I don’t know about you, but daylight saving time hit me hard this year. Can someone remind me why we can’t just pick a time and stick with it all year ’round? I’m trying to wrap my head around it but since I gave up caffeine for Lent I’ve really been struggling these past few days and thinking about anything has been a struggle. Tiredness aside, it’s been a while since we’ve chatted and I wanted to stop in with another Crumbs post.
Besides, I have big news I’ve been wanting to share…
Meet Breha (pronounced “BRAY-uh”, and yes, that’s a sprinkle bandana she’s wearing).
After losing Leia last summer, our home was sorely missing a German Shepherd. I will always miss my Leia girl, but Zach and I decided that we were ready to welcome a new shepherd into the family and last weekend we brought home this fluffy, cuddly, flop-eared (for now!) ball of fur. She is now 9 weeks old, super smart (hardly any accidents in the house, already learning tricks, sleeping through the night) and sweet and she is the perfect fit for our family. She follows me around like a shadow and Zach and I are smitten.
I thought I’d summarize how each of the household members are doing with the new addition in a series of pictures…
Penny is doing great. She has been very good and very patient with her.
I think you can tell from Luke’s expression that he approves! A bite-y (she’s learning!), jumpy puppy is a bit much for a toddler, but we supervise closely and Luke likes giving her treats and petting her. When he can do so and avoid her teeth, that is.
I asked him yesterday if he liked the puppy and if he wanted to keep her and got an enthusiastic head nod, so I think that’s a good sign!
Saucy is intrigued, but extremely unimpressed. This “feral” cat always surprises me with her patience, Breha is much too excited about her right now, but as she grows older I think they’ll get along just fine.
There’s no picture of Breha with Colt because he is not very happy that we brought home a puppy. After having successfully fostered over 15 dogs/puppies with him previously (and having two of my sisters’ dogs stay with us last year), I’ve been surprised by how unhappy he’s been to have her here, he just does not like her being close to him at all. With careful supervision and slow introduction, we’re working on it and things are moving in the right direction.
Our household is a little extra crazy right now, but it’s worth it.
New E-book!
In other news, I just put out a new e-book! This one all about spring and Easter recipes.
As with my Christmas ebook, these are (almost) all recipes that are already on the blog, it’s just a collection of my springtime favorites that have been formatted to be easily printable, all in one place, and ad-free.
You can get your copy here.
You will also get an advanced look at the recipe below that I won’t be publishing until later this month…
Food bloggers like myself have been getting a LOT of backlash recently for sharing their “life stories” and for having ads in their blog posts. While I try to “stick to the recipe” and always write my posts trying to be as helpful as possible (my number one goal, I have it written on a sticky on my computer!), this is my personal blog and so bits of my life do spill over sometimes, though I try to hold them for posts like these.
As for ads, well the fact is that without ads I would not be able to even run this website and provide the free recipes that I do. I’m hoping that providing ad-free, life story-free ebooks for a small cost, maybe that will provide a happy medium for people who get upset about having to scroll or hit the “jump to recipe” button at the top of these free recipes (which is obviously not you here reading this, or you wouldn’t be here, reading this 😉. I appreciate you!💜).
I also know some people just enjoy having the ebooks, which I totally get and am happy to provide them for you, too and appreciate everyone who buys one!
So that’s what’s been new around here recently! Let me know in the comments if you enjoy these posts because that makes all the difference on whether I will continue to share them or not.
Thanks for stopping in and chatting with me, and 10 brownie points to anyone who can guess how I picked Breha’s name 😉
If you want more puppy pics, make sure you’re following me on Instagram and check out my stories, there will be plenty (too many? Is that possible?) coming!
-Sam
Anne
I love to hear about the person behind the recipe! Keep running ads. You should be making money while providing amazing recipes and videos!! Puppy is super adorable.
Sam
Thank you so much, Anne! I really appreciate it. ๐
Stephanie
I appreciate the free recipes and like hearing about your life. This is your personal space, so girl you do you! My mom and I both enjoy watching your videos. Your recipes are our go to recipes because they are easy to follow and always delicious. You make everything look so fun and we in turn do have fun following the recipes. Thank you for all you do. You keep being you! Congrats on your new fur baby. God bless you and your family abundantly.
Sam
Thank you so much, Stephanie! I really really appreciate it. ๐
Zahra Sulemanji
Very helpful. Do keep them coming. I enjoy reading them too. Thanks ๐ค
Hannah
So happy that you got a new dog!!! My family is raising a litter of puppies right now and I know how exciting it can be!!! And I don’t know who said what, but please keep the updates coming! It makes everything so much more personal and heartfelt. And I never thought I would say this, but keep the ads coming too! You need it to keep this AMAZING website running. Keep being you, you’re awesome.
Marian
I love recieving your emails. I also love hearing about you & your family once in a while. You’re keeping it real. Lol! Thank you for sharing your recipes & a little bit of your life with us. Have a great year.
Stephanie
I agree 100%๐
Chris
Congratulations on the new puppy.
I watch all your videos and enjoy watching you.
I love hearing about your family as well. Happy st. Patrickโs day.
Chris
SHERRY SHADLE
KEEP YOUR POSTS COMING. WHO DOESN’T LIKE PETS N BABIES. AND LOVE THE RECIPES. THANKS SAM!! OH YEAH, HOW DID YOU PICK BREAHAS NAME???
Eghosasere
Hi Sam, Please keep up the good work. I found you online and must confess your recipes are what I turn to when I want to impress :). Your write ups add life to it all, and enable us connect on a personal note, for this I say thank you. I am happy to encourage you to continue to share these and any more inspirations you get.
Cathie
Love the new pup and the update on how each family member is handling her arrival.
Annie Geheran
You are so awesome, Sam!!! I have been following your blog and making your recipes for a couple of years now, and Iโm always truly so impressed not only with the recipes themselves, but how informative your posts are and how much knowledge you share. Iโve learned so much from you! Your recipes are my go-to whenever I want to bake but donโt exactly know *what* I want to bake, and I am ALWAYS blown away by how wonderfully things come out! There are also many of your recipes that are staples in my baking repertoire, which always get so many compliments from my family and friends. ๐ Iโve shared your blog with many, many people.
I love when you share these personal โCrumbsโ posts โ it makes me happy to see whatโs going on in your life. ๐ Never change anything about your blog, itโs perfect just the way it is!
Much love from Boston! ๐ฅฐ
Susie
Hi Sam, my name is Susie + I recently found your recipes and I love them! Thank you. And I like to hear about your life also. As for the pets……YAY- KEEP IT COMING! I LOVE ANIMALS . Right now I’m living in Maine with my Daughter and Son in law, so I only have 3 dawgs- and together, they have 3. I had to tone it down when I moved here from AZ. Except for the “time change” I like it here- I grew up in CT, so I was used to it. Sam, you take care,be HEALTHY + HAPPY always. ๐
Jenise
I really love checking my emails to see if you have posted a new recipe. Iโm older I love trying new things for dinner or dessert. I personally enjoy reading about your beautiful family and your pets are. I believe itโs a nice thing to see pictures and a story behind your life.
It just makes it more real to see your family and what makes you happy. I think in the times we live in itโs wonderful to see happy and uplifting things in our lives. Thank you Sam!!!
Vicki
You are so right, Jenise, about seeing happy and uplifting bits and pieces of someone’s life. Thanks for the comment.
I have only made one recipe from this blog (biscotti) but it was a keeper. I like having a sure-thing recipe like that. Thanks, Sam!
sue stroud
I am 73 and I absolutely live your recipes.?If I want to make something new you are my go to.
Connie Dean
I love your recipes and your stories.
Kim Salisbury
I love this post and am happy to read more about you and your family and your animals along with your great recipes! And the ads! No problem! Thank you! I just found you recently and really enjoy your site! -KIM
Liz Zuehlsdorf
I love your updates and hearing about your family and pets but of course, I especially love your recipes, don’t change a thing!!
Rose
Loved your update! Thank you for fostering and congratulations on your new baby grrrrrl, she is too cute. Luke is really getting big now. Have a great rest of your week! Keep the recipes coming, I love them all! Take care, Rosie.
JoAnn McGoldrick
Love your family and enjoy your posts. Congratulations on your new puppy ๐ถ