Happy New Year 2009

One of the things I simply love about the end of every year, is the news on TV relaying what transpired through the past year. We will be reminded of who died, who was elected, who got divorced and remarried, who had children – these ‘WHO’ are people we are familiar with since they are in the entertainment or well known for various reasons.Sometimes, I like to think, ‘who cares!?!’

I wish at times, they would rerun those happy stories of dogs being reunited with their families after hard trials, (I’m partial to dogs right now as I am halfway through ‘The Story of Edgar Sawtell’, and my own dog Theo is comfortably enjoying additional treats as we start retraining him again just because of this book. A good read, I highly recommend purchasing a copy, then after reading passing it along to your friends in your book club.

Why don’t they (the news programs on TV) retell the happy stories of the year’s past? I am not sure. It seems to dwell on the negatives. But I am more interested in this New Year quite frankly more than anything else.

New Traditions and New Resolutions:

This year I decided to have a New Year’s Day Brunch – and though this is not new, as I have done this brunch thing before, since so many of us adults no longer like to go out on a night we like to refer as “beginning drinker’s eve”, I have decided to make this an all girlie brunch.

Us women will enjoy each others’ friendship and be reminded why we are all friends to begin with despite our many differences in personalities, ages, and stages in our lives. It should be loads of fun. I am planning on cheese soufflee, bodacious baked ham, my homemade waffles and much more. All those recipes are already posted in my blog here.

Why is it we always seem (ok some of us) to rewrite the same resolutions as the previous years: lose weight, stay on budget, get away for vacation, get a car, job, etc., this list can go on. In fact even on facebook my latest endeavor moment was that I was writing up my New Year Resolutions – then questioned if I should only rewrite last year’s with pretty colored ink. Frankly I could, but heck, is that really necessary?

I know one thing, as I went of to bed last night after rearranging my bedroom today, I started to read a old book about de-cluttering one’s household. I have been re-energized and it is amazing to me every year how crazy we can collect items we never use. I am a big believer of freecylce.org – and it is a great way to find new homes for the items you no longer need. It is also a great place to find things you might need or want.

In fact I have been wishing for a daybed for sometime to use as an alternative for a couch in my large loft. As it is, I have a small love seat, not very comfortable for light naps or for guests, I assure you! And voila, there it was this morning and I ‘won’ it. So I will be removing a variety of items from my home in the coming weeks and am totally happy – as this will be finally the year I not only get organized, but stay organized and clutter free, despite the oncoming onslaught of mail and other paraphernalia that seems to enter my household.

So without further adieu, I got’s to go, and get a little more caffeine in my body, to get it together in my art room which has taken a life on its own – rather scary – especially since I will really be needing this space these coming weeks.

But I wish you all from the bottom of my bug heart, a very happy New Year and may it be filled with many blessings, great happiness and loads of health along with anything else you think you would like to manifest into your lives this year. Make 2009 a blast! I know I will try my very best.

~Chef Maven

Holiday Woes and Ho Ho Ho’s

I am not alone this year as I learn that many of my friends and family are barely ‘doing’ Christmas this year. By that I mean, some have not bought a tree, others barely decorated (including me). And it is not that we are not in the holiday spirit or trying to make a political point by not buying anything this year, but frankly I think we are more reflective of so many people in the US who have had a hard year.

As I learn about other people’s real woes, it reminds me to be ever so grateful of all that I have, even if it is as simple as having a dry roof over one’s head and a can of corn in the cupboard. I am not against gift buying, in fact, this year Amazon.com was my ‘bestest’ of friends – and though it cost me twice as much as it would have normally to ensure those presents arrive before the holiday, it was a pleasure not to enter a large retail store besurged with other wanting holiday shoppers with kids a screaming, they want this or that.

So, wow, I just sounded like Scrooge when it comes to screaming kids, but in this case, and you know what I mean – those long lines, spending over your budget on possibly already over-maxed credit cards all the while you are trying to be in the holiday spirit of things.

This is why I am spending my time quite quietly this holiday season, going to friends homes to enjoy entertaining on a small scale, going to a food pantry and helping others less fortunate by serving up food and remembering to be ever so thankful.

Happy Ho Ho Ho! Chef Maven…