woman. Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us!
Don’t take this wrong Mel but you are literally like Old Faithful! Emphasis on the faithful not on the old! You consistently show up time and time again with amazing recipes. Ten years ago I would search countless blogs for recipes and dinner ideas. Honestly, I don’t even check other food blogs now, who has that kind of time when yours is the best? THANK YOU for doing what you do!
I have been one of your biggest fans since the My Kitchen Cafe and look forward to another 15 years! You are my “go to” blog and I would estimate about 80% of my cooking is done off of your recipes. You have truly made an impact on my life and the food I serve my family. Thank you Mel!
Looooong time follower and fan here! Congrats on 15 years! Thanks for making me feel like a kitchen rockstar for all these years!!!
Mel-You are absolutely one of the best humans I know. And yes, I feel like I personally know you through the most amazing blog that you produce. Thank you and cheers to 15!
Wow, thank you for sharing the last 15 years. I have only been a follower for 12 years, and have made countless recipes. I love your real posts, life is hard at times, and I appreciate your authenticity.
Thank you for continuing this journey with us and all the wonderful recipes. Your hard work is definitely appreciated by me (and my stomach).
Thank you so much for all of your delicious recipes. I love content about your family and animals.
Thank you Mel for so many tried and true recipes. I have followed you for many many years. I know that you have tested the recipes read and reread and reread the ingredients list and the directions which means I can make your recipe for guests w never a worry! You did all the worrying. Thank you for sharing just enough of your life that we all feel like we know you personally.
We cook all the time because, hey we have to eat right lol. We cater for friends and family events and use lots of Mel’s recipes.
Thank you over and over for all the many hours spent in your kitchen and at the computer. Have a fantastic Christmas season with your family and a wonderful
Christmas phone call.
Melanie
Mel; Almost everything I make for my family is from your blog! You provide family friendly, not too expensive (in either time or money) options. In other words, you have made my life so. much. easier.
Congratulations on 15 yrs of making a difference in a whole lot of people’s lives. Xoxo
Mel you really have been part of our family for years! We all feel kind of cheated that we don’t know you in real life—ever make it to Yakima, reach out and I’ll take you to the best blueberry patches and peach and cherry orchards —my kids refer to you like some beloved Aunt that’s off on a trip, more than once people have assumed we are related because you come up in conversation all the time. You really have been a blessing and a joy in my life! Thank you ❤️ We often look at the bounty of wonderful things on our table and say—Sesame Street Style—“This meal tonight has been brought you today by Mel”
Thank you Mel for all of your time and recipes. I’ve been with you since pretty much the beginning and look to your blog first for any recipe I’m wanting before venturing to other sources. I love how real you are and I love your food. ( I will say, I always decrease the amount of sugar in your desserts. 🙂 It must be the German in me that prefers less sweet desserts.) But, I just love you!! Thanks again
Mel, I have been following you for at least 10 plus years and my husband knows that “Mel” is my best friend online! SO many times hell here me say, “this recipe is from Mel”. I usually visit your site daily and I can say I make at least 1-2 recipes from your site a week. Yesterday I just made your peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. At Thanksgiving, I made your Apple Cranberry Pie. Delicious! I like that your recipes are what real people eat with real ingredients. My kids who are now 20 and 18 grew up eating your meals! I feel like you are a trusted friend and I enjoy reading your blog. I am a vegetarian and still find many, many recipes I can eat. I love the variety of cookies, quick breads, desserts, main and side dishes! May you be blessed in today and in the future! Your friend from Michigan!
I happened upon your blog 13 or so years ago. My husband and I had young babies and little money. One of my best friends and I were in the same boat. We would each choose a recipe each week and make enough for both families. By doing this we expanded our menus, without over stressing our budgets.
Now years later I still visit your blog weekly, when I am stumped for something new to make for dinner, or when looking for much loved recipes. All my children now look at your site when it is their turn to cook.
Thank you so much for all you do!
Congrats Mel! 15 years is a looong time! And thank you: You’ve been making me look like a rock star in the kitchen for a good long time now! I love your style of blogging, so please don’t change! Would you consider putting your e-cookbook back up for sale? I would love to get a copy.
This IS something important! So from one mum to another, and one from your 1.35% readership, I say thanks. And keep doing what you do – it’s awesome to do a job you love. Mine is in the library industry so if a book came out I would hunt it down! But only you know if it meant to come to fruition. How do your kiddies have Fridays off?! Love your recipes and yes, the photos have improved like everything does when you work hard. Congratulations Mel (and team)!
Thank you for all you’ve done over the last 15 years! I’ve been a follower for probably 10 and used countless recipes. I’m so grateful you have kept it simple and just share great recipes you love. That’s why I keep looking you up any time I need to make something. As a busy mom of five myself life has changed but the need to make easy delicious food never has. So thank you!
Hi Mel. Hate mail? How could anyone send you hate mail. You are so sincere, human and fun to listen to. You just keep ‘blabbering’ and we’ll all be grateful. Thank you for all of your dedication thru the good and the bad. Your site is always a go to when I’m looking for something great to make. Can’t wait for the new recipes. Blessings to you.
Congratulations on 15 years of blogging! I’ve been a fan of your site for many years and at our Thanksgiving dinner last week I realized I had made three “Mel’s recipes” for our dinner. Thank you for the great content! Curious, do you have any plans to create an app?
I just love you and your blog so much! Thanks for always feeling like family all of these years ❤️
I started following you as a single college freshman cooking for my roommates and have relied so much on your recipes and positive influence all this time. Now I’m cooking for a family of 6, and they all approve too!!
I have been following you for several years now (though not the very beginning!) and everyone in our house knows you by name. We mostly make “Mel recipes.” I’m so grateful you keep blogging because I love trying new recipes and if you’ve posted it, there’s a good chance we will all love it. Whenever I see one of those grumpy comments I get all irritated and think – don’t you dare talk to my friend that way! Haha, I’m not sure you knew, but we are friends! Happy 15th to your blog!
I have been following your blog and making your recipes for years. You are one of my favorite places to be online because of your amazing content and touching stories. Thanks for sharing yourself and your gifts with us.
I don’t think I’ve been around all 15 years, but pretty close – maybe 12? . I’ve made your recipes all over the world – Kenya (high-ish altitude) and the UAE, and they have all worked well, even when I’ve had to swap out ingredients for things in those countries. I currently have your cornbread in the oven (only one I’ll ever make). I’m grateful for your recipes and for the real-ness you provide to the blogging world. Cheers to 15 + more years!
I have never made a recipe I didn’t like from your blog. They are full proof and I can always count on you to have exactly what I am looking for. The other reason I keep coming back to your blog is because of how real, raw, and genuine you are. Don’t ever stop being you! Thanks for all your hard work to make our lives easier and better.
Congratulations, Mel! I have loved your blog for a long time- don’t remember how I even found it, but glad I did! Thanks for sharing everything (recipes, life, family). It’s been a pleasure!
Oh this was just delightful to read. I love hearing from you on this wonderful blog with your recipes and bits and pieces of life and thoughts and just all the goodness you share! Congrats on this happy milestone of 15 years! 🙂
I use your recipes 3-4 days a week (and always love family updates and favorite things) and can’t remember when I found your blog years ago! I’ve shared your site with many friends and family that are also loyal followers. Thank you for all your work…it’s definitely appreciated!!
Hi! Your cookbook should be called “From Blog to Book MKC’s Tried-and-True Recipes!” No need to create anything new or new recipes–Just print your blog. Lol!
Mel, can I just say thank you and we love you! I am not even kidding when I say 95% of the things I make come from you. In fact my kids now will always ask, “Is this a Mel?!” They know ☺️ And everything I make is a fan favorite. I know I can go looking for a recipe and if it comes from you it will be a winner! I also look forward to your game list posted every year as well…we have found so many fun games based on your recommendations! So basically what I’m saying is I hope you keep going for another 15, because over at this house we love everything you share! I know we’ve never met in person, but my kids know I will talk about “my friend Mel” like we are friends, because if we ever do meet one day, I would love to think we could be great friends! Thanks again for all that you share and do!
MEL! Congrats on 15 years of the best food blog ever! You have made such an impact on how I cook for my family and I just love your blog (and you) to bits. Your philosophy and all the ways your blog is done differently than others out there is exactly why I love your site the most. It’s easy to navigate, ads don’t assault my eyes every five seconds, and everything you put into your writing makes it feel like we’re friends. There’s a reason why my husband and close friends will ask “is this a Mel recipe?”!
And on a personal note, thank you for sharing your family with us along with all of your delicious recipes. I track my following of your blog by how big Cam is getting, as I started following you (Cowboy Dinner was my entry recipe) when Cam was just a wee wee baby. Thanks also for everything of yourself you’ve put into this blog. I recognize it takes a lot to keep this beautiful ship afloat, and I appreciate every minute you give us.
THANK YOU!
I have been following you since you posted your “Best BBQ Sauce”. My daughter was playing soccer at the time and I made pulled pork sandwiches for the team. My guess that was about 13 years ago. My daughter just got married this past summer. Looking at your new photo just brought tears to my eyes as I know my family photo has changed so much in the past 13 years. You are still the first website I go to when I am making a meal, app or dessert. I can always find what I am looking for and have always been more than happy with your recipes. Thank you for all your time testing so I don’t have to:-) I had printed all my Mel’s Thanksgiving recipes and they were scattered around the kitchen island. I was just talking about your site to my family. FYI, I would definitely buy a cookbook. I am old school and love to sit and read a cookbook. Keep up the good work, Mel! Your family is precious.
We love you Mel. We have a 3 inch thick binder of your printed recipes & Thanksgiving is now not the worst thanks to you. My girls still want to do a summer internship with you but we really just want you to know how much we love you & we’re proud of your accomplishments!
I’ve been here faithfully since the My Kitchen Cafe days!! I simply adore you! You helped me expand my cooking skills, and we eat food from your blog almost every day. My whole family knows they can trust a Mel recipe, even if I seem sketchy and untrustworthy to my teenagers.
I’ve felt connections with you throughout the years, beyond your yummy food and amazing photos. Our home is currently populated by four teenagers. I sent my oldest on his mission last year and welcomed him back home home just five short months later. We’re prepping the next one to leave next summer. I have three boys and a “baby” girl.
I’ll still be here, cheering you on and trying your recipes as long as you are still blogging. Love your guts!! ❤️
I found you a few years ago. I love your gentle sense of humor as much as I love your recipes. I also appreciate that you haven’t succumbed to the make-all-the-money-you-can trend. You are real. It shows. Thank you for your generosity.
I think I may have contributed to the entire ‘Canadian’ traffic stats as I am on your site multiple times a day – and have been for 15 years – obsessed . Would so buy that cookbook also . You rock.
Happy Birthday!
I found your blog at a very lonely time in my life, my mom had recently passed away, and my kids were in the Jr High stage of life- you know the one, where they still need you but they are trying out independence also… I had been cooking dinner for some 20-plus years and I was getting burned out. Reading your blog has always felt like I am sitting with a friend- sharing a story and a recipe! Thank you for that! You definitely made some hard days easier and helped me get excited about cooking dinner again.
Those Jr High kids are now adults living on their own, calling and texting “Have you made this recipe of Mel’s, if not try it”. While preparing Thanksgiving my daughter asked if I had learned a cooking skill from my mom- Nope I learned it from Mel or Mel’s Aunt Marilyn.
Thank you for being a friend I have never met, but one who has made my life better!
PS- My secret dream… being your neighbor!
I have been a reader for the last 8 years or so and I love your blog! I echo many other commenters when I say that you are my go-to for recipes. Thanks for what you do, all of your hard work, and for being real with all of your readers! Congrats on 15 years!
I almost never comment, but I just want you to know that I LOVE YOUR BLOG!! You are my go-to website for any recipe that I am wanting to make. My family teases me about my obsession with your recipes. Anytime I make something new they ask me with a twinkle in their eye, “Is this a Mel recipe?” And 99% of the time it is! I honestly feel like I know you, the same way you feel like you know your readers. You are genuine and relatable, and I know if we were neighbors we’d be great friends. 🙂 So please keep posting, even the long-winded novels! I love it all!
(Oh and my 14-year-old daughter is now getting into baking & cooking, and she now agrees that your recipes are the best!!)
Over the years I have systematically quit following anyone I don’t “know in real life” because I don’t want to be “sold” things. I love you for staying real and authentic and putting all of your goodness into a place that isn’t always good. Your blog is the one I could never give up – my family would starve. Thanks for all you do and are. You are a blessing to so many.
Happy Birthday and Congratulations!!!!
I am so happy I know about you, I love your blog because you are an amazing person!!!
Keep it up
Thank you so much for 15 years of hard work. You are my first stop when I can’t think of anything to make for dinner or need something delicious to take to someone or somewhere else. I’ve never made something that I haven’t liked or hasn’t turned out. So thankful for your blog and for all the time and effort you’ve put into making it. Congratulations!!!
Mel, I say PURSUE THE BOOK! I bet it will be an accomplishment you wished you had done sooner…….you have the background, experience, and give yourself at least a 5 year timeframe in making this happen!! Look into it and create that project management spreadsheet in seeing this become reality! And your readers will cheer you on!! Good luck and yes, here’s to another 15 years!! 🙂
I loved this post and I have been following you for years. I always say my good friend Mel gave me this recipe. My family knows when I say that it is going to be great because your recipes never disappoint. Thanks for your hard work. I look forward to reading more of your posts and sharing more of your recipes with my family and friends.
As always, keeping it real and that’s why I will always stay loyal to you and your recipes. Thanks for all the goodness you put out into the world, Mel! Appreciate all of your hard work in making this operation happen!
Congratulations on 15 years! You’ve been one of my favorite recipe sites for years–my Mom and I adore every recipe we’ve made of yours. You’re doing great and don’t change a thing…unless of course you want to 🙂
Read every word. I’ve loved your blog for years and many of our favorite recipes have come from you! Honestly, most of the reason I love you is your ability to stay true to what you want to do here and keep you priorities where you want them. It shows and I think it endears your readers to you. Keep up the hard work, or don’t. You’ve given us lots of good food!
17 years ago I married a man from a different country, became an instant stepmother of six and started an entirely new life. I found you when you began and you’ve been with me through all these years. I’m indebted to you for your recipes and for your virtual friendship. Your food is a part of our holidays and a part of our everyday lives. I’m grateful for you. You kept me putting food on the table and creating wonderful traditions with food. Thank you for being Mel!! We love you! ❤️
I have been here for 15 years. Love you!! I’m excited to see you blog about recipes from long ago. It’s so easy for amazing stuff to get buried. I love your Friday posts and gift guides. I purchased a few things off your most recent guide for me for Christmas! They are wrapped and ready. I love to get what I want! Can’t wait to open the beautiful serving bowls. I almost opened the box for thanksgiving but I resisted. Keep up the great work Mel. You are awesome.
Thank you Mel! My kids all think we’re best friends because of the way I refer to you, your website and recipes. I have loved everything I have tried. Next to google, your website is visited the most in our household. Multiple times a day. When I do my menu planning on Saturday night, I almost always pull everything from your website. So grateful!! Thanks for your time and effort.
Mel, when your blog stops my family will be grumpy eaters! You’re the best! We so much appreciate your recipes! They are delicious and straightforward with normal ingredients. I wish we were neighbors and could hangout bc I feel we’d be fast friends!
I have been following you for years. So many family favorites we use often. You are my go to site to see how something is made. I think you would sell tons of cookbooks people want to support you for all the years you have helped us!
I am so grateful that you started this blog and have stayed true to your mission with it. I have made countless recipes. I have numerous favorites but whenever I am in a dinner funk I head over to your “best recipe” section and try something new. I know every time I make one of your recipes it is going to be a hit because you have tested it several times and you truly believe it is a wonderful recipe. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to this blog, and of course for all the amazing recipes!
I have been following you for a while now, probably 3-4 years. I LOVE your blog and your “voice”. I have made many of your recipes and can say I have not had a failure or a disappointment in any of your recipes, so a BIG THANK YOU. I am a older woman, a grandma, wife and mother that LOVES to cook and try new recipes but I’m not imaginative so I’m thankful you are! I have a huge cookbook collection but I love reading food blogs. Yours is one of the BEST. So thank you for your hard work and commitment.
I feel like I should hold up a glass of dark chocolate milk (and cookie of course) and say “here’s to Mel!” I LOVE your recipes!! And I wish we were neighbors thanks for sharing and for being a light on the internet!!
I have been here from the beginning and want to thank you for helping me become a rockstar in the kitchen (although my pie crust still isn’t quite there ) I am smelling your peanut butter banana bread and tonight we are having Hawaiian fried rice. I consider you my virtual bestie . I don’t know if there are awards for bloggers but if there was one you should get it
I have been following you since pretty close to the beginning! I talk about you all the time as if we were friends hahaha Most of the recipes I make have come from you and the first place (and only place!) I check for recipes is on your site. I love your personality and faith. We share similar beliefs and I love feeling connected in that sense! I’m a Utah city girl, married to a farmer, mom to 3 boys, and moving to Wyoming soon. Lots of things you post hit straight to my heart! Thank you for being a great example and inspiration. Thank you for taking the time to do what you do! Congratulations on the site turning 15!! Can’t wait to see what happens!
I rarely comment, but at least half of the recipes in our regular rotation are from your blog. It’s so lovely to know that I can try something brand new and know that it will be delicious, just because it’s yours. Thank you!
Ok, so your post made me cry, I guess in a good way. Thank you for being honest, (always) , and for being your wonderful self. I’m certain that is why your blog is so popular, in addition to your great recipes!
Thanks Mel!
Mel, we love your recipes! I’ve been following you since 2008, so almost an OG follower 😉 You are amazing and our lives would be so much less delicious without you!! Thanks for keeping it real and working so hard to keep us fed with awesome food! Here’s to another 15 years!
You’re always my first stop when I’m looking for a recipe. Everything is delicious! But my favorite thing about you and the blog is how authentic and relatable you are. Thanks for all your hard work over the years!
Please please please MAKE THE COOKBOOK. Otherwise I have to just keep printing out your recipes and taping them to my shelves. And we all know that loses its luster after awhile. But seriously yours are the recipes my whole family will eat-and I need that mom win so much. So thank you for what you do. And cheers to 15 years!
What we need is a customizable cookbook, where we can each pick our favorite, go-to recipes to fill it with!
Your real life approach is why your site is my go to. Other food blogs became too commercial and artificial. You do your style-that’s why I’m here! ♥️
What is your most popular (clicked on) recipe?
With 4 boys and one lone girl at the end I’ve always considered you someone I can understand. The quantity of good food that must continue to feed the growing men in my home is better because of your recipes. Thank you for continuing to be here. I’m making your caramels this week for the first time so wish me luck!
Love this and love this blog and love you Mel! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your great recipes! You are my go-to site for any recipe I need or sometimes just to look around for a new recipe that I didn’t know that I needed! I do have some difficulty with some of your baked goods recipes because I live in a high altitude location (just over 4700 feet) but for the most part I figure it out with trial and error.
Thanks again for all of your hard work!
Mel, I love this blog and your food and your realness. I made your honey lime chicken enchiladas last night and they were, as always, a hit.
In the last year or so I’ve been trying to eat with much less meat, ideally completely plant-based. My family has not always loved this transition, which is why I try to do things like enchiladas one night and more healthy things the next. I would love to see more vegan/vegetarian recipes here! I’m sure your take on tofu and tempeh would be tasty.
Thank you again for this labor of love that has helped me feed my family hundreds of meals.
I’ve followed and unfollowed a lot of food bloggers over the years, but you and Sara (my fellow Idaho gals) always stay. Love your recipes and your real life commentary. Thanks for feeding my family.
Ditto to everything you said! You took the words right out of my mouth, except I’m a Utah girl!
Thank you so, so much Mel for all of your time, energy and love of baking and cooking that you share here!
Congratulations on 15 years! Here’s to 15 more!!
I love your recipes and consult your site often when looking for new cooking inspiration or just to see “Mel’s version” of a classic. Thank you for all you do to help us put good food on our tables and have fun doing it.
One suggestion I’ll make is to continue adding weight measurements to older baking recipes. I know many of your newer recipes have it and I love it! I find it is hard to back to cups after the precision of weighed ingredients, so I really appreciate recipes that have both options.
Congrats Mel! I’ve been reading your blog for years and feel like you’re a dear friend I’ve never met! My family and I have enjoyed tons of your recipes over the years. Thank you for all your hard work! I always find it interesting to hear how people spend their time. Thanks for sharing! ❤️
Congratulations Mel on 15 years!!! (Balloons, confetti, fireworks!)
Your site is my go to and so I appreciate you being here!
Thank you SO MUCH for who you are. You have been the backbone of how I have fed my family. Just last week as we ate Thanksgiving dinner, a member of the family pointed at each dish on the table and said, “Mel, Mel, Mel, Mel…” and she wasn’t wrong! I am so grateful to know that when I want to try something new, I can get a tried and true recipe from your site for which I probably already have the ingredients on hand. I am a CPA, and I told my husband that during tax season this year I want him to plan and make one dinner each week. He isn’t a cook, but I told him as long as he picks the recipes from your site I don’t even have to pre-approve them. 🙂 Thank you Mel – you are using your God-given talents in exactly the way he intended I think.
Thank you for your work and your realness! I think that’s why I like your blog so much, you seem normal and real to me. I imagine we’d be friends in real life! This is my go to food blog. My family would go hungry if it weren’t for you. I appreciate your tasty, but family friendly recipes. Currently I have your Brazilian Feijoada in my crock pot for dinner tonight. I’d look forward to seeing some of those old recipes come back to life. They are oldies but goodies. Keep up the good work! This month for our cookbook club, it’s my turn to host and naturally I picked your blog! I’m excited for all my friends to learn about my friend Mel.
What is the format for a cookbook club?
I’ve never been excited about book clubs but a cookbook club, now we’re talking.
I’ve been reading for about 10 years and in fact, read this post while making your recipes for Cafe Rio pork and cilantro lime ranch for dinner! This was interesting and fun to read- we love your blog!
Your website is always my first choice when looking for a recipe. Thank you for all the great meals my family has enjoyed! 🙂
I enjoyed your story.Thank you
You are the very first food blog I ever visited and still my number one recipe resource. FAN FOR LIFE!
Mel, so many of your recipes have become family favorites! The parmesan creamed corn is made on major holidays and is beloved by many, the chocolate peanut butter buckeye cookies are made during football season (I’m a Buckeye) & at Christmas, and countless others have become staples. Thank you for all of your hard work and I can’t wait for the next 15 years. 🙂
I love you and your girl-next-door-approach! You’ve mastered the perfect balance of being genuine and relatable while publishing incredible and doable recipes! There’s a reason why your readers tend to refer to like you’re a trusted friend <3
I’ve been coming to your site for about 7 years and I love it! This is the first place I look for a new recipes and I probably use your recipes 2-4 times a week. I’ll tell my family “this recipe is from Mel” like we’re old friends! Thank you for being real, life is real and pretending that it isn’t doesn’t help anyone. Also, I think it’s great that you make money off this! Thank you again for all your time and effort!
So glad you started and that you’re still here! I’ve probably been hanging around for all of those 15 years! In my family all we have to say is that we got the recipe from Mel and everyone knows who we’re talking about! You’re a favorite!
Mel, I’ve been following your blog and making your recipes for years now and I always look forward to your news. I love your approach to life with its ups and downs and you are a pretty darned amazing cook. I think you’re awesome to handle kids and animals and the other zillion things you do, well done! Happy 15 years!
Well, I’ve published your cookbook. Your recipes make up half of my recipe binder. Lol.
If I get asked for the recipe of what I brought to a gathering, 9 times out of 10 it’s one of yours! I’d like to think a few of your readers have been sent to you by me.
And thank you for bringing fun, heart, and relevance to cooking– and by extension homemaking. As someone who thinks dinner is a chore, I feel buoyed by your enthusiasm.
I don’t often comment but so many of your recipes are family favorites that get made over and over again. And I just wanted to let you know that I love your guts too!
Keep being you! That is absolutely what keeps me coming back. Well and the food obvs!
Your website has been a life saver! I have made so very many of your recipes and have shared your site with many. You are very talented at what you do and I can’t wait for 15 more years of delicious recipes!
Thank you for all your hard work! I feel like you half raised me because my mom used your recipes while I was living at home. Now I use them with my husband! Thanks for living your faith, sharing your talents, and being a great example! Recently I have loved your gift guides for the holidays!! I hope your blog only grows bigger and bigger!
I think I have been reading for very close to 15 years! 🙂 My family has many recipes we LOVE that we’re found right here on your sweet blog. Keep doing what you’re doing and congratulations on 15 years!!!
Thanks for all your hard work! I always trust that your recipes will be delicious and I share the kid successes (which are few and far between some days) with my friends who have kids! Congrats!
I recognize all of the banners you put in the beginning of this post!! You’re my fav!! Thanks for always posting “real” food with real ingredients. If I’m looking for a recipe, you’ve been my #1 stop for quite a while & recommend you to others – keep up the great work & can’t wait to see what the future holds!
You are my very favorite food blogger… I send everyone to your website because you have the best recipes! And I love your heart. Thank you for sharing it with us. If you ever host an event, meet up, party at your farm, idk what else, I’d totally be there haha. You are the very best!
I’ve seen reading your blog for years (but not 15!). I’ve used many of your recipes, always with success. I love your homebody style!
You are amazing in so many ways and I appreciate you! Thanks for your insights, wisdom, humor, real life experiences, testimony of the Savior, good food…. So thank you for sticking with blogging and blessing me and many others!
You really are amazing!