December 2012 Update

The first half of December seemed to go very well, and then I got sick just in time for Christmas, everything seemed to go downhill from there.  But I'm posting this update on time, and I'm planning on having  another post ready for tomorrow. Happy New Year, everyone!

32. Organize a family Christmas picture each year (1/3)

This was one of the first things that I did this month, mostly to get the Christmas cards done, but we have one year done. I also tried to get one in our pjs Christmas morning, but it didn't seem to work out all that well (and the fever wasn't helping my resolve).

33. Send Christmas cards each year (1/3)

I also sent out our Christmas cards, although not as early as I have been in the past. I was late enough that I was only able to get religious stamps, but glad to hear that even my British cards made it before Christmas.

42. Attend Sunday services at least twice a month (7/66)

Christmas morning, we made it to church for the morning service, and despite the 101 fever, I even read the lessons. I am way behind on this item, but hopefully I'll start catching up soon.

15. Make dessert for each Christmas dinner (0/3)
16. Make dessert for each Boxing Day (0/3)
17. Bake cookies for Santa (0/3)

None of these things happened, I was just way too sick to get any of it done. I had all the shopping done and was ready to bake, but I couldn't stand long enough. I am obviously not marking this as complete this year, but I am shaving this year off the count since I couldn't complete it due to circumstances beyond my control.

20. Try at least two new recipes a month (24/66)

Four new recipes this month, all from Six O'Clock Scramble.

Savory Mustard Salmon

Chinese New Year Stir-Fry with Pork

Miraculous Macaroni and Cheese

Irresistible Honey-Curry Chicken

# 15, # 16, # 17 and # 20

15. Make a dessert for each Christmas dinner (3/3)
16. Make a dessert for each Boxing Day (3/3)
17. Make something for each family gathering
20. Try at least two new recipes a month (43/68)

For Christmas, I made fudge for the first time, Peppermint Chocolate Fudge and Foolproof Chocolate Fudge (without nuts). They were both absolutely delicious, although a little rich. We liked them so much at Christmas that I made it again for Boxing Day. I was going to also make the Gingerbread Gifts for Boxing Day, but my hand mixer died and I couldn't finish them (and so I still have no picture). Two more items completed, and getting closer to a third.

# 15 and # 16

15. Make a dessert for each Christmas dinner (2/3)
16. Make a dessert for each Boxing Day (2/3)

This year, I made cookies for both Christmas dinner and for Boxing Day. I was a bit short on time, so I didn't make as many has I had been planning on, but I was happy to have desserts that I could actually enjoy. I also didn't take as many pictures, since I started to get very busy while I was baking, but I did get a few.

One more year to go, and then these are done.

# 13, # 16 and # 20

13. Make cookies from scratch
16. Make a dessert for Boxing Day (1/3)
20. Try at least two new recipes a month (4/68)

Not only did I make dessert, but I made three types of cookies from scratch! That is three items down (well, 16 and 20 are repeating things, but you know what I mean). I made gingersnaps, which I have made before, decorated with green and red sugar, and two new recipes, chocolate drops and sugar cookies. This time I did remember to take some pictures of the process, as well as one picture of the final display at my mom's (without the gingersnaps, those somehow never got served and ended up directly in my dad's cookie tin).