Thursday, January 3, 2008

What will the new year bring?

Thank you Santa!

First, I just can't help but share these awesome presents.

You know he's a keeper when...

He supports your blogging habits by buying new dishware!

I swear Steven and I probably only have like five different dishes for taking food photos. It gets old. It's so nice to have some new dishes to use. Yay!

He buys you a freaking Thermapen!

Okay WOW. Just wow. This totally opens up a whole new world of cooking for me. I've never ventured into roasting, candy making, or some types of baking for fear of totally screwing up because I have no way to measure the temperature. Now I'll know exactly when my custards reach 180 degrees, my caramel at the right stage, and prime rib is perfectly medium rare (this is what Steven is most interested in). So you see, he gets prime rib, I get a $90 thermometer, it's WIN WIN!

And what else? No more trying to frost cakes with a butter knife (gift from Bettina, Yay! <3 thanks Bettina!). No more bending soup spoons in the ice cream container. I'm not planning to use the butter warmers for their intended purpose, rather they will be used for individual fondues. Another cookbook to add to my growing collection, which started at a mere 3 books earlier this year. And last but not least, a silicone mat (good for candy making, bad for my teeth and bum).

I love this man. Not just because he buys me awesome stuff, but hey that doesn't hurt! :D

Anyways, on with the show!

New Years Resolutions!
for the blog that is...

1. Post more regularly to eliminate the troublesome blog clog.
2. Post more Pantry Spotlights, one reason why this blog is named what it is.
3. Keep the recipe index up-to-date.
4. Blog redesign.
5. Try to cook earlier and take more photos under natural light conditions. (Not easy in the winter, when it's not only perpetually gray but gets dark at 4pm.) I took the photo above before the new year so I haven't broken this one yet! :)
6. More of my favorite Chinese recipes! It seems I rarely blog about the type of food that I grew up with, cook and eat most often, and love the most. We need to change that!
7. ???

What other blog resolutions should I make? Which ones will you make?

Feel free to share your culinary loot and resolutions, blog or not (yes, I will exercise this year)!

Happy 2008 everyone!

15 comments:

Kerstin Klein said...

you got wonderful presents!

happy new year 2008!

Peabody said...

I think that keep my recipe index up to date is a good one...I should go with that one too, I am so bad about it.

jef said...

Natural light is over rated :)
I almost always have to come up with creative lighting and flash setups for my site. Natural light may offer some help, but don't be seduced by it.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Steven is definitely a keeper -- what cool presents! I'm looking forward to your pantry posts; you know I'm always on the lookout for new things. Happy new year, Amy.

Veron said...

Good man...definitely keep him. You will love the thermapen.

Cheryl said...

Awesome presents. I only got one baking related present. Don't these people know me?

I love the idea of blog resolutions.

Anonymous said...

I stumbled upon your site and wow! what great recipes! I've added your site to my blogroll.

Thanks for sharing!

Hillary said...

I can't wait for all of your resolutions - yay for more blog posts! I hope you had a wonderful NYE and happy 2008!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Yes, it is a wonderful man who indulges your blogging. I'm blessed with one of them, too. A $90 thermometer sounds awesome!

One of my resolutions is to figure out how to do a recipe index. If you have any suggestions, please send them my way!

JEP said...

I want to get better at leaving comments on blogs I frequent:) btw---love yours!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Those are some great goals for your blog. I agree with the natural lighting for my food shots because I have only a simple camera! Love the pen!!!!

Bea said...

A very happy new year to you. May all your resolutions come true!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year !

Yes winter sucks big time for photo taking.

Amy said...

ksklein,
Thank you! Happy New Year to you!

Peabody,
I neglected my index for months! It took a very long time to get that tidied up. Whew.

Jef,
Your photos are awesome! I'm just a sucker for natural lighting.

Lydia,
Your pantry posts are awesome! It's getting harder and harder to find new things. :)

Veron,
Oh I'm already making a list of food to cook just so I can check the temperature.

Cheryl,
LOl <3 baking presents.

Yukonchatterbug,
Aw thank you for visiting!

Hillary,
Same to y ou! Hope you had a great holiday.

Lynn,
Yes we are so very lucky. :) As for the recipe index, I have a seperate blog to house all the links for the recipes. It gets really tedious but I can't think of a better way to do it on blogger.

Jep,
Same here, I'm terrible about leaving comments.

Bellini valli,
Definitely, my camera is ancient and natural lighting definitely helps the pictures.

Bea,
Thank you! Happy new year to you too. Hope you had a lovely trip!

Pamela,
I agree, winter is definitely not good for taking pics. Hope you had a great New year!

Andrea said...

Happy New Year! You received some very nice food blogging gifts! I think your resolutions list is a great idea. Hurray for more posts, especially about Chinese cuisine! :-)

And I'm afraid I'm bad about commenting, so I'll borrow that resolution!

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