Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Winds of Change

Today’s post is a collaboration between my friend Sarah, who blogs at The Momisodes and I.

Sarah and I generally have very little in common. We’re living different lives, are at different stages in our lives in very different parts of the country. And yet, we have a lot in common right now.

The winds of change are blowing in both of our directions.

So Sarah and I are both writing about it, on our own blogs and in our own way. And we’re both offering recipes; me because I’m still here baking in my tornado, and Sarah because they’re an integral part of what’s changed for her.


Winds of Change | www.BakingInATornado | #MyGraphics

Sarah’s made choices, but the changes coming to my life are more organic. The implications will not just affect me, but also my baking and my blogging.

My blog was born of my baking to relieve the stresses in my life, and to feed the hordes of teenagers who tend to hang around to see what’ll come out of the oven.

And although my first choice of name for this blog was taken and, unable to choose amongst my other choices I let my son do it, I love the one he chose. Because the whole imagery of a tornado is uncannily appropriate to what I’m doing here and why.

A tornado is a rapidly whirling cone of wind that extends down from a cloud to the surface of the earth. It can destroy everything in its path or it can jump, demolishing one house and leaving the next untouched.
*Sometimes, when living in a tornado, we need to find a way not to let it destroy everything in its path. I’ve found baking. Then I got lucky enough to find blogging.

A tornado builds. It starts with a thunderstorm.
*Everyone has thunderstorms of one sort or another in their lives.
But sometimes these storms become supercells, and that’s when you need to watch out. Because tornadoes are the most violent of storms.
*There’s a thunderstorm on my horizon. And I can feel it building.

Every tornado has its own shape and color. They start off almost colorless, until they collect debris, and then take on their ominous shade.
*We all have our own stressors. They collect debris and color our lives.

My older son leaves for college in 4 short months. Well, that is if he ever gets around to signing up for his dorm and orientation. But if he does those things and goes, there will probably be less contention for me to deal with.  But there will also be a level of loss. I fight with him non-stop. But thinking about it, I miss him already.

Half of the people I bake for won’t be around much. One of the reasons I write will not physically be in my everyday life.



Chocolate Mint Pie | www.BakingInATornado | #recipe

Chocolate Mint Pie

You can hear a tornado coming. They roar.
*And there’s a roar filling my ears right now. Because the winds of change are coming. And I’m not sure how it will affect the baking. And I’m not sure how it will affect the blogging. I just don’t know what color this tornado will take on.

Be sure to check out Sarah’s Winds of change post at The Momisodes, along with her recipe for Turkey Meat Loaf. Yum.


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



Chocolate Mint Pie
                                      ©www.BakingInATornado.com
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
2 TBSP sugar
1 Chocolate Pie Crust (9 inch)
1 can Evaporated Mile
1 package instant Vanilla pudding mix (3.4 oz)
1/4 cup Creme de Menthe 
Directions:
*Beat the heavy cream until soft peaks hold. Sprinkle the 2 TBSP sugar over it and continue to beat until stiff peaks hold.
*Wisk the Evaporated Milk, pudding mix and Creme de Menthe until completely combined. Gently fold in about 3/4 of the whipped cream. Put the mixture into the pie crust.
*Pipe or spoon the remaining whipped cream onto the pie.
*Refrigerate until set before serving and store the leftovers in the refrigerator.

33 comments:

  1. I've been in your shoes and I know the feeling of panic you have when in an ordinary moment you realize he'll be gone soon,,,, and everything will change, ,,,, what you dont know is all of the other things that will suddenly fill your life,,,, some expected, ,, some not,,,all will give you fodder for your blog,,,,,, for that's who you are,,,,, you find inspiration EVERYWHERE ,,,, and as for that son you think you are losing, ,,,, well, ,,, , he's going to be one of your biggest contributors, ,,,, hang on,,,, this tornado will get bumpy !

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    1. Yes, it's gonna get bumpy. Hope the adjustment is easier than I think it's gonna be.

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  2. I can't even imagine that day with Reagan. I know I am going to have similar feelings. You are such a strong mama ... it will be an adjustment but I have the absolute confidence that you will be fine when that day comes.
    And I would love some pie!

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    www.raising-reagan.com

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    1. I couldn't imagine the day either, but now it's right around the corner. Shoving pie into an envelope now, just need your address!

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  3. sobbing as I read this...I can't imagine Dino growing up and leaving for college. This is silly to say, but what will I do if not focusing on him all the time...I just can't imagine. (((HUGS)))

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    1. It is so cliche but absolutely true: it goes by in a minute.

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  4. I'm sorry :( My oldest is 16 and is going to apply for his first job today. I already feel sick to my stomach over it. Oh and I have a solution for you. You can be my personal baker! Then you'll always have someone to bake for. I will pay you in page views. I'll visit your blog 10,000 times a day. Win/win for both!

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    1. That first job thing is just so bittersweet. But ultimately they're taking responsibility for themselves and earning some money. You'll be happier once he gets the job and works it for a while.

      And I LOVE your solution. You are SO on! 10,000 pageviews a day? I'd bake standing on my head for that!

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  5. Now I'm a little sad. :( My oldest 2 are already grown and gone but luckily live very close by. My youngest however is entering high school and before I know it he'll be off to college. I cannot even imagine an "empty nest". Makes me a little weepy thinking about it. But it means we've done our jobs right? Thanks for the post today!!

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    1. Yes, empty nest is scary, and my boys are only one year apart, so I'll get double punched quickly. And yes, we've done our jobs, unless they boomerang right back to us. Ooh, biting my tongue.

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  6. Oh Karen, this made me cry!!! I know exactly what you are feeling. 3 out of my 4 have moved out and 2 live too far away for me to see often. Now there is just the Hubs and one son here, and the house is terribly quiet. I like the peace, but I miss so much of the laughter, plus entertaining their friends who practically lived here. I miss cooking for an army and getting high fives for doing it. When the first child left the nest for college---it reminded me of how I felt the day I left him at the kindergarten classroom door the first day of school. This is a much bigger step, of course. I'm going to be honest--it's not easy letting go, but eventually you see how much they grow and shine in college and your heart will just burst with pride. It won't hurt as much after awhile---it's pretty awesome just watching your boy become a man--you have to hang onto that thought and look forward to all the wonderful possibilities the future has in store for him. And just think of how much fun (and baking) you'll have when he comes home for visits!! This is truly beautiful and poignant--and of my favorite posts. Love you! XO

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    1. Thank you for the words of encouragement. I know you've been there before and you'll be there again soon. I think the anticipation is almost worse than just doing it. Fortunately he'll only be about an hour from home.

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  7. Thank you so much for letting me join you on this post. It was an honor. If there is one thing that, as an adult, I look back on and think about when it comes to my mom, it's her cooking. That is a memory that they will carry with them forever. He'll be sitting in his dorm and miss one of your meals and think "I really want my mom's cooking right now". And it gives you something to look for when he comes home.

    If all else fails, I'll come live with you and you can bake for me!

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    1. I loved doing this with you too. You always have such an insightful and refreshing perspective. And I love the changes you are making in your life, and the reason you're making them.

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  8. Whatever the wind brings your way I know you'll be able to handle it - you'll adjust. Think about it, you're already in the tornado (Tornados laugh in the eye of the Hurricane- HA HA HA!) Not really... Keep blogging. Keep baking. You'll know when the time comes to stop one or both. : D
    Jae Mac, I'm Just Sayin'...(Damn!)

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    1. I'm sure things will work themselves out one way or the other. For now I'll just hang on by my fingernails.

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  9. I feel ya. Oh honey, do I feel ya. We should start a "my kid went off to college and it's great but it sucks so bad" support group. I'll bring the wine, you bake something <3

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    1. Yes, I know your daughter's going too. You bring the wine, I'll bake something . . . with alcohol in it!

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  10. I like your name. Your son did a great job. Plus the pie mmmm

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    1. As it turns out I'm glad my first choice for a name was taken, I love this one. And yes, the pie is delish, and no-bake!

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  11. I love this post. I love your words and your story..I love you, man. This was really beautiful, Karen. Chaos and change..it all takes such odd forms. You've explained it all perfectly. Cheers to the calming of the storm..In fact, I'm looking for a little clearing myself. Hugs.

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    1. Actually, that was the name that I wanted for my blog that wasn't available "Eye of the Storm". {{Hugs back}}

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  12. My oldest Son lives in NYC (I live in Texas), My youngest Son Lives on Campus 2 hours from where I live. So, I hear you... But, phone calls, texting, & skype are amazing things.

    Your Pie looks absolutely amazing!!! Trying to figure out if, with the right crust, all else is Gluten Free.

    Hang in there, Slu

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    1. Yes, I guess you do get it. This will be my first to go, and it'll hurt. But I do look forward to having a year with just my younger son home, I think that'll be fun (yes, I'm looking for a silver lining)!

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    2. ha... "silver lining." that is a hint for today. just sayin'

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  13. One of the most beautiful thing about mommyhood and blogging is the connection we all feel. My 2 guys are only 9 and 6.5, but just reading about yours leaving for college makes my heart tug. Storms are devestating. We lose much. Much more than can be replaced sometimes. But we rebuild- new, different, sometimes better. Your life will organically change as will your storm and your baking, but it will still be beautiful and fill the stomachs and souls of those around you- real and virtual;)
    Vicky
    www.thepursuitofnormal.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you, Vicky. This really sort of crept up on me. I'll just have to see where it all leads me, but you're right, new and different can be better.

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  14. Beautiful post, Karen. Your boys are lucky. Im glad he will be just 2 hours away because he can come home for the weekends if he's feeling lonely. Both posts were very deep and I hope that helps putting out here. You have a bunch of supporters that care for you. We will be here for the tears, rants and whatever else may come. Sleep well!

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    1. Thanks, Marcia. It does help, talking about it, and I think that will probably continue. But there's definitely a storm coming . . .

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  15. Hey, if you need someone to bake for I would happily come over for some of that chocolate mint pie. My sister is going through the same thing with my nephew moving out recently. Sense of loss but a part of life.

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  16. awww i do understand how you feel about your son...I felt that way when my daughter left for Army bootcamp but you will make it on that bumpy road we call life...just hang on!...I wonder how this would turn out with some mini semisweet chips mixed into the pie? maybe I can try it out and let you know happens

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    1. I thought about chocolate chips but wasn't sure if they would sink or not. Maybe the minis would work. The pie would be less smooth in terms of texture. If you do try it I'd love to hear what you think. I also thought about adding chocolate to the whipped cream decorating the top, something else you could try. I just love playing with recipes, don't you?

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