Sunday, December 14, 2008

Today's The Day - My 34 New Goals

Ok - I'm so excited, I had to finish putting these new goals in my composition notebook and got all my little detail items filled in so I can now share my new goals for Dec 2008 - Dec 2009.

So last year I created 33 goals for myself. Some I carried over from the previous year that I was unable to complete for various reasons. When I sat down and looked at my list yesterday, I figured out that I crossed off 16 goals from my list. YIPEE! That is so exciting. I have a realistic expectation that I cannot do everything on my list, but am determined to complete these goals before they get off the list.

SO - DRUM ROLL PLEASE! My new goals are as follows!

1. Complete 2 - 5K races, one in the spring (with my PriorFatGirl cousin) and one in the fall
2. Complete the LTF Triathlon, doing better on my biking time - My finish time goal 2 hours
3. Finish putting together my empty photo albums (8 of them)
4. Date each child alone 2 times a month
5. Write two encouraging notes a month to family and friends
6. Go Skydiving
7. Go to NOLA to help with clean-up that is still needed
8. Go camping up north with the kids (haven't been yet)
9. Have all special event cards done by February
10. Build one house for Habitat for Humanity in MN or NOLA
11. Have a Bunco game night, proceeds going to a local food shelf
12. Read 8 chapter books to the kids *Seperate from regular reading times
13. Write grandpa 2 times a month
14. Read the Narnia Books
15. Volunteer 18 hours this year *Seperate from party room volunteer, Kiosks at church, ect.
16. Go to New York City with Cy for a long weekend
17. Read the Bible in a year with the kids each day
18. Read 3 self-improvement books this year
19. Start the food shelf at church or continue progress towards opening it.
20. Save $$$ each month for all knows presents (b-day, Christmas, Mother/Father Day ect.)
21. Finish putting all recipes into 3-ringed binders *Compelted 1/2 last year
22. Make 4 new recipes a month
23. Finish the new table and cover the chairs with new fabric
24. Paint or varnish the bookshelf downstairs
25. Donate to a food shelf each month - food or financial donation
26. VOlunteer at Feed My Starving Children with Sophia 6 times
27. Learn a magic trick
28. Get a pedicure (haven't had one for 6 years)
29. Bless one neighbor a month with a note and some baked goods (we have 13 neighbors)
30. Teach Austin how to ride a 2-wheeler
31. Create my new hutch area, sell old hutch to antique shop
32. Enter the Pillsbury contest (3 recipes this year)
33. Get all Christmas cards done by October 31st.
34. Cross off 18 goals this year (crossed off 16 on the previous list)

So, again, these are things I want to make a serious effort to do, some are simple and easy, some a little more challenging. Several are things I have not been consistent at or haven't done in a long time. All are very important to me because they are things I find very important for healthy, happy living. If you see one you want to do with me, let me know and we'll do it together. I hope you find in the year to come a list of goals no matter how big or small that you want to make sure you do this coming year. Type them up, post them on your fridge and in a notebook and make sure you take pictures or keep momentos to tape into your goals book.

Now I'm hungry after all that work....here is a super duper brunch recipe. This is again a Skoglund family favorite, one we've eaten for over 20 years and usually on my birthday. Looking at the ingredients, you might think it's different and might not taste good together, but you would be mistaken. These flavors all go so well together. Make a 1/2 batch and try it, you just might like it.

Breakfast Lasagna
8-12 servings

Special Sauce *Mix these 2 ingredients well and chill until use.
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup brown sugar

12 slices of French Toast (freshly made or frozen)
8 ounces sliced ham
2 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can apple pie filling
1 cup granola (*plain, no raisins)

In a 9x13 greased pan, place a layer of french toast (6 slices) on the bottom. Layer the ham, 2 cups of the cheddar cheese then the rest of the french toast. Spread the apple pie filling over the toast and top with the granola. Bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove and sprinkle the last 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese over the granola and put back into the oven for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Cut into squares and serve with the special sauce drizzled over each slice. Enjoy!

I hope this post helps you find those things that are important to you this coming year and make sure to do them.

Until next time,
Kirsten

Friday, December 5, 2008

One Week Until My 34 New Goals Get Posted

Ok - So as I mentioned in my previous post, every year on my birthday I make a new list of goals for that next year, things I actually cross off when I complete them. So I'm down to one last week and then I get to see how many of the 33 goals I crossed off from 2007 - 2008. Then I put the goals I didn't cross off from last year on my new list for 2008 - 2009. I have come up with some new ones so I'm pretty excited for that. I am also looking for anyone who wants to participate in some of them with me to join on in.

So here's my recipe for this week. This is a favorite of mine. When my mom would buy frozen bread dough and let it set out EVERYONE in our house growing up knew what we were in store for. These delicious breakfast rolls are perfect during the holiday season for a special sweet and gooey treat.

Breakfast Sweet Rolls

2 loaves frozen bread dough, slightly thawed (I use Rhodes)
1 package instant butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar

*Cut dough into 1-inch wide slices and then cut each slice into 4 chunks. Place into a buttered bundt pan evenly on all sides. Sprinkle the butterscotch pudding over the top of the cut up dough pieces. In a small pot over medium high heat, melt butter and brown sugar together until it comes to a gentle boil, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from stove and pour over the ingredients in the bundt pan evenly. Place the bundt pan on a cookie sheet and let it rise overnight. In the morning, bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes. To serve, invert the rolls on a serving plate and pull apart. Enjoy!

Until next time,
Kirsten