2024: A Year In Review

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” – Maya Angelou

A NEW YEAR, ANOTHER YEAR IN REVIEW!

In February of this new year will mark 15 years of dreaming, creating and sharing recipes here on Simply Scratch. If by chance you are new here, I like to start the new year off by recapping the last 365 days both professionally and personally. These long and heavily photographed posts allow me to relive all the big and small moments of the past year and to make room for the new. It’s a journal of sorts where I keep it in one place and reflect on growth, opportunities and special and meaningful moments. I started blogging in 2010, back then our girls were small (just 9 and 6), I was working full-time as a unit clerk in an emergency room and SS was only a hobby. For the past 11 years it has been my full time gig and our girls are now 23 and 20. As you can imagine it’s so much fun to look back on all that has happened over 15 years (and counting), but it’s equally bittersweet to see how much time has gone by and gone by quickly too.

Every year I’m happy to say that this past year has been one of the best ones yet. We traveled, celebrated milestones both big and small, tackled a few projects around the house and truly enjoyed the last 365 days. Not every year has been smooth sailing, however we always get through it together and are stronger for it.

First, let’s talk about the food.

TOP 10 FAVORITE RECIPES OF 2023:

Like last year, I shared a lot of new recipes. However, I’m still working on going back to older posts to retest, reshoot and update quite a few of those as well. A lot of the time they need new photography and more clear and concise instructions. I’ve stopped keeping count on how many recipes I share and/or update because it becomes too daunting of a task to keep track and it’s not a competition so why bother. Instead here is a compilation of this years top 10 favorite (new and republished) recipes of 2024!

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast – Ridiculously tender, flavorful and comforting. A chuck roast cooks low and slow with homemade au jus gravy mix, ranch seasoning, butter and pepperoncinis. Serve shredded over mashed potatoes or tucked into a sandwich.

Bakery Style Rice Krispie Treats – Soft and gooey with ribbons of marshmallow throughout. Similar to making regular krispie treats, however this recipe is made extra special by the addition of sweetened condensed milk and marshmallow fluff.

Creamy Italian Sausage Gnocchi Soup – Browned Italian sausage, mini potato gnocchi and baby spinach are in a creamy, robust, fire-roasted tomato soup.

Blueberry Banana Bread – Moist, flavorful and bursting with blueberries. Slice and serve with a smear of salted butter and prepare to fall in love.

Sloppy Joe Sweet Potato Bowls – Incredibly easy and delicious. Roasted seasoned sweet potatoes are served with homemade sloppy joe sauce and topped with dill pickles, pickled red onions and jalapeños.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake – Pineapple slices and maraschino cherries are baked in brown sugar and butter with a moist and spongy, vanilla buttermilk cake. Serve slices with a dollop of whipped cream and an extra cherry on top!

Peach Prosciutto and Burrata Sandwich – Creamy burrata, balsamic glaze and hot honey, salty prosciutto, juicy peach slices, basil and arugula is sandwiched between a toasted baguette.

Pork Carnitas Tacos – Lightly toasted corn shells are filled with crispy and flavorful homemade pork carnitas, cotija cheese, onions, lotsof fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.

Sheet Pan Beef and Broccoli – Thinly sliced beef and broccoli florets are roasted in a hot oven, tossed in a simple sauce and served over rice.

Eggnog Croissant French Toast Bake – Slightly stale croissants soak up a spiced eggnog custard and is baked with a coarse sugar sprinkled over top. Serve with a quick cranberry relish and pure maple syrup!

If I could choose one word for 2024 it would be unhurried. There were no real deadlines or obligations. We kept up with the easy things, handled the harder obstacles and were open to all new possibilities. Below is the captured highlights of the past year.

In early March, I went to a yoga retreat. Originally when I signed up, I thought that it would be a fun weekend of yoga, good food (that I didn’t have to cook), relaxation – and it was all that and then some. However, what I didn’t anticipate was the incredible women I would meet and then get to know, the bond that was formed in those few days and how my life would change thereafter. Without going into too much personal detail, it was a trip I didn’t know I needed. There will always be a special place in my heart for these women, this trip and the healing that came from it. I’m eternally grateful.

In March of this year, Pat and I were invited by our longtime close friends to spend a week in Panama City for spring break. So one snowy michigan morning, we packed up and drove down to Florida’s pan handle. On our way we stopped in Alabama for the night, visited our first (and probably last) Buc-ee’s and Whattaburger – Pat actually really liked Whataburger, but for me, nothing can top In-N-Out. In Panama City we had the BEST time. We met and became friends with a lot of great people, ate some amazing food, enjoyed the warmer weather and sun, and just relaxed.

Then, in early spring Pat, Finn and I went up north for the annual morel mushroom weekend. On the first day, we walked around the woods hunting for morels and were successful finding a small bunch of good size mushrooms! We also went on hikes, long drives and on our last night grilled up steaks, topped them with sautéed morels and wild leeks – SO GOOD!! I always look forward to this long weekend up north at the cabin.

At the end of May the girls and I went to the Hozier concert at Pine Knob Music Theatre. For me it was a bucket list concert, and although we had lawn seats, it still was such a great concert and SO much fun!

In the spring, Haileigh wrapped up her building sub position and was immediately offered a full-time position teaching second grade at the same elementary school. So her summer was primarily getting her classroom ready and preparing for the 2024/2025 school year. Haileigh also said goodbye to “Betty” – the 2012 GMC Acadia that has been with her since she started driving at 16 – and in turn, bought her first new car! This past year for her was filled with concerts and spending time with her sister, going to church and hanging out with the best girlfriends. We are so proud of the adult she’s become and are still so excited to see what the future holds for her!

In 2024 Malloree turned 20! She still continues to work at a nearby hair salon, finished her prerequisites for college while also getting everything together to then apply to the dental hygiene program – which she did in December. It’s a competitive program, so Mal won’t know until spring if she is accepted or waitlisted, but either way she’s been working her way towards her dream career and we are so extremely proud of her. Malloree’s continues to go to church, spends her time with friends and family and, of course, her bff Finn.

In spring of 2024 Pat did is usual turkey hunting – shooting a nice size bird! Over the summer, he spent clearing out our garage, putting a fresh coat of paint on the ceiling and walls. Once that was done, and with the help of our neighbor, together they added more electrical outlets. Pat then ran gas and installed heating for the colder months and hung up better lighting, purchased some storage cabinets, so many saws, sanders and a planer and (finally!) the garage is now his space for wood working. Come fall, he went salmon fishing, took Finn pheasant hunting in South Dakota, deer hunted up at the cabin and also hunted locally for grouse and woodcock. All in all it was a great year!

When I look back at 2023 it was such an eventful year. However, for me 2024 was a bit slower. I still continue to work out, practice yoga (along with a new found love for Inside Flow) and I still prioritize protein – so not much has really changed and that’s totally okay with me. The yoga retreat and our last minute decision to take a road trip to Florida was just what I needed after a few months of personal challenges. In the spring I planted lots of different flowers just so I could cut them in late summer and have bright, cheerful flower arrangements around our home – 10/10 I highly recommend! In a nutshell, 2024 was about cherishing the small moments, saying yes to things that were way out of my comfort zone and spending time with those that make me smile, laugh and feel loved – something that I’m carrying into this new year and in years to come.

Last but definitely not least, our Finn. He turned 5 this year – how this is possible, I have no idea. This year Finn enjoyed several “pup cups”, playing fetch ( so much fetch), going on car rides and hunting trips with Pat, and he loves his naps and his treats equally. Finn is the most gentle, sweet, expressional and hilarious dog we’ve ever known. He’s honestly is too pure for this world.

Cheers to another blessed year! I’m truly thankful for my friends and family and the memorable times we spend together. And I’m equally grateful for all of you. Thank you for your continued support, for making these recipes and for sharing them with others. Your support continues to mean so much to me and my family. I’m so excited for yet another delicious year ahead!

From my family, to you and yours – we wish for you all to have a happy and healthy 2025 and hope that it brings you peace, love, joy and laughter.