It’s finally here y’all; the official Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck 4-Year Blogiversary. What started off as a way to share recipes with friends and family without having to write out and send the same recipe over and over again, has turned into something so much more. This lil’ blog has become a safe place for me to share my thoughts, recipes, Brenna related annoyances, and also meet some amazing people along the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing in this crazy kitchen party adventure with me; my cup truly runneth over.

1

I am seriously intrigued with the process of macerating fruit overnight for jam instead of relying on commercial pectin. This Nectarine Apricot Ginger Jam from Tall Clover Farm is a perfect example of this process. Over the next year, expect to see some sort of peach and jalapeño jam. I swear, after all of these years, I will finally put my Ball Canning Set to good use.

2

As a special treat to myself and my bestie Chris, who used to work on my VW ages ago and is solely responsible for keeping it on the road way longer than should have been humanly possible, I purchased two of these Retro Bus with Cute Little Cats Throw Pillow Covers. Every kitty should have their own VW Bus to ride around in.

3

No big day would be complete without a deviled egg to celebrate. I am in some pretty serious love/lust with these Sweet Pea Deviled Eggs from Cooking with Curls. What a great way to use canned peas and trick your kids into eating them.

4

Next weekend, B.O.B. Bob and I can officially start decorating for Halloween. Yes I know, we’re fanatical when it comes to Halloween. Do you think that I have time to make a few of these Halloween Yarn Pumpkin Garlands from Honest to Nod?

5

I am obviously a serious note-taker and go through more notepads than you can imagine each year. (Many of them lose the battle in my kitchen while developing recipes for Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck.) This Oh for Fox Sake Notepad is one that I need to have around for an impromptu giggle every once and awhile.

6

I recently had Paella for the first time and was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it because I normally detest just about any recipe that involves rice. Now, I find myself contemplating the purchase of a Paella Pan to make this Spanish Seafood Paella from Yummy Addiction.

7

Hey y’all, did you check out the 4-Year Blogiversary – Top 4 Recipes earlier this week? Which one is your favorite?

8

I often admit to people that I am not a good napper, especially in a car or on a plane. I just can’t do it. Instead, I often use the time to research, develop, and even write blog posts. Perhaps if I had this Cute Little White Dragon Neck Pillow, napping might be more apt to happen.

9

My friend Debbie from The Mountain Kitchen doesn’t bake very often but when she does…oh la la. How could anyone say no to a Cinnamon Roll Muffin…or two…oh alright, so maybe three?

10

It seems like I’ve been waiting ages for Old Dominion’s Happy Endings CD to be released. Tomorrow is finally the day and I hope that mine is waiting for me when I get home from work. I just hope that this album is as great as their last one Meat and Candy

11

Don’t forget to enter our 4-Year Blogiversary Instant Pot Giveaway. Click HERE to enter.

12

Remember that Halloween Yarn Pumpkin Garland I mentioned above? Scratch that. I think this Jack Skellington Halloween String Garland from Disney Family will fit our Nightmare Before Christmas theme much better.

13

And for The Thursday Thirteen 4-Year Blogiversary finale, I know that I certainly don’t NEED this, however, I sure as heck do WANT this Nordic Ware Apple Slice Cakelette pan. Maybe someone will be kind enough to send it to me as a Blogiversary present. I’m not holding my breath or anything. It would be nice though. After all, fall is almost here and who doesn’t like little apple shaped cakelettes?

Much love to all of y’all. Here’s hoping the next year is even better than the last.