here's to life

I had a long week. All sorts of stuff going on and not even close to enough time to get it all done. To say I'm exhausted is an understatement of epic proportions.

So as I was sitting on the couch with an ice pack on my hornet sting (I cannot make this stuff up), my friend called with some amazing news. I am so happy for her and her husband. And suddenly, my week just got a lot better. And I'm singing a whole new song.

Well as cliche as it may sound
I'd like to raise another round
And if your bottle's empty
Help yourself to mine* (except for you, my friend. I'll get you a water.)
Thank you for your time
And here's to life

what happens when The Pioneer Woman meets Joe Posnanski

We all know how I am with recipes. I can look for a recipe using chicken and pesto and come away making beef and broccoli. Well, last week we had an abundance of eggs and I could not let myself be distracted and end up making something with, I don't know, oatmeal and fruit and whipped cream or something. I searched for all sorts of egg casseroles, and didn't really find what I wanted.

So I made one up.

Again, this thing with recipes... when I create something (which I do a lot) I grab what I have available. The chances of me replicating it are pretty slim.... most of the time. This one,  I remember. This one I will make again. It was really yummy, even if no one else in my family has trusted me enough to try it. If I eat the whole thing myself, then lucky me.

Bacon Breakfast Casserole

1/2 lb cooked bacon*
1/4 red pepper**
1/4 onion**
2 cooked baked potatoes
6 eggs
1/4 c milk
1/3 c shredded mozzarella cheese

*Remember, I don't measure things. I'm guessing here, people. Make your best guess as well.
**It's all I had left. I'd have used a whole one if I'd had it.

Fry up the bacon. Let it drain. Fry up the potatoes in the bacon grease. Let them drain then put them in a casserole dish. Fry up the onions and peppers and put them over the potatoes. Crumble bacon over the top.

Meanwhile, mix up the eggs, milk, and cheese. Add pepper (I didn't add salt because of all the bacon. You do what feels right.) Pour over the casserole. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Or something like that.

I... I will begin again

My year starts in September (late August, but that's quibbling over details) and for all intents and purposes, ends in June. (Summer Vacation is not part of the year-- it is it's own time, with it's own start and end, but that is a story for another day.) There is something about New Year's Day that speaks to me, however. It's a time for reflection and for looking forward. It's a chance to reflect on past mistakes, learn from those lessons, and start again, renewed and refreshed.

I don't find it coincidental that since I started keeping my NYRs small and manageable, I have been more successful at, well, keeping them. This year I need to get more healthy: seven-ish years ago, I resolved to drink a Nalgene of water every day-- and gosh darn it if I wasn't the healthiest I'd been to that point. This year, I need to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. I eat pretty well, but I also love snacks. I don't do diets-- all it makes me want to do is eat the very things I'd just decided I couldn't eat-- but I can do choices. I can also buy fewer chips. Take that, Willpower.

I also need to start walking again. My feet are ready, and my back needs it. Legistics are an issue-- I'm crazy involved at school, and I just don't like working out in gyms. I don't think I'll ever be the get up early and walk before work type-- I barely get out of bed when nature calls, for heaven's sake. After work it's dark, and we already eat dinner at an average time of 8 PM. I don't know what I'll make work, but I have to figure something out. Even if I could get in a couple of walks per week it would be a step in the right direction. (ba-dum CHING)

So there it is: healthier snacks and walking. It sounds so simple-- but I'm not going to lie, this isn't the first year I've had those resolutions.

Here's to a happy, healthy 2014.