Do you make New Years resolutions? Are you able to keep them?

Every year, I sit down and make a list of all the things I would like to do differently in the new year. I am diligent about them for a week or two. And then, old habits tend to kick in and the resolutions and goals are forgotten about. Apathy kicks in and I just don't seem to care anymore.

Despite this trend, I still can't help the urge to set goals for myself for the new year. It's a clean slate, full of optimism and energy. So, here is my list of goals for 2012.

          -Live in the moment-forget about what you "should" be doing. There will always be dishes to wash, chores to do, and meals to cook. But when that becomes all you think about, you forget to stop and have fun.

          -Eat more wisely-This is something that I have definitely been thinking of more and more often in the last year. And it touches on several issues at once.

For years, I have struggled with my weight and self image of myself. It is far to easy to let depression set in. For me, eating more wisely involves smaller portions. But that is just a start. I also want to eat healthier and more satisfying meals. 

I also want to be more aware of what I am eating. I am planning on growing as much as I can here on my little postage sized lot. I intend to try my own version of urban homesteading, squeezing in as much as I can and trying to become as self sustaining as we can be. I am also planning on buying my CSA share again this next year and supporting local shops as much as I can.

          -Respect myself. Learn to like who I am and stop trying to be what others think that I should be. In order to do this, I need to get moving. So today, for the first time is almost 10 months, I went for a jog. Man, it felt good to get off the couch. I am hoping to run my first 5K for the 4th of July. I was close to doing it before. I can (and will) do it!!

So that's my list. Here's to a healthy, happy new year!

Not everyone can call Santa their Daddy. But, in this case, my daddy really is Santa Claus.

Merry Christmas everyone!

I have been pondering painting Anne's room since....well, long before she was born. After asking her which color she would love in her room, she told me.....orange. The one color that I was most hesitant to paint on her wall.

Surprisingly enough, orange is actually pretty adaptable. Even with her pastel pinks and greens in her room, this bright happy color seems to blend right in. So....on a boring Sunday afternoon, I decided to give orange a go. Here is Anne's accent wall. I can't wait for it to finish drying and get all of her stuff back in their proper homes.

I also can't wait until Anne calms down a bit and can actually fall asleep. Nap time fail. Early bedtime, perhaps? :)

Not sure what the weather is like in your neck of the woods. But here in the Pacific Northwest, fall is in full swing. The leaves are starting to change, pumpkins are showing up on people's front porches, and seed heads on plants are spilling their bounty all over the yard.

Today, I got to harvest my sunflower and nastursium seeds. With just a few minutes of breaking apart the seed heads, I have more than enough seeds for a garden full of flowers next year.

Now, to kick back and do some knitting.

Eleven years ago tomorrow, I married my best friend. I love you, Honey.

Let me tell you...ever since we moved in 8+ years ago, I have always wanted a raised vegetable bed. Last weekend, we finally got to build one.

Thank you again to my mother-in-law for my birthday money. After much inner debate on how best to use it, I decided to treat myself to a vegi box. Now, we will have fresh vegetables for years to come. And, because we installed PVC piping to the sides, we can install hoops on the box in the winter. These hoops will then be covered with plastic so that we can have a greenhouse. 

Fall crop planting starts this weekend. :) Yay!!!!

 

Today was such a pretty day. I am so glad that summer has finally decided to stick around up here in the Pacific Northwest. Too bad it is mid-August and fall is just around the corner.

In talking with my neighbors next door, they had mentioned an idea of giving Anne a squirt bottle to play with in the yard. Genius!! Anne had such a great time squirting things. Everything from the dog, the fence, me......it was a blast. :)

Man, I love getting such beautiful produce from my CSA box. Dinner last night was fava bean and carrot stir fry with fresh spring rolls. Mmmm! As as side note, I have really been trying to stop eating so many pre-packaged and processed foods. My reasoning, the more and more our food is becoming tampered with (ie genetic alterations, bovine growth hormone, pesticides, herbicides.... the list goes on and on), the more nervous I get about the long term effects. The truth is, there are no long term studies on what these things do to our bodies. We are the scientists lab rats. I don't know about you, but that isn't a comforting thought.

Our organic CSA has helped with this immensely. I want to know what goes into the food I make. I want to know for certain what I am feeding my daughter. If you can't pronounce it, it most likely isn't good for you. If you have to look up "mono.....blah blah blah" to figure out what it is, that's scary. SO (getting off my soap box now), I am trying to teach Anne where real food comes from and to appreciate it.

Another yummy dinner, courtesy of my CSA box.

The first zucchini of the season was so good! I am hoping we see a lot more of it in the following weeks. The greens are a combination of swiss chard and the beet greens.

And the golden beets! Why did I never like beets when I was growing up? These are the best thing since sliced bread. This recipe is definitely a hit: http://www.fortheloveoffoodblog.com/2011/06/fresh-marinated-beets.html

Last weekend was all about making homemade raspberry jam. You have probably heard me mention my local CSA before. But I was able to order a flat of the most delicious raspberries through them last week. So, because we eat alot of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in this house (cue my daughter :), I decided to make jam. Anne approves of the jam. :) She can't get enough of it. While the jam making was taking place in the kitchen, little Ms. Anne was all snuggly warm (and falling asleep) while watching the old Disney movie, Robin Hood. Remember that one? With the cute little foxes? It was one of my favorites growing up. And it has quickly become one of hers.