new year, new adventures.

2011 was a year of changes and challenges.

I left one job and started a new one in a rebounding industry. I ran two half marathons. I realized just how much I enjoy spending my free time pursuing culinary endeavors. I just about convinced my husband that a quaint 2 acre plot with raised garden beds and a few chickens is a good idea. (Still working on getting him fully on board with the pastoral life.)

2012 is shaping up to be a continuation of last year's challenges. I'm still working quite a bit. While this is the time of year where long hours are inevitable, I'm hoping that things can slow down enough where I don't have to feel (strangely) guilty about taking time off. We've been putting off our honeymoon for going on two years. It's about time we take the trip that we've earned. I'm ready for an adventure and a change of scenery. I know Tommy is too. He's been busting his butt to finish his manuscript and prep for the pivotal fourth year review this spring. It's high time we took a vacation. Running-wise, this is the year where I take on the marathon. You heard it here first kids. I'm going to go for it this year. 26.2! Fuck yeah. Location has yet to be determined, but training is going to start as soon as year-end is through at work.

On the culinary front, I'm hoping to continue my kitchen misadventures and pick up some new techniques and be a bit more adventurous. It's time to shake off last year and spice up this one. It's time to be bold. To really nail down the basics. To shake off the culinary fears that have held me back. No dish will be overlooked. I'm thinking a little Diana Kennedy and Julia Child are in order. What could be more adventurous than French cooking? It's certainly something I've never delved into.

My only other hope for 2012 is that I don't get sucked into any more teen-centric vampire shows/films. You see, in between my marathon baking efforts, I was also binging on junk food television. I'm fully hooked on The Vampire Diaries. It took me a while to figure out why the hell I couldn't stop watching it, and then I realized: the show is produced by Kevin Williamson, the same guy who brought Dawson's Creek to screen. Ugh, I'm embarrassed to admit that I like the show as much as I do. I thought I had higher standards. (But I don't!) Ah well. Not nearly as embarrassing as Twilight...which I also inexplicably like. Ugh.

Anyway, here's to the start of a new year and all of the adventures that are bound to ensue.

au revoir 2011

How was your holiday season? Good, I hope. Over here in my slice of the Midwest, there was a whole lot of baking going on.