I’m not normally one to make your “typical” resolutions. I always have goals that I’m working towards, but I’ve never been good at making ones focused only on working out or losing weight or saying that “I’ll never have chocolate again!”. Because one, that sounds like a really sad and depressing life, and two, the only way I’ve found that works for me is to gradually work on changing something. I can’t do something cold turkey or instantaneously. The small steps work better for me. Maybe this is because of my naturally obsessive nature and how easily I can get stuck on ONE thing.

I tend to easily get consumed by one thing at a time (lately: breaking bad. serial. all things french parenting), but the downside to this personality trait is that I can lose interest just as quickly. For me to make lasting changes, I have to take things in small bites. One day at a time. Telling myself I’m going to work out every day just isn’t going to work. Talking myself into a walk most days at work to take a break from the computer? That’s easier. It’s not a boot camp class, but I’m also sporting a pretty impressive baby bump these days, and I’m enjoying the calm before the baby storm by trying my best to relax and stay calm and do things I enjoy, just because I like it.

Regardless of my non-traditional resolution pact with myself,  I definitely have some goals for the coming year.

I want my cookbook to be the best it can be. I’m working on recipes behind the scenes and can’t wait to share everything with you!

I want to get back to cooking things that I want to do, things on my to-try-and-conquer list, rather than sticking to any kind of calendar for the year. Maybe I’ll make something green around St. Patrick’s Day, but only if I want to. Not just so I have something to post.

I want to gradually get our house the way we want it. We’ve been working on projects the past few weeks again (mostly pulling wallpaper and painting) and have cleared out quite a bit of clutter. We rearranged furniture, and it’s crazy what a difference it makes. Next up? Finding a desk for me! I think having a defined work space will do wonders on my productivity….because honestly, it’s hard to get things done quickly/efficiently when I’m on the computer on the couch (like right this minute), watching Friends reruns. Fun? Yes. The best use of my time? Probably not.

I want to read more. Always on my list, every year. I started out this year finishing one book and already starting another. It feels good to get back into the groove. Bitter cold winter nights + fireplaces help with this goal, too.

I want to bring back things that I used to love and have kind of forgotten about. Art. Classic lit. Music. These sometimes find their way into my daily life, but not anywhere near what it used to be. Work gets in the way; life gets in the way. But it doesn’t have to be like that!

I want to keep creating here – not only for you guys, but for me! Having a creative outlet in this blog has been one of the best things in my life over the past almost 6 years. It has kept me cooking. And cooking has kept me sane through everything we’ve been through the past few years.

2015 is going to be huge for us.

A baby in May, which we’ve been waiting and praying for now for over 6 years.

A cookbook coming out in November.

Work keeping us both busy.

Friends and family, keeping us healthy and sane.

I hope 2015 is the best yet – for all of us!

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