To Read, Bake, and Be Happy with Today

I never really make New Years Resolutions. But this year, I got to thinking.  I really thought about some things I wanted to do and things I somehow never MAKE the time to do. 

I'm a big believer in that.  I hate when people say "I don't have TIME to work out (or any other activity)."  I believe, for the most part, that we have time to do anything that we really want to do. 

I haven't MADE the time to do some things that I really do enjoy.

I'm posting my resolutions on my blog because I've found it's a wonderful way to hold me accountable.  Through my journey of losing the baby weight, this blog was amazing.  Whenever I felt like eating something that was truly unnecessary, I would think "ugh, I don't want everybody to know I gave in and didn't lose the weight!"  So, I withheld.  Therefore, here are my New Years Resolutions. 

(1) I will read 10 books this year.

I enjoy reading.  I really do.  My husband LOVES to read (he was voted biggest bookworm in highschool...oooo sexy huh?)  and I love when we just lay in bed and read for a while. 

HOWEVER, law school took all the excitement out of reading. That's all I did...all day.  And I would read 30 pages in 3 hours.  It was a slow process reading those cases.  They're tedious and lordy that font was so freaking small!  But I'm finished with law school now...so why the hell haven't I started reading again? 

I know 10 books isn't a lot.  I want to make sure this is a resolution I can keep.  It's a little less than a book a month and that's definitely manageable.  I'll just have to MAKE the time to do it.  After I finish each book, I'll be doing a book review on the blog. 

My first book: the Lincoln Lawyer.  I have number two and three set out too (Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Confession by John Grisham).  The next seven are up in the air though...if you guys have some suggestions for a must read, leave me a comment!

 I'm already 140 pages in to it and it's pretty darn good.  A bit theatrical, but then again, it's being made in to a movie so if the lawyer wasn't completely over the top it would've made for a very realistic and therefore boring movie right?

(2) Cook and bake more.

I love cooking and baking and do it often enough,  but I want to have more fun with it and experiment more.  Sometimes it can be stressful when I get home from work and I don't want to eat at 8 o'clock, so we make simple things.  I think that's the way it HAS to be if you work, have kids, etc.  BUT, what's holding me back from taking some time to do neat things on the weekends?

I started my resolution early: Last night for New Years, we ate the most delicious Shrimp Creamy Garlic Gumbo recipe.  On the side, we had Pomegranate Margaritas.  YUMMY.  On the 30th, we made THIS.  Guys, seriously, make this.  This was the most amazing pasta I've had in a really really long time.

And, as with the books, I'll be posting a few of the recipes we make.  I'll try and post the pomegranate margarita sometime this week, because let me tell you...that stuff was delicious and strong. ; )

 The tomato cream sauce we made on the 30th.  I'm about to eat some left overs...yummy.

(3)  Be Happy with Today

Unfortunately, I can't go into this one too much.  Soon, Evan and I will hear about where we'll be for residency.  We don't know WHAT he'll be doing, or WHERE they'll put us, but either way, it'll make for some HUGE changes in our life.  That is stressful enough already, but in the mix of that is ... what will I be doing?  Everything is up in the air.  And I am the type of person that gets very concerned over things being up in the air.  So, I need to be happy with where I am TODAY because that's the best I can do!  This will likely be the most difficult and challenging resolution to keep, but I have to at least try right?

Happy New Years!  Do you guys have any fun resolutions?