Today was my birthday. I spent it quietly at home with Chris and our goofy furballs. I watched a couple of movies, made homemade enchiladas (the secret to ours is the jalapeno green salsa that I add to the onions before I cook the meat), and pumpkin pie.
My mom told me and has mentioned in the past that I loved pumpkin pie when I was a little kid and had one for my birthday when I turned 2 or 3 until I was around other kids and then she said I decided I had to have a birthday cake. Always good to know I gave into peer pressure and had to be like the other kids at the tender young age of 4.
While reading and clearing out my google reader today I came across several posts that made me happy. This post about making yogurt (on my have-to-try list!) at Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef because I think over the years I’ve tried a dozen crafts and never been that good at any of them but I found over this last year, especially in the last 6 months, that I really enjoy cooking and I enjoy it even more when it’s from scratch. I couldn’t agree with her more about her thoughts on food and weight loss from April. She made me feel a lot better about not wanting to choose a certain way of eating but enjoy what I prepare and eat while not overdoing it.
Her first post also let me to a year long project entitled Charcutepalooza – The Year of Meat. I actually was really excited about this project because I already was planning on trying to make my own corned beef for St. Patricks Day this year and from the sounds of it this project and the book it’s based on would be a lot of fun and help me expand my DIY kitchen skills. Chris told me his birthday gift was going to be a pasta maker so it looks like I’ll be making meat and pasta this year.
January I went caffeine free and didn’t drink any coffee or soft drinks with caffeine for the entire month. I was extremely pleased I lasted that long. I had a Dr. Pepper this evening and really enjoyed it without craving it like I have in the past.
New month and New Challenges ahead.
This week I’m attempting homemade meatball sandwiches and homemade New England Clam chowder.