Happy New Year everyone! I hope that everyone had the opportunity to ring in the New Year surrounded by family and friends and if you enjoyed yourself a little too much...hopefully you're recovering from your hangover!
I spent my NYE with my sweet friend Laura, who drove in from Houston, Stacy (a co-worker from 3+ years who has become one of my closest friends) and Krystle H (co-worker for one year that I rarely get to see and need to spend more time with). Laura and I sat and talked for hours and caught up and then met the girls at Houlihan's for dinner and drinks. We enjoyed some amazing food together and then hung out by the fire on the patio. We were very low key and we rang in the New Year with the Carson Daily countdown.
The next Laura and I took a walk/hike on a trail that it just 2 minutes from my house (who knew!). It was beautiful weather and such a peaceful way to welcome 2012.
Laura and I had lunch with beautiful Miss Casey who will be celebrating a wedding in 2012 (so excited) and In-n-Out Burger (yum)!
I was sad to see Laura go, but so glad she came. It was a much overdo and needed visit!
I also kicked of Resolution #1 and here is my first Pinterest post!
In order to start off right I made black eye peas for dinner and the recipe I used is found here at thekitchen.com.
I went to 3 different stores and could NOT find frozen black eye peas, so I made the recipe work with canned. I can never follow a recipe fully so here are the adaptations I made:
-I do not own a dutch oven, so I just used a big stew pot
-Used Hillshire smoke sausage instead of andouille
-Only used 26 oz of stock since the beans were already cooked
-used canned peas by adding the chicken stock bringing it to a boil and THEN adding the peas
It was delicious, quick and easy to make.
I'm ending my first day of 2012 with a glass of wine, a fire in the fireplace that is finally successful, watching the Cowboys lose terrible (as usual) with my babies at my feet. Couldn't get any better.
How did you spend your New Year's?
-Ashley
New Year's Resolutions...Urbandictionary.com defines it as "a goal you propose then forget the next day." I have found this to be very true for myself over the years, the no fast food, a weekly work out routine, follow a strict budget, read the whole Bible, keep a clean house, organize my house/classroom/office/kitchen and keep it organized...and the list goes on. This year that is going to change. Of course this is not the first time I've said these infamous words, but really, it is going to change...because all of you are going to help hold me accountable!
So here are my three New Year's Resolution...
1. I am going to "Pin my way through 2012."--I am sure many of you have caught the Pinterest bug and if you are like most 'pinners' you pin many things, but rarely complete any of the projects/ideas! I am going to complete at least one "pin" a week during 2012 and share it here with you. This can be a craft, recipe, sewing project, cleaning or organization tip, lesson idea for the classroom, decor idea...anything that I've pinned on Pinterest.
2. Actually read the whole Bible
3. Follow a work out routine (hey I had to have one failed resolution or I would jinx the other 2...though maybe with resolution #1 I will be able to accomplish this)
Why the Pinterest Challenge?
2010 and 2011 were filled with many challenges in which I made some of the hardest decisions in my life. 2010 and 2011 also revealed to me those who I can truly count on...the ones that no matter what time of day I know I can call up and they will be there, but most importantly those who don't need a phone call from me to know that I need help or a girl's night. Those who know me, know that I am very stubborn and determined to solve it all on my own. God has shown me I'm stronger than I ever could have ever imagined and that this strength comes from the support of my family and friends.
I will be ringing in the New Year with a dear friend from college, Laura, someone who truly knows my heart and was with me when my faith was at it's strongest. I feel it so appropriate that I will be starting the new year and this new challenge with someone who I look to for strength. I learned a lot in 2011 and have no regrets, but am ready to say good-bye and good riddance to 2011. I am looking forward to a new start in 2012 with my Pinterest Challenge in hopes that it will help transform me into a better person.
Besides, isn't that what New Year's is all about?
Here is to a blessed start to the new year for all of you and I will see you all back here the first week of January for the Pinterest Challenge!
-Ashley
