New Year – 2022

Ok, 2022, let’s get this started, shall we?  Is everyone up for a new year?  Do you have plans or resolutions you care to share for the New Year?

Do you start a New Year’s Eating Plan?  Well, I’m way too old to do that now.  But.  I could give my tummy a bit of a rest.  Let’s call it that, shall we?  Nothing new on the eating plan, but maybe just a tad bit less.

New Year’s Exercise Plan?  I’m always up for something new, but I get a lot of comfort and energy from my normal routine too. 

For most of my career, I traveled and spent time in hotels which meant time in hotel gyms.  Or out finding a safe place to run or walk. 

That always inspired me to shake up my routine a bit, but if jet lag or long hours kept me from exercise, you would not want to spend much time around me.  There are two things I need in life – exercise and downtime.  The rest I can fudge, but don’t mess with those, please.

We started off 2022 with very chilly weather.  It’s starting to warm up nicely now and I’m looking forward to long walks and some winter hikes.

Dry January, anyone?  Me neither.  Let’s move along.

Projects?  Let’s just say cooking and cleaning are not my favorite pastimes, so I’m looking forward to some new projects and adventures this year.

I literally did NOT spring clean last year.  Gasp.  It’s true.  But.  We did get the entire house painted so I know the transom windows are dust free and all the furniture did get pulled out and cleaned behind.  We found several of Mandy’s sparkly balls too.

Create a budget?  I might not be putting myself on a spending diet, but after some steep vet bills and a couple of emergency house repairs, this might be a good time to reign in the shopping a bit.

I did see a resolution to quit multitasking.  And yes, I think that sounds like a great idea.  My brain feels like it really can’t take so much stimulation anymore.  If I do things while in the present I might quit forgetting where I put my phone.  Or my keys.  Or my glasses.

Ok, that’s it.  I’m going to quit multitasking.  Except when I’m brushing my teeth.  I will probably still do balancing exercises while I brush my teeth.

What I’m Eating

I have been scouting recipe sites for tomato soup recipes.  Is there anything in the world better than tomato soup and a grilled cheese?  Nope, so glad you agree.

I like a creamy soup, but don’t need the cream.  From many, many years ago, I have an old Cooking Light recipe I was lucky enough to print off because I cannot find it online anymore. 

It’s not a truly homemade recipe where you use fresh tomatoes, but even putting together a few ingredients and using a blender makes a MUCH better soup than canned and it’s got almost no sugar in it.

Always a warning about hot liquid in the blender.  I took a pic here so you can see I really put very little in at a time and it still tries to blow the lid off.  Careful!

This recipe calls for two cups of basil, but I use one and it’s plenty.  I have made subs over the years and I’m giving you my modified version.

Tomato-Basil Soup

• Spray of olive or avocado oil
• Garlic powder to taste
• 3 cups chicken broth or bouillon
• Salt to taste (since I use salty bullion, I wait until the end)
• 3 (14.5-oz) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add garlic powder and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.  Stir in broth, salt and tomatoes.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes.  Still in basil.

Blend soup carefully.

What I’m Reading

Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza is a five star.  I could write about it all day long.  I have no idea how I found this book, but boy am I glad I did.  Title alone?  Yes, anything with dick in it is highly appealing.  I always thought I’d be a private dick.  Between growing up on Nancy Drew and Sam Spade, it seemed natural. 

Except my powers of observation are somewhat lacking.

But not Andrea Stern’s – the protagonist of this book.  She’s a crackerjack with a personal life that sucks beyond sucking.

This book is funny and smart and doesn’t insult with red herrings. This is a book I was sad to finish.

It’s easy to look up this author, because the he is wildly popular in circles I don’t swim (creator of Deadpool).  You may know of him, but I didn’t.  Now he’s on my radar and I can’t wait for more.

Wrap Up

I am sending blessings on your week ahead and for a wonderful and miracle-filled New Year.