Day 365

Woohoo!  We made it through another year, eh!?  A year ago I listed the good and bad of '09.  I contemplated doing it again this year but then decided against it.  2010 was much the same as 2009, a little bit of good sprinkled in an otherwise rough year.  My life direction took a turn this year, and I'm ok with that, this little journey I'm on that seems to be much slower than others. 

Whatcha gonna do about it huh?  Here's the thing..I feel like if you aren't doing anything to fix something, then you have no right to complain about it.  I will not end the year on a complaint but instead excited and optimistic at this new beginning.  Since last year left my state of affairs in such a state of disarray, I will be starting the new year with a 21 day Daniel fast.  Fasting is not a diet, although if you do it long enough it can certainly do great things for your body.  The Daniel fast in particular is a partial fast.  In the Bible, Daniel says:

I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled." Daniel 10:3 KJV

Basically for 21 days I will be eating only fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.  Restricted are meat and all animal products, wine/alcohol, sugar, levening products (like baking powder..so no bread).  The only drink I can have will be plain water.  It is actually much like the cleanse I did this past year, only that was a diet, on a fast you deny food for a spiritual purpose...and my purpose is to get myself back on the road of life that I was meant to be on.

My fast will begin on Sunday..in the meantime.. probably what I shouldn't be doing but am anyway..cleaning out the fridge by consumption rather than feeding the garbage can.   There was the slightest bit of heavy cream hanging out in there so I just made a quick bowl of fresh whipped cream, lightly sweetened with a little powdered sugar, and made some dark chocolate hot cocoa, with a tiny splash of orange extract in there as well.  Topped off with my fresh cream and dare I say, I am in heaven.  There are also a few leftover cookies chilling on the counter..Orange Chocolate Chunk cookies.. which go perfectly with my orange dark chocolate cocoa.  Ah, the simple pleasures.

I have one of my favorite holiday movies ready in the other room, The Holiday.  And by ready, I mean while I've been typing I've been listening to the menu music repeatedly and it's starting to get a little bit tiresome.  I am going to bring my cocoa, cookies, and stinky pup over to the other room to relax and watch a movie!

And my final word of the year..I am so very grateful for everyone reading this.  I noticed I jumped over 100 followers, yippee!!  And it happened at a time that I didn't blog as often, I will do better next year!  Thank you for stopping by.  Please be safe tonight, whatever you end up doing!  And may 2011 be the greatest year for everyone.

Merriment

Only one week left of this blasted year, and I couldn't be happier!  Especially because it's the most indulgent week of the year.  Hubs and I just got back from a wonderful Christmas Eve church service.  Bacon spaghetti is simmering on the stove, tiramisu chilling out in the fridge, and we are hitting the nog.

I am quite fairly certain that 2011 is going to be the greatest year in a long time.  I'll be starting the year with a 21 day Daniel fast, more about that later.  For now, Christmas, joy, and merriment.

From all of us at Siestas and Cupcakes,

and by all of us I mean me,

May your Christmas be full of surprises..

... peace and love.

Relish in the warmth of being surrounded by great family and friends.

For just one day, leave all your troubles behind and enjoy.

Eat plenty of great food, drink in life's simple pleasures , and be merry to all those you meet.

Merry Christmas!!

Tiramisu

Merry Christmas Eve!  Tonight's menu for us...Bacon Spaghetti and tiramisu!  I've made this tiramisu before and it is definitely faint worthy.  A true delight.  An amazing treat.   Just plain gooooooood.  A friend made this for a work party and I begged and pestered until she gave up the recipe! 

I downloaded the toy camera app on my iphone, and took all the pictures with it..some good, some eh.  I'm having lots of fun with this app though..totally recommend it!

Now on to the good stuff..

Tiramisu

2 packs of lady fingers
2 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 carton of whipping cream
2 packs of mascarpone
Strong brewed coffee

Dip the lady fingers in the coffee very quickly and arrange them in the pan where you want to have the tiramisu. Mix the mascarpone cheese with the powder sugar, make sure it is mixed very well. Slowly add the whipped cream, and add the vanilla.  Put the mixture over the lady fingers dipped in the coffee and then add another layer of lady fingers dipped in the coffee, ending with the mascarpone layer.  With a strainer, spread cocoa powder over the top. Keep the tiramisu in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours just to make sure you can cut it.

(This one isn't my photo -- we haven't cut into yet!)

 

For the love of all that's good and holy, please make your own fresh whipped cream.  You won't be sorry.

Yummmm!

Dreams

I'm back!!  I spent a glorious week (2 weeks?) away from the computer.  Funkalicious indeed but you know, the weather and end of the year reflections.  I had such high hopes for twenty ten, and sadly it let me down.  But it's all good!  I believe it was just setting me up so I can appreciate 2011 even better.  And I am ready to appreciate.  Now I have all afternoon to go catch up on my blog reading!

 Let me take you down the path to my dreams..

 A cozy bed in the woods, just because.

 And visions of my future home:

The dream kitchen

 A bedroom with ceilings high as can be!  And white!

 

 A fabulous closet full of shoes..naturally.

 And the most beautiful pool in the world in my backyard.

 Fun, playful, carefree days..

Body Rocking..

 And world travel.

Most of all..

YES!!!

All photos from we heart it.

Dreaming feels good!  You should try it!

When Charleston feels like Chicago

I don't know how it is where you live, but here in Charleston, it's gotten COLD!!

Actually though December in Charleston feels like Chicago in October.  But still.  I had to break out my Chicago jacket this morning, it was 30 degrees.  And it was windy, walking into work my hair was swirling around like a tornado above my head.  It was not pretty I assure you.

I know I haven't blogged since Thanksgiving.  Truth be told, I've been quite bored.  And what does one write about when bored?  I'm stuck in a bit of a rut and need a project.  Anyone have any ideas?

Anyone?

Anyone?

Something -D-o-o economics.

It has to be an exciting project though, I'm bored to the point that I need something stimulating and not mundane.  Like..no cleaning/organizing.  Nothing involving money.  Even cooking lately has lost it's charm.

Fester fester fester fester.

Rot rot rot.

(It all goes back to movie quotes.)

Should I write that book I've always wanted to write? 

Success Magazine says 81% of people have a book in them.  Didja know that?

I could learn photography and photoshop, being that I own a great camera and the computer program already.

Take up sewing?

Learn Italian?

All things I want to do, but nothing is igniting that spark in me.

Completely stuck in a rut, I am.

Just because, another movie quote. 

Frank: It 's the same old story. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girl dies in a tragic blimp accident over the New Year's Day Orange Bowl.

Jane: Goodyear?

Frank: No, the worst.

The world surely lost a funny actor last week.

There will never be another as funny as me.  And don't call me Shirley.