Has it been 8 years?

I started this blog on July 4, 2006 (the birthday of a nation and a blog).  I know the country is far more important than any silly little blog but I will quietly celebrate the blog part in my own little way ;)   It just does not seem possible.  I have posted a lot of recipes.... though, I have not posted as many as I thought I would have by now but still.... a lot.  My time posting will be getting more frequent in the coming months with the slowing of other parts of my life.  My food adventures have progressed to more than food... homestead adventures, gardening adventures, real food and made from scratch adventures.  My heart has been drawn to family meals and homemaking endeavors.  I have read foodie books and watched foodie movies and graduated from culinary school with honors.  I sew and crochet more for my home and kitchen now and have been trying my hand at many things and hopefully many more in the realm of homesteading in the coming months and years.  I have had some business ups and downs along the way and currently have a local baking business which operates from my home, the occasional crafters fair sales and now an online Etsy store which will be growing more full with items over the coming months, too.  I am truly running a cottage industry which was a goal way back in the early start of my time online.

We will be celebrating the birthday of our country this year quietly in our home.  Dan and middle boy will miss it with us for the first time in forever but we will enjoy the day.  Our eats will include some good healthy real food... turkey burgers on Kaiser rolls, home baked "fries" and some homegrown goodness from the garden for salads.  There there will be a little banana pudding to finish it off and a good movie for a quiet finish.

How I celebrate my blog anniversary???  A little quiet planning for a coming year and maybe some photos of the garden and the above menu for you.  No giveaways this year... life has been too hectic for me to think about that in time to offer one but there will be opportunities... giveaways... other things to share with you along the way.

Happy Birthday America!

.... and today is also the birthday of this blog.  We have been foodie blogging now for four years.  There have been 558 posts along the way and lots of recipes and food photos, reviews and cookbooks shared.  So, today as we celebrate America I plan to have an extra slice of pie to celebrate the time spent here and will raise a glass of chocolate almond milk to many more posts and years here, sharing all the food we love.  Thanks for hanging around for the ride and remember to invite a friend to check us out, too.  Happy Independence Day to you and your family!  May you enjoy the freedom to fellowship together cooking out on the grill, sharing a slice of pie or cake and shooting off your favorite fireworks or heading to a local event to enjoy the show.  Blessings!!!  :)

Menu Plan - July 2-7, 2007

Monday
Chili Relleno Casserole
(from last week)

Tuesday
Barbeque Brisket
Mashed potatoes
Black Beans
Cornbread

Wednesday
Cookout at the Pool

Thursday
Leftovers

Friday
Dinner at Pattie's

Saturday
Vegetarian something

This week is a bit weird with eating out and the holiday and such. I will get back to normal menus next week with summer fare.

Wednesday is the 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the beginning of this site. I will be doing something to celebrate but I am just not sure what yet. Stay tuned...