2011 resolutions

Do you know anyone that accomplishes all of their New Year's resolutions? I'm certainly not one of them. I only had five last year *read about them here* and the only one I kept involved reading at least 26 books *check out my book list here.*

So here goes for 2011::

1. Read 26 books, including 5 classics and 1 biography
2. Take a vacation with just Andy (last year...as in 2010...we bought a van instead of traveling...so Six Flags was our vacation)
3. Get my body bathing-suit ready for our beach trip in June
4. Become more involved in the community
5. Memorize a verse or passage each month

If you have any advice on where we should take our vacation or how to save money for it, send it my way!

july little pleasures

I won't be in town for a week and a half, so I'm dedicating today's post to the little pleasures of the month.

1. Girls Gone Child, one of my favorite blogs, featured this skateboarding video that completely captivated me. There is such delight in watching a skillful person at work (or in this case, play). I took my skateboard to college my freshman year and I miss skating up and down the hall and trying not to hit cars when I went down the hill in front of my dorm.

2. Toy Story 3. I actually haven't seen it yet, but I'm going tomorrow with Andy! We have heard nothing but good things about it.

3. CORN ON THE COB. ohmygoodness. My favorite summer vegetable. I especially love it grilled.

4. Round Ireland With a Fridge by Tony Hawks. This guy hitchhiked around Ireland with a fridge to win a bet. The memoir was a quick read and made me laugh the whole way through. I'm dying to see the movie. I love a good indie flick.

5. 2010 is already halfway over. How are you doing on your New Year's Resolutions? I'm doing terribly on mine. I completely and totally forgot (honestly, I did) that I had written last December about spending $50 a week in groceries. Whoops! Thankfully we haven't been spending much on groceries lately because our schedules have been crazy and we do a LOT of eating whatever we already have in the freezer/pantry. I also didn't finish the diet, walk only a few miles per week, haven't been published this year...yikes. But I have been reading! I read all the time!

So, number 5 sounds like a downer, but here is where the little pleasure is found: we have more time! The year isn't over yet! Here is a revised list of resolutions: continue reading as often as possible, get published, exercise 30 min a day for at least four days/week, make healthful dinners and eat less in the evening, read my Bible daily, practice the fruits of the spirit, eat more local-grown foods and take a vacation with *just* Andy.

thoughts on a rainy day

This has been such a great week. Last Friday I was honored to go wedding dress shopping with one of my dear friends and was blown away by how perfect the dress she chose is for her. I was at my parents house over the weekend and enjoyed having everything done for me! They fixed our favorite salmon dish on Friday night and my mom made mashed cauliflower and green beans to accompany the fish. Mashed cauliflower is prepared like mashed potatoes and has a fantastic texture and taste.

I so wanted to finish my book by Monday and accomplish one of my New Year's resolutions, but I was distracted by magazines all weekend (speaking of which, where the HECK is my Real Simple January issue!?!?). I only have about twenty pages left and I'm planning on knocking them out while the kids are in the tub tonight. I'm reading "The Guinea Pig Diaries" by AJ Jacobs and I'm not loving it as much as his other two books. The best thing about his work is that you're laughing and learning at the same time. For example, I learned of George Washington's list of virtues. My favorite is "shift not yourself in the sight of others." I never thought George Washington would make me giggle.

New Year's resolutions

1. complete a 40 day mission titled "the Maker's Diet." it's miserable at first, but it's how I lost 9 lbs for my wedding. sadly this means I will not be joining Julie in her $2500/year budget plan, but I promise to start spending $48 a week (2500/52) as soon as the diet is over. It would be too stressful to try to hit $48 a week when having to buy all organic!

2. read a book every two weeks

3. walk 3 miles a day (edited from 10,000 steps four days a week). This one keeps changing because I'm still figuring out what makes sense/what I can handle for my lifestyle.

4. get published in a nationally read magazine

5. take a vacation with *just* andy

What are your goals for 2010? Please share!

I made my mom's killer meatball chowder for dinner. You place 2 Tbsp flour, one beef bouillon cube or one Tbsp beef bouillon, 3/4 Tbsp salt and 2 Tsp pepper in a 5qt pot and turn to high heat. Add 3 cups of water and stir ingredients until boiling. Add 1 lb of red potatoes (chopped into bite sized pieces) and 1.5 lbs of meatballs (if frozen, heat in microwave or oven before adding to soup). Let simmer for 25 minutes. Add 2 cups of half and half (or 1 1/4 cup heavy cream and 3/4 cup skim milk) as well as one bag of frozen peas. Continue simmering for an additional five minutes, then serve.