Saturday 31 December 2011

Goodbye 2011

I'm sitting here on New Year's Eve. It's 08.20am, and still dark. All outside is still, and the land is like the year's death-bed. Tomorrow will be quiet too, but in a different way. The air will turn from somber reflections to great expectations, and the quiet will be of the 'don't wake the baby' kind. In between, of course, at midnight, will be the euphoria of birth, as we welcome in the New Year.

Ahem, right, now I've indulged my inner school-girl scribbler, I'll move on.

Since my last post I've been thinking about being more specific in my goals for 2012. The following are things I want to commit to:

1) I will make prayer more of a focus in my life

2) I will trust God and his love for me more than I do at the moment

3) I will consume AT LEAST 5 portions of fruit and veg a day.

4) I will cut-down on red meat

5) I will eat more fish

6) I will eat less refined carbs

7) I will drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.

8) I will get active at least 3 times a week

9) I will get back into my Uk size 14 jeans.

10) I will (try) to stop beating myself up and stop being self-defeatist.

These are small steps that will hopefully add up to big changes, and to me being the best 'Me', the best wife, and the best mother I can possibly be.

Most of all, I'm going to believe the words of John 10:10 'I came so that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.' Let 2012 be the year my family and I embrace a truly abundant life.

Thank you for reading. May God shower blessings on you.

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Ringing the Changes

Well, here we are, just 4 days left of 2011, and the promises of a New Year beckon.

2010 and 2011 were highly eventful years. I got married to my lovely husband, and gave birth to my wonderful twins, I doubt anything will happen in 2012 that can top that. 2012 will largely be focused on the twins and their development (and to the securing of breakables as they start crawling/ walking).

I've never really been one for New Year's Resolutions, because the New Year isn't that big a deal to me. This time though, my husband and I are both resolved to loose weight and get healthy. We're doing it for ourselves, for each other, and for our children. My husband coined it perfectly when he said '2011 was the year of comfort food.' He's right, it was (and a bit too much of it)

So, we are going to enjoy these last few days of 2011. I'm not going to worry about the resolutions until January, but I am going to take time to mentally prepare, to formulate specific goals, and to pray.

Whether 2011 was a year of joy or sorrow, of change or more of the same, I hope 2012 is a year that brings you joy, love, laughter, and a shower of blessings.

Thursday 22 December 2011

Festive Fancies.

So, here we are, days away from Christmas. I've still got presents to get, I've not sent a single card, and my home is in no fit state for visitors. What do I do when faced with such stresses?

I stick my head in the oven (figuratively speaking) and bake.

Earlier this week, I decorated the Christmas cake I made in November. Turned out quite well, especially since it was my first time making one. Yesterday I mixed up some sweet shortcrust pastry dough, and out it in the fridge to chill. That was used today to make some mince pies, which turned out really well.

I'd still like to bake some cut out cookies, and maybe come up with some kind of orange and cranberry goodie, but we'll see how things go.

I love baking. I don't bake at this time of year because I feel I have to in the obligated sense of the word. I bake because I feel drawn to it. I bake because it's soothing. Pastry making especially forces you to be calm. Tough handling equals tough pastry, so you move gently, but quickly. You make the dough, then both of you rest. That rest makes sure neither you or the pastry are overstretched. You're both the sweeter for it.