100th Post, Top 10 from the First 100, and a Giveaway!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 11:17AM in 100th post, Giveaways, Top 10 Posts 
Hi everyone! It's been a while, right? Not only have I been busy, but also not making too much that's post-worthy, and had a hard drive crash last week didn't help one tiny bit. I lost all of my bookmarks, all of my RSS feed subscriptions, and...AND...this one breaks my heart the most... every single one of the photos that I'd uploaded from my camera, but not edited yet. Including all of my fall foliage ones from this fall, and some food photos. My laptop had to revert back to factory settings. ugh. I've taken steps (well, actually, my husband did) so that this never happens to me again. Three times is three too many.
Sigh. Onward and forward.
It's my 100th post! I never thought when I started this blog that anyone except my friends would read it. I know, everyone says that, right? But it's true! And Feedburner tells me that I just got my 101st subscriber, so that's also very cool. Thanks, subscribers, and anyone and everyone else that reads my blog. You are all the best!
I'm going to recap my top 10 viewed posts, according to Google Analytics. Some you may have already seen, and some may be new to a few of you. So here we go, and stay tuned to the end of the post for the giveaway!
The Countdown:
#10
I'll probably say this about every one in the top 10, but this is one of our favorites! Easy and not too bad for you, from Cooking Light.
#9
This one has two recipes in it, Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread and Skillet Smashed Potatoes.
Now, I love the bread, but those potatoes? I'd crawl through three feet of cold snow for some of those potatoes. They're that good.
#8
Raspberry Lime Yogurt Pound Cake
Those of you that have been following me for a while know all about my obsession with raspberry and lime together. Still obsessed!
I dug back into my childhood for this one, for the Tastes to Remember event. My mom made this for us all the time. We loved it, and my kids do, too. Make a kid happy today! And you, too, because it's so easy!
#6
A recent post--my last one, in fact! We really loved these. My husband said these were the best cookies I've ever made, and I've made a lot. (Haven't we all?) Mmmm, cookies!
One of the nicest doughs to work with, and just so delicious! Fill them with your favorites. We loved them with chicken salad and burgers. Or hot from the oven, and slathered--yes, slathered with butter.
#4
Oven Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
Ah, the humble potato. Humble, yes, but this one tuber evokes such emotion in so many of us, doesn't it? Fried, baked, roasted, mashed, covered in cheese, dipped in ketchup--whatever you do to them, they're delicious!
#3
Mango Buffalo Wings with Mango Lime Cream Dipping Sauce
I won the Royal Foodie Joust for May with this recipe--my first entry in the contest, ever. That was fun! And the wings are oven baked, not fried. And so good!
#2
The first recipe in my Holiday Baking Series. So simple and so cute, they make a great addition to your holiday treats.
And finally, #1!
Another ridiculously easy family favorite. Great hot out of the oven, and also cold leftovers--think picnic food! Though, for some of us, we'll have to wait till Spring for thinking about picnics. Brrr!
And that's my Top 10, according to Google. Now, more importantly, the giveaway!
To celebrate my 100th post, and to give something back to all of you guys, I'm giving away a copy of Ina Garten's new book, Back To Basics. I don't even have a copy for myself yet, but this book has such great reviews! I love Ina. She can make anything look simple, can't she? And her recipes are always wonderful. I've had no failures yet from her.
To enter, just leave a comment on this post. On Tuesday, December 9th, I'll randomly choose a winner. Gah, that's so close to Christmas, isn't it? Yikes! Anyway, good luck, and as always, thanks for reading!
Elle | Print Article | Share Article | Email Article | 134 Comments tagged 100th post, cooking, giveaway, new england, recipe, top 10 posts
Reader Comments (134)
Congratulations! I hadn't seen some of those Top 10 recipes before, and I'm going to have to try a couple. I still plan to do those shortbread -- they'll be good for Christmas.
Thanks!
Cindy
wibble (@) bellsouth dot net
I loved that you recapped your top 10. There were 1 or 2 I had missed!!! I want that book...pick me, pick me!!!
What a great recap of your posts! Congrats on making it to 100 and in such a wonderful and delicious way!
sj.grams(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Excellent job! Keep up the good work! I'm about to reach my 100th post as well, I might do something similar, thanks for the idea and I hope I win!
Those shortbread cookies are on my 'to do' list.
And I love Ina. She's my hero.
cakesbypatticakes@yahoo.com
Congrats on 100 posts! And the shortbread look so festive!
Congrats on the big 100! Those sesame rice noodles look so tasty. I can see why its on the top 10. Love Ina. Hope I win. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
/Clara
iheartcuppycakesATgmailDOTcom
Congrats on the 100th milestone. I have only made 2 of the 10 so far, but that will soon be fixed.
Computers can sure cause headaches and heartaches, can't they??? Congrats on making it to 100- I love your blog and always look forward to a new post. I'm totally making those little shortbread cookies this year. It's in my Christmas baking pile :)
Love the cookbook! I don't have it yet, but I'm hoping... There's a giveaway on my blog today too so be sure to check it out!
Well, happy 100, that cookbook looks great!
I think my favourite of those must be the little elfin shortbreads. Very cute.
I'm with you - those smashed potatoes make my mouth water! Congrats on your 100th post (and your 101st subscriber)!
Kate
simplycowgirl@gmail.com
Congrats! I keep meaning to make that fried chicken...yummy! :)
What a great way to reintroduce some of your older posts! I love that idea. Plus I get to see what I've missed since I'm such a rotten visitor at times. Loving the smashed tatties, and the peanut-buttah pretzel cookies, and...hahaha! Sorry to hear about your hard drive crash. I have a separate hard drive specifically for music and photos. Losing everything once is too much for me -- non-replaceable photos of our trip to the UK two years ago. Photos of my son in younger years...UGH.
Congratulations on your milestone! I am just going to have to try those pretzel cookies! They sound wonderful!
Me me me! I never win anything!
(And mega-congrats on your 100th post, you sexy thang! Rawr!)
Congratulations on your 100th post Elle! Ina is my hero so I'd love to have a copy of her new book.
PS: I'd love some more Corgi updates ;)
Congratulations on 100 great posts! I've been trying to resist buying the new Barefoot Contessa cookbook . . . I look at it on Amazon every day!
Congrats on your 100! Love the recap. Those pretzel cookies, yum!
Congrats! Love all the recipes so keep on blogging!
SO MUCH EXCITEMENT IN THIS POST, ELLE!!!! :-)
Congrats on the posts! Yum, I really want to make those elfin shortbread cookies!
congrats! All of those recipes look delicious! Esp the buffalo wings.
First, congratulations for your 100th post and 100th reader. I am sure you are going to have a lot more soon! And ouch about losing all that stuff. I got an external drive where I store all my pics, music, posts, backups, etc, after I lost everything last time :(
Nice 10 posts, I remember most of them :D
Congratulations on your 100th post!! Looking at that top 10 makes me droowl.... I couldn't pick a favourite if my live depended on it!
the sesame noodles are my favorite out of your top 10. I could eat sesame noodles most every day for lunch...wait...I do eat them all the time for lunch! :-)
Great to see you posting!
Congrats! Love your top 10!
kls9331@gmail.com
your recipes are always great! can't wait to try some of these.
Hi Elle,
I found your blog from the Group Recipe site. I have been hooked from that day on! Thanks for all your wonderful pictures and recipes. I look forward to your posts.
I would like to be considered for your giveaway.
brandyprz@gmail.com
Thanks!
I love your top 10 and congratulations on No# 100 what a great accomplishment - As for the book my kitchen is a Barefoot Contessa Kitchen and her new cookbook would play well with the others that I have of hers!!
Cheers and Yippee for you - Looking forward to the next 100 posts {{drooling}}
Congrats! Love the top 10! The pita bread was one of my favorite recipes. I'd love to try the #1 as well.
Sorry to hear about your computer troubles. Definitely a bummer.
I feel like i have to win, since the giveaway date is my birtday! But truly, I love the site and congrats on reaching 100.
oh my gosh! each of these recipes looks amazing! i'm especially excited about trying the skillet smashed potatoes. i love your blog! and i'd love to win the cookbook. :)
How horrible that you lost your pictures - that has happened to me before. I have those shortbread cookies on my list for this Christmas to give out. mmm. I would love to win Ina's new book, I have yet to purchase it.
Congrats! That oven baked fried chicken looks great! I'll have to try it!
ttnguyen83@gmail.com
Smashed taters = to die for!!
Congrats Elle! And thank you for the giveaway...can't have too many cook books!
Wow, congrats on your 100th post! Great milestone. I love your top ten. I definately have to try the oven fried chicken. Great Blog, keep up the great work!
Congrats on the 100 posts and 101 subscribers :)! It's been fun reading!
Congrats on the 100th post! Loved the countdown! Thanks for having such an amazing giveaway.
Congrats on 100. Can I just say I love, love, love Ina. I have all her other cookbooks and they are amoung my very favorites. Thanks for the giveaway. Lisa
Yay 100th post! Congratulations, I love your blog!
congrats on your 100th post!
I agree with your husband, I love those pretzel cookies. When I first saw them, I was so excited. I made them the next day. And one other time since. And I've already been told they have to be my contribution to our cookie exchange.
Congratulations on your 100th post Elle!
I just love your top 10! Great idea...
I enjoy your blog very much!
I have to find some of those fingerling potatoeees...they look so yummy!
Thanks for the really great giveaway!
Happy 100th post Elle!! I love the fried chicken post! Sorry about your computer problems, hopefully that'll never happen again.
I am a subscriber! =D
And ugh, I hate computers!!
Congrats on the 100th post!
email AT eatingclubvancouver DOT com
Congrats on your 100th post!
I definitely have to try those 'Shortbread Bites'.....
Hi Elle,
Congratulations and keep up the great work! :)
Sorry about your computer and camera problems, what a bummer...
But Congrats on your 100th post!!
You really do a great job and I really enjoy reading your posts. Can't wait for the next hundred ;)
Happy 100! I think I might make those shortbread bites for my Christmas tins! I agree about Ina - she is simple, but she is fabulous :)
Happy 100th! It's so nice to have your top 10 in one post - that makes 1 bookmark instead of 10 :)
Yay 100! Looking forward to 100 more.