Has It really been five years?

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It’s hard to believe that this is my fifth year of blogging! It seems like only yesterday that I walked out into my garden with my Kodak point and shoot camera and took a picture of my basil plants and came in and wrote my first blog post.
Sometimes I cringe at my old food photos that I took with my flash on, (an absolute no no in food photography) but I will always keep them there because it was all a part of my blogging journey.
And what a journey it has been! They say time flies when you’re having fun, and I can honestly say that that statement is so true. I’m still having fun, I never get bored blogging and I’m not ready to give it up, in fact, I’m gearing up for new and exciting things to happen with Proud Italian Cook in the future.

I could not celebrate this blogiversary with out expressing how extremely grateful I am to all my readers  who faithfully stuck with me, your comments always a source of encouragement. A big thank you to those who take the time to write me personal emails, my subscribers who send me kind words so often. To those who “like “me on Facebook, thank you. To all those who have “pinned” my recipes and photos on Pinterest, a gigantic thank you, I can’t believe how my traffic has increased because of it!
To my family and friends who put up with all my craziness, waiting patiently as I take photos at home and in restaurants, and thinks it’s weird if I don’t, and to my husband Tony, my number one fan who encourages me everyday and eats anything I put in front of him!

And lastly, to all my dear friends in this blogging community that we are all a part of, you know who you are, you’re friendship has been the best part of my food blogging journey, thanks to all of you!

 

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Comments

  1. That happened to both Unitas and Namath, for example. How can you play football if you can barely move, without an ACL?

  2. Congratulations on five spectacular years we are frequent visitors and we really enjoy you articles. Your recipes are phenomenal.

  3. Congrats! Keeping this blogging thing up for 5 years is a real achievement!

  4. Congrats on 5 years…lucky us!
    Looking foward to many more great recipes.
    Thank you for sharing:)

  5. I’m an Italian cook, old family recipes love reading your blog

  6. congratulations and thank you for sharing your beautiful photos and recipes! was just looking at your balsamic chicken recipe, but now i have to go look at that roasted clams with sausage one. have been enjoying all your food and sharing with followers on loveit.com 🙂 can’t wait to try making pasta myself!

  7. Marie!!! 5 years… I am happy to have been reading your recipes and insights for all this time. Congratulations to you! I couldn’t help but think of you this weekend… I Affogati all around (only thing missing was the amaretto) I have so much of your writing to catch up on… out of the loop for too long. Congratulations!

    Johnny Tomatoes

  8. I recently discovered your blog and have referred it to everyone. I love how you explain your dishes without the perfect recipe to follow…leaves me lots of room to succeed. And congratulations on 5 years!

  9. Just discovered your blog, Oh My! I can’t wait to start cooking your luscious recipes!

  10. Possible duplicate….I originally tried posting to say Happy 5th year. Also that I have been together with my husbnad for 5 years and thanks to your blog I am PROUD to say I have sucessfully cooked some Italian dishes for my Italian husband. Thank you for sharing all your recipes and ideas. I have ordered the balsamic glaze and used it in so many dishes and also plan on tackling that timpano with my mother in law. I just have to let her get through all that canning first! One learning curve at a time. Oh, and when do you plan on teaching your own cooking class? You’d be great at it!! Thank you!

  11. Oh, I forgot to add my email: dianelynch05@gmail.com

  12. It’s my birthday, so I would love to win this! Happy anniversary!

  13. I enjoy your blog, congratulations!

  14. I am an American living in Italy! I love your take on Italian cooking and have been cooking up a storm! 🙂

  15. Renee Leonard says

    Rleonard@shenhgts.net

    Great blog!
    Renee Leonard

  16. Rleonard@shenhgts.net
    Congrats on the 5 year anniversary of your blog. I have just subscribed because every recipe I scrolled thru was more inspiring and delicious looking than the next. I cannot wait to try the ramican eggplant pasta bake!
    Renee

  17. I just posted a comment and realized that I had forgotten to put my email address on it.Tracey(thr33littl3-birds@yahoo.com)my apologies,I think I was just excited about the chance to win such a great gift.Thanks again!

  18. Congratulations on your five year anniversary,although it is of no surprise to me, or anyone that follows your blog,that you have made it this far.such amazing recipes and stories and mouth watering photos.I have enjoyed making many of your recipes,and I look forward to many more years of you sharing with us.What a fabulous giveaway,I would so enjoy making a wonderful meal for my family with these tools.Thanks for being proud,and Italian and for sharing with all of us.

  19. Happy 5th!!!
    I Love,Love,Love your recipes.
    You have inspired my cooking in so many ways.
    You are the Italian Julia Child!!!

    Thank you for sharing 🙂

  20. Your site has so many simple, delicious recipes–and gorgeous photos! Thanks for the opportunity to win.

  21. Congratulations! I love your blog and my son loves your ravioli recipe. I asked you for it so I could make it when he came home from Iraq and it was a huge success. Looking forward to many more years of reading your blog.

  22. ddubrin@aol.com says

    So excited! Great way to celebrate.
    Dana C

  23. Happy Anniversary! I love Proud Italian Cook!

  24. I love your blog!! Have made several of your dishes and your photography is drool worthy!
    Kristingmcwilliams@hotmail.com

  25. Christina K christinakates@yahoo.com says

    Just found your blog while diddling around on pinterest. The amaretto over vanilla ice cream with almonds is what drew me in-YUM. I am sure you will cost me multiple hours sleep tonight while I cyber stalk all of your recipes!

  26. congrats! five years is quite the milestone! here’s to many more!!

    PS – pasta maker…yes!!!

  27. Congratulations! I LOVE your blog and I’m always looking forward to your recipes. My husband is italian and I would love the pasta maker to make somef his grandmas recipes. Now that the weather will be getting cooler in Chicago it will be perfect timing to cook for him and my three boys!
    Keep up the great work!

  28. Five years is long time, and you did a lot of work! I always love to trying you recipes (even when my cooking skills is not as good as your), and my family was always very satisfied :).

  29. I enjoy your blog. It comes straight to my e-mail inbox. I love the photos! Congratualations!

  30. I love the spot where you say Tony eats everything you put in front of him! Makes me smile. And congratulations on five years.

  31. You blog has so many great ideas for all of the produce that I harvest from my garden! Congrats on the 5 year anniversary! 🙂

  32. congratulations on five years! your blog is wonderful – i love the recipes and pictures. thanks for sharing with all of us!!

  33. Happy blogiversary. It’s been great sharing these five years with you. I hit five years this spring and it was hard to believe I could do this that long.

  34. Happy 5th blogiversary, guess you’re here to stay! Love your food and ideas! I’m hooked on reading your posts!

  35. Congratulations on your Fifth Anniverary as a blogger!
    I bought a cavatelli machine because of you. I now make cavatelli at least once a month because my grandson loves to eat them.
    I am going to make the eggplant patties tomorrow to take to the beach as part of our Sunday dinner.
    Thanks for taking the time and effort to make our lives a lot more delicious!
    Alison V.

  36. Happy Fifth, and many more. Love your recipes. Did the grilled seafood….so good!

  37. I have really enjoyed reading (and following!) your blog! Thank you for your terrific recipes and outstanding photos!

  38. Congratulations! I love looking at all your amazingly yummy photos of food…and can’t wait for the day when I have time to make a few of the more complicated recipes. Thanks for letting me dream!

  39. Congrats on celebrating 5 years! And what a wonderful gift!!!!

  40. Anne Marie Barletta says

    Happy Blogervrsery. You were ‘the first’ food blog that I ever followed…..thank you for all that you share! ‘Party Hardy”!

  41. Congratulations on 5 years. I love your blog, and I hope you have many, many more.

  42. Just a new comer to your blog. & I love it. thanks for the Italian inspiration… yum yum. 🙂

    coolkat24@hotmail.com

  43. Congrats on your anniversary!!!!

    Thanks for the contest.

  44. I had to stop by to wish you congrats! You have been an inspiration to me. Not here for the giveaway – but what a grand time you are having with it. Here’s to the next five… ten …. and more years!

  45. paulacrilly@aol.com says

    ….. LOVE / LOVE your cooking. Reminds me of my heritage! Thanks!

  46. Congratulations – Wow, 5 years. I love you blog, I think the recipes are fabulous. You inspire me to go into the kitchen and create! Here’s to many more years of great blogs and the friendship of all of your followers.

  47. Congratulations! I love your blog.

  48. I remember making linguine and fettucine with my dad when I was a child. What a wonderful thing to be able to do with my two young sons! Thank you for the contest and the memories! Congratulations!

  49. Congratulations – 5 years oh my! Your blog is beautiful. I love making pasta – this would really help.

  50. Congratulations! I look forward to reading for years to come.

  51. Congrats – that’s an amazing commitment – don’t think I’ll make it that long. I’m writing up a blog on your eggplant patties and came over to get your link to it.

  52. I am delighted to have found your blog some time ago. I am always delighted at reading your posts and your food is mouthwatering and inspiring. Congratulations on this milestone and a toast to many more. (I’m ready for the book!?!?)

  53. Congrats on 5 years! I hope there are many more! You have turned me on to lighter, healthier, more delicious Italian recipes than the old fashioned and very heavy Italian food that I grew up on 🙂

    Angelina
    angiec1313@yahoo.com

  54. Can’t believe it has been 5 YEARS!!!! Congrats!
    Would love the pasta maker, but either way… looking forward to great pasta recipes!

  55. Happy 5 years. I’m so happy that I found your blog. You remind me of growing up in my wonderful family with a lifetime of memories gathering together with Italian food as the centerpiece. And thanks for offering a chance to win a great gift. I already have one and cherish it because it was my mother’s. If I win, I’ll happily give it to my daughter.
    thanks again…

  56. Congratulations in 5 years! I have made so many of your recipes over the last couple of years I have lost count. You have also inspired me to create some of my own dishes. I look forward to many more years of recipes and fun! 🙂

  57. Hello! I’m Irena. I’m new to the blog, but I’ve already tried many amazing recipes, such as Grilled Eggplant salad and Stuffed Tomahawk Pork Chop and they all came out amazing. Thank you for sharing your talent with us and Happy Bloggy Birthday

  58. Woohoo Happy 5 years of blogging!!! I love your blog, one of my favorites and your cooking is so inspiring. I even have my mom hooked on your recipes now. 🙂

  59. I guess the new 5-year anniversary present is a pasta machine? I’ll have to tell my husband. 😉

    Love the blog…thank you for all your work on it!

  60. Congrats on your 5 year anniversary…I love your blog and all the delicious recipes 🙂 hope you have another 5 and many more

  61. cinco de augusto! oops,no that can’t be right?! Happy 5 Blogging Years and for some of the finest recipes and pictography to go along with it. Seriously, from a very tiny blogger person.

  62. Woo! Hoo! Marie!

    A hearty congratulations on your 5 years, it has been an absolute pleasure to get to know you. You never cease to inspire and amaze me with your gorgeous colorful creative cooking! Grazie for all the years of artistry and inventiveness from your kitchen.

    Best wishes for continued delicious success!

    Your friend,
    Lori Lynn

  63. Happy anniversary! I have been following your blog for several years and love your recipes and photos. Great job!!!

  64. Happy 5 years. I started following your blog 2 years and what an inspiration you are. Pages of your recipes are frequently on the island next to the completed dish. Thank you and blog on. Cheryl

  65. I am new to your blog, but after making your Easter Bread I am hooked! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful recipes! Love your food 🙂

  66. I’ve been enjoying your blog since I discovered it about 6 months ago. Congratulations on reaching the 5 year milestone!

  67. Diane Lestina says

    Love your blog – great inspiration!

  68. Congratulations! Your blog is truly an inspiration – great photos, great recipes and always good conversation. keep up the good work!

  69. This is my fourth try to post a comment, hope it works.

    Congratulations on your 5th year Blogiversary.

    My family and I would love to be the winner of the Imperia Pasta Maker, we love your wonderful recipes and the beautiful photos that you accompany with them.

    Happy Anniversary.

  70. What a great prize and congrats to you on 5 years!!

  71. Happy 5th year anniversary. I just found your blog recently and have really been enjoying it.

  72. 5 YEARS! What a milestone! Heck, that’s longer than some of my marriages have lasted … just kidding … CONGRATS!!!

  73. Congrats on 5 years! I dream of this pasta maker. (: Mangia!

  74. I was wondering to do with my abundance of zucchini this year and stumbled upon your zucchini tomato gratin. OMG – it was wonderful. Couldn’t have been easier to make and so delicious. All of your recipies make me want to cook!

  75. Happy 5 years! Love your recipes and stories!

  76. Congradulations & I hope to see 5 more. I’m still going through your archives. YUM !

    chavellat@gmail.com

  77. Congrats on your 5 yrs! Love the coffee beans. Totally enjoy your blog, and look forward to more great ideas and recipes.

  78. Happy 5th, and here’s to 15 more!

  79. Wishing you a very Happy 5 year blogaversary! Just recently found your blog and love it.

    hotsymalone@att.net

  80. I have just found your blog and love it. I have been dieing to learn how to make my own pasta. Please, Please pick me.

  81. I am so glad I found you, I have so enjoyed your posts and have found them delicious!

  82. Congrats on 5 years! Love your blog!

  83. Love your blog!
    Caroline Field

  84. Keep up the great work!! I look forward to the email notifications every few days, and I’ve tried a bunch of recipes!!

    You’re an inspiration for other bloggers out there!

  85. Congrats, I do enjoy your recipes.

  86. Love your blog!! I get such interesting ideas from it. Congratulations on five years and to many more!!

  87. I L-O-V-E your blog! Your food looks so delicious. You are my new food hero!!! Keep up the great work & congrats on 5 years!

  88. Congratulations Marie on your 5-year Blogiversary! I only discovered you this past spring and am so glad I did. You’re recipes are delicious and pictures are beautiful. I love posting them on Pinterest…they’re one’s that are consistently re-Pinned. Here’s to many more years of happy blogging.

  89. Congrats on 5 years and thank you for the yummy recipes!

  90. Congrats on 5 years and thank you for the yummy recipes!

  91. ldowell1@cox.net said…

    Thank you for your great work in the kitchen!

  92. Congratulations on 5 years! Love this blog!

  93. Congratulations of your 5 year Anniversary! I still remember the first post I read of yours which was the Melrose Peppers. I made them that night and they were AWESOME!. I’ve been hooked on your blog ever since. Keep up the good work!

  94. Congratulations of your 5 year Anniversary! I still remember the first post I read of yours which was the Melrose Peppers. I made them that night and they were AWESOME!. I’ve been hooked on your blog ever since. Keep up the good work!
    John Roslia
    Long Island,NY
    jrosalia2007@yahoo.com

  95. Congratulations on 5 years! All the best for many more! I love your blog!

  96. Congrats on 5 years! Love all your recipes, and hope I can replicate even more of them with a pasta maker!!!!

  97. Happy anniversary!!! I love your blog! Recipies r delicious!!! Would love to win this! I remember making pasta with my grandma!!!

  98. Many congratulations Marie, still my go to blog for inspiration, here’s to the next five years. Cheers, Kathy xx

  99. Congrats.. I love your site. I am Italian as well and love trying all the recipes. Thanks
    Lisa
    Inthenet@yahoo.com

  100. Congrats on the 5 year anniversary!

  101. I love this blog…I have made several item that you have posted…not a bad recipe yet. Thanks again for sharing

  102. Congrats on 5 years — I am so glad to have found your blog — you have some great ideas. Looking forward to making that zuccini tart with my summers bounty@

  103. Congradulations and Happy 5 years!
    I love your blog, and have made
    many of your recipes.

  104. Wow! Look at all your friends here! What a testament to your talent and success! You know, I had to go back to your first posts, and I love them. Those meatballs cooking on the stove..well..that is home to me.
    Here’s to many more years of cooking, blogging,…but most of all, friendship. God bless you Marie!

    Your sista,
    Maryann xox

  105. Congrats on 5 years! I am a recent reader (thanks to Pinterest) and have already tried several of your recipes- thanks for the cooking inspiration!

  106. Proud Italian Cook, you have inspired me in so many ways. Love your blog, love your approach to food, love your photos. Thanks for sharing!

  107. lzanardi@cohoiceco.com says

    Happy 5th Anniversary – I am PROUD to be a reader of your blog!

  108. what a fabulous gift….I love your recipes and your Zucchini tart…was so beautiful it could have a picture….
    I look forward to your recipes everyweek…..

  109. Thanks! Love the food!

  110. Happy Anniversary! I only wish I had found your blog 5 years ago.

  111. Wow 5 years! Congrats!

  112. Wow…look at all your comments…lets you know how much you are loved. many thanks for all that goes into this page.

  113. Congratulations, it is an inspiration that you have been blogging for 5 years and learning so much! Yum….the tasty treats that can be made with that pasta roller!!

  114. Next month, September, my husband and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary. Five years ago, I retired from my full time job which got me home later than my husband so my husband did all the cooking. Now, I love doing all the cooking and thanks to your Blog, my Italian husband is enjoying some great meals that he never thought I could make.

  115. Congratulations! You are one of my go to blogs! I love all your recipes and of course, the mouth-watering photos!

    To at least 5 more years!!

  116. I’ve been following you for a few weeks, but I went back to the beginning of your blog and started there and FINALLY got caught up! Love your blog, and have used several recipes!

    Alli

  117. I don’t leave comments as often as I should, but you need to know that I love your blog!!! I try MANY of your recipes and several have become family favorites! Though your photos are so stunningly beautiful, you make Italian cooking easy! I always look forward to a new post from you. congrats on 5 years!

  118. I love your blog. Coincidentally, earlier this morning, before reading your blog, I was looking at ravioli forms on Amazon!

  119. Deana Moran says

    Congratulations Marie!! I have been following your blog for a while and I follow you on Pinterest! I always look forward to your fresh and colorful meals. I have attempted several of your recipes and have always had great success! What a wonderful gift to offer us a chance at! May you have many many years of great food creating and sharing! – Deana Moran

  120. Congratulations on a really great job. I’ve been following you for nearly all of those five years and I’m never disappointed.

    (I actually have one of those machines – it’s brilliant, so please take me out of the draw. If it’s done automatically, then please do it a second time. I’m in Italy, in any case, so it isn’t worth the postage.)

    Here’s to the next 5 years!

  121. I just recently discovered your incredible website via Pinterest (yay Pinterest) and I’m totally addicted. Congrats on 5 years; what an achievement! Keep up the good work!

    mybatonrougemommy(at)gmail(dot)com

  122. Happy 5th Anniversary!! I’m so glad to have found your blog.. I love your stories and recipes..

  123. Love your blog & your dedication! I’ve only discovered it within the last year, & have had fun surfing back & finding wonderful things to try. Here’s to food, family & fun!
    Paula

  124. Congratulations on 5 years of blogging! I thoroughly enjoy your recipies.

  125. Congratulations on 5 years of blogging. I love getting your newsletter!!

  126. Love your recipes. My son and I recently started to try and make pasta,first few tries not good.A pasta machine would be a great help!

  127. Congrats!!! I found your blog through a recipe you had posted on Pinterest. I repined it as did several of my friends. I now follow you and look foward to what you will come up with next. Pasta machine? That sounds like fun…and since my husband does the cooking, lucky girl I am, he would love it!!!!!

  128. Congrats on 5 years! I’m a relative newcomer to your blog, but I really enjoy reading it. My whole family is from Italy and your recipes remind me of home!

  129. Happy Blogiversary! I Love your blog, thank you for all the delicious recipes 😀
    Michelle – littlemissdaisy26@yahoo.com

  130. WOW – times does fly!!! – Congrats on 5 years of yumminess blogging! – *fingers crossed*

  131. splitload@excite.com says

    Enjoy your blog greatly, hope you have many more year online.

  132. Good Morning and Congratulations, Marie. I’ve tried several of your recipes and have never been disappointed. Your photos are amazing and make it so easy for me to try and duplicate your results. Come ’em coming, I’ll keep trying ’em out!

  133. becky herlitzke says

    I am new to your blog just this summer. I was originally drawn to it from Pinterest. At first I chose to subscribe to the blog because of the feast for my eyes. I’m an artist and was drawn to the beauty of the food. Now I’m cooking with you. This past weekend I made the windowpane pasta with basil leaves…yum….and quite impressive to look at. Thank you for your inspiration. I will pass the word on your blog to my friends too.

  134. Barbara Nicholson says

    Happy Anniversary! You are the first blog I have followed! Thanks for making this new experience such a great one!

  135. Congratulations! I love your blog and your food always looks so good.

  136. There is something special about home made pasta. The flavorful burst of surprise in your mouth is only second to the time, energy and love your cook has put into preparing this special dish for you…. Because you are worth it! Congratulations on your first five years. I appreciate the time you put into this blog with your delicious recipes and mouth watering photos and look forward to the next five years!

  137. I look forward to 5 more years of reading your blog with your gorgeous color photos and your inspiring recipes!

  138. love. your. blog. { CONGRATS! }

  139. Michelle Legault says

    I just found your blog about a week ago and am so glad I did. Would love to try to make my own pasta this fall and this machine would certainly help! Am so excited to go through your past blogs to find other delicious recipes! Congrats on your 5 year anniversary!

  140. Valerie Suhanosky says

    your blog brings us back to the days our Nonnie cooked for us, Thank you for the great food memories.

    val.suhanosky@snet.net

  141. Love this blog!! Brings back great memories of mom and grandma cooking up a storm…and made me want to cook more with my kids to pass on great italian dishes. Keep going! 🙂

  142. Congratulations of 5 years of doing what you love! Keep those fabulous, delicious recipes coming! You clearly have many fans who appreciate all the time and effort. Here’s to another 5 years(she says, raising a glass of oj , as it’s 7:45 a.m.)
    Grace

  143. I not only read your blog, I cook your recipes.
    Thanks.

    Jay Cohen

  144. Congratulations on five years. I’m looking forward to every delicious post in the new year.
    Sam

  145. Congratulations!! Thanks for your wonderful recipes.

    Linda C
    Majer59@aol.com

  146. Congratulations on 5 years!!! Here’s to another 5 years of amazing recipes.

  147. Love all the wonderful recipes, and it feels at times like I’m in the kitchen with you!! Thanks so much for actually responding to emails. You’ve “been” at our dinner table many times.

  148. Love your blog! Everything I’ve made from your blog is wonderful!

  149. Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for the opportunity!

  150. All of your recipes and ideas are appetizing and very “do-able”! Your website is always colorful and
    so enjoyable to view. Look forward to each and every one. Thank you for sharing your talents with us.
    Many more…..

  151. I recently discovered this blog and am so happy I did! Happy 5th! What a wonderful contest too!

  152. thank you for sharing with us your passion and creativity. congratulations on 5 years and look forward to more!

  153. I’m a newbie to your blog and I love your recipes! Thanks for a chance to win!

  154. Dear Mari, this is really the best recipe-blog ever!!! So easy and delicious cooking! I am a big fan of yours here in Switzerland! Heidi Kiener

  155. Congrats on 5 years! We appreciate it, and I have made several of your recipes and especially love the Italian Fig Cookies!

  156. What a coincidence – 5 years of wonderful blogging for you and 5 years of marriage for me! Congratulations!

  157. Happy 5th Blogiversary! I love your blog and recipes. Yum!! I look forward to reading it in the years ahead. Thank you for all the work you put into it.

    Carmela C. (tripasta@aol.com)

  158. Happy 5th!! I have been a subscriber to your blog since early 2008. The first recipe that I made of yours was Grilled Pesto Shrimp. I was sold after that meal and knew I had found ‘my blog’. One weekend my husband was out of town and I made your Eggplant Salad Sandwich for myself every night. It was THAT GOOD. Each time Proud Italian Cook shows up in my inbox, I know we will be having something new and different. I look forward to trying your recipes and enjoy “joining” you on your field trips. Here’s to many more years!

  159. Congratulations on your 5 year anniversary. You have been a wonderful inspiration to me. I love the simplicity of your flavorful recipes. I have a pasta maker and can’t wait to use it more often, starting with fall weather. So glad I found your blog, and I read your recipes faithfully.

  160. Congratulations on such a noteworthy accomplishment! Just think of all of us you have inspired to step outside of our same old blah routines 🙂 Wishing you many more years, and recipes!!!

  161. OMG how awesome! And I actually have my first pasta making class in a few weeks, so it would be so amazing to win this!

    Thanks for the giveaway op, and happy blogoversary!

    LT
    serena423[@]yahoo[.]com

  162. Happy 5th! Wow, that is cause for celebration. what a fantastic giveaway too. I use to love to make pasta until we lost everything to a fire and I lost my machine about 15 yrs ago. I would so love to win this and make it again. thank you for the chance.

  163. Congratulations on 5 years. Your site is wonderful. Ann Rogers

  164. Congratulations on your 5th blogging anniversary! Your recipes and photos are so appetizing and beautifully done. I especially liked your post on making cappelletti a few months back. My mother and grandmother made them but they are relatively unknown to most people, even Italians. I’ll look forward to future posts as I get excited whenever I find a new one from you. vmerrick@att.net

  165. Looking forward to 5 more fantastic years of recipes! I’ve never made my own pasta..would be cool to try!

  166. leslieannstevenson@yahoo.com
    I have been yearning for a pasta machine for years. Congratulations and thank you for doing this awesome giveaway.
    Leslie

  167. Happy 5!!! I’m glad I found you!

  168. Marie, your blog is awesome and so are you. Congratulations on your five year anniversary! You’re an inspiration!

    XO

    Mary Kay

  169. Congratulations with your 5th blogiversary! Love reading your blog, keep posting) and thanks for a chance to win this amazing pasta maker!

  170. congrats on 5 years. would love to win this pasta maker.
    have never made fresh pasta and have always wanted to
    try. thanks.

  171. Congratulations on 5 years! Can’t believe I didn’t find you sooner. Is the Imperia the machine you recommend? Looking to buy. Am looking forward to the next 5 years!

  172. I love your blog, and some of your recipes have become family favorites…Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas in our home without creamy parmesan onions…for example. Here’s to 5+ more!

  173. I just found your blog today and am already in love! subscribing immediately. Happy anniversary!

  174. Congrats on 5 years!! I for one, or should I say for MANY, am very happy & grateful you ARE here!! Keep up the great work!!!

    clahome@aol.com

  175. Found your blog by accident. I am sure glad I did! Great recipes and wonderful photos. Congrats on 5 years and many more. I am a proud Italian too!

  176. alisonsideris@gmail.com says

    Congratulations on your five years! I’ve been enjoying your blog for only a year, but look forward to many more. Your husband is one lucky man!

  177. Cent’anni!!!

  178. Congrats on 5 years!! Your blog is my “go to” site for Italian recipes. I’ve tried many of them and am never disappointed! Only my waistline suffers as a result of having found your blog!! 🙂

  179. Truly love your blog!! I’ve tried many of your recipes and they are delicious!! Happy 5th anniversary! Your site is my first “go to” for Italian recipes – love it!!

  180. Dennis Rosa says

    Marie, congrats on your 5year anniversary on your fantastic food blog.i have made your eggplant salad, the healthy version that you bake after light frying. It is a great recipe!
    I have grown some globe eggplants this year and they are whiter inside and have a sweeter or less bitter taste. Keep the eggplant recipes coming. Yum
    Dennis Rosa dennisrosa@aol.com

  181. Congratulations on 5 years!

  182. Yay!!! Congrats Marie and many more!!! Love your blog so much!!!

  183. Your comment about cringing when you look at photos in your first blogs is so true – I mean that for mt blog though I am at the 8 month anniversary. Your recipes are great, here’s to another five years!! Paola

  184. Congratulations!

  185. ljmny@yahoo.com says

    Marie… It’s been such a pleasure and past time of mine to check out your blog!!! You have a lot to be “proud” of!! Happy 5th Blogiversary!!!!
    Appreciatively…. With Flavor…Lauren M. I’m an avid pinner of your pics!!!!

  186. Congratulations Marie, how exciting for you and all of us. We’re so lucky to have found you & your wonderfully amazing recipes that certainly inspire!!!

    Just yesterday I made one of your dishes that I’ve made on many occasions, the balsamic & herb chicken, always a big hit.

    Best wishes….xoxoxo
    Lucy

  187. Congrats! I am your biggest Pinterest fan! Jill

  188. I would love to own this past machine and promise it will go to a good home! It’s been on my wish list for Christmas. Happy 5th!
    Cyndi

  189. Congrats!

  190. Happy Blogiversary !! Wishing you many more. Thank you for sharing your great food.

  191. Marie, has five years passed by already?! I began my blog just a few months behind yours and remember how excited I was to find your wonderful blog! I have been a faithful reader ever since and feel so fortunate to have met you, even if it was at a time when I was battling a severe eye problem (thankfully since resolved)

    I kept hoping you would have a published cookbook one day, and I hope that is going to happen soon!

    Congratulations on five wonderful years of blogging! I am looking forward to many more wonderful years from Proud Italian Cook!

    PS: This is a fantastic gift! Someone is going to be very lucky to win it!

  192. I just found your blog and love it! Congrats on 5 years! Love all the recipes!

  193. I just found your blog and love it!!Congrats to 5 years !! Love all your recipes !

  194. LisaD in upstate NY says

    Congratulations. I love your blog. I have learned so much from you. The pasta maker and ravioli form would be a wonderful addition to my kitchen tools. Thanks for offering them.

  195. Congrats and happy anniversary!! Cheers to your next 5 years!

  196. Happy 5 Years, Marie! You are amazing and your blog is such an inspiration! xoxo

  197. dmlop23@aol.com says

    the 15 of august is also special to me, first it is my grandaughter;s birthday and the feast of the assumption. my grandfather, my father and now my brother carry on the tradition of the float. we go the night before and cover the float with flowers.
    continuining the tradition..

    thanks for allyour great ideas
    donna

  198. Marie, you are a fabulous cook, food stylist and food photographer. I am waiting patiently for a cookbook (please be sure to sign my copy ). Congratulations on 5 years. I am so happy to have met you in Blogland. And one day I am coming to Chicago!!! xo

  199. Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy your blog very much.

  200. Congrats on reaching 5! Thanks for providing me with inspiration.

  201. Karen from Chicago says

    Marie,
    Where have I been for the last five years. I just stumbled upon you two weeks ago and have truly been obsessed with all your recipes.!!! You have reinvented presentation and preparation of all my favorites. You are my new Idol. Please keep blogging!

  202. I’m a newbie to your site! Love it Love it Love it! Happy Anniversary!!

  203. Happy Blogiversay!!! Your recipes look amazing!

  204. Hi, Happy Blogiversay!!! I am new follower but I love what you post on your blog. My hubby is italian and I do everything but make my own pasta and he would love for me to do that. Thank you for this chance to win. I hope I will be the lucky winner.

    have a blessed week!
    Lisa V.
    afitmom4life@gmail.com

  205. I’m a new follower, but LOVE your blog. Your food is amazing, and I’d love to come move in with you for a week so I can have you cook me some amazing italian food 🙂

  206. I love your blog, and I would love a chance to make pasta at home!

    mictsu613@gmail.com

  207. Congrats, keep the yummy recipes coming!

  208. My Italian American hubs is so happy I found you. You photos are inspiring and the ideas are creative and adaptable to what I have at home. I am a new mom and busy but these ideas are still things I WANT to take the time to try. Kudos and happy anniversary!
    Jodi
    Beckerjodi@hotmail.com

  209. Happy blogiversary! 🙂

  210. Michele Ashley says

    Happy Anniversary!! I love Italian food and thank you to your blog to show me how to do it right.

  211. Congratulations on 5 years!

  212. All the best on your five years. I love every blog entry and look forward with great anticipation. Makes my job so much easier cooking for my family. All I have to do is follow your recipes. Just made the eggplant patties and the grape salad! Fantastic!! Thanks for all you do!

  213. I am a newcomer to your blog (two months ago) and am having a blast as I go through the recipes photos and info. I am quite happy you are 5…this means I have many recipes to go through YAY! I will be quite sad when i reach the end…just like when you finish a very tasty book 🙂 Write more, take more pics, make more posts please….I don’t want it to end….oh. and THANK YOU SOO MUCH…xox

  214. Marie,
    Congratulations on such a successful blog for 5 years… You are amazing and have actually given me the courage to try making fresh pasta!!! Wow would your wonderful give a way be just the thing to assist in homemade pasta…. Thanks for sharing your talents

  215. and many happy returns!

  216. To my Chic-land cugina Marie…we may not have ever met, but our cucina’s are connected somehow! Your mouth watering photos and food menu ideas always find their way onto my table and the links to your blog fly out of my inbox daily!
    Blessings to you today and congratulations on your blogiversary!
    Lillian Amplo, Colts Neck, NJ

  217. Congrats!
    If I’m the lucky winner, shipping on me :D.

  218. Congratulations on 5 years of blogging! Awesome prize and something I’ve been wanting to try for a long time! Thanks for a chance to win!

  219. I love your blog and email. I have a special folder in my email folder just for you. Keep going, I send them to my daughters.

  220. lynnbspencer@ec.rr.com says

    not sure my last post made it. Congrats on reaching your milestone and thanks for the opportunity to add to my kitchen basics arsenal. Something I’ve always wanted to do but haven’t had the necessary tools.

  221. I really enjoy your blog and recipes! I would love to start experimenting with making home made pasta!

  222. I am of Italian ancestry and love your recipes. Thank you!

  223. lynnbspencer@ec.rr.com says

    Congratulations on this milestone! Thanks for the opportunity to win this pasta maker. I can, bake, make all sorts of kitchen basics, but haven’t had the tools to tackle pasta so I’d love to win. thanks…Lynn

  224. Happy Anniversary!

  225. Happy Blogaversary!

  226. Happy Blogaversary! I love you recipes, they encourage me to expand my comfort zone!

  227. Great blog!

  228. Congrats on 5 years!!!!! Love your recipes 🙂 -Laryssa

  229. Thanks for the chance to win a very cool prize. I have just been planning on making my first ever pasta and I was going to start with ravioli! Have to borrow everything though 🙂

    I have been enjoying your blog, my kids love Italian style meals so I’m always looking for new ideas.

    Congratulations on reaching 5 years!

  230. Congratulations Marie – you’re one of my favorite bloggers and I’m glad I found you.

  231. Love reading your blog. Enter me into your blogiversary giveaway!

  232. Happy Blog Anniversary! I love your blog because I love all things Italian. I’ve been looking at pasta machines and plan on getting one soon. I’ve been making gnocchi already and I recently got a gnocchi board when I was in NYC this summer!

  233. Sally, just started to follow your blog. I am in llove with your way of cooking. Very user friendly, and my family approves
    of all I have served. Keep up the amazing work, we can’t wait for the next recipe!

  234. Happy Anniversary! I love your blog…and look forward to seeing your new posts every day!

  235. I love your blog. Thank you for sharing your passion!

    I want to visit Chicago just to try the places you recommend! Problem is I am about 11 hours away 🙁

  236. Congratulations on 5 years! I am recently a reader and love all the recipes. Thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    Keep those yummy recipes coming!

    Julia

  237. Congratulations Marie! I’ve enjoyed many of your recipes and love to read the traditions behind them! All the best – Kathy

  238. Hi I am RaNae of Ewe Creek Cottage I have recently found your blog and love it I to am Italian although I am a halfsie but My Mom bless her soul was 1st generation Italian American. I have been posting lots of recipes as of late many with italian flavors mostly meatless.. love that I have a new place to hang and gain inspiration and I have been dying for a pasta machine with the ravioli maker especially since the last butternut squash ravioli I bought at the store it was like- where’s the beef(u might b too young for that wendys commercial) but it was deffinitly where’s the squash. Anyways I feel lucky and Happy Birthday. Can’t wait to look at some of your old pics.
    RaNae

  239. Love the giveaway! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months and already loving it!

  240. Happy 5th! Love your blog & have found so many yummy recipes.

  241. I found your blog through Pinterest and love it! Happy Blogging birthday! 🙂

  242. Happy birthday! And for at least five years keep cooking!

  243. Happy birthday! And for at least five years keep cooking! Greetings from Budapest!

  244. Happy Blogiversary! Thanks for the opportunity!

  245. I found your blog about 8 months ago and love the recipes. I have tried many recipes and will continue to follow!! Happy 5 year Blogiversary:)

  246. I found your blog about 8 months ago and am hooked! I love your recipes and have tried a many. Congrats on your 5th Blogaversary:)

  247. Congratulations! You have a wonderful blog. I love your recipes and your photography is beautiful. The pictures of your food always makes my mouth water.

  248. Happy 5 year blogiversary! I’ve always wanted to try making pasta, but have chickened out. This would be a great thing to win!

  249. Happy 5th anniversary! Thank you for the giveaway and for being such a great source for yummy italian recipes.

  250. Congratulations on your 5 years of blogging! Keep it up!!!

  251. Congratulations!

    All of your recipes that I have made have been delicious and your photography is so beautiful. Here’s to 5 more years!

  252. Congratualtions on your successful 5 years! I love your blog! Your recipes are so family friendly and delicious!

  253. I’ve been reading for a long time. Happy Anniversary…and many more!

  254. Congratulations on Five years! We love your recipes and proud you’re from Chicago!

  255. I recently found your blog, and I love it because of all the fresh ideas you have for garden vegetables.

    Congratulations of 5 years!

  256. Oooh, my Sicilian grandfather will be smiling down on me if I made real pasta!

  257. Congrats! Happy anniversary!

  258. Congratulations on the blogs 5th b’day…:)

  259. I just found out about your blog and I’ve loved going back and looking at your posts. Keep it up! <3

  260. Congratulations on 5 years! I love reading your blog…keep up the great work! And awesome giveaway 🙂

    thesavvykitchen@gmail.com

  261. Although I don’t always comment I love your blog. I have made so many of your dishes and look forward to the ones that are coming! Thanks so much

  262. I’ve enjoyed this blog for a few year now. Thank you for all the awesome posts with beautiful pictures.

  263. This site is on the top of my bookmark bar next to google and youtube. Its a staple for inspiration for what I’m going to eat each week. Thanks for the recipes and GREAT photography.

    -Brian

  264. Marie,

    Thank you so much for all of the recipes and advice. With your help I have become a much better cook than I was 2 years ago. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

    Buon Anniversario!
    Liz

  265. I am so proud of you Proud Italian Cook 5 Years and still going strong and getting stronger every day. It is so nice to be able to go to a blog that has such wonderful food recipes and thoughts. It is a joy to have u in my life. I wish you nothing but good things to keep happening for u and your blog in the future. Thank You. Marie S.

  266. Such a milestone!!!! Congratulations! You are one of our best sources to find italian recipes, so we hope we keep reading your posts for many more years!!!

  267. Hooray! Been following you for a few months now and I swear I have made something almost every week from your posts! Thanks for inspiring this amateur cook! 🙂

  268. Hello 🙂

    Happy 5 years 🙂 to one of my fave blogs!!! I wish that we can celebrate many more years to come. Please keep posting these wonderful recipe, they are colorful, great to the eyes and of course, super delicious 🙂

  269. My friend just made me discover you.Congratulations.

  270. I am quite sure we have followed each other from the very beginning, before Julie and Julia, when there were not over 50,000 food blogs. Congratulations on 5 years!!!! As long as it is still fun keep on keeping on.

  271. Congratulations!

    Like many of the commenters above, I have only recently discovered your blog, but it immediately went on my bloglist!

    Winning these beautiful tools would be the perfect going away present, as I’m leaving for Italy in just over a week. 😉

  272. Congratulations on your 5th Anniversary! What a lot of reading I have been doing here over the years…always lovely photos, always a fun read, always learn something…win, win, win! Keep the good times rolling!

  273. Happy Anniversary of your blog! I just discovered you this past year and have enjoyed your blog. Your photos are beautiful.

    Please don’t enter me in your giveaway, I already have this wonderful piece of equipment. I just wanted to leave a comment to let you know I enjoy your blog.
    Penny

  274. Happy blogiversary my friend, it has been wonderful seeing this blog take shape and grow to reach so many people. You are very talented. I, for one, am a better cook because of you and look forward to many more years of learning from you. You go girl!!!

  275. Happy 5 years! I love your blog and thanks for the chance to win!

  276. Congratulations!! Love the recipes!

  277. Happy 5th anniversary!! Thank you for your blog, I look forward to each and every post!!

  278. Hey Marie,
    Happy 5th anniversary! So glad we have become friends, and I so look forward to meeting you in person!

    I cringe too when I look at my early posts with my bad pics from my cell phone…..but that’s our humble beginnings and something clicked!
    Congrats to one of my favorite bloggers!
    xo S.

  279. Congratulations on 5 years! I just recently found your blog and I’m SO happy I did! Love your cooking style!

  280. Congrats on your blogiversary! Thanks for the giveaway!

  281. It does go by fast, doesn’t it. What a generous offer, thank you and thanks for your blogging. I am a blogger too and it is a lot of work and commitment. My husband chuckles when taking pictures of our meals too… but they love us and the food.

  282. congrats! great blog!

  283. happy blogiversary! you are one heck of a blogger!

  284. Congratulations and thanks for the awesome recipes!

  285. Congratulations…here’s to many more years!!

  286. Congratulations on 5 years!

  287. I would love to own this tool. I could make homemade pasta until the cows come home!

  288. What a lovely giveaway! Happy 5th Year and I love your blog I have gotten so many wonderful recipes and ideas!

    Ronita D.

    mrsrjdean@gmail.cm

  289. Marie – Don’t include me in the giveaway because I have those pasta making tools. But I can’t let the occasion slip away to congratulate you on five years of writing an inspiring blog. Your posts are always mouth-watering delicious, extremely creative and beautifully photographed and I can’t wait to see what you have cooked up for the future. All the best to you and your family. hugs.

  290. Greetings from Freehold, New Jersey – on the East Coast near the Jersey Shore/not far from Atlantic City! ! feel like the new kid on the block here but i have enjoyed so many of your recipes and enjoyed your blog tremendously. i have re-posted them as well! i wish you continued success, happiness and good health in your journey ! Let’s see some videos, please? Happy Cooking!

  291. Denise Ryan says

    Hi Marie, Just found your blog 3 weeks ago.I love to cook and have had something new for dinner almost every night since I found you Thank you for a fabulous site Denise R

  292. Happy Blogiversary! Just realized a new card idea for Hallmark!
    I love your blog. I often turn to your blog for dinner ideas. Your cooking reminds me of meals my mom use to make. Your style is refreshing and the photos, well they are great.
    I have bookmarked many of your pages!

  293. I hope this is enough to get me entered as this links to my google account.

    Regardless, happy blogiversary! I am enjoying your journey.

  294. I just left a comment there was no way to include my email?

  295. Congratulations on your 5th blogiversary (clever by the way)…I truly love your site as a proud Italian cook myself. My mom is no longer here and I love being able to come to a site and get some ideas…she taught me everything I know and love about food. Thank you and good luck.

  296. Happy 5th. Can’t believe I’m first. Must be the insomnia tonight cause it’s 3:30 am in Florida where I now live, though I’m a lifetime Chicagoan. Now though I have a taste for Portillo’s and want to go to Caputos! Will send a link to my Chicago friends and looking forward to going to Danny’s and Freddy’s on our next trip!! Also looking forward to checking out all your recipes and will pin you too. Would love that pasta maker so i can easily make some ravioli…you do have a good recipe don’t you? Haven’t read all your posts yet but will! I did see that we make the same italian beef with the giardinara. Hard to find here, but finally found some, will be making that soon. Congrats again.

  297. Happy blogiversary!!!! I wish you to be such a good blogger and our culinary inspiration for another 50 years!

  298. Amazing food – as a recent follower I love getting your updates , even though we are miles away in New Zealand!!
    I would love to win your pasta making prize as I have been inspired by your recipes and a pasta making kit is on my wish list ….

  299. Marie,
    I stumbled across your blog about a month ago. Your pictures and recipes are amazing and you have inspired me to start cooking again. Thank you so much.

  300. what a terrific prize. thanks for the chance to win.

  301. Congratulations on your 5 years of blogging! Keep up with good work and fantastic recipes! 🙂

  302. i love your blog! so many great ideas!

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