It’s a new year, a fresh beginning and it’s going to be noisy. With 7.5 billion people hanging out on Planet Earth, why are we surprised? Here’s a thought. Let’s bring joy and wonder into each day, making it sparkle. Let’s laugh louder and more often. Let’s try on Happiness until it fits. What we know for sure is Life’s overwhelming, difficult and sometimes sad. Let’s face it, our tank’s gotta be full to be grownups!
Every January I rethink this blog. Another year: Go or No. This began as a vehicle for me to re-build a life. Whether single by choice, divorce or death, I realized many others were making that same journey. Call it brazen or desperate, I decided it might be helpful to them and for me to tell my story, wins, fails and draws. The stars were aligned when I stumbled onto the French Fridays with Dorie group and began blogging. That was February, 2011.
Although I’ve put together a Lifestyle that is mine, it’s quite another to live it successfully. That’s true for all of us, male/female, single /married. What I know for sure is every aspect of Life is knowing ‘when to hold ‘em, fold ‘em, walk away or run.’* Writing this blog with all it entails has become part of who I am. Thanks to all of you for making that so. Let’s muddle through another year together. OK?
YEAR 2019 – MAKE IT WORK FOR YOU
One way to win the resolutions game every year is to not make any ….. which I don’t. My only 2018 goals were to Read More (#ilovetoread), to Learn Something Everyday (#learningisfun) and to finish up my Presidential Library visits. (Done.)
During the past 7 single years, despite detours, ups and downs, I found the right stuff to set life right for me. No ideas were original but I needed to find, glean and pull together what worked. The constant I carry with me is to manage and worry about what I can control. Why let your happiness be controlled by something you can’t? I thrive, and always have, on goals, plans and projects. Lists and calendars are my buddies. “She was Organized” will be carved on my tombstone.
It’s never too late to reclaim your time and set up boundaries. At any age your mental health, physical fitness and diet requires attention. Everything you invest into your bank (your body) will reap rewards now and later. Get enough sleep. Trust me on that. Friends and family are golden. Stick with those who support, encourage and lift you up. Here’s a tip. Meet and make friends who are younger than you. While it’s fashionable to bash the Millennials and Gen Z’s, I live with them, work with them and listen to them. I’m the better for it.
We’re gonna do this … for another year.
COOK-THE-BOOK-FRIDAYS
TANGERINE-CHAMPAGNE SORBET by David Lebovitz, My Paris Kitchen
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups fresh tangerine juice from about 4 pounds of tangerines (I used tangerine juice available at Trader Joe’s and other markets.)
⅔ cup granulated sugar
1 cup Champagne, or other sparkling wine
- In a large saucepan over low heat, warm ½ cup of the tangerine juice with the sugar, stirring until the sugar is dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining 2 ½ cups of tangerine juice. Add the Champagne or sparkling wine. Transfer to another container and chill thoroughly.
- Freeze in your ice cream maker about 20 minutes according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Put in another container and place in freezer.
Note: This sorbet will not freeze as hard as other sorbets because of the alcohol in the Champagne. However, it will make it more scoop-able once fully frozen.
*The title of this blogpost includes a Homophone, a type of homonym with words that sounds alike but have different meanings and different spellings.
*Thank you, Kenny Rogers, “The Gambler”
Dear Mary – I always love your blog….so don’t even think about stopping!! I wish I liked to cook which starts with going shopping….don’t want to do either. Your pictures, and even the recipes, do it for me.
This month’s blog brings tears to my eyes. You are so fortunate to be with your family so often in the year.
Hugs from your birdy friend, Liz xo
Love, love, love your blog!! I bright spot in an other wise depressing time in our countries history! Can’t wait to try this sorbet!! Thank you for your uplifting words of wisdom!!
Words of wisdom my friend …
So glad I am on your list of keeper friends.
Inspiring us with your words and your org skills.
7.5 billion? What’re ya going to do but feed them? Hope they’re reading this blog to eat the best!
Happy New Year,
Cathy
Re Two Oh Won Nine:
I’m glad you’re blogging on life, love and food for yet another year, Mary!
happy 2019!
love, Adde
Happy New Year! Glad you are going ahead for another year with the Blog! I really enjoy it. BTW, we stayed in Tucson and did not return to Aspen for the holidays. And, guess what? It snowed here on several days! Yippee!
It snowed because you were whining to me on my blog about not returning to Aspen and staying in Tucson where it didn’t seem like Christmas. So I texted Mother Nature and told her my Ranger colleague needed a little snow over the holidays. Glad to know she came through. Love and Happy New Year to you and Tony.
Ooh, a London trip for you and Missy! How fun! Wishing you another fulfilling year full of friends, family and good food. xoxo
Happy New Year 2019 Mary! Yes! Lets do this.
It was great to open my emails early this morning to see what you had to say- always insightful and interesting- but in a variety of directions. Hm. Which point to mention? I never know. I enjoy it all. Here’s to finding new paths and being happy in the journey, millenials included. Ching. Ching.
HNY2019, Mary!!
Very inspiration blog post, looking forward to more from you this year.
Happy New Year, Miss Mary! I’m glad you’re blogging for another year. I’d miss your posts. I love to read your recipes. Usually I don’t attempt them. Mostly I cook Gf, df, and with no more than 5 ingredients, unless I’m making soup. We just returned from a trip to Sioux City, and drove 600 miles out of the way to avoid snow, and did for the most part. It was so worth it to spend 5 glorious days with son Fritz, dau in law Joni, the boys and wife/girlfriend. Have a wonderful trip with Missy, and a great 2019! Love you.
Happy New Year Mary. I’m excited for you and Missy going to London, I know Tricia and hubby had a ball and you will too. I love the planning part of a trip, so exciting to figure out everything to see. This week’s recipe was so simple and delicious. Great to keep in the freezer in the summer.
oh, I love that image of the champagne glass with the raspberry in it and look forward to hearing about the interview! What a neat museum, too! This sorbet really was just fabulous–it seems very French in its way, yes? Easy preparation for a really lovely end product. Few people would know how easy it was and are mostly just impressed you essentially made ice cream! 🙂 Cheers to 2019, Mary! I agree with you that the Millennials and Gen Z are not whatever epithets people are using for them these days. How quickly people forget the brush with which their generation was painted, no? I look forward to seeing where your winter travels take you this year!
Mary, I can’t wait to hear more about the Nathan Myhrvold’s interview. I have his cookbook and am interested, particularly, his unique approach to food photography. You’re full of wonderful ideas, good energy and tips. Let’s hope 2019 will be a better for most of us. This sorbet is a winner. I served it to a big group and everyone loved it.
Wow! I was holding my breath waiting to hear whether you would keep going with your blog in 2019. Now I can breath easy knowing you must continue. What a marvelous post with many words of wisdom to inspire for the new year ahead. Looking forward to hearing about the adventures you and Melissa have in London. Also, why was building the Lego London the short stick prize? I’d have signed up for that as first choice. Happy New Year and Much Love to you, Mary!