Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goodbye 2011…Welcome 2012!

Pop open the champagne...it's New Year's Eve!
Another year has gone by and I have that feeling I always have on December 31st: that surreal, mind-boggling, how-in-the-world-is-this-year-already-over??? feeling.

In some ways, 2011 crawled by. The first half of the year was angst-filled while Andy was dealing with an orbital pseudo-tumor. There was pain and surgery and radiation and so much waiting and then in mid-May, just like that, we were back to our normal lives. There were some really bad, agonizingly slow days in there, but somehow it all seems like it was eons ago. I suppose it’s always easier to forget the times that you don’t really want to remember.

The second half of the year went by in a blur. So much good has happened in the last several months that I feel like I should pinch myself to make sure it’s all really happening. I’ve been so fortunate with great opportunities coming my way and my blog has grown to a place I never expected. If I could have gone back and told my new-blogger self where I would be today, I could have avoided a lot of nail biting and stomach aches over the future of my little space on the web. 2012 will be bringing the particularly amazing opportunity to be writing and creating recipes as a job, which I ecstatically mentioned in my last post. I still can’t believe it, but am so thankful to be starting this new endeavor.

I suddenly feel like I’m writing one of those Christmas newsletters that I make fun of, so with that, I bring you my 2011 round-up as part a virtual New Year's Eve food blogger party…  


Once again, this food-blogging community that I’ve become a part of has amazed and impressed me. Some fellow bloggers put together a virtual New Year’s Eve party and of course I accepted the invitation to be a part of this event. Check out the other 2011 round-ups linked below. And thanks to Sanjeeta and Lora for hosting (and Heather for the logo).

To ring in 2012, I’ve put together 12 of my favorite recipes from the past year. And since it’s New Year’s Eve, it’s only fitting that we start with cocktails, right?


COCKTAILS




SOUP


SALAD


ENTREES


DESSERTS


So, with the year coming to a close behind us, I'd like to propose a toast: To my family and my friends, both old, new and those I’ve yet to meet: Here’s to a wonderful new year filled with more happiness than you can imagine, good health, good fortune, and so much love.

For auld lang syne, my friends…

Cheers!


Here are a couple more champagne cocktails to wet your whistle:
Raspberry Sparklers (pictured at top right)
Strawberry-Amaretto Champagne Cocktails


41 comments:

  1. Your recipes are amazing! I can't wait to see what you will share in 2012. Happy New Year!

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  2. Fantastic round-up of your foodie year! Here's to wonderful things in 2012, Karen!

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  3. So many delicious recipes to make, but the seared scallops are at the top of my list! So happy to celebrate this virtual New Year's eve with you!

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  4. You have a wonderful collection here. Glad to meet you through this virtual party! Happy New Year :)

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  5. What a delish spread! I love everything you laid out for us! So happy to share this Virtual Bloggers Party with you! Happy New Year!

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  6. You had me at Bacon Apple Pie. Happy to have "met" you thru the blog hop. Hope you have a great New Year!

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  7. Happy New Year , Karen !!! Will (il)legally download that yumminess if that's okay ? hahaha

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  8. Everything looks so good and a must try.
    Wishing you all the best for 2012.
    Rota

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  9. Happy New Year! Wishing you all the best for 2012!

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  10. Karen,
    Congratulations on your new writing job, how exciting! what a way to start off the 2012 with a new job that you love. A great year in review, but the seared scallops are calling my name;)

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  11. How exciting that you got a writing job! Well done and that is also a great way to start the new year. Glad to have found your blog through the blog-hop (and you reminded me, that I forgot to put the logo on!!) Happy New Year!

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  12. What a gorgeous round-up! Your bacon apple pie has my interest, really anything is perfect with a little bacon love:-) So happy to find you on this fun blog hop! Happy New Year:-) Hugs, Terra

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  13. 12 amazing recipes!! So glad things turned around for you in 2011...and wishing you a happy, healthy and delicious 2012!!!!

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  14. I love all these recipes and what a fun virtual New Years Party!! Happy 2012!

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  15. love seeing your recipes always so beautiful wow sorry about your hubby and Praise God all is well now

    big hugs and all the best for 2012

    Rebecca

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  16. Congratulations on a fantastic year and here's to it continuing in 2012!

    Your round up is just lovely. I have bookmarked several! :)

    Happy New Year!

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  17. Thanks for joining the #Welcome2012 with all of us, wonderful to see the recap of these scrumptious recipes from 2011.
    Glad to connect and looking forward for more foodie fun this year. Love.

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  18. Happy New Year Karen......you have a beautiful blog!

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  19. Oh, Happy New Year! Everything looks delicious, but that salad....wowza! The drinks look incredibly tasty and your photos are nothing short of stunning! I'm looking forward to what you come up with next!

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  20. Happy New Year! I wish you an amazing, healthy, full of love and happy moments 2012!
    Love your blog!
    Nice finding you!
    Visit me at: my-greek-cooking.blogspot.com

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  21. What a mouth-watering and phenomenal year end round-up of your recipes! I want it all, but the apple-gorgonzola mini tarts and Ancho beef ribs have got me salivating like crazy right now. Love the bacon lattice apple pie! So glad to take part in the virtaul New Year with you too! Happy 2012...can't wait to see what else you come up with from hereon in! :)

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  22. The bacon apple pie is certainly a show stopper! I can see that I have really missed out this year by not knowing you before now!
    Happy 2012!
    Valerie

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  23. That is quite the collection! You have some fabulous food photos there!

    Glad to have "met" you at this virtual party. Happy New Year!

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  24. Congrats Kars! HNY too to you, Andy and the furry ones!

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  25. What a wonderful collection of recipes. I've bookmarked the Apple-Gorgonzola Mini Tarts. Delish. Sounds like it was a rough start to the year, but things have definitely improved. Good luck in the coming year. You have a wonderful blog here.

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  26. wow all of your food look so schmancy! cheers to a new year :)

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  27. What a feast! Happy and delicious 2012 to you, Karen :-)

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  28. What a nice blog! I am glad I found it. May the New Year bring you all the things you want for you and your loved ones.

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  29. ...there's that bacon apple pie you seduced me with when I first started reading your blog. Droool

    Happy New Year!

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  30. Everything looks so delicious especially your Pomegranate-Cucumber Champagne Cocktails, Happy New Year!

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  31. Such a beautiful and delicious collection of recipes! Happy New Year and continued success;-)

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  32. Goodness - I hope 2012 is much more relaxed and peaceful for you and yours! The online party looks delicious. What a great idea. Happy New Year!

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  33. So, I've been making "the rounds" apologizing for my not being around the past few months! I am so happy for you Karen, all your hard word, effort and talent is paying off!!!! Wonderful round up here and here's to great things to come in 2012!!! xo Carolyn

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  34. Hi Karen. Congrats on your new job. Lovely to re-connect with you. Best, Ishay

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  35. Nice to meet you too Karen...wonderful event, glad I could be a part....lovely collection of recipes....saw that u are from SFo too..glad to know you!

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  36. Hi Karen, Happy New Year! You have a beautiful collection here and I am going to have to show my kids that bacon apple pie, they will flip :)

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  37. those are some very gorgeous pictures.. love the carrot ginger soup and the spiced pannacotta! happy new year to you and your family too!

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