2012 Food and Blog Goals

2012. It just feels weird saying it. I always think of that movie with John Cusack where Yellowstone blows up and all of that other crazy stuff happens. I just got used to saying 2011 so I can't believe this next year is already here! I did okay on my goals for last year so I figured I would do the same thing this year. I've carried over the things that I didn't accomplish last year and added a few new things as well!

2012 Food and Blog Goals

1. Post once a week- I was proud of myself for posting an average of 2 times a week for the whole year but my goal for this year is to not skip weeks of posting.

2. Host another giveaway

3. Keep up with my blogging group

4. Host a dinner party- this one is from last year but I think I will accomplish it this year!

5. Tamales

6. Dog Treats

7. Royal icing

8. Try and finish my 23 x 23 or at least accomplish half of it

9. Do a monthly review post at the end of the month- Most of my family reads this blog so I'd like to do a recap of my month with pictures and words.

10. Actually finish all of these goals!

Happy New Years!

2011 Food/Blog Goals Updated

Since it's already September (well almost) I decided I should probably take a look at those goals I made back in January, you know, since I've had over 8 months to work on them. Plus, I have another post related to them coming up tomorrow. So, here goes!

I've italicized those that are in progress and bolded those I've finished.

My 10 Food/Blog Goals for 2011

1. Post at least twice a week-okay so I failed at this one. But I've posted 66 times in 2011 and at 2 posts a week that's 33 weeks. And we're on week 35 (I think) so technically if we are going by averages I still have a chance to complete this.

2. Host a Giveaway-well I've bought the stuff, does that count? Not all of it but I've bought two very useful kitchen things and now I'm just looking for something big and good to add to it.

3. Do a Blog Makeover-Complete! What do you think of the new look? Do you like it? Do you miss the pink goodness that always made me want to shop at Victoria's Secret? Anything I should add or change?

4. Join Some Kind of Blogging Group-Complete! I participate in the Recipe Swap hosted by A Taste of Home Cooking with my What's Cooking Girls. I don't participate every week because sometimes life gets way too busy and I don't want to commit and not follow through but I have definitely joined a group!

5. Host a dinner party- This one is still in the works. We've had plenty of people over for dinner but haven't hosted a real party yet. 4 months left.

6. Work with yeast- Nope, haven't started it yet. But hopefully soon!

7. Tamales- this is another fail on my part to complete this list but I'm going to try for it by the end of the year.

8. Dog Treats- I've bought plenty of bags of Snausages and rawhide for Lucy. Doesn't count? Oh well.

9. Grill More- Fail. I have another month of super nice weather here in So Cal so maybe I can stuff a summer's worth of grilling into one month.

10. Royal Icing-I predict decorated cookies in the near future (if 3 months can be considered near)

2/10. One fifth. Twenty percent completed. I submit to you the evidence that I'm horrible with resolutions. At least another 2/10 are halfway there. That means I'm 4/10 or two fifths or almost 40 % done. That sounds better.

10 Goals For This Year- Food and Blog Related

I can hardly believe 2010 is over! It seriously feels like just a few months ago that my husband and I said "I do" and moved out to California from Georgia together! We made it out just in time to ring in 2010 together in California and I feel like the time has flown by!

So many wonderful things have happened this year.

Neil and I spent our first year together as a married couple and celebrated our one year anniversary on December 19th. I feel so blessed to be married to him and even more blessed that we were able to spend our entire first year together. As a military couple, I wasn't sure it was going to happen especially since many of his buddies deployed. But here we are in 2011 and the only separations we've had to endure were during my canoe trip and a trip home for spring break- not even a single field exercise!

We also welcomed our pup Lucy into our home. She is the sweetest little cuddlebug and the perfect addition to our family. Although she suffers from severe separation anxiety and drives us nuts sometimes, we couldn't imagine our life without her. I also welcomed a new brother into the family when my older sister got married a day before our anniversary! It's been such a wonderful year and all of these things and more have helped to make it so. Thank so you much for reading my blog and sticking with me! I wish you a very happy and healthy 2011!

My 10 Food/Blog Goals for 2011

1. Post at least twice a week- I actually want to post more than this but considering my 21 hour load that I'm taking at school this semester ( :0 ) I decided to stick with two. I admire all the bloggers who update daily and would one day like to be able to do that. But in the meantime, my goal is twice a week and more when I can manage.

2. Host a giveaway- I won 2 giveaways in 2011 so I'd like to give something back to you guys! As soon as I decide what to give away, I'll be sending some goodies your way!

3. Do a Blog Makeover- Right now, I'm using a template provided by blogger. I'd love to design my own header and make over my blog but since I have absolutely no skills with HTML or any design talent, I think I might have to pay someone to do it for me. Once I get over my indecisiveness and decide what I want it to look like, this blog is getting a makeover!

4. Join some kind of blogging group- I'm not sure exactly how to word this but I'd love to join a group that posts once or twice a month in response to some kind of challenge. I know there are a few that work through cookbooks and post weekly so as soon as I find one my goal is to join in!

5. Host a dinner party- We've had people over for dinner and I've hosted Thanksgiving and Easter but I'd love to host an elegant dinner party and go all out on food and decor. Reading the Luxury Dinner Party posts from Project Food Blog gave me all sorts of inspiration. Our kitchen table only seats 3 though so perhaps a new table is in order :)

6. Work with yeast- Yeast intimidates me and I've never even attempted to work with it. This year, I'd like to work with in in order to make pretzels and bread and maybe even doughnuts!

7. Tamales- I had tamales for the first time at my internships Thanksgiving party for the kids this past year. They were delicious and I'd love to try my hand at recreating them.

8. Dog Treats- I received a book for my birthday on how to make organic dog treats and have yet to try it out. Lucy, our pup, loves all the table treats she secretly gets from me but I think it's time to actually make some dog-only treats for her.

9. Grill More- We live in Southern California so with the exception of a few weeks out of the year the weather is almost perfect for grilling. I love food prepared on the grill and hubby likes the manly feeling of manning a grill so I'm surprised we didn't do much grilling. This year we will grill more!

10. Royal Icing- I've tried and failed when my little hand mixer gave out but this year will be different. With the help of my newest kitchen addition (she'll be featured on here as soon as she gets shipped from Georgia) royal icing shouldn't be a problem. I love decorated sugar cookies and how you can make some for almost any occasion and I would love to master the technique!