Best of 2012 & A Gift

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I've missed you. It was a crazy holiday season and I'm just now getting back to "regular life". Whatever that is. My apologies for neglecting the blog. It's been crazy. 

First, Thanksgiving. . .

then the break in. . .

then my husband was gone for two weeks. . .

then it was Christmas. . .

then my dad visited. . .

then it was New Year's. . .

then I got sick. . .

then I got a sinus infection. . .

then I pulled jury duty. 

Whew, so glad that it's all over. I have just about two weeks to relax (ha ha ha ha) until it's birthday season around here. So, until then, I'm just going to try and take it easy. Not dive into too many projects and just slow it all down for a while. What that means is that I haven't done a lot of cooking this last week and I've decided, for my first post of the New Year, to post a "Best Of". I've also got a surprise for you. See those super cute holiday measuring spoons at the top of the post. To my delight, someone slipped those into my stocking this year. Impractical? Yep, you betcha. Adorably cute, Rightey-O! I thought they were so cute in fact that I'm going to give some away to two lucky blog readers. Check the bottom of the post for more info. In the meantime, check out the most popular posts of 2012:

1. Blue Velvet Cake Pops

This was number one by a landslide with over 1,000 hits since I posted it. I have no idea why. "Cake Pops" must still be super hot and "Blue Velvet" must be trending. I haven't made them since this post but I hope you all have.

2. Japanese Souffle Cheesecake

I'm still dreaming of how wonderful this tasted. Can't wait to make it again for my very dear, gluten allergic friend. Please let me know if you've tried this and how you liked it. There are many steps but they are oh so worth it. I promise.

3. Oreo Cookie Pops

This one surprised me because it's really not a recipe at all. Just take an Oreo, jam it on a stick, and dip it in chocolate. Super duper easy. It must be the stick. You can put just about anything on a stick and it's instantly more appealing. Go figure!

4. Beef Stew

This one doesn't surprise me one little bit. It is delish! I can't count how many times I've made it since I posted it and it never disappoints. In fact, it was requested by the fam for Christmas Dinner. It's that good. If it's at all cold where you are, make this immediately for dinner. It will warm you body and soul.

5. No BBQ Tri Tip Roast

If you've tried this, I'll bet you haven't bbq'd a tri tip since. This recipe is more method than recipe and delivers the most perfectly cooked trip tip roast every single time. I make it all the time. If you don't have a cast iron skillet, get yourself one immediately and roast a tri tip.

There they are, the Top 5 Posts of 2012. Wow, I can't believe I've hit the second anniversary of my blog. Has it really been 2 years. It's a lot like watching your children grow, time really is speeding by.

And now, a gift for you, for reading my blog. Comment on this post for a chance to win one of these super cute sets of measuring spoons.

The Rules:

Just comment on this post, let me know if you've tried a recipe from this blog and if you liked/didn't like it. If you've tried several, which is your favorite? Or, if you've yet to try a recipe, which one would you like to try? Only one entry (comment) per person, please. You need to comment by 10:00PM on Saturday, January 12, 2013 to be included. Winners will be chosen randomly and announced on Sunday January 13, 2013. Good Luck!