Paying It Forward

We are almost ten days into 2013! Can you believe it? One of my goals this year is to develop an “Attitude of Gratitude!” This is a daily process. My Jar of Gratitude sits on the desk, getting a slip of paper every night before I go to bed. On it, I write what I am most thankful for that day.

Today, I wanted to share with you, a few folks in the blogging world for whom, I am thankful. These people inspire me daily through their stories, their photography, their food, and their obvious passion for the things they love!

I hope to make this a monthly post. I can’t possibly list all my favorite bloggers at once, so let’s start with some fun foodies!

Michele from La Belle Quisine Michele lives in NOLA and her food reflects her love of local cuisine! You have to try her Cajun Sausage and Chicken with Beans! I was blessed to visit New Orléans and I can tell you it is a vibrant and passionate city! Michele is just as vibrant and passionate about her food and her faith! She is the inspiration for my “Attitude of Gratitude!” because she lives it every day!

Becca from It’s Yummilicious – Becca has the most generous spirit of anyone I’ve ever met. Her picture should be in the dictionary next to the definition of “Pay It Forward.” She is genuine, always ready to help ANYONE who asks, she has great food and is easily distracted by Bacon and Nutella.

Maya from Alaska From Scratch – Maya takes stunning photography of the world outside her door, does simple delicious recipes and is as down-to-earth as they come. She doesn’t know me from Adam but I continue to be inspired by her! Plus, she always posts what the weather is like and what she is listening to as she cooks! I love that!

Lynne from 365 Days of Baking – Lynne is my cookie cohort! We can often be found leaving cookies and treats on each others Facebook pages. She spent a year (a little bit more than a year – life gets in the way sometimes) baking something every single day! Now that is dedication! She also has this copycat recipe for Olive Garden Breadsticks that is SPOT ON!

Jenni from Pastry Chef Online – Jenni has a wonderfully wicked sense of humor, loves her four-footed friends and has a tremendous wealth of knowledge about baking! You can ask her anything! She will always answer and help figure things out! (She doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to ask her to help with my first Creme Brûlée!) Check out Jenni’s Irish Coffee Panna Cotta and Pepperoni Bread! MMMMMmmmmm!

Jackie from The Beeroness – Jackie cooks and bakes with craft beer! I was already a fan of hers from Domestic Fits! How she manages two huge blogs at once, I will never know! Jackie’s beer book is coming out soon and I plan on being in line to get it, then hunting her down for an autograph. I mean… ask politely if she’d sign it! How about a little grown up Hot Chocolate and Bacon Pecan Bars?

Melinda from Kitchen Tested – Melinda is very sweet! She was one of the first people to share something of mine when I was a new blogger. Her kitchen is completely Kosher and her motto is “Testing the Limits of Your Kitchen and Your Imagination!” She is very encouraging and makes her own Cara-Mels and does stunning cakes!

These are seven wonderful women whom I hope you will get to know and learn to love as much as I do!

P.S. It’s not too late to start your own Jar of Gratitude either. No one says you have to start on January 1st. Every day is a new day and a new start! Focus on the fabulous and have a delicious day!

I love you and I appreciate you reading. Thanks for being here!