The Old Year Out and the New Year In……

The week after Christmas was a busy one for me. I rested the day after Christmas, went to Jimmy’s funeral on Tuesday and the rest of the week was spend tying up year end activities for my husbands business. I also did some after Christmas shopping. I already have a start on next Christmas. Boy, did I find some bargains. I still need to get a large oversized 2006 calendar for the wall between the kitchen and nook. All appointments and activities go on that calendar. It seems like the older I get the more I need a calendar to keep me where I need to be.

New Years Eve was a jumble of activities. I picked Bonnie up at the airport, did some last minute grocery shopping and then went out to dinner with my husband. We were later than usual getting out for dinner, so we ended up waiting for an hour to be seated. It was worth the wait because we had a fantastic meal with excellent service. After dinner we went straight to Foleys to purchase an alternative down comforter for my daughter’s bed. (I had purchased one the day before and liked it so much that I wanted to get one for her bed. I got both of them for just under $ 100.00 total.) After purchasing our comforter we headed home for the evening. You could hear fire crackers going off and there was evidence of drunk drivers already. Neither one of us wanted to be outside for the rest of the evening. Once home, we walked the dogs and settled in for the night. Wouldn’t you know it, both of us were asleep by 10:30pm. I couldn’t keep my eyes open another minute.

New Years Day I was up by 6:00am. I started work on a very special dessert that took me 3 hours to make. This recipe has been in the family for over 150 years and is so rich, you can only eat a little. My kids begged me to make it for dinner. TF’s mom would make it every year at Christmas and when they moved to Vero Beach we stopped eating it. She gave me the recipe, with complete instructions on how to make it, and this year the “Charlotte Rouse” was made. Our traditional New Years dinner was great. Along with our fabulous dessert we had Steak, black eyed peas, cabbage, rice, Granny salad and French bread. We had a toast, for the New Year, with Sparkling Grape Juice. The dinner and the company were wonderful.

My hopes and dreams for next year are as follows:

1) For my family to achieve their personal goals.
2) Somehow help my son, who seems to be in denial about his drinking problem.
3) Take off some unwanted pounds and stay healthy.
4) Read my scriptures every day and attend the temple at least once a month.
5) Get better organized and get rid of clutter.
6) Achieve set goals for my business.
7) Help others and be in tune with the Lord.
8) Be thankful for all I have.

I wish all of my friends, out there in blogland, a happy and prosperous 2006.

Today's Healthy eating tip: Lisa's 40-Calorie White Custard

3/4 cup liquid egg whites
1 1/2 cups Hood Carb Countdown fat-free milk
1/3 cup Splenda
1 tea. vanilla

Blend all ingreditents well without whipping; pour into 4 Custard cups. Sprinkle with Cinnamon if desired. Bake at 325 degreesF in shallow pan of water for 30-60 minutes until knife in center comes out clean. Serve chilled.
Serving size: 4 - Calories: 41 - Protein: 7 g. - Fat: 0 g. - Chol: 0 mg. - Sodium: 132 mg. - Fiber: 0 g. - Sugar: 2 g. - Kitchen Time: 5 minutes Total time: 1 hour.