Today was the first day in a while that I felt more like myself.
I lost my mojo there for bit. I've been at a loss for words lately with my posts and I haven't been around all that much to see what everyone has been up to. I might as well break the silence because I'm a bit at a loss, and I am hoping one of you (or some of you) can help me out.
For a while now we have felt that it is about time to 'upgrade' Living the Gourmet. We are looking to broaden our focus and revamp our look. I never knew it could be such a difficult task...such a daunting task.
We have interviewed so many web developers, designers, and web pros that it makes my head spin. It seems like everyone has a different answer to the same question. Right now, I don't even know what to ask, or who to ask next.
Needless to say, I need help. Your help. So, I'm sending out an S.O.S.
Here are my top questions:
1. WordPress or Blogger? I know most people say WordPress but why exactly? Some people have told me that Blogger is just as good, the only difference is that Blogger can be a bit prohibitive when it comes to designing. However, I have also been told I can work around that with a good enough web designer.
2. When moving over to another platform, will this transfer effect our SEO data? This is the most important question I have. Moving to WordPress really depends on this answer because if moving to WordPress wipes out our SEO data/ blog ranking, we're sticking with Blogger. Is there anyone out there who can transfer SEO data?!! I've gotten a whole lot of 'maybes' and a very expensive 'yes'.
3. Reasonable quotes. I've been looking at some of my favorite sites but have been discouraged to see their website design cost them over a $1,000. So, this may not be a question, but an equally important point to mention. We need to stay within budget.
If you know the answers to my questions, or if you know of someone who can answer these questions, I would greatly appreciate it. Drop a comment below, or shoot me an email at BakingGypsy[at]AOL[dot]com. I also want to thank the bloggers who made me feel comfortable enough to reach out for help. Your kindness and patience has been overwhelming. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Now, onto the recipe 😉
I don't even think I've been baking with the same enthusiasm lately. Today was different. I was in the zone, had my French music going and made perhaps, some of the best cookies I've had in a long while.
We had half a package of leftover cake mix sitting in the refrigerator. Mom suggested I use it up and make cookies.
I admit, I can be a bit of a food snob. I scoff at cake mix. What can I say when you grow up with "Lady Gourmet" as your mom, everything has to be homemade. Moving along though, I also hate to waste ingredients. So, I conceded.
Originally, these would have been chocolate chip cookies, but cake mix is really sweet and I didn't want a very sweet cookie. I figured a nice oatmeal raisin would be best because the cinnamon would balance out all the flavors.
I was pleasantly surprised. The cookies were soft and chewy. They weren't too sweet and I wasn't left with that overwhelming 'artificial cake mix' taste in my mouth afterwards. I think the key to perfect oatmeal raisin cookies might just be a little cake mix.
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 2 Dozen 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients. Then add all the wet ingredients.
- Stir until a thick, sticky cookie dough forms.
- On an ungreased cookie sheet, drop a tablespoonful of dough leaving about an inch of space between each.
- Bake for about 12 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Transfer immediately to a cooling rack.
- Try to let cool completely and enjoy with some warm milk or tea!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
Toodles,
Tammy<3
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Cook Eat Share
Foodista
Key Ingredient
Just A Pinch
Foodie
speedy70 says
Questi biscottini li adoro, bravissima !!!!
Karen @ Pieces of Contentment says
They look very tasty!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I've always been on a self-hosted wordpress blog. I like the control I have where I can do whatever I want. I don't stress about SEO but I am aware that my post title and recipe titles are important and I try to put my recipe name in the first sentence or two. Other than that, I just write. 🙂
I've struggled with my mojo too. So much going on in my life that there are times that I can't get it all done. Then I stress.
I'd be better with one of these oatmeal raisin cookies!
p.s. let me know when the dog's on Instagram. LOL
Barbara says
Good heavens, haven't made an oatmeal cookie in ages...forgot how good they were! 🙂 Never have used a cake mix to make them, either. What a great idea!
I'm probably not the best one for advice...I'm lazy. I'm happy enough with Blogger. I even have a dot com address (which people keep wanting to buy from me so I guess I ought to sell it) and just don't want to bother with a big change.
I actually started two other blogs on blogspot...one is a culinary one, where I use recipes I didn't get around to using on the main blog, OR felt they were too simple. The other is just writing (I am not a writer) about things happening in my life. People follow and comment on the culinary one, and a few people read the other one, rarely comment and no followers. I haven't told anyone about them, although there are links on my sidebar. I feel that pretty soon, I'll want to give up the constant cooking, so I understand your wanting to change pace. I designed them myself, think blogger does a fairly good job with what it offers and I really don't want to pay a fortune to someone to do it. Do you have a young friend who might want the exposure? Often, they're willing to design something as a favor.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Linda says
I like cake mixes, so I was happy to see a new use for these handy box mixes for oatmeal raisin cookies. I am a little blogger with a little blog. I upgraded to wordpresss.org. so I could have ads and other options. I did look at the bottom of favorite blogs to see who desigend theirs and what platform they used. That's how I knew that option was way out of my little ballpark. Easy peasy for ths untechnical gal. I made my header on Pic Monkey, contacted Karianne at Thistlewood Farms on a frined's recommendation for a consult and made a few tweeks. I did look at the bottom of favorite blogs to see who desigend theirs and what platform they used. That's how I knew it was way out of my little ballpark. by the way, I like you blog. Visiting from Full Plate Thursday.
Tammy says
Hi Linda, Thank you so much for stopping by! 🙂 I am glad you liked the cookies and I do hope you give them a try.
Thank you for the advice. I'm going to look into Thistlewood Farms and see if Karianne can help. I love Pic Monkey...I used them to design our current header. You blog looks great by the way. Thanks again for stopping by. Have a wonderful holiday weekend. 🙂
Adita Donaire says
Catherine, te han quedado deliciosas, me llevo un par de ellas, para tomar una taza de café, besos
Gloria Baker says
Oh dear Hope you are ok I love yopu so much!
I think all the sites have porblems I saw them in bloggers and in WordPress and I dont know about a designer I always find you and Catherine have lovely pictures and amazing recipes!
Anyway is your blog dear!
Good luck with all but don't worry we are going to where you are lol
Lucia says
Glad you asked these questions. I have learned a lot by reading everyone's comments.
Sandee says
I've had both Blogger and WordPress blogs. I like blogger better as it's easier to use. For me that is. As for your rankings? I've not a clue about that.
Now cookies I know about and those are one of my favorite cookies.
Have a fabulous day. Big hugs to you both. 🙂
Tammy says
Hehehe thank you, Sandee! You're a dear. Yeah, WP is similar to Tumblr. It seems more complicated than Blogger...or maybe it's just that I am so used to Blogger. I don't know. Thank you for stopping by!
Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!
Alison Agnew says
First, those cookies look totally delectable! Second, I can only speak from my own experience, but when I switched from Blogger to WP, my SEO took a major hit. I am still trying to get back to where I was. In many ways, I wish I hadn't made the switch. I like WP now, after figuring it all out, but I hate paying for stuff that was free with Blogger. You hear that to be a 'serious blogger' you have to be on WP. However, there are lots of 'serious bloggers' out there who use Blogger, so I don't think that's true. My thought is that if you're happy with Blogger, there's really no reason to switch. But there are probably lots of folks out there who are smarter than I! Anyway, thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded, and good luck as you do your research.
Alison
Nancherrow
Tammy says
Thank you, Alison, and thank you for taking the time to share your WP experience. That is one of the things I fear the most about making the move. A lot of people though seem to agree that if you don't have to move from Blogger, then it's best not to. I did notice quite of few 'serious' bloggers using Blogger as well. Thanks again for stopping by, we value your opinion and feedback.
Have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend.