Thanksgiving has always been a special time for most Americans, regardless where they live in the world.  We take one day out of the year to remind ourselves how lucky we are and we have an opportunity to show our gratitude to family and friends for their kindnesses during the year.

Since my family is all many thousands of miles away and John’s family is decidedly Australian and they don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, I thought I’d share how grateful I am at meeting my new friend Nagi with you.  Until a couple of months ago I didn’t know she existed but in just a few weeks, she has wound her way into my heart.

We’ve all met someone who triggers good feelings when you’re around them and Sydneysider Nagi does that for me and we’ve never been in the same room together. She goes out of her way to tell people when she likes what they’ve done or to suggest something that can help or even ways to make a blog better.  Nobody has to do that but Nagi did just that with me.

Her blog is called Recipe Tin Eats and I encourage you to check it out.  The photography is outstanding and her photos tell a story in nearly every shot.  She’s only been blogging a bit more than a year but Recipe Tin Eats is a seasoned, professional blog.  You can’t look at that photo of Nagi and her dog Dozer without smiling, can you?

Nagi learned to cook from her mother and with every post she gets more creative with her food and her photography.  For instance, her droolworthy Cheese and Garlic Crack Bread stopped me in my tracks and I had to make this bread for John and me. I want to do a cheese-pull photo as good as that one day!

If you’re the busy sort, Nagi’s got  heaps of 15-minute meals. I’m not sure I could meet her schedule at 15 minutes because speed isn’t as important to me as the joy of cooking but look at this breakfast roll of ham and eggs she’s called No Washing Up, Ham, Egg and Cheese Bread Bowls. If you’re a neat eater, there’s not much cleanup after a breakfast like this.  Another cheese-pull shot.  Do you sense a theme?

This time of year, all I want to eat are salads.  When it’s hot, there’s a lot to be said for a meal you don’t have to cook. I’m going to make these wonderful Caesar Salad Wonton Cups for a party we’re having just before Christmas. It will be hot outside and these will be perfect for walking around with.

So today I’m thankful for my new friend Nagi and I hope you’ll be thankful you checked out her blog.  She’s a font of knowledge about blog promotion, food photography and social networking.  AND, she’s just as cute as can be with a smile the size of Texas.  You can find her at Recipe Tin Eats, on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Youtube.

I’m also immensely grateful for your friendship. You mean the world to me. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!