I can't believe a year has gone by! When we founded SNFD we had no idea where it would go. My goal was to publish great healthy recipes people could count on and to encourage more time at the dinner table with family and friends. My daughter Margo, a graphic designer, designed my beautiful site. My daughter Lauren, and her company Bixa Media, developed the site and continues to provide marketing guidance and assistance every month.

Good things are happening

1. We are growing every month

We have grown rapidly from less than 700 visits our first month to more than 7000 visits in a single month. These numbers always amaze me.

2. We published over 250 recipes and posts

We have published more than 150 recipes and 100 posts explaining ingredients, nutrition, cooking methods, culinary history, and even how-to flower arranging. We don't want to just publish recipes, we want to teach you the fundamentals of cooking, give you confidence in the kitchen and entice you to try something new.

3. Every recipe is tested and rated

I develop many of the recipes myself and other recipes are personally curated and modified from a wide variety of sources. I cook every recipe at least once, and often multiple times to get them right. The goal is for every recipe to be great. If it is not great, it doesn't get published.

4. Every recipe is photographed

A more challenging hurdle for me is food photography. I learned early on that a recipe is only as great as it's picture. I can't tell you how many times I have made a great meal, but didn't get a great picture. Which means that I make the meal again and photograph it again. So one of my goals for the upcoming year is to up my photography game. I am not looking to get picture perfect food photography. I am just looking to get pictures that entice my readers to try my recipes.

5. We opened a SNFD Amazon store

We offer online ingredients, cookware, cookbooks, serveware, and bar tools that I use in my recipes and posts. You can access these products through our store or via links imbedded in my recipes and posts. Amazon's amazing delivery service, wide selection and competitive prices make it easy for you to obtain the ingredients and equipment I use in my recipes. We truly appreciate it when you purchase products through our links and store. We make a small commission, but it helps cover our operating costs. If you go through our links, we get credit for whatever Amazon product you purchase.

6. Growing social media presence

We are active on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, Tastespotting and Google+. Thank you Lauren and Bixa Media for our expanding social presence.

7. Personal growth

A year of blogging has been an education in many ways. I am a better cook, internet marketer, writer and maybe even a little better photographer because of it. I am looking forward to continued growth in the coming years. 

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Thank you!

A special thank you to my husband JP, who candidly rates all my recipes (even when the ratings hurt!), waits patiently to eat dinner as I photograph our meals, and has washed more dishes than anyone should ever wash in a single year. SNFD would have been no fun without you.

A very big thank you to all of our readers who have cooked my recipes, sent in ratings and comments, liked our Facebook page, tweeted, pinned and forwarded our recipes, subscribed to our free weekly newsletter, and purchased items from our store. On a daily basis, you continue to inspire me.

Thank you for being an integral part of Something New For Dinner.