1 Year Anniversary

One year ago today I created this blog.  I did this because I have people asking me all the time for my recipes.  I also thought it would be a good virtual cook book for my kids when they are out on their own and craving some of moms recipes.  I thought it would be fun on this anniversary to let you know some interesting facts about

 this blog over the past year.

 

I have done a total of 76 posts in the past 52 weeks.  Some of my posts have been shard on the websites of other bloggers.  I also have put some of the recipes on my Pinterest page.  When I make a post I share it on Google+ as well as Facebook.  This has really circulated the blog.  I have had a total of 5,250 page views and counting in the past year.  Because I am able to track audiences, and traffic sources on my blog I can see that people are not just using their computers to view my recipes, but they are looking at my blog on I Pads, I Phones, I Pods, Android Tablets, and Blackberry devices.  I have a viewing audience from around the world.  I am amazed at who looks at this blog. 

My top ten locations are:

United States

Russia

United Kingdom

Canada

Germany

India

Australia

Philippines

Israel

Singapore

I have earned a total of $1.88 on this blog....yes I can earn money! I know it is not a lot but I am dependant on you, my viewing audience to click on those ad's on my blog.  When you do I earn money. 

 Some of my most popular page views are:

The Cake Plate with 525 views 

Tie Dye Frosting with 263 views

Edible Diorama with 228 views

Cinnamon Knots with 106 views

Tex-Mex Casserole with 71 views

Some of my least popular page views are:

Beefy Noodle Soup with 6 views

Garlic Bread Sticks with 10 views

Ham and Potatoes with 10 views

Zucchini Muffins with 11 views

Banana Bread with 12 views

I really enjoy checking the blog after I create a post to see how popular it is, who is looking at it and how many countries I am reaching.  It is fun to share a recipe with a professional blogger and have them review it and share it with others.  This is how my Cake Plate post became so popular...I shared it with The Southern Fried Bride.  Thanks for taking the time to view my humble little blog.  I cannot believe a year has gone by.  I look forward to several more anniversaries!



Beefy Noodle Soup

I was not planning on posting this recipe when I was cooking dinner tonight but I just have to say....it was really good. So I figured I needed to share, and needless to say this is the only picture you will get.  The recipe is so quick and simple it would make a great last minute meal.

 

Brown 1 lb. ground beef with a little garlic, salt and pepper in a large soup pot.  I didn't measure anything...just put in what you like.  Drain fat from browned ground beef and add some cut carrots, 1 pkg onion soup mix, 1 jar spaghetti sauce....I used Bertolli Fire Roasted Sauce.....and enough water to fill the pot about 2/3 full...or maybe a little more.  Add about 1 lb pasta to the pot and bring to a boil.  Cook and stir occasionally until pasta is done.  You may need to add a little more water if you need more broth.  This was so delicious I am excited to have some leftovers for lunch tomorrow!

Peppermint Bark

As I have gotten older I have realized the the marathon baking days are over.  It is just better for me to do it in batches. I did a small amount of Holiday Baking last night.  I made Peanut Butter Balls, Oreo Truffles, and Peppermint Bark.  In the next day or two I will be making some Christmas Tree Spritz cookies and maybe some Sugar Cookies.  I will apologize now that these pictures are so bad....Seems I get better photos when I take them during the day.  The up side to this camera situation is that my Husband is getting a really nice one for Christmas... I can say that here because he never reads my blog...so I am sure the secret is safe!  I will have to "borrow" his camera for some future posts.  Now on to the recipe for Peppermint Bark.  It could not be any easier.....

 

 

You will need 1 pkg. Chocolate Almond Bark and 1 pkg. White Almond Bark.  Also you will need 1 box of Peppermint candy canes and 1 tsp. Peppermint extract.

 

I like to melt my chocolate in a double boiler.  You can use whatever method you prefer. Melt the chocolate almond bark and spread evenly on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper.

Let the chocolate harden before moving on to the next step.

  Last night we just ran an errand while we let the chocolate set up.

While you are waiting for the chocolate you can unwrap the candy canes and put them into a gallon sized zip lock bag.  Using a kitchen mallet take your frustrations out on those candy canes!

Next chop and melt the white almond bark. 

While it is melting add 1 tsp. peppermint extract.

Once the white chocolate is melted spread it evenly over the milk chocolate in the cookie sheet.

Immediately spread the crushed candy canes over the top of the white chocolate and gently press in to the chocolate so the pieces stick.

Let the pan cool and harden...then you can cut into pieces.  I was able to get 96 little pieces out of my pan...and lots of yummy crumbs!