This Friday’s post will be a Secret Subject Swap. But it’s also a special occasion for me. One year ago, on June 14th, 2012, in my very first blog post I asked the question: Can I Blog? My older son answered with: “I think you can do anything you set your heart to”. My younger son gave this blog it’s name. Reisa gave me a nudge. Julie, Kathy and Melinda then gave me that final push off of this particular cliff. I told them then: “it’s yet to be seen whether I thank you or curse you on the way down!”
So it’s been a year of thanks and of curses. And I still ask that same question: Can I Blog?
The second goal was for 100,000 blog page views by my blogoversary. Page views are impacted by a number of things. One important factor is how often you blog. Fresh content brings more eyes. I know people who post daily. I’m in awe of them, but I’m just not that prolific. I only post twice a week, lowering by quite a bit my ability to reach my goal. But I do offer recipes, meant to entice (so much nicer word than bribe, don’t you think) people to return.
Did I reach this goal? Just barely, with only a little over week to spare. But here's the truth; it doesn’t matter. Because I ended up with something far more valuable to a blogger than page views. I have a voice. I have an outlet. And I have a community. People read this blog and then actually come back (of their own free will).
My biggest accomplishment is not the 5 writing features, 6 recipe features, 35 online publication features, 9 guest posts and website features, 39 awards bestowed by fellow bloggers or even my having been published in a book. It’s this:
★ There are people who interact regularly on this blog's Facebook page. They save me from feeling like I’m talking to no one. I recognize their names when they pop up and I love their comments. ★
❤ There are also bloggers I’ve come to rely on along the way. There’s Michele, my first blogger friend and my steadfast supporter. And Stacy, Meg, Bonnie, Sarah, Sarah, Marcia, Mary and far too many more to mention. ❤
★ There are family members and longtime friends who read from the beginning and continue to follow. They are my blogging back bone. ❤
To all who’ve read, commented, encouraged and supported me this past year, whether I know you or will never meet you, I extend my gratitude. Because, although my son told me "just do it for yourself, Mom", the truth is that if no one reads, I don’t want to write.
Catie Cocktail
Catie Cocktail, slushy
My long time friend Laurie (who I've known since High School) has 4 beautiful children. Her oldest daughter, now married, happens to share her birthday with my blogoversary. So in honor of both women, today's recipe is a (Happy Birthday) Catie Cocktail.
With love,
(Happy Birthday) Catie Cocktail
©www.BakingInATornado.com
©www.BakingInATornado.com
Ingredients:
3 cups lemonade (I used pink lemonade)
8 oz vodka
6 oz orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Triple Sec, Patron Citronge)
2 oz Amaretto
a splash of orange juice
a splash of lemon juice
Directions:
*Mix all ingredients in a pitcher.
*Serve cold (upper picture) or freeze till it gets a little slushy (lower picture).
CONGRATULATIONS for all of your accomplishments!! It is a honor to know you! YOU are the BEST!!!
ReplyDelete<3
THANK YOU!!!!!
Thanks Stacy. I love being able to count on you to be my cheerleader!
DeleteNow that is ONE FINE POST my friend. You made it to 1 year, and now let's make it to your second year! With all the support and encouragement, you will continue to grow and meet many more friends along the way, that I am sure of. I am honoured to have been able to help in some way to your success Karen, and I am very glad indeed that I can call you one of my 'friends' and loyal supporters in the cyber world. So with that, a massive congratulations to you, and lets raise that cocktail as a toast for many more good and triumphant months and years ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou will always have my support. for sure!
Well done! Mary and everyone at Lovefoodies
Thank you for all the features and the recommendations. They meant a lot.
DeleteSage advise from your young man and I'm so glad you listened to him, following your heart. Yes, you can blog and you do it absolutely beautifully!
ReplyDeleteI am so very grateful for our friendship. It's been incredible to be on this crazy ride with such wonderful people. Its been such a treat to watch you grow as a writer and master the wild html. You bring such blessings and sunshine to my life, sweet friend.
Congrats on the BIG Anniversary... and many more!!! xo
I would have fallen off of this crazy ride many a time without you. I hope you know that!
DeleteI am beyond flattered! Congratulations on your Blogoversary! Wishing you many, many more!
ReplyDeleteYou know me too well - this cocktail is right up my alley and I LOVE the gummybear garnish (my favorite candy). How did you know?!
Thank you for the birthday cocktail. I shall drink one this week in your honor! CHEERS!
Congrats again xoxox
Love Catie
Happy Birthday, beautiful Caite. I'll be lifting one in your honor too.
DeleteHow very fitting to make today's recipe a cocktail. If I still drank with any kind of regularity I would be all over that drink like Oprah on a ham. I'm very much looking forward to Friday's posts, and be on a look out on my page for a special message just for you :) So very excited for you to be reaching this awesome milestone. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for Friday's posts. I just love the Secret Subject Swaps, they're so much fun.
DeleteI am so happy for you and so proud of you!!! Look at these crazy numbers--and all in just one short year!!! This speaks volumes on how much people love you, read you and support you. I am and always will be one of them! Congratulations to you on this special day, and I am honored to call you my friend! XOXO
ReplyDeleteHonored as well. And so happy to have had you write Baking In A Tornado's first Guest Post.
DeleteI keep saying that June was a FABULOUS month to start a blog! I'm very happy to be considered your friend! Here's to many more years of blogging fun! I'll drink to to that.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll have to take those many more years one day at a time, but I'll certainly drink to that!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! Every blog evokes a memory, a chuckle, or a tear. I'm so glad to have found you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the continues support, Cathy, both here and on FB. It means a lot.
DeleteCongratulations on ONE YEAR! It is amazing what we have accomplished in just a year and you my friend are TOO AWESOME for words!
ReplyDelete¤´¨)
¸.•*´
(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
www.raising-reagan.com
As are you, Lanaya, as you reach your first blogoversary as well!
DeleteCan you blog?
ReplyDeleteCAN YOU BLOG?
Honey, you are amazing beyond words. It is my HONOR and my PRIVILEGE to call you my friend. You do so much for the blogging community and you've given ME the nerve to tap into styles of writing that I normally wouldn't.
Thank you, for all you've done to help me, for the shout outs, the nudges, the words of encouragement. But more importantly....thank you for being my friend (cue "Golden Girls" theme music).
Happy Anniversary! *Raises glass*
You brought tears to my eyes. Blogging can be really hard sometimes, you know that, but it's the pushes and pulls and shout outs, nudges and words of encouragement that keep me going. Glad to know I do that for others too!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! Wish we could meet up for a celebratory cocktail. I am so happy for you that you were able to meet your milestone goals. You are definitely worth reading each and every single time and I always look forward to your posts. You will always hold a special place in my heart. As I stood on the edge looking into the water...afraid to jump in you gave me that much needed nudge (support) and told me to go for it. I jumped in with both feet and never looked back and I know I tell you often but I am beyond grateful. Here's to you my friend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI have to admit you were the first (and only) non-Blogger I talked into blogging, but you were so ready. And I love reading everything you write as well. Blogging is a pay-it-forward community!
DeleteCongratulations on meeting your goals! =)
ReplyDeleteIm a new follower, your blog looks great.
Melissa =)
Thanks Melissa, I'm a fellow avid book reader so I know I'll enjoy your blog as well.
DeleteI am SO very proud of you, my friend. Not only for blogging, handing out awesome recipes and laughter, but for your continued love to bloggers everywhere. You've done all of this on kindness alone. I am beyond blessed that we met through this crazy blogging world. You've found your place, settled in and supported everyone else along the way. Because of you, I'm guaranteed to push out at least two blogs a month :) Also, because of you, I've been able to laugh in some pretty dark hours.
ReplyDeleteOf course you can blog. Thank God that you do <3
From that very first day I found your post about Circus Peanuts for breakfast I knew we'd be friends (even though I didn't know what Circus Peanuts were).
DeleteNow I know what Circus Peanuts are, and I'm lucky enough to know who you are. You've been my support and my cheerleader and my sounding board for so long that I've come to depend on you (and your intuition). I don't know that I would have made it without you. XO
Happy blogoversary and congrats on meeting your goals!! 3,000 FB likes - that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa, I'm pretty excited to have made it a year. I don't think, when I started, that I ever thought I'd make it this long.
DeleteCongratulations on a year of blogging. I hope there are many more blogoversaries ahead. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your continued support, Dawn.
DeleteCongratulations on your 1st Blogging Anniversary, you must be so proud to have come this far. I've seen many people slow down and stop because blogging is not always easy. Fun yes, but hard work. You've also accomplished all that you wanted to do and I come back because I enjoy visiting with the many laughs and food recipes in tow. Looking forward to the next year.
ReplyDeleteI shall have a cocktail with you in mind and bottoms up mate. Cheers :)
Thank you for the kind words, but most important, thank you for continuing to come back. That's what keeps me going when the urge to slow down starts to overwhelm.
DeleteCheers!
Wonderful post Karen! I love stopping by regularly and seeing what you have served up. Although I am unmotivated in the kitchen I know there will soon be a day where I can visit your site for recipes to entice my little menaces. Now I just come for the New England wit! So glad to have met you and become blogging buds.
ReplyDeleteI'll get you converted to a baker yet, my friend!
Deletethat was great advice from your son and look at you now! all that you accomplished and are currently doing...BRAVO! I am so glad I met you and look forward to reading many more posts and joining in all the secret subject swaps. WOOOOHOOO HAPPY BLOGERSARY!!!
ReplyDeleteI so want a flipping drink now woman... grrrrr
Thank you. Truth is, I love your enthusiasm about the swaps. You always love your prompt and you always rock it!
DeleteWould it help if I had a drink for you?
Karen... Absolute CONGRATS!!! Your numbers are truly amazing, but, as you said, the friendships and "love" are what it is all about. Keep on Keepin' on!!!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend, Slu
Thanks, Slu. I started out venting and ended up in the middle of an amazingly supportive community. Lucky me!
DeleteA very warm congratulations to you, Karen!! Your posts are always amazing and a treat to come back to again and again!! <3
ReplyDeleteThank you, Roshni. It's hard to believe it's been a whole year. And I just love the connections I've made along the way.
DeleteI'll have a few of those cocktails to help you celebrate! Congrats on the accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the congrats. I hope you try the cocktail, it's perfect for a warm summer evening.
DeleteWhat a sweet post! Happy blogoversary to you!! So happy to have met you and I enjoy your posts greatly. All of the recognition is definitely well deserved!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. It's really a huge milestone and I can tell you that there were many many times along the way that I thought I'd never make it.
DeleteCheers! AND Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteL'Chiam!
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