Changes afoot and looking ahead for Simple Bites

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” – Henri Bergson, French philosopher.

Friends, if you have a few minutes to spare today, I’d love to share with you the new route this blog is taking and a few changes I’m implementing along the way.

When Tsh and I launched Simple Bites back in 2010, we figuratively had a handful of road maps stuffed in the glove box and a few pit stops picked out, but that was about it. I never imagined the sights I’d see and the exceptional people I’d meet along the way. For the last four years, this blog has been in drive and we have covered a lot of miles.

I’m not saying the journey is over – nothing like that – but for a long time I have felt like it is time to take an exit off the freeway and travel the country roads for a change. (And now I’m looking for the runaway ramp on this whole road trip analogy.)

Simply put, it’s time for a change. Why? To keep things exciting, to challenge myself, to evolve, to slow down in some ways, to speed up in others. To do what is right for me personally and not necessarily what the experts say food blogging should look like. I can’t quite explain it in words, but I’ve been feeling a change coming on for some time.

work zone | Simple Bites

First up, and by far the most difficult decision, is that the era of contributors writing weekly for Simple Bites has come to a close. Moving forward, I will be the sole writer of the blog. Here’s one of the reasons why: I love writing here for you. Each week I have about six different directions I could take a post; I’m constantly full of words, ideas and stories. I have much to share and it makes sense to tailor the content of the blog to my niche:  whole food for the family table – with a little urban homesteading in the mix.

I have been most fortunate to work with an incredible group of bloggers over the years and they have brought their talents to this space and shared their expertise, post after post. I’ve been most blessed to have them as contributors and they will be missed. Fortunately, they all have blogs of their own and here is how to find them and stalk them regularly:

Also, their posts in the Simple Bites archives are not going anywhere. You can access your favourite recipes anytime, such as Jan’s asparagus galette, Marisa’s home canned Marinara sauce, Shaina’s honey wheat sandwich bread and so many more.

Now is probably a good time to mention that my husband, Danny, is staying on as a contributing writer and will continue to bring his down-to-earth wisdom for urban homesteading and cooking from a man’s perspective.

Clara in garden

Over the years, this blog has evolved into much more than recipes and tutorials; it’s also a deeply personal space where I can share a story about a ‘special’ brunch or a birthday celebration for two. Intermingled with the recipes and tips, I’ve shared about winning and losing, milestones and dreams come true; thanks for sticking around for those details too.

More recently you’ve obliged me when I introduced my hens and chimed in to talk about family table manners. I appreciate it so much! This is a glimpse of the direction we’re headed. More canning tutorials and favourite family recipes, but an open look at my life as an urban homesteader, too. Kids in the kitchen is another topic we’re going to run with, because, frankly, my children are very much into cooking, so why not share how we are learning?

You can expect to see very few sponsored posts and even less giveaways. Oh, and there’s a real recipe index being built as we speak. Three cheers for improvements, slowly but surely.

Articles from here on out may be a little rough around the edges, with the occasional iPhone photo, because I’m blogging real life, unscripted. (Much like this pickle post.) This is going to keep things much more interesting for both of us.

Photography has never been my passion in the way that cooking and writing are, but I do enjoy the challenge. Will I let a sub-par photo get in the way of posting a favourite new recipe or inspiring story? Not in the least. And I’ll try to stop apologizing; thanks Kimberly for the pep talk.

BEJJ photos

How about that cookbook? Brown Eggs and Jam Jars: Recipes from My Urban Homestead Kitchen is in that deliciously mysterious place called a publishing house where it is being transformed from hundreds of Word documents and photographs and a handful of original illustrations into a real live book due out in March, 2015.

Posts will be a little less frequent, but why not stay in touch on social media?  I’m having so much fun with Instagram these days, and am thinking about posting more micro recipes on my feed. Think smoothie combinations, cocktails, quick and easy summer lunch ideas, that sort of thing. Sound interesting? Find me there @aimeebourque.

Things are so quiet over on the Simple Bites Facebook page. I’m often popping in there to chat during the day, so drop in and keep me company once in a while, will you?

Lastly, Twitter is still fun for a quick convo. Find me there as @simplebites.

Now, I’d love for you to help me out a little. In the comments below, please let me know what you think of this bend in the road for Simple Bites. Any suggestions or feedback is most welcome. Got a question for me? Ask away!

New readers? What brought you here and what has kept you around? Longtime readers, what has stuck with you the most over the last four years? Was it a particular recipe? An article? A kitchen tip? Or perhaps a story?

Thank you so much for reading and for being here.

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196 Comments

  1. I have been following for about six months and really enjoy it! I love how to get kids involved (something that is hard for me to share my ‘space’), all the preserving posts and using fresh local food. I also trust your recipes, everything I have tried has been good! Our favorites right now are your Honey Oat Chocolate Covered Sunflowers seed cookies, Your Oatmeal Muffins and Honey Pizza Dough. I also love your experience as a chef, I have learned sooo much reading through your posts!

  2. I think all these comments are echoing what you’ve felt in your heart to be right with the direction you’re headed! I can’t wait for that book of yours to hit the shelves and will stay tuned for all the awesome posts and recipes in between.

  3. I’ve been reading for a couple of years now, and while I’ve enjoyed the guest bloggers (and follow a couple of their blogs) the reason I’ve read is your writing and recipes and life experiences. So, thanks! Looking forward to the cook book.

    1. Andrea, thanks for sharing. It means a lot to me. Sharing those stories and experiences is a huge part of why I love that I do and it’s encouraging to know they are so well received.

    2. I agree with Andrea. I’m excited for this new direction and am thrilled for all of the topics you are deciding to focus on.

  4. Aimee, I’m so excited at the changes you’re making! The direction you’re going is the exact kind of content that has drawn me to your blog from the very beginning, and as much as I’ve appreciated others’ posts, yours have always been my favorite. I can’t wait to see how the blog shapes up from here on out!

    1. Wow, that is awesome, Julia. Thanks for the feedback. It’s really helpful to me as I plan for future posts. Thanks for reading!

  5. I like the changes; it sounds more personal and up close, which is what my favorite blogs end up being. But. Some of the homesteading stuff, while I think it is amazing and awesome, is so far removed from where I am now that sometimes I read the posts and think “well that sounds cool, they picked wild something out of their multi acre yard and cooked with them, and I’m sitting here in my apartment struggling to figure out how to bake whole wheat breads that aren’t bricks and get my two tiny tomato plants to grow”. Don’t get me wrong, I like to see it, but it’s sometimes hard to relate to those things. Keep them coming (they give me a sort of inspirational hope for years in the future), but accessible recipes for the city dwellers too!

    1. Hi Katherine.
      Thanks for the feedback. I totally get where your coming from – because I’ve felt the same way reading other blogs. Say a design or craft blog. I love some of the DIY projects, then I sit back and think, yeaaaahhhh, my kids would destroy that in like 5 minutes.

      I tuck in the occasional rare foraged preserve post for two reasons (that I can think of right now): A – I think people like to read about edibles unique to a region even if they will never cook with them. I may never cook with truffles, but I love to read the occasional culinary essay on hunting for them. And B – I grew up very rurally, where we foraged often and grew most of our own food. Even though I live in the ‘burbs ( I do!) I get a weird thrill out of making that connection today to my past. Does that make any sense?

      If it makes you feel better, I have two cucumber plants fighting for their lives in the garden right now. Some beetles are eating them alive and it sucks.

      I hope you stick around. I can’t promise I’ll only write about super relatable topics in the future, but I can assure you of this: I’m only writing about subjects I am truly passionate about from now on.

  6. Know what I love about this post, Aimée? I can literally hear your voice in these words. This sounds like YOU. I can tell you’re thrilled (and breathing a sigh of relief) about this new bend in the road, and because of that, how can the readers want anything less? I’m excited to see where you’ll take this lovely space!

    I think you may find, as I did when I went through a lot of online change last year, that you’ll grow to love this gig even more, because it’ll fit you. Not that it didn’t before, but it’s like you’ll have taken this girl to the tailor, so now it fits you specifically and personally. And you’ll wake up refreshed and eager to be more you without necessarily having to do more. It’ll feel more effortless, more fun.

    All good things, my friend. 🙂

  7. Initially my heart fell, and then I read on. You are the inspiration, you are the blog. I look forward to seeing where this leads you, my only hope and wish that you continue to be that spark that motivates the best in all of your following. Thank you and good luck!!

  8. All these changes sound great Aimee! I’d wish you good luck but I have complete faith that you will keep Simple Bites as compelling and interesting as it has always been. Looking forward to what’s next!

  9. I think this will be really great, Aimee! There are so many food blogs out there, it’s the personal side that brings me back to yours. And as another mom of young kids who’s trying to grow things in the backyard, I love your homesteading posts.

  10. I love food/cooking and am a new mommy so I love seeing slices of other people’s lives, how they work good food into a busy season of life, and gathering ideas for how to teach things like manners (you mean my adorable baby won’t just know table manners?? 😉 ) Personally I can’t often tell iPhone photo vs “nice” photo and enjoy the down-to-earth tone much more than more formal food blogs, anyway.

  11. Love it! I love your voice and am always delighted when your husband writes a guest post. Glad I’ll see one of you here each time I visit.

  12. I have been following your blog for a long time and look forward to your changes. I like the honesty of urban homesteading…real life. My kids are involved in the kitchen whether it is my choice or not. I enjoy helping them learn about good real food. We got our first CSA box of the season! I am looking forward series of posts on fighting weeds or eating them which ever comes first. Guess what our current urban homesteading challenge is? Thanks for your place in the blogosphere. I for one am grateful.

  13. All your changes are *exactly* what I would have wished for (except for the less-frequent posts, but I understand). I love your own writing voice and look forward to reading more posts about your life. I also love all the pictures. Can’t wait for the cookbook!

  14. Aimee, I’m so excited for you! I have loved your blog for the last 3 years (since my first maternity leave when I was wondering what to feed my new little eater). I found you because of your recipes, stayed because of your emphasis on family, and love reading your posts now, even if they’re less frequent. My favourite was Young Love in the Summer – that’s when I thought: man, not only is she a wonderful chef, but an amazing writer as well! Thanks for all that you do; glad to hear that you are taking this blog in a direction that works best for you!

    1. Awe, I’m blushing! And smiling remembering that post. It means a lot that you’ve been reading for so long. Thanks for the encouragement, Colleen!

  15. I just started following along here — wish I could even remember where I found you… that’s lame, sorry. I love the site… LOVE that you don’t truncate your posts. Even though I tend to pop on over here when I see a post, I like the option of being able to read a post in it’s entirety in my reader if I’m in a hurry. [thank you!] I am too “new” around here to say yay or nay on your changes. HowEVer… I WILL say that I do so especially appreciate a blog that is from ONE point of view — and in my opinion you & your hubby count as one *wink. I will hang on for the ride, and look forward to seeing where you go from here! ~Sally

    1. Welcome, Sally. Thanks for your good honest feedback. Yes, Danny and I have the same PoV – things just wouldn’t work as well otherwise.

      Definitely jump into the blog archives sometime. I’ve got over 400 recipes in there. 😉

  16. I think it is great Aimee. Sometimes it is great for a space to be refresh, redirected, relaunched. Simple Bites has been an enjoyable space and one of the very few food blogs I still follow. I loved the space because it was real and didn’t seem forced. So many food blogs I’m afraid have fallen away from substance (in both the realm of food and banter.) But this space has never lost its purpose since it’s launch.

    I followed you over from UtHC, you know, back in the old days. 🙂 My blog was formerly Baking For The Boys (if you can remember from so long ago) and we used to have good convos about kids & food. I too reinvented my space and can appreciate life blogged as unscripted, unsponsored and very real. Looking forward to the refresh.

    1. Melissa, of course I remember you! There were a lot less food blogs back then. 😉
      I’m honoured that you still follow along and you can see the purpose behind the usual blog content of text and images.

      Thanks for the feedback today.

  17. So excited for the changes. I was sucked in by your urban homesteading stories and I have been following the blog for 4 years! I will say, with so many things coming in from so many blogs I follow, I will admit the only articles I repeatedly seem to stop and get sucked into has been those written by yourself about your family life and urban homesteading. I am so excited to find out that is what you are expanding upon! Good luck, I will be happily awaiting the changes.

    1. Nicely done, faithful reader! 4 years is awesome. Glad you’ve enjoyed our homesteading posts….we’re cuing up a few more soon. Thanks for the feedback, Anne Marie.

  18. HI Aimee,
    I just subscribed to your blog a short time ago, but I think you have to go with where your heart leads you. Your life, your family, your reality have to come first. Everything I’ve seen so far is great and I will keep reading because what you have shared today is real. Difficult decisions are usually the best ones.

  19. Simple Bites has inspired me in many ways..from roasting my first chicken, to growing veggies, to eating well and spending less! What I’d like to see is healthy eating/living in ways that are doable. Keeping in mind that we can’t all grow food or raise animals…but we still wish to eat and live a healthy life.
    I wish you all the best as you take this bend in the road. I think you have many gifts to offer, and I have admired you for a long time. (Our daughters were born very close together so I really enjoyed reading about Clara while my Eden was in the same stages. She’s also my third 🙂 ).
    Blessings!

  20. Bonjour Aimee,

    It is late and I should be in bed but I felt compelled to drop you a line. I always read your blog post and think: when I am in front of my computer (and not a smart phone), i will reply…and then life goes on and I don’t say my piece.

    This time however, I am going to reply!

    I was so scared when i saw your blog post come in this morning! The first thing that went through my mind was ‘oh no! She is retiring!’. I am so releived, althought it is admitedly self-centered, that your are not.

    I found your blog when I googled a strawberry salad dressing recipe…or maybe it was buckwheat pancakes…none the less, I found you and you are a huge part of my life. Your values are in line with mine, and our taste buds would make fast freinds…and who knows, maybe even our kids!

    I enjoy your passion, your tone and your persepctive (and snooping in your new kitchen!) I also enjoy the fact that we are almost neighbours. You being ( i beleive) south of montreal, and me, to the north.

    So thanks for all you do and good luck with your change of directions. A big high five for having the courage to make a change and stand by what is important to you. That takes alot of strength of character, and although we have never met in person, I don’t doubt those are traits you possess.

    Good luck moving forward. I am sooooo happy you are still going to be in my inbox and i have signed up for the blogs of your contributors! Very much looking forward to the cook book release….I plan on a Julia & Julia type thing. To cook it from cover to cover.

    Merci!

    1. Hi Karen,
      First off, maybe we’re neighbours; I’m in Laval, not the South Shore. So, howdy!

      Thanks for this comment. I read it late last night and was so moved. I really appreciate you taking the time to let know you’ve enjoyed reading the blog and cooking from it too. As for cooking the book – you are crazy! Crazy awesome, that is. 😉

      Thank you for the feedback and encouragement.

  21. Food blogs became my source of entertainment during the long hours of nursing my baby. Your site felt like a small piece of home. Urban homesteading is something I have been doing since we moved into our home and I wanted to connect with my farm family roots. You introduced me to baby led weaning — a process that has been so wonderful for my daughter. I so appreciate the kids in the kitchen posts because I know that stage of life is not so far off. The biggest recipe takeaway for me was your baked oatmeal, but I love to read all of your recipes whether or not I make them.

    Like other have said, I am glad to have your voice staying constant — even if that means fewer posts that are a bit less polished. I have connected with your posts, but I have not felt the same interest in your contributors.

    1. Yeah for BLW! Blogs were my sanity saver with infants as well. I so appreciate you taking the time to comment. Thanks for the support, Kelly.

  22. I’ve been following off and on for a few years and every recipe I’ve ever tried has turned out great. I like the voice you give to your posts and think more real life posts would only be better!

    If it keeps you motivated and connected to what you are doing it can only be the right way to go.

    Looking forward to the changes.

  23. Frankly, I love everything you do, no matter how you do it 😉 The evolution of this blog sounds perfect – I love reading your stories and finding your recipes. I can’t wait for the cookbook!

    Congrats on whatever direction this goes – enjoy the ride, I’ll be in the back seat along with many others 😉

  24. I love following your family and all of your inspiring ideas, for the kitchen and the homestead. Living in a tiny condo in the middle of a city with my own little growing family, your life seems like an ideal dream that’s fun to (virtually) visit. 🙂 Your twitter page is definitely my sanity break at work. I’m looking forward to the new direction of the blog! Good luck, Aimée!

  25. Yay, yay, and YAY!!! This is all so exciting for me as a reader. I found you somehow and was hooked. And then I noticed the to contributors and was less hooked (no offense, there stuff was awesome, but I was more interested in YOU and your words than recipes). So this is the kind of announcement that I liked to hear. I think were are meant to be friends because I have the same desires for my own blog but I’m not sure how to just start telling the real life story. Feeling inspired by you though. Thank you!

    1. Hi Melissa,
      I’ve certainly been testing the waters for some time, so this wasn’t a sudden decision. You’ll know when the time is right! Keep it up.

      Thanks for the feedback and for reading!

  26. Congratulations!! I’ll chime in with so many others and say that while I definitely appreciated the posts from your guest contributors, it is your own writing, cooking and lifestyle that resonate with me the most. I have two girls, soon to be 3 and 6, so I LOVE hearing about your children in the kitchen and it gives me that little reassurance I like to have that my 6 year old can handle a small knife and a cutting board to cut her own apple, chop some celery or mushrooms or whatever we have on hand. And as you point out – they’re much more likely to be excited about eating it if they had an opportunity to help create it!
    We live on a few acres, which is mostly hay field, and we do plant a vegetable garden. Working slowly on adding more edibles (planted 2 kinds of rhubarb and a dozen strawberry plants this year). Hopefully a new apple/pear or cherry tree later this year and asparagus is on the list for next spring.
    I’m an iPhone photographer because I never remember where I put the actual camera. And most of the time I wouldn’t notice a difference except when you point it out 🙂
    I’m looking forward to seeing what you publish in the near future, and as an engineer myself, I certainly appreciate Danny’s point of view on things.

    1. Little by little is how everything gets done; sounds like you are cooking up your own special little homestead!
      An engineer! Love it.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment.

  27. Change is good even though it’s always hard!! You know you best and it sounds like you are doing exactly what needs to be done. I’ll look forward to your posts going forward 🙂 Your blog is an inspiration!! xo

  28. Change is a beautiful thing. I love that you’re going back and revamping the way you do posts and doing it on your own time and no set schedule. I need to evaluate that approach! Good luck and I’ll be sure to follow along! xo

  29. I held my breath after reading your first paragraph, but nothing you said in any way disappointed me . Not that it’s your job not to disappoint me–I could have accepted it an moved on, of course, but I was actually really pleased with all of your new ideas. Nothing against your contributors, who are all wonderful in their own rights (and whose recipes I’ve enjoyed!), but I’ve always preferred your posts and hearing about the homestead (just my style). Thanks!

  30. I think you’re doing the right thing for sure. Blogs I follow are usually ones with a more “personal feel” to them and I think from the sounds of it you want that for your blog too. You can’t go wrong with that. And from the comments you’ve been getting, I think your readers are up for a change 🙂

  31. Hi Aimee,

    I’ve been reading this blog for a number of years, and I also check out some of the other contributor’s blogs as well.

    I’ve always enjoyed your posts. In fact, I’ve never loved the blogs with multiple contributors because it feels more “forced” and less personal, if that makes sense. As though posts were happening on a deadline, instead of from the heart.

    I have 3 great kids, and we eat quite locally and seasonally. Lots and LOTS of canning takes place in our house (Vancouver, BC), and I am thrilled that my kids are growing up knowing about whole foods. They just completed an amazing Project Chef program at their school (project chef.ca) and now I’m looking forward to continuing our learning in the kitchen, together. So I’d love to see posts of Kids In The Kitchen!

    I gave up on blogging because I found the pressure for it all to look professional and perfect was too much for me. I love hearing about how you are willing to “risk” a less-than-stellar photo in order to keep the real living and writing going.

    I’m looking forward to your book!

    1. Super great feedback, Bonnie, thanks for that. Sorry to hear blogging was a bit of a bust for you, but I totally get what you’re saying. Here’s to more living and less posing.

      Vancouver! Ahhhh, lovely city. Have a great canning summer.

  32. Hi Aimee,

    Well, this is my first comment ever here. At first, I’ve thought the worst. Thank God it is nothing like it. I’ve been a silent reader for months…I think more than a years. I think there is no need to worry if you are having any changes in how this blog going to be. As long as you serve us with great recipes! 😀

    Good luck to you and all of the contributors. I’m putting them in my reading lists as well.

    Thanks for all of the great recipes.

    Cheers!

  33. I actually stopped keeping up with Simple Bites when the brand changed…however, I’m adding it to my feed now because I love your new ideas! Can’t wait to see how it turns out…

  34. Hi, Aimée. I’m looking forward to more posts centered around living, cooking and bringing up kids in our corner of Canada 🙂 Bring on the maple syrup and the beaver tail pastries I say!

  35. I have been reading your blog for about four years and am excited about the new direction! Honestly, I kind of slacked off on reading when there were a lot of contributors. I enjoyed reading what they had to say but preferred to go directly to their blogs because Simple Bites felt a little “noisy” if that makes any sense. I do love your writing though and still read all your posts. 🙂 I am selective in the blogs that I read because with young boys there is only so much time in the day. The ones I read most often are the ones where you can feel the passion as you are reading even if it don’t always apply to me. I’m looking forward to reading more from you and Danny. If I had to choose, my favorite part of your blog is the recipes. I’m able to make them with my kids “helping” and they have all been a delicious!

    1. Heather, thanks for this honest feedback. I get it. And I really appreciate you sticking around through the noise. 😉 LOTS more recipes coming up!

  36. I’m super excited about the new direction! I’m a long time reader who started reading way back when I didn’t have any kids. Now, we have two littles and I really enjoy reading about how your kids are so involved in the kitchen. My favorite post definitely involved a bit of orange juice spitting! 🙂

  37. I just this minute, found your blog.

    I love the idea of change.

    Please do whatever feels right for you… With your blogging.

    It’s lovely to ask suggestions, but…

    In the end, our blog is our blog, and should be just what feels best, for/to us. At least, that is my view.

    Gentle hugs,
    Tessa~

  38. Love the idea and the direction and the topics. All of it. I’ve been reading for a couple years now and this is refreshing. GO FOR IT! Your reader-base may change a bit but you’ll probably gain new readers just as quick. And your photos are gorgeous, btw. even the iPhone ones.

  39. I think the changes will be interesting. Of course, I’ll miss the one-stop shop deal, but I also really enjoy your more personal stories. I look forward to reading more!

  40. As soon as I read that you’d be featuring more posts about cooking with kids, you had me! I have one particular child who I know could be very good at cooking if I was just more patient with the process. Would love to see how you handle it. Good luck to you!!

    1. Patience is so critical, Maggie, but it comes with time! Kids are supremely talented in the kitchen when given the chance. Thanks for the feedback!

  41. Hi Aimee, I read your subsequent post before this post, so I was filled with so much dread before actually reading! I’m glad you’re still sticking around. I started reading your blog maybe around a year ago? I liked that you were down-to-earth. I’m not sure if I’ve made a recipe here before, but they are all things that I think I could do. I also love reading about how you parent your children especially in the kitchen. I don’t have children myself yet but I hope if/when I do, I will include them in the kitchen.

    I also wanted to let you know that I actually found your blog when I was catching up on Simple Mom/Art of Simple podcasts and I found the earlier one of sugaring off. I thought it was so interesting so I followed you here. I’m glad I’ve stayed!

    1. Bea, apparently quite a few people thought I might be moving on. Never fear, this blog is my everything and isn’t going anywhere.

      Thanks for finding me and for sticking around. 😉
      PS. Tsh says I’m going back on the podcast soon!

  42. I’m a little late to the game since my internet access has been spotty lately. It has already been said many times over in other comments, but I just wanted to be one more voice saying, “Good for you, Aimee!”

    Yours is one of the few food blogs I subscribe to and read regularly, and I’m looking forward to reading more of your “real life” posts (which were already my favorite types of posts on SB anyway).

    And, as a newer food blogger, I’m encouraged to see more seasoned bloggers placing the emphasis on family over bloggy perfection – a great example for all of us! So thank you for that! 🙂

  43. I’m just getting caught up on your posts, so I’m a little late to the game here but I wanted to say how excited I am for these changes! Your blog is my favorite corner of the web and I can’t wait to see more from your kitchen/garden/homestead. I think you are wonderful Aimee and I’m so grateful you share yourself here. You are such an inspiration to me. Here’s to the next phase of Simple Bites – I’m cheering for you all the way!

  44. I’ve been reading for over a year and I continue to follow because it is like a food version of Tsh’s blog. And I love hearing your experiences with urban homesteading. I can’t follow your footsteps yet but want to some day! The recipes are almost like a bonus 🙂 I do find myself returning to your recipe index ALL the time for some fresh ideas on basic recipes. So I am very excited about an updated index!