Every year at this time I make the resolutions to loose weight, get more excersise, sleep more, read more, achieve some academic goal, stay in better contact with my friends, etc. And every year at this time I reflect that I started each of those goals like a gangbuster, but for one reason or another realize I didn’t meet my resolution goals. So over the last couple of days I have been thinking about this differently, instead of setting myself up for failure year-after-year, why don’t I just make my resolution something I can achieve?! I know, not a difficult concept, but apparently I can be a slow learner! So for the 2014 year I have only one resolution: to be a better ME! What goes into being a better me you might be asking? Well this is how I am defining it, I will do things that make me happy! There are a lot of things that make me happy (I am a pretty eclectic person), I just have to make the time to do them – and not feel bad about doing it. Well that sounds easy enough right? To make myself more accountable I am declaring one day a month “Lindsay day,” a day to do something that makes me happy. That could be a date day with the hubs, antique hunting, crafting, a walk or bike ride, exploring a new community, wine with friends, trying a challenging recipe, starting a new book, anything! That is the joy of it, it can be anything! By being a better me, I have no doubt that I will be a better spouse, friend, colleague, daughter, sister, thinker, learner, and blogger 😉 What is your 2014 resolution?

I enjoy cooking (most of the time), so on my way to being a better me, I have spent a portion of the day making some good ol winter food.

First up, a pot of Anasazi beans with smoked pork hocks! Yum, they smell great. And the bread maker is working too, a loaf of warm French bread will accompany those beans nicely! An added bonus, beans taste better the next day, and the day after that…

In the crockpot I have a lamb neck, brisket, and ribs (remember lambs are smaller than beef, so it fits fairly easily). For Christmas my folks gave us a lamb cut and wrapped, nothing says love like those little white packages! I love to let these cuts slow cook all day, or overnight, and then separate the meat from the bone and fat. It is so tender, juicy, and delicious! The hubs has requested a spicy lamb curry for our New Year’s lunch tomorrow, there should also be enough lamb to make a tasty little stew.

I will post pictures of the end products!

What tasty treats are on your new year menu?