Farmhouse 1820’s Reflection on 2021; Best Projects, Recipes

My favorite articles to write are those that reflect back and take a look at the accomplishments that were achieved in the past year. And too, those lessons learned that may have been tough to stomach at the time, but prove to be valuable now. I check my analytics, pull reports and inevitably go down rabbit holes of posts and photos remembering how each project and recipe came to be. Before I know it, hours have gone by before I even type a single paragraph. Somehow, I never seem to mind. Wait until you see my #1 post of 2021!!

Here is Farmhouse 1820’s reflection on 2021; Best projects and recipes

Coming in at #10 is DIY Butcher Block Prototype. Who knew that stubbing my toe on a life-size Jenga game would lead to one of my top 10 projects. I keep this butcher block in the garden house, and use it mostly when we entertain. It’s perfect for appetizers and tea sandwiches, but also makes for a great vessel for a big hunk of cheese at a cocktail party. You can read the DIY butcher block post right here. 

9. The Secret To Frying Perfect Oysters. This is one of those recipes that took a few tries to develop. Tinkering with different flour and amounts, I came up with the perfect combination that makes fried oysters melt in your mouth. We love oysters around here no matter how they’re cooked, but this recipe is my favorite. View the recipe here.

8. How To Install A Rug Runner On Stairs. We went without a runner on our front stairs for years, but when our 12-year-old pooch became not so spry, we knew we needed a rug runner to help him get up and down. We decided to do the install ourselves, and the project couldn’t have been quicker or easier. Here’s how.

7. Removing Water Rings On Wood. This is actually one of my most popular quick tips of all time. And it should be. Who knew that a pantry staple would come to the rescue. Do you have a water ring on a wooden table? Then follow this quick tip!

6. Cook with Brooke! This video series of mine is truly one of your favorites around here, and how to make the perfect quiche is certainly the most popular in the series. In the video, I share my secret for the best base for quiches. What you add to the base is up to you, and the possibilities are endless. Let’s Cook With Brooke and make a quiche!

Coming in midpoint at #5 is Customizing Two Different Slop Sinks. Because really, why leave a plain and ordinary (and kinda ugly) slop sink when you can add an outside finish to it to make it a star! When we remodeled our tool room ( check out the before and after here ), I couldn’t bare to have an ugly slop sink in there after I spent so much time designing and organizing the place. My efforts proved to be inspiring as this project is coming in hot. Check out how you can customize a slop sink here. 

4. Let’s get saucy! My Homemade Duck Sauce recipe is one that gets viewed multiple times every single day. The numbers are up there, and the flavors are here to prove it. Super simple to make, this sauce packs a punch and is not only delicious accompanying Asian foods, but also just as delicious with grilled meats like chicken and flank steak. Believe me when I say that once you make my duck sauce recipe, you’ll never buy the store bought kind again. Ever.

3. This backsplash is gorgeous, and y’all think so too! I loved collaborating with Jeffrey Court Tile for our kitchen backsplash! It took me years to find a backsplash tile that I liked; one that would bring a bit of a modern mix in our old farmhouse kitchen. I’m glad I took my time, because I couldn’t be happier with this tile. It compliments the concrete countertops, and has become a show-stopper when guests come over. Not trendy or splashy, this tile is just right. Come take a look.

2. My Secret For Boiling The Perfect Hard Boiled Egg. This spot in the countdown is brought to you by the incredible edible egg. When I published this post, my page views exploded! Seems everyone was like me, and struggling how to cook a hard boiled egg without the grey stuff around the yolk appearing. I’ve got the secret and the solution right here!

And now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for! My top viewed and most popular post of 2021!

It comes as no surprise to me, because you love and enjoy seeing my garden house just as much as I do. It’s been my goal ever since we built it, to have my garden house featured in a magazine and this #1 post lead me right to that goal!

#1 Holiday Garden House Tour

I’m honored to say that the Holiday Garden House Tour lead me to a feature in American Farmhouse Style Magazine!! They called it The Perfect Christmas Garden House, and for me, I have to agree. You can find my feature right here!

It took a little over a month to decorate the garden house for the holidays, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I collaborated with King of Christmas who sent me two gorgeous flocked trees, along with lighted garland and a wreath. The holiday garden house tour is loaded with gorgeous photos and a video as well. Come walk with me and tour the holiday garden house!

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for being such loyal and engaged readers. It’s because of you that my beloved blog has grown, and continues to grow. For this, I am truly grateful. Farmhouse 1820 had a productive 2021, and I’m looking forward to 2022. A year already where I have several projects planned, a few to still be completed (sigh); recipes to share, gardening inspiration and lots of great quick tips.

2022 is going to be a awesome ride, and I can’t wait for you to come along with me!! Cheers to all and Happy New Year!

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