Tuesday, January 01, 2013

Happy New Year!

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”
C.S. Lewis

Goodbye 2012 - Hello 2013! 

It's faith and hope that fortify my days - the strength to tackle life's many challenges, for challenges strengthen us.  Without challenges, there are no rewards.

May you be challenged and rewarded inexhaustibly in 2013!

My Challenges for 2013
  1. Post to blog.  (I'm shooting for weekly.)
  2. Keep house organized.  (This is a big challenge for me.  I especially hate paper.)
  3. Crochet a sweater.
  4. Eat healthy.
  5. Get my mom's house organized.  (Bigger challenge for both mom and my sisters.)
  6. Make homemade cheese (my Christmas gift from my husband).
  7. Preserve more homegrown food.
  8. Learn to sew (again).
  9. Learn one new thing every day.
  10. Plan monthly craft nights with my sisters and nieces.
  11. Sell on ebay until all my stuff is gone.
  12. And above all, Enjoy Life!

Grandpa's Sayings

Sometime sayings are not words but actions.  My dad believed in bringing in the new year with celebration!  Since I could remember, we gathered in the living room, champagne in our glasses (we got to drink a smidgen), silver dollars in our hands, and pickled herring on forks (yuck!).  With the television in the background (you needed it for the countdown), we'd all cheer in 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1, and shout Happy New Year!  We brought the New Year in with kisses, hugs, clinking of glasses, and words of prosper for this coming year.  For my siblings, we remember.

Easy Recipe

This is a recipe from a friend that my taste buds forced me to make last night to bring in the New Year.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

1 cup ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
16 ounces sliced bacon
2 (8 ounce) cans water chestnuts,drained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce; heat just to boiling.  Cut bacon slices in half.  Wrap chestnuts in bacon and secure with toothpicks; place in a 9x13 pan.  Bake in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.  Take chestnuts out of pan and drain grease.  Put chestnuts back in ban and pour sauce over them.  Bake for another 30-35 minutes.

Happy New Year!  This is going to be a great year!
Aunt Janet
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