What a mountain today.

Today I did battle with a mountain and the mountain won. I was supposed to trek into some ruins, but some riding lessons, backpacking in my youth and gym workouts weren't enough preparation. I should have thoroughly researched the trek. Over 20 years ago I did battle with another mountain and lost. Today I learned as I did then to stop while I was ahead and head back to a bed. Today, I also learned that mountains and I aren't friends and that is all right. In life, it is important to be thoroughly prepared and know your limits. My limit is riding a horse down a winding narrow path. Tonight I will sleep in a bed. My traveling companion, more prepared then I, is still on the trek and I wish him a journey of health and good weather.

An old adage to reality....

The old adage, "If at first you don't succeed, try again." Well, when the first batch of Yorkshire Pudding failed, I made a second that worked. Why one batch and not the other? The oven temp. I failed to realize my recipe was European, so the temperature was Celsius and here in the US we do Fahrenheit. A quick ask to Siri on my phone told me of my mistake and the right temperature. At this time of year, the end that is, often, I think about the mistakes I made and what I learned from them. From this one, I learned that I should I think through what I read before I act on it. What did you learn this year?

Off to camp...the hard part

Today I took my daughter to sleep away camp for the first time and while it is hard to realize she is 10 and old enough to go, it was harder to iron on the name tags, since the instructions weren't clear on the temperature of the iron-- very, very hot for your knowledge. (The label company will remain nameless, but it will receive an email from me on this matter.)

In the kitchen on Thursday.....Mac n' Cheese reinvented

1 box your favorite mac n'cheese brand

1/4 C. pesto sauce

Prepare the mac n' cheese according to the box. Once the cheese sauce is all mine, add in your pesto and toss the pasta until coated. Serve warm with grated cheese as a topping.

Tuesday's Tip: Don't leave home until.....

When traveling, be sure to prep your home by watering plants, putting a light on a timer and closing all windows.

In the Kitchen on Thursday: Asian Salmon

1 lb. Salmon filet

2 Tbsp. Teriyaki sauce

2 tsp. Soy sauce

1/2 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger

Mix the last three ingredients together. Place in a bag of covered dish with fish. Shake to coat. Let stand at least 1 hour. bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes depending on the thickness of the filets. Serves 4. Great with salad or brown rice and veggies.

Tuesday's Tip: For the New Year...

Be sure to print a hard copy of your address book on your computer and your contact list on your phone, so that you can recover the information should you need to do it.

To-Do List on the run

I didn't have time to work out my to-do list last night, so I did it while waiting at the bank. The back of a deposit slip is "lined."

Wednesday's words on luck....

"Luck is the dividend of sweat. The more you sweat the luckier you get." —Ray Kroc

Ray Kroc biography

In the kitchen on Thursdasy: Easy Pasta Meal

1  jar Vodka sauce
3-4 slices cooked Turkey or Pork bacon
1/2 box Spaghetti, cooked according to the package directions.
3/4 C. Grated Parmesan or other cheese

Cook the bacon until crisp. Allow to cool and then crumbleHeat up the sauce. Put the cooked pasta in 4 bowls. Ladle sauce on top. Then add crumbled bacon and cheese. Serve immediately. Seves 4.

Tuesday's Tip: Eye candy

Rub your eyelids with your face cream, foundation or petroleum jelly before applying eye make-up and they should last longer.

In the kitchen on Thursday: Traditional Brussel Sprout Slaw

Approximately 1 lb. brussel sprouts
2 Tbsp. Mayonaise
1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. Honey
Pinch of salt

Wash sprouts and cut off ends. Slice into strips and break up in a bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly. Allow to sit for at least 1 hour before serving. Store in the refrigerator.

Wednesday's words...on to do lists

"You don't need a special device to make a to-do list. You don't even need a notebook. I feel somewhat ridiculous say this, but you'd be surprised how many people say they can't get organized until they take a workshop or hire an organizer or get the proper notebook. The back of an envelope will do. And the best thing about it? WHen you're done you can get rid of it."
—from My Foot is Too Big for the Glass Slipper by Gabrielle Reece

Gabrielle Reece Biography

Tuesday's tip...Don't forget the flour

To make sure cakes release from the pan don't just grease it, sprinkle in flour and get it on all sides. When cool, slide a knife around the cake edge and invert the pan over a plate and Viola! the cake comes out easy.

In the kitchen on Thursday: A breakfast with out all the work

Baked Pancake

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare pancake mix batter according to the directions on the box. Heat an ovenproof skillet on the stove. When hot, melt 1 Tbsp. of butter in the pan making sure to coat the bottom and sides. Pour in batter and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Bake in oven for 15 minutes. Serve warm sliced like a pie with maple syrup drizzled on top.

(My daughter had a slice tonight that she dipped in syrup for dessert and gave it two thumbs up. And the best part, no standing over the pan waiting to flip the pancakes.)

Tuesday's tip: the night before

Pack your bag the night before, so you don't forget anything.

(I learned this the hard way this morning when I had to go home twice--once for my cell phone and a second time for my wallet. I should practice what I preach.)