Skeletons in the Pantry, How to Set Goals, Resolutions

I leaned early on that my great motivator is not a desire for accolades but a fear of having to admit I failed.  Actual failure doesn't bother me in the least.  It's having other people know I failed that I can't abide.

So, many years ago, back in the beginning of time, when I decided to quit smoking, I didn't do it silently.  I intentionally set myself up for a huge embarrassment if I failed. 

Not only did I tell everyone in the office, all of my friends and family, and most strangers; I bought myself a piece of jewelry.  I should say: I ordered a piece of jewelry.  I explained to the store manager that I was quitting smoking, and if successful, I would buy myself a reward.  If not, I would have to pay the penalty and she would have to return my prize.  She agreed. (Foolish woman.)

I choose a sapphire eternity ring.

It took 4 weeks to have it made.  I calculated that not smoking for 6 1/2 years would pay for it.  I told everyone I knew and anyone who would listen about my 'quit-smoking ring'.

Everyday for 4 weeks I talked about that ring….and didn't smoke.  I went into the jewelry store once a week to report my progress.

I still wear the ring everyday.

I never smoked again.

Why am I telling you this? 

Because I am re-writing/designing my website, Thyme for Cooking.  My goal is to have it done by the end of January.  As there are over 1000 pages it's a big job. 

There, I've told you.

Now I have to get it done.

Stupid woman….. grumble, grumble. grumble…

If you have something that you really want to do but can't seem to get at it, try my method: tell the world and embarrass yourself into accomplishing it!  You could surprise yourself!

One last picture of the market in Strasbourg and we close the book on Christmas, 2007.

On to more important things.

I have no problem with admitting to blunders, bloopers, screw-ups, embarrassing moments and general faux pas.   

They make some of the best stories.  They, also, make good memories and bring family, friends and relatives together. 

Here is the final and complete (I hope – I shall be so embarrassed if I missed someone…let me know if it's you) exposé of our Skeletons in the Pantry!

New entry:  Aaaackkkkk!  I did it:  I missed one two!

Magpie, of Magpie Musing tells a terrifying tale of the Fruitcake that Would Not Die!  Just remembering the story is enough to give me nightmares. It invloves …oozing….  Hint: It is was almost old enough to vote!.

But I found it.  All day I was hungry for pizza and something was just niggling in the back of my mind…
Finally, it came together.  ZaZa, at Writing-Cooking-Life had an unusual way of making pizza in her youth: using an electric frying pan.  I had one of those once.   I never thought of  frying the pizza, though…

Jeanne, of Cook Sister fondly remembers her father's love of convenience food and eating red wallpaper paste as a child.  And she admits to a certain, um, affinity for KFC, dunked in mayo – well, who doesn't go weak in the knees at that?

Meredith, of Poppy Fields, is trying to be the perfect Provencal 'femme du foyer' and make the traditional Buche de Noel.  The best laid plans….as they say….

Núria, of Spanish Recipes, admits to liking meatballs with a little 'je ne sais quois' or should that be: 'yo no sé eso que'? (Sorry, Núria, no Catalan).  A lovely reminisce about her school days in Barcelona, Chickpea Games and Fuzzy Meatballs….eeeewwww…..

Mrs. W, of Mrs. W's Kitchen has a yearning for her version of one of the most famous of all U.S. boarding school and military kitchen staples: SOS.  She tarts it up a bit, throwing in the odd vegetable, using tuna, but, still…  I know I love it!

Kate, of Kate in the Kitchen, is admitting to many secret loves; among them Beef Barley Soup (I'm with you on that), peanut butter and banana sandwiches (No way!), peanut butter and green …. Naw, that one you have to read for yourself!

Father's are being picked on today.  Amy, (she really got into this!) of Knit Think, remembers her father's introduction to her Cranberry Slush.  Let's just say that everyone remembers it….

From Christine, of Christine Cooks, we have the tale of Thanks and Giving, the two turkeys raised for the holidays.  One of them grew to a whopping 37 pounds, and he wasn't the big one.  You might ask how long, and in what, one cooks a turkey that huge.  Christine was asking, and waiting and waiting…

Mimi, of French Kitchen in America, has confessed to something Cheesy, creamy, comforting….and covert.  All I have to say is…I didn't know they made it with cheese!!!!!  I love that stuff!  YUM!!!!!  Oooops!

Tanna, of My Kitchen in Half Cups, that fabulous Daring Baker, reminds us that anything left on the counter when making catch-all foods (like turkey dressing) is fair game.  I'll admit to tossing a few strange things into the soup but….doughnuts?  Well, why not?  How else are new things developed? 

Valerie, of More Than Burnt Toast, has a favorite potato dish that she dare not make herself for communal gatherings (Her contributions must be time-consuming, complicated fare), but, she does happen to have the recipe….and she does happen to make certain that someone always makes it.  Sneaky!

Amy, of Knit Think, has revealed one of my own little secrets: I agree that it must be a Midwestern thing but if it wasn't on the holiday table, someone was in trouble.  Can you say "spray cheese"?  What does one do with 'spray cheese'?  Read and learn!

Have you ever forgotten what food is in which container in the freezer?  Need to have the importance of proper labeling reinforced..the hard way?  How do you feel about fish in your turkey?  Maggie, of Magpie Musing has the answer to all of these questions; some revealed for the very first time!

Nora, of Life's Smörgåsbord, discovered that one does, in fact, use that awful math stuff we learn in school in real life; or at least, one should.  She also learned why one is supposed to measure carefully when baking.  So many lessons in one little Volcano Cake!

Ruth, of Once Upon A Feast, has also found comfort in a box. For as good of a cook as she is, it's a true skeleton coming out to learn that her family's favorite stuffing, (for HOW many years???) comes not from hours of work but from a, you-know….  (I can't type it twice)

Laurie, meet Nora.  The two of you can discuss the merits of measuring.   The kitchen of Tastes Like Home – Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska must have been getting a little warm that day.  Spoon Sweets are meant to be, well, you know, spooned.  She does get high marks for recovery!

Champaign Taste?  Hmmmm…..  I love Lisa's confessions! I mean I love them – the food!  I do have to disagree slightly, though.  I prefer fried Spam with Miracle Whip!  Try it, Lisa, then let me know!  We can do side by side, across the pond, taste tests!

To close: SPAM

No, not the bad, computer kind; the good, pink kind.

She did not 'officially' enter this.  But anyone who does such a perfect 'Ode to Spam' deserves to have it shouted from the rooftops…if the blogosphere had rooftops. 
Jaden, of Steamy Kitchen, has a love close to my own heart.  I fondly remember Spam, Miracle Whip and WonderBread sandwiches as a teenager.  Could there be a more perfect food?  Well, maybe SOS…. Wait…SOS with Spam??????  OMG!
Thankfully, I'm tall enough to reach the cans myself, which I do on every trip back to the U.S.
They don't call Hawaii paradise just for the flowers, you know!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

May your 2008 be filled with good food, good wine, good friends, and whatever else your little heart desires!