2016 Wrap Up

December 31, 2016

2016 was a big year! I traveled to Disneyland, New Orleans, Glen Rose, and Turks and Caicos, I hosted three major parties (The Rose Table en Blanc, a Masquerade Party, and a Mistletoe and Holly Affair), and I sold my home in my beloved Fort Worth and moved to a small lake town just outside of Dallas. Our Rose Table community now has over 7,600 people. I so love sharing my adventures and dinner table with you. Thank you all for brightening my day, every day of the year! What is my new year’s resolution, you ask? To bring you more video content! I can’t wait for you to see what I have planned. Here is a recap of 2016 on The Rose Table:

Top entertaining post of 2016: The Rose Table en Blanc

I didn’t know it at the time, but this was to be my last dinner party at my first house! What a way to go out. I hosted an intimate Diner en Blanc-inspired party in my backyard that lasted well after the sun went down. It also happens to be one of the few times I had a real photographer take pictures! The article includes recipes for my Grilled Shrimp and Veggie Orzo Salad, Blackberry Brownie Trifle, Bleu Blueberry Spinach Salad, and Watermelon Feta Skewers, as well as table and flower inspiration.

Top travel post of 2016: Turks and Caicos Travel Guide

Home of the best beach in the world, Turks and Caicos is not to be missed! My mom worries that I’ve been “forever ruined” for other beach vacations. Read more Turks and Caicos: Blue Haven Resort Review, Salt Bar and Grill Review, Alexandra Resort Review, Asu on the Beach Dining Review, Caicos Dream Tours Review, Kitchen 218 Review.

Most searched post of 2016: The Best Dining at Universal Orlando

Can you believe it? This is STILL my #1 searched post nearly two year later. This article, first published February 2015, still gets the most daily views of any article I’ve ever written. Before celebrating my sister-in-law’s thirtieth birthday in the theme park, I scoured the internet and couldn’t find any articles about the best dining at Universal Orlando so I decided to do the legwork myself and write the article that I wish had been available before my trip. It’s even on page two of the Google search “best dining Universal Orlando.” Butterbeer, anyone?

The Rose Table’s favorite savory recipes of 2016: It was difficult to choose just one favorite savory recipe! Click on the name of each to get the recipe.

Steamed Mussels with Fresh Tomatoes Parmesan – This dish is fast, easy, and comforting.

The Rose Table’s Roasted Chicken – The ultimate comfort food. I make this every other week in the winter! The leftovers are incredible.

Italian Pasta Salad – Make this and enjoy it all week! Great topped with grilled chicken.

Chicken, Mushroom, and Bacon Fajitas – These are a few of my favorite things, all rolled up into a tortilla.

The Rose Table’s favorite sweet recipes of 2016:

Bananas Foster Layer Cake – This showstopper cake has been consistently requested by my friends and family.

Blackberry Brownie Trifle – You could make this as a large trifle but how cute are these portable mason jars?

Candy Cane Brownies – Calling all peppermint lovers! This recipe is for you. This brownie was hands-down the favorite recipe at my Christmas party.

Bourbon Whipped Cream – Spice up 2016 with bourbon whipped cream on top of of…everything. There is no comparison between real whipped cream and store-bought whipped cream. It only takes a couple of minutes and a few ingredients to make whipped cream in a slew of flavors.

Most Requested Recipe of 2016: Flank Steak & Gorgonzola Crostini

If I may say, I grill a mean flank steak. And it’s oh so delicious turned into a crostini!

The Rose Table’s Favorite Recipe of 2016: Cranberry Vanilla Buttermilk Scones

These are so incredibly fluffy and English, very much unlike the hard, crumbly scones we often see in America. In fact I may try out some new flavors of English scones this year!

Now the question is: what was YOUR favorite post of 2016? Tell me in the comments so I can give you more of what you love next year! See you in 2017!