But first, let's start with a celebratory drink, ok? And if you stick around to the end, I have a surprise for you. Earlier this week, a friend of Keith's shared this "recipe" with me and it was actually pretty tasty, although I'm sure many of you won't believe me.
Cheers!
Tequila with a Cinnamon Orange
1 shot PatrĂ³n Reposado tequila
1 orange wedge
cinnamon
Sprinkle cinnamon onto orange wedge. Drink shot of tequila, bite into cinnamon orange.
That's it and it was surprisingly good. My advice, though, is to just have one. It is tequila, after all.
Top 10
Now on to my top 10 - if you visit any of these older pages, you can feel free to comment. So, here goes (in no particular order):1. big day & the Kruse's
I'm combining these two posts because they are so related and they are the first two posts on this blog. This was after we lost Grandma K. and Grandma D. in 2009, and we were going through lots of old family pictures, which I absolutely love. When the family was going through things at the house / apartment, I remember telling mom & dad that I didn't want much - the most important thing to me was that I just a chance to look at and scan the pictures... and I did. I took some of my favorites and put them into these videos to share.
2. mmm... food!
This was the first post I did about food, which, if you've been following along, tends to be a big theme here. And that trend had to start somewhere - and it did, with a modification of one of mom's good recipes and taking it to make my own. If you're looking for a good apple panakuchen recipe, check it out. :)
3. guest post from mom - home comfort foods
Speaking of mom, I love this post because it's hers, and if you've been following along recently, you know that this is currently the most popular post on my blog. I think it's great that she did a guest post because it's nice to switch things up occasionally and it's nice to hear someone else's story. The invitation is still open to you - let me know if you'd like to guest post, and I'll give you the options for how we can make that work!
4. responsibility
This was about everything we tried at the Minnesota State Fair last year - and it's kind of embarrassing, but I really liked this post. I had a lot of fun, and the State Fair is an experience we only get once a year. At least I do, because my stomach can't handle going more than once! That would not be responsible. :)
5. vacation & family
This seems a bit obvious because it's two awesome things: vacation and family. This one was special, though, because this visit was one that we had been wanting to do for a long time - it was the first time that we visited my awesome aunt & uncle in Florida AND it was the first time that that all three of my brothers and my cousin, Julie, went on vacation together -- without parents. And it's nice to look back at on days like today when it's cold and (really) windy here.
6. things that make me go hmm... #1
This was a shorty but this is how I think most of the time. Random thoughts -- and this was me sharing one with you without going into great detail or taking any photos. If I wrote down all of the random thoughts or conversations I had in a day, it would be a bunch of stuff that looks like this.
7. who needs sleep?
Not sleeping the night before I fly is a consistent problem every time I do it, and this is the result that can come from those sleepless nights - a 3 a.m. random post that may or may not make sense. I also liked this one because it made me think about where I've been and brought up a lot of good memories from my travels. And helped me map out the places I need to get to, yet!
8. bad fish mom
I like this post because it's a story that former roommate Abby and I laugh about to this day - it falls into the category of bonehead moves that I've made, and you have to laugh at yourself when you do stupid stuff. 9. weirdo
This was about the weird food combinations we like and I like this post because we all have them - eggs and crackers, grilled cheese and hot chocolate, spaghetti and peanut butter sandwiches. And there were some interesting responses here in the comments!
10. me angry?
I think this one is my favorite because people say that when I get angry, it's funny... and I guess it's true. I think it's a pretty good representation of my personality when I am angry (and sassy). And more importantly, it's about being able to laugh about it later - and this one still makes me smile. And based on the comments, it made some of you laugh, too!
So, there you have it! My top 10.
Surprise
And now for the surprise - I'm going to try doing a giveaway in celebration of 100 posts to thank you for visiting me and following along! When I was in Chicago, I went to the Ghiradelli Chocolate store and picked up these two cool, old-fashioned looking tins with chocolates in them.There will be two winners.
To enter the giveaway, leave a comment here, on my post on FB, or email me answering one or all of the following questions:
- Now that I've given you my top 10, do you have a favorite post from my first 99? If so, which one?
- What you like to hear more or less of going forward?
- If you were to do a guest post, what would it be about?
Thanks for joining for me for some or all of the first 100 - and I'm looking forward to many more!
Yay! I was anxiously awaiting your 100th post and you did not disappoint. My favorite posts are always ones when I learn a little more about you. And pictures, of course!! I love pictures. I may be able to guest post for you. I've never done that before! It would probably be something about food since that's the theme of your blog. Let me know what you're looking for and I'll see what I can come up with!
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda, Belva here...I guess I like the "Big Day" blog best, just because of the content! I love all your innovative food blogs as well, you make everything SO interesting! Maybe more memories of when you were little, and things you did outside, playing with cousins, etc., just an idea....
ReplyDeleteBest Blog --- not sleeping so you don't miss your plane--- I thought i was the only one that did that
ReplyDeleteI love your stories along with the picture and recipes
I would blog reviews --- movies restaurants and editorial comments
thanks ---- Bob B
I like all your posts Brenda. A favorite . . . When you were angry about the flight. Anyone who has flown before, can relate to the things that happen while traveling by plane. I would like to hear more from your Mom; that was good. Keep up the great work . . . it is always interesting and a learning experience. I enjoy seeing all the foods with pics. I still think that someday, you will have a restaurant, or a little Bistro. Just thought of another post that was good . . . when you locked yourself out on the balcony . . . could happen to anyone . . . thank goodness for cell phones!
ReplyDelete@ Laura - haha, I'm glad someone was anxiously awaiting this! This one probably took the longest to do besides the vacation one and the ones with the old family photos. It would be cool if you guest post! Hmm... food related... how about something you loved growing up? Or something that reminds you of your dad?
ReplyDelete@ Belva - I love those photo posts, too! Good idea with some younger memories... I'll have to pull them out of the vault! I'll have to look through some old pics and scan them.
@ Bob - I was glad to hear I wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep before flying, too!! We'll have to set a date to get your "Bob's Reviews" blog up and running!
@ Tammy - that flight one is really my favorite, too. The two smartphones posts were in the top 15, but it was so hard to choose the top 10!! Mom was saying maybe she'd do a post about the games they played as kids... so now she just needs to write it! It would be fun to have a little bistro, sometime. :)
Enjoy reading all your blogs Brenda. I think my favorite is locking yourself out on the balcony. The feeling of not being in control would take over big time if I was locked out like that. I also like when you admit to getting a little testy sometimes(with cause). Keep up the interesting writing. rk
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda -
ReplyDeleteYou write on your blog so well...just like we are in person and you are telling a story. My favorite is "big day" cuz I love to look at pictures of Mom and Dad....and the rest of course are good as well! Keep up the good work! How about a story of your "most embarrassing moments"???? ...or maybe you don't have any..... ;-) Love, Pam
@ Mom - thanks! the balcony one was pretty funny. :) now, anyway!
ReplyDelete@ Pam - thanks! I love those old picture videos, too - they are right at the top of my list. Embarrassing moments... hmm... I'm sure I do embarrassing things, but must block them out. I'll think on this, though!
Yeah for #100 Brenda! I always enjoy reading ALL your posts - but, obviously I'm going to have to say that my favorite is your 3.10.11 blog post titled "Ziggy Zaggy Ziggy Zaggy Hoi, Hoi, Hoi!"!!! It was a very memorable wknd. away :o)))
ReplyDeleteI enjoy both your food and your life experience blogs so hard to say what you should change...it would be nice if you'd get more guest blogs (I'm to blame since I haven't either)?
If I were to guest blog, I would probably have to say I'd do a sort of documentary blog on my first ever 5K run on 4/30 that I'll be participating in as well as my upcoming participation in the Warrior Dash in Hastings the end of July (Google it!) - two things I've ALWAYS wanted to do! Wish me luck!
That post on 4/18 is from Holly :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 100th! looking forward to the next 100!
ReplyDeleteBrenda,my favorites are the Florida trip, and, of course, the warranted tirade in the airport (lol). I would love to see more about your funny adventures. Keep 'em coming! Love ya, Julie
ReplyDelete@ Holly - The ziggy zaggy post was a good time!!! Very cool about the 5Ks coming up! I don't think I knew you were doing that.
ReplyDelete@ BEK - thanks! the next 100 should be fun!
@ Julie - agreed on both, especially angry girl in the airport. :) I appreciate you saying it was warranted. I'm going to ND/SD over memorial day weekend, so I'm sure there will be an interesting story or two to tell there. :)