My first week following my new resolutions

Well, I am happy to report I did follow with some success my new resolutions. I have been drawing, playing words with friends and going to bed earlier. I also chose to tackle tasks I didn't want to undertake: clean my oven, clean my closet (not quite done yet though should be by tomorrow), and stay on top of cluster.

Trying to stay on top of cluster, I thought I would share some of my tips and deco/organization solutions.

1) I make a point to leave the kitchen as I entered it: clean after I cook or bake.
2) If run the dishwasher: I empty it whether same day or if run late at night, first thing in morning.
3) Before I go to bed, I try to do 15 min of simple cleaning: whether wiping my bathroom counters, doing dust in one room, or picking up my pups toys.

Regarding toys, my dogs don't pick up after themselves, however, I found a way to display their toys in a fun way. I use a rolling cart (part of an activity table from Pottery Barn kids), which I fill with their toys.

4) As I reorganize my closet, I acquire four under-bed baskets from Pottery Barn, to store and sort through my clothes that I don't hang.

So far so good.

Successful day (took advantage of Sunday)

Yesterday, I followed through with my commitment to clean and organize. I tackled a few tasks I dreaded. I cleaned my oven with baking soda and white vinegar, this also included me cleaning the racks in my bathtub in warm water with dish detergent. All I will say is "it worked"- I have silver colored racks instead of black. Beside this, I also reclaimed my cast iron le creuset pot which I scored during a thrift store visit. The inside was black (previous meals burnt), I poured some cola soda and let it sit overnight. Acid in soda ate most of it, saving my elbow grease (which I used for my oven). Then I used some baking soda and white vinegar, forming a paste and scrub away with a sponge (rough side). My pot was white (cream colored): success!!! 

On a side note: I took my pups to the vet for their annual routine. Both were so well behaved, as usual my vet commented they eat better than him. I feed them Acana and Orijen food, while I also once in a while feed them Fromm (mixed in). As vet commented it shows, both Curley and Rowdy are in great shape. I am certain though that our almost daily 3 miles walk in the woods helps. Despite the low temperature and the snow out, we went out yesterday morning for a 3 miles hike. I will comment that I was glad for my fleece lined long john under my jeans. Pups wore their sherpa lined coats. Rowdy managed to kill a mole even with ground covered with a few inches of snow. He is definitely my hunter. Curley as usual found himself a long "log" not a branch to carry proudly. 

Overall, it was a successful day: I accomplished a lot. By time it was evening and I finished making  my bed with clean sheets, pups were happy to pass out on it. 

My own Happiness Project inspired by Gretchen Rubin

About maybe two years ago, I was given The Happiness Project book by Gretchen Rubin, I devoured it though it has been a while since I followed some of the useful tips in it. As I was thinking of resolutions I could undertake to better myself, I thought I would perhaps revisit this book and its concept. After all, I am in search of my own happiness.

So following her concept, below are my own January's Resolution: Less chaos

1. A better sleeping routine

2. Exercise and eat better

3. Stay on top of cluster

4. Toss and organize

5. Tackle a nagging task

6. Discover meditation

1. If I was to be honest, I truly enjoy reading as I go to sleep. I also like to draw as a mean to unwind after a long day. I know from past experiences that I also like doing sudoku, ken ken or play words with friends as I drift to sleep. Can I incorporate these into my daily routine when it comes to my bedtime routine? I believe so. 

First, in order for I to get 8 hrs of sleep, I must commit to set time to which I must turn off my light. Perhaps, during the week, I must turn it off by 11pm (if not 10:30). Also, nights I wish to read, how long do I accord myself? up to one hour (I tend to stay up late to finish books - can't do this anymore). 

If I wish to do sudoku or ken ken or words with friends, I must only do so at most for 30 min. Same with drawing. I believe sticking to a set time is not punishment but rather a way for me to learn to stick to things. I tend to disregard things and especially disregard time. I often run late, a habit I am not too proud of. Perhaps, holding myself accountable for a set time will benefit me in that regard. 

2. I used to enjoy yoga and pilates as well as running. I commit myself to find a way to incorporate these activities back into my life, starting this month. In regard to my diet, I eat pretty healthy though I do have a heavy sweet tooth. I crave sugar. While I did cease adding sugar to my tea and coffee a few years back, I would like to restrict myself to having sweets only on special occasions or in moderation. For instance, I enjoy caramel macchiato with extra caramel or hot chocolate with extra whipped cream or a cup of coffee with literally half of it filled with half and half. Perhaps, I can commit myself to enjoy one cup of caramel macchiato only once in a while.  I had my first cup this morning, justified it by telling myself it was the first day of the year. So no more for the remaining of the weak. In regard to coffee, I will attempt to cut back on my half and half consumption. Hot chocolate need to be a treat just as caramel macchiato. Realistically, I should be able to cut back my consumption, and only accord myself one of such treats, once a week as a very special treat. I would like to try to only have one once every two weeks to one a month. I really don't need all that extra sugar. 

3. I very much enjoy the ten minutes before bedtime cleaning up routine suggested by Mrs. Rubin. I have implemented it and really find it beneficial. Tonight for instance, I will clean up my bathroom (bleach it). I also make my bed every morning. In regard to a more substantial quest, I would like to keep my dogs' beds clean a bit more. I just bought them new ones two days ago, perhaps I could avoid giving them treats on them as to avoid getting crumbs or grease (depending on the treats). I also could spend 10 minutes once a week to vacuum their beds instead of once so often. 

4. I really need to stay on top of my mail. I will commit to spending 5-10 min each evening to go through my daily mail. And I must not wait the last possible minute to take my trash out. 

5. I will make a point to overcome my fear and avoidance of nagging tacks starting this month. 

6. I would like to consecrate 10 min a day to meditation using the app "Headspace"

Wild mushrooms picking

Wild mushrooms picking is a tradition that my parents passed on upon me. Growing up in France, my parents would take me along to pick up wild mushrooms: "cêpes, chanterelles, morilles..." Of course, lets not lie, when the weather outside was cold and rainy, I did not enjoy the experience. Though, I admit in truth, picking up wild mushrooms was fun too. In my mind, I would see it as a sort of treasure hunt. Plus, I wanted to prove myself to my father, an avid mushrooms picker. I still remember how I was so proud to wear my own "fishing basket" where I would store my wild mushrooms. I would even make it a competition, I wanted to prove myself as a wild mushrooms picker and demonstrate to my dad that I was his daughter. I was set on making him proud. Not to sound arrogant, though I was rumored to have the sight. Anyhow this passion for wild mushrooms picking certainly originates from my childhood. Since I landed in the United States, not only did I miss my "food" and my mushrooms picking days. Hence, besides my father encouraging me to go out and find the USA's wild mushrooms after I would lament to him how much I missed joining him and my family for our wild mushrooms picking expeditions, I attempted my chance. Late last summer, I found chanterelles and porcini mushrooms. This spring I thought I would attempt my luck at morels. Here is the result, after figuring out where legally I could pick up wild mushrooms near me, I entered the woods and lucky me, filled up partially my basket with morels.

Fresh herbs

I enjoy adding herbs into my dishes when cooking. This led me to start my own herbs garden this year. I planted cilantro, dill, thyme, rosemary, basil and recently added 4 plants of Heirloom Cherokee tomatoes. So far, I am very satisfied with the results. I enjoy using fresh rosemary and basil. My cilantro due to the heat and season has grown tall and started blooming and transforming itself into yielding coriander seeds (which I look forward to collect).

What can I do with Maple syrup?

A friend from Montréal gave me a can of pure maple syrup. Since I don't care much for pancakes, this inspired me to attempt making a cake out of maple syrup. Though I didn't know how it would taste (never once heard of a maple syrup cake), I was pretty pleased with the result.

Ingredients:

For the cake

3 cups all purpose flour

1 Tbsp baking powder

1 Tsp salt

1/2 cup (or 1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature

2 Tbsp non-hydrogenated solid vegetable shortening at room temperature (or lard, I personally use bacon fat)

2 cups pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)

3 egg yolks

1 egg

1 1/4 cups whole milk

1 cup walnuts

For the frosting

3 cups powdered sugar

1 8-ounce package of cream cheese at room temperature

1/2 cup (or 1 stick) unsalted butter at room temperature

2 Tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)

A few walnut haves (for garnish)

Note: One suggested ingredient for the cake batter is shortening (like Crisco), though in truth I don't ever cook nor bake with shortening. Instead, I chose to substitute it with bacon fat. Now it may sound like "yuck" it may give it a meat flavor, well it does not. I buy hormones free smoked bacon all natural (it is pricey), when ready to cook/fry it, I cut the extra fat and collect it. I then cook separately the fat and let it cool down before storing it into a glass jar (Bonne Maman empty jam jar) into the fridge. Let's keep an open mind, I am not telling you to use lard or bacon fat, I am simply sharing how I substitute shortening. You could also use butter otherwise. This is simply a matter of preference. 

Instructions:

Preheat oven at 325 F. Butter two 8-inch diameter cake pans (2 inch high sides). Line bottom of pans with parchment paper then butter parchment. Dust pans with flour and tap out excess. 

In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and lard (or shortening) until light and fluffy, add gradually the maple syrup and beat until mixture is smooth (about 3 minutes). Add the egg yolks and the egg, one at a time, beating after each addition until well blended. Add the flour mixture gradually then the milk, while beating with each addition. Fold in walnuts.

When batter is ready, divide as best you can equally among both pans, smooth the tops. Then place pans in oven and bake until toothpick or knife inserted into center comes out clean. (Baking time can vary  around 40-55min). Let the cakes cool completely. (I suggest running a knife along the sides to loosen cakes)

For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and butter into smooth. Add powdered sugar and maple syrup and keep beating until smooth but still somehow thick (you do not want frosting to be too soft and runny).

If you wish to trim off the domed top of each cake layer, I suggest using a serrated knife, as to create a flat surface. Then spoon about a cup of frosting over top of one cake and spread evenly then top cake with second cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of both cakes. For garnish, arrange the walnut halves around top edge of the cake or play with them as to arrange them as you'd like. I personally enjoy walnuts, hence I wouldn't mind covering the whole top with them. I also suggest refrigerating cake (and cover it with cake dome) so frosting can set better. Once ready to be enjoyed, I suggest removing cake a hour or less before serving so can be at room temperature. 

Enjoy! Though on a personal note, I personally found this cake to be too sweet for my taste. So, I do think this is a recipe that may only appeal to some. 

Morels

Growing up, my parents would take us kids to the forests to pick up wild mushrooms. Little, I didn't always enjoy it as it was sometimes cold and rainy out on these excursions, though I always enjoyed the hunt. My parents enjoyed it and "trained" me well. My dad gave me my own fishing basket to store these finds, I was so proud and couldn't wait to fill it up as to say: "Look at me, I can do it too". I wanted to make my parents and more so my dad proud. In many ways, I did. Not to brag though like my sister just reminded me, I certainly was good. I was rumored to have the sight. I would often find the one when no one could. I enjoyed it. Still to this day, I enjoy mushrooms hunting. My friend and I went about it at several instances. Last year, I found chanterelles, this spring I found morels.