2014 Year in Review: Reader’s Choice

I have to say, when I left my job I had no idea what to expect.  I knew it wouldn’t be a life of leisure, posted up on the couch eating bon bons.  Contrary to what many people picture when they think of stay-at-home moms.  We’ve done a little homeschooling, mini vacations with my mom and been able to take advantage of many opportunities we wouldn’t have had the option to do otherwise. 

I can say, one thing I expected was to be able to have a little more time to focus on the blog.  Since I wasn’t working Monday through Friday, I thought I could focus on a little more on recipe development, taking pictures in actual daylight and getting ahead on my posts for all you guys.  Well, I have to say, most of that didn’t become a reality.  Although I have been able to spend more time in the kitchen, it’s been more bonding with Tucker over baking cookies than actual recipe development…which I’ll definitely take!  

So, I have to say a big “Thank You” to all of you.  Thank you for staying with me through my time of transition, through a few months of sporadic posting and the occasional MIA’s on social media.  You’ve all been great and stuck by me through it all and for that I’m forever grateful.  So, without further adieu, here are your top 10 most viewed recipes of 2014.  I’m going to try to be better in 2015!

These chewy brown butter gingersnaps were posted less than a month ago and have already taken the top spot for your favorite recipe of 2014.  My beliefs are true, brown butter truly does make a good think great!

 I think we all agree about the trusty slow cooker.  It’s definitely a busy person’s best friend.  From soups, stews, roasts and much more, it cuts our work in half.  Who knew that the filling for chicken fajitas could be thrown in a slow cooker before walking out the door and cooked to perfection by the time you came home?  These slow cooker fajitas yield perfectly moist and tender chicken that shreds so easily.  All you have to do is put it in a tortilla and enjoy.

I love making bread, so I’m very glad you enjoy a)making it too, b) reading about it, or c) looking at pictures of it…or all of the above.  I am in love with this Sally Lunn batter bread; it’s fluffy, butter and slightly sweet.  Everything I look for in bread.  

The best chocolate Irish cream bundt cake with Irish cream glaze.  That’s all I have to say about that.

I made this blueberry lemonade for my son since he’s a sucker for lemonade.  He polished off the whole pitcher in under two days.  Like my little guy, you too were hooked on this stuff.  I don’t blame you, it’s the perfect amount of tart and sweet and the ideal drink on a hot day.

You all may remember peanut butter week, a full week of deliciously decadent recipes that featured peanut butter as the start.  Peanut butter week was also the week we bid farewell to Matt Mosler on KARK 4.  You all, just like Matt, have a passion for peanut butter and this peanut butter caramel skillet cookie soared to the top of the favorites. 

An instant favorite was my Carrot cake monkey bread.  I’m a sucker for carrot cake, as well as monkey bread.  I fused the two together to make the ultimate breakfast treat that could also double as a dessert.

 When I tasted these pineapple chorizo tacos from a local Mexican restaurant, Local Lime, it was love at first bite.  After enjoying these countless times at the restaurant, I knew it was time to recreate them at home.  These didn’t disappoint, and you all shared my love for these.

Blueberry lemon funny cake.  Funny cake, gooey butter cake.  Whatever you call it, this takes that classic and adds a refreshing burst of citrus that pairs perfectly with those sweet blueberries.  

Thanks for all your support throughout the year.  I appreciate each and everyone of you.  I can’t wait to see what 2015 holds.  Stay tune for a post with my top picks of 2014.