It's My Blogiversary!

   I literally cannot believe that I have been writing this blog for a whole year (technically a whole year tomorrow the 18th, but geez)!
   This year has been an up and down one, and parts of it have been chronicled here! 
   On the first day I decided to start the blog I put up 6 posts! Haha, I remember my sister saying something about being a little ambitious, and I just thought, "I dunno! I just had a bunch of things I wanted to post! I used up an entire weeks worth of ideas in one day! Fail. :)   
   Anyway, I wanted to take today to highlight some of my favourite recipes, DIY and life hack ideas, and some of my posts about autism. 
   I hope you take the time to click through and enjoy bits and pieces of what I enjoy! 
   ...But first, I want to give you a little history here on a bushel & a peck! Not history about me, but the term itself! Because I know you were dying to know! ;) 
   Well, a real bushel & a peck are dry measurements in agriculture. There's a pint, quart, gallon, peck, and a bushel. 
   But the real reason people know the phrase, "I love you, a bushel & a peck" is from a song written for the musical "Guys & Dolls".
   Back in 1950 the song was recorded by many artists, and the song was already so well known before the musical even opened that they moved the number from the second act to the first. 
   In the context of the show, "A Bushel and a Peck" is the intro to the Hot Box, a night club in which the headliner is Miss Adelaide. 
   Doris Day (among many others) recorded a version of this song, but she changed the lyrics a bit to remove some of the more direct references from the show and to clean it up for 1950's radio.
   And there you have it! If you've never seen Guys & Dolls, you should, it's a good show!
   Now, onto my favourite and most popular posts (p.s., just click on the green titles to go to that recipe!)!   

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Bad-For-You Favourites! 

S'More Chocolate Bar Pie

   This pie....oh this pie!!!
   It is honestly just the tastiest thing you'll ever eat! The homemade graham crust, the chocolate in the form of semi-sweet chips and chocolate bars of your choice, and gooey mallows....drool.... 

Dessert Grilled Sandwich

   When my sister invented this evil little sandwich I loved her so much! :)  
   Inside of that lovely, grilled and icing sugar dusted bread is peanut butter, Nutella, and marshmallows. Oh my goodness gracious, it is too good to be true.

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D.I.Y. & Life Hack Favourites

Hanging Pot Rack (from an Old Sled)

   This project felt long in coming, but I was so glad when it was finished as it gave me the extra cupboard space I needed, and it was so unique and fit my house perfectly! Hazaa! 

Bubble Blowing Life Hack

   Just do this and thank me later. :)  

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Paleo Favourites

Double Chocolate Avocado Cookies

   I never thought these slightly strange looking cookie would be so popular, but it just shows you can't judge a book (or a cookie) by it's cover! 
   The Huffington Post even had this cookie in one of it's online articles, making this ugly, humble cookie my most viewed recipe EVER with over 20,000 views! 

Paleo Slow Cooker Orange Chicken

   This easy-peasy recipe has been pinned on Pinterest more times than I thought it ever would be. It may be paleo, but it's crazy simple to make, has all regular pantry staple ingredients, and you can't beat a crock pot meal that's ready for you  at super time! 

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Autism Favourites

Autism & An Interview

   I love this post because it was all Caleb! His answers to my questions, and "hearing" what he thought about different things. It shows how sweet, and strange, and fantastic he is.

Autism & Empathy

   This post was the first I ever did on autism. It was inspired by the fact that he was getting a Terrific Kid award at school for empathy. I still admire how he sees the world through very empathetic eyes, and I try to practice empathy whenever possible. 

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Gluten-Free Favourites

Meat & Potato Casserole

   I am always amazed by this recipe, and how often it is viewed and pinned on Pinterest. 
  It literally was a recipe of. "oh crap! People are coming over! What do I have!", but I think that kind of recipe hits home for a lot of people! It is simple, but tasty. Win/Win!  

Marshmallow Crunch Brownies

   This dessert is a layer of brownie, a layer of mallow fluff, and a chocolate peanut-butter Rice Krispie layer! What? I know! 

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   I wanted to pick my all time favourite post, but I couldn't! In fact, my little Dory (from Nemo)-like brain was actually going through the blog and going, "oh yeah....I forgot about that....". Whomp whomp. Memory fail.
   Suffice it to say that writing this blog has (so far) been a blast. I have enjoyed being more experimental in the kitchen, getting some of my thoughts out of my brain, and knowing people like a few of the recipes and articles is a great big cherry on this Sunday! 
   I'm still writing this blog, fear not. I have been toying with the idea of buying my domain (instead of having it hosted by Weebly), and maybe changing my design too....but we'll see. I'm not a big fan of change! 
   So (insert cheesy music, and hear my voice all teary like I'm winning an Oscar), to all those who read here regularly, or just now and again; to those from Pinterest and Foodgawker who share recipes and ideas (hint hint-feel free to follow or 'heart' me!), and to my Mom, who almost never remembers to read my blog, merci beaucoup!  :)  
   I know, I'm a cheeky bugger. Here's to another year! Woot woot! (I love you Mom)

xoxo

Amy-Lyn