Obsessed with 1963

When my favorite television show, Mad Men's season ended this fall, I was left hungry for more storylines from this era. I was particularly interested in the complicated relationship between Betty and her maid. As this season concluded, Betty leaves her three children in the care of her maid. I couldn't believe her decision and wondered how the dynamics of that worked.

Soon after, I overheard some friends at work talking about a new book called The Help. They said it also took place in 1963, but this time in the racially segregated plantations of Jackson, Mississippi. This story illuminates the tangled inner workings of wealthy white women and their black help. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on that book.

I stopped to pick it up on our way down to Belleville for Thanksgiving. By the time the turkey came out of the oven… 2 days later… I had devoured every page of the book with pleasure!

My dad suggested that I read Sullivan’s Island next. It also highlights the connection between black maids and the children they look after. This was a great book. My dad said this book was “like going home” to him. He felt a strong connection with the location and family in the story. I love reading books that someone has recommended to me. It makes me feel closer to them.

I have three new books arriving sometime this week. I hope they are as good of reads as these were!

New Cookbook

Jeff and I have been in a dinner rut. We basically eat the same 5-7 meals repeatedly... and we both confessed over the holidays how over them we really are! So I headed to the bookstore in search of a new cookbook. Yes, I saw Julie & Julia recently and was mildly inspired by it ;)

Anyway, I found this cookbook and thought it looked perfect...

I love the way it is organized... 3 meals for every week of the year. She has a lot of tricks for morphing your leftovers into completely different meals to make the most out of the ingredients you buy. It really seemed like a helpful solution to get quick, healthy dinners on the table during the week.

So, you know me when I jump on a band wagon... I couldn't wait to devote Sunday to reading the first chapter that outlined my game plan for this week. I organized my grocery list. I was down right giddy with excitement, sure that this would be completely life changing... Already envisioning barbeque week in July and holiday week in November.

My little bubble began to burst in aisle 3 of Jewel when I was searching for cellophane noodles and plum preserves. For the record I left with variations of both.

I tried not to be discouraged... this was supposed to be a fun adventure, no pressure. I heard Megan's voice in my head telling me not to be so hard on myself. So when I came home yesterday with a back to work hangover, I set out to make "Plum Blackberry Marinated Chicken with Balsamic Roasted Carrots and Baked Potatoes with Chipotle Butter".

Here is how it turned out...

I was underwhelmed to say the least. The best part was the chipotle butter for the potato, we'll probably make that again. Unfortunately the chicken was also cooked for tonights meal "Nutty Asian Chicken over Cellophane Rice Noodles"

I was excited for this because it sounded alot like Pad Thai, one of my favorite dishes. It was more like Pad Thai's ugly step sister that no one likes to talk about. My peanut butter sauce looked delicious until I added the leftover blackberry chicken and it turned charcoal gray. Noodles in gray sauce is an appetite suppressant... maybe I will lose some l-b's this year after all!

Jeff was either really hungry or just too darn nice... he gobbled it up and even had seconds. He kept saying, "it actually tastes alright." It just looked awful!

Tomorrow, I'm using our leftover potatoes to make baked potato soup. I hope it's tastier!

Half Way Check Point

So far the name of the game in 2010 has been organization. I've worked hard over the past few days to declutter and eliminate extra stuff in our house that I don't need or use. I wish I would have taken before and after pictures of our guest room closet and bonus room "storage area". Hopefully those of you that have been here will notice a big difference when you see it.

While I was in this organization mode, I decided to eliminate one of my blogs. Thanks to my mom's smart advice, I'm going to keep all my goals in one place and focus my attention to this site.  Preparing to be pregnant is still an important goal I have. In fact, it is kind of my umbrella goal under which all others fall. I am still going to comment on my efforts here; including weight loss reports, book reviews, and exercise rants. ;)

I am excited to get started on my second year of this project. I still have a lot that I want to accomplish. I am looking forward to revising some of my remaining goals. I'll post updated goals soon!

I want this year to be one of my best yet. It's my last year in my twenties. It might be my last year before I'm a mom. I want to focus on losing weight, mastering healthy habits, and having LOTS OF FUN with Jeff!

At this half way check point, I feel an overwhelming need to thank you for all of your support this past year! It was the only reason I didn't give up by spring break! My absolute favorite part about doing this is the feedback & comments I get from each of you! Seriously, I cherish everything you have contributed to this project over the past year. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You... Keep the comments coming!

What are your goals for 2010? Am I the only hopeless optimist that loves starting a new year?