To Resolve or Not To Resolve

New Year's resolutions, for me, tend to be a waste of time...mostly because they are the same every year (exercise, lose weight, ho-hum...) and they are never fully kept. However, I am in the mood for a small change which I am not even going to call a resolution. So, no to resolve...and yes to evolve.

This 2011 evolution will consist of baby steps in the direction of bringing more openness into my daily life by:
1. saying what is on my mind rather than stifling myself
2. asking more questions, even unpopular ones
3. not worrying so much about what people think about me
4. relaxing my fear of conflict
5. developing a thicker skin

At the same time I want to retain my sensitivity to others' feelings and to be a kind person; I have no intention of morphing myself into a friendless know-it-all boor. I just think that a little more openness would be beneficial and help me enrich relationships with friends and family.

Baby steps...

Wordless Wednesday: That's a Wrap!

Who's Counting?



Just add brandy!

 Calories, that is. Well, I suppose I ought to be, but I am not. It is my favorite time of the year for indulging my palate, starting with the annual egg nog  purchase which happened yesterday. My sweet tooth is oh, so happy to have this old friend in the fridge.

Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg. Continuing on with my sugar fest, I find myself in a baking mood, a very rare occurrence. Having already created delicious cranberry walnut shortbread cookies, I got out my well-loved recipe for peanut butter cookies, always a favorite. My intention in baking them was
to gift all of them away; I made 4 dozen but ate one dozen of them, including licking bowls, spoons and beaters. Oops.

I am well on my way to overindulgence but am trying to adhere to my moderation policy:

Everything in moderation,

Even moderation.

It is an effective mantra to carry around in my head but works better when there aren't so many holiday temptations in my path. So, calorie counting is not on my agenda. Fun is! I'll deal with it in 2011. As usual.

Wordless Wednesday: Decking the Halls

Let the Craziness Begin

Thanksgiving is behind us, and it was a happy one with lots of good food and fun...though the celebrating, which went on for several days, has left me wondering what is wrong with my bathroom scale; it is weighing me 3 pounds heavier. It must be broken.

The memories of a fun time at my daughter's home and, the weekend after Thanksgiving, with friends at Dillon Beach keep running through my mind for a repeat performance of holiday pleasures. However, now that December 1 has said hello, my thoughts are turning to other matters.

Away with all the turkeys and pumpkins! It is time to start thinking in a red and green mode, so today I attacked the storage room and rummaged through assorted boxes deciding what comes out to deck the halls and what stays sadly behind.

Yes, the madness starts here and now. Am I ready for it?