One Year Cake!

Tomorrow, May 12, is my birthday and it will be the 1 year anniversary of writing this blog. My birthday is always a big day for me and I jokingly like to say that it's my favorite holiday of the year. My sister is also born in May and our parents celebrated big and always made us feel special. This year my husband has a short trip planned for us and somehow he has managed to keep it a secret, even though I have pestered him daily for several weeks now. The ultimate way to celebrate a birthday is getting to go somewhere to eat and I know he's got a great plan up his sleeve! 

Last year on my birthday I shared my very 1st post. You can read that HERE. For many months I had thought about starting a blog, but never could bring myself to do it. Part of me was scared and the other part was annoyed by those people who write blogs and are all up in your face about it. You know exactly what I'm talking about. BUT finally, with lots of encouragement, I took the leap. 

Blogging has been really, really fun at times and others it has been a huge pain in the A. My purpose when I began was to push myself in the kitchen, both creatively and technically. I also wanted a place to document my food life so I could always keep up with it and share with friends or family that asked about what I was cooking. I always want to share my own content or properly give credit where it was due, but some days I just lacked inspiration to come up with something new or eye catching. I easily get mixed up between sharing what I believe in and what I think people want to see. In those moments I have to go back to the basics of why I love cooking and eating food.

{5 tid bits about my blog & this first year}

1) The name "All the Nommies" comes from how I talk to my animals. I've always asked them if their food was "nommies" or if they "ate all their nommies". It seems silly, but totally fits in with my life and the vision that this blog will be a way to share "all the nommies" in my life.

2) Through reading and studying up on other food blogs, I discovered that some people steal recipes and write them as their own. I was downright offended when I realized this and made a vow right then and there that I would never do that. All my recipes are my own and have been tested by me unless I specifically note otherwise. 

3) We (my husband and I) eat everything that is seen on the blog. When you see a picture of the food, just know that at some point that was eaten by one of us. I don't believe in wasting food, and I want to confidently back up every dish that I make. 

4) Sous vide cooking was the biggest culinary technique that I learned this past year. That probably comes as no surprise if you've been following me lately. The at home immersion circulator completely changed my kitchen, weekly meal plan, and how we cook for company. 

5) I love all of the posts I have shared over the past year, but if I had to pick one thing I'd want you to make right now, it would be THESE pesto chicken sandwiches (and then THIS strawberry toasted pound cake for dessert). 

Thank you to everyone to has read my blog, liked or commented on the photos, given feedback, or talked with me about it in person. It means so much to hear the kind words and support from family, friends, and even strangers. And a very special thank you to my dear husband, who proof reads every post, tastes every recipe I test, helps with the pictures, and is overall my biggest supporter. I couldn't do this without you. 

No recipe today, but this is my version of a perfect birthday cake. Strawberry and chocolate is my favorite flavor combo for cakes and was even my wedding cake! These are chocolate and strawberry layers with strawberry cream cheese icing and fresh strawberry slices between the layers covered with chocolate buttercream. SO GOOD. Happy 1st Birthday Blog!