We didn't read it in the big book, And now we're giving you the look look.

Whoa, way behind on updating the blog on my new years resolutions.
I finished one book this year and now on to number 2. It's called the bell jar and I really like it. Eizelle got it for me for Christmas and I'm already in the second chapter. That's good for my add brain.
The week after coffee making I made this chicken concoction:

The week after that was fish and grilled vegetables. That was nom nom. The candy apple in the pic was not made by me but was yummy.


The week after that was dessert time. It was a chocolate chip cookie cheese cake. It was ok. The cookie part wasn't cookie enough for me. Too crumbly. Next time will be way better.


This week was shrimp tacos. Yes easy but the shrimp was marinated. So there. More than 2 steps. Lots of things were chopped and I used bell peppers and onions. Whoa. I realize they are needed for flavor, I didn't need them on my actual taco.


Sweet this month is rolling and I want it to be over already so that I can see Eizelle, Shane, my parents, aunt, cousins and littler cousins! Fun fun fun!

Can the child within my heart rise above?

So I keep forgetting to post about my resolution progress. The one book a month is not going well. I get distracted way too easily! I'll finish it this week. As long as I finish 12 books this year I'll feel that the resolution was done(already stretching the rules).
Last week I made this pesto pasta with broccoli, shrimp and tomatoes. It was just a mix of things I love. It turned out kinda bland like it was missing something. Like real meat (meat from the sea is not real) or salt or something. Probably just needed a little sausage piece or something to give it that extra umph.
Evidence:


This week I made some Cold brew coffee or toddy style. I'll know tomorrow if it's yummy. I think I should have added more water. Oh well this is just going to be way strong and I'll need to add more condensed milk.
Evidence:


Ok well back to that book!

Contradictions get me everything I want

With the new weekend change going into effect yesterday I needed to adjust my cooking/baking/brewing days. So today I made cookies. It all started with a good ol' cleaning of the fridge. Ben found some pumpkin from when we made pumpkin pancakes (not to be confused with banana pancakes, that's a horrible song). I walked away hoping that Ben would do something with it. Then I was pintresting and found a recipe for pumpkin cookies, thanks Beth! They came out pretty good,I know because I've already eaten 3! Downside of making cookies. I'll be taking some to work tomorrow, need them out of my house. Upside, they taste great with coffee!

Evidence:

Hands down, I'm too proud for love

This week I was feeling lazy so I wanted to make something I had done before and wasn't too hard. Hello, enchiladas! This was a round of beef enchiladas, 1/2 light on the cheese because Annie Mae gets all weird after eating too much cheese. They turned out glorious! Now to continue my second weekend. Because the first one left me wanting more. Or because I have a new schedule, sun and mon days off are lame but I'll get over it. At least I have 10-7 hours across the board. Wooooo!

Piece of cooking evidence:

Walking on a dream

So I've been slacking on blogging my resolution progress but I promise I haven't been slacking on the actual resolutions.
Week 1: brewed oatmeal stout beer. I'm pretty excited. We have 2 more weeks until its done. Can't wait!
Week 2: corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots! Sooooooo gooooood! I'm very proud of myself.
I'm making slow progress with the book. I'll be picking it up after this post.

Pictured below are a set of me brewing and a set of my cooking. In other words evidence!

Auld Lang syne

A new year is here again. Last year had twists and turns but in the end it turned out to be an ok year.
This year I hope that it will be even better and full of challenges. We all face challenges and it's up to us to evaluate and execute a decision in a short amount of time. I feel that I do well under pressure and have really excelled at work in many different situations that make me really proud at the end of the day. However, I want to continue challenging myself in everyday mundane things. So I have come up with these New Year's Resolutions:
1. Continued from last year, reading a book a month. I always do well at the beginning of the year and it trickles off and dies from my memory that this was a goal. For all that know me I lose interest in things very quickly, so forcing myself to stay focused in one thing like a book and complete it in a set amount of time will be a grand accomplishment.
2. I am and am not excited about this one at the same time. It causes me stress when I think about it (involving creepy facial expressions and squeals) which makes me think it will be an excellent challenge. I plan on cooking/baking/brewing something once a week. I absolutely hate hate hate hate hate cooking. I don't know why. I think I've always been surrounded by people that cook well that I didn't want to embarrass myself. But you get no where being scared and I think it will really help me gain confidence just in general. *crosses fingers*
3. Getting out of this country at least twice. I say twice because I know Canada is close,quick and easy but I didn't want it to be the be all, end all of traveling adventures.

Well 2012, I'm a little lot nervous about my resolutions but I think it'll be ok.Good luck to all in their resolutions!

P.s. First book: World War Z. Yes I know, but this is what I'm talking about. I've been half way through this book for the past 3 months. I just never pick it up anymore.
First week's kitchen challenge: making beer.

Stay just a little bit longer.

I am a certified little lady. I'm pretty excited! So many high fives, gold stars and angry looks. I keep having the best days ever, I'm so excited about the new year. Although I was really excited about the new year last year and my cat died so can't get too excited.

I've been trying to think of a good new years resolution. Nothing lame, been done andeasy to flake on. Something that can be measured or documented that will give me a new perspective. That's pretty general.
What would be good to learn? What would be a good way to fill my time? What would be a benefit to my life?
Omg, I just thought of something but I don't want to do it. Cooking. Hate hate hate hate hate! Another option needs to reveal itself.