New Year's Eve Checklist

by Liz Heather in

Make sure the following things are done today:

  1. Make sure there are groceries in the house. The new year must not be seen in with bare cupboards, lest that be the way of things for the year.

  2. Go to an ATM or bank and make sure there is cash in your wallet. This guarantees prosperity in the coming year.

  3. If you're celebrating at home, let all the windows and/or doors open at midnight to let the old year out and to let the new year in.

  4. Twelve grapes, for the twelve months. You also should make a wish on each grape. And for each grape's taste - that signifies what that month will be like. For example, if the third grape you eat is very sour, then March will be an unpleasant month for you.

  5. Wear polka-dots, even in some small way. Anything round signifies good fortune.

  6. Pay January's rent TODAY. You don't want any money going out of your home tomorrow.

  7. Settle any debts you owe, if you can afford to.

  8. Back up your laptop onto the external hard drive. Have you done that lately? God, so important. Go do that now.

  9. Wash your hair today, so you don't have to tomorrow. This will be explained later.

  10. Take out the garbage today, so you don't have to tomorrow. Again, explanations are coming soon.

I'm sorry. I have to do these things. And so, I must pass them onto you.

If you actually give a shit about doing ANY of those things, then return tomorrow to see what you should do on New Year's Day for a prosperous year ahead. 

New Year's Day Recipes

by Liz Heather in , ,

You'll understand in a few days why I'm posting these recipes with these specific ingredients, but for now all I can tell you is that these would be extremely lucky recipes to make on January 1st. (And if you hate the following recipes? Try to eat something with these main ingredients then - if you know what's good for you.)

Crockpot Pulled Pork Chili - recipe from How Sweet Eats

Crockpot Pulled Pork Chili - recipe from How Sweet Eats

Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin - recipe from Food52

Crockpot Brown Sugar Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin - recipe from Food52

Cider-Dijon Pork Chops - recipe from Epicurious

Cider-Dijon Pork Chops - recipe from Epicurious

Lentil Tacos - recipe from AllRecipes

Lentil Tacos - recipe from AllRecipes

Garden Lentil Bolognese - recipe from Dunaway Dietetics

Garden Lentil Bolognese - recipe from Dunaway Dietetics

Pork and Black Eyed Pea Chili - recipe from Gourmandistan

Pork and Black Eyed Pea Chili - recipe from Gourmandistan

Three Bean Salad - recipe from eNourishment

Three Bean Salad - recipe from eNourishment

Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms - recipe from MyRecipes

Pesto Lasagna with Spinach and Mushrooms - recipe from MyRecipes

Spinach, Bacon and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - recipe from How Sweet Eats

Spinach, Bacon and Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms - recipe from How Sweet Eats

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins - recipe from Or Whatever You Do

Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread Muffins - recipe from Or Whatever You Do

Two Actually Good Pinterest New Year's Ideas

by Liz Heather in

I could write an essay on the perils of being on Pinterest. I won't, but I could. I've sifted through an array of New Year's themed pins and these two were my favourites. I'm definitely going to attempt them and I think you should, too. 

1. A good way to clean out your closet and see what you're actually wearing throughout the year: Flip all your hangers around on New Year’s Day. After one year, donate any clothes that you haven’t worn, aka the hangers that are still flipped. This only works if you've already listened to my other piece of advice about having one item per one hanger.

2. (I hope you know that with any mention of Pinterest, there are going to be mason jars involved.) Anyway, starting on January 1st, write any good things that happen to you on little pieces of paper and plop them into this jar. Obviously, you can use a jar or a box or whatever to keep the notes in. What types of things would you write on the notes? Surprise gifts, accomplished goals, things that made you laugh, a memory you don't want to forget, lines from books you've loved, etc. And when December 31st arrives, go through the jar and recollect on the best moments of your year. Now, this idea might seem kind of silly to you - but there are so many good things that happen within the span of a year that go unremembered, especially as we age and tend to forget (or more specifically as I age and tend to forget). I just thought this is such a simple way to not let things pass by too quickly. And if I actually follow through with this activity throughout the year, I'll make sure to post what my notes were in a year's time. (UPDATE: I didn’t share them here because it ain’t your business!)

Gift From Paul

by Liz Heather in ,

I was lucky enough to get some ridiculously good Christmas gifts this year. Why? Probably 'cause I was a really fucking good girl. Here's one of the top ones from the overly-amazing Paul Fishman.

IT'S A MOM SAYS BOOK!

(click the image to see more)

Inside Cover

Inside Back Cover

Honestly, I was speechless. Just such a thoughtful gift. I've wanted to put out a book of those sayings for awhile now and then sell it on the site. So I can't really express how sweet this was to receive. More details coming soon on when they'll be available. 

Also, an obvious thank-you-times-a-million to Paul is in order - but Andrew Hamm? Go to hell, you're amazing for drawing all of these.