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#FoodieFriday 2016 Foodie Goals

The list is short and sweet. I’ve made it a tradition to bake the family’s birthday cakes, but I’ve never been a skilled cake decorator. This year’s goals may indicate I’d like to fix that:

Make and decorate my daughter’s 9th birthday cake
Make and decorate my oldest son’s 14th birthday cake
Make and decorate my husband’s birthday cake
Make and decorate my birthday cake
Make and decorate my youngest son’s 7th birthday cake
Master peanut butter cheesecake (probably hubby’s birthday cake)
Resume our “strawberry festival” Valentine’s Day tradition
Master the art of meal planning
Make several recipes I’ve pinned on Pinterest

Do you have any foodie goals for 2016?

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#ThankfulThursday Free Resources

Over the last few months, I’ve scoured the Internet looking for ideas for my upcoming prompt series. I’ve devised a formula for this year’s format, but it required a bit of research and soul-searching. My favorite resources have been from Pinterest. Links to quotes and free stock images abound on that site, and I’ve made great use of Canva.com. Everything is coming together beautifully. I’m still beaming that Teresa Deak will be providing the prizes for two of my lucky participants. Life is good, and I’m excited and thankful for Monday.

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#TalkTuesday Restoring in 2016

As you may recall, I choose the word RESTORE to guide me through 2016. As we start the year, I’d like to reflect on how I’d like to see my word carry me. I can bring more RESTORE into my home by sleeping for eight hours every night and creating better sleep hygiene and habits; by eating nourishing foods that fill my body with the vitamins and minerals it craves instead of giving into my sweet tooth and convenience; by moving my body on a regular base, giving my bones and muscles the exercise they need to carry me through many more decades; researching my interests so I can find my path; and indulging my passions and hobbies, from writing to coloring and all things in between. My heart needs restoration and openness, and I’m finding that my heart’s beckoning me to stay open to possibilities. I desire growth, change, peace, and happiness. I’ll be following up at the beginning of February to see how RESTORE is serving me and evaluate more ways to bring restoration to my life.

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#MondayMotivation Lifestyle Change

As cliched as it is to start lifestyle changes in January, I’m going ahead and stating my intentions loud and clear: I’m ready to change my life! There are several factors at play that have made today The Day, but most importantly we’re done with holiday eating for a while. It’s far too difficult to give up sugary treats in December than it is in January. If you’ve been around long enough, you also know that I have the intestinal fortitude to uphold a vow for Lent; therefore, I’m obviously not the type of person to quit so easily. And now that we’ve cleared the air…

I intend to become stronger and healthier this year. I can give up foods and drinks no problem — but I have difficulty maintaining an exercise routine. I know this is going to be an uphill battle, and I don’t intend to start hard and fast. I intend to build up my stamina and strength so that by December 31st I feel much more capable than I did on January 1st. This intention is also meant to give me back a sense of control in my life. In the last few years, I’ve felt so out of control in my life, and I’ve learned that no one really ever has control of anything. At any given moment, everything could be gone without a shred of notice. I cannot control others or situations, but I can control myself. I’m ready to change my life.

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#ThankfulThursday Fresh Starts

It’s the last day of 2015, and I’m looking forward to the blank slate that comes at midnight. Depending on where in the world you’re living, it may already be the new year for you. I’ve become a pretty big fan of the fresh starts we get each year — sometimes you don’t even need to wait for January 1st. Ah, but this January 1st is kind of a big deal for me. I have so many big plans in store for 2016. I haven’t been this imbued with hope since December 31st, 2012. Obviously, I’m trying to be cautiously optimistic, given that little tidbit, because we all know that January 2013 became one of the worst months of my life. Still, I have faith that this new year will be different. I have faith that 2016 is going to be a great year full of great accomplishments and happy memories. Here’s to a fresh start!

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