While it seems like this year just flew by, it also seems like it drug. It sounds crazy, but this is exactly how I feel. I have better hopes for completing more goals this year than in 2009. Writing a full list of most of the things I did last year is, to put it quite bluntly: embarrassing. I say it every year “I am going to create a list of goals, and I will complete those goals/projects before I pick up any more”. HA! Not only did I not stick to that plan, but I never wrote down that ‘list of goals’ in the first place. I hope, though, that this year, I will be more dedicated to completing my set goals (Don’t we all?). However, I did do some things in 2009 that were not goals at the beginning of the year. So, here are some highlights of 2009:

• Created The King’s Library
• Composed 5 instrumental pieces on guitar
• Saw Downhere in concert
• Read Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
• Read Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
• Traveled to Washington DC to the Rebelution Conference
• Began interning at my county’s Information Technology Services division

See what I mean by embarrassing? I mean, it looks like I was busy doing, well, nothing. But mind you, I was heavily involved in my county 4H program until September of this year. So between items on this list I was milking my dairy project cow, giving a presentation at three different levels, milking, planning some county fundraisers, milking, helping sew a 4H Centennial quilt, taking rabbits to the State Fair, milking, volunteering at the county fair, and…I’m missing something. Oh! Milking. Other than the holidays, things have quieted down quite a bit. Giving me some down time to actually make that list =)

Now looking ahead to 2010. Yikes. I have a lot more planned than I did last year, I think. So here are some things I will be doing and HOPE to be doing this year:

Books to Read (Jan-June):

• Team of Rivals by Dorris Kearns Goodwin
• Heart of the West by O’Henry
• So Brave, Young and Handsome by Leif Enger
• Captain Blood, Captain Blood Returns, and The Fortunes of Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
• Lord of the Flies by William Golding
• The Machine Stops by E M Forester

**Summer and Fall Reading to be announced**

Music Goals:

• Compose more instrumental pieces
• Write at LEAST 1 original song
• Record at least 2 songs by other authors/bands

Web and Graphics goals:

• Design my Family’s Farm Website
• Design 1-2 webpages
• Spice up this drab-of-a-blog
• Design some cool pics

MISC.:

• Graduate from high school
• Get more involved in the Rebelution movement
• Update this blog better

Well, easier said than done, unfortunately. But I am doing a lot of hoping. I’ll just need to keep to the grindstone to get it done. Any big plans for you this year? Do you have any secrets to completing some tough goals? I hope that whatever you have going on, you’ll have a good new year.

Christmas is most likely the busiest cooking time of the year. Most of you, like me, have lots of memories about Grandma's jello salad, Aunt Jane's chocolate meringue pie, and Mom's turkey (or ham). Not only do these things bring back good memories, but they also make me hungry.All of us have a favorite Christmas treat. Mine is...uh (this is a toughie)...probably Peanut Butter Blossoms. Here is the recipe:

• 48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup REESE'S Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Remove wrappers from chocolates.

2. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.

So what is/are your favorite Christmas dish(es) or treat(s)?

When I think of Christmas, I immediately think of the music. It is one of my favorite things about the holiday. It brings back a lot of memories from when I was little. The most memorable songs being from one of Alabama's Christmas tapes (cassette). When I hear those songs, it reminds me of driving to town to go Christmas shopping, going down to visit my grandparents in Georgia, and the excitement on Christmas eve. Not only do I like listening to old favorites, but new ones too. I have grown to like Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas', Downhere's 'How Many Kings', and many more new classics (I think that's an oxymoron). Does Christmas music bring back memories for you? What is your all-time favorite Christmas song?

Let tyrants shake their iron rod,

And Slav'ry clank her galling chains,

We fear them not, we trust in God,

New England's God forever reigns.

Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too,

With Prescot and Cornwallis join'd,

Together plot our Overthrow,

In one Infernal league combin'd.

When God inspir'd us for the fight,

Their ranks were broke, their lines were forc'd,

Their ships were Shatter'd in our sight,

Or swiftly driven from our Coast.

The Foe comes on with haughty Stride;

Our troops advance with martial noise,

Their Vet'rans flee before our Youth,

And Gen'rals yield to beardless Boys.

What grateful Off'ring shall we bring?

What shall we render to the Lord?

Loud Halleluiahs let us Sing,

And praise his name on ev'ry Chord.