100K on Instagram. Wow!

I remember the day I decided to start NTK five years ago. I was bored at home with a seven month old John Robert who napped twice a day so I, quite literally, spent nap time in the kitchen. It was nothing more than a hobby and a chance to feel creative amidst the mundane. My goodness has it blessed me so far beyond that.

These squares have changed and morphed so much in the last 5 years.

We went from Durham, NC to Charleston, SC. From one child to (almost) 4. From age 28 to 32. From elaborate dishes to “what can I throw in the crockpot to feed these humans?” ????

And somewhere in it all, I discovered a lot more of who I am. Of what I care about. Of what feels worth fighting for. Of what I want to use this space for.

Thank you all so much for being here. For every kind comment and message. For trusting me and making my recipes and putting up with my dancing. Thank you for giving me grace amidst the growing pains. Each of you is a real person with real time on your hands and I am so honored you give some of that time to reading what I write.

I truly don’t know what’s next, or even what’s for dinner, but I am excited for it. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for cheering on NaptimeKitchen.

*This first photo was taken by some of my best friends who have believed in me from the start and decided I needed gold balloons to prove it. The second photo was taken with family back in 2018, who have also believed in me from the start and agree that gold balloons are the way to prove it ????