2012 was a full year; fun, fast-paced and full of adventures; looking back, we have lots of fond memories along with grateful hearts for the many blessings the year included. However, the retrospection does shed a bit of light on why we're still trying catch our breath! The year included lots of traveling to see loved ones, sweet times with family and friends, the arrival of a new baby, some really cool educational opportunities and a ton of new culinary inspirations that seemed to come from here, there and everywhere! I'm sharing a few highlights of the year in photos:
 |
| We began 2012 preparing for a trip to France which took place in February. We spent a dream-come-true week in the French Alps with our daughter and her family. The young folks had a blast downhill skiing while Papa & Grammy opted for miles upon miles of quiet white bliss on the cross country ski trails. |
 |
| In May the big news was that we found out we were going to be having our first BOY grandchild. We celebrated with these fun Tiger Cupcakes. |
 |
| June held a trip to London to see family. I spent a week hanging out with little Lilly while Mommy and Daddy took the bigger girls on an adventure. Lilly and I had a ball taking in the sights, playing in the parks and cooking together. I just happened to be there the week of the Queen's Jubilee, celebrating her sixty years on the throne. It was a festive time for all of England. |
 |
| The highlight of the summer was a trip to the South Carolina coast where we spent a week with the family just chilling out and soaking in the sun. We love to eat fresh, simple food at the beach and Grammy and her little sous chefs enjoyed coming up with a few fun treats. |
 |
| In September we headed back to London, it was time for that baby boy to be born. We were delighted to celebrate Elle's 5th birthday (a princess party with swirly-girly cupcakes) and the next day little Luke arrived. What a sweet baby he is! |
|
| So you'd think that we'd be ready to hunker down and relax a bit, right? Nope, in October we packed our bags again, this time for New York. I had the amazing opportunity to study French cooking at the Culinary Institute of America while Scott took a weekend workshop in Food Styling and Photography at the Institute of Culinary Education. Quite an exciting, mind-boggling experience, for sure! |
As a fun closure for the year, I wanted to re-post a recipe that, at the time I created it, I had no idea would become the all-time, most beloved recipe of The Café.
Though I first shared this recipe in December of 2011, it seemed to ignite and spread like wildfire in 2012 with well over 200,000 page views and countless pins and re-pins! I can't begin to tell you how many emails and comments I've received from readers who have gone crazy over this delightful salad.
If you haven't tried it, I hope you enjoy this salad as much as others have. A friend made it for a special dinner recently and left this comment: "I made this for Christmas. I could drink the salad dressing"! The almonds have been called "addictive" and "difficult to save for the salad". Once you make it yourself, you'll "get it"! Check out the recipe here!
We're so happy to have met (virtually) so many of you over the past year and look forward to sharing lots of Café creations, favorites and new surprises in 2013. Blessings and kind regards to each of you. Thanks so much for all your encouragement and support!
Shop Our Café Loves
We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!
Would you mind if I posted the recipe for this salad on my blog? I received the recipe from the California Avocado group in an email. They did list you as the source. I made the salad for our Christmas Eve dinner and it was a big hit. I'm your newest follower.
wow, this salad looks absolutely incredible! looks like you had an amazing year!
Wow Chris, what a year indeed! And how exciting the cooking course must have been 🙂 Plus, that salad does look really amazing!
Chris, what an exciting year you had, wow! Lots of fun trips and the wonderful addition to your family. Wishing you an equally fun 2013! I can see why this salad has been so popular--I love it!
Chris, what an exciting year you had, wow! Lots of fun trips and the wonderful addition to your family. Wishing you an equally fun 2013! I can see why this salad has been so popular--I love it!
That salad is amazing! Happy New Year!
Happy, Happy New Year Chris! Sounds like you had a wonderful 2012 and I hope 2013 is even better! This salad sounds amazing and a must try!!
Happy New Year!! You have had quite an amazing year. Wishing you the best in 2013!
You are blessed indeed. Love your recap and that luscious salad.
Chris, you've had a wonderful year! I have a feeling 2013 will be just as good! And wow, you got the chance to study French cooking at the CIA? That's a dream of mine! Glad you enjoyed your course - who wouldn't? Cheers to 2013! Happy New Year...
Chris what a lovely post! I really enjoyed seeing the recap of your year. Your life is rich and your family is beautiful!! That salad does look so good, I've really got to make it now. Best wishes for a wonderful 2013 🙂
What an exciting year you had, Chris. Your grandkids are so beautiful and I bet the girls love having a baby brother. Your classes at the Culinary Institute must have been wonderful! Looking forward to trying your lovely salad. Happy New Year!
You had an EXCELLENT year!!! Wishing you all the best for 2013!!!
PS...this salad looks phenomenal!!!
hi chris, what a great year it had been! Always enjoy reading your posts and the beautiful photos..looking at them bring much delight to my eyes! Cheers to another great year 2013!!
What a whirlwind year indeed! I think I pinned that salad but will make sure, I really need to try it! It certainly looks like a winner. Happy new year Chris!
Happy New Year. What a wonderful blog you have! I just discovered you on G+. Looking forward to following you in 2013 🙂
Hi Chris, Happy New Year to you and your loves one. All the best to you in 2013.
Excellent pictures and thanks for sharing your beautiful memories and looking forward to read more posting from you in 2013.
Have a wonderful week ahead,regards.
What a fabulous year in review! I'm so thankful for our friendship & look forward to getting to know you better in 2013!
I saw a card that made me think of you yesterday - it showed a set of canisters labeled "Tea, Sugar, Prozac, and Flour!" I thought it was so funny!
Wishing you a wonderful New Year!
You had a fun and great year, Chris.
May your new year filled with more opportunities and beautiful things.
What a year you had!!!! full of happiness, full of love and full of familly time! It's a perfect year to mee... Plus you realized dreams... How better can it be????? I haven't trid this salad yet and yet I feel guilty because it looks so yummy!!!! Definitly gonna be on my to-do list of early january!
What a joy-filled year you've had! This salad looks incredible, I can see why it's a top recipe here at the Cafe. Thankful to have "met" you this year, Happy New Year!
Wonderful selection! Happy New Year!
Wow! I don't know when you were able to pause and breathe. What a year. I'm grateful to have been one of those people who got to meet you in person and see how absolutely real that contagious smile of yours is. The salad looks yummy, there's immense jealousy over your trip to France and I am head-over-heels envious about your time in New York. But, my friend, nothing will ever compare with a new life entering this world and your family. The little man takes this year's prize (in my book). Happy New Year, Chris and Scott!
I always enjoy your posts and the adventures you've had. Your recipes are delicious and this salad is definitely one of my favorites. Happy New Year.
You have had quite a number of adventures this year. Love this post with all of the photos. I just wanted to snuggle in and read every word while I nibbled on those almonds.
Wishing you and your family a happy & healthy new year.
Sam
Whew-2012 turned out to be quite a year for you! I look forward to seeing what you will do for a follow up :).
Blessings to you for the New Year!
Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best in 2013-enjoy:@)
Chris, your blog is one of my favorite discoveries of 2012! I had forgotten the basil propagation idea came from you, which is how I found you. By the way, I had great results with that. I've tried and loved so many of your recipes. Can't wait to see what 2013 has in store. And thank you for your comments on my little blog. I appreciate that very much. May 2013 bring you much cheer.
I hope that 2013 brings you as many riches as the past year. As for the salad I have not tried it yet, but it is fun that it exploded!
You have had a very memorable year and I have enjoyed following along. All the best for the coming year.
Happy New Years!! What a great year you had!!! It was fun going back and re-capping your adventures and remembering them, thank you for taking us on your journey! I look so forward to your posts in 2013!!
What a great year you have enjoyed.
Fondly,
Glenda
Happy New Year!! You have had a great year with lots of experiences! Thanks for sharing!
What an exciting year indeed! Wishing you just as many wonderful adventures and cheers to you and your family for a delicious 2013.
I'm out of breath just reading through this post, Chris! I love the herb garden idea, I used to have drip watered plant boxes filled with herbs right outside my kitchen door in my old house...I'm still in mourning for them. I look forward a great 2013 of blogging with you!
What a wonderful and eventful year you have had, Chris! Thanks for sharing the photos. Have a great NY celebration and its been a pleasure following your blog.
Quite a year! You have been one busy and blessed lady!