Hey again, it’s been much too long since I stopped by for a non-recipe post.
So many of you have asked me how Luke has been doing and I really appreciate that because I love talking about him 😂
From the photo above you can tell he’s his mother’s child! I tried to get him to look at the camera but he had eyes for the cupcakes only (he does’t actually get any sweets yet!). And he’s growing so fast. He’s crawling everywhere and I can tell walking isn’t far behind. He loves trucks and anything with a motor, he rolls his favorite truck back and forth on the hardwood floor and makes the motor noise… he makes me laugh so much.
I absolutely adore being his mother. I keep getting emotional over how quickly he’s growing up. Last night he just wouldn’t sleep and I held him and rocked him and even though I was so tired I was just trying to soak it all in. Because it was just a blink ago that my doctor was placing him on my chest for the first time ever and now suddenly here we are and he’s so BIG and SMART and he’s learning so much and look at that I’m getting emotional all over again.
I don’t know if you can tell in this photo because it was dark when I took it, but he’s sitting in Zach’s lap in our backyard looking up at the moon. He just “discovered” it and was so curious about it. He’s discovering so many things for the first time (diesel trucks are his favorite) and it’s so neat to watch him. He makes life so much fun, and he’s been such a bright spot, especially this past month.
Some Sad News
On the sadder of things, a lot of you who follow me on Instagram or on YouTube already know that I had to say a very abrupt, unexpected, and sorrowful goodbye to my sweet friend of 5 ½ years, Leia. It’s still difficult for me to talk about and Zach and I are still grieving the loss and the giant absence that is so strongly felt in our house. She was my constant companion and I wish desperately that we’d had more time together.
Luke loved Leia (and yes, they’re both named for my Star Wars obsession) and was always trying to get her attention by blowing raspberries at her or shrieking, I just wish he could have grown up with her.
It’s hard for me to write about and I’m not going to say much more because I don’t want this to be a sad post, but I felt it would be wrong to not mention it, especially since so many of you recognize her from my Insta stories and other posts.
But let’s change the subject and talk recipes and work for a minute.
There has been so much recipe testing going on here recently. So much. The madeleine recipe that I just shared was probably tested over 50 times (no joke) and it took weeks to get the recipe just right. When I say I’m dedicated to sharing only the best tried and true recipes with you, I mean dedicated.
I mentioned in my last Crumbs post that my sisters were staying with me and helping with the blog. Well one sister went back to her job, but Casey has still been helping me in the kitchen.
She does all of the dishes and helps test all of the recipes (remember she and my mom are the only people I trust with initial testing!) and honestly I don’t even know what I’m going to do when she goes back to work. Between the two of us so much is getting done. We’ve tested, re-tested (and re-, re-, re-, re- re-tested) so many recipes that I’ve had on my list but never had the time or bandwidth to completely perfect, so I’m really excited about the recipes that I have to share with you over the next few months!
And selfishly dreading the day when she leaves me to go back to her job.
Favorite Recipes this Summer
While I may already be baking way ahead of the season (we’re already working on recipes for Thanksgiving and Christmas here!) I do have a few favorite recipes that I love making during the summer:
- Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade
- Fruit cobblers! Try my Blueberry Cobbler, Strawberry Cobbler, or Peach Cobbler!
- Homemade Salsa (the only savory option on the list but probably the one I’ve been making most!)
- Fruit Galette
- Strawberry Shortcake or Eton Mess
If you have any other recipes you’d like to see here, let me know (and if they’re complicated ones, really let me know now while I have the extra help in the kitchen for testing! 😂)
As always, thank you so much for reading and for hanging out with me here and on my social media platforms (especially Instagram and my Facebook Baker’s Club, I spend a lot of time there!). It means more to me than you could know 💜
Eileen
I’m also a newbie to your recipe site. Condolences on the loss of your furry family member, it is always difficult to lose a faithful friend; however, in time it will not hurt as much and if you end up adding another furry family member you can use more Star Wars names. Your other family members are beautiful and hope you enjoy all the wonderful stages of a mother-child relationship! Love your recipes as they are easy to follow and delicious! Hopefully, your sister is around a little longer to help you get all the holiday recipes tested and ready!
Sam
Thank you so much, Eileen! I really appreciate it. I will be sure to try to include more Star Wars names for sure. I am loving watching little Luke grow and learn. It really is incredible. 🙂
Emi
Sam, you are so sweet to be sharing all these things with everyone. Luke is getting so big, and adorable. Your backyard is HUGE!! I’m so jealous. And I am so, so sorry about Leia. We will all miss her, but at least she will always be here on the site for everyone to remember her by, right? For recipe suggestions, could you do a French macaron recipe?? I like the recipe I’ve been using, but since I like ALL your recipes, I’m sure yours would be even better 😉 Love you so so much, and thank you for all the food help!
Sam
Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Emi! Leia will live on in our hearts forever and I’ll be able to keep her picture in lots of places to remind me of her sweet beautiful soul. I LOVE my yard. It has soo much space (and I don’t have to cut the grass, that’s for Zach to do! 😂) I have been working on a macaron recipe and I cannot perfect it. I will get it one day though I promise! 🙂
Emi
Thank YOU! Good luck on the recipe! I will eagerly await the day it comes
Emi
Also, I just realized that your wooden spoon in one of your pictures has your logo on it! Were they made specialty for you, or can I get one someplace??
Sam
My sister had them made specially for me for Christmas, but I am looking into having more made that people can buy because I get a LOT of requests for them!
Sue
Dear Sam, I so enjoyed seeing your darling Luke, and the picture of him with his dad discovering the moon…be still my heart❣
I’m so very sorry to learn of your loss, it leaves one very tender hearted ❤.
Thank you so much for all you do to make such delicious recipes and beautiful photos for us to follow. Every one of your recipes I’ve made
has been very much enjoyed, thank you, thank you!
I’m so thrilled that you mentioned you were open to suggestions for recipes, or things we might need some help with! I watched a Food Network Show (The Best Thing I Ever Ate) and Alton Brown talked about a Yukon Gold Cinnamon Roll at a place in Santa Barbara, however, no recipe was offered. Not being a baker, the hints they shared didn’t enlighten me 🤔…and then…your post!
Knowing you are very busy, I was hesitant to ask, so thank you very much for your post today 🤗 and perhaps a Yukon Gold Cinnamon Roll will be considered for your list!
Enjoy your sweet family, and thank you for sharing with us 💞
Sam
Thank you so much, Sue! I am so glad you enjoy the recipes and the photos and stories as well. I have not heard of a Yukon Gold Cinnamon Roll. I will have to try to find out what that is and if I can recreate one. Maybe I’ll have to go on a trip to Santa Barbara for testing! Thank you for the idea. 🙂
Joanna
I love these posts!! Luke is so precious. What a joy for you. I am so sorry about your dog. Pets are such a huge part of our family and it is SO hard to lose them.
I made a bday cake this weekend with your recipes and you have definitely become my favorite food blog at this point. Thank you for sharing this post and for all your recipes. Hugs 🙂
Sam
Thank you so much, Joanna! I am so glad you have enjoyed all of the recipes. I appreciate your support. 🙂
KAY PICKERING
OOOOH SAM!!! How cute, sweet and wonderful these pictures are. Dare, I say I would rather look at the baby than bake right now? Although I am in Phoenix in 117 degree heat. Keep pictures and info coming! I am a 68 year old jewish BUBBE who uses all your recipes with the two grandchildren Caleigh is 13 and Kiera is 12. We are preparing for our yearly making applesauce day, which is very special to our memories. I can feel your pain of losing your dog. We lost our wonderful Dalmation of 17 years 6 months ago. Penny was my husband’s fire station mascot, rode on big red and saw many emergency calls with the guys. The loss of a beloved animal IS different emotionally than a person. You are doing great and looking healthy and so happy!
Sam
Thank you so much, Kay! I too find myself wanting to stare at my baby rather than bake sometimes so I know the feeling. I’m sorry to hear about your pup. I hear dalmations can be wonderful companions. I do not envy that heat you have to deal with. Stay cool and thank you again for your support. 🙂
Laura
Sam,
Luke is growing so fast ! I love the picture of him and his daddy looking at the moon, what a wonderful memory to capture.💗
I can relate to the feeling of grief and emptyness when a pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge. My Winnie kitty left me behind in 2012 and I still cry over her. She was my best friend and my rock !!
A recipe I remember my mom making was for kolaches with homemade prune butter. YUM !
Could you consider these please, if you haven’t already.
Thank you
Sam
Hi Laura! Thank you so much for writing. This is one of my favorite pictures. Losing a pet is one of the hardest things. 🙁 I will definitely add the kolaches with prune butter to my list. 🙂
Mary L Amaya
Sorry for your lose, our four legged child just passed over the Rainbow Bridge also
Sam
I’m so sorry to hear that Mary! It’s a big loss. They really are part of the family. Take time to grieve and feel better. 🙁
Lisa
I’m so sorry for your loss Sam😢. Our pets are family aren’t they and it’s so tough to say goodbye. Leia was a beautiful girl- I have a shepherd too and they really are the best companions.
Luke is so big! I love when you talk about him since he and my youngest daughter are only 1 day apart ❤️They really do grow way too fast. My oldest is in 12th grade this year! My little girl is crawling too, pulling up, and into everything, and just started standing on her own for a few seconds at a time so I know walking is coming soon too. Then look out Mama! Nothing is faster than a toddler getting into things they shouldn’t have😁 Enjoy this time with your precious boy!
Sam
Thank you Lisa! The little ones sure are a blessing. It’s a big learning curve. Even with just the crawling they get into things so quickly!! We miss our big girl for sure. They leave the biggest holes in your heart. 🙁 Thank you for following along. 🙂
JoAnn
Oh my goodness, look how big Luke is getting, what a sweetheart. As a young mother of four, it could be hard sometimes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. All grown now, with lives of their own. And I have a beautiful granddaughter. But I certainly cherish, all of those days gone by when they were all home and little again. Sad to hear about Leia. Our pet’s are such a special part of our family for sure. As Always, God Bless and be well. Love JoAnn
Sam
He’s growing so fast!! Time really does fly. We miss our girl. 🙁 Thank you for your support it means a lot! 🙂
Alana Franklin
Thank you for this peek into your life. I haven’t followed you for long, so it’s my first time “meeting” Luke and hearing about your wonderfully supportive family.
I knew that you were dedicated to testing your recipes, but not the extent you described above. I have enjoyed baking with your recipes, but I will enjoy them even more now that I feel I know you a little bit more.
My condolences on your doggy. I lost my golden retriever after 10 years and we only just got a puppy this past March. It is very hard to lose a pet. I do wish they were with us longer.
Sam
Testing is a big part of the process. I take great pride in having repeatable results. Dogs are the best. I selfishly wish we could keep them forever. 🙁
Anne
You are amazing. Loved reading your post today. We (one of my kids and I) made your lemon cake this past weekend. We were too busy having fun to measure properly and not sure the whip the eggs went as planned but even with our mistakes it was delicious. I loved that I could play the video prior to making the cake and that we made the cake from scratch instead of a box cake. THANK YOU for being an awesome recipe site where I can find good from scratch recipes!! We have tried many and enjoy them every time! And thank you for the glimpse into your world today with a personal post.
Sam
Thank you so much Anne! It means a lot to me that you and your kids both enjoy the website and all of the treats. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 🙂
Fawn
Luke is just adorable!! Treasure your time mama because it does go fast! My twin girls are graduating in 2021😭😭 and I still remember when they were born like it was last week!
Keep up the good work!
Ps. Im sorry for your loss 😢
Sam
Thank you, Fawn! I know it’s only been 9 months with him here but WOW I never thought the time would go so quickly. Thank you for commenting, I appreciate it <3
Randa Marino
Omg what a beautiful dog!! I’m so sorry for your loss !! It never is easy and I know how hard it is to lose such a wonderful pet!! ❤️🐶❤️
Sam
Thank you so much, Randa. It’s never easy to lose such a good friend.
Holly Waysville
Sam,
I am a newbie to your site and wonderful recipes.
I just wanted to express my condolences for the loss of your beloved Leia. I have had a lifetime of faithful companions and I know that everyone of them is waiting at the “rainbow bridge” for me. After a lifetime of loving so many pets I know that like they say, Every time a dog crosses over it takes a piece of your heart, but always remember that the pet leaves a piece of it heart in place of the piece of heart that it takes with it. With time your heart will be as true as a dog’s heart. I couldn’t ask for anything better than that. A dog is the only animal that will put it’s master life before it’s own, imagine a heart like that.
Well, on to your delicious recipes, I have dedicated a new folder filled with recipes of yours that I have already tried or will be trying in the near future.
Thank you,
Holly
Sam
Thank you so much for your sweet words, Holly. What a beautiful thing to think about, we are so lucky and blessed to have the time that we do with our animals. Dogs are just too good for this world <3
I really appreciate you writing, and thank you so much for trying my recipes and following my blog, it means a lot to me.
Andrea J.
Hello! I think you’re the best and I love your posts and recipes. After years of hunting all over the web, trying all sorts of recipes with no real “wow” results, yours is the only blog I follow 😁 I love my daily notifications, with new recipes to try.
Anyway, how about Linzer Tarts? They look like they’d be a bit tedious, but man, do I love them! Hoping you’ll consider it! Keep up the great work!
Sam
You’re so sweet, Andrea! Thank you for following my blog, it means a lot to me <3
And YES to the Linzer tarts! I actually made a few attempts at that recipe last year and have a whole bunch of notes to try again for the upcoming holiday season, thank you for the suggestion! 🙂