The holiday season has been a blur.  Shopping, wrapping, giving, visiting…  and tonight marks the end of 2007. 

I’ve never been one for resolutions.  I prefer suggestions.  That way, I don’t have to feel disappointed in myself.  When I hear the most common resolutions (exercise more, lose 10 pounds, etc.), I think that I have enough stress in my life that I don’t need the further burden of putting something down in writing, then not living up to it. 

So here are some things that I will try to do in this coming year:

Walk away from the potato chips

Drink more water and less caffeine

Put things away when I’m done using them (like I tell the kids to do)

Make time for knitting (15 minutes would be good)

Not grumble so much about the 15,000 ball practices and games that will be part of the springtime little league season

Make a concerted effort to let the kids help with the cooking because they’d really like to

Then teach them about cleaning up the kitchen…

Say positive things throughout the day and stop to take a deep breath before saying something negative (in case it’s not worth uttering at all)

Be inspired and creative from everything that passes by me each day

Wishing all of you a happy and healthy New Year.

Peace & Love,

Liz

My son remarked over the weekend, “Hey, there’s only 16 days until Christmas!!”  Yikes!!  How has the time slipped down to the wire?

Under the category of knitted projects, I’m doing well.  I didn’t try to overextend myself with goals that were potentially unrealistic.  So, some little things that I wanted to do are either done, or nearly done.  A bigger project will be worked on as time allows, and the vest I’ve got going for myself will get finished when it gets finished.  In between, there are so many other cool project that will present themselves, and I’ll be off in any number of directions…

There is more decorating to be done (and someone explain to me how all the Christmas decorations are marked down to 50% clearance?), cookies to be baked, meals to be thought over and planned for.  Lots to do.  But I am happy to say that gifts for the children have been bought and paid for, tucked away, and if I have any sense at all, I’ll wrap them up before Christmas Eve.

Here’s a menu idea for you when you’re trying to figure out what to do with the leftovers in your fridge – make soup!

Last night’s version dumped everything but the kitchen sink into the pot.  The only pantry item you should ALWAYS have on hand is stock – chicken, beef, or vegetable, it doesn’t matter.  But if you have this on hand, you are golden in the soup department.  (Just as an aside, nothing beats your own stock, simmered down from the remains of a roasted chicken or beef ribs).  Here’s what we threw in – leftover veggies – broccoli and corn; small dish of leftover macaroni; sautéed mushrooms.  This was thrown in a large pot with chicken stock.  Because I wanted just a little bit more, I cooked the last ¾ cup of basmati rice and dumped that in as well.  Some salt & pepper, and the requisite grated parmesan cheese, with a side of Italian bread and butter – good eating!!

It will never cease to amaze me how really delicious these types of meals are.  And you have the added benefit of using things up – I hate to waste food of any sort (lucky for our dog).  I once remember hearing that what Americans throw away with regards to food waste could feed another nation.  Think about that.  This is another good reason to go with smaller portions – you can always go back for more, but usually what is left on one’s plate gets tossed.

Now its back to the planning department – more things to organize for teacher gifts, etc.

Peace & Love,

Liz