Sunday, January 30, 2011

Focus

I feel like my life has been very much "in limbo" lately. I'm trying to figure everything out (whatever that means). What are my next steps? Where do I want to go from here? What are the opportunities that are available to me? What are the opportunities that I need to create?

My head is going to explode just thinking about it.

So, in the meantime I've been trying to take one day at a time. What are the little steps I can take? What are the things I enjoy?

For example, this weekend has been excellent. I've been able to cook, eat lots of food, spend time with family and friends, and also focus on myself (and focus on my growing pile of laundry).

Here are some great pics from my Saturday morning hike with family and friends. It was 60-degrees in Denver---in January! Heaven.

View from our hike in Deer Creek Canyon
My brother, Peter, his wife, Alissa, and their awesome dogs Dublin and Rowdy

Adam and his huskies, Deuce and Maverick

Peter and I
Adam and I
I also headed to Downtown Denver on Saturday night for a friend's birthday party. We started the evening with dinner and desserts at The D Bar (short for The Dessert Bar). Oh. My. God. The place was amazing. It's tiny and seats about 8 people, but the wait was worth it. Go there. Now.

My cooking conquests also continue. I love cooking because it's a challenge for me. I started not long ago knowing nothing. I could barely boil a pot of pasta. With every new recipe I feel like I've accomplished something... I learned something... I grew in a small way. It's all about baby steps.

Since the weather is getting colder again, I dusted off the Crockpot and made some homemade chili and cornbread.

Steaming chili
Skillet cornbread
Yum!

I'm trying to take one day at a time and celebrate the little accomplishments as they come. So far, it's working.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Clueless with a Camera

I haven't posted in a while; since around the new year---obviously. And, to be honest, I have nothing new or informative or exciting to write about. Everything's good, just, ya know, nothing new. I've been busy with work and family and friends. All positive, just not blog-worthy.

Since I have my fancy new camera, here are a few things that have been going on:

My gorgeous new car!

Emily scored some 4th row tickets for the Avs game! Opening faceoff.

At the Mammoth game for Em's bday!

Union Station, downtown Denver.

2011 Denver Stock Show! Some cowboy booty.

Colorado sunrise

Family fun at the Brewery Bar II

Kitchen conquest! Skillet pork chops with apples and red onions.

Yummy!

Babysitting the kiddos! Ava and Andrew.


Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!

My niece, Ava, ringing in the New Year!
I am super-excited for 2011. Last year seemed to be a tough year for most people. Admittedly, it was a tough year for me. Not that everything will change at the stroke of midnight, but the initial outlook and excitement of a new year is inspiring.  I have a number of things that I'd like to work on or strive toward, but I don't want to call them "resolutions." This is because I always have goals for myself and because the word "resolution" often equates to failure. We laugh at people's feeble attempts to work out every day or eat perfectly or whatever. However, I believe that working towards self-improvement, whether you do or don't finish a specific task, should never mean failure. The action of doing something alone means that you are a step ahead!  That's my pep talk for this year. 
One of my goals for 2011 is to continue cooking and to try even more recipes. So, this morning I dragged myself to the gym (I'm an out-of-shape mofo! Another thing to work on...), ran to the grocery store, and came home to make a spicy Thai green curry dish. This stuff is soooo good and sooooo spicy that it was making me sweat. Yum!  I adapted the recipe from here. I can tell I'm becoming a better cook when I now can look at a recipe and easily adapt it according to my tastes and what is in my kitchen.

Score!!!
 Pictures! (Taken with my new, awesome camera that Santa brought for Christmas.)
Thai Green Curry in the skillet. Lots and lots of food. Yum!
Heaven, anyone?
Random, but here's a picture of my roommate, Miles.
This man lives on cereal and his TV. True story. Love it!