Hi everyone! Happy November (a few days late)!
It’s been a while since we’ve chatted. I’d like to make these “crumbs” posts a little more frequent, so I’m touching base in the midst of a crazy start to the holiday season. I don’t think I’ve ever been busier than I am right now, but I’m loving every second of it.
Well, almost every second. I could really do without the dishwashing, but my mom has started to come over to help with that, and fortunately Zach’s always more than willing to pick up the slack around our house.
One of the reasons I’ve been so busy recently is because, on top of my regular recipe development, I’ve started to increase the amount of video that I’m doing. I’m doing Facebook Lives on my page once a week (Thursdays at 1:00 EST, usually with the help of my youngest sister, Andi), and I’ve also started filming longish “YouTube” style/cooking show-style videos. I’ve filmed a handful and finally finished editing my first one and, oh, guys, it’s so so bad 🤦🏼♀️.
It’s choppy, the audio isn’t great, and even though I’ve started feeling comfortable and at ease on my Facebook Lives, the YouTube video was like starting from scratch and I was so. awkward. Look for yourself 🙈
I honestly didn’t even want to upload it at all, but I made myself do it anyway. This is the hardest part about starting something new, most likely you’re going to be bad at it at first. In my case, really bad. And when there are so many other amazing bloggers out there pumping out tons of recipes, tons of videos, and totally rocking it, it’s really easy for me to feel super inadequate.
Right now I’m just trying to accept that my first work isn’t going to be my best, and that the only way to get better is to just jump in and get started. Taking a look back at my first post ever was a good reminder of how important it is to just get started… if I hadn’t ever published that post, we wouldn’t be here today!
Besides the video, I’m up to my eyeballs in Holiday baking. New recipes that I’m currently working on include Gingerbread Cookies, Peanut Brittle, and Cranberry Sauce, to name a few.
Is there anything special you’d like to see me share? Let me know and I’ll see what I can do!
I’ve made my cookie butter cookies (that’s the dough in the picture above) about a dozen times and made sure to share this (super, super simple) homemade whipped cream recipe before Thanksgiving, so be sure to try this out when you’re ready to bury your slice of pumpkin pie under a pile of whipped cream. I also have a great Turkey Pot Pie and Turkey Chowder recipe that I’ll share again right after Thanksgiving, they’re both perfect for using up leftover turkey.
I also shared these Pumpkin Spice Snickerdoodles 👆🏻 over on The Spruce last month, if you want to check them out!
Despite being majorly busy, Zach and I have been trying to make time to do something fun on the weekends (this Friday night was an exciting trip to the grocery store… and then another one when I realized I forgot what I’d gone there for in the first place).
Last weekend we made our way to Penn’s Cave, and last month we went apple picking twice. Zach’s Aunt Jen kindly and patiently served as my hand model for the below shot.
This apple made its way into one of the many apple recipes I shared last month, including:
Have you tried any of the above? I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried.
I think that’s all the crumbs I have for now, be sure to check back in on Monday because I have a giveaway planned for you!
Thank you for reading!!
Selah Howard
Hi there!
Look how far you’ve come, Sam! The video on this post and your most recent “Swiss Meringue Buttercream” video, look at the contrast! Progression at its greatest I say! Good job, all the time and warmth you put into this site is wonderful! One day, when you’re later on in your years, you will be more than astonished. Keep at it, girl! ;D
Sweetly, Selah
Sugar Spun Run
Selah, thank you so very much! Your comment made my day and warmed my heart. I appreciate the support. 🙂
Selah Howard
Of course! I’m so glad! You’re welcome!
Bonnie
I am anxious to try your new apple recipes! I loved your videos, especially the oatmeal cookie one, I see no problems at all, you are being too hard on yourself. Your vast recipe content is amazing to me! You are so prolific! Every time I am online I see more recipes! I would love to perfect a shortbread thumbprint recipe with strawberry jelly for Christmas giving. I need your help to buy new cookie baking sheets, mine are heavy commercial and do not bake in the allotted times,what do you use and where should I buy some new ones? and I also need the size of the cookie scoops you use and where to get them please. I think you are to close to the forest to see the trees concerning your videos!, Just keep powering through, all is just fine. You are amazing!
Sam
I really hope that you love them, Bonnie!! I’m glad you liked the video, I probably am being a bit too hard on myself but it’s hard not to be!
You are so kind! The shortbread thumbprint cookies sound so good, I definitely have to have some more thumbprints for the holiday season!
Honestly, I don’t use any fancy cookie sheets, I have a sturdy Wilton (I’m pretty sure it’s Wilton, I will have to double-check) and a very flimsy sheet that I bought from WalMart that always pops in the oven because it’s warped (so I can never use it for testing), and that’s pretty much it!
I get my cookie scoops from Amazon, I have these two:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CDVD2 (2 teaspoon-size)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000CCY1E (1.5 Tablespoon-size)
For my big cookies I’ll usually use two scoops from the 1.5 Tablespoon scoop. I really hope that helps!
Thank you again for the kind words!!
bonnie
Oh thank you! I will look at Wilton. And I will order the scoops,I have one scoop,,have no idea what size it is! You are soo helpful! I think you are obviously very well trained in creating the very best recipes, and presenting them,I hope you just keep going and I so admire what you are doing..except the dishes! What are your future goals? I think a cookbook is in order! I love your emails and videos, very informative, I want to tweak my baking and make the very best I can. I am thinking try for a spot on one of the TV shows doing a demo of your best recipes. Like maybe pitch having a contest for best ever whatever,or be a judge on the Food Network baking shows. pr participate in one..Love what you do!
Sam
I just looked through my oven drawer and this is my current favorite cookie sheet (though I do have a Wilton I like too, I thought this one was Wilton til I flipped it over and saw that it wasn’t): https://www.amazon.com/Metallic-Professional-Non-Stick-Jelly-Roll-12-25-Inch/dp/B003YKGRWS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510322846&sr=8-3&keywords=chicago+metallic+cookie+sheet
I am so glad that you enjoy the recipes Bonnie! As for future goals, who knows, I would love to do a cookbook someday, so perhaps that’s where I’m headed, we will see! 🙂
You should definitely try for a spot and if you get one I need to know about it so I can watch!!!!!!
Thank you for following along Bonnie, and sorry for missing your reply earlier!!
Jim
The Apple Crumb was simply delightful!! So much in fact, I had to bake two more for my wife’s company get-together. Both pans came back completely cleaned! The peanut butter fudge filled cookies were also a huge hit. 88 year old nana said it was the best cookie she ever ate (and she is a really tough critic). I love your site and recipes. Looking forward to using some of your holiday cookie recipes. Who dosent love a tin full of cookies as a gift 🙂
Sam
I’m so happy to hear that everyone enjoyed it so much!!! That’s awesome! I’m thrilled that Nana enjoyed the cookies (they were a HUGE) hit here, too, thank you so much for letting me know, and for commenting, Jim!!! 🙂
Mikaru86
Nice to finally see you posting videos on YouTube. Facebook videos are a bit of a pain when you don’t have a Facebook account XD
I also increased your subscriber count by 50% (well, from 2 to 3, but still). So if you were wondering about that strange guy posting on your videos, that was me.
Sam
Thank you!!! I do a lot of those fast overhead videos on Facebook (I’ve never uploaded them to YouTube because I’ve been told they wouldn’t do well there), too, but those are a lot easier because I just show my hands and don’t have to talk on them 😂
I really appreciate you subscribing, unfortunately the first few videos are going to be a little rough, but hopefully they improve if I can stick with it!!
Mikaru86
The video quality seems fine to me, especially for someone new to producing video content. All the basics are covered: decent lighting, decent sound and a clear structure for the video. Of course there is room for improvement (as there always is), but I think you are starting at a very good baseline already. Certainly leagues above anything that I could throw together.
I’m looking forward to more content and seeing your channel grow.
Amanda
“Awkward” videos? If I looked as cute as you and was as talented as you, I would be on YouTube 24/7! Thanks for all your hard work.
Sam
Haha, you are so sweet! It felt so awkward to do, and then I had to listen to myself over and over again while editing, it was a rough experience 😂
Thank you for commenting, Amanda, I appreciate you reading!