January...

After 2 months of running around, I never thought I'd get to the point where every day can be what I want it to be! It's nice to have this time, I know it's a sacred thing. Not many people are fortunate to have days on end of free time. And I am very much enjoying it and trying to live each day (without over doing it!)

What did I do during my first week of no obligations? Laundry. Yes, for 2 people you would not think that there is so much laundry. Keith works in a chem lab so all his clothes go into the laundry and not the dry cleaners.

I am also trying to cook healthier for us. Since we've been dating over the last 2 years, I have put on probably 10 - 15 lbs and Keith probably 20. It's been fun doing it! We did go out to eat all the time until a year ago. We also enjoy our cocktails. The cocktails have been limited to the weekend - I do love a glass of wine while I cook! I love to cook and sometimes that means rich, luxurious food. I also know how to cook a lot healthier so I am focusing on that. Robust meals. It's fun for me to search through recipes and decide how I can make something taste just as yummy without all the calories. I love being able to watch the food network - I have my favorites in Guy Fiori, Giada, Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence, the Barefoot Contessa, and I am sure I am missing a few - along with other cooking shows. I am the last thing from a scientist and managed to get through high school and college with very limited science. With the cooking shows I am trying to learn a little more about how and why things work. Just in time for my big veggie garden!

Two recipes that I have cooked over the last week are worth a second look at. Well, one I have only tasted on the stove b/c I just made it but it tastes and smells delicious. I would be happy with a lot of salads and soups for the winter, but with Keith they need to be filling. I had my first shot at salad for dinner last week and it was a huge hit! I slow cooked a flank steak with lots of Mexican spices, shredded it and served it over a romaine lettuce salad with a Mexican smoky vinaigrette. That was from a Guy Fieri episode. I also made the quesadillas that he mentioned in the episode - filled with corn, black beans, roasted peppers. YUM. It was so filling. Tonight we're having a smoky potato soup with fresh sausages from our local meat market on the side. The soup has a little chourizo in it for the smoky flavor and I added swiss chard (yes Mom, swiss chard!) I am trying to learn to like some of the more bitter vegetables b/c I know all the benefits. We're trying to not have much meat and when we do to cook it in a lower fat way. Saturday night is Keith's pick and that will be our one 'anything' meal of the week. This past weekend it was short ribs and garlic mashed potatoes.

 

I wanted to add one more tag picture to the previous post. This was the last one. Based onDay 7of  Tim Holtz's tags. There is only one snowman in the seasonal grungeboard pack so I decided to use the Christmas Tree and do something I similar. I actually painted it with the metallic distress paint and then used alcohol inks similar to the technique on Day 8. Then I added snow around the  base. Just as I was finishing up I remember I had these lights! I added them on with a little glossy accents.

This shot didn't come out as great as I hoped, but there will be time for others! This is what we call "spoiled kitty cat." I have never had a cat in my life, always been a dog person. Keith inherited Isabella from his brother and she became his little companion. Now she's mine! She follows me around all day long, sits in my lap, tries to take the seat that I am using, asks to be loved. Finally last week I got sick of her jumping up and taking the chair I was using so I gave her her own heating pad! We had an extra so why not... she takes mine b/c of my heating pads. This is her spot in my craft room and it's now that much more enjoyable for her!

Next week I start my "Snapshots of a Good Life" photography class taught by Karen Russell. I can't wait. I was one of many people that registered within 2 minutes back in September and I have been waiting anxiously since. I think I am getting the mechanics of the camera down, but my composition needs help. My goal of 2009 is to shoot great pictures that tell wonderful stories!