But, first, let's talk about my year aside from recipes and blogging. We moved in January from California to Mississippi due to a job change for Ben. Instead of being a pastor, he is now training pastors. We moved into campus housing in order to have time to sell our home in California and save up for a new down payment for a house here in Mississippi. Despite the unappealing and teeny tiny kitchen the campus housing offered, I kept up with my cooking adventures, made many new friends, and grew an appreciation for community living.
We sold our California home pretty quickly, although at a loss. Then, thanks to the blessings God provided through this blog, we were able to recover from that loss and then save within the year for a down payment for another house. We move into that house this Friday and it has a much bigger kitchen! God is good!!!
Moving has been our M.O. for our 7 1/2 years of marriage. In this short time, we will have moved SIX times! As exciting as that sounds, we are ready to settle here for a long time and raise our family. Speaking of raising our family, the biggest blessing this year is that we are expecting baby #2! But, you already know that. 😉 I'm still over-the-world excited because this pregnancy was long-awaited as we tried for 2 years and were at the point of thinking we'd have to go through some sort of secondary infertility procedure. But now we see how God's timing is so perfect.
Enough about me and my family. Let's get to why you're really here...the recipes! Can you give me a drumroll as we scroll through your top 12 of 2012? Click on the title to get the recipe. (These are the 12 most viewed recipes within the last 365 days.)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Brownies
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix
Are your favorites here? If not, which ones did you love most this year?
Happy New Year, friends! Be safe, drink responsibly, and give your loved ones a SQUEEEEEZE! <3
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
Those pizza bites look naughty....! Until my pizza stone broke, we were doing pizza every Friday for quite a while. I guess this would be a way to bring that tradition back.
Looks like you had a great year and congrats on the house!
Kimberley McKaig says
I 'stumbledupon' your site this evening...I love your NOT-cutesy, but personable writing style, and simple, usable recipes. Faves for now include the taquitos. I tested some samples at Costco and determined to come up with a recipe...and I like yours. Although I haven't tried it, I'm a long-time cook and can tell they'll be just what I'm looking for. Also love the pizza bites recipe I can make for my daughter. She can't find enough ways to get the pepperoni pizza experience, and I've been thinking of developing a recipe for that. Again, you did it for me...And will have to try the pumpkin snickerdoodles, as well as the cabbage rolls. Will also work on a sugar-free version of the salted caramel hot chocolate mix. With two diabetics in the family, I'm always trying to modify recipes, when I can, to low-carb/low/or no sugar. Shouldn't be hard to do that one, with sugar-free caramel syrup. It won't end up the nice dry mix, but I should be able to approximate the flavor. Kudos for your pics, simple instructions, and pleasing-looking site. It's bookmarked now!
Kimberley
Deborah says
Good luck on the move - so exciting!! All of these look amazing!
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker} says
Wishing I had seen the homemade hot cocoa mix idea before Christmas!! Genius!
Aggie says
Everything looks so delicious! I love cabbage rolls, your look perfect - going to check out recipe!
Kelsey says
This has certainly been a very glorious year for you and your family, Nikki. I love seeing what you do here, but I love our friendship the most. Thank you for all you've done for me and for so many others in 2012.
Casey says
I seriously need to make those ham and cheese pretzel bites..Those look insanely good!! Everything looks yummy !
Jessica @ Sunny Side Up` says
No surprises on this list! 2012 was a great year for you! I know those funfetti pancakes were one of my favorites of yours this year! Here's to 2013!
Wendy @ AMFT says
love, Love, LOVE the Birthday Pancakes!
Mellybrown says
The birthday cake pancakes have become a quick favorite in our house. We had them on Christmas morning to celebrate Jesus' birthday 🙂 Bless you and your family!
Melissa
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Ok my stomach is officially growling after reading this post!! So happy for you and your growing family!!! Happy New Year my friend!
Carrie @ Bakeaholic Mama says
What a great round up! looooving those B-day pancakes. My middle son's has a birthday coming up... those will be made!
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Since I just recently discovered your blog, I am looking forward to going back through these! Happy new year!
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
These all look so fabulous! I'm especially excited to try those pizza bites! And I can't believe you've moved that many times, that's amazing! So excited for you to get settled into your new house!
Megan @ whatmegansmaking says
Love this round-up post! You've had quite the delicious year 🙂 I've made a few of those and can attest to how good they are!
Happy New Year! 🙂
Roz says
What a wonderful round-up of favorites of 2012. Congrats on all of your wonderful milestones in 2012 and may God bless you with many more in 2013!
Blessings,
Roz
Kari says
Wow, what a year you've had. I enjoyed reading the update and seeing these yummy recipes. Thanks for your hard work on this blog! I enjoy following it.
Happy New Year!
Jaren Dubois says
I discovered your blog through Pinterest (don't you love it), and I have enjoyed following you this year. Have a blessed 2013!
Nikki says
Thank you, Jaren! 🙂