Christmas Eve Doings

We've had our dinner - little nibbles like cheese and meat, veggies and fruit. We've watched Elf, listening to Amy quote most of the lines. All, but the BIG gift, are wrapped. And I've just put the Land of Nod cinnamon rolls to rest - as you can see. It's the easiest recipe. Before you tuck your husband and cat into bed, do the following:

Grease a bundt pan.

Place 20-22 frozen dinner rolls (like Rhodes) loosely into the pan.

Mix together 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup instant vanilla pudding powder (I use the whole small box), 2 Tbsp cinnamon.

Sprinkle it over the rolls in the bundt pan.

Melt 1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter and pour it over the mixture and rolls.

Place a damp cloth over the bundt pan. Put it aside for the night. When you wake up, preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes - keep an eye on it, that it doesn't get too brown on top. You might need to place some aluminum foil over it for the last 5 minutes or so. Take it out and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes, then dump it over onto a serving plate.

These are the tastiest, easiest cinnamon rolls you'll ever have. Enjoy. Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you on HIS birthday!!!

Where have I been?

I think that I blogged almost a year ago. What a horrible person I am! I intended to blog regularly and to be creative and to even offer some RAKs over at Two Peas. But... alas, the year went by and nothing.

But I have been revived. I turned 49 last week and I have set some goals for the last year of my 40s. #1) I am spending 1 hour each day with the Lord. I will try to do it every morning, but as long as I get it in, it doesn't matter when. #2) I joined Weight Watchers on Thursday. It is my goal to lose 1 lb. a week until my 50th birthday. I will then give myself 50 less lbs. for my 50th birthday. Sounds like a lot of weight, but I don't think that I will miss a single pound. My final goal, #3) I want to take photos daily and blog as often as possible. I want to offer up some of my crafts as RAKs, to generate some activity on my blog.

So - those are my goals for 365/49. Keep watching!!!

Ponderings 01.02.2008

Well, here we are

on Christmas.

2008 is here and it's an even year. Don't know why I like them even, but maybe it has something to do with adding and subtracting, since I have to do that a lot with appraisals. Just easier to figure out. Plus "even" just sounds better than "odd."

I've been reflecting on what I want to focus on in 2008. Lots of thinking. Not to sound selfish, but I want to think more about me. Usually I put everyone else first and then I melt down, when I get overwhelmed. Sometimes the meltdown is internal and no one else knows about it. I just put on the "Happy Face" and proceed. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to be true. I also want to renew. I would like to make time for the things that I enjoy. Time for me. So, as selfish as that may sound, that's what I may focus on during this EVEN year.

I don't usually make resolutions. Sometimes I set goals - more attainable than resolutions. Goals for this EVEN year? (Numeric order is NOT in order of importance!)

#1 - Make exercise a part of life. I view it as a chore, as drudgery. So I would like to find other things that I enjoy. I love to dance. I need to find some dance exercise DVDs and do that at home, rather than always going to the gym. I want to rotate each day, not always doing cardio. I get so tired of just staying in one place.

#2 - Proceed with the doctor, with regard to my knee. One of the reasons that my exercise is limited, is because my options are limited with my knee. I need to seriously consider having my knee replaced.

#3 - Creative Outlet - Now that the holidays are over, I want to find ways to enjoy my creative side. I have tons of projects that I can work on. I would also like to start doing some classes. Make up some stuff on my own and offer it to friends and family. I don't know if I truly want to make a business out of this. Just don't think that I would enjoy it as much. So we'll see. This is one to ponder during this EVEN year!

#4 - Spiritual side of Me - I have neglected this. I have pushed away what has always been my foundation. I guess I could say that I've been angry. I can't understand why God would allow the things that He's allowed. I feel empty and numb. I want to feel alive again. This is more of a prayer request. Lord - drop it all in my lap. Show me where, when, how, why, what... I know the answers, but they're not enough anymore.

Have a FABulous day!