How Low Can You Go?

This is a picture of me (and Jay) sitting in front of the heating vent in my apartment. It's one of my very favorite spots. I can sit there for hours -- reading books, watching TV, talking on the phone or hanging with friends. But, in spite of all that, I have decided to turn off the heat for a week.

Today I read about the no heat challenge and I am inspired to try it for one week. I already keep the temperature pretty low, but this week I'll go cold turkey (literally.) Here are the conditions of this expeiment.
* The temperature must remain set at 40 degrees. (No frozen pipes.)
* All other ways of staying warm are fair game.

I know. You're all worried that I'll turn into a block of ice, but that is not the point of the challenge. The point is to stay warm and fairly comfortable without spending the money to turn up the heat.

So that's it. One week without heat, starting ... tomorrow.

To Eat or Not To Eat

Has this ever happened to you?

You're eating something really delicious and have only one bite left. As you raise that last delectable piece to your salivating mouth your arm suddenly spasms and you watch helplessly as that most delicious piece of food plummets to the floor. So ... do you eat it or not? In the moment that you are deciding, this flow chart might help (found here).

Total Cost: $0 ... waste not want not!

This weekend ...

... I will be snow shoeing in Madison.

Total cost: About $3 for the gas.

Preview: The Food Stamp Dinner Party

I'm on my way home to make dinner for friends -- all on my food stamp budget. Hope they like cabbage!

Preview: The Food Stamp Project

Could you eat healthy, delicious, beautiful food on a "food stamp budget"? I think it is possible. Details to come.

This year I resolved not to make any resolutions ... until I saw this inspiring list on another blog. What great ideas! -- finish books I start, eat good food, write letters, listen.

So, I amended my no-resolution resolution. I have decided that I will set goals for 2010, but I am going to break it up into manageable pieces. I will set two reasonable goals each month of the year. By the end of the year I will be amazing!!

So what should it be for January?

* Go walking every day

* Finish afghan for Janet

Total Cost: $0. I'll let you know how it goes.

I Was Too Busy Eating

No blogging last night because I was too busy eating. Beth hosted dinner and made the most amazing pork tenderloin. I would give you the recipe, but I can't ... she made it up using culinary creativity and whatever she had in her fridge. Amazing.

If you want to try something similar, click on the picture above for a Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Orange Marmalade Glaze recipe. I'm sure it's just as good.

Calm and Relaxing

Today I gave my semester exams, and now it's time to relax. I'm on my way home to take an Epsom Salts bath.

According to the Epsom Salt Council (which I didn't know existed until just now), Epsom Salts can ease stress, lower blood pressure and raise energy levels. Those all sound like things that I could really use after several weeks of exam prep, jury duty and holiday fun.

Total Cost: $6 for two boxes of of lavender infused salts. Not bad for a product that says "calm and relaxing" right on the box.

Up to Date

One of the things on my wish list is a desk calendar from Linnea Design. It really is beautiful, but I've been holding out for something just as nice, but a little bit cheeper. Well, today I found a lovely little calendar over at Something's Hiding in Here, and it's FREE (with some assembly required).

According to the blurb, the print was designed with a vintage proofing press using wood and lead type (whatever that means). I guess that's what gives it the aged look -- like it's just come off a mimeograph machine.

Anyway, I think I'll put it on my bulliten board at school -- just like Laura Normandin.

Total Cost: $0 ... and today is January 12th in case you were wondering.

Madeline

Well, Christmas is over, the New Year is here and everything is starting to settle back into a regular rhythm. I have finally been able to sit back, relax, and look through all the pictures I took. Here's my favorite --


My niece Madeline was visiting over the holiday and she is a hoot. She's three years old and loves to cook, read and wear pink. Also, she gets my jokes. I don't think there's anything more satisfying than getting a really good belly laugh out of a little kid.

It's gonna be a great year.

Let It Snow

I'm headed out to play in the snow. Check back for a Rissie Grace update on January 11.