I'm revolting!

There is a new AT&T commercial with Beck Bennett (on whom I have a not-so-secret crush) and the darling group of precocious little kids. In this one a little boy talks about making New Year's “revolutions.”  If you haven’t seen it, click the arrow above.

I really like the idea of a “revolution” versus a “resolution” because I feel that it is time that I revolt.  So I am declaring a war on clutter, disarray, and lack of organization. One MAJOR step I have taken is to declare, amongst family and friends, my establishment of daily office hours between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  I need this time, alone and without interruption, to not only preserve my sanity physically organize my office area, but my thoughts as well, and to plan new blog posts (hopefully more, and varied, this year), but also expand the inventory in my shops on Etsy, and perhaps add a new one of culinary antiques.

What are your “revolutions” for 2014?  Share them in a comment.

 

This post is linked to: 

Seasonal Sundays

Metamorphosis Monday

Increase Your Brain Power and Brighten Your Kitchen at the Same Time

I was reading an article by Oliver Sacks in the New York Times yesterday about New Year's resolutions and how few people resolve to change and strengthen their brains in the same way they resolve to strengthen and change their bodies.  So, this year in addition to resolving to make yourself better physically, learn a new skill to make yourself better mentally.

Here is a picture of just one way you can increase your brain power and go green in the New Year.  It's inexpensive and fun, and always appreciated -- hand-knit dishcloths made of cotton yarn.  For about a dollar (when on sale or with a coupon) you can buy a skein of cotton yarn in a variety of fun colors to use to knit a very effective, colorful, and REUSABLE cloth for washing dishes.  No more purchased wipes that trap bacteria, don't hold up to being thrown into the washer, and need to be purchased again and again.  These are lovely, fun to use, and make a great hostess gift when rolled up and tied with a ribbon.  I have a red one that was made well over 2 years ago and it is still very bright red and going strong. I also have pale blue, dark blue, purple (shown), am working on a multi-colored French-style cloth, and another of my own design with a contrasting-colored scallop shell in the center to gift a friend the next time we visit her and her husband at their shore house (If you're reading this Carol S., act surprised!). 

There are ten patterns in this book and I plan to make them all, but many patterns are offered for free online at various web sites like this one.  My husband likes them so much that, two years ago when we went to Austin for a month-long fellowship, I knitted some in the car on the drive down so we'd have them to use while we were there.  So break out the knitting needles, clip out the Michael's coupons and get started!  Do it for your brain, and the planet; both will be better for it.

This post is linked to  Sunday Favorites

Resolutions & Empanadas OR I resolve to eat more Empanadas

Do you make New Year's resolutions?  I do.  I make them all year long.  I'm quite flexible when it comes to making up my mind, and so always keep a notebook close at hand to allow the jotting of revisions all year long.  Sometimes (rarely) I actually keep the resolutions that I make.  Most of the time though, I just resolve to add them to next year's list and hope for the best.

I've got a head start this year, however, as one of my resolutions was to learn more about food.  The collage of books you see above is but a part of what I currently have on hold at the library (and apparently the limit is 25).  In 2011 I've decided that I want to learn to cook more ethnic and regional foods.  I have never, for example, made a tamale from scratch.  I want to do this.  I want to learn more about the cuisine of Portugal and Spain, more about foods of various U.S. regions of the South, West, and Northeast.  I plan on reading and reviewing each book and sharing with you one or more of the recipes.  It should be an interesting journey for us both.

All of the searching for cookbooks put me in the mood for Mexican food, so I made use of the Beer-Braised Beef and Onions left over from the Insight Bowl dinner (an EXCELLENT recipe!) in the form of empanadas.  I used Grands biscuits that I first spread with refried beans before adding the beef, a dollop of salsa, fresh cilantro, sliced black olives, sliced scallions, and grated cheese.  As sides I served Ina Garten's Guacamole Salad and Spanish Rice.  Delicious!

What do you resolve for 2011?