Well, my friends, we’ve come to the end of another year together. We’ve accomplished so much and grown a lot as a team. You never cease to amaze me. Can you believe we’ve submitted 2,064 recipes this year? Give yourselves a huge round of applause! You’re truly amazing.

Next year will be filled with changes for Taste of Home magazine (super exciting and very positive ones!). That will also bring new and different opportunities for you as well. It’s going to be awesome! Many of you noticed I’m ending the year with a new title. Have no fear, that doesn’t change my relationship with you. It’s just a better reflection of my role with Taste of Home.

Let’s continue our 52 Challenge this year. So many of you blew me out of the water with your dedication to this. How many new recipes did you try in 2017? Join the conversation!

Last year I challenged you to complete this sentence: “I’ve always struggled to make [blank], but this year I vow to master it.” What recipe or dish did you struggle with? Pie crust? Biscuits? Gravy without lumps? Tell me how you did! Did you take a crack at it?

Housekeeping! Check your information and make sure you're up to date in our system. Please take a minute to do the following:

1. Email a recent picture of your beautiful face to fieldeditors@tasteofhome.com. (I’m still missing photos from many of you!) We’d love to see a nice, close shot of you smiling proudly.

2. Have you moved this year? If so, take a minute to update your email and mailing addresses here. Shoot me a short note as well, so I can double check that the changes stuck.

3. Go to our Facebook group and tell us about the best Taste of Home recipe you tried this year.

4. Lastly—and most importantly—give yourself a big hug from me! This group has made me unbelievably proud to be your leader again this year.

Merry Christmas, my friends! Wishing the most joyous New Year possible.

Happy cooking, my friends!

Sue Stetzel

Engagement Editor

sue.stetzel@tmbi.com

Get Cookin’:

With Thanksgiving about a week behind us and Christmas a few weeks away, there is no doubt in my mind that you’re beyond busy. This month, I want you to take time to focus on yourself and on spending time with your family. If you really want to submit something wonderful, you can see our current requests by clicking here. Your creations are always welcome. Make note of the Taste of Home recipes you’re making this month so you can hit the ground running in January. We had an awesome 2017! Together we can make 2018 another year to remember.

A Treat from Shop Taste of Home!

Our friends at Shop would like to share the current issue of their digital Holiday Delights. This digital publication is packed full of great Taste of Home recipes. I’m planning to make the Candied Bacon-Wrapped Figs for a holiday get-together. You can become a subscriber or purchase previous issues here.

Merry Christmas from your friends at Shop Taste of Home!