{ Foodie-Flections 2011 }

It is 2012 – a New Year! It always amazes me, how in the matter of minutes, the clock hands tick over to midnight and a brand New Year begins. With the New Year comes: resolutions, changes, hopes, dreams, aspirations and a renewed energy. It is therapeutic to recognize that with a click of the clocks hand, we are able to set new goals, make changes and reset ourselves for the better.

I am excited to set my goals for 2012, stretch myself beyond, continue life’s journey and relish each and every moment. I am extremely fortunate to have such a wonderful hubby, family and friends plus so much more including being healthy, a wonderful career and a creative outlet called Authentic Suburban Gourmet.

What started as a way to document recipes three years ago, has turned into so much more. It has been a vehicle to new friends, enhanced writing skills, a new passion for photography, numerous innovative recipes, adventures, stretching beyond, an outlet for my creativity, diving into social media and so much more. For 2012, I am setting new milestones for my blog and look forward to reflecting back over the year in December to see how many I will have accomplished. {Hopefully 100%}

I began a segment last year called – “Foodie-Flections” – a way to recap the year of blogging for me with highlights of top posts, fond memories and aspirations for the New Year. Let’s continue the tradition with “Foodie-Flections” for 2011.

My top nine posts for 2011 are highlighted below: (#1) Lofthouse Style Frosted Sugar Cookies (#2) Avocado and Grilled Corn Salad with Cilantro Vinaigrette (#3) Chocolate Smores Cupcakes (#4) Toasted Coconut Marshmallows (#5) Neiman Marcus Popovers (#6) Fig and Watermelon Salad (#7) Sweet and Salty Brownie (#8) Simple Pleasures: Buttermilk Biscuits (#9) Roasted Garlic Mushrooms


    

Along with the top posts are a few of my personal favorites for 2011. These were posts of recipes that were simple, delish, full of flavor and many I have made over and over again throughout the year. Starting in the top left corner, then row by row: Lemony Slice and Bake Cookies, Cast Iron Padron Peppers, Cranberry, Orange and Ginger Chutney Brie Cups, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Srirachi Aioli, Espresso Chocolate Cake, Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette, Fig Jam Straws, Green Goddess Dip and Crudite and Beer Battered Avocado Wedges with Mango Salsa.

It was a fun and rewarding year with learning that I made the Top 9 on Foodbuzz four times. I was honored to be asked by Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil to do a guest post on her beautiful blog along with Liren of Kitchen Confidante asking me take part of her “friends-giving” series. Thank you Lindsay and Liren!

{ Guest Post on Love and Olive Oil }

{ Guest Post on Kitchen Confidante }

Earlier in the year I attended a food blogger brunch hosted by Jean along with Liren, the barrister, Ben, Azmima, Stephanie, Patty, Gina and Angi. It was wonderful to catch up with my fellow food bloggers and to have the opportunity to meet several face to face. Several weeks later, I ventured down to the Pebble Beach Food and Wine Event where Jean, Liren and I snagged a photo opportunity with Tyler Florence. If you want to see a recap, just click here and here. In addition, I learned to make macarons from Gina and you can see a recap of our fun day here.

In 2011, I created a Facebook Fan Page, joined Secret Recipe Club, ate at numerous wonderful restaurants and discovered a new obsession – Pinterest. All in all, it was a wonderful year and look forward to the adventures ahead in 2012.