I’ll come right out and say that 2008 has not been my best year yet.  It has been full of difficult moments in my personal life during my journey to be a mom and my faith has been tested in many ways.  But because of the love and guidance of family and my close friends, I have survived…and 2009 will be my year!  Through all of my struggles this year, my time spent in the kitchen has been my escape, my drug, so to speak.  I’ve been able to lose myself in my cookbooks, my kitchen gadgets, and my newly formed and highly beloved Barefoot Bloggers group.  I have grown as a cook but more so as a baker, both skills which make me burst with pride.  And as we close out this year (goodbye!!), I’d like to share with you some of my favorite creations and would like to wish all of you, my faithful readers, a happy and healthy New Year!!!

blondies1blueberry-muffins1brie-tartletts1brioche-snails1butterflied-chicken

cheesecakecorn-saladdanishgrilled-pizzasherbed-potatoes1

honey-yeast-rollsorange-choc-chunk-cakepanzanellaparmesan-chickenpbcake

pea-souppolenta-cakeropa-viejoscallops-provencalspinach-polenta

sticky-bunsstrawberry-tarttomato-basil-soup

January

spinach polenta

better-late-than-never blondies

February

blueberry coffee cake muffins

split pea soup

March

brioche raisin snails

reese’s peanut butter chocolate cake

April

fluted polenta and ricotta cake

slow cooker ropa viejo

May

pecan honey sticky buns

scallops provençal

June

strawberry tart

parmesan chicken

July

roasted corn salad

herbed new potatoes

August

roasted tomato basil soup

turkey meatloaf and parmesan smashed potatoes

September

panzanella and butterflied chicken

california grilled pizzas

October

easy cheese danish

butternut squash risotto

November

brie and caramelized onion tartletts

orange chocolate chunk cake

December

tall and creamy cheesecake

honey yeast rolls

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Leave a Comment

  • joelen
    January 1, 2009 at 11:05 AM

    What a great round up of your tasty 2008! Here’s wishing you a Happy New Year full of more delicious eats. I’m looking forward to future posts from Smells Like Home in 2009!

  • Annie
    January 1, 2009 at 2:37 PM

    Hi Tara! I know 2008 was a tough year for you, but I know you are an incredibly strong person and you will continue to persevere. I do want you to know that your blog is one of my absolute favorites of the MANY that I read, and everything recipe of yours that I have tried has been a total success. Thanks for such a reliable source of excellent recipes. I look forward to seeing what you post in 2009, and also hope that 2009 is a much happier year for you all around!

  • ash
    January 1, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    happy new year! best wishes for 2009!