It’s been a while since we’ve touched base and had one of these Crumbs chats, hasn’t it? I’ve been posting a lot of bits of my life on my Instagram stories (psst, I’m doing a $150 Amazon gift card giveaway over there), so I feel like I’ve been keeping everyone up to date on things, but it’s about time we talked here.
We celebrated Luke’s first birthday two weeks ago, and it turns out he likes cake just as much as his mama does.
I absolutely cannot believe my baby is a year old now. I know everyone says time flies when you have kids but… wow, they weren’t kidding. He’s so much fun and so smart (it amazes me how much he understands!) and I love learning more and more about his silly personality every day. And the kid is his mother’s son… he likes to eat.
We’re teaching him to communicate with sign language and “eat” is his favorite sign. He directs me into the kitchen and is always asking to “eat” his snacks, the cookies that just came out of the oven, or the brownies on the counter… I limit his sugar (he’s never had a brownie!) but he wants everything in the kitchen!
We also celebrated my birthday yesterday. I turned 31 (!) and I celebrated by testing recipes all day (so business as usual 😂). Super low-key day.
Something For the Holidays
Just in time for the holidays I recently finished putting together a holiday ebook (you can buy it here!)!
It includes some of my must-bake recipes for the holidays. Most of these already exist on the blog (like my cheesecake, peanut butter blossoms, and sugar cookies), and this is meant to just be a catch-all collection of my favorite holiday recipes, but you’ll also be getting advanced access to several recipes that won’t be published until later this month and three exclusive recipes that I don’t have plans to publish on the blog, like this one:
I originally started creating the book with only 25 recipes planned, then added “just one more” bonus, then another, then another, so now the book actually contains 28 recipes. It’s available now and you can buy your e-copy here.
What About a Physical Cookbook?
I’ve been receiving a lot of requests for a printed, physical cookbook recently. A. lot. Many of you know writing a cookbook has always been on my radar so in 2021 I’m going to take a serious look at what actually doing that would look like.
But first, I want to hear from you. I need you to leave me a comment and let me know what you would like to see… Would it be:
- A cookbook that features many of the recipes already available on the blog with some new recipes sprinkled in as well? Many of you have told me you’d just like a physical copy of my existing recipes in book form, what do you think?
- A cookbook that features mostly new recipes with some of the classics mixed in as well?
- A cookbook that’s only new recipes.
And then what do you want to see in that cookbook:
- A mix of baking recipes (cookies, cakes, etc.)
- A cookbook that focuses on one type of recipe (ex: just cookie recipes).
Or something else!? If I’m going to make this happen, it’s going to be a lot of work so I need to know exactly what you want. I need to hear from you! Your comments will shape this hypothetical cookbook (and whether it ever exists or not), so let me know your thoughts!
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays
The holidays certainly look different this year than they did in the past, don’t they? I hope you’re in the holiday spirit as much as is possible for a year like this one (and if you’re still shopping for gifts, make sure to check out my gift guide!).
Stay safe and stay warm, and as always, thank you for reading!
Liz Thacker
I frequently come to your website for dinner ideas or a new sweet treat recipe to try (like tonight, I’m making your potato soup!), so I would love a recipe book mixed with oldies and some new ones mixed it! And I love all your recipes, the savory dinners and the baking sweets alike! The first thing of yours I made was the mac ‘n cheese, I’ve made it about 6 times since then and it ALWAYS gets rave reviews. Happy New Year and thanks for always having a reliable recipe that isn’t super complicate for those of us who are not so great in the kitchen!
Sam
Thank you so much for the feedback Liz! I’m so glad you have enjoyed everything so much. 🙂
Nidhi
I love your recipes!! For the cookbook, a mix of old and new recipes would be great. <3
Nidhi
I love your recipes!!! For the cookbook, a mix of old and new recipes would be great.
Sarah Pourhosseini
I’ve been hoping you’d do a cookbook! I think a mix of old and some new would be great. Also I’d prefer a variety of cookies, cakes, etc. I’m sure best chocolate cake would make the cut but I’m taking this opportunity to also request pumpkin scones which is now a Thanksgiving morning tradition. In fact, pumpkin scones converted my brother in law from “I’m not a sweets person” to “Did you get the recipe from the pumpkin scones lady?” LOL
Sam
🤣 “Pumpkin scones lady” I love it! I’m so glad you have enjoyed everything and I appreciate your feedback. I lovvee that chocolate cake. 🙂
Margaret
I love your recipes, would love to see book with old and new recipes also mix of cookies and cakes
Sam
Thank you so much, Margaret! 🙂
Cindy Cozine
I have been cooking for years now and I have my mother recipes books. I am always looking for new ones to put with her because I LOVE baking and cooking. My family enjoys everything that I make even though I am by myself now. When they come over I have tried your recipes with them along with my moms. They tell their friends about what I have made and then takes their friends some also. Thank you for posting them so I can try them. I would enjoy a cook book put out by you.
Sam
Thank you so much for your support, Cindy! I’m glad you enjoy everything so much and I appreciate you taking the time to leave some input. 🙂
Jill
Happy Birthday to you and Luke. He is adorable. I would like a cookbook with old favorites and new. A mix of baking recipes would be great. Saucy is too cute. Merry Christmas.
Sam
Thank you so much, Jill! I appreciate your feedback! 🙂
Sarah Grimm
Merry Christmas and happy birthdays!
Can I just say that as a geeky girl (your Star Wars references are not lost on me!) who loves animals and cooking, that this blog is my hands-down go-to for all things baking? My sweet treats game has been upped this year since I found this site, and I cannot thank you enough for sharing your tips, tricks, and recipes. I’ve learned so much!
I would love any cookbook you put out, but my vote would be for a mix of new and old and all the baking things!
Sam
I love it when someone picks up on the Star Wars references!! Thank you so much, Sarah, I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying the recipes! I appreciate your input and your continued support. 🙂