Hello everyone!

It’s been a wild ride since I reopened my blog in May.  It’s been a  whirlwind of cooking, taking photos, getting to know the blogosphere once more.

I love it!

I came back to the blog (which I had originally started in 2010), stumbling and feeling my way through the dark. But through the help of other bloggers and friends, my baby is crawling along at a good pace, and I am hoping that 2014 is the year this baby stands up to walk and then run at breakneck speed!

It is so much fun creating new foods, and ultimately satisfying knowing you all are out there from every corner of the Earth, devouring every bite. I simply cannot stop being amazed at all the places from which you come!

I wish I could visit you, each and every one. And see your homelands and taste all the foods from the many different cultures. Because I am a gregarious little cook, and I also enjoy eating all different types of cuisine and ethnic foods. (especially spicy food!)

Besides starting the blog back up, 2013 has also seen me move from community platforms for posting recipes, to here, and also setting up a Facebook page for the blog (which you can find on my links page).

I’ve also been very lucky to win several recipe contests which I entered, although I don’t really have time to invest in that as I like. Back when I used to participate at Recipezaar.com, I always enjoyed the Ready-Set-Cook contests spearheaded by Yooper, (Mark from Michigan). I had won that first contest with my recipe for Santa Fe Pork Medallions with Peach Salsa, and in a later contest I also won for Strawberry Sweetheart Streusel Muffins. Of course, I always enjoyed playing, and many of my entries would place as runner ups. There wasn’t any prestige to it besides the fun (no prize money), but I always enjoyed the challenge of creating recipes which would include five unlikely ingredients from a list of about 15 or so. I have since won other contests since I started the blog, some of which have offered some very nice prizes. I hope 2014 is a year in which I can find enough time to devote to that more. And as always, you can be sure I will share those winning recipes with you.

This past year I have also begun to learn how to take better food photography. You might see some of my old photos and think they aren’t as good as the newer ones. But it is a learning curve and I am always trying to better myself there. Food should always look as wonderful as it tastes! Don’t you think?

I also just achieved my 200th blog post with Hoppin’ John (which I posted the day before yesterday). I think it is cool that that particular post is the one, since things have really been Hoppin’ Around Here!

I have also just begun to participate in things called Blog Hops, which you may see mentioned on some posts that I make that mention being part of an event. You can find the events I participate in on my links page.

Busy as it has been, I want to take the time to do a recipe round-up of my Top Ten most popular posts this year, as selected by you, the readers. So do give them a gander and make sure you don’t miss out!

2013 Top Ten

#10:  Sauerkraut Cabbage Rolls

#9: Brined Oven Roasted Turkey Breast

#8: Ham and Bean Soup

#7:  Brown Sugar Glazed Baked Ham

#6: Crock Pot Pulled Pork

#5:  Holiday Meatballs (AKA Grape Jelly Meatballs)

#4: Spaghetti Squash Tetrazzini

#3:  Spicy Black-Eyed Pea Soup

#2:  Easy Lemon Parmesan Baked Salmon

#1:  Old Fashioned Bread and Celery Dressing or Stuffing

I do hope you try each and every one! Don’t forget to let me know what you think! Comments are always appreciated!

2014

The new years looks very promising so far! I have lots of things lined up already including some recipes I didn’t get time to post to the blog just yet.

Exciting things are happening and I thank God each and every day for all the new possibilities and opportunities that arise.

Every day that I wake up to read the blog and see what’s been going on, I feel truly blessed.

I hope you all have a very healthy, happy and prosperous new year! One that is filled with every little thing your heart desires.

Bon Appetit!

~Sue | A Palatable Pastime