Monday 7 January 2013

Challenges For The New Year

The holidays are definitely now over.  The tree is down (bye bye Bailey's) and the husband has gone back to work.  It was a great two weeks spent together but lately, with the fresh start January seems to bring, I have been thinking about New Year's resolutions.  I know I'm a little late but there was no way any changes were going to be made with lingering Christmas treats and the hubs still on holidays.  Resolutions like, "live more simply" and "lose weight - for good this time" are the ones that come to mind but I really want to strive to achieve those things all the time and not just in January - cause you know they'll get broken!  Instead, I've decided to give myself a few challenges; things that I've wanted to do but just never seem to get around to it.  My hope is that by noting them down here for everyone else to see, might just light the fire under me to get them crossed off the list!  I've kept them food related but included a couple of personal ones, because I like to share and to keep that fire going.

1. Make fresh pasta.
My mom used to make us fresh pasta as children - we were so spoiled with the stuff that when she served us dried spaghetti we protested that it was, in fact, NOT spaghetti and wondered what kind of crap she was trying to pull.  She was very quick at it too and made it look so easy, telling me a few weeks ago that she could have it made by the time the water boiled, though for my attempt I think I will set aside an entire afternoon.  For our wedding, we (OK I - because the hubs will never ever make pasta) received a pasta machine.  Six months later it still sits in the box in a kitchen cupboard.  2013 will bring us fresh pasta, for sure.

2. Make bread.
And not with a bread maker.  Actual homemade bread.  It can't be that hard.  In an ideal world (one where my house is always spotless and the sun shines all day) I would bake fresh bread every morning - ah.  Sounds silly, and probably will never happen, but with only two of us it makes sense; most often the loaf goes mouldy before we get half way through it.  What a waste.  Plus, I hear, the needing of the dough can be quite therapeutic and we can all do with a little therapy now and again.

3. Make a lemon meringue pie.
When your husband pushes you aside to fix the meringue you, the domesticated one, hath destroyed, you know you gots problems.  I will not be bested in the kitchen by a man who thinks a complete meal is anything on toast.  This is also one of the few desserts my love will eat so being a good wife I thought I should add it to the list.

4.  Make pierogies.
This one is on here because I just can't find them anywhere.  You'd think with such a high Polish population that this wouldn't be an issue but I can't source them anywhere.  I haven't put in a great deal of effort into the search but they aren't at my local supermarkets and I don't know of any specialist shops in the area.  If I could find them already made, this would get crossed off the list as I hear they can take all day to make and about 5 minutes to eat.  So, maybe not my most ambitious resolution as I'm ready to give it up if there's a bag of frozen pierogies to be had.

5. Make homemade dog treats.
Yep - let's face it.  I'm one of those people.  I treat my dogs like children except for the part where I put them I put them in a cage and leave them home alone - I probably won't do that with children (sarcasm reads on the internet right?).  I've seen some tasty? treats on the Pinterest for pups and thought it would be nice to try though I don't think I'll be making a habit of it - they eat crap off the street afterall (interpret that as you wish).

So, 5 little challenges to complete in a year.  If they don't get done, I will be one sad sack of a food blogger.  Sad.  I plan to add more throughout the year though and if anyone has any suggestions, feel free to comment below.  I'm not saying I'll do any of them (you're not the boss of me!) but I will definitely consider any and all challenges!

A couple of non food related challenges:

1. Finally get some refresher driving lessons.  I've got to get over the fear of tiny roads and roundabouts.  Plus, public transport in this country is terrible and my chauffeur husband is fed up.

2. Sew more complicated items than a tablecloth and some curtains.  I'd like to make myself some dresses and cute things for the little kiddos in my life.  I have the tools and the knowledge, I just need more of that fire I guess!

What do you resolve to do for 2013? 

3 comments:

  1. The first three challenges are things I do really well. I wish I lived close by so we could do them together.

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    1. Probably why I chose them - you're my cooking inspiration :)

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  2. I don't know how you drive over there, I hear it's insanity! Love your goals. You've just added to an idea that's been floating around in my head. Thanks!

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