It’s the last day of the month and time to recap what I made. It was a huge month for me, with lots of recipes, realizations, and reflections. More on that at the end of the post.
August 2012 Recipes:
Cinnamon Raisin Bread Smoothie (vegan, GF)
Strawberry Jelly Rolls (major shortcut used)
Baked Peach and Nectarine Donuts with White Chocolate Drizzle
Malibu Rum Fruit Loops Treats (no-bake)
Coconut Cream Pie Smoothie (vegan, GF)
Coconut White Chocolate Chip Blondies
Frozen Chocolate Pudding Wafer Cake (no-bake, 3 ingredients)
Cinnamon Sugar Chocolate Pretzels (no bake, vegan, GF)
Citrus and Spice Smoothie (vegan, GF)
Chocolate Banana and Biscoff Graham Bars
Blueberry Muffins with Raspberry Jam Swirls
Combos Pretzel and Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Bars (no-bake)
Banana Bread with Vanilla Browned Butter Glaze
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache
International Peanut Butter Comparison
Other Important Posts:
Greetings From Aruba – we spent the month at our home in Aruba
Little Helper – first time I had posted pictures of Skylar in many months
I participated in a Virtual Baby Shower
I started Banana Bread Fest
We went on a Sunset Sail in Aruba
What did you make or do in August that was memorable?
This was a huge month for me. On a blog level, I posted more new recipes this month than in any other month in the history of my blog. Just give me vacation time on an island and where do I find myself? In the kitchen of course.
There’s only so much sun and outdoor heat I can take before coming inside is necessary; and cooking and baking relaxes me and it’s my idea of a vacation. I never would have believed that about myself ten years ago, but now there are very few places I’d rather be than in the kitchen creating. In fact, I loved making banana bread and made so many versions, which I’ll post in the weeks to come, that I started Banana Bread Fest because it truly was a Banana Bread Fest in our house.
But no one complained about a constant stream of goodies and we are so active in Aruba with runs, walks, swimming, body surfing, walking rather than driving to the grocery store, walking to the beach, and just being outside in the fresh air that we all work up quite an appetite and yes, we ate every single morsel posted and many more that weren’t posted. We even ate a few vegetables.
I noticed that I did not post one single savory recipe but there were two salty ‘n sweet recipes that both use pretzels, plenty of desserts including many no-bake options, and three smoothies to wash it all down with.
I had been wanting to post some classics on my blog that I felt were holes in my recipe arsenal and I have now filled them: a new banana bread recipe, blueberry muffins, and chocolate cake. I’ve been blogging for years and not having a recipe for those items, or current recipes for those items, was bothering me. What kind of chocolate addict would I be to not have a chocolate cake recipe?
I really pleased with the quality of those recipes; they’re classics and not gimmicky or trendy. They’re recipes I will continue to use for years to come and now I have them written and documented so I can use them when needed.
As a blogger there is a constant demand for content that is new, fresh, exciting, hip, fun, and diverse. Old-fashioned chocolate cake, banana bread, and blueberry muffins seem very boring in comparison to Malibu Rum Fruit Loops Treats and Combos Pretzel and Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Bars when Pinterest and other blogs are full of monster cookie this and Oreo-stuffed that. Yes, I have done some ‘out there’ recipes over the years; some of which I am prouder of than others, but going forward I will post some more classics. Sure, I’ll still post things with marshmallow fluff and maybe even cake mix, but a cherry pie from scratch sounds more rewarding than opening a tube of refrigerated cookie dough and crumbling it into cupcakes made from cake mix now and I’m going to try to make more classic recipes that will stand the test of time.
On a personal level, being in Aruba with my family for a month was an amazing experience and I am beyond grateful. We are blessed, fortunate, and I thank God every day for these gifts and take none of it for granted. Being next to the ocean feeling like just a speck of sand in the huge world humbles me. So does running against a 45mph headwind from Mother Nature day in and day out.
Being able to co-parent our daughter together without rushing off to be anywhere, go to work, or do something else has been a gift that Scott and I cherish. Spending 24/7 together with a child for a month and watching Skylar grow emotionally, intellectually, become a stronger swimmer, become more confident, learn about 10 new words a day (everything from septic tank to caulk to sea legs) and literally watch the development unfold before my very eyes is so rewarding to see her blossoming before my very eyes. First grade begins next week and we will cherish the memories we made on our summer vacation.
Tell me about your month or your summer.
Talk to me about classic recipes versus some of the more crazy creations seen on Pinterest or various blogs – what kind of cook or eater are you?
Previous Months:
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012
May 2012
June 2012
July 2012
Thanks for the Taste of Home Best Loved Recipes Cookbook Giveaway entries
My summer has been great … lots of life changes, but things are settling down.
Oh dear, this is quite tricky question… I like experimenting, trying many new things, but then I always come back to classic recipes, to a very simple food of my ancestors…
Averie, I love this recap you are doing every month. I enjoy looking at your beautiful photos and “eating” all the great food you make. It also reminds me of things I did or didn’t do in the past months… Thank you! :)
Awww, Averie, I just love your reflections on this. I’ve been following this blog since back in the day when you were more focused on vegan dishes (or healthified sweets, if that is such a word?) and yoga. While I probably rely more upon your other recipes(a single girl living alone just can’t bake sweets that often or else I’d weight 1000lbs), I really love the new direction you’ve taken. I really hope you write a cookbook one day. Your recipes are easy, delicious and pretty to look at. Also, your photography is out of this world.
I’m a simple cook like you – as in I like easy recipes with a few steps, and I like to use shortcuts for recipes…sort of how you use cake mix, I’ll use store bought pasta sauce or pesto’s and then mix them with lots of other spices or in hummus or nut spreads to make new things. It’s so much easier than starting from scratch.
I look forward to seeing what else comes out of your kitchen. :)
I remember your comments from my old posts 3+ years ago and I appreciate your loyal support!! And I have grown as a blogger, photographer, cook over the years and I am so glad you’ve been around to watch it and for your support and this super sweet comment – thank you :)
What a month! I never get tired of seeing those beautiful pictures of Aruba, one of these days I’m going to have to see it in person…
I will always remember this summer for our incredible trip to Southeastern Alaska, on a Linblad (small) cruise in conjunction with National Geographic. It was the best trip Larry and I have enjoyed in our 16 years together. I fell in love with humpback whales and the utter beauty of the area…https://lizthechef.com/2012/08/06/alaska-adventure/
This looks so good!
Wanted to let you know about this upcoming 7-day smoothie challenge :)
https://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/2012/08/back-to-school-green-smoothie-challenge.html
I was actually thinking of making a banana bread today….this post just reminded me I should add a brown butter glaze! Just to make it extra special :)
Hope you do try it with your bread – I love it!
I really enjoyed all of your recipes this month. It’s pretty shocking that August is over though. Where did the time go? Your daughter is adorable! I love her pink outfits! Have a fabulous weekend, Averie!
Very big month for you indeed, wow! Great recipe recap! Summer has been a bit dry for me so far with work and training , but we’re looking forward to changing that this month!
You’ve been so busy with work and hope that all calms down a bit for you!
Thank you for such a poignant post, Averie. It is nice to hear about the movement you are making with your recipes and I think it is a good one. I love the fun and creative, easy things (what busy mom doesn’t?), but I think you are right in that people want things from scratch for special occasions like Thanksgiving, Christmas, special Anniversaries, etc. I look forward with eagerness to all that you are going to be posting in the future.
As for Skylar, what a blessing that you are able to spend 24/7 watching her experience life. This is how motherhood should be! I never regret always having been home with my boys. They are Isaac’s and my absolute joy and I NEVER wish I was away from them or that I had “me” time when they are around. The time has gone so fast that I feel like I’ve blinked and now Seraphim is a senior in high school (what??!) and Simeon in 8th grade. What are we doing if we can’t appreciate all the joys our children and families bring to us on a daily and momentary basis? So glad you had such a wonderful month!
Now what will September bring? ;-)
And I don’t mean to sound like I’m going to make this ‘radical shift’ but just a hmmm, wouldn’t it be nice to make more classics, intermixed between some Rice Krispies Treats and EASY stuff which is what I’d like to think my readers enjoy about my site…but do some classics (that I will make do-able for the avg cook!) :)
I visit your blog daily for the “sugar high” but what you wrote there at the end about gratitude and your precious family was sweetest of all. Love that!! Reminder of what really matters.
Well thanks for visiting daily and glad you liked my little reflections :)
What a recap! Loking back at some of these recipes, they feel so long ago, but also like they could have been posted yesterday. I can see the shift in your blog with this recap crystal clear!
August was a BUSY month for me too! Lots of fun, travel, family, friends, and relaxing. I blogged less than ever but had more fun than any month in recent history. I just had friends over tonight, was at a happy hour yesterday, and I’m heading to my parents’ cabin for the weekend tomorrow. A nice send-off for the last weekend of the summer. sad…