Did I Meet My 2010 Goals?

December 31st. It is such a final date. The year ends and on the waking of the morn, not only a new day but a new YEAR has begun. A person makes themselves promises: I'll eat healthier, I'll exercise more, I'll be more patient with my family, I'll stop drinking diet coke, I'll. . . . .

Last year I decided that I would not make myself promises, but that I would set goals. Here is a recap of those goals and the results:

1. Plant Asparagus.

Yes! I planted 10 Asparagus crowns and they grew wonderfully! Now, I can't wait until I can actually harvest a few spears this coming spring. :) I believe I planted Jersey Jem. I also got crazy and planted strawberries in with the flowers, it was an itch I had to scratch!

2. Find a recipe for a perfect homemade ranch dressing.

I really hit this one hard in the beginning of the year. A few times I thought I had it but as the dressing sat for a few hours (or days) in the fridge, the taste went all wrong. A few weeks ago, I got a slew of ranch dressing recipes from a friend of mine. I haven't made any of them yet but it is on my to do list. The quest continues....

3. A new way to stake tomatoes.

Yes, I did this one. I used a Florida Weave method and I plan on using it again this year. It works best for indeterminate varieties. I would not bother with it small determinate varieties.

4. Rent a plot in a community garden.

Did this one as well. It was, may I say, an abject failure. However, I did get lots and lots of onions :) In fact, I'm still using them and any one who knows me knows I use a lot of onions. lol The road being closed and a long detour to get out there didn't help matters. And the approximately 60 billion weed seeds and 20 billion insect eggs and 1 million various plant diseases didn't help matters.

So what I shoot for (garden and kitchenwise) in 2011? Hmmmm.......

1. Find a much better Roma type tomato. I think I going to try a variety called Juliet. For all I was sick of them, I really am glad I planted a Yellow Pear tomato - the thing thrived when my other tomatoes were looking pretty pathetic at the end of the year.

2. Learn to cook with my NEW STAINLESS STEEL cookware! Okay, so I have been cooking with it and it works great, I'm just a little annoyed with the whole egg sticking thing. Mike bought be a great set - Calphalon Triply Stainless Steel. Great deals where to be had!

Have a wonderful and happy New Year! As a friend on Facebook said - one more year closer to Jesus coming back! God bless!

My Newest Apron

I had a good time sewing this apron and it cost me a dollar! And that was for the pattern (Simplicity). I can't sew very well so I still need a pattern to go off of but I think if you had some modicum of talent, you could do this without one. It was a pair of jeans from college - you know - one's that weren't straight legged but instead, slightly tapered? Yep, this is a much better look for them. :) I love aprons! Especially because I don't love laundry. So this, to me, is another helpful kitchen "gadget."

Another Gadget To Love

I bring to you the Lemon Squeezer (or as I usually use it - Lime Squeezer!).



I picked this up at T.J. Max at a fraction of what they sell them for on Amazon.com but you can get it there too. I've always just used a fork or my hands to juice my lemons and limes. Well, no more! I used this yesterday for the first time. I had to juice some limes for last night's meal - Tom Kai Ga and for today's marinade for the fajitas I'm making. This little gadget made quick work of time limes saving me a few minutes of squeezing every last drop out of the lime. If you use lots of limes and lemons (and there are even bigger ones for oranges & grapefruit) then I suggest you get one of these.