Saturday, December 31, 2011

Goodbye 2011, Hello 2012!


I did this last year and thought it would be fun to do again! Enjoy!


The New Year Meme: 2011

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?

  • Not go anywhere! We did not travel at all! 
  • Moved in with another family

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I did! For the first time if forever I kept most of them! I lost weight, cooked more, went out and did more and took more risks!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My brother and his wife had a lovely little boy and I think that is all!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully, no.  Not this year.  Hopefully not for a while!

5. What countries did you visit?

Just Canada.  And only for work.

6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?

More fun! I want to take more risks, spend more time with family and love Husband more

7. What dates from 2011 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

None.  And this is big.  I spend much of my life recalling dates.  I am actually surprised at this one!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Figuring out a little more of who I am.  Losing weight.  Slowly building my confidence.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Allowing people to hurt me. Feeling inadequate a lot of the time.  Not trusting God to heal me and to guide me in what I am doing.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Had to deal with some "lady" issues.  Ongoing but nothing major

11. What was the best thing you bought?

No idea! Concert tickets, Le Creuset with some Christmas money, an IPAD

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Husbands.  He is the most amazing, hardworking, supportive man I have ever met.  I love him more and more each year

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

Some people that I can't name.  And my own at times!

14. Where did most of your money go?

Bills.  And maybe some toys.  And concert tickets.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Christmas as it was different this year.  Making a new friend.  Music!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Our girls day theme song by Bruno Mars.  I can't remember the name buy could sing it for you!
"Her eyes, her eyes, make the stars look like they're not shining, her hair her hair falls perfectly without her trying, she's so beautiful....and I tell her everyday!"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?

a) both. b) THINNER!!!!!! c) much poorer! but things are looking a little more positive than this time last year.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?


Taken better care of myself financially and mentally. Travel.


19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Been quiet when hurting and not standing up for myself.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

With Husbands family for a few days.  My brother, wife and son for a few days, then my whole family for a few days! Will be a busy one involving a lot of driving

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?

I fell more in love with Husband, more in love with good food and more in love with some friends.

22. How many one-night stands?

Only a few.  I kid, I kid.  NONE!

23. What was your favorite TV program?

Oh goodness.  I watch too much TV~
We have Apple TV and so I watched a lot of seasons of stuff.  Really loving NCIS.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate is a strong word.  Maybe disappointment in someone but not hate

25. What was the best book you read?

No idea! I read all the time! Book and books and more books!

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

That I love live concerts.  Michael W Smith, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Back Street Boys, NKOTB and a few others.  Loved them all!

27. What did you want and get?
I wanted to live more.  Smile more and not be as stressed.  I think I succeeded.

28. What did you want and not get?

My house sold.  It is now a rental.  That has caused me great stress.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?

Anything with Jason Statham.  I kinda like him this year! And Losers.  Freakin hilarious.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 31 and did nothing! I have no idea.  I don't even remember that day.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

TRAVEL!!!

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Finding new styles in new stores! Out with the faux hawk and nose ring and in with longer hair and nicer jewellery.

33. What kept you sane?

Paige.  My dog.  No doubt. And the B100 complex vitamins.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Anyone with dimples and a cute smile.  Sigh

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

All the murders in this city.

36. Who did you miss?

Friends and family.  I hate living so far away from everyone.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

Lisa.  Love her! So sad that she will be moving one day soon.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.

That life should be lived passionately, and don't take it so seriously!


39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Thinking the same as last year.

"You are more than the choices that you've made
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes
You are more than the problems you create
You've been remade"
- 10th Avenue North (Stolen from Heather as well.)

Friday, December 30, 2011

Best Taco Salad Ever

Welcome to my happy place!

Come on in! 

I am a taco junkie.  And so I created this salad.

Enjoy!


Start with Taco seasoning

Add 2 cups sour cream, 3/4 cups salsa and some taco seasoning (about half a pack of the low sodium stuff).  I say this because at this point? Add a little of each tasting it in between until it tastes amazing.  Make it a little stronger than you would think because the salad will dilute it.

Make sure you enjoy tasting it!

A few times... with chips and some chicken!


In a large bowl, fill half way with taco chips, add a few handfuls of lettuce.

Add half a can of rinsed black beans.

Add half a can of corn.

I used a cut up rotisserie chicken, and added over half only because I was feeding hungry boys and wanted the extra protein.

A handful of chopped cilantro,

A handful of cherry tomatoes cut in half,

A few mushrooms sliced,

and a handful of cheese of your choice!

Mush it all together with spoons (to break up the chips), add the dressing and mix well.

At this point, I got so excited to eat it that I did not take a final picture! 
OOPS!

It is amazing though! You have to try it.  Fast, easy and you can adjust it to your tastes so easily!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Post Christmas loveliness

Best.

Meal.

Ever.

I love leftovers.

A small layer of mashed potatoes


Some cut up turkey

Stuffing

Corn

Some brussel sprouts and a little gravy

Heat it all up and add a scoop of cranberry sauce


Enjoy! I had this for dinner last night, will again tonight and again tomorrow!!!!!


I promise to return with regular posts soon.  Just enjoying this whole Christmas thing too much!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Le Creuset

I was spoiled this year.

Between money from my dad, Husbands parents and Husband, I got




I am smiling.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas.  The first time in 11 years we were with Husbands family and it exceeded both our expectations.

Here are a few photos of the insanity! I was a little busy cooking so I didn't get many pictures but you will get the idea.

My lovely brother-in-law played Santa.  Doesn't he look happy?

The tree

Gift from Husband.  You will see it tomorrow!

His main gift! Lego! He loves it.

Not used to waking up early for Christmas.  You could say I was a little unimpressed.

The mantle with stockings

Dining room.  Love the balls I hung from the ceiling! They were so fun!

Breakfast bake.  Will post the recipe this week.

Fruit platter with strawberry yogurt/whip cream combo and whipped peanut butter/whip cream.  Amazing.  Could eat that stuff with a spoon!

Baking

Baking

And more baking!

Seriously.  That peanut dip! WOW!


The lego

My very first Christmas tree decoration.

An angel from the Bahamas

Husband made this for me.  Wow.  I know you want one :)

Made in Kindergarten.  

Nieces saying cheese.  Had life a little while ago and their parents shaved their heads! They are too cute!

Ready to eat!


We had:












And just because......
My puppy




My brother and his wife are arriving today to spend some time here.  We are then going to all go to my dads house and do Christmas again! Should be a fun week.  Gained three pounds already.  Any guesses on how much more??????

Hope that you all had as amazing a Christmas as we did.