Monday, December 30, 2013

With a Bow

 
As the year winds down, I wanted to take the time to reflect back on the past year here at Baking In A Tornado. There have been some fun, some serious, some yummy and some memorable moments in my first full year blogging. I’ve gone back through the year and compiled a few lists; top ten posts by page views, my top five favorite humorous posts and my favorite more serious posts.

So let’s wrap this year up, with a bow!

With a Bow | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Top Ten Viewed Posts:

#10 was from back in June and was a Secret Subject Swap. This post happened to be on my one year blogoversary. It was about what I’d do if I were a man for 24 hours, and it featured a recipe for Broccoli Slaw.

If I Were a Man | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphic
 
 
Broccoli Slaw | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe
 
 
#9 was called Death of a Weekend, from last March. It was an obituary of sorts for parents. It featured a recipe for Pepperoni Puffs.

Death of a Weekend| graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphic   
 
Pepperoni Puffs | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #appetizer           


#8 was a post called Fee Schedule, also from last March. It was a message to my kids about certain changes that would be imposed in the home. It also featured a recipe for Crockpot Chocolate Caramel Cake.

Fee Schedule | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics
                      


Crockpot Chocolate Caramel Cake | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

 
The actual #7 by page views was a compilation of previously posted recipes, both mine and those of some contributing friends, called Happy Virtual Thanksgiving. Since it wasn’t an original piece, I’ll give another #7:

#7 as an original post was from last June. It’s called Antivite and is about an actual trend, sending people an official “DON’T save the date”. It included a recipe for Choc-Oat Chip Cheesecake Bars.
 
Antivite | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

Choc-Oat Chip Cheesecake Bars | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert                      


#6 was a recipe I developed for a group I was proud to be asked to join. The project was called the 12 Cakes of December. I worked really hard developing and perfecting my recipe for a White Chocolate Peppermint Cake. It’s alcohol infused, but also has an alcohol-free option.

White Chocolate Peppermint Cake | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert
                         

White Chocolate Peppermint Cake | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert
 
 
#5 is a fairly recent post also from this past month. It’s another Secret Subject Swap called The Gift and this one is about a gift that changed so much about my life. It features a recipe for Strawberry Crinkles.

Secret Subject Swap | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics                        
  
Strawberry Crinkles | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

#4 is from June. It’s a fun piece about a game and it’s called Addicted to Candy. It features a recipe for candy, of course, Homemade Peppermint Patties.


  Addicted to Candy| graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics                    


Homemade Peppermint Patties | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

#3 is from last May when my oldest son graduated from high school and is called All I Got. Some of this piece is humorous but it’s heartfelt as well. It includes a recipe for Angel Food Trifle.


All I Got | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics                            

Angel Food Trifle | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert

 
#2 is called Home Sweet Future Home and it’s from last February. It’s about my fantasy home, which has some interesting features. It includes a recipe for Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cups.


Hone Sweet Future Home | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics                     

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cups| recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dessert
 
 
The #1 most popular post to my blog, with the highest page views by far is another Secret Subject Swap, this one from January, about a day when everything goes wrong. It features a recipe for Potato Crusted Meatloaf.

         
Secret Subject Swap blog post | graphic designed by and property of www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

 
 
Potato Crusted Meatloaf | recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner

 
On a personal note, I’d like to mention a few posts that were my favorite. They’re listed in no particular order.
My Top Five

The Ten Commandments, a mom’s version.

Making a Run For It, told from an unusual point of view.

Take That, Hot Flashes. Life is full of changes, I found a way to use them to my advantage.

A Sense of Balance is also my mom’s favorite. It’s a humorous look at the Zombie Apocalypse.

and the January Secret Subject Swap (#1 above) about a day when everything goes wrong has made my top five too.

More Serious Posts

I Apologize is the first serious post I ever wrote. It’s about bullying.

Lightning Strikes tells some of the story of my struggle to have children.

Every Day is about the little things we do that matter.

As always, I want to thank everyone who takes the time to read this blog, leave comments, and encourage me to continue writing. I take a lot of time with my posts, not only writing them but I make all of the graphics myself, as well as developing or adapting the recipes. If you have a favorite post, I’d love to hear about it.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy new year.

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

18 comments:

  1. Raising a glass of sparkling wine to new friends. I hope 2014 is all that you dream of and more!

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    1. Same to you, Cathy. Thank you so much for taking this journey with me.

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  2. UGH. I commented from my phone and it didn't go through. I'm back on my computer to try again. Love your year in review! I see I have some posts to catch up on since I didn't meet you till august. Then I'll be printing MORE recipes to try! One of my favorite posts so far was from the SSS Swapiversary. You know. The sex tape one that won me Queen of Swap! Woop! Seriously was so fun to write (duh) and I met great bloggers and had a blast!

    Love you. Love your creativity. My blog hopes to grow up and be like yours someday. :)

    p.s. Thanks again for the holiday tag. I went on an unexpected blog hiatus and am just now coming (slowly) out of it - that's why I never did a follow up tag post even though I originally intended to.

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    1. I love your Queen of the Swap post too. You worked hard for that title and your post is hilarious.

      As I always say with tags, they're compliments not obligations. And this one came at an especially busy time of year.

      Happy new year to you and your family.

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  3. Oh boy - looks like I have a LOT more reading to do!! So many interesting posts to catch-up on. I love how you broke this all down and, as always, with an adjoining recipe. Here's to 2014 my friend!!!

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    1. Wishing you and your family a very happy 2014. Can't wait to see what you have to share.

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  4. It's been such a fun year! I'm blessed to have met you this year, Karen. Your friendship has been a shining light during my darkest moments and your food and great writing have brought smiles to my face!

    I look forward to seeing what great things are in store for us in 2014 <3

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    1. Thanks, Becca, looking forward to our monthly project as well. Love the inspiration you provide.

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  5. I'm so thankful to know you!!! You've opened a lot of the blogging world up for me and your patience is legend! I love the break down and the lists - excited to read through it again and again! Happy New Year my friend!!!

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    1. I think you give me too much credit, but I'll agree that I'm thankful to know you as well. Happy new year!

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  6. You sure had some great posts this year! I love reading all types of blogs are yours did not disappoint with all the fun stories and awesome food pics and recipes. I think if I lived in your house I would be 400 pounds! Here's to a terrific 2014!

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    1. And if I lived near all those NYC spots you recommend I'd be 400 pounds too!

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  7. Happy New Year! I've just started blogging this month. Any tips or advice?

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    1. Congratulations and welcome to the world of blogging. Make some friends, read some blogs and have fun. You'll do great.

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  8. Fantastic year in review! I love coming here Karen - I always get a good laugh and a hankering for something yummy. Wishing you all the best in the new year!

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    1. Happy New Year, Monica. Wishing you and your family a beautiful 2014.

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  9. Is it sad how many of these I knew without clicking on them? You're a wonderful writer (and baker) Karen. You're an even better friend. Cheers tot he New Year. I can't wait to read what's next <3

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    1. No, you're a good friend. I know you've read every one of them. Thanks for being there for me.

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