Happy New Year's Eve!

I hope you all have a safe and fun night tonight! My husband made reservations for dinner at a fancy restaurant, but won't tell me where. I'm excited for us to have some one-on-one time and enjoy our last NYE baby-free!

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What are your plans for ringing in the new year?

PS

Check back tomorrow for some exciting news!

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great time ringing in the new year. We sure did. My husband and I decided to keep out celebration to just the two of us (and our dogs) this year. I really wanted to go to the snow, but it just wasn't possible for us this year. However, I had a great time staying here and I might venture to say it was my favorite NYE to date. We got dressed up and walked down to our favorite sushi joint where we treated ourselves to all of our favorite sushi and rolls, plus a couple of new things. Then, we walked home and made these amazing desserts, inspired by those seen on Oprah this week:

We soaked some strawberries and blueberries in champagne for an hour or so. Then, we layered said champagne-soaked berries with chocolate sauce and whipped cream. It was DE-licious. So good. I want to soak all my fruit in champagne.

I though I wasn't going to make it until midnight as I was really full and sleepy, but I managed to stay awake until 12:30! Go me! It was a great New Years Eve and I'm so happy I got to share it with my amazing husband.

The next morning I got breakfast in bed (I told you my husband was amazing) and watched the Rose Parade on HGTV. Did I mention they're coming in two very short weeks?? Well they are. Last week I went to the gym six days in a row. New Years Day was my one day off and today I was back in the gym. I haven't really been dieting, but I promise I'm going to start that tomorrow. I'm thinking low carb, but also low fat. We'll see if I can handle it. I'm not so good at dieting...

My husband went to a hockey game with a friend last night, so I went over to my parents' for dinner. They bought live crab and it totally freaked me out!

I was very disturbed with how much they were wiggling around and couldn't watch as they put them in the pot of boiling water. I didn't have a problem eating them, though...

For dessert, we re-created the layered champagne berry delights, but added some sparklers!

I plan on having this same dessert as often as possible.

With just two weeks until filming, I have a whole lotta stuff to get done. I'll post a list of everything I need to do and update as I check stuff off.

How was your NYE and NYD? Do you have a quiet celebration or a big loud crazy one?

Vision Board 2011

As we say goodbye to 2010, I am looking forward. I'm looking forward to so much this year and I just know it's going to be a great one. Here's what I'm focusing on and manifesting for 2011:

1. Keep fresh flowers in the house. Especially my favorite, peonies.

2. Continue taking yoga, pilates, and core classes. It has done wonders for my body and mind lately.

3. Indulge in simple pleasures. I'd love to get some of these sky lanterns for my birthday.

4. Read more books  and watch less TV.

5. Always to put LOVE first. Don't let fear or anxiety get in the way.

6. I will get pregnant this year. If I don't, life will go on.

Happy New Year!

I have never really made New Years resolutions. I guess I just figured I would break them anyway so I saved myself the disappointment. This year, however, my husband wanted to know my goals for 2010. He told me he thought it was important to have new things to strive for each year. I think he's right. At the time, I said I wanted to spend less and save more.

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Sadly, these do not grow in our backyard. Sometimes I act like they do. I know that I love to shop. I don't buy expensive things; I love Target and Old Navy. But, if I'm being honest with myself, I'd say I don't always handle my money wisely. This year, I hope to be even more thrifty by not buying as many new things. I am going to try to rework things I already have or make things before I rush out to buy buy buy. I will reward myself with a laptop (yay!) for teaching summer school this year, but that is my one big reward. No more manicure rewards, or new shirt rewards, or new home stuff rewards. I'm not that good.

Toasting to the new year!

After I told him my goal about money, I started thinking more about goals for the new year. I decided that I needed to live with no regrets. I needed to try new things and face my fears (this inspired the whole list-checking-off). If I thought I couldn't do something, I would try it anyway. If I was nervous or scared about something new, I'd face it head on. So far, it is going very well! Last Sunday, for example, I went on an 8 mile bike ride from Newbury Park to the beach. It was amazing! It was really hard, though pros say it is an easy trail, but well worth it. There were times when I thought, "No way! I can't do this! I'm going to fall, or get hurt, or die," but I just went for it and here I am! I feel better about myself for trying all these new things lately and it makes me want to do more.

June Lake, 2009-2010

Last year for New Years, our friends Roxanne and Ryan invited us up to Ryan's parents' cabin in June Lake. June is about 20 minutes from Mammoth, so it is a great place to enjoy the snow and beautiful scenery. This year, we invited ourselves. It was a smaller group, but still tons of fun.

I made a checklist of things I wanted to do this year that I didn't get to do last year. First on my list was to make a snowman.

Isn't she adorable?? Best snowman... I mean woman ever!

I also wanted to make a snow angel. Good thing I was wearing my dorky, but warm snow gear!

Ok, this one wasn't actually on my list, but I'm glad I did it: I walked on a frozen lake! I was pretty scared, but just took a breath and went for it, and, well, I'm still alive! It was really cold and nearly snowing that day, so that made me feel more secure as well.

I really wanted to ride the gondola to the top of Mammoth Mountain and it was soooooo scary! Again, glad I faced my fears and went for it. Also glad I had a cocktail at the top so the ride down wasn't so terrifying.

The last thing on my list was to go sledding. The hill we chose was very scary. People were flying all over the place and some were even badly injured. I just went about a third of the way up the hill so I could check it off my list without breaking any bones. In this photo, I believe I am flipping off Mike for ditching me. He was supposed to ride with me, but just shoved me off instead.

It was a fun trip, but too long to be away from my puppies. Good thing we had Sophie to keep us company!