Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Turning Two

I never thought this day would come. I have been blogging for two years. Two to three times a week I’ve been sharing true stories, humor pieces, opinions, memories, hopes and recipes through this blog. For two years! This is my 227th post.

Turning Two | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics



I’ve never been accused of being at a loss for words. I suck at Twitter because I tend to be words, 140 characters is merely an appetizer for me. But did I think that I could write 227 pieces? With personally designed graphics, a recipe and food picture in almost all of them? Even I didn’t think I’d be able to sustain that kind of a pace for 2 years.

What shocks me most of all is how many people read this blog on a regular basis. I don’t have the most popular or successful blog. I chose to grow slowly, organically and honestly. I don’t regret it for a minute. There isn’t a thing I’ve written about that I consider to be at the expense of someone I love. Or anyone at all for that matter. Yes, one post was a complete failure, no one got it, but it didn’t hurt anyone (well, maybe MY feelings). But silly or serious or sarcastic, there’s not a piece that I’ve published that I’ve regretted. In so many ways this blog IS me.

And in so many ways this blog has saved me.


Iced Coffee Cocktail | www.BakingInATornado.com
Iced Coffee Cocktail

I don’t make a secret of the fact that I’ve been going through some incredibly difficult times for the past few years. I’ve said many times that I find baking soothing, and that it does take my mind off of my problems. Blogging has enhanced that for me, allowed me to escape for a while, concentrate on writing a piece, designing a graphic, having discussions on social media in support of my posts.

I don’t know how long I’ll continue. The boys, who are undoubtedly my muses, will soon be gone. Along with them go the reason I bake. But I’m so proud to share this; I will forever know that I built a blog from scratch, I built communities through the blog challenges and groups I developed and administer, I’ve not only done it but have maintained it for 2 years. If I were to never write a word again I’ll be grateful for having gone down this road.

I’ve seen blogs come and go. I’ve watched bloggers give up and walk away. I’ve seen many take roads that I just can’t understand. But I’ve made connections, both fellow bloggers and blog readers who have made a difference to me; some even kept me going on many (many, many) occasions when I really thought I was done.

I’m not going to get all syrupy and sappy and ooey and gooey. All that stuff is for desserts (well, you knew I was gonna get baked goods in here somewhere, right)? But two years is a really long time so I want to mark this milestone with just the right words:

Thank you.


Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics




Iced Coffee Cocktail
                                                                    ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients (makes approximately 2):
1 ½ cups cold coffee
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Dulce de Leche liquid creamer 
½ cup vanilla ice cream
2 ounces Whipped Cream Vodka
3 ounces Amaretto
2 ounces of white chocolate liqueur
1 ounce Kahlua
Opt: whipped cream for topping
 
Directions:
*Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
*Serving options: Put in a glass with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
                        Serve over ice with a dollop of whipped cream.
                        Put into freezer until it starts to thicken and serve slushy.


28 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you. I honestly never thought I'd continue this long.

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  2. Pinned and sharing. I love iced coffee especially with a little alcohol in it! Yum! I mean cheers!

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  3. SO SO happy for your success, and even happier that I've been around to see your blog grow as it has over the past year. I'm so grateful to be able to call you my friend <3

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    Replies
    1. Right back at ya. It's the friendships that keep me going.

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  4. I enjoy your recipes, your blog, your posts. Congrats on 2 years and hoping for 2 more! Since I don't drink alcohol (immediate body flashes) and don't like artificial flavors how could I adapt this recipe? Coffee and ice cream for me are 2 of my favorite things to eat and drink!

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    Replies
    1. I think the only real way to adapt it would be through the flavor syrups. I don't like a lot of them too because of the artificial flavors. Coffee, milk and ice cream sounds like the way to go for you. You'll end up with a coffee milkshake but nothing wrong with that.

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  5. Congrats on the milestone! I, for one, can say I've enjoyed your posts & hope to see many more in the future.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vinny. I'm gonna see how it goes in the Fall. Time will tell. In the meantime I'm thrilled at having made it to this milestone.

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  6. Since I like cocktails that masquerade as dessert, this looks lethal and I must try it. I must.

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    Replies
    1. Since I like cocktails that masquerade as my morning coffee, I think this one's gonna work out well for both of us!

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  7. I love this, Karen. And yes you will have a reason to bake when the boys leave: It's easy to see that it's as much of a passion for you as your writing is. And we all love them both, so you can't disappoint us by quitting baking OR blogging! Congrats on your anniversary.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Shay. Your words and your friendship mean so much.

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  8. Congratulations on turning two! I love the design of your blog and your blogging philosophy. Having just found your blog, I am hopeful you will continue with it for a while! Best wishes!

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  9. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! WOOO HOOO!!! Here's to 2 MORE years! ;)

    I missed my blogiversary this year with everything going on. :(

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  10. Karen, congratulations on 2 years of blogging. You certainly have an amazing blog and I hope you don't stop for a long long time!!!

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  11. Congratulations! I am like Susan a relative newcomer to your blog but enjoy it immensely! I suck at baking pretty good with cocktails though!

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  12. Congratulations, Karen! I have only been around for less than one of the two years - but I'm very glad that I met you! Thanks for being the baking queen who blogs or the blogging queen who bakes, and especially for hosting the Friday challenges. Here's to a very happy blogversary!

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    Replies
    1. I feel like we've known each other so much longer than that. Thanks for the support and the good wishes.

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    2. Me, too - and that's a good thing! :-)

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  13. Whipped cream for topping is never optional. It is always included.
    On anything.

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  14. your sons crack me up...I'd get such a kick out of listening to them...
    the top 6% with hubby, that was awesome...LOL

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