Yes, I know I'm already a vegan, but it's always good to start any resolution with a little outside support, guidance and structure, so I'm partaking in PCRM's 21-day Vegan Kickstart.The quizzes, videos and little tips about eschewing animal products aren't that meaningful to me, but I am trying to follow their menu plans.
At the end of 2009, I found myself with a pile of frequent flyer miles that expire in March but saddled with so many blackout dates that it would be impossible to use them. Fortunately, I can use them on hotel rooms, so we opted to snag a gorgeous room at the Intercontinental down on the Boston waterfront for New Year's Eve.
I hope everyone has enjoyed whatever holiday festivities have been going on the past week. Here's to a great start to 2010!!
I've decided to take on Project 365 in 2010. The last and only other time I've done this was in 2007. I had fun and needed a break but I think I'm ready for the challenge again.
In 2007 I tried to post my photo of the day each day. This year I'll try to do that but won't make it necessarily a goal to blog about the photo. I'll post photos with explanations at least once or twice a week to stay caught up.
The camera I was using in 2007 has since been replaced. It still works but isn't reliable after I dunked it in a river early last spring. So with the Canon S2 IS in retirement the Canon SX10 IS has taken its place. And just yesterday our new camera arrived - the Panasonic DMC-TS1. The former is the *good* camera with the super zoom lens. The latter is going to be good for hiking since it's water proof and shock proof. It can even take photos under water. It'll also be easier to have a camera with me "wherever I go" because it's smaller and lighter. Maybe one year when I'm doing this I'll have an SLR to add to the mix too.
So whether I'm ready or not my Project 365 starts tomorrow! Here's to a photographic 2010.
If for no other reason, than to try some of the yummy must-eats found on this list of 10 Meals Every Vegan Needs to Eat in Los Angeles, courtesy of quarrygirl.
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? Taught at Mass College of Art and at Boston University, published a cookbook for our family and friends (through blurb.com), began studying Italian in earnest, saw Moby in concert. 2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Didn't do so hot this year but plan on making 2010 be rather kickass. 3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No immediate relatives but several friends! 4. Did anyone close to you die? My grandfather passed away in September. 5. What countries did you visit? Hmmm. I didn't leave the country this year, not even to go to Canada. 6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? A trip to Europe under my belt and a downpayment on a house. 7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Not sure if specific dates will be etched into my brain, but I'll remember how I felt when I got the news that Romeo had kidney disease, and when my grandfather died. Oh, also the inauguration of Obama was a historic event that was incredible to be able to see, even if only on television. And the week that my long-lost friend (17 years lost!) Leanna came to visit! 8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Teaching, and receiving agent interest on my unfinished book (I need to get it done and follow through!!). 9. What was your biggest failure? Not getting further on the novel than I would have liked. Not doing anything about my health goals. 10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A few colds (including the massive eye and nose dripping head cold I have right now), otherwise mostly was healthy. 11. What was the best thing you bought? Tickets to Italy for spring 2010!!! YAY 12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Joe for putting up with me for a ninth straight year! 13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Let's just say that they know who they are. 14. Where did most of your money go? Probably eating out too often. Fixing appliances that seemed to always break. We did better this year, being able to save for Italy, pay down some debt and should have a good start on a down payment on a house for next year. 15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Visiting Italy! 16. What song will always remind you of 2009? Negramaro, Il Distrazione 17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Happier, fatter, richer. 18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Worked on my novel. 19. What do you wish you’d done less of? sleeping in instead of going to the gym. 20. How did you spend Christmas? We went to the "Pitt" as we affectionately call Pittsfield, MA. where Joe's parents live. Was happy, peaceful and full of good wine, food and excellent company. 21. Did you fall in love in 2009? I fall more in love with Joe every year. Sappy but true. 22. What was your favorite TV program? True Blood, Legend of the Seeker, Sanctuary 23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? Glenn Beck is higher on the list. 24. What was the best book you read? Just one? Oh my. I really loved La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language by Dianne Hales. I bought several copies for friends this Christmas. 25. What was your greatest musical discovery? Polly Scattergood and St. Vincent 26. What did you want and get? Tickets to Italy! A Canon Powershot and a Flip Cam 27. What did you want and not get? Zelda for the Wii. A raise (company froze them, just as so many other companies have). A magic fat-disappearing wand. 28. What was your favorite film of this year? Star Trek 29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I turned 38. Nothing terribly memorable. Went to Clio and ate at the bar. 30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? My job could have been less painless personality-wise, I suppose. Also, I still haven't mastered the ability to care less about what people think of me. 31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Back to my roots (blonde!). But otherwise, as bold and distinctive as always. 32. What kept you sane? Joe! 33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? David Tennant 34. What political issue stirred you the most? There are oh too many. 35. Who did you miss? I ended a long dying friendship this year and that makes me immeasurably sad. 36. Who was the best new person you met? My friends in my most recent Italian class. 37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. I'm always learning. I need to get better at applying. 38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. (popular Italian song, Ma il cielo e' sempre più blu) Chi sogna i milioni, chi gioca d’azzardo chi gioca coi fili, chi ha fatto l’indiano chi fa il contadino, chi spazza i cortili chi ruba, chi lotta, chi ha fatto la spia na na na na na na na na na Ma il cielo è sempre più blu uh uh, uh uh, ma il cielo è sempre più blu uh uh, uh uh, uh uh…
Let me know if you do the year end meme!
I cooked three different dishes from three different sources for my contribution to Christmas this year.
Serves 24
What You Need:
8 ounces soy cream cheese4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup vegan chocolate chips
What You Do:
1. Line an 8-inch square pan with wax paper. In a food processor, blend soy cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, processing until smooth.2. In microwave or double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Pour melted chocolate into cream cheese mixture and process until smooth.
3. Pour mixture into prepared pan and refrigerate until firm. Pull wax paper out of pan. Cut fudge into bite-size pieces. Store in refrigerator in an airtight container.
See you in 2010!
