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Second Year Blog Anniversary + $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

by 265 Comments

In honor of Inspiration Kitchen’s Second Year Blog Anniversary (and carrying on with last’s years tradition) I thought it might be fun to share some facts and things I’ve learned the 2nd year here at IK.

2nd Anniversary Post | Inspiration Kitchen

This giveaway is 100% sponsored by Inspiration Kitchen.  Please know, you must live and reside in the U.S.  There will be one lucky winner.  Please be sure to read the Giveaway Rules before entering the contest to ensure you qualify!  This giveaway ends 11/25/2014 @ 12:00 a.m PST.  The retail value is $100, and will be awarded to one lucky winner.

If I thought the 1st year went fast, the 2nd year whisked by!

Facts:

  1. I have taken 15,079 photos this past year and over 30,633 photos since the launch of this blog
  2. I have completely lost total count of the number of deleted food photos since the launch of IK
  3. Since buying my new camera (Nikon D750) 1 month ago, I’ve already taken 2,439 photos of food
  4. After 2 years doing this blog, I can *finally* crack an egg without getting shells in it – YESssss!
  5. I have completely worn out 5 aprons this year alone

Disasters & Oopsies!

You all know my looooog and difficult history cracking eggs.  How it ended up there, I’ll never know.  No, again, this is *not* a staged photo.  I wished it was.

Egg Cracking Incident Recipe Disaster 2014 | Inspiration Kitchen

Moving on.

My first attempt at making Fortune Cookies was a complete disaster.  They were way harder to make than I expected!  You have to work fast to get them in their half-moon shape.  I, apparently, am the slowest fortune cookie maker in the world.

Fortune Cookie Incident Recipe Disaster 2014 | Inspiration Kitchen

And then, when I finally DID make a ??? successful ???  fortune cookie, they ended up looking like Fortune Cookie Lips.

To make matters worse, the actual fortune stuck to the cookie.

I think the fortune read “Stick to what you know.  p.s. this ain’t it!”

Stuck On You Incident Recipe Disaster 2014 | Inspiration Kitchen

And then, there was the pizza dough that blew up as big as a balloon until I stabbed it multiple times with a fork.  See what happens when food refuses to cooperate around here?

Pizza Dough Incident Recipe Disaster 2014 | Inspiration Kitchen

Even with all the disasters, let’s get to some favorites, shall we?

♥ Reader’s Top 10 Favorite Recipes ♥

  1. Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp
  2. 3 Bean Salad
  3. Fresh Lime & Jalapeno Margaritas
  4. Peanut Butter & Banana Pumpkin Smoothie
  5. Carne Asada Street Tacos
  6. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning
  7. Creole Seasoned Chicken Wings
  8. New Orleans BBQ Shrimp
  9. Dirty Banana Cocktail
  10. Honey & Jalapeno Coleslaw

♥ My Top 10 Favorite Recipes ♥

  1. Black Licorice Ice Cream
  2. White Beans & Ham
  3. Candied Pecan Maple Ice Cream
  4. Spicy Crab & Avocado Salsa
  5. Caramel Banana Xango
  6. French Onion Soup Open-Faced Burger
  7. Applesauce Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
  8. Slow Cooker Refried Beans
  9. Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp
  10. Peanut Butter & Banana Pumpkin Smoothie

♥ My Top Favorite Photos ♥

Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp

Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp | Inspiration Kitchen

3 Bean Salad

3 Bean Salad | Inspiration Kitchen

Peanut Butter Banana Pumpkin Smoothie

Peanut Butter Banana Pumpkin Smoothie | Inspiration Kitchen

White Bean & Ham Soup

White Beans & Ham Soup | Inspiration Kitchen

The process of making White Beans & Ham Soup is one of my favorite parts.  I can’t get enough of this photo.  It makes my tummy grumble!

White Beans & Ham Soup | Inspiration KitchenBlack Licorice Ice Cream

Black Licorice Ice Cream | Inspiration Kitchen

Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake with Praline Frosting

Apple Cream Cheese Bundt Cake Praline Frosting | Inspiration Kitchen

Foods I Can’t Live Without Right Now…

  • Licorice Ice Cream
  • Bacon
  • Pizza
  • Steak
  • Shrimp
  • Milk

Foods I Can Live Without Forever…

  • Sushi

I hope you found this post as fun as I did!  It’s wild, insane and craaaazy to reflect on the past year!  Thanks to all my readers for the memories!  Now, on to year 3.

Please be sure to read the Giveaway Rules before entering the contest to ensure you qualify!  This giveaway ends 11/25/2014 @ 12:00 a.m.  The retail value is $100, and will be awarded to one lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Enjoy!

Cheers,
Kristi

Second Year Blog Anniversary + $100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Comments

  2. Johlene Orton says

    Love this post! I cant enter but you know that I love following your post, recipes, etc 🙂
    Love that you shared all of your highs and lows in your kitchen during the past year!!! 🙂 xoxo
    CONGRATULATIONS on 2 years of blogging!!

    Reply

  3. Sarah@WholeandHeavenlyOven says

    Hahaha! Our blogiversaries are literally only a day apart—my 2nd one was yesterday!! How awesome is that?! Foodie twins aall the way we are. 😀 Don’t be mad at me, but I had a good laugh over your fails–you’re brave to share photos! When I have recipe fails I’m usually to frustrated to even think about capturing the moment. LOL. Happy happy blogiversary, Kristi! Excited to see what comes next for you and your blog. 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Happy Anniversary Sarah! I’m hopping over to your blog now. It took me so long to put together this post yesterday, that I didn’t get to visit any of my favorite bloggers! I had fun with this post, and I have many disasters in the kitchen! I’ll be foodie twins with you any time! xoxo!

      Reply

  4. Monica says

    Kristi – this is such a fun post! I love it. And a very happy 2nd anniversary to you! It is so interesting to see your most popular recipes vs. your favorites. All I know is that everything looks delicious and that licorice ice cream must be the real deal! I’m totally hungry now and it’s way too early for white beans & ham or jerk shrimp – well, it’s not too early if I had it in front of me but I’ll admire your pics for the time being! : )

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Monica! I’m so glad you liked the post! I absolutely have so many favorites, I thought I’d switch it up. It’s been a fun 2 years, it’s been great getting to know awesome bloggers like you! Have a great week!

      Reply

  6. Karen Ostrom says

    I love that you show us your OOPS as well as your great stuff. I love the recipe for the jerk chicken. Happy Anniversary

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Karen! That’s what it’s all about. We all have disasters in the kitchen! 🙂 It’s a lot of fun to share those posts! Thanks for visiting!

      Reply

  7. Kristin S says

    Your jerk shrimp looks amazing!! And congrats on the cracking egg achievement! I thought I had conquered that hurdle, and then I managed to break a shell into a would-be omelette this past weekend. Oh well. 🙂 Thank you for hosting this giveaway!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Kristin! I have ALWAYS had trouble with eggs. But, I learned something new. If you crack them in the open lid, it gives enough cushion that they break perfectly every time. Try it! Good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply

  9. Christina P says

    Congrats! I love that you listed the viewer’s favs. I’m definitely putting some of the recipes on the to do list!

    Reply

  10. Lindsey @ American Heritage Cooking says

    Congrats, love! You know I’m super proud of you and beyond excited that we are friends! Somehow I missed the cringeworthy fortune cookie fails. Of all cookies, I think fortune cookies are my least favorite. I won’t even eat them at restaurants.
    You know my favorite photo is still the pumpkin smoothie but the licorice ice cream is pulling close behind! Cheers to another year of recipe successes!! XOX {Hugs}

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Lindsey. You know you are one of the best friends I’ve made through blogging, and I so treasure you! I’m so glad that we’re able to help and support each other. Besides, I like having a twin! xoxoxo!

      Reply

  12. Janet W. says

    Congrats! My favorite fact of yours is since you got your new camera (Nikon D750) 1 month ago, you’ve already taken 2,439 photos of food! WOW! And, I can’t live without pizza either!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      I know, right Janet? That’s a crazy amount of pictures. You can just imagine how my hard drive feels (overloaded)! Haha! Good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply

  13. marcie says

    Happy 2 years my friend! You’ve come a long way, and congrats on the eggs — that story cracks me UP! (pun most definitely intended). 🙂 I’m having a field day with these photos — I want that shrimp, that white bean bacon soup, and that apple cake for starters! What an awesome giveaway, too! Here’s to another wonderful year ahead….it’s only gonna get better. 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you sssooo much Marcie! As you know, you’ve been such an inspiration (and a huge amount of support to me). I couldn’t possibly love you more. Now, let’s get on with this Anniversary thing huh, and get these blogs going! xoxo

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Mona! That’s the 2nd most popular recipe on my blog – just barely behind the Bahama Breeze Skillet Simmered Jerk Shrimp! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  17. Manali @ CookWithManali says

    Congratulations on 2 years Kristi!! That’s awesome! I love your blog and it was fun to read this post! My favorite picture has to be the Banana Pumpkin Peanut Butter Smoothie, that’s so so pretty and I am seeing it for the first time 🙂 and what an awesome giveaway 😀 Have a great week and keep inspiring us with your recipes and pictures!

    PS: I nominated you for for Liebster Award > http://www.cookwithmanali.com/liebster-award/ 😀

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Manaliiiiiiiiiii!!! I am *so* excited SQUEEEEE! thank you for the nomination. If I could hug you through this screen I would. And, thanks – it has been SO great to get to know you! If anyone has a beautiful blog, it is definitely you! Your pictures are mouth-watering, and I can’t stop looking at them. So glad to have gotten to know you! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  18. Andrea Bassi says

    My favorite fun fact: “Since buying my new camera (Nikon D750) 1 month ago, I’ve already taken 2,439 photos of food.”

    That is INCREDIBLE! I probably take that many photos in a month, but I rarely take photos of food because I can’t resist the urge to dig right into the finished product! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your delicious recipes, photos, and this awesome giveaway!!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Andrea! I have definitely learned I need to eat BEFORE I start the shots! Otherwise, the food doesn’t have a chance of being photographed! Hahahaha! Good luck in the contest! I’m so glad you stopped by! Come back!

      Reply

  19. nicolthepickle says

    Your bad pizza made me laugh. Now I always poke mine before baking.
    I made fortune cookies once too and the same thing happened.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Nicol, I made that pizza last night for the dozenth time, and do you know, it blew up like a basketball again! Only this time, I actually remembered to take a photo. Now you know what picture you’re going to see in the future! Hahahaha! Good luck in the contest! And, I want to make Fortune Cookies again, only because I don’t like a recipe to beat me! Have a great day.

      Reply

      • nicolthepickle says

        Just out of curiosity’s sake. Why do you make pizza crusts without toppings on them?
        I make them because I love crisp crust pizza. And they’re super to have in the freezer.

        Reply

        • Kristi says

          Hi Nicol! I don’t… I actually just pre-bake the pizza crust before I load it with toppings, then I put it in the oven again with all the ingredients on it! Do you pre-bake your crusts before you put them in the freezer, or are you putting just the dough in the freezer? I’ve always been curious about that!

          Reply

          • nicolthepickle says

            I prebake the crusts but very lightly, and then I put toppings on when I take them out.
            I have frozen dough in the past, but it doesn’t keep as well. And if you freeze it in a ball for flattening later it takes so long to thaw. Might as well just make a fresh dough for that.

  21. Cynthia G says

    Congratulations on your second blogiversary. I love the fresh ideas, i get stuck in the normal recipe rut at home so it’s nice to have somewhere to get ideas from

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Cynthia, do you know how you get out of a recipe rut? Start a food blog! Hahahaha! We always have to come up with something new. (p.s. in full disclosure a food blog is a HUGE amount of work!) Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  26. Kelly says

    Aaaw happy happy anniversary, Kristi! Congrats on 2 years! I absolutely loved reading this post and seeing all your disasters and favorites! So proud of you for your egg cracking skills now and I totally remember the fortune cookie mishap. I’m totally with you because they are NOT easy cookies to make. I refuse to make them anymore haha.
    I am so glad you decided to embark on the blogging journey because it’s always so much fun to read your posts and drool over the gorgeous food you make! Here’s to many more years and can’t wait to see where this journey takes you this year 🙂 Cheers my friend!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Kelly! You can’t even know how much that means to me! You are truly one of my very favorite bloggers, and when I visit your site, I always feel like I’m coming home to family. I’m so grateful to get to know you. I feel like a very lucky girl!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahaha! I know Jenn! It’s crazy, right? For some reason, I’m obsessed with keeping track of the # of photos – I guess because I spend so much darn time at it! 🙂 Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Oh my gosh – you will fall in love with that soup! It takes two days to make, but I can tell you, we eat it all week long and never tire of it. It is simply amazing! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahahaha! I’m so glad you liked that Natalie! I thought it was funny too – of course, much later after it happened! At the time, I was so frustrated! I’m glad it gave you a laugh! Good luck on the giveaway!

      Reply

  32. Nicole Dz says

    I love the that After 2 years of you doing this blog, You mention you can *finally* crack an egg without getting shells in it. I still have this problem when cracking eggs, still in the process of mastering it.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Gah! Me too Nicole! Try and crack the egg smacking it on the opened lid of the egg carton. I don’t know why, but it seems to provide enough cushion to crack it in the center every time. It’s been working for me. Try it! Good luck on the giveaway!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      I know, it’s crazy right? I can’t believe it either Steve. When I checked my camera, I was like whaaaaaaat? That’s a lot of pictures! 🙂 Good luck on the giveaway!

      Reply

  34. Renee@Two in the Kitchen says

    Kristi, happy 2nd year anniversary!! You know how very much I love you girl!!! I have to say that your BBQ Shrimp recipe is one of my favorites. That picture of the 3 bean salad looks unbelievably like I can reach out and touch it and that pic of the smoothies gives me goosebumps! And, you took chocolate off your list of foods you could live without! Yee-haw!!!!!!!! You know that makes me so happy!!!!! Your blog is truly inspiring and you yourself are just priceless! I can’t wait to see what year three brings!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Renee – to one of my dearest blogger friends (we still need to meet and move next to each other). That BBQ Shrimp is divine, I’m not gonna lie. YES! I did take chocolate off my ‘foods I could live without forever’ list. Let’s just say, I’ve been making fudge. LOTS of it. Amazing how great chocolate can turn your palate around! I’ve loved getting to meet you Renee! I love your blog too – but you already know that since I stalk you constantly. I hope you’re ok with that! Haha!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Chelsea! I’m so glad you like it. As much time as you spend in the kitchen, I’m sure you can relate to disasters. Ugh. At the time, they’re frustrating. Looking back, they’re hilarious! If only I’d capture EVERY mistake. Geez, the entire post would probably be pictures of eggs in the strangest places. LOL! Thanks for the compliments on the blog – you know I love yours too (oh, and your book – love that too!).

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahaha! I love that Daniela – the click in my dna! 🙂 You made me laugh this morning! Welcome back – so glad to see you blogging again! I missed you!

      Reply

  38. Valencia says

    I like that you have already worn out 5 aprons this year and we have not even hit the big holidays yet. That’s a lotta cooking.

    Reply

  39. Liz @ Floating Kitchen says

    Loved loved loved reading this post! Happy blog anniversary! I’m in awe of the number of photos you have taken. I need to go check my log now to see where I stand with things! And I think it should be mandatory that we all do a fun post like this on our blog anniversaries. It’s great looking back over the years! XO

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Liz! Readers have been loving it. You’d be amazed how many comments I’ve gotten about the stats! They absolutely love hearing about the # of photos, the # of ruined aprons and especially the disasters! I’ve had so many readers say how refreshing it was to see actual mistakes in the kitchen. I think readers can really relate to that, because let’s face it – noone is perfect – especially when it comes to cooking! Have a wonderful day!

      Reply

  40. Cynthia C says

    I laughed at your “fortune cookie lips.” Good to know that not everything can be a spectacular success. Congratulations on your 2 years.

    Reply

  41. Crystal F says

    I can’t believe how many photos you’ve taken in two years. That’s crazy. I loved reading about the fortune cookie disaster, atleast you tried though. It’s not a recipe I would even attempt. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Carol. Last year, I did the same thing, and I learned that readers really love the stats. It’s fun for them to see the work we actually go through, and the fails we have. We ALL have them. Why not celebrate our mistakes as much as our successes? Thats how we learn! 🙂 Have a wonderful day. I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 I like keeping track. It helps me grow too – and I always want to do better!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Sarah – that’s the absolute truth! Even food bloggers have fails – all the time! 🙂 Honestly, I love the fail posts. Not because I’m happy about it, but because it makes it fun for my readers! BTW, I think I jinxed myself with this post, because I had a real bad fail today – so watch for that post! LOL! I took lots of pictures. Ugh. Misery! Tastes good, looks horrible, worse…messy to eat! Still tastes good though! LOL 🙂

      Reply

  48. Karishma says

    Happy 2nd year blog anniversary! This is so exciting! I am definitely checking out this black licorice ice cream. Congrats!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      I know, right Katie? I love doing these posts! When you’re a food blogger and cook *all the time*, we make tons of mistakes! That’s how we bring the best of the best for our readers. Its definitely not a one-and-done type recipe. There are lots of failures along the way to get it perfect!

      Reply

  53. kathryn estler says

    Congrats on your anniversary. I love that you show your highlights as well as your lowlights lol 🙂 I also like that I think I could actually make the food you show. So many times people post pics and you say to your self after you pick your jaw up off the floor..there is no way I can do that. I think ill try making the soup first. getting kinda cold here could use a nice warm soup 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Oh my gosh Kathryn, I so know what you mean. Trust me, if I can do it, so can you. That’s why my site is “entertain . inspire . encourage”. I am *not* a trained chef or cook – completely self taught, so anyone can do it. The photos you see here, sometimes take hours to photograph. Trust me, I have more failures than I can even count. I’m just stubborn, and keep doing it until I get it right. 🙂 I’m usually just crying after those failures, not thinking about taking photos for my readers! Thank you for such a wonderful and genuine comment. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. Readers like you make it all worth it!

      Reply

  54. Mary Beth Elderton says

    I love those gorgeous shrimp and that wonderful looking ham and bean soup..but I really take heart knowing that even food blogging rock stars fail sometimes. It gives me confidence!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Mary Beth! I so appreciate that. I make mistakes all the time, and although I am so humbled by your kind comments, I am no food blogging rock star! But, its nice to think that I might be close to that! Have a beautiful week!

      Reply

  55. Christina C. says

    I love your apron fact! I am actually trying to get a visual of how one would go through 5 aprons so quickly and am picturing flames!! haha! I’m assuming no one was hurt, of course! Great giveaway and congrats on 2 years of blogging…I think we deserve yearly medals! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahahaha! Thanks Christina! I’m an avid apron wearer so that I don’t ruin my clothes! With as many recipes that go through my kitchen, you can imagine how “distressed” they get. The word “distressed” sounds so much better than grungy, don’t you think? 🙂 I agree with you – us bloggers deserve medals. My goodness what an exhausting (and sometimes frustrating) job!

      Reply

  56. Alison says

    Thank you for sharing your struggles – it’s always nice to know you’re not the only one failing miserably in the kitchen! 😉

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Oh Alison, you are definitely not alone! I fail in the kitchen ALL the time. I usually am just too frustrated to take photos! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  57. Ruby @ Ruby Red Apron says

    Congratulations Kristi! Happy 2 year blogiversary! I loved your disasters and oopsies photos… LOL! Too funny! We’ve all been through them. I’m too ashamed to do such a thing. Actually I run to my room and lock myself inside for hours. 😛

    I love that black licorice ice cream!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahaha! That sounds like an excellent idea Ruby! Next time I fail (which happened yesterday BTW), I’m going to run to my room and lock myself in for hours! 🙂 Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Sarah! I just had a big fail yesterday. Grrr. So frustrating. It was laughable though, so I took pictures for next year’s post! 🙂 Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  62. Kalley S. says

    Loved this post and congrats on all your accomplishments! I loved the honesty in this post for showing that not every single thing made goes perfect the first time, but yet you still enjoy yourself every step of the way. I think that’s super important to show people, because I think people can tend to get frustrated in the kitchen easily when something doesn’t turn out “perfect” the first time around and then just give up on finding the joy in cooking all together. I know I’ve felt like that before. Curse those darn t.v. shows for making it look so easy 😉 So thank you for showing the wins and fails! 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Kelley! I love your sweet and genuine comment. My goodness if I didn’t love the fails as much as the successes, I would have to quit cooking, but I have fails all the time! 🙂 In fact, I had a bad one yesterday (photos for next year). Thank you so much for visiting. I hope you become a regular follower! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  63. Tash says

    Happy 2nd blog anniversary! Congratulations, and thank you so much for being so supportive of all the newbie bloggers along your way (like me!!) So glad to have found you, many more years to come + many more inspirational recipes too I hope 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Tash! I love finding new bloggers like you, and I love your blog! I think everyone needs support and encouragement, and the world would be a much better place if everyone gave a little! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  64. Cheryl says

    I liked that you shared failures as well as delicious successes. Happy Anniversary! And a wonderful third year to you.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Cheryl! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I hope you become a regular follower! I have kitchen disasters all the time! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  65. Raine says

    I’m new to your blog and so glad I found it. I really enjoyed the facts- that’s a lot of photos! I love that you have a great sense of humor and are even proud of your ‘fails’. I’m a terrible cook and so many recipes are waaay to difficult for me but I think I can learn a lot from you. I just pinned the healthy sloppy Joe recipe and I’m trying that this weekend. Congrats on your milestone and I hope you go through another 5 aprons or more!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Raine! I’ll bet you’re not nearly as bad of a cook as you think! It takes lots of practice, and recipes can be finicky! Just pick the easy ones! Thank you for the compliments, and I hope you visit again! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  67. Tracy Melhinch says

    I loved how you showed the failures as well as the triumphs! The first time I tried to make snickerdoodles, I used powdered sugar instead of flour(they look alike, right?) I had to throw the pans away!!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Oh no! Hahaha! But, I loved your story Tracy – thank you for sharing. Yes, they do look alike, so its a perfectly natural ‘kitchen disaster’, which I have way to many of. So glad you liked the post. Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      🙂 Thank you Cris! I have so many kitchen disasters, I could probably have another blog! Hahaha! Thanks for stopping by! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  70. Kassie says

    Congratulations on your 2nd blogiversary! I’m new to your blog so these facts were a fun introduction and way for me to get to know Inspiration Kitchen and you!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Kassie! I hope you stick around! If you want to see more kitchen disasters, just search ‘kitchen disasters’ on my blog. 🙂 Good luck in the contest. I hope you become a regular reader.

      Reply

  71. Kelly F says

    I love that you can live without sushi forever hehe. Happy Blog Anniversary! So many great recipes!! Thank you also for the giveaway chance! 🙂

    Reply

  72. Kelly says

    I love the recipes. It is cold at my house and when it is snowy and cold all I want to do is cook. I also like your “fails”. I fail all the time, but learn more from the failures than I do with the successes. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      So glad you like the fails Kelly! I have a lot of disasters around here. More than I care to admit. I’ve finally learned to celebrate them, because you’re right – you learn more from the failures than the successes! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thanks Christin! It’s fun to keep track of the pictures. And, I feel like I work so hard at it, it’s kind of validation to go “whoa. that’s a lot of pictures!” 🙂 You will love the black licorice ice cream. It is fabulous!

      Reply

  75. Lilia Kharabora says

    My fun fact fave is : After 2 years doing this blog, I can *finally* crack an egg without getting shells in it – YESssss! Lol
    Congratulations to you dear!
    And thank you for offering this generous giveaway.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Lilia! Oh my gosh, if you’ve followed this blog, I am the *worst* at cracking eggs! Shells love me. Me, not so much. Hahaha! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  76. Laura J says

    Oh loved your fun facts! Especially #4!! “After 2 years doing this blog, I can *finally* crack an egg without getting shells in it – YESssss! ” That is sooooo funny!!!!! I still get the shells sometimes! 🙂

    Reply

  77. Judit + Corina | Glamorous Bite says

    Happy Anniversary Dear Kristi, and we are so glad to be part of your food journey! We truly enjoy your recipes and your fun loving voice. Now to your delicious food photos, your Black Licorice Ice Cream looks absolutely gorgeous!
    Thank you for the generous Giveaway!
    Hugs,
    J+C

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Judit + Corina! I love you gals. I love following your blog and seeing you two beautiful girls enjoy food and wine together. Such a beautiful life! I can’t think of two more lovely ladies more deserving! xoxo!

      Reply

  78. Tamara says

    Congrats! Thanks for sharing the pictures and recipes – everything looks so delicious! I love that you also share your “fails” in addition to your wins :).

    Reply

  86. Shannon says

    I am often intimated by bloggers but I am glad to see others have food fails too. Thank you for sharing and for this chance to win.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Shannon! Gosh, don’t be intimidated by us – we have a LOT of fails because we cook so much! We ALL have food fails. Good luck in the contest! I hope you become a regular reader!

      Reply

    • Kristi says

      Me too, Joanna! I couldn’t help but laugh at how pathetic the Fortune Cookies were! I’m glad I photographed them. We all need to laugh at ourselves sometimes! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  91. Dana Stargazer Truitt says

    I love the fact thay they are all so right on! I agree with all the favorite recipes, and the pictures are gorgeous!!

    Reply

  92. Sharill R. says

    Well I love that we can all see your personality haha and it makes me feel better that I am not the only one that messes up behind the camera lol! And I also love the foods you cannot live without, bacon? duh! Who can live without it???? Congrats on your second year 🙂

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Sharill! I love your heartfelt comment. I mess up in the kitchen ALL the time, so stick around, because I’m not afraid to tell you about it! Hahaha! And bacon – you and me, my sistah, we can get along just fine! 🙂 Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  95. Amanda says

    haha I think I’ve probably taken 5 food pictures in the past 2 years but then again I don’t have a food blog 🙂

    Reply

  96. Tammy S says

    Happy Anniversary! This is a great post! I really like that it gives us a better feel for your personality and makes it easier to feel like we know more about you. I love that you are willing to put yourself out there. You even can laugh at your own failures. Because you know we all have our little accidents in the kitchen. 🙂

    Reply

  99. Daniel M says

    over 15,000 photos in a year yikes how do you ever find them again? (I got probably like 500 and can never find the one I’m looking for)

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahaha! They are in detailed folders by date Daniel! That’s the only way I can keep track! Plus, I never forget what I ate! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  101. David Smith says

    Congratulations on the 2 years and may the next 2 years be even better. I love seeing what can happen in the kitchen rather than the pretty and ‘perfect’ eventual results. I have had many OOPS moments over the years.

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you David! I really enjoy writing about the mishaps. You simply have to be able to laugh at yourself! It keeps you from crying, you know? 🙂 Thanks for visiting and good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply

  105. Julie M says

    Honestly, I loved the pictures of the not-quite-perfect attempts! It’s nice to know these mishaps happen to everyone!

    Reply

  106. Samina | The Cupcake Confession says

    OMG KRISTI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratssssssssss and a veryyyy happy 2 year blogiversary lovely!!!!!!! :* :* :* You know I saw this post about 2 days ago but I fell sick and my mum took away my laptop so I could rest instead of spend my day blogging! HMPH!!!!! Anywaysssss, This is soooooo cool and I just love love LOVEEEEEE your blog and recipes and photos and the funny, insightful stories you share!!!!!!!!!! I hope you celebrate MANYYYYYY more blogiversaries!!!!!!!! :*

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahahaha! Thank you Samina! I am *so* sorry you were sick – and talk about adding insult to injury to be sick *and* have your mom take the laptop away! Bad mommmy! 🙂 Just kidding – it was probably the best thing for you – mom’s always know best! Remember that. 🙂 So glad you are feeling better! And, thanks for the blogiversary wishes! You *know* how much I love when you visit, Miss Energy! xoxo!

      Reply

  108. Sheila Vives says

    You made me feel better with this one “After 2 years doing this blog, I can *finally* crack an egg without getting shells in it – YESssss! ” haha, I watch the pro’s on tv and just wish I could crack an egg perfectly one handed !

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      I’m with you Sheila! There’s no way I’d attempt it with one hand. For pete’s sake, I just learned how to do it with two! Hahaha! Good luck in the contest!

      Reply

  109. Candice says

    I love knowing other people have mess ups in the kitchen too. The smoothie looks so delicious. Congratulations to you too!

    Reply

  110. courtney hennagir says

    I love that you share your “fails” along with your successes! So many bloggers just post the good stuff.It’s reassuring to know that I’m not alone in my kitchen “yikes!” moments.I just got lost in your amazing pinterest boards and am now starving! Thank you for all of the incredible recipes!

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Thank you Courtney! I absolutely LOVE your genuine comment! I hope you love the Pinterest boards, and I hope you become a regular follower. Trust me, my sistah – I have hundreds failures in the kitchen, and I always point them out! LOL! Good luck in the contest.

      Reply

  113. Jill Myrick says

    Happy Anniversary ! I wish you many, many more great years.
    I love that your not afraid to show recipes that didn’t work as well as the ones that do.
    It makes me feel a little better that not all of mine turn out like I hope as well.

    jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Oh my gosh Jill! If you only knew how many I try that don’t work out. It could probably be a blog all on it’s own! Hahaha! Good luck in the contest, and thanks for stopping by! 🙂

      Reply

  116. Geoff K says

    I loved reading that you’ve taken over 2400 photos of food with your new camera already – that’s a real testament to your passion for cooking!

    Reply

  118. Jennifer Peters says

    Congratulations on your second blogiversary!! I Love That you were brave enough to post your failed attempts, they still looked delicious! Mine arent even close to being as appetizing lol

    Reply

    • Kristi says

      Hahahaha! Well, I am a food blogger/photographer 🙂 I have to at least try to make even the failures look decent! Haha! Good luck in the contest Jennifer!

      Reply

  119. Annette says

    Happy anniversary! I hope you have many more.

    I had a chuckle with this one, “After 2 years doing this blog, I can *finally* crack an egg without getting shells in it.” I’m still working on that one.

    Reply

  120. Erika W. says

    I liked seeing the fails. Lol. I mean, that’s me – anytime I try a recipe, it usually ends up a fail. And I love that you can live without sushi – me too!!!

    Reply

  122. Betsy Barnes says

    I loved that it took you two years to crack an egg without getting pieces of shells, lol. I still can’t seem to do this corectly and I have been cooking for thirty years! I enjoyed your photos too, never heard of Black Licorice ice cream, very interesting. 🙂

    Reply

  125. Susan Smith says

    Congratulations on your second blogiversary.. sound like you had an exciting year. The recipes on your list sounds greats, I’ll have to check them out.

    Reply

  126. ellen casper says

    I have taken 15,079 photos this past year and over 30,633 photos since the launch of this blog – wow! Have you kept all these photo’s?

    Reply

  127. Shannon F says

    This was seriously one of the funniest cooking posts I’ve ever seen. I love all of your “fail” pictures! I also could live the rest of my life without trying sushi again. Yuck. I totally don’t get that craze!

    Reply

  128. Stephanie Larison says

    I love that you have so much control over taking pics of food, Lol I’d be putting the camera down and eating everything in sight.

    Reply

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