Celebrating 18 Years of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: A Look Back and Holiday Reflections
It’s a bustling time of year, and while moments might be scarce, I wanted to connect and share a few thoughts with you all!
A Milestone Worth Celebrating: 18 Years of Deliciousness!
As I’ve shared in my email updates and on social media, I’m thrilled to announce a significant milestone: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe is turning 18 this week!
It feels surreal, and I can’t express enough how grateful I am for each and every one of you. 💗 Your incredible support is the reason I continue to share my most-loved recipes. This truly is the best little corner of the internet (in my humble opinion 😉).
What began as a free, simple hobby blog on blogspot.com (anyone remember the mykitchencafe.blogspot.com days? 👋🏼) has blossomed into a thriving website with remarkable growth:
- My first recipe was published in December 2007 ➡️ Now, my site boasts nearly 2,000 recipes.
- Initially, my mom and sister were my only readers ➡️ Today, over a million people visit each month.
- I never imagined publishing a cookbook, let alone selling copies ➡️ Now, I do have a published cookbook that has sold tens of thousands of copies.
- I had three children under the age of three when I started the blog ➡️ Now, I have five children ranging from 13 to 21.
- I was living in Wisconsin when my blog was born ➡️ Now, we call Idaho home (after stints in Minnesota and Utah!).
Ready for a trip down memory lane with some *then* and *now* photos?
(Honestly, I remember thinking that close-up lasagna shot was a photographic masterpiece 🫣🫣)
It’s hard to believe how quickly my kids have grown up during the blog’s lifetime. It definitely pulls at the heartstrings!
And now, a moment of silence for some of the blog’s early logo iterations before I invested in professional design. 🤣
I think we should plan a huge celebration for Mel’s Kitchen Cafe’s 20th birthday in 2027, what do you think? Can we all squeeze into my kitchen for cookies, hot chocolate, messy buns, and comfy joggers?
Yes, that sounds like the perfect celebration to me. Thank you for being a part of this journey, friends. My life is enriched by your presence. 💗💗
Checking In: A Few Questions for You
- How are you doing?
- Have you finished your holiday shopping?
- Are you traveling for the holidays, or staying home?
- Are you finding ways to savor the season amidst the chaos?
That last question is my constant holiday aspiration.
My current status: I’ve made good progress on shopping and have shipped packages to family and friends. However, I still need to buy a few stocking stuffers (and haven’t wrapped anything yet!).
I consulted my kids (just two at home this year 😢) about which holiday traditions they wanted to keep, aiming to eliminate anything we were doing out of obligation. It was truly enlightening! They still want to decorate gingerbread (opting for a Costco kit this year instead of homemade, which feels really good). This definitely makes gingerbread house decorating much easier!
(Here’s a flashback from 10 years ago showcasing our serious approach to homemade gingerbread creations 😜🤣)
Of course, we’ll also make a bazillion cheeseballs to share with neighbors and friends. Last year, fatigue led us to choose a non-food gift…but many expressed disappointment and inquired about the cheeseball’s return 😜.
And this week, we’re visiting the Light the World Giving Machines and enjoying the lights at a nearby city-center display.
➡️➡️ What are some of your cherished December traditions?? I would love to hear what makes the holiday season special to you and your family. Sharing traditions helps us connect and inspires new ways to celebrate.
Favorite Recommendations: Gifts and More!
While I’ve already published my holiday gift guides, I wanted to share a few extra recommendations that I’m currently loving! These items have made my life easier or simply brought joy, and I hope they might do the same for you.
- Addressing neck and back concerns, this tilting puzzle board has been a game-changer. My mom had one during Thanksgiving, and I immediately ordered it! We’ve already completed this puzzle on it, and it was perfect. It elevates the puzzle to a comfortable angle, reducing strain and making puzzling more enjoyable.
- More game recommendations? Absolutely!
- We’re trivia enthusiasts, and this general knowledge trivia set is so much fun (there are various sets with different themes). It’s a great way to test your knowledge and learn new things.
- This game was a Thanksgiving hit! (I’m gifting it to several families this year.) It’s a blend of Phase 10 and Rummikub with unique rules, and we’ve been playing it non-stop. Be prepared for some friendly competition!
- This flat whisk (that transforms into a full whisk) is brilliantly designed to save space, and it doesn’t scratch nonstick pans. While not as sturdy as wire whisks, it’s perfect for thinner batters and ingredients (and can be used flat or full). Its innovative design makes it a kitchen essential.
- In my ongoing quest for adequate fiber, I religiously consumed chia seeds in smoothies or yogurt. I’ve recently replaced chia seeds with these basil seeds (have you heard of them?). They have almost double the fiber and rehydrate much faster. P.S.: they don’t taste like basil. I usually mix them in a smoothie or in yogurt (when rehydrated, they have a texture similar to tapioca pearls). They are great in your favorite smoothies or mixed into yogurt.
- My sister has been raving about bar shampoo for months, and I finally tried it. It’s made a noticeable difference in my hair! I’ve been using this bar shampoo and conditioner, and appreciate how my hair feels thicker and less brittle. I’m late to the party – wish I had started sooner! These are eco-friendly, long-lasting, and great for travel.
- I know these jeans have been popular on social media, but I ordered them to see if they lived up to the hype, especially considering the price. Verdict: confirmed! I now own them in multiple lengths and colors. They’re my go-to jeans – comfortable, stretchy but they maintain their shape throughout the day. They come in various lengths. I’m 5’4″ (shorter torso, slightly longer legs) and wear the 30″ length in Seaside blue (they hit right below my ankles) and the 32″ length in Frosted Blue and Black (perfect with chunky boots).
A Quick Note Before I Go
If you’re subscribed to my email list, you might have noticed that I’ve been including short, personal updates in those emails. I place them at the end for those who are solely interested in the recipes.
I value feeling connected to you and your lives, and these updates allow me to hear from you as well (just reply to the emails!).
Since I’m sharing more updates in my emails (and on Instagram), these Friday Thoughts posts might feel repetitive (which is why I’ve reduced their frequency). I’ll be refining the best way to share content moving forward. If you have any feedback, please share it in the comments! ⬇️⬇️
I have one more new recipe coming next Monday. I’m incredibly excited about it – it’s unbelievably delicious!
After that, I’m taking a short break from publishing new recipes to spend quality time with my family. However, I’ll be back the week after Christmas with a new appetizer recipe and a review of the most popular recipes of the year! (And I’ll still be checking emails and answering recipe questions in the comments during the break.)
Wishing you the merriest of holiday seasons. I have the honor of teaching children’s songs at church each Sunday. Hearing their voices sing about Jesus Christ’s birth and praising Him fills me with His pure love. I’m grateful for the gift of His birth, life, and resurrection. May His love and peace find you this holiday season. ❤️