Big NewsFor a few weeks now, I’ve been hinting around about a big announcement. No, not big… HUGE! Since late October, I’ve been running around like a little boy who knows what your Christmas present is, just wanting to tell you but knowing I can’t. For years now, I’ve been pouring my heart and soul into this blog – sharing the food and stories of my family. I’ve SO enjoyed sharing my life with you all and giving you the easy recipes that I grew up with. And to tell you the honest-to-goodness truth, the sweet comments from y’all have made it all worthwhile. That doesn’t even begin to mention the amazing relationships I’ve made with folks like my dear friend Christy Jordan from Southern Plate and Miss Peggi from Iowa Park, Texas. Just seeing the numbers on the stat counter and knowing that there were folks on the other side visiting the site and printing the recipes just fills my heart with joy. Regardless of how many comments I get each day, I still get just as excited as the time I got the very first one. But it appears that there were other folks looking at the blog, too. Apparently, an editor with Thomas Nelson (a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing Group) was visiting as well. And one fateful Thursday afternoon, I got the email.

Are you ready for the big announcement? (Deep breath…) Folks, it appears I’m going to be writing a cookbook! Yep, I’m a surprised as you are. Sure the thought had crossed my mind, but I figured I’d be gray with grandbabies before I took that route. But I am thrilled beyond belief to be able to extend the Southern Bite family. You cannot begin to imagine how humbled I am to have this opportunity before me.

At this point the details are still in the works, but right now we are expecting a Spring 2014 release date. The book will be filled some of the best recipes from SouthernBite.com but will also have more than 60 new, exclusive recipes. And one of the things that I’m most excited about is that one whole chapter will be filled with your recipes! And I’m just tickled pink to be able to feature some of YOUR favorite recipes! Click here for more information on the “Best of the Bite” Reader Recipe Contest, for the Official Rules, and to submit your recipes.

Folks, I just can’t even begin to try to make you understand how appreciative I am for each and every one of you. Without the readers, Southern Bite would just be another obscure food blog in the ginormous blog-o-sphere. But because you took notice and came back, other folks did too. You know, it’s pretty funny. Growing up, I was always told that I could be anything that I wanted to be, but a writer was never one of my aspirations. My Mom tells me that around 3, I decided I wanted to be a garbage man. She used to always say, “Well, you just be the best darn garbage man there is.” Sure, I went through the architect, marine biologist, and lawyer phases… but writing was just never my thing. It was difficult for me. That is, until I found my passion. Now, writing about food is easy because I love it. And it sure helps knowing that there’s someone on the other side of the computer reading it. So, the debt of gratitude I feel, is to my readers. Without you there would be no SouthernBite.com and certainly no upcoming cookbook. I just want to reach out and just squeeze your necks. Seriously, I owe each and every one of you a big ol’ hug. Maybe when we get this thing published, I can get to working on that…

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