This day has been a long time in the making and I couldn’t be more happy that it is finally here. Several months ago I realized that I was ready for a change. I began scratching down my ‘wish list’ of sorts of all of the things I’d dreamed about in the perfect website. There were small attainable dreams, and there were larger than life unattainable dreams. Or so I thought.
If you’ve read my ‘about me‘ page, you know that my husband is the designer of my site. So it was a matter of asking ever so nicely if he was up for the challenge to change practically everything we’ve ever known for Tried and Tasty over the last three years. It was also a matter of waiting my turn in line behind other [paying] clients. When the time came, I delivered my seemingly never ending list of wants. He gulped. Then accepted the challenge.
Over the last month we’ve been working hard on little things here and there. Over the last couple of weeks we’ve devoted more specific attention, and over the last week we’ve been working around the clock. Not that I can do much (because lets face it, I know absolutely nothing about web code), but with an eager heart and a positive attitude I took any task I was able to relieve from my husband.
There were long days and late nights spent tirelessly in front of the computer day after day after day. Not once did I hear Steve complain about any of my requests. Not once has he gotten frustrated with me that I’ve asked so much. Not once has he designed in haste. I’ve never met a more patient, gentle, kind-hearted and selfless human being in my entire life. Not to mention insanely talented, professional, accurate, precise, and detail-oriented. Of all the years I’ve ‘worked’ beside my web designer of a husband it wasn’t until now that I realize just how much work goes in to his job. It has blown me away.
In the early stages of this process Steve told me a story that will forever hold a special place in my heart. Have you ever heard of the Taj Mahal? Sure, we’ve all heard of it. But do you know the history of it? According to Wikipedia, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage” The emperor made the mausoleum as beautiful as it could possibly be made only using the finest of materials in honor of his late wife. So what does this have to do with anything? Well, as Steve told me this story he said ‘I want Tried and Tasty to be my Taj Mahal to you’. Ladies and gentleman, could I possibly be any more blessed than I am? I think not.
Many hours, lots of research, and too many sleep deprived nights than I care to remember have gone in to making Tried and Tasty what it is today. I couldn’t be more delighted with how things have come together. I couldn’t be more proud of Steve and his hard work. And I couldn’t be more thrilled with all of the things in store. Steve made every single one of my dreams come true.
Stick around. Stay a while. There’s lots of new features, links, and information. Check it out and tell me what you think! I hope you love it as much as I do.
Everything looks amazing!! I’m lucky to have a programmer husband too. Very handy. :) Ever since we ate at the melting pot, we’ve been wanting to try making it on our own. Thanks for the recipes!
Yvonne
Thank you so much Holly! I love it so much! Seriously, SO handy especially since I know zilch about all of that techy stuff! Enjoy the recipes!
I love the new site redesign. Totally worth it. :) Look forward to more updates this year.
Yvonne
Thank you Traci! I’m excited to get around to your site and check out things!
Laurie
Oh, so cool! Love the Popular at the top and Favorites down the side. This showcases more of your beautiful pictures/beautiful food anywhere you are on the page! Yum! Congratulations Yvonne and Steve; you work so great together. Love the personal stories.
Yvonne
Laurie! You have quickly become one of my favorite new followers! I love all of the support you give – I haven’t forgotten about your most recent email and I promise I will get back to you! I’m so happy you like the new site and thank you so much for the sweet compliments. You are too sweet! I agree, we do work pretty dang well together ;)
Beautiful . . . just Beautiful . . . you & the amazing site!
Your sweet husband did one heck of a job. I love the colors and especially your cute pictures!
I sure hope your family is doing o.k. I think of you often!
Love,
Jonna
Yvonne
Oh Jonna! I just love you to pieces and pieces! I need to shoot you over an email with an update on life since it’s been a little bit since we’ve chatted :) Things are going pretty well and I couldn’t be happier with the new design – yay!
Wow, love that all your tabs are right at the top for easy access! Everything is very well organized :) Great Job <3
Yvonne
Woohoo! Thank you! We tried to put a lot of thought into the little details and I’m definitely seeing that it is and will continue to pay off!
Keri M.
Love the new site!! Great job to both of you :)
Yvonne
Thanks Ker! I’m so happy yo came over to check it out!
congrats on the new site, it looks beautiful
Yvonne
Thank you so much!
It’s so beautiful, Yvonne! Totally worth all the hard work and loss of sleep!!
Yvonne
Thank you Briton and I 100% agree – although the nights were long and the mornings were early, it was every bit worth it in the end! Thanks for coming over!!
I love the new look! It’s so clean! The colors look great too and I love that your shirt matches. :)
Yvonne
Thanks Leanne! It’s kinda funny how well my shirt matches – I didn’t entirely plan that, I knew I wanted to wear something fun, since bright and fun is my new theme and I had no idea how well it would go together :)
Toni
One word, AWESOME! I “maintain” the website for my job and that is enough work. What a labor of love this redesign is. Great job, both of you!
Yvonne
Yay! I couldn’t have said it better myself – it was indeed a labor of love! Thank you so much!
I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!
Yvonne
Eek! Thanks Kristen! I’m so happy!
HOORAY! So clean and gorgeous!
Yvonne
Kaylynn you are absolutely adorable, thank you so much!
Looks fantastic!!!
Yvonne
Thanks Lindsay – so happy you came over to check it out!
I love it! LOVE it! It looks amazing. so bright and colorful and perfect!
Yvonne
Thank you Aimee! I love it too – so much! I just want to stare at it all day.. ha!
Fancy pants site! All your hard work has completely paid off!!!
Yvonne
Oh Jill! Thank you!! I absolutely ADORE it!
I am loving the look!
Yvonne
Thank you!!
I LOVE it!!!! It’s so pretty and bright! Steve did such a good job. This looks amazing!
Yvonne
Thanks Alli! He sure did – I couldn’t be happier!
Everything looks fabulous! I love the colors and how easy it is to navigate. Your husband is amazing!
Yvonne
I LOVE the colors!! They are so fun – it was hard for me to stray away from my fav color green, but I’m so glad I did!
Taralyn
My husband is a web designer, too, so I know just what you mean! Love the redesign!
Yvonne
Seriously? It’s the most awesome hook-up right?! Thanks for coming over and checking it out!
Nice design, super clean and tight. I love that websites are moving this direction. Well done, it’s so easy to find everything!
Yvonne
Thanks Tia! I love it so much and I’m so happy you came to check it out – thank you!
Steve
Thanks Amber! I felt like I had to do at least some justice to Yvonne’s amazing cooking and recipes. :)
Love, LoVe, LOVE it! The little icons by in your navigation bar are adorable! Way to go Steve!!!
Yvonne
Yay! Thank you Amber! A lot of thought went in to the little details and those little icons were one of my favorite touches! For sure – way to go Steve!!