Hi folks. Today is a very special day. 1 year ago today I entered the blogosphere. I was encouraged to open a cooking blog by a very dear friend named Amy Valentino. I met Amy online playing a game called Mousehunt. After playing the game together for some time we became buddies. I was always posting what I was making for dinner or what I was baking on facebook. Quite frankly I was making people drool on keyboards before even opening the blog. Â I started to get a lot of requests for recipes. As you know I am a pretty busy mom. Even though my kids are older I am still fairly involved in the day to day stuff. So time has always been a factor for me. I hate taking time away from my kids. So I was trying to figure out how to get recipes to the people who wanted them without always needing to be at the computer sending emails. Amy mentioned a blog would be useful as people could just get them there. I was unsure at first. I had only read one blog and really did not know much about them. Me being me I jumped in with both feet. I kept the blog on the down low for months and months. I know it's shocking to you all but I am actually sort of shy and quiet. I know right! Hard to believe. I coasted along posting recipes with terrible pictures for months. Then I found foodbuzz and started to connect with other bloggers. It was a bit of a rocky start. At one point I almost quit as I had a couple of ladies who were not very kind to me. I think I assumed every one blogging was kind and friendly. Most are but I was unfortunate to run into a couple who were not. It almost had me quitting. Then I had a chat with a lady you all know as my bbff, Dee from Deelicious Sweets. She set me straight and got my head in the right place. From there the rest is history. So a huge thank you to Miss Amy Valentino for giving me the push to start this blog. Also a big thank you to Dee for giving me the best advice and keeping me from throwing in the kitchen towel.
When I started I had no idea how time consuming blogging could be. Doing quality posts and trying to improve photography is a ton of hard work. It's work worth doing though. I have always been passionate about cooking. I had no idea I would find passion in the writing as well. I enjoy it immensely. There are days where trying to be funny is hard, I'm not going to lie. Without a long drawn out story my life is difficult at best. We have been faced with some huge challenges this past year but I really try to keep that part of my life off the blog as best I can. Some days trying to be upbeat and cheery can be quite difficult. But I just refuse to let my circumstances dictate my mood or my voice. I may not have control of some things in my life, but I sure can control my attitude. I love to laugh and have a great time. I hope that comes through every day on the blog. I really am having this much fun with life. There's little taken seriously here. At the end of the day you can choose to laugh or cry, I always choose to laugh.
I'd like to take a minute to thank everyone who reads. Without you this blog is just dead air. You give it life with every comment. It means the absolute world to me that you enjoy visiting and welcome my zany life into yours. Hearing back from people who have made recipes lights up my life. Having you all share in my adventures of mommyhood also makes me happy. The fact that you all know me so well, and the kids shows how invested you are. I do not take that lightly. I never will.
So moving forward this little blog will continue to go through changes to make it operate more smoothly. I will be adding things and changing things that I think will enhance the site. If you ever have any suggestions or requests never hesitate to shoot me an email. I enjoy the feedback and am always thrilled to hear from readers. I hope I can continue to improve the site and myself while never forgetting the root of it all is the reader. If I ever have a moment where I seem too big for my britches feel free to slap me a little bit. Or a lot. Whatever works.
I am trying really hard to improve my photography. I am somewhat limited by my craptastic camera. Every day I work with it I try to figure out how to best utilize it and work it to it's full potential. A new camera is a huge priority but until hubs is working again it's taking a back seat. But I promise once things improve it's on the list of must haves. Better photos are a must moving forward. I think I've hit the proverbial wall with this old thing.
So enough of the talky talk talk. I love ya, I appreciate ya, I shall try to continue to entertain ya, and above all I shall feed ya! Muah Lunatic fans, you rock my Lunatic world! xx
Ingredients
- 1 cup whipping cream
- ½ cup icing sugar
- 1 package 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 squares semi-sweet chocolate melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup graham crumbs or Oreo crumbs
- ¾ cup skor bits
- ¾ chopped pecans
- 1 batch of caramel sauce recipe link below
- 2 ounces of chocolate melted or chopped for garnishing top
Instructions
- In a mixer combine your whipping cream and icing sugar until well blended. You should see some peaks and then you know it’s ready.
- In another bowl using a mixer beat your cream cheese until super smooth.
- Now add half the cream cheese to mixer with whipping cream and icing sugar and beat until well blended. Once it is add the other half and continue beating until smooth.
- Now add your melted semi-sweet chocolate and vanilla and beat again. Scrape sides as needed.
- Now take 4 canning jars, I used the 250 ml size.
- Place a layer of graham crumbs in each jar. You will be repeating this step so don’t use them all. I used about 2 tablespoons per jar for each layer if I recall correctly.
- Now add a layer of chocolate cheesecake filling.
- Now add a layer of skor bits and pecans.
- Now repeat those steps by adding a layer a graham crumbs.
- Then chocolate cream cheese.
- Then skor bits and pecans.
- Pour your caramel sauce over top.
- Now garnish with either chopped chocolate or melted chocolate.
- Now pop them in the fridge for about an hour or two.
- Serve with a smile!
Caramel sauce recipe can found on Banana Sticky Buns.
Hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. You all know I love me some Turtles. For more Turtle recipes follow the links below:
Yup, I need a new hobby. Preferably one that shrinks my butt not expands it! But who can resist Turtles.
Toodles and smoochies! xx
The Smart Cookie Cook
Congrats on your blogiversary! Your cheesecakes are the perfect way to celebrate. I love that they're no-bake and served in cute little jars!
Kim Bee
Thank you so much. I love stuff in jars. It just makes me happy.
ping
That's a super fork shot! Happy Bloggyversary, Kim! And may I say and quote a certain unhealthy ad ... you've come a long way, baby! It's alright if you don't know what I'm yabbering about ... most people don't anyway and I'm used to it 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Ping. I love it, great quote.
Marina
Dear Kim, Happy Bloggiversary! You are such a talented cook, who brings joy to her readers through fun stories and delicious meal. Best of luck to you, Kim, for many years to come! And most importantly, peace and happiness to your home!
Kim Bee
Aw you are so sweet. You're gonna make me cry. And that is not easy to do. xx
Ann
Happy Blog-o-versary! You are amazing and you know how much I adore you! I'm glad that you are still blogging inspire of everything and thank you for sharing your terrific recipes!
Love you, girlfriend!
Kim Bee
Thanks sistah from another mistah. Love you too. Can't wait to meet you in person very soon. I so want YOU to be the first blogger I meet but what are the chances we'll arrive at the exact same time so that happens. Lol!
Anna @ hiddenponies
Oh Kim, what a beautiful post! So well said, and congrats on the 1 year mark! Like you, I choose to laugh at the end of the day no matter what may have happened, and I love coming to read your blog and know you're someone who shares that attitude. Here's to another year!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Anna. I adore you girl! It's all about positive attitudes at the end of the day. xx
Liz
Happy, happy anniversary, my dear friend!!!! Blogging just wouldn't be the same without you in the mix. Thanks for being you...and making me giggle each time I visit! xx
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Mama Liz. Can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can camp out in your backyard and start the commune rolling along. xx
Roxana GreenGirl { A little bit of everything}
Happy Blog-anniversary Lunatic Kim!
I love reading you, your posts always put a smile on my face. It's hard to believe you've been blogging for just a year, you're doing such a great job!
Kim Bee
Aw thanks Roxanna. I feel the same about you. Your blog is such an inspiration. If I could just eat as healthy as you do. I was going to pop over later. Mini-me wants me to try making some type of granola type bar. Thought I'd find something at your place.
mellissa @ ibreatheimhungry
Hey Kim - congratulations on one year! Hard to believe you've only been blogging a few months longer than I have - you make it look so easy! I appreciate the hard work you do and especially how you can make us all laugh even when your own day might be not going so great. It's really a gift that you have - thanks for sharing it (and your delicious recipes) with the rest of us! XO Mellissa
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Mellissa. I feel like a slacker when I see how well you are doing. I aspire to take photographs as gorgeous as yours. Thanks for being so supportive. It means the world to me. xx
Daisy@Nevertoosweet
Congratulations on your first Blogiversary 🙂 I'm a new blogger myself, so I know what you mean by it's hard to start and keep up with the blogging ~
I love turtle flavoured desserts too ~ thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to following and reading even more exciting posts ;D
Kim Bee
Thanks so much for stopping by. Blogging is a ton of work. Almost all the bloggers are quite sweet. I am glad I stuck with it. Aren't turtles the bomb? Love them far too much.
Celiacasaurus
Happy Blogaversary!!!!
Wow, a year....good for you! It seems like longer, doesn't it? You sure have come a long way in a short time. I, for one, am sure glad you stuck with it.
What better way to celebrate than with Turtles!!!!!
muah right back at you!
xo,Christie
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Christie! It has been a great year and I look forward to more. So glad I met you. xx
Aurelie
Congrats for your 1st blogiversary! And this is the perfect recipe to celebrate it! This cheesecake looks awesome! I love cheesecakes, so I will need to try this one!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much. I love cheesecake too. For some reason the no bakes seem to pop up here often. Honestly I do know how to do the real ones. Lol.
Anita at Hungry Couple
First off, congrats on your anniversary. I'd say you've accomplished a lot with the blog for only a year. I was a bit surprised to hear that some people had been unkind to you. It never ceases to amaze me how some people behave. If I didn't like your blog I just wouldn't read it but I don't know what would give me the right to criticize it or you. I hope your BFF told you to block those people from your blog and your mind.
Since I read all your posts (on both blogs) I do know some of the challenges you've had but you must know that we all do. Even if some people keep their blogs "sanitized" life gives and takes. I try to concentrate on how much I have instead of what I don't and I get the sense you do as well.
Finally, I heart cheesecake. It is my favorite thing on earth. It is listed under 'interests' on my resume. I try not to make it often because I will eat it and then my pants won't fit. But, I do give in sometimes. And you know I how much I love jars. So, can you just put one of those cheesecake jars in the mail to New York? 🙂
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Anita. Dee really got me thinking straight. I am so glad I met her. I think the odd blogger has that I don't want to share attitude which I don't quite get. Maybe the money involved or something skews the mind. Who knows. I no longer worry about it. I just have to be positive, if I let myself get sucked in by what is going on around me I'd never get out of bed. I just refuse to be that person. Things happen for a reason. Or so I hear, lol. I love that you list cheesecake as an interest. That is hilarious. If only there was one left to share. xx
Fahad Khan (@PharaohKhan)
First of all,very Happy Blogiversary to you!:-) May you and your blog cross many such successful,happy years in the coming time.
"I think I assumed every one blogging was kind and friendly. Most are but I was unfortunate to run into a couple who were not." I so much agree!I have nothing against anyone,and most bloggers I have met are nice and friendly people for sure.But there are some who think they are the best in the world,and do not even bother if someone tweets them saying that they have tried their recipe.
Talking about the Cheesecake,it sounds delicious!I am going to note down/bookmark it right away!
Thank you so much for sharing!:-)
Kim Bee
Thanks so much.I think some get jaded. Or busy. Who knows. I just don't get the mentality of not staying in touch with your readers. Life is busy sure, but the whole point of blogging is the connection. Hope you try this out. xx
Heidi Loebig
Happy Blogiversary! The new site is gorgeous, congratulations!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Heidi! xx
Adora
Happy blogiversary, Kim! Many more to come. This is a fab, fab dessert. Certainly made me drool...a lot.
Kim Bee
Thanks Adora. I hope to be in this for the long haul. It sure is a fun hobby. I love me some cheesecake and I love me some turtles so just had to combine them.
Choc Chip Uru
Happy happy happy blogiversary my friend 😀
No better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than by a delicious cheesecake as this 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Upcoming: Traditional Lemon Meringue Tart
Kim Bee
Thanks so much!
Candy
Happy Anniversary! Blogging is a lot more work than I thought it was going to be too, and there have been several times I've considered throwing in the kitchen towel too. But it's also a lot of fun and has pushed me in so many ways.
I think your photos are lovely!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much. My best advice is to keep at it and never let the social ups and downs get you down. Also I loved Dee's advice to "write like no one is listening". It takes the pressure off and you find your true voice. And thanks, I am trying really hard to improve my photography skills. One day at a time.
Valerie @ From Valerie's Kitchen
I'm in turtle heaven 🙂 Well, Kim, I'm very glad you stuck with this thing. You are one of the very first bloggers who was nice to me and I'll never forget ya for it lady! Your site has grown into something really special and I look forward to watching it continue to grow. Happy anniversary!!!
Kim Bee
I will now dream of a turtle heaven every night and thank you for that image. Lol! Thanks so much. Aw, I am so glad I had a positive impact. I always try to think back to those two meanies when I reach out. How we treat people is so important. I tend to live my life with the belief that being kind is so much easier than being grumpy. I even say please and thank you at the drive thru. I find people really don't do that enough. Saying thanks to your check out lady at the grocery store or have a nice day to your bank teller can turn their bad day into a happy day. The power of words, it's amazing. I hope I am always kind to fellow bloggers. And I still think you have the best hair in the biz. xx
Kristen
Happy Day! The stars certainly aligned right when you joined the blogging world. You definitely brighten my day with your posts and drool-worthy foods. I am so glad to see turtle cheesecake in a jar! It just screams "KIM!"....of course if your jars actually start talking to you, please call a doctor immediately.
Kim Bee
Oh so the jars aren't suppose to be talking to me??? That explains SO much.
Thanks Kristen. I am so happy I stuck with it. See you soon lady. I still can't believe I am going to Florida. We haven't been away in 8 years. Going to be so much fun. We'll be broke, but smiling. Lol!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.
Happy Blogiversary! I'm so glad you stuck with it because it has been so wonderful getting to know you and I think I speak for all of us when we say we love reading about your lunatic antics!
And ohhh gurllllll, you are killing me with these Turtle posts!