Home Uncategorized {GIVEAWAY} Three years down, many more to go.

{GIVEAWAY} Three years down, many more to go.

by Jamie

Three years ago, this week,  I started stock piling recipes on this little blog of mine. I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! My earliest photos are enough to make you want to grab a gag bucket and run for cover. Truly. They are exceedingly scary. I’ve learned a few things since that time, and hope to learn a lot more about food photography and internet technology in general! This old mind is a slow teach, let me tell you that. Sometimes when I look at HTML coding (or speak on the phone with the technical support guy from Liquid Web) I feel like I have been dropped off in a foreign country where everyone knows how to communicate but me. Did I mention my exceedingly slow mind? Or perhaps it’s just full of recipe ideas and big bags of butter and sugar. I suppose that could make a mind run slowly, now couldn’t it! Suffice it to say, the technical side of blogging has been a bit of a thorn in my side as of late. I appreciate your patience and support as I have moved from Blogger to Wordpress and struggle to figure out how to make things work over here! Good glory. Who knew it was going to be so difficult. 🙂

That said.

I really, really, really love writing this blog. I love looking for new recipes for you all, and thinking about ingredients and what you all might like to make for dinner. I absolutely love hearing your cooking success stories and how these recipes have worked out well for you and your loved ones.

I love all of you cute college students that make these recipes for your room-mates.

I love to hear from those of you living in Australia and Mexico and Japan and all manner of foreign type places.

I smiled all day when I got an email that said “So, are you a Mormon? I thought you might be when I saw that you have a lot of kids and cook with Jello.” That one made me chuckle.

I get a kick out of comments that say “If I die, my husband wants to marry you.” Um. I’m pretty sure he’d be GIGANTICALLY disappointed when he sees me in person. Running a food blog can really put a kink in a girls waist line, if you know what I am saying here. Could someone please dust off my gym pass…it’s all covered in flour and sugar.

I laughed and laughed when someone emailed to ask if I could send them a printable copy of my “Turkey Breast of Wonder” recipe. They have a filter set up that won’t let them access anything online with the word “breast” in it. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Still makes me laugh. Probly didn’t help that I named it “Turkey Breast of WONDER”. I will take precausions in the future. 🙂

I love hearing you took first place in a cooking contest when you made this.

I cried when I got an email from a dear woman whose son is battling leukemia. I cried even more when she told me “I read your blog ever day just to see what normal people are doing and eating. It’s a nice comforting place to be.”

I love running into you at the grocery store, and meeting you at Discount Tire. 🙂 I love that you share my blog with your friends and family. I love that you come here, read my ramblings and make these recipes.

You are wonderful.  Thank you for making my day so many times over.

I have $100 Amazon Gift Card I would love to give to one of you. To enter the giveaway just leave me a comment at the bottom of this post telling me what kind of recipes you would like to see more of here on this little blog. I love a little feedback. 🙂 Winner will be announced on Monday morning.

Have a great Halloween, everyone! Be safe and carefull. No post tomorrow, due to the Holiday. Hope to see you back here on Thursday!

Leave a Comment

798 comments

Jackie S October 30, 2012 - 1:53 am

Jamie,
Happy Blog Birthday to you!!! Thank you for helping a burned-out wife and mom remember how much I love cooking for my family. One year ago I set a goal of at least one new recipe a week and your blog has been a big part of it! My teenage daughter will often say ask if a recipe came from Jamie, and now that she’s away at school, she’s tried a few recipes too- I love the way you put your meal plans together and while I can’t say what recipes I would like to see, I can say is please keep ’em coming!!

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Debbie October 30, 2012 - 2:26 am

I really do like your blog. I love trying out new ideas for dinner and a hubby who appreciates the effort. I’m glad you are taking off the day tomorrow to celebrate such an important holiday; it’s a wonderful way to celebrate my birthday! My parents never did figure out if I was the “trick” or the “treat!” lol I have the costume all set for our daucshund. Yes, you guessed it, he’ll get to be a hot dog! The kids in the neighborhood love seeing our dog when we sit outside handing out the candy. (We live in Florida.) Here’s to many more blog’s from you. Thanks!

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Bonnie Gutzman October 30, 2012 - 2:37 am

I love that you have lots of different types of recipes. I’m always a fan of easy to cook, inexpensive dinners. So, I’m always happy to see those (but admittedly, probably not as happy when I see the ones full of sugar and butter and other yumminess ;)). Thanks for all the recipes!!!

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Judy W October 30, 2012 - 3:27 am

Love your sweets. Your Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Cookies are my favorite – move over Nestle Toll House because you have been replaced. I also love your Red Velvet Brownies – Yummy! I have a picky family of eaters so anything would be great appreciated. Thanks for the chance.

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LeeAnn October 30, 2012 - 4:44 am

I love the variety of things I find on your sight. Even the kids get excited when they see your pictures and ask, “Can you make that?” Just keep doing what you’re doing!

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Earlene October 30, 2012 - 4:57 am

Thank you so much Jamie for the great blog!! I always check to see what you are doing, don’t always make it, but always check! Keep up the great work!

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Katie Corrigan October 30, 2012 - 5:10 am

I found this blog a few months ago when someone posted one of your recipes on Pinterest and have been hooked ever since. I follow it religiously and have made several incredible dishes so far – an look forward to many more. I don’t have any specific recipe requests. My husband and I are pretty easy to please. We don’t have any kids of our own so family friendly dishes aren’t always that important. But we do like to keep it relatively simple. Keep those great recipes coming!

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Sue Welsh October 30, 2012 - 5:46 am

Happy Birthday! I love your recipe ideas and love to try new things, but working 3rd shift I would love to see recipes for the crock pot, I can put together a meal, that cooks while I sleep and then I have a great, healthy, hearty meal for my family. We are not fussy or fancy folks, but never try “new” items just seen in the store, give me a great recipe to try, I am there! Love your blog and look forward to lots more great ideas!

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Christy D. October 30, 2012 - 5:55 am

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your baking recipes (I’m mostly speaking of the bread variety here) that involve cooking WHILE the oven is preheating. Your “fluffy dinner rolls” recipe has changed my life and we use it for homemade bread all of the time. (just flop them into 2 loaves instead of rolls!) We don’t buy junky bread from the grocery store anymore!!!

My request…? Keep doing what you’re doing. Yummy recipes that are easy, require no strange ingredients that I don’t have in my pantry and are super yummy. I’m on a health kick right now so this greatly limit the number of recipes I’m able to try…but it’s rather difficult to have a recipe that’s healthy, easy, super yummy with no strange ingredients… no?!

:o)

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Phoenix October 30, 2012 - 5:59 am

LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!!! I have tried many of your recipes and haven’t been disappointed yet! I would love to see a banana bread/zucchini bread recipe. I have tried many and still haven’t found one that I love.

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Renea October 30, 2012 - 6:05 am

I just stumbled upon your blog a few weeks ago. I have pinned many recipes thanks to you. Your pictures are awesome and they make my mouth water. Thanks for the great giveaway and congrats on three years of blogging.

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Joanna October 30, 2012 - 6:06 am

Congratulations on a great blog and a big anniversary! I would love to see more bread and more 1 dish wonder type meals. Also, chicken casseroles. I always think they are going to be so good and comforting and they always end up being bland and boring! Thanks for your work!

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Maegan October 30, 2012 - 6:07 am

I am not sure how I came across your blog the first time, but I have been back to it everyday since. I wouldn’t change a thing that you are doing. I wish I had time to make them all. We make something from this blog at least once a week. Thank you for all you do!

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cara October 30, 2012 - 6:09 am

Jamie, I am so glad I found your blog via Tasty Kitchen earlier this year. My family loves your recipes, and I always enjoy stopping by your little corner of the world! I have a terrible sweet tooth, so I always love to see a new dessert go up, and I appreciate all of your yummy, uncomplicated dinners as well! I’ve been pinning some of our favorites, so I can zip over here quickly whenever I’m looking for a particular favorite. Thanks for your labor of love! I’m glad to know that you’re having such a positive effect in soe many lives!

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Mindy Barron October 30, 2012 - 6:12 am

Good morning! I absolutely love your blog/site and you make me chuckle every time I read your posts! The food….oh my heavens, the food! I look here first and use it when I do my weekly planning. I have 3 daughters, but my 12-year old is as enthralled as I am. Last night we were carving pumpkins and I was planning in cooking the seeds and she instantly said “Look on Jamie’s page, she’ll have a recipe!” You cover so many types of recipes, but I am with the posters before me, those quick and easy recipes that taste like you have slaved for hours make me happy. Have a great day!

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Laura F. October 30, 2012 - 6:13 am

Jamie, I recently found your blog and love it! I love to cook but seem to be especially excited about dessert recipes! Keep doing what you’re doing! Thanks so much for the giveaway – sure hope I win!!

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Jenny October 30, 2012 - 6:14 am

First off, I LOVE your blog!! I appreciate the down home recipes that aren’t the slimmed down super healthy versions, everyone, no matter who you are, needs a sinfully delicious meal. I would love to see more recipes with yeast. Up until 3 weeks ago when I found your blog, I was scared to death of it!! I tried to use it some 20 years ago when my hubby and I were in our first apartment and I thought I would make home made bread (I was a little overly ambitious, as I could barely boil water back then)…what a disaster! Fast forward to your fabulous french bread, and I am newly inspired!! THANK YOU!!

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Wendy W. October 30, 2012 - 6:16 am

I’m a pretty new reader to your blog, and I love it!! I do love to bake, but I’ve reached the point that my hips and hind-quarters may never forgive me … these days my recipe hunting leans towards soups and weeknight-easy meals. Happy Blogiversary, and I wish you many, many more!!

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cassie October 30, 2012 - 6:28 am

Hi! I have absolutely NO suggestions or ideas for posts! I LOVE everything you post and am always amazed by how awesome you are with bread recipes! I do think you should rename the Quick and Easy Breadsticks to Quick, Easy, Outstanding, Knock-Your-Socks-Off Delicious Breadsticks of the World. That’s my only feedback 🙂 please keep up the good work (AKA supply of yummy recipes for me to try and LOVE)
Cassie from Michigan

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Linda October 30, 2012 - 6:31 am

I love your blog and your recipes. I think what you post is perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing.

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Ky G October 30, 2012 - 6:37 am

I love your blog and thank you for taking the time to share such awesome recipes! You have such a variety so I’m pleased with the recipes so far. I would just request that you continue to post recipes that are easy, not too time consuming and not too many crazy ingredients. As a new mom, those 3 things are so important to me.

Again thank you!

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Sherry October 30, 2012 - 6:41 am

I love your site…it has given me several “go to” recipes. I have used one of your recipes for 30+ people without trying it first, and without any second thought because I knew it would be even better than my tried and true recipes I had grown tired of. I love the personal parts as well…it speaks to me as a mom and a human being. Thank you for what you do!

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Pam October 30, 2012 - 6:46 am

You are awesome. I love that you post a wide variety of recipes from desserts to salads and main dishes. I love reading your menu plans – they inspire me.

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Karen Matthews October 30, 2012 - 6:47 am

Hi Jamie,

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Quiche recipe and would love to see a few more variations if you can come up with some.

Also a little more healthy food but with the trademark “Jamie taste”

and some crockpot recipes or casseroles 🙂

thanks for all you do Jamie
Karen XO 🙂

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Alice Birchfield October 30, 2012 - 6:48 am

Your pictures make me so hungry and inspire me to cook!

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Bobbi October 30, 2012 - 6:48 am

Happy, happy Birthday!! I found your blog about a year ago and have you in my RSS feed on google. LOVE all your recipes. I have done quie a few, but have tons more to go. What kind of recipes would I like to see? ALL you want to post. Really, I don’t have a favorite. 🙂 Thank you for everything.

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Alyssa October 30, 2012 - 6:50 am

I love this blog! Creamy ranch crockpot chicken is our family’s favorite! We love it! I’d love to see a weekly light recipe or two instead of such decadent recipes. Maybe some light variations would be great too!

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Tamara October 30, 2012 - 6:51 am

I’m so glad one of my friends told me about your blog! 🙂 Love your recipes & your insights into food & life. 🙂 I know if I try one of your recipes, it’s gonna be Yum-O!!!

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Buffie October 30, 2012 - 6:51 am

I came across yoru sight through the Turkey Breast of Wonder pin on Pinterest. It is truly one of the best recipes I have made. I’m always a sucker for soup recipes, especially in the fall and you can never go wrong by posting yummy crockpot recipes. Happy Birthday and thanks for getting us out of the drive thru line and into the kitchen!

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Michelle Quarterman October 30, 2012 - 6:53 am

I love your site! I love the easy recipes. The easier the better 😉 Thanks!

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Stevie Nanstad October 30, 2012 - 6:56 am

Congrats on 3 years! I would love to see more kid lunchbox friendly snacks 🙂

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Ellen Garrett October 30, 2012 - 6:57 am

Happy Birthday! I am glad I discovered your blog. We have eaten many a delicious meal because of you. I love your pictures and your words. I love how easy it is to follow your directions. I love how easy some of the recipes are. Just keep letting us enjoy delicious food with an occasional healthy only recipe thrown in. Thanks!

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Angela October 30, 2012 - 6:58 am

Kid Friendly 🙂

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Kay October 30, 2012 - 6:59 am

My family LOVES the PINK salad dressing and would love more homemade salad dressing recipes! My husband won’t even look at bottled salad dressing anymore he just buys red wine vinegar for the pink dressing!

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Emilee October 30, 2012 - 6:59 am

I have loved every recipe I have tried from your blog and there are so many more I cant wait to try! Would love to see more soups; being that I absolutely love soups or maybe it is just that time of year : ) Congratulations on 3 years!

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Jennifer October 30, 2012 - 7:02 am

Happy birthday! Your blog is my go-to site for recipes, and I’ve shared it with many friends.
I especially love easy weeknight dinner recipes that are simple enough to have all the ingredients on hand, and quick enough to fix between soccer practice, PTA meetings, and piano lessons. Thanks for such a great blog!

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Linda October 30, 2012 - 7:03 am

I would love to see more crockpot recipes. It seems like there’s never enough time to cook when you have a job. Coming home to dinner being ready is great. Although I love to cook when I have time and the recipes you’ve posted have been really helpful along with tasting great! Keep up the good work Jamie! Thanks, Linda

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Yvonne October 30, 2012 - 7:04 am

Love your blog and the monthly menu plan. So helpful!! Thanks so much and congratulations on your accomplishment and many more to come! Would love to see some more crock pot recipes and maybe some easy freezer meal ideas.

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Natalie October 30, 2012 - 7:10 am

I have been following you blog for the last six months or so and don’t know what I would do without it. The last two months of dinner menus at my house have been almost exclusively “Jamie” specials. We just had our second child and I stopped working full time so I have had more time to devote in the kitchen. I had never worked with yeast, but your step by step instructions made it so easy! I especially love your french bread recipe. This year Thanksgiving is being held at my house, yikes! It is a first for me, so I would love to see some Thanksgiving themed recipes, especially tips on how you do your turkey:).

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Diana October 30, 2012 - 7:10 am

There hasn’t been a recipe from your blog, that my family hasn’t liked. Thank you for helping me learn how to cook and provide yummy dinners for my family. I know my husband thanks you!
I’d love to see more crockpot recipes and healthy recipes.
Thank you for sharing your cooking talent with me and all of your blog readers! Here’s to another 50 years, right?

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Amy October 30, 2012 - 7:11 am

I love your blog! I have tried several of your recipes and I have loved them all. I guess what I love most about them, is that they are do-able for a novice cook like me. I am a no frills kind of person and if a recipe has too many ingredients I usually just move on the the next one. I also love that I almost always have the ingredients on hand at home. Thanks for helping me expand my family’s eating choices. They heartily thank you, too!

I don’t have any suggestions, I guess, but just keep the recipes coming!

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Mandy's Recipe Box October 30, 2012 - 7:14 am

I love everything you post! I really love the cake you shared on my blog in a guest post and loved that you took the time to do that. Happy Bloggiversary!
http://www.mandysrecipebox.blogspot.com/2011/04/guest-post-jamie-cooks-it-up.html

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Rhondi October 30, 2012 - 7:14 am

Happy Blog Birthday Jamie! I’ve made many of your recipes and they always turn out amazingly delicious. I enjoy all your recipes and funny stories, so whatever you feel like making is good for me. Your blog is one of the first I started following when I entered into the cooking blog world. Keep up the good work! I look forward to many more years.

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Kimberley Byrd October 30, 2012 - 7:28 am

Jamie…I LOVE your blog! I made your stuffed chicken crescent rolls and oh my goodness…that is heaven in your mouth!!!! I loved the story about the woman that couldn’t print the recipe with the word “breast”…LOL…I will be giggling over that one forever! Poor thing:)

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Jennifer Thomas October 30, 2012 - 7:37 am

I first encountered your blog about a year ago and love it! I’ve made many of your bread recipes after failing at many batches of rolls before. Yours seem to work every time. Thanks for the blog!

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Leslie October 30, 2012 - 7:37 am

Your recipes are amazing. I use them at least once a week. With five kids and living in SLC I find a lot in common with you. We like the same things you like. Keep the great dinners coming! We also like getting your fun ideas for desserts because we use them for FHE treats!

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Shauna Burton October 30, 2012 - 7:38 am

I absolutely LOVE your blog. I am on it all the time looking for new family favorites! Everything I have made has been a huge hit with my family. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Please keep the family friendly, easy dinner recipes coming! I am a very busy mom with little time to prepare yummy meals my family will eat with everyday ingredients.

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Carol B October 30, 2012 - 7:40 am

Hap, Hap, Happy Blog Birthday! Truly enjoy your blog. Every new post of yours ends up in my RSS feed file, which is so handy. You do a fantastic job! I enjoy recipes that are simple. I made your Alfredo Pasta Bake on Sunday. Wow! It knocked my socks off!

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Marla October 30, 2012 - 7:40 am

Jamie, you are wonderful! This lil’ blog helps so many women find great recipes to fill their families bellies. I love that your recipes are ones that I would actually prepare. It’s comfort food that warms your soul. You’re doing everything right for this reader. Keep ’em coming!

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Magela October 30, 2012 - 7:41 am

Happy Blog Birthday! Please keep those easy YUMMY recipes coming for a long long time. Thank you for always sharing them.

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