2013 Goals

Wow, another year has passed. It always astounds me how quickly a year can seem to pass in the Macro. Maybe not so fast in the micro. A few years ago an acquaintance told me he did 50 pull ups everyday but when he started several months before he couldn't do one. I was impressed because as a former competitive swimmer I recognized the discipline it took to acquire the upper body strength to do so many repetitions. I have made it a priority to stay in shape but have never enjoyed strength training. However, I recently decided that a little extra effort to get stronger would be a great goal. I went to the gym and was shocked that I couldn't do even one pull-up. (The back story here is that I was a collegiate All -American swimmer, swam Masters and have had significant upper body strength for most of my life so it was quite disheartening.)

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Lao-tzu   (604 BCE -531 BCE)

My goal for this year is to be able to do 10 consecutive pull-ups. Honestly, that seems like a thousand mile journey but I'm starting with a single step. I will keep you posted. What goal do you have that seems like a huge journey? What small step can you take today to reach your goal?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Thoughts

The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (A.D. 121-180)


So true. It is not what happens, it is our thoughts about what is happening that shape our experience. A perfect example is the weather. It may be raining. The rain is just what is... it is the thought that we assign it that will give it meaning. I may be thrilled that it is raining because I have just planted a tree that needs plenty of water. Another person may be distraught because she hadn't planned for rain that day. We can choose our thoughts and therefore set the tone of our lives. Thoughts are important! Choose wisely!

project 365 app

It is hard to believe but 2013 is already knocking at our door. Last year at this time, my son in law introduced me to a great application for my iphone that I have enjoyed all year and plan to continue. The App is Project 365. Everyday at 5 pm my phone beeps and a note appears reminding me to take a picture that may represent the day. If I haven't already snapped a photo, I look for one I would like to "memorialize." Along with the photo is an opportunity to write about your day (if you choose.)

There are many things I like about this Project.

1) It is easy
2) I get a daily reminder
3) It is fun
4) I have a running photo diary of frames in my life
5) I can write and then remember about some of the things that happened that day.

Something to consider if you like to keep a record of your days!

It isn't over

Well, 2012 is almost over but that's not what caught my attention. I have seen a couple of versions of this quote and decided that I like a compilation. I apologize to the author(s) because I don't know who you are so I can't give you credit but I appreciate your thinking.

I don't want to spoil the ending 
but everything is going to be ok

If it's not ok, It's not the end

Enjoy the rest of 2012. 

Merry Christmas

I wasn't going to eat it

Rabbit: No, no, no, no, no! Not one drop! 
Winnie the Pooh: But Rabbit, I wasn't going to eat it. I was just gonna taste it. 
Rabbit: I'll taste it for you! 

AA Milne

I have always loved this line by Winnie the Pooh, "I wasn't going to eat it. I was just gonna taste it." That's how I like to approach all of the Holiday goodies. I can enjoy just a taste and not feel like I'm depriving myself. After all, I wasn't going to eat it! 

Thanks Pooh! I love that thought! Enjoy the sweet in you life! Happy Holidays! 

Christmas morning egg casserole

One of our favorite traditions is to enjoy a delicious breakfast casserole Christmas morning. Everyone loves this easy dish (even the cook) because it is tasty and can be assembled the night before. This recipe is a combination of a few different takes on the same dish added together. The breakfast is completed with grapefruit (on an ambitious year I will broil them with a touch of brown sugar) and some type of sweet coffee cake.  Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning Egg Casserole
8-10 servings

Ingredients

1lb hot sausage
6 eggs
12 oz sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese (to taste)
1tsp dry mustard (this isn't critical so don't worry if you don't have it.)

2 cups half n half (I use whole milk to be a little healthier)
3-5 pieces white bread (Be creative. Sourdough, white mountain, whole wheat, etc.)


Cook sausage in a large sauce pan. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. Tear bread into pieces and line them in the bottom of a greased casserole dish. Add cooked sausage. In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, mustard and mix well.  Pour mixture over sausage and bread. Add cheese. Cover casserole dish and place in the refrigerator overnight. (One year I didn't get it made the night before so I let the egg mixture soak into the bread for about an hour before putting it into the oven.) In the morning at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook the casserole, take it out of the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until browned and fluffy.  We are ready to eat our "brunch" after enjoying coffee and opening some presents. Perfect timing for a stress free morning!