December 29th? Today is the 29th? Wow, where did 2013 go? Here we are at the end of the year and I look back to see where Lori’s Culinary Creations has travelled and we’ve travelled quite a bit on this blogging journey. 2013 is where I really seriously worked on my blog and made lots of changes. In February, I attended my first blogging conference, “Build Your Blog Conference” put on by the ladies of Six Sisters Stuff and it changed everything! From the moment I got into my car after the conference to right now sitting on my couch with my coffee, my blog grew by leaps. My page views tripled and my social media following grew quite a bit. The next confrerence is February 8th, so get your tickets now.
Here are some highlights of my 2013 year in review:
- Linky parties – Found a bunch I love visiting weekly and am now one of the co-hosts of my own, Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesdays. How about that for a big change?
- Moved from Blogger to WordPress and never looked back. Blogger was a great start, but I’m finding WordPress to be more robust even though it is taking me awhile to figure it all out.
- I did a complete blog makeover in March. I hired a great designer, Becca Paro from Jumping Jax Design. Her designs are awesome and she is great to work with.
- I got a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Ok, that has nothing to do with the conference, but I am so glad I got it.
Now moving onto the top 10 reader favorite recipes. As you know, I don’t “specialize” in any one recipe type. What I post here is what I feed myself and hubby for breakfast, lunch, dinner & desserts. Some of my recipes are inspired by things I find on Pinterest and on those weekly link ups, but others are recipes I make “on the fly” when the pantry is near empty and I don’t want to go to the store. Hubby easily guessed which was #1, but as you look over the favorites of 2013, you’ll see a lot of diversity which tells me my readers like variety. So with no further hoopla, here they are.
#1 – Roasted Parsley Potatoes posted on March 18, 2013
#2 – Sauteed Spaghetti Squash posted on October 4, 2013
#3 – Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Salmon (my Costco copycat) posted on May 30, 2013
#4 – Turkey Stuffed Yellow Peppers posted on April 29, 2013
#5 – Chicken & Potatoes on the Grill posted on July 2, 2013
#6 – Baked Pork Chops in a Creamy Sauce posted on November 30, 2013
#7 – Moist Crab Cakes posted on April 12, 2013
#8 – Honey Zucchini Muffins posted on September 2, 2013
#9 – Chicken Pot Pie posted on January 3, 2013
#10 – Easy Homemade Calzones posted on October 13, 2013
So there you have it. My 2013 top 10. I’m so excited to see what 2014 has in store for me, hubby and our family. I hope to also be able to bring to you new “adventures in the kitchen” in 2014. Stay tuned…. this will be an awesome journey.
oh you’re making me hungry
marissa | Rae Gun Ramblings recently posted…Best of 2013: Top 12 Tutorials and Recipes
You’ve had a great blogging year! I’m so glad that I’ve discovered your blog and look forward to what you have in store for 2014.
[email protected] recently posted…Top 13 Posts of 2013
Great list. I’m excited for your growth and glad I found you. Maybe I will see you at conference!
Kathleen @ Fearlessly Creative Mammas recently posted…New Year’s Traditions
Thank you for linking at Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s!!! You have been Pinned!
[email protected] Plaid and Paisley Kitchen recently posted…Show Me Your Plaid Monday’s #49
I love the idea of a top 10 list and you have some awesome recipes here. I saw your chicken pot pie one somewhere (I know it was yours because of the part where you had to use Kirkland canned chicken, ha! So I used canned chicken when I make it because it is easy) and my hubby and I have it once a month. We absolutely love it. Thanks! Stopping by from the Good Tips Tuesday link up!
Steph @ From the Burbs to the Boonies recently posted…Holiday traditions and the Rise of Christmas
This is a great group of recipes, especially the Honey Zucchini Muffins. Thanks for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you next week.
Sounds like you had a great year! Everything looks so delicious – I’m craving that Roasted Parsley Potatoes and Honey & Zucchini Muffins…mmmm!!!
Thanks so much for sharing on Turn It Up Tuesday! We love having you! 🙂
Natasha @ Epic Mommy Adventures recently posted…Spotlight Sunday: Domain of the Mad Mommy
I just ate dinner, but reading about these delicious dishes made me hungry again. And congrats on the KitchenAid Mixer, I got mine for Christmas this year. I’m still excited about it. Thanks for sharing at Inspire Us Thursday at Organized 31.