This week marks the TENTH anniversary of starting my blog. I cannot believe it’s been that long. I am 50 years old, so I’ve been blogging for 20% of my life – so crazy!
I did a big recap last year – you can check it out here. I am thrilled that my Chopping Block friend Sam has offered to hand craft a kitchen knife to one lucky reader – retail value $185!
You can check out Sam’s handiwork below – he not only refurbishes old knives, but hand crafts new ones as well. I promise you it will become your favorite kitchen knife.
To enter the giveaway, just tell me what state (or country?!) you live in. Sorry, I can only ship to the U.S. Good luck – I’ll pick a winner on Friday.
I was supposed to help Hannah’s friend move on Saturday, but it ended up being a cleaning day, and she didn’t move any furniture in yet. My friend Jacky had invited me to her house, and I thought I couldn’t go, but when that fell through, I jumped in my car to drive an hour to Jacky’s house. It was so fun and I got to meet a lot of great people – including Nick and Alicia who follow me on Instagram. As I was walking up to Jacky’s house, a woman on the porch yelled “are you My Bizzy Kitchen?!”
Alas, Jacky doesn’t like to be in my pictures OR stories, so this is the best I can do – her taking a picture of this delicious Korean BBQ burger. This burger was so flavorful – it had a chili lemongrass sauce that was infused not only in the burger but in the sauce as well. Topped with a tangy slaw and fresh cilantro, I can’t wait to make this again. Jacky also made some of the leftover meat into meatballs to have as an appetizer the next day – love that idea. Thanks for having me over Jacky!
Kudos to Jacky’s husband for grilling 😀
Sunday my friend Tia had an amazing party for her husband’s 40th birthday. Through Tia, I have become friends with Christina below – I call her my Instagram daughter because she’s not much older than Joe and Hannah. She’s super sweet, and lives near where I grew up, and I know this is just the beginning of a great friendship.
Thanks for inviting me Tia – I had such a fun time!
Earlier on Saturday I took a poll on Instragram to see what people thought of those capri jeans I was wearing – I wasn’t sure if I was too old to pull them off, but with an 80% thumbs up – I bought them. They are super comfy and I like how they went with that blue top.
My Mom and Jacob’s grandpa came over for Labor Day yesterday. When I have a meal in the late afternoon, I rarely eat breakfast – I had a couple cups of coffee and then made 1/2 a skinny quesadilla (1/2 low carb wrap with 1 ounce Trader Joe’s lite mozzarella) and was able to enjoy my picky plate appetizer and dinner.
That below is the perfect combination – sturdy cracker, baked brie, hard salami and a candied jalapeno. Yum.
Jacob’s grandpa brought over a pork belly a couple weeks ago for me to grill on my Pit Barrel Cooker. Holy balls, was this delicious! I’ve never cooked a pork belly before, but I used Pit Barrel’s beef and game rub, and then let it cook low and slow for 4 hours, then let it cool an hour before slicing. Juicy, and tender. Yes, there is a lot of fat on a pork belly, but the meat itself is pretty lean.
My plate – I also grilled some romaine for a salad, had macaroni salad, some red potatoes. This was delicious, and I had plenty of leftovers for Jacob to take to his Dad. #winning
Roman is about the most patient dog I know. He doesn’t beg like Rummy does. He quietly sits there and waits for anyone to give him an extra taste.
I hope you had a wonderful long weekend! And I want to thank each and every one of you who have stopped by my little corner of the Internet – whether you’ve followed for one week, one year – or some of you nearly all 10 years! It means more to me than you’ll ever know.
Happy Tuesday my friends – make it a great day!
Happy Anniversary from this CA girl living in GA
Congratulations on 10 years! Originally from Cary, IL I’ve now called the Champaign-Urbana area home for 26 years!
Born in IL (southern!) and now in MO
Originally from Elmhurst Illinois but recently moved to Ohio!!!
Best surprise ever! So glad you came out and got to meet all your fans. Glad you liked the sauce. Funny, since we had the leftovers for lunch I had to make more. We were cracking up! Congrats on 10 years, your blog is the best start to my day! Even if I rarely
Get To comment anymore.
Congrats from sunny Washington state! 😀❤️
Texas girl here! Congrats on 10th Anniversary!
I just moved to San Diego from Phoenix. My daughter and I love your blog and use your recipes a few times each week!
Originally from Arlington Heights, Il. but now from Appleton, WI. Happy 10th Anniversary!!
I live in Southern California
Ohio here. Happy Anniversary!
Congrats on 10 years! Reading in Joliet, Il!
Congratulations on 10 years. I live in Glendale, AZ now, but am from St Louis,MO.
From Springfield, IL I ABSOLUTELY LOVE YOUR PAGE!! Have to read it everyday!
Central Illinois is where I live now but originally I’m from the Chicago burbs! Happy Tenth! I just started following your blog a month or so ago and it’s my favorite. I’m also a diabetic, type II so trying to be really careful about my eating habits.
A giveaway? I’m in. Mid-Michigan native here, enjoying cooking, baking and EATING….a bit too much. Happy Anniversary and that I found you several years ago!
I live in the sunny state of California.
Happy 10th Anniversary.
“Blankity” work, getting in the way of blog time. I really thought I hit submit when I commented yesterday. But I do live in the seventh ring of hell at least that is what it feels like temperature wise most months. Florida does have an upside though. I’ll probably never have to dig my Weber out from an egg shaped pile of snow. What a fabulous give away! My favorite part besides the amazing knife, you don’t ask us to tag someone else in order to be entered. Love you and all you do. Here is to another glorious ten and I hope you made it to 10000
I am in San Francisco, but was born in LA. Congratulations on 10 years! I’ve been reading for like 7, we don’t know each other but I read your blog every day with my coffee and breakfast. You are a strong and resilient woman. Go Biz!
Happy 10th Anniversary from West Virginia.