2014 Resolutions and Challenges - long post

Happy New Year!  Yes, I know I'm weeks behind.  I begin prep for New Year Resolutions and Challenges after my Birthday on January 6.  That way if I've decided a diet is in order, and it usually is, then I can enjoy my birthday guilt free.  So here we are January 19 and I'm still pondering my resolutions, and I've decided to ponder some challenges as well.  Time  gets away from me quickly during the week as I'm very focused on my job. Sot that's why today is important in helping me make some decisions instead of just pondering them (we'll see how this works out). 

Before all the Resolutions and Challenges on Jan 1, my cousin-in-law's wife, Ginger (who by the way is a pretty spectacular lady), posted on Facebook that she chooses a word for the year that will lead the way into the year and remind her to stay focused.  I LOVE this idea, and blatantly posted that I would steal it from her.  And I am.  However, I had a strong candidate in my mind that I felt was important in my life, and then after discussion with my daughter and my birthday, another candidate for the year popped up.  So it's caused me to give some additional thought to the word I choose for 2014.   So I'm now selecting between BALANCE and BELIEVE.  Both words hold a significant meaning to me. The battle within continues over these two words and as 2014 starts to fade into memory I realize I need to make this decision fast and soon.

First, the Resolutions, let's review this first. 
1) Diet - isn't this on everybody's resolution list.  I really don't want to think of Diet, I want to embrace a BALANCEd eating plan.  The problem with a diet is that I try to fit myself into somebody elses idea of what a diet is, and I fail because those plans fail to merge with my lifestyle and who I am as a person. So my resolution is really to lose some weight this year.  (This is not going so well yet, however this is why I never start on Jan 1)
2) Money- this is probably on everyone's list as well, I want to save some money this year and reduce my personal spending.  I need to reduce some of the nickle and dimeing that adds up to over spending.  So reducing my Itunes spending and my purchases on facebook will help.  I will reduce my hobby spending and only purchase yarn if needed for a project I intend to work and complete in 2014.
3) Cleaning - OH this is a big one for me.  I HATE cleaning. My husband does most of it on a daily basis, and I jump in where needed.  I do the laundry he does the dishes, he sweeps, I sweep neither of us like to dust.  So I resolve to clean to more.  More specifics to come
4)Reduce, Reuse & Recycle -words to live by.  I'm resolving to find new ways to reuse and refurbish old items in my home.  I want to reduce waste overall.
5)Focus- I need to focus on our business and I resolve to put forth some additional effort into the tea room and JTRB Images.
6) Exercise - get more exercise into my life.
7) Blog more and regularly

That's my list of resolutions.  They're common ones for most I think.  That's why I usually don't believe in resolutions, but they are a great place to begin when attempting to reach goals. 
So on to the Challenges
1) In an effort to assist with the Diet and Money resolutions, I'm considering on a homemade food challenge.  In essence We (Greg & I) will commit to homemade meals for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This means no fast food or eating out for the year.  Instead I will put my multitude of cookbooks to good use and come up with some tasty and nutritious meals that we can enjoy.  This would be HUGE commitment because with my work schedule I'm usually too tired to cook, but if we both commit it should be easy.  Maybe I can get the kids in on it too.  Rally the forces so to speak.  The RULES:

• 1. All meals must be made here at home. 
• 2. No store bought pre-made frozen meals or processed foods.  I will have to develop some exceptions to this rule.
• 3. Exceptions - Birthday's and special events, trips to Disney and the Storm Games (meals are included in our tickets)
• Blog the recipes, and the updates

2)The Money Challenge, I have started the 52 week Money Challenge in an effort to save some money.  I've saved Week 1, Week 2 & Week 3 already and have a total of $6.  If your not familiar with this challenge, in essence you save the amount of the week.  For example Week 1 you save a $1, Week 2 you save $2, and by Week 52 you save $52.  So at the end of the year (52 weeks) you have accumulated and saved a total of $1378.00.  I do not have a designation for this money yet.  I have seen variations on this saving method using quarters to help kids save money, and also multiplying it out by the amount of people in the family to take a Disney vacation.  Very versatile.
3) Reduce the clutter and get organized - enough said here.

Each year I try and create some personal goals based on resolutions and challenges.
The Goals
1) Complete 1 knitting UFO this year in addition to normal knitting
2) Complete 2 Cross Stitch pieces this year
3) Read 4 books (1 per quarter)
4) Lose 50 lbs
5) Walk 10,000 steps daily
6) Reduce the clutter
7) Open the Tea Room

So with all of this I think it's pretty clear why BALANCE and BELIEVE are difficult words to choose between.  What I'm currently working on ..... well that's another post.

Happy New Year,  May 2014 bring you all that you desire.  For me, I want Health, Prosperity, and Time.  Have a GREAT Year

Aw, Sunday mornings?  What can be better?  I know! Sunday morning the day before a holiday.  Yes, that would be better, sadly work resumes tomorrow.  After a Saturday of driving all over the Tampa Bay Area, including St Pete, Largo, Clearwater, Tampa, and Spring Hill, scouting locations for my business, it's nice to know I have today to relax.  Of course that includes doing the laundry.

The walk with the dogs was uneventful.  Rosie, our new dog, is slowly acclimating to the routine.  Learning when Dad wakes up it's time to walk, and eat.  Too Much energy!  So with the walk under our belts, it's back home for doggie treats, and breakfast.  With the pups fed, time to focus on the humans...So this morning started with a blog, HugsandCookiesXOXO to be specific.  She has some amazing food, so I remembered seeing a french toast stick. Yes, that would be perfect, I need to use up some bread...so Cinnamon French Toast Sticks it is.  You can find the inspiration recipe for my version here http://www.hugsandcookiesxoxo.com/2013/08/french-toast-sticks-stuffed-with.html.  Now I only used 2 Tablespoons of sugar in my filling and I used regular granulated sugar as well.  I make a lot of items with cream cheese and know how to get the results I want.  I added about 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries to my mixture, I thawed them in the microwave.  Now they made the filling a bit looser than the original recipe, but it was light and airy and it stayed in the roll without too much fuss.  I did not add any additional sugar thinking the cinnamon sugar coating on the outside of the roll would be sweet enough, and I was right.  I served mine with 2 turkey sausage patties, and I made a type of fritata to go with the sweet treat.  The Fritata started with 1/2 cup of bell pepper, 1/2 cup of onion, chopped and lightly sweated in an oven proof pan. I added a couple handfuls (about 1 cup) of frozen hashbrowns and let that all cook up together for a bit. I scrambled 7 eggs with 1/8 cup of water, salt and pepper to taste and then poured that over the onion and pepper mixture.  I popped that in the oven at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes.  After the eggs had set a bit, I opened the oven added a few slices of tomato to the top and some mixed low fat Italian cheese (about 1/2 cup) to the top and then baked another 10 minutes until cooked and the cheese was melted.  Wouldn't you know I forgot to take the "beauty" shot but oh well you get what you get...

 Breakfast was delicious.  The Hubs was very satisfied, although he had regular sausage.  I can't serve him the french toast sticks being sweet and then just sausage, he will always want eggs, and I just didn't feel fried eggs this morning.  So now that he's fed he's off to the tire place to put tires on Kelsie's car and get the suspension checked.  What a good Dad.  And for Kristy my gluten free daughter who is laden with anthropology homework I made a cinnamon toast using her UDI's glutten free french baguette.  She used the strawberry cream cheese filling as a dipping sauce for her treat.  Kristy is also my foodie, as we discussed the flavors of the french toast sticks, we felt those would make a wonderful dessert, however to serve for dessert I would dip half the stick in a lovely dark chocolate ganache, and Voila! dessert is served.  Easy-peasy

Thus ends the food related part of the blog.....

Now onto the knitting and crafting.  So I was feeling especially seasonal this morning.  The weather here today is AMAZING.  It's warm with a light breeze, but the temperature has that seasonal feeling that summer is ending.  Now in Tampa, that is a very subtle temperature change.  So I pulled out the fall linens for the table..

I still need a centerpiece.  Hubs made me put back the hurricane lamp I wanted yesterday (kill joy), but oh well, I'm sure I can find something else I just need some time to think....

I'm also working on an Afghan, the Moderne Log Cabin by Mason-Dixon Knitting.  You can find the pattern on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/moderne-log-cabin-blanket.  My color selections are tan, brown, light green and a deep purple.  I'm currently on block 3, and I think this is going to be huge.  It's easy, straight garter stitch all the way. Which right now is all I can handle, based on the fact that I'm entering the busy season at work.  I'm just happy to be knitting.  I am inspired for crafting and decorating this year, so it's gonna be a great year.  Now back to the blanket.  I'm using Caron Simply Soft Eco.  GASP, I know, I know it's acrylic and polyester, however in my household with the dogs and my family I have to have something easily washable and not having to worry about the use of expensive wool.  I keep that for myself ...shhhh...did I say that out loud?
My colors are Perfect Plum, Wheat, Sprig, and Soft Taupe.
I'm having some fun with this.  It's a lot of knitting and getting larger and larger.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.  For the cross stitch side of life, I'm working on my old Blackbird piece, and I've made some headway, but not much.  I'll post more info on this piece in the next post as I'm being pressured to get finished with the blog to hit Office Depot....So with that being said TTFN for this week, and I will see you soon.  Enjoy your Sunday....

Time Flies

It is hard to believe that I haven't blogged in over a year.  Good grief, where did 2012 go?  Well now that it's September of 2013 where did 2013 go?  I'm feeling inspired these days in many ways, my cooking, my crafting, renovations, painting, sewing, gardening, cleaning, dieting, exercising.  Inspiration is all around me.  The holiday's are quickly approaching, and I'm feeling the excitement of Autumn.  I can chalk up another Florida Summer under my belt. I'm inspired to decorate for Halloween and I think I may make some of these little guys to give out to people at work.
  Everyone needs a good Voo Doo doll.  Exes and bosses, mean coworkers, mean clients, oh how about the jack ass that nearly hit me on my way home from work!  Ah so many uses.  I think I need a ton of them for myself.  Fun stuff!  Happy September everyone.

A Happy Finish

Yea, a quick update to share that I finished Greg's hat. The Classic WWII Watchman's Cap a free pattern on Ravelry. I love love love this pattern. Fast easy and this time.....I cabled the 6 x 2 rib. My first Cabled project. I think it looks fabulous. Greg wanted plain and simple, but I couldn't do another one without some interest, so, I ignored him and went with a more classic style with the cables. I'm very happy with the way it turned out. The yarn is Malabrigo worsted, and forgive me, I can't remember the colorway, but the green is really pretty. Now I only need to find something to cast on. TTFN

Trip to Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The day began early with prep for Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure. We started out with Krispy Kreme donuts and a 2 hour car ride. We made our way through the lines and to city walk were the "tourist-y" nature came out. Nothing like catching a good wave and making it look all too easy. Way to Hang Ten Greg!

The day was just perfect for the park, not to hot, not too cold, and all the Florida Sunshine we could handle. Sometimes, I just LOVE living in Florida.We eventually made our way into the park grabbing pictures of towers and riding rides. We started in Marvel Comics land. The husband, Greg, and the kids, Steven and Kelsie started the day with The HULK. A very menacing looking rollercoaster. While Kristy and I opted for the more tame X-Men Storm ride. Both were a little too much for us after the donuts. We proceeded from there to the Spiderman simulator ride, where we all agreed, these were too much this early in the morning.


Toon Lagoon was our next stop anc our imaginations went wild, and some silliness ensued as we all tried to find great photo opporunities...Hey are you stealing my burgers?Why am I in the dog house? Yes I ate my spinach! The fun continued throughout Toon Lagoon ending up with a very wet family from the Bilge Rats ride and the Dudley Do Right Flume Ride. Of course the real draw for most of us, was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Oh we were all excited to have Butterbeer and Pumpking Juice. Get wands and tour the caste. It was all very exciting. The castle had a lot of attention to detail, although the entire area is a bit out of whack from the books and movies. We still had a good time, but found it incredibly cramped as people took to lounging all over the place making it difficult for photo ops and enjoyment. We did Olivander's wand shop, and although I really wanted a wand, I couldn't stand all the cramped space full of people, you could barely turn around. I've been to night clubs that were less packed than this store. We did enjoy some cold and refreshing Butterbeer. And it snowed in the castle. I'd say we had a GREAT and Memorable day. Now on to Saturday....Monster Truck JAM. Only the boys are going, so the girls and I? Maybe Chick flicks and popcorn?

A New Year

Alas, it's been ages since I blogged. A year ended a New Year begun, and life continues in much the same fashion. These days, besides working, I'm spending time with my handsome son who is home visiting from Afghanistan, I'm knitting a couple of items, and I'm plurking and spending time on Pinterest.
I found these ADORALE donuts on Pinterest and thought how fun they would be. Imagine buying a dozen. Fun and delicious. Enjoy the day, Happy New Year and I'll see you all soon.

A Very Productive Week

Last Weekend (October 1) I headed to the yarn store for some yarn to make a hat for my son, and some inspiration. I found some inspiration in the way of Malabrigo Rasta. I purchased this beautiful yarn thinking I would make a scarf for my daughter for her birthday. I also purchased some Black Malabrigo for my son's hat. With this done, I headed home to do some knitting, thinking this would keep me busy for a couple of weeks. NOT. So ON * OFF the needles on Sunday (10/2) the 2X2 Ribbled Neck Cozy by Cabin Fever. So I started the Classic WW2 Watchman hat in Malabrigo black colorway for my son. I hat this finished by Thursday 10/6, so I grabbed by first Handspun yarn I did with the KnitGirllls first Spin a long, and knit another 2x2 ribbed neck cozy. This was finished Friday 10/7. So Saturday 10/8, I once again headed to the yarn store for inspiration. I came home with 2 skeins of Filatura Di Crosa Moda Lame to make 2 scarves, some Alp Dazzle by Feza Yarns to make a lacy scarf in a lovely brown colorway, and some more Malabrigo in Black for another Hat, with some size 7 DPNS by Dreamz. I completed both of the Filatura Di Crosa Moda Lame scarves Saturday afternoon, and started the Lace Scarf with the Alp Dazzle. WOW! That's all I have to say.....