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These pictures have nothing to do with the following question. I know it’s weird. Just accept it and move on.
So, here she blows:
Why do you keep coming back to my blog? Is it the recipes? The cute pictures of my kids? My husband’s larger than average biceps? I’m in the middle of a……..creative dilemma {?!} and would love to hear any and all feedback regarding my recipes, my photos and anything else you want to bring up or mention.
Thanks so much!!
PS- 10 more days till those biceps come back 😉 Gosh, I love that man.
Short and simple. The recipes are easy to follow and turn out like they should. The family loves them and your “occasional” humor is something to look forward to! Keep em coming…
Being a PNW girl myself and living in the Rocky Mountains, I really enjoy reading you blog where you cover so many of the same things that I love: the PNW, cooking, your family, the everyday drama/hilarity of raising a toddler, etc, etc, etc. Your writing is so REAL and you come across so personable. Thanks for sharing yourself with all of us 🙂
I love your down-to-earth recipes. Although I’ve yet to actually make one, I’m tempted by almost every single one. THAT’s why I keep coming back 🙂
I LOVE your recipes, but that Canadian sense of humour makes it even more attractive for me 🙂
I also love your travel pieces, and features on little places you visit with the family.
I love your recipes as well as the mix of info about your life. Your blogging style is so friendly and encouraging. Thanks!
I have learned so much in the kitchen from your site! I have your cookbook too! It’s the way you plain things and throw in stories. It just works!
Recipes! We have the same cooking style: healthy family food from scratch. Nothing too pretentious or difficult. I’ve really enjoyed all of the recipes I’ve tried and any adaptations I make are very minimal. I’m here mostly for dinner recipes because I don’t have time to make anything else. In rotation right now are: Bang Bang Chicken, Chicken and Mushrooms over Mashed Potatoes (polenta in my case), and Sweet Corn and Sausage Chowder. I have a bunch more pinned that I can’t wait to try. Keep up the good work!
It has been so long since I found your blog that I don’t remember exactly how I first came across it but it was originally for the recipes. I tried a few and really liked them and liked your writing style. And now it is one of my favorite food blogs to follow. You are very witty and you have such a fun down to earth way of putting things. Also, my kids are just slightly younger than yours so it is always fun to see what stages will come next for me. My daughter is 4 and my son is almost 11 months old. I just love hearing about what your family is up to and you always make me feel better when I am having a bad or rough day with the kids because I can totally relate to what you go through. Also your recipes are usually fairly easy and you don’t call for weird ingredients that I have never heard of. Through your recipes I have realized how much fun it can be to cook and I have become a lot better cook because of it. Thanks for all that you do!
Love your recipes…everything I’ve ever made from your blog has been amazing and impressive! I also love the family updates and Stitch Fix outfits. I get a lot of inspiration from everything you post!
I love your recipes, your writing style, the way you talk about your family, and really everything. I think you do such an amazing job with your blog. There’s nothing I’d change. I’ve been reading your blog for probably a few years now, and I have always enjoyed it.
i feel like im talking to a friend when i read your posts
your recipes help as well 😉
For starters, I love your show & tell recipes which makes it easy for me to follow. I also love reading & seeing pics on your blogs about your family, especially your kids, (they are so precious, I’ve practically seen them grow up). It’s funny & really makes my day, thanks for sharing.
Your amazing recipes, Stitchfix, family updates, etc. I really like your restaurant reviews too because it inspires new food ideas.
Love all your recipes…Love your cute kids…love the Portland Adventures! (I am from Portland too….) I am a bit older than you and my kids are in High School and College so I love to hear all of your family fun. It brings back great memories! You are doing things so right….and the best part is you have a sense of humor about it all keeping life in perspective and having a good time while you do it! (Your Stitch Fix posts are always one of my favorites too!)
Wish you had more healthy recipes honestly, but def keep coming back for the creativity, quirkiness and all around fun loving personality that picks up and inspires me 🙂
Love your recipes, pictures, stories – fun to read and realistic recipes. Keep ’em coming.
I enjoy all aspects of your blog, and I appreciate you taking the time to create your posts 🙂
I initially came to your website for the amazing Nutella topped red velvet Oreo cheesecake recipe. It was history after that. I subscribe to a million food blogs but yours is by far my favorite. I love your mix of posts about recipes, family, fashion, fitness, travel, etc. I love your humor and writing style. I am not a reader (I hate reading), but you always keep me entertained. I also like that your email updates show the entire blog post as opposed to just the title and a few lines and then you have to go to the actual website to see all of it. You have the most adorable family, and I love seeing pictures of them as well. Thanks for continually keeping me entertained and keeping my belly happy. ;-P
You have a very nice blog and a loving family, I also like the recipes.
I make your recipes more than any other. Love everything on your blog, though.
i enjoy all your posts. I like that you change it up from recipes, to great pictures and quotes. I get inspired by all your posts. thanks
I love your recipes–simple, practical, and delicious. In the beginning, the photographs were what caught my attention but after we tried a few of your recipes with them always turning out good we knew that we could trust this blog!
I love the recipes, but you’re so entertaining that I pop in just to smile at the way you tell things.
Your recipes are amazeballs!!
The recipes 🙂
I had this great post for you of why I love your blog all for it to be cancelled.. oops. Well as I was saying, I like your blog because of your recipes, your kids are adorable and your personality amuses me (in a good way). I like that you have a real family ( I can relate to you as opposed to Ree Drummond or Guy who I feel are not really the way they seem).
I have most of the ingredients that you use in your recipes, I like that I don’t have to go out and buy extra stuff and my family likes things I cook from your blog.
I love your blog keep up the good work!
It’s fun to see you and your DF (Dear Family)… But I love your enthusiasm, teaching abilities, and wonderful decadent recipes..okay, I like the healthy ones , too! Sure hope you aren’t going to leave us high and hungry! But, if so, I do understand your growing DF need you, too.
Your recipes are wonderful and I love to look at all the photos of the food.
Love that your recipes are so accessible! And as one of your older readers… I enjoy reading about your lovely family.
I came for the recipes but I stay because of the variety. I love the pictures, the family. When it’s just recipes, I check the recipe titles and leave if I’m not interested. When you include the rest, I am seeing a real woman and family. I want to look at every word. Keep up the good work. Even hearing about the struggles is good. It reminds me that the struggles are part of all of our lives. Your struggle will pass as they do for all of us. Keep writing.
I found your blog when looking up a good cookie recipe for a Christmas exchange and have been following you ever since! I love that all your recipes are tasty, very manageable, well photographed, and there’s variety in there. That’s all I really need from a food blog, but what I’ve enjoyed and made me see you as a person were your fun family pictures, vacation snippets, etc.
Great recipes, cute kids, and you are very relatable – love that!
I LOVE everything about your postings …. the pics of you, hubby & kids & all your comments. I especially love your recipes. Please don’t change anything. You make the recipes that much more interesting by including personal info. I look for your postings all the time! You rock!!!! Joan ….
Hi Lauren! You’ve got cute pictures, but it’s the recipes that catch my eye! They’re delicious good recipes 😉
Your recipes are the first thing that caught my eye. I am not a baker but now love to bake. After that it was how you just make us feel comfortable and welcome – you come across as very down to earth. Thanks
Isn’t it obvious? 🙂 I love everything on your blog. Recipes, pictures, stories! More Power! 😀
Love your recipes, Keep up posting them. I live in Mexico, . My family loves the food I prepare, following your recipes,, of course. I also like your blog and all your comments.
Everything. I love your recipes, the amazing pictures, the travel posts, and the random jibber jabber in most posts about recipes 🙂
You have wonderful food pics and the recipes. Plus I feel like you’re rally personable on your blog:D
I absolutely love your recipes, but I guess the thing that keeps me coming back is the feeling that we could be friends in real life. I know that sounds weird, but you are just so personable online and your posts are so real.
Recipes!
I absolutely love your family photos and the personal nature of your blog. I also enjoy seeing what your creative juices are bringing about in your kitchen. 🙂
I appreciate your recipes. Your bit of entertainment is nice too but I really love getting great recipes. Thank you for sharing with all of us!!!
I love the recipes. The restaurant visits, family pictures, etc are not a interest for me.
Delicious recipes that are easy to follow and don’t require one million ingredients! : )
I love the little tidbits about your life! I’d love to hear more about your Canadian background as well. Your recipes are great, though some of the ingredients can be hard to find overseas, so I just have to drool at them from afar!
I LOVE IT ALL.
It would be sad if anything would change.
Thanks, please keep it coming.
I love all your recipes. I love following you on Pinterest.
Ok, no doubt you and your family are adorable to the hilt. You have a fantastic sense of humor too. However, the primary reason I have followed you for a long time is your recipes. You make everything seem so easy to make and I have experimented with your recipes to make them my own. You have given me courage to cook more as in everyday! Your sweets are hard to resist ( I save myself by window shopping your site too).
BTW I don’t see how you can make so many recipes and stay so thin and cute.
I return to your site for your entertaining writing style (i.e. the funny life interjections that go along with the recipes). I also like the kiddo updates – my son is 6 months younger than Blake, so it’s fun to see the progressions.
I LOVE your blog, recipes, love to hear what’s going on with the kids, hubby, etc. Your so darling!
Your recipes are really good – any that I have made have turned out beautifully. That is why I come back 🙂
I love your recipes & your blog. You write well & always have interesting stories about your life, family & kids. Normal stuff-refreshing! Keep up the great recipes!
Easy dinner recipes and desserts! Oh and your sweet family pictures and updates are always fun to look at too!
I love your blog! Pics of your sweet family…..kiddos are precious and husbands handsome
Not sure what happened? Only half of my comment showed up!
Anyway, the gist of it…..
Enjoy your honest and candid words. I have pinned and made many of your recipes! Keep ’em coming 🙂
I love your recipes! I just moved to the UK for University last September and took up cooking/baking in my spare time to make all of the foods I missed from home (I grew up in Portland!). I found your website while in pursuit of cinnamon rolls, and I love making your recipes! The pictures are so helpful, directions are simple, and a lot of the recipes are low-cost enough for a student to enjoy. Your family is adorable, and I like the restaurant reviews so I know where to eat when I go home 🙂 Your family is adorable, and the personal touches at the beginning of each recipe post are hilarious. I successfully impressed my boyfriend’s family with your Oreo Bottomed Chocolate Cupcakes! Thank you!
Lauren where do I start with why I keep coming back?
I LOVE your recipes, And OH MY Gosh have we (My 78 yo mom & yours truly) enjoyed way too many of them!
You are incredibly witty, talented and never fail to make me smile.
I could go on and on and on, but I do need to save space for other replies!! <3
LOVE your recipes- especially fast dinner ideas! Love the family, fashion, and fitness bits to mix it up. Love the sweepstakes! Only constructive criticism- you have -for me- too many posts on FB of recipes from other recipe sites. Like 5 or more per day? Happy Summer!
I love your blog, especially your recipes!
I started with loving your recipes! I also enjoy your pics of your family, and your overall positive attitude! I love that you are a good mom and love life in general! Keep up the good work! It’s been fun seeing Blake grow, and Brooke is so cute. You are blessed!
I love the recipes….the photo’s and stories of your children are an added bonus! 🙂
I love your recipies. Your stories and pictures are a bonus. Your writting style keeps everything interesting. Keep up the great work.
All the above! I love your often practical (easy and inexpensive) recipes that have never failed me, your funny writing, pictures/stories of your family and your fashion and exercise segments are awesome!
Love the recipes! Please keep them coming! 🙂
I like the recipes you post, but yours is one of the few food blogs I actually read through instead of skipping straight to the recipe. I enjoy the way you write and the stories you tell. And I live in Portland too! 🙂
Your recipes mostly, but I also like to read your blog and stories. You’re really easy to relate to. Your food photography looks great, and your kids are cute and your hubby is pretty easy on the eyes, too. Thanks for all of the hard work you put into your blog!
I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now and you are definitely one of my favorite bloggers! I love how open and honest you are. You make me laugh! I love seeing pictures of your sweet kids. Your recipes are usually pretty simple. I’ve made quite a few and always love them! I love all your posts. I enjoyed reading your workout updates and really everything. Keep up the recipes for sure but I love your other posts as well! Thanks for your hard work!
I originally started following you because I was looking for gluten free recipes. It’s been a while now and I just kind of am in love with your family, your life and your food.
Sorry, I know that’s probably no help at all but it’s the truth of the matter.
Hope you figure out your dilemma. Maybe if you were more specific on what the dilemma was we could offer you more specific feedback?
Recipes! And I also love your Stitch Fix reviews
I stumbled across your recipes via Pinterest, and started following. I love the yummy, easy recipes and I like to follow people I can see myself befriending outside of the internet. 🙂
Although you have a lovely family, I enjoy the variety of recipes you post. Thank you.
Your recipes are fantastic and I enjoy reading your blog posts. Plus you’re a Canadian girl, I like supporting fellow Canadians 🙂
LOVE your recipes! I have made a total of 4 of them and they have all been favorites!!
I love your recipes! The updates on your family are cute, but the recipes keep me coming back.
Well your hubby is adorable but i absolutely love, love your recipes. Thanks so much for the great food!
I enjoy your blog because you provide recipes made with ingredients that most
people have stocked in their pantry or freezer, and I don’t have to run to the store
for unusual items.
You have a fun sense of humor, and are a talented writer, too.
For me, the recipes are the biggest reason. I love your cooking style! I have used many of your recipes when my grandkids have come to visit.
I also enjoy reading your blog. I find it interesting to read your story as well as the other bloggers that I follow. I have MS and currently, no car, so I don’t get out much. I feel there are people all over the country, that I have come to know and care about. Not in a stalker kind of way! You know what I mean…….. 🙂
I don’t know if this is helpful, but I hope you don’t lose your inspiration, cause you keep me inspired!! Thank you!
Your recipes plus your sense of humor!
I love you recipes! They are family oriented and not all exotic. You are who you are and so down to earth and your are so real and upbeat is awesome. I love you restaurant reviews. So jealous, you live in Portland. please don’t stop!!
I like your recipes, especially the simple ones. I am a newbie when it come to baking.
I come back mostly for the recipes, but also love reading about your Portland (and surrounding) recommendations, your cute little family, and your Stitch Fixes!
Lauren,
I love your recipes (especially the decadent ones) and those adorable pics of your kids let me enjoy kids without having them myself.
Annamaria
I cone for the recipes and I like the clothes boxes posts. But I have to admit I have no interest in the little stories before your recipes. I just skip to the bottom. I don’t feel like your stories enhance any of the recipes. Gossip Girl? I have zero interest in that and you discussing it makes me avoid the page.
Not to say the kids aren’t cute or anything.
Recipes! I skip the family posts because I don’t know you IRL and feel like a creeper reading personal details about your family or children.
I came for the cheesy hasselback garlic bread (which is totally ridiculous, but in the most delicious way) and stayed because you too are in Oregon, and your kids are adorable, and your recipes are awesome! I especially like the “family friendly ones, my boys are just a little older than your kiddos and they have very definite ideas about what they like.
And you are a delight to read too.
You have a wonderful knack for writing and are very entertaining with your blog! Not to mention every stinkin’ one of your recipes I try is not stinkin’ at all! In fact we love all of them so far! So, thank you!
love must all your recipes, I’ve made a few of them, what I made we really enjoyed.
You have the cutest children, of course their second to mine, as most mother hens would tell everyone. LOL Enjoy all your bog.
Jenny
I keep coming back for the recipes although while you were pregnant, I kept up on that too because my daughter was pregnant at the same time.
I just recently found you through FB. I love the recipes, but more, I love your attitude. Plus, you provide great pictures of the food and that’s a big help. Love reading about your family but mostly I guess……….it’s the food. Simple, easy, fresh. Can’t really beat it.
Love your recipes! And thanks!
After reading the above, what more can be said. Love your Food, your Family, your Faith and your Fotos. I have been living vicariously through your blog since before Blake was a mere twinkle and Brooke was a toddler herself.
Prayers for safety for Gordon and may he return to his family well and soon.
I love your recipes, but I also adore your personality and feel like we are friends despite the fact that I have never met you 🙂 That’s not weird…right? Anyway, I think you have fantastic ideas and I just love hearing about them – your recipes are generally healthy with an indulgence every now and again. Keep on doing what you are doing – I love it!
I think you are adorable and remind me of myself. I like hearing about how you want to lose weight and keep it off and how you do it and I like seeing your stitch fix. I do love your recipes but that is obvious.
I love your recipes! I don’t think I’ve ever made anything of your’s that I didn’t like. In fact, I made your Cinnabon Rolls just this morning. 🙂 I also enjoy your posts on Blake. I have a little boy that’s a couple weeks older than him, so it’s fun to see how they compare to each other.
I love your blog bc you’re funny, relatable and your recipes are simple to follow. I’m a momma and not a fantastic cook (yet). I like what you post because they’re dishes that I can make….not too fancy or pretentious, just yummy. I’m amazed that you take the time to do all of the work. Just made your copycat chopped salad two days ago & tonight is chicken fried rice. Thank you Lauren! If it weren’t for you my poor kids would probably have cereal for dinner!
I love your blog bc you’re funny, relatable and your recipes are simple to follow. I’m a momma and not a fantastic cook (yet). I like what you post because they’re dishes that I can make….not too fancy or pretentious, just yummy. I’m amazed that you take the time to do all of the work. Just made your copycat chopped salad two days ago & tonight is chicken fried rice. Thank you Lauren! If it weren’t for you my poor kids would probably have cereal for dinner!
I come for the recipes, but like to look at other things like your stitch fix finds. 🙂
Love your blog…it is one of the better written ones. Enjoy your recipes.. Thanks for doing such a great job…
It’s mostly the recipes, but I love the pictures and stories of family thrown in there too.
Recipes and all the Mom anecdotes! You just seem like a fun, normal mom, someone I’d like to grab coffee with and chat. Like the restaurant visits too, and I’ve enjoyed the updates on your clothes boxes every month. I want to try the service once I get out of maternity clothes 🙂
Love your recipes! Love your sweet, cute kids! I consider you kind of local (I am in Seattle), we at least have the same weather, usually. Portland is a city that is easy for me to picture when you talk about your adventures around the the city. But all in all, you have a great, fun blog. Also, I admire your confidence to put yourself out there. Thanks for sharing! Love it!
I love your recipes and the extra info you put out in order to perfect a recipe. Also the contests. (although I’ve never won, I still enjoy them)
Your recipes are devine! Browned butter alfredo? Family staple right there. We love it!
hi, love your recipes as they are easy to follow . also u make things from scratch ,use simple ingredients which are usually available everywhere. in world .
quick mix sometimes are available, but mostly aren’t where i live .very importantly the recipes are budget friendly and family gets to eat and enjoy the exotic food.
luv u and thanks
I come for the recipes and only the recipes. I rarely even read other posts.
the fantastic recipes always brings me back looking for more
I love your recipes! Ive made so many of them, i lost count!! I think you have a great personality and are very likeable. I always get excited when i see a new post from you!! Great work, Lauren:-)
I found and continue to read your blog for the recipes but I will read your non-recipe posts.
Recipes! Blueberry Scones, blackberry muffins, everything I make from your site is delicious. I stumbled upon your blog through a FB friend. Thank you for sharing!
It’s kind of the whole package. I enjoy your personality that comes through so well in your posts, I like the recipes. Although I do not have children, I enjoy hearing about yours.
Recipes. I think you talk too much about yourself. You should make separate subscription lines for people who want recipes and not give them every post. It has made me want to unsubscribe.
I also like when recipes represent authentic living. This means when you say you are refusing to eat all sugar for a time and are posting sugar recipes I know you aren’t trying them which bothers me. Post how you eat. This is another disconnect that has made me ponder unsubscribing lately. Maybe I am the only one with these opinions. I know you work hard on here so no disrespect intended. Take this as positive information giving one perspective because I don’t want to poke holes through what you do.
I love your recipes the most but I usually convert all of them because you tend to use ingredients full of chemicals and not so good for you stuff; and that is not a bad thing, most people do but I like fresh organic as posable with minimal preservatives for my family. With that being said, you have wonderful recipes and I love your quirkiness which brings me back to your site. Most of the recipes are convertible and I enjoy it very much so Thank You for the site
I love the recipes, but I really love to read about what’s going on with your family as well! Even if I see that the recipe that you posted isn’t something I would make I still read to see what is going on with your life. We are close in age with kids close in age and I appreciate your thoughts and ideas!
LOVE YOUR RECIPES, please keep them coming. I try almost everything you post. I have been a fan for a few years now and just enjoy everything about your blog. The recipes, watching your kids grow and hearing all your stories. It’s like being a part of another family and gives me fun stuff to read. Love your blogs. THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU!!
I love every single thing about your site! I use a lot of your recipes, love reading what you post!!
family friendly recipes and fun random posts (stitch fix etc) thrown in
I started for the recipes…I stayed because I like your personality… 🙂 Sounds weird, but the style of your blog and your photos is why I looked beyond the recipes and stayed for your personality. I do enjoy seeing your family posts also! My daughter is 15 and I love being reminded of the good (and not so good) times when she was younger. BTW, I talk about your no fail pizza crust allllllll the time and direct people to your site. Can we get an Amen for any recipe that does all work in the KitchenAid! 🙂
I pin alot of your recipes. I do enjoy the photos….Your make me want to get skinny.
Your recipes and your lovely personality. 🙂 I love your quirkiness. It feels like I’m reading my friend’s blog.
OK so I really enjoy your recipes. I try to eat healthy most of the time but every once in a while I will make a batch of cookies. So I like the mostly healthy recipes and healthy tips.
I also really enjoy hearing about your family. I am also a mother of two and I think we have a lot in common. I like the fact that you are pretty honest about the whole parenting thing.
Also I think it is nice that you have a variety of posts. You do not stick strictly to cooking. So really I think you should keep doing what your doing. 🙂
Recipes!! I like all your blog, but don’t always have time to read it.
it has been, and will always be, your recipes! yum!!!
You share everything. It’s not just food or cooking or ingredients. It’s life. After making a couple recipes from your site and reading some posts, a level of trust was established because I trusted not only your recipes but your take on life.
You have a family to feed, I have one too; you try to be healthy (ok, you seem to actually be succeeding at that), I try to be healthy…usually… too; you have a husband you love and adore, I do too; you have this amazing kitchen, and have a kitchen too.
When you share a new recipe and do it amongst doing everything else in your life, I totally know I can pull it off too. And we LOVE your recipes. Totally simple, usually quick, and DELICIOUS. Every week my co-workers ask me to forward onto them another one I have tried so they can try new things too.
Also-
1. I can get my husband to try anything just saying that it comes from you.
2. You were pregnant with Blake a few months before I became pregnant and reading occasional snippets of where a baby a few months older was gave me hope that we would get to those milestones too.
3. You write like I think- I love stream of consciousness talk that flows right along with my own stream of consciousness- and I know everyone of your back-in-the-day references.
4. Your posts make me smile or laugh or just simply nod in agreement and get a sense of I am not alone in my way of thinking.
Good luck sorting through your dilemma!
Hi Lauren, I keep coming back because you post good recipes, you always have something entertaining to say and you have a great mix of family life recipes, traveling, etc.
Love the recipes and pictures of food, but also appreciate the variety. So all of the above works for me.
I came to check out a recipe and stayed. I like the creative way you write and I can associate what you are saying with my own life. It’s down to earth and enjoyable. It’s inviting and encouraging. It’s a nice break.
Love your recipes. I make many of them. I also enjoy the glimpse of your family life.
your recipes 🙂
I LOVE your recipes! I’ve actually ‘made’ more of yours than any of the others I see on FB!! Plus, I love hearing about daily life & your family! Your blog is a pleasure!
I love everything about your site! Love all the recipes and really enjoy your pictures and stories about your kids and life!
There’s soooo many reasons why I read your blog! First off, I love your recipes. Secondly, I love that you get personal in your blog with your family, working out, etc – helps the reader connect. And I love your humour – it always, always entertains me!
Have a great week! 😀
Hi Lauren,
I like your recipes. I also really enjoyed your series of blogs when you worked out with your trainer.
The creative process is a fickle friend. Just take a break, be yourself and it’ll come back to you.
I love your recipes. But more than the recipes, I love your style. I love knowing there’s another mom out there whose kids drive her nuts sometimes, her kitchen isn’t always spotless, and sometimes she just has weird random thoughts. And bless your heart you share all of that with us.
I’ve never made a recipe off of your blog that I didn’t like! We use your pizza dough recipe, make your garlic cheese sticks, lemon poppyseed cake, veggie side dishes. We love it all!
Love your blogging and descriptions of life. Recipes are easy to follow; thank you for pics with them and good explanations on what to do.
I love reading about your family life. You guys are just plain happy. I crack up at your family pics. Give me more of the same.
LOVE your recipes!!! Cute kids are a bonus 🙂 I also love the occasional ‘life style’ tips (diet, exercise, clothing, etc…).
I like your recipes and your stories. It’s easy to relate to you.
Well the biceps are nice but…..it’s the wonderful recipes and pictures you post all the time.
For me, I love the fact that almost EVERY DAY you have a new post. I love your recipes, and I love reading about you and your family. Great photos of you and your Stich Fix, darling kiddos, hunky husband and of course all the food. You have a wonderful way with words and your commitment to this blog is amazing. You make everyone feel welcome!!
I remember following a link to your website and then signing up. I enjoy your recipes, and all your posts. It is refreshing to see your posts about your family and it brings sunshine to us all. I am a sunshine kind of personality and am drawn to positive energy ! Keep up the great work ! Liz
I just recently found your blog and have enjoyed it a lot. Nice and friendly. I do enjoy the family pictures, and also the good recipes…that are normal instead of ingredients I don’t have on hand. Thanks for the good blog.
I love, love, love your recipes!!! I love everything about your blog!!
I’m here for the recipes! You always have some unique ideas and creative twists, as well as healthier versions of the foods I/we love so you are one of the few blogs I get delivered to my inbox!
You asked for feedback, so here it comes……
I am not interested in children or husbands, so I guess it would be anything else that you have on your posts. I do collect recipes and like to look thru them to see if I would like to make a recipe or not. Anything creative that you have would be greatly appreciated.
I like everything about your blog but if I have to pick a favorite thing, then I would say it’s your recipes (which I first saw on Pinterest) & the stories about your life. Your blog puts a smile on my face 🙂
I started following your blog for the recipes, which are excellent. But… I love your sense of humour, photos of your family and your restaurant reviews. Also, you remind me so much of myself. I look forward to your posts and read them out to my family and friends.
Go girl! I hope you keep blogging for years to come.
The recipes are what keeps me here. Your stories are just an added bonus that makes me love your site even more!
I come cause I enjoy your recipes, hearing about your life, etc. You are relatable. A mom with two kids, creating recipes they will eat, fitting in time to excercise, etc.
I love reading your blog!! I love the recipes you make. I have tried a bunch, both sweet and savory and have loved them all. I love that most of your recipes aren’t just somethings that looks good but is too complicated or over the top for my family as a whole. Your recipes are usually crowd pleasers for my whole family, kids included and that makes it nice. I subscribe to your blog and look forward to my daily email from you. Even when I see the title of a recipe I think that may not appeal to me, I still read the whole blog post. Why? Because as much as I love your recipes, what I love most is what you write about and how you write it! I’m also a mommy to 2 little ones so I can relate to a lot of what you write, but mostly I just love to hear about your sweet little family
Your recipes, the photos and your humor! I, personally, love the whole thing!!
Love your recipes, also, love the pictures of your family..
I like the whole mix. I love your recepies even though i have only made a handful. I like your house renovation posts, and your kiddos are super adorable. I’m in vancouver, wa and I am afraid of Portland, so I enjoy seeing you out and about locally reviewing the local eats.
love your recipes and humor! : )
I love the recipes – I’ve used so many! I also love the Stitch Fix reviews. 🙂
We live in a self indulgent self obsessed world! I’m not interested in your children or your husbands biceps although I am sure they are all lovely. I am interested in doing good works, in making the world a better and loving place and feeding my family good healthy organic sugar free food.
I found a recipe of yours on Pinterest and started following you. I have no interest in your personal info harsh as this may seem. I don’t mean to offend but I prefer dimensional relationships. One where I can, hug, touch love and laugh with the person who is in front of me, not flat on a computer screen self indulging and self obsessing daily.
You asked right?
Truly respectfully,
Margot
Well, truly respectfully, why do you follow the blog then? From what you’ve said, it seems that it’s for the recipes. So why not just say that instead of making snarky and unnecessary comments about self indulgence and self obsession? I’m sure Lauren will handle your comments with grace and good humour but honestly, I think today you fell a little short on your goal of making the world a better and loving place.
You are right! I apologize!
Lauren asked and it opened a door to my frustration with the direction we all are going!
Thank you Hanna!
Your photos bait me and your recipes compel me to linger. Your sense of humor is just icing on the food blog cake. 😉 Thank you!
Your recipes are my all-time favorites. And I follow a LOT of food blogs. And have tested a LOT of their recipes. Yours are the most simple AND the most delicious, which is no small feat. I have a gajillion of your recipes saved in email/pinterest/your ecookbook and rotate seriously probably 20-30 of your recipes in my menu planning. Keep those glorious recipes coming!! oxox
Your recipes never fail, you’re funny, your pictures are great, and you introduced me to Stitchfix! Those are the reasons I keep hanging around!
I DO love your recipes, but more importantly, Lauren, in the hustle bustle disturbing real-world, it’s a comfort to find you online and read what you have to share! Never stop, please! Keep it coming, GirlFriend! (from a 66 year old grandma in Chardon, Ohio!!) XO
I LOVE EVERYTHING about your blog Lauren 🙂 Your blog was the reason I started a food blog myself! It was so inspiring to see what you were creating, and what a fantastic creative outlet it is. Your recipes are fantastic (I’ve made quite a few in my day and they’ve all actually turned out…something that is surprisingly rare lol) and I love hearing about your everyday life too 🙂
Hi Lauren, I come to your blog for the same reasons I go to all cooking blogs, for recipe inspiration and food photography. I also enjoy a little sprinkling of personal touch with family/baby/life content and photos, it’s not primarily why I visit a blog, but I think it creates a connection to the author and makes them relatable and therefore their recipes and projects attainable. What I really enjoy in a food blog, is when the recipe post really offers me additional info on the recipe and motivates me to make the dish. Thanks for all the work you put into your blog, I appreciate the wide variety of recipes you put out. Thanks!
Recipes! And love your words. Love the way you share yourself and your life with us.
Love the recipes! It seems like every other time I pin a recipe or hint, it’s from your blog. Good Job!
For the recipes!
I love your writing style and how you share about life, not just cooking/baking.
You are just funny! And I love it!
I love your recipes, but what keeps me coming back are your family stories. I love how you keep it real.
You write so entertainingly (is that a word?) and your recipes are usually fast n easy and kids are cute. Oh, and the bicep thing! 😉
Love your recipes!!! Keep them coming!
Your posts are full of personality. It’s fun to see random things like the monthly stitch fix mixed in with recipes!
I love the recipes & I have recently moved to Des Moines Washington. And your close so it’s nice to have head’s up about things to see, eat, and do in Portland. So please keep it coming
I definitely come for the recipes and food pictures, but your fitness journey, kids and husband are some pretty cool additions 🙂 I appreciate your honesty and realistic expectations.
Hands down recipes! They’re some of the best and easiest!
I initially started reading because of the recipes. But I keep on reading because I love the way you write about your adorable family. You have a nice mix between the two.
I LOVE your recipes! Plus it’s nice to hear about your family – all so adorable! I have made several items from your blog and always get compliments.
Your writing style is so fun (and funny!), so I enjoy reading the posts that come before the recipes…but to be honest it’s the recipes that keep me coming back. Everything I’ve tried from your blog is SO GOOD. I appreciate the variety of recipes you include and the fact that they always turn out like you say they will. I’ve been following you for years and in many ways your blog has helped grow my love for cooking and hospitality.
Thanks for what you do!
I love your recipes, or just talking about life. Love your blog and so does my daughter. Keep it up
All of the above but primarily the recipes, plus you share good stuff from other blogs and that means I don’t have to try to follow other blogs with limited time. I love to sew also so I follow sewing and quilting blogs, so many blogs so little time. Maybe when I retire. Thanks for what you do.
I love your recipes, stitchfix reviews and lifestyle stories:) Love the mix!
I came for the recipes-through a giveaway I think.
But i come back because of YOU!
I know that when I read any post it will make me smile AND get something good going on in my kitchen! I dont know enough about your family to call us “virtual friends” but we’re getting there 🙂
I love the recipes. Im a once a month cooker so I collect recipes throughout the month for the next meal plan… I love the variety you have!!
Recipes and the way you write… your candid speak is refreshing and you often say what I feel and would never say… love it.
I enjoy lots about your blog!! The way you write, you are so relatable, it makes us feel like we are reading about a friend. The pics of your family are great – I have a daughter just a little younger than Brooke, so when I read your stories about her, I can totally relate. Your recipes are awesome – they don’t use a million ingredients that you would never keep in your cabinets. You’ve got a great blog here 🙂 !!
I enjoy all of it. While I follow a lot of food blogs, yours is the one I check most consistently. Your recipes are things that I would make again (and have). The other stuff is good, too, but it’s your voice and the recipes that continue to keep me coming back. 🙂
I really like your recipes a lot but what I’ve also found helpful about your site is your suggestions for other sites and services. You have a good ability to select other food sites, services (stitch fix) and domestic stuff and your dialog up that goes with it – explanation and feedback- is honest, objective, sensible and engaging. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on books and writers.
I really enjoy your humor! Your posts are creative and funny…your recipes are delicious and easy…and your kiddos are cute as buttons! Please don’t change a thing, I enjoy reading your posts every day!!
I love that your blog is a bit of a mix – mostly food, with some family and fun thrown in! Your recipes are great and they’re for the average, everyday cook; you don’t require a bunch of exotic and/or expensive ingredients like some food blogs. And as a new mom, I love seeing updates on your kiddos and all of the adorable pictures.
I just recently started reading, and I came for the recipes. I do like reading about the family/life posts! Makes a blog more personal!
I am a recent subscriber and the Cinnabon Cinnamon Rolls recipe is what brought me here.
Your recipes are amazing. I have a folder in my email where I file them so I can have them at the ready.
Love the recipes!
I love your quick, easy and still healthy recipes! I also enjoy reading your blog because it’s hilarious and your family is adorable. 🙂
Please don’t share my email address. 🙂 Like everyone, I’m sure I love the recipes, and have tried many of them. It was the pizza dough that got me started.
Your amusing and flippant writing style is fun to read, and I too enjoy the photographs.
It would be wonderful if you would turn your creative skills to truly healthy foods. Although I appreciate the convenience of many of your recipes, I’d love to read about your successes with for example, gluten free baking.
I’m trying to break into the blogosphere, and you make that seem attainable!
I love your blog, all the way from Australia 🙂 I love your recipes. I’ve tried a few of them and they never disappoint. I also really like your pictures and the stories you write. I pretty much check your blog almost daily to see if there are any new posts.
I also LOVE the recipes you post. Yours is the site I come to first when I need an idea for dinner. I have made a few of your recipes and my family has loved all of them. I feel like I see a lot of dessert recipes and not as many meal recipes, however, I will continue to come back! I have made a few of the dessert recipes too and its not working out to well for my diet 🙂 I enjoy see in pics of your family and your random posts because like to see your human side! Thanks for having such a wonderful blog!
All of the above! Your family is adorable, your recipes are fun, easy and delicious and who doesn’t love a little bicep eye-candy? Your writing style is so fun — I agree with whoever said it’s like talking with my best girlfriend. Love your blog and, even though we’ve never met, I feel like I know you and I’m SO glad! 🙂
Initially, it was the recipes, and still is. I enjoy the whole picture though. My kids are grown, so reading your blog kind of takes me back to the days when my kids were little. Seeing how you balance your life and remembering how I used to have to juggle everything kind of is nice to be reminded of those days. There were no food blogs back then though….sigh! I do make many of your recipes and many are repeats and keepers and the lemon crinkle cookies someone mentioned above has surpassed chocolate chip cookies for my son’s favorite. Thank you and keep it up.
I love your recipes, Lauren. They are my go-to for most of my baking. I love the family stories, too, because I know you haha. It is fun to see your kids (especially because your daughter looks exactly like you did at that age). I really like your writing style because it is no-nonsense and honest.
I like your recipes that seem easy to follow with the pictures for each step. I also like your reviews, especially stitch fix! And you always have amazing giveaways!
I love your recipes! That’s why I come. I have two kids, 4 and 20 months. I love how you talk about weight and exercise and still take time to create delicious food. I relate to you.
The recipes!
Your recipes is the main thing I came for. Your lemon crinkle cookies are my favorite cookies in the world. But your personality, honesty, and humor definitely keep me reading–even in a non-recipe post.
I’m here for the food, but I go to lots of places for recipes. Your blog quickly became my favorite because of your heart warming stories, pics of kiddos, and personal writing style. The food really is the best anywhere too. As a stay at home Mom, it is comforting to read from other ‘real’ Mom’s.
Keep up the great work, Lauren. I follow your posts because I like messing around in the kitchen and I find that your recipes often match up to my tastes and the way I like to cook. I have to admit that I take great license with recipes, so sometimes they just give me an idea for something to adapt. I am a beginner blogger (primepassages.com) so I can relate to the “creative” question … hope I can build to the level you have accomplished some day, but for me the fun/reward is in the creating. I hope it stays that way, and I hope it is that way for you as well.
Love, love, love all your recipes! Your family is adorable and I never mind hearing more about them. I enjoy your restaurant visits also. I am in the Midwest so most of them aren’t applicable to me, but I’m sure the locals appreciate it! I also enjoy your honesty and humor. Keep up the good work!!
I keep coming back for everything – you’re a very relatable person! I love how easy and yummy your recipes are and the cuteness of your kids/husbands biceps don’t hurt either 😉
I came for the recipes, and started following you on twitter so have read all other types of posts… I thoroughly am entertained by your humor/writing style, and have tried a ton of your recipes. I love family posts as well. Let’s all be honest. ..we all stick around for pics of that adorable crazy eyed Brooke 😉
I love your recipes, have tried several of them and they are great! I like simple recipes that turn our amazing, and your do just that! Also love your humor in your posts, I have 2 kids as well, and know how the everyday life with little ones can be. Keep it up, love what you do! 🙂
p.s.- your husbands biceps are always appreciated too! 😉
I love all of the above. Being alone is good. I’ve had to do it many times thru divorce and death. God is with you and it makes you stronger and independent. Consider it a new adventure.
I Love all the recipes with the creativity, good pictures of the food , the helpful notes and easy printing of recipes, A Big Thank you,
keep up the good work and God Bless your Family.
P.S. Give him a big kiss and Hug!!! from you and you beautiful child!
1. your witty writing style..always makes me smile. 2. your pics/stories of/about your family..both kids and hubby. 3. your recipes…LOVE them!!! 4. your name…:) I am a Lauren, too! lol!!!!
i wouldn’t change a thing except add more kid/ hubby/family stories!!!!
I was drawn to your blog by the recipe “funeral potatoes!” I have stayed on following because I like what you have to say! (and the recipes…of course!) Unlike many of the other bloggers, you remain having your own unique style, and that will continue to make you a success!!! 🙂
I love your recipes too!!! And recipes are the main reason. I love the ones that are simple and easy to prepare for 3 kids:) I also love how you write. Your blog is wonderful.
I have to save I love the recipes Kate, but it’s YOU that drives the ‘draw’. You have a very caring spirit~enjoy your passion to provide a better way…learning your family and your loves is the bonus,
Hope that helps you,
Paula
BTW, adorable..”gosh I love that man’!
I love the recipes, your creativity and the photography. I also love the quirky bits of your family that you share with us. All of these factors combined makes me a fan. ❤️
The recipes keep me coming back. Love your food!!
I absolutely love your recipes first and foremost and am always referring back to them. That being said I love your pictures and your blogs. When I have a rough day and don’t feel like cooking they inspire me and remind me that we are all busy but we can incorporate great meals and treats into our busy lives.
Ps. Husbands biceps are not bad either : )
I love your recipes. And while that was what originally brought me to your site, I have grown to really enjoy your writing style and how accessible you are – meaning that you share bits of your life in a way that is funny and meaningful at the same time!
I love the whole package. Food/cooking/recipes are a major obsession…I mean, interest!..and yours are beautiful and actually doable–so many others are a bit intimidating. Your photos are gorgeous! I like feeling connected to a young family–mine are all in different cities and different states, so it is good to keep up. Your Hubz’ larger than average biceps are just another plus 😉
Pictures of the food and then the recipe
Everything! You seem very genuine and I love the way you express yourself. Your writing makes me laugh, you give us amazing recipes, amazing posts, I mean I have to admit that I am a little afraid one day you’ll decide to close the blog and take with you all these recipes hehe.
Love your recipes…they are easy to follow, use ingredients I usually have in my pantry and are yummy! I also enjoy reading about your family!
Love your recipes and the upbeat delivery! I also love the stitch fix and travel posts that you include from time to time.
Good recipes.
I come to your blog for the recipes and stay for your writing style.
You have awesome recipes. 🙂 I also love other posts, such as stitch fix reviews, etc.
Love your recipes and your blog!
I love your recipes and that’s why I come back but I do read everything.
I love the recipes and your adorable family. Your posts are entertaining!
I keep coming back because you’re a normal Mum who doesn’t sugar coat everything (except maybe in the kitchen!). You don’t dictate and you admit when things go wrong or you’ve had a sleepless night. Due to the time difference of where I live I usually get your blog when I get to work in the morning, a lot of the time it makes me laugh, and that’s a great way to start the day. Your recipes and pictures are awesome too 🙂
What Laura said! 🙂
I came for the recipes. I’ve stayed for everything. I’ve good so many of your recipes I can’t even remember what I was originally looking for when I found you. I’ve made at least a dozen of your recipes and followed your shares to at least another dozen or two. I enjoy your humorous and love filled outlook on life. I have a soft spot for Blake. My husband and I welcomed our first child, a son, on July 31st 2013 so it’s been fun watching our little guys grow up sort of together. 🙂
Love your recipes….keep them coming! 🙂
I love your recipes and your great sense of humor! Yours is my favorite recipe blog. I enjoy seeing pictures of your family as it grows, and hearing about your travels and home remodelling projects. Please keep up the good work.
Lauren,
I am so glad you asked…
Your site is different from anyone else.
You provide a wholesome, down to earth,american family site that is so interesting, that i cant stop reading.
your recipes,local restaurant reviews,fashion,health and something precious you share…..Family.
As a fellow Oregon follower,i find your personality inviting and the honesty you share a real treasure.
my wife has also subcribed on facebook to your site and we regularly Share items you post.
Keep up the “Great Work” we enjoy getting recipes in our Inbox.
Thanks again Lauren, and to your husband and children for sharing.
Ron &Tami O’Brien
All of the above! I love the recipes that are easy to follow, and taste awesome! Also, it gives me a fun way to see how Gordon and his little family are doing 🙂 (I know his family from a million years ago). I feel like I know you, though we have never met. You have a fun personality, a witty writing style, and a cute family. What’s not to love!
The first recipe I tried were the BBQ pork and sesame slaw cheese shell tacos, a few years ago. My family and I were forever hooked on your recipes. I make many of your recipes every month. Aside from Everyday Foods and Recipes (which many of your recipes are on), your food blog is the only one I follow 🙂 I love your sense of humor and real life writing. Our children are similar in age. Plus I live in Southern Oregon 🙂
I have never commented on someone’s blog before but I decided to venture out just to let you know how amazing your recipes are. I used to never cook, my mom would be amazed that I cooked macaroni and cheese. When I met my now husband and found myself pregnant two months later, I found myself needing to grow up fast. If you have ever seen the movuoe decided it would be best if I stayed home with our son, and I found myself in the position of “house wife” with no real idea on how to be one. When I found your blog and started cooking, I not only loved every one of your recipes, but I also gained the confidence that I needed to become the housewife I wanted to be.
Lol I submitted my comment to fast….this is why I don’t comment 😉 the jumbled up sentence was supposed to say how I was like Goldie Hawk’s character in the movie Overboard when it came to cooking and cleaning. Your blog has helped me realize that cooking can be super fun, easy and delicious and now I love to cook! Thus I now believe in my self more when it comes to being a mom and a housewife 🙂 So thank you for your wonderful recipes! And my super picky husband loves them too which is a bonus!
I love your recipes but I also love the way you mix them with your family life. Your style of writing is very pleasing, as your stories are never hurtful or nasty about anyone else. What can I say, I wake up on the other side of the world from you (the Netherlands) and check to see your blog to find recipes and a friendly voice. You must be doing it just right!
I love your blog because reading it feels like I’m chatting with one of my girlfriends. I love the mix of recipes, stories about kids, husband and life, house stuff, fashion and style, exercise etc. It’s a great mix of subjects, I love your pictures, and all of your recipes that I’ve tried have worked! You’re doing a great job, keep up the good work!
You are unique. I love your recipes. I love your photos. I love reading about your passion for your family and of food 🙂
I discovered you through pinterest and ended up staying for basically everything you mentioned (save for your husband’s biceps, lol!). I really enjoy reading the stories about how certain recipes came into being or how your kids react to your cooking. I’m an unemployed kid who still lives with her parents and who is teaching herself to cook, so many of your recipes have come to my rescue (mostly the dessert ones; my dad is big on taking a plate of dessert with him to bed at night!) on more than one occasion!
I love your balance of food and personality. Plus I am practically neighbor, from WA state 😉
I can’t remember exactly how I found you, but I was pulled in by the recipes. I’m not a very skilled cook, but I like reading them and imagining that one day I can make some of the more elaborate ones. I’m also very intrigued and impressed that you create your own very delicious recipes. Knowing how to blend ingredients, which match well, etc.
By the way, thank you for your Fancy Chicken Salad recipe. It’s been a summer staple for my small, new family since 2012. It might seem a bit silly, but it’s a big deal to me. Although I could eat it year round, I save it for the summer for a light, cool meal on a hot day and we really look forward to it. It’s a big deal to us and you did that. Thank you.
I love the recipes you post! You inspire me! And although I am a new reader of your blog; I get a very positive feel good vibe as well. And ‘those’ places that give me positive vibes; I return to often. 🙂
I love the easy yummy recipies.You are a family that is real.The photos are amazing.Keep up the great work.I save your recipies for later to cook or share on line.Thanks Lauren.
The recipes are always great & easy to follow for sure but that combined with your stories is what keeps me coming back. I don’t follow blogs often but I find myself using yours as my go to for new ideas.
My family loves your recipes! I also enjoy reading about you, your family, and your home.
I love, love, love your recipes (have yet to have one not turn out and have my family say WOW). Plus, you’re super funny and adorable.
I adore your recipes! I’ve been following your blog for a few years now and I absolutely love your food, it’s generally easy to follow, affordable, and delicious. As a poor (and time poor) uni student, it’s great for me! I also love seeing your adorable munchkins and reading about other various things that you post (like your husbands biceps…?)
I really like your writing style, I find you funny, witty, entertaining and generally just a joy to read. I’ve also been following you for so many years now that I feel as though I know you in some weird (super creepy?) way. Like, I’ve watched Brooke grow up to some extent, and seen little Blake grow and change since he was born. Keep up the awesome work! 🙂
I love the recipes, it is what first drew me to your site. I find now that I like the mix of family ( personal life insight) and food. If it was all one or the other I would probably get bored, but I feel you change it up just enough for me to keep it fresh.
The recipes, the amazing food photography, your endearingly funny way of describing mundane everyday experiences (yeah I mostly come back to read up on what’s shakin in the hood 😉 than for actual recipes lol) coz they make me smile and inspire me to create simple yet filling dishes that are not too straining on my college student budget! Love your blog <3
I LOVE your recipes. All the recipes you post are what I love – especially the ones that include chocolate. Sometimes I think we are twins. I follow other cooking blogs, but yours, by far, includes recipes that I will definitely make. I recently did a juice fast and I was sharing your recipes every day, looking forward to making them when I came off my juice fast! And I did 🙂 So much for the juice fast….
OH – the Cinnabon cinnamon roll recipe. THANK YOU!! I have tried for years to find a recipe like that. I love cinnamon rolls, and all the ones I have made would come out hard or dry. I made your recipe the weekend after you posted it. My first batch didn’t rise as quickly as the recipe said, so I thought I may have done something wrong. I started a second batch. The first batch ended up being fine, as did the second. I put some in the freezer and ate them whenever I wanted. Thus…the juice fast 🙂
Your pics are cute too! 😉
I agree and well said Kristi
I love your recipes
All of the above! As a college student your blog inspires me on a normal basis. I cook one of your recipes at least once a week and the family pics and fun stories make it so much better than just a normal food/recipe website. I love having real stories from a real family. And Blake is obviously the cutest little blog helper around!
LOVE YOUR RECIPES, love your blog plus and big plus you in portland OR. and im in Ridgefield wa
I love your recipes.