some new year recipes

i don't think it is any secret that i love to cook.. love! and one of my new year goals is to try a new recipe every week.  the list goes on and on and on, but here are a few things i'd like to try in the near future. 

1. creamy mushroom sauce

2. milk chocolates chunk cookie with pink sea salt

3. new england clam chowder

4. short ribs tagliatelle

5. chocolate birthday cake

6. warm butternut squash & chickpea salad with tahini dressing

7. chocolate peanut butter torte

8. handmade ice cream cones

9. orange pancakes

stay tuned for pictures and successes (and hopefully no failures...)

official resolution list

for 2012...

be creative: take my camera everywhere! continue to be open-minded to breaking rules and thinking outside of the box.

be more economical: save money and pay off car, start putting money away each month towards a house, and think twice about buying things i think i "need".

be smart: read all the books that i've started and haven't finished (life of pi, breakfast at tiffany's, water for elephants, the help).

be in-love: love myself as much as i love others and treat myself as i do others.

be more decisive: be more confident in my choices and seek less approval. i'm bound to make mistakes, but better my mistakes than someone else's.

be active: do yoga at least 3 times a week and walk whenever possible instead of driving.

be a visitor: continue traveling and go to places i've been longing to visit - vancouver, japan, paris, london...

be beautiful: more heels, less sandals; more dresses, skirts and pants, less jeans. keep my nails polished, my hair done and keep skin perfumed and moisturized. when i feel pretty, life seems a little easier.

be rough: find more comfort in the uncomfortable (mind, body and soul)

the end of a great year

as 2011 comes to an end, i can't help but look back on what a fabulous year it has been. all that i wanted to accomplish was accomplished plus a little extra to make the year sweet. here are some highlights from my 2011:

• i started this blog and re-fell in love with photography and writing
• i made 15 waffle breakfasts and 10 french toast breakfasts (give or take)
• moved in with tay to the westside (and having a blast)
• adopted my little molly, who i love more than anything
• planned tay and my first trip to europe
• was asked to be a bridesmaid in my oldest friend's wedding (and this will be my first wedding!)
• got promoted at work
• broke my first bone(s)
• started a book club
• quit drinking coffee
• finally figured out twitter
• went back to my natural curls (no more straight!)
• became addicted to yoga
• did a lot of self-discovery

i look forward to 2012. i'm still compiling my new year's resolution list/goals, but i have some good ones already formulated. i predict this new year to be full of photographs, [good] changes, love and more self discovery

bring it on, 2012!