I have no idea what the next year is going to hold, but I work better from a list. Some of these things may not be possible, but they’re written down just in case.
- Stay cigarette free.
- Write a short story.
- Make a knit list. (Finish the list.)
- Become a morning person.
- Complete a 100 day project.
- Update the home master list.
- Purge the back basement.
- Take a trip to Maine with Violet.
- Go hiking.
- Start and finish the Chicago embroidery project.
- Make a picture book for each of the kids.
- Use an alarm clock instead of my phone.
- Practice unapologetic self-confidence.
- Camp. (Even if it’s just in the backyard.)
- Have a treading water contest with Violet.
- Deep clean/purge bathroom cabinets.
- Hang pictures in the upstairs hallway.
- Learn to make a really good homemade spaghetti sauce.
- Take a class.
- Floss.
- Go social media free for at least one month.
- Get a mole screen.
- Get a mammogram.
- Mail one handwritten letter a month.
- Have a get together at my house with friends.
- Tend the garden.
- Take a long weekend in the U.P.
- Go skiing.
- Find a sunscreen that I will actually wear on my face. Wear it.
- Reach my goal for the 2020 goodreads reading challenge.
- Annual fall trip to Michigan.
- Have family pictures taken.
- Unsubscribe from unwanted email lists.
- Continue writing down weekly intentions list.
- Make a list of fun “social distancing” activities for the family. Do them.
- Learn to give myself a manicure.
- Wear out a pair of running shoes.
- Practice using procreate.
- Make a batch of homemade vapor rub.
- Do some blog housekeeping.
- Embrace mistakes.
- Develop a new healthy habit.
42 wonderful ideas for how to make your next year great. I especially like #13 and #35. Carry on, my dear.
Thank you, Ally.
Happy Birthday, Kate!
Thank you!!!
Happy birthday! I love lists like these. It’s not my birthday, but you’re making me want to make one, maybe for the summer. I hope you do #23 and #24. And that #25 is possible soon. And I’m thinking #21 might do us all a world of good. Hope you’ve been able to celebrate today. Sending you good wishes for great things.
Thank you, Rita!! Yesterday was a lovely day. I may have to do #21 multiple times this year.
I think this is an amazing list. I used to smoke for 20 years and I quit over 13 years ago. I STILL MISS IT. Sigh.
I want to make a trip to the Upper Peninsula too. I haven’t been since 1993 and love it up there.
Happy Birthday! I am so glad I found your blog this year. It has been a true gift during this quarantine.
Thanks, Kari!! I’m glad we found each other too!! Your FB group and blog are true joys.
Thirteen years without a cigarette is awesome! I actually went outside and pretended with a pencil the other day. Bizarre yes, but I NEEDED the sensation.
Do you have a favorite U.P. area? When I was young my mom rented cabins in this small town right in the middle and then we day tripped to all the parks and sights. I haven’t stayed up there as an adult.
Hi Kate!! I’m guessing that 42 is your age and posting on your birthday (by the comments)? I didn’t catch onto that when I read your List of 42 Intentions for the year! I think I read your post on Friday, but was heavily engaged in my ‘making a home’ house projects. I really like this idea of yours.
#18 Learn to make a really good homemade spaghetti sauce. I remember vaguely thinking to myself that I know how to make a delicious spaghetti sauce! I thought perhaps I will write it down and send it in a comment. I also remembered that when I left home for university I missed my mom’s spaghetti and I didn’t know how to make it. So I called her for the recipe. She used the McCormick package instructions. I suppose what I truly was missing was my mom…and eating spaghetti with her.
Later in life, my mother-in-law was a fabulous cook and baker. I just watched her to learn how to make it from scratch. I asked her how she knew how much oregano powder or leaves, etc because she didn’t use measuring spoons. She said by taste. She did have a cup of tasting spoons, so she could taste and discard into the dish sink. I was impressed and learned to cook by watching her.
I will share with you that your #18 intention must have stayed with me because I found myself making homemade spaghetti sauce and ate two bowls of just the sauce for breakfast!
I have been so busy with my move and renovations on the house on top of how to deal with the COVID19 that I’m at EXHAUSTION!!! Today I’m giving myself a day to lay in bed in my PJ’s all day, maybe even two days!
I purchased a TEMPUR-PEDICURE ERGO adjustable base and mattress because my old mattress had after ten years worn out and I wanted to recycle my platform Stanton bed drawers components for my utility room. I was able to create a folding table with four large storage drawers and the other two drawers will be utilized as a bench (I will see a cushion) and placed the two matching end table on each side of the bench. Yes, this utility room is very large! It was built ages ago as the outside back patio and was enclosed in space for I don’t know what. But I added washer and dryer hook ups because I want to do my laundry in the house. (Not 25’ away to where the current hookup are located in a detached garage.) That was the first priority project and was just completed on Mother’s Day. I didn’t know how much I appreciate having a washer and dryer as for four months I have been hand washing my clothes because my apartment doesn’t have them. I preferred hand washing over hauling my clothes to a laundry mat. My plumber was laughing with me about feeling so happy to do laundry. It’s the coolest laundry utility room I have ever had! I’ve set up my Yorkie’s play toys on a bath mat and we can play fetch in that space is so big!
So I’m exhausted from all the moving!! And I splurged big time on a bed to deal with my old aching body and the COVID19 anxiety situation. I ordered this bed and frame online…NOW that was crazy in itself, buying a bed and mattress from a picture, I cannot believe that I went banana nuts and another story!
Oh goodness, TD! I hope you have really gotten a chance to enjoy those one (or two) days of rest in PJ’s in your new bed. Sounds like you have certainly earned them! Having laundry nearby really is such a luxury when you’ve been without!!
I really hope you will write down your directions for a good spaghetti sauce!! It’s been something in the back of my mind but I haven’t ever learned!!
Chopped celery (about a cup)
Diced yellow onion (about 1/4 cup)
Sauté in about 2-3tbs olive oil in a 4qt saucepan with a cover. Push to side of pan.
Add Hamburger 1 lb package(I like ground sirloin for less fat). Any hamburger is fine, just drain the extra fat.
Mildly brown hamburger in Olive oil in 4-quart covered saucepan or stockpot (large). I use the top to slightly cover to decrease grease and sauce splatter.
Drain some of the fats after browning meat. In same saucepan add:
NOTE: Chopped celery (about a cup)
Diced yellow onion (about 1/4 cup)
If I don’t have celery and onions then I substitute a 14 oz can of “stewed” tomatoes to the meat after browning. I prefer fresh celery and onion tho.
To celery, onion and hamburger ADD 14oz of can tomatoes, 8oz can of tomato sauce and about 1/4 cup of beef bouillon.
Stir and bring to slight boil, reduce to simmer then ADD about 2 tbs Ground Oregano, 2 tbs Oregano Leaves, 1-2 tbs Garlic Powder, 2-3 tsp of Anise Seed which is the secret spice. Rub two Bay leaves against each other and place on top of sauce.
I mostly use McCormick, but love Morton & Bassett.
On low simmer slightly covered about an hour or so to desired thickness. If gets too thick then thin with beef bouillon ( I use Knorr with water, but any beef bouillon is fine).
This is a simple easy one pan clean.
For variety I might add fresh mushrooms or artichoke hearts to my celery and onion sauté.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And yes pj days is exactly what I needed! Feeling Better!
Thank you, TD!! Both for the birthday wishes and the recipe!! I can’t wait to try it!!
Kate, One thing that I thought I might mention (but you might already know) is that after boiling the pasta noodles and draining the boiling water in a strainer, it is best to toss and toss noodles leaving the starch on the pasta. For years, I was pouring tap water and tossing the pasta. And once I added the pasta to the plate then covered with sauce my delicious sauce became watery. I have no idea why… Best wishes to enjoying your experimenting with cooking!
Best two days of much needed rest! I terminate my apartment lease Friday and we are now living a very different life in our Home Sweet Home!
(A hard, difficult, transition at sixty! But I made; it still breathing!)