2014 New Year's Resolutions

1. I will write more the old fashioned way; with a pen and paper. I will send 104 friends and family members notes and cards and letters because they are special and should get more than bills and Victoria's Secret catalogs in the mail.

2. I will stop bitching about things I don't like about my body and do something about it. Ugly spider veins on the legs; zap them. Bikini line nicks; laser them. Aches and pains; massage them. Lines and wrinkles; photo-facial. Heck, I may even get laserlipo on my stomach pooch that never, ever goes away.

3. I will cook 52 new recipes, a goal I've met the past two years that gives me tremendous amount of happiness in achieving.

4. I will ride my bike at least 100 miles. Not at once, don't be crazy. In total. 

5. I will do at least 250 group fitness classes at The Firm.

6. I will send at least 20 friends my best pictures of them, their dogs, and their kids. Like printed on old-fashion photo paper.

7. I will fix the paint patches in the tasting room. Paint the patch next to the fireplace. And paint the dining room a color that is not hideous. 

8. I will sell some of my Creative Memories inventory. It's taking up space and worth gold these days.

9. I will plan at least one date a month with my husband. Planned date does not include impromptu stops for burgers and fries because we don't feel like cooking.

10. I will do whatever it takes to get one g-damn, non-assisted pull-up by the end of the year.

2014 52 Recipe Challenge

The 52 recipe challenge is a way of bringing together our friends far and wide who love to cook and share their successes and failures in the kitchen. The challenge; to make 52 new recipes in a single year. This is our third year of sharing food, recipes, kitchen catastrophes, and culinary creativity with friends far and wide.

Top 5 of 2014

2. Pumpkin Pie Bars- I brought these into work and had over a dozen people request the recipe

1. Sausage Gravy- I made this for a bunch of Texans and they were impressed

42. Pan-Roasted Swordfish with Tarragon Mustard Sauce- Better than anything in a restaurant

10. Mustard Braised Lamb Shanks- melt in your mouth, great marriage of flavors

53. Whiskey Praline Pecans- addictive, easy to make, great for gifts

Honorable Mentions
8. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas- simple to prepare, leftovers great for breakfast with eggs
11. NYC Black and White Cookies- Spot on for the real thing
15. Chinese BBQ Spareribs- bright red ribs just like at a restaurant, tasty
35. Smoked Barbecue Baby Back Ribs- Fell off the bone, great flavor
46. Herbed Fauxtisserie Chicken- Excellent go-to chicken recipe

* denotes a dish we'll make again

- denotes a dish we didn't like or wouldn't make again

1. Sausage Gravy ***
• Biscuits and Gravy Casserole
2. Pumpkin Pie Bars ***
3. Mussels in White Wine -
4. Samoa Bars *
5. Acorn Squash Fritters *
6. Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce
• Ravioli Dough
7. Cold Sesame Noodles *
8. Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas **
9. No-Knead Bread *
10. Mustard Braised Lamb Shanks ***
11. NYC Black and White Cookies **
12. Crispy Udon Noodles -
13. Asian Chicken Slaw *
14. Shrimp Toast 
15. Chinese BBQ Spareribs **
16. "Chinese Take-out" Crispy Beef -
17. Shanghai Chicken Wings 
18. Firecracker Shrimp *
19. Pork and Chive Dumplings *
• Coconut Ice Cream *
20. Stout-Braised Short Ribs -
21. Parmesan Grits *
22. Corn * and Flour ** Tortillas
23. Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins *
24. Tuscan Vegetable Soup
• Wonton Chips
25. Truffled Mac and Cheese *
• Watermelon Mimosas *
26. Yellow Cake with Fudge Frosting -
• Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
27. Bourbon Brined Turkey *
28. Creamy Baked Asparagus with Aged Cheddar
29. Scalloped Potatoes with Ham *
30. Waffles
31. Ham and Asparagus Frittata *
• Maple Bacon Bourbon Ice Cream - 
32. Softshell Crab Sandwiches
• Tartar Sauce
33. Broccoli Rabe with Sausage
34. Orecchitte with Sausage and Kale
35. Smoked Barbecue Baby Back Ribs **
• Watermelon Jalapeno Margarita *
36. Tequila Glazed Chicken with Jalapeno **
37. Jalapeno Honey Garlic Chicken *
38. Fennel Garlic Chicken Legs *
39. Arugula, Beet, and Blue Cheese Salad
40. Roasted Shrimp with Chile Gremolata *
41. Blue Cheese and Bacon Tomato Salad
42. Pan-Roasted Swordfish with Tarragon Mustard Sauce **
43. Pioneer Woman Marinated Flank Steak *
44. Bacon and Onion Swiss Chard
45. Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread
46. Herbed Fauxtisserie Chicken **
47. French Onion Soup *
48. Hollandaise Sauce -
49. Broccoli Strascinati (Broccoli with Garlic and Hot Pepper)
50. Beer-Roasted Pork Shoulder *
51. Braised Pork Steaks *
52. Slow Cooker Cinnamon Sugar Almonds -
53. Whiskey Praline Pecans ***

2013 52 Recipe Challenge
2012 52 Recipe Challenge