Tuesday, April 6, 2021

My first post went live on April 6, 2018 and here it is! You think I’m amateur now…when I started I was even more amateur!

I seriously cannot believe that I have published 764 posts in 3 years. I had no idea I had that much to say, but maybe my friends and family aren’t surprised! I have only had a few times where I just couldn’t think of a topic.

A little back story…

I have always loved a magazine! When I discovered these things called blogs, it felt like an online magazine to me. I was hooked! There was always a little nudge that I wanted to try it, too. But, I was always daunted by the photos and the technology behind the blog. And, I thought that I didn’t have much to offer that anyone would be interested in reading.

Finally I got up the courage to just jump in with both feet. I wanted to write a blog that I would want to read. My kids were 15 so I didn’t want to do a mommy blog, but I think I would’ve been all over that had I started when mine were little. I didn’t want to do a strictly cooking blog or a strictly fashion blog, but I wanted to incorporate all of the things I enjoy. I have kept pretty well to the structure of Hello Monday, Tuesday Tip (this may not always be my topic), What I Wore Wednesday, Thursday Thoughts, and Friday Favorites. Thank you to all of my blogging friends that host link ups because I think they are awesome and it took me a while to figure out how to participate! A link up is a topic that the host decides upon and then pays a service to let other blogs link to their blog. It is a great way to find new blogs you want to read and for new readers to find you.

It was hard to come up with a blog name, but once I thought of mine I was satisfied. I love coffee and I love cocktails and I love making my own at home. I am a homebody at heart so the word “casa” resonated because it means “house” in Spanish. I also love the Spanish language and I have since I was 14 years old and now I am a high school Spanish teacher.

I wanted to be consistent for my readers by posting Monday through Friday at 4:00 a.m. I write my blog posts the day before and set the timer to release the post at 4:00 a.m. I do this for my early risers. I rarely do blog posts much in advance. I almost always write the entire post the day before. Some bloggers spend hours upon hours on each post when you consider the photos they have to take, the editing, the adding of the links, etc. I can’t spend that kind of time so I would say each of my posts takes an hour give or take a few minutes. Some of my time is devoted to responding to my readers’ comments, which I love receiving.

Sometimes when I am writing, I think to myself, “do I think that I’m so interesting that people care about the details of my life? Like really, who am I and why does anyone care?” But, then I get the sweetest comments where my readers share that they made an effort to make a fun plan with a friend. They say I inspired them to see the good in the daily routine or in the current season they are experiencing. They tried a tip of mine or a recipe and they loved it. Wow! I am so flattered that I could inspire even just one person and I am so touched that a reader took the time to type that positive feedback for me. Thank you!

Blogging does not feel like work to me. I am almost always excited to put posts together. I cannot believe how much I have learned in three years but I also feel like the more I learn, the more I learn how much more I have to learn! Ha!

Finally, I feel that I have made genuine friends in my readers. It is so weird, but so cool. There is a lot of good and positivity in the blogging world and the people I have met have helped me stay optimistic. During the pandemic, this was even more evident. Again, thank you!

If you have made it this far, here is your reward….

If you leave me a comment with your name and email address, your name will be put in a drawing for a Nordstrom e-gift card of $25. Nordstrom is one of my favorite places for online shopping. Their sales are amazing!

I just want to say thank you for continuing to visit me! You all are truly the best! I hope you enjoy a coffee or a cocktail at your casa today!

Amy

P.S. – Some say blogs are obsolete, or becoming obsolete, but I hope that is not the case. If you have ever wanted to start one, just do it! I use WordPress and it is very user friendly.

77 thoughts on “3 Year Blogiversary for Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa!”

  1. Way to go Amy! Congrats and happy blogiversary! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog almost from the beginning! It’s usually how I start my day. I’ve gotten a lot of good tips, great reads, and lots of drink inspirations and meal ideas. Keep em coming!

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  2. Congratulations Amy! I love your posts and hope you continue! I also feel like blogs are like magazines and enjoy reading them. You are talented and have a gift of writing! Please continue and know you have touched many lives. I read every morning…Mon through Fri. 👍👍🥳🍹🍸

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  6. Way to go Amy! You are a great inspiration for others to step outside of their comfort zone and do something you love!

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  7. I found you through a link-up and it was the name of your blog that caught my attention to read your blog. Now it’s the first thing I do after my hot tea, quiet time, and before I log into work. We could seriously be friends! Congrats on your anniversary!

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  9. I read you every morning and have been inspired to do happy hours, sit outside often and celebrate all the things🎉 I love reading your start up story—congrats on three years!!

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  10. I am a middle school teacher from Williamsburg, Virginia. I have been to Louisville and love the city. I am not sure how I stumbled on your blog, but I have been reading it for 2 years. Congratulations.

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    1. Love your name and I love that you are a teacher, too. Louisville is really fun and I consider it my adopted home. It has always been the closest big city to where I grew up. Thanks for being a loyal reader!

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  11. Woohoo Congratulations Amy! That is an accomplishment for sure! I think about starting one but it does seem overwhelming! Anyway, your blog is usually my first blog of the morning Monday – Friday. I enjoy it a lot! Thank you for the time and energy you put into it!

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    1. Thank you, Kelly! If you have an inkling, Carolina Charm blog is who finally made me take the leap. WordPress and the wordpress app on my phone is how I upload my photos. Go for it!
      Thank you so much for the kind words!

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  13. Happy Blogiversary! Yours is my very favorite blog, but to be fair: #1 I’m biased, and #2 It’s the only blog I read regularly. 🙂

    I’m especially enjoying hearing about the boys’ college experience, since I’ll have that to look forward to very soon.

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    1. Thank you! Ha! I will take it! I appreciate your encouragement and I feel it has been a good way to reconnect. My sisters and I talk about you fondly all of the time!
      I struggle with how much to share. I am trying to share it from my lens as a first time college parent and new empty nester. It’s their story but it’s also my story. It’s hard to know sometimes!

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  15. I find your blog so refreshing and inspirational! I love the way you write and the topics. I hope this week is going smoothly for you. Congratulations on your blogiversary! 😊

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    1. Thank you Michelle! I am trying to improve my writing. My son critiqued my punctuation one time – English major! I have forgotten some of my old writing skills and I am trying to make him proud now. Thank you for the encouragement about school, too!

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  16. Hi Amy. I discovered your blog about 6 months ago and really enjoy it. I’ve made some of your delicious recipes and noted some of your recommended books. Please keep blogging. Yours is one of my daily favorites.

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  19. Your blog is definitely one I look forward to reading! Thank you for keeping up with it. Don’t let the ones who say it’s going obsolete get into your head, I’m sure it comes from the same group on Tik Tok who are saying no to skinny jeans and side hair parts.

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  21. Congrats on 3 years – I didn’t start reading you then but soon after – love all your cocktails and of course coffee too-

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  24. Congratulations! I’m glad you post early & daily. I’m a faithful reader but I need to get better at being a faithful commenter! I like your blog because it is “real life” – like reading an email or text from a friend!

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  25. happy blog birthday to (CCC)3!! i found you through a link and was immediately drawn to the name of your blog. i thought ‘i think this is someone who may share my sense of humor”. and also something about you just said i am a regular person in my regular life and here is a little glimpse of it!!
    you seem to have found the perfect combination of fashion, cooking/food, cocktails and books.; all things i am interested in. keep up the great work and don’t change a thing!
    i’m not sure you realize how subtly you encourage us to get out and be part of life, especially with the way the last year has been…….
    but you do!!

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    1. Ha – Love it – CCC 3! I am totally a regular person that is just trying to find the humor in the daily grind and find happiness and fun, too. Rita, that is such a nice compliment and you made my day! It reminds me how powerful a nice comment to another person truly is! I will pay it forward!

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  27. Congratulations! I love reading your day to day life- Monday through Friday blogs…makes me realize how similar we all are! 😉
    I hope blogs are not becoming obsolete, I have been reading them for years and love them!

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  28. Congrats to you on your blog anniversary!!! I LOVE your blog!! You feel like a “friend” to me! We are both public school teachers and both have freshman boys in college! I love your fashion tips, I love to see what you do for fun, I love your food photos and recipes! You’re just SO down to earth!! I absolutely enjoy everything you post and LOVE to hear that you LOVE doing your blog!!! Thank you!!

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    1. Ditto! That is true! I can’t keep up with a personal and a blog IG. And, I hardly ever post on IG or Facebook. It’s time consuming! Thank you so much!

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  30. Happy 3 years! You’ve done a great job and I always enjoy reading your blog. I love that you cover a wide range of topics but of course I have benefitted most from your cocktail recipes!!!
    I used to love magazines too but have found I like them less and less now in favor of blogs, they’re much easier to read and more realistic!
    Keep doing what you’re doing and having fun!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. Thank you for your loyal commenting and encouragement. I agree with you – magazines now leave me unsatisfied. They seem to be so full of ads, too.
      I think the key is to keep having fun with it so it doesn’t feel like work!

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  31. Hello,

    My name is Oana and I am reading your blog from Romania. I am reading you, usually every morning for more than one year now. I really enjoy your topics, your recipies and suggestions. Thank you and Happy anniversary!

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  33. Congrats Amy on your blog anniversary! Love reading about your life , food and everything else that makes you cool 😁have a good rest of your day! Holly

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  35. Congrats, and I love blogs and hope they never become obsolete! I do believe I stumbled across your blog through another link up and I really enjoy every post, and find all your topics interesting!

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  36. I looove your blog. I read it first every morning around 5am with my coffee before I head off to teach. I have been reading blogs since about 05-06 and love ones like yours the most. You are genuine, fun, interesting and inspiring. Your fashion and food are always good. Congratulations on 3 years, Amy!!!

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    1. Thank you, Jenny! You sound like me – up at 5, coffee and my blogs, and then teaching! I think I discovered blogs in maybe 2010? You are too kind! Thank you for commenting!

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  37. Pingback: Friday Favorites – Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa

  38. I love your blog……..congrats on your blog anniversary.I read your blog every night before going to bed. I am currently living in Yokosuka, Japan(Military)

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