Last week, I got a membership to a local gym.  I was waiting for the new year to come around because I knew they’d have some good deals going on.  Also the vacation gave me a chance to do some research and redesign my schedule.  I really love it so far.  They offer tons of classes and since I started on Wednesday, I’ve already taken ballet, boxing and zumba.

I love the way ballet makes me feel; graceful and poised, probably because I’m not either of those things in real life.  I also love the way boxing makes me feel; tough and aggressive and powerful.  Zumba mostly just makes me feel ridiculous, but it also makes me sweat so that’s okay with me.

My goal right now is to get to the gym at least three days a week.  I’m only working one job these days, so I think I should be able to find the time.  Once I make that happen consistently, I’ll work my way up to tougher goals.

Happy New Year!!

We had a party again this year and I relied on Martha for most of my recipe ideas.  As much as I love cheese, I made it my mission to avoid a bread and cheese platter this year.  I wanted to get creative and try new things!

There were crudités with three kinds of dip.  There was an antipasto platter with homemade cheese straws, crackers, and baguette.  There were bite-sized treats and the guests brought even more food, booze, and desserts.

I’m not so much into the idea of the new year as a fresh start.  Why limit yourself to starting fresh once a year?  I think we should constantly be changing, improving, and motivating ourselves!  But the party was mellow and it was nice and I loved getting to plan it.  Even though they are never as grand and elegant as I imagine, planning parties is a favorite hobby of mine and this one was a good way to start the year.

It seems like all the bloggers are blogging, this Thanksgiving day, so I decided to join their ranks.  (That sounds like a revised Christmas song, doesn’t it?  “Twelve bloggers blogging!”)

I’m sure you’re all doing your Thanksgiving thing, and so am I.  I’m in Oregon at my sister’s house and we have been cooking up a storm!  Here’s the run down of our Thanksgiving for 15 1/2 people*.

Dinner:

• Deep-Fried Turkey
• Spiral Cut Glazed Ham
• Gravy
• Apple Orange Cranberry Sauce
• Canned Cranberry Jelly (upon request)
• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Classic Stuffing with Fresh Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme
• Cornbread Stuffing with Sausage and Apples
• The Famed Green Bean Casserole
• Cream Braised Brussels Sprouts
• Roasted Carrots
• Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

Dessert:

• Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap Pecan Crust & this topping
• Seven-Up Salad (a jello dish brought by a guest)
• Pear Tart (brought by a guest)
• Apple Crisp (time permitting)

Did we go overboard?  You bet we did!  And we’re loving every second of it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

*The half person is actually just a very small person who is not yet eating solid food.