Relishments

Savoring life in the Berkshires

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Start Here
    • Relishments Around the Web
  • Flexitarianism
    • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Reviews
  • The Berkshires
    • Boothbay, Midcoast Maine and More
    • Adventures in Other Places
  • Technology
    • My Favorite Technology Tools
  • Contact
    • Sponsor

Goals In Progress: December and 2011 Overall

Published on December 31, 2011 By Emily. Updated on December 31, 2011

It’s hard to believe that it was a full 12 months ago when I first listed these goals on Relishments.  2011 was a great year but, as far as these Goals in Progress posts are concerned, I’m glad its over.  Posting my goals list and updating my progress monthly kept me from forgetting my resolutions or giving up on them, but I also got tired or writing updates and started wishing I’d made different goals.  As a result, I’m trying something else for 2012, which I’m really looking forward to sharing on Monday.

Now, for the last goals report of 2011:

1.  Waste less time/Create a posting schedule and stick to it

Once again, this month’s decent time management was mostly because of the number of tasks I needed to accomplish.  I started out the month feeling really positive about where I was at regarding the holiday season, but quickly discovered that I still had a lot to do, plus a portfolio for grad school and a ton of meetings and other events to attend.  Everything got done, but it was a little nuts there for a few days.  I felt good about my posting in December.  I’ve generally stayed on schedule, largely thanks to an editorial calendar.  That’s one 2011 change that I’m definitely with.

Has my time management improved overall in 2011?  I like to thing so, though I know it still needs a lot of work.  I’m much more aware of my tendency to watch too much Netflix and waste time online and I’ve worked hard to do better.  As a result, I’ve felt better about how I preform at my job and the content I’ve put on the blog.

2.  Read a chapter of the bible every day/(no revised goal)

The beginning of December went really well in this department.  The end of December, with all it’s craziness plus an out of state 8 day vacation, threw my routine off a bit.  It feels good to have read the bible on a fairly consistent basis for an entire year, which I’ve never managed to do before.   Certainly a goal I’ll continue working on in the coming year.

3.  Drink more water/Drink at least one water bottle of water a day and drink something else with every meal

This is one goal where I don’t think I improved.  This month my tea intake was way up (thank goodness I got a lot of tea for Christmas), but regular water just made my cold body even colder and my busy schedule allowed me to forget about drinking as much as I should.  I think I’m always going to be someone who has a hard time keeping hydrated.  I’ll still work on it, but I’m not expecting much success.

4.  Read at least one book a month/Read at least 12 books this year
I’m still working my way through Lost in Shangri-la. It’s an excellent book—a captivating true story, interesting characters and tons of history I never learned before, but I only managed to get halfway through it this month.  To be continued in January!

I only managed to read 8 books this year, which really isn’t bad.   I really liked everything I finished, but I chose a couple books that I put down midway because they weren’t keeping my attention.  Reading has become a higher priority in my life and, thanks to my #1 goal, I’m making more time to do it.  Hopefully reading will continue to increase in my life.

5.  Improve my fitness by going to the gym twice a week and doing sit ups and push ups on off days/Do something physically active at least 3 times a week

We made it to the gym a few times in December, so maybe the trend is heading in the right direction.  I went running and did a lot of walking in the beautiful southern weather during our vacation, which was awesome.  I miss sunshine and warm weather.  I hate going to the gym in January because it’s always so crowded, but I’ll manage I guess.

This year was all over the place in terms of fitness.  I ran three 5k races and had a great time doing it, but the gym didn’t see nearly as much of me as it should’ve.  I plan to keep working on my fitness in 2012 because it’s good for me, but getting into the habit is going to take work.

6.  Open our home at least once a month/Have at least 12 different groups of people over to the apartment

Our December was pretty busy and no one really has time for extra events this time of year so I didn’t even attempt to invite anyone over.  Now that we have more dishes and life is hopefully settling down a little, I’d like to have more friends to the apartment.  Overall this goal was successful: I hosted Easter dinner, made tacos for 9 people and even fed someone who doesn’t care for vegetables.  I’m much more comfortable cooking for others than I was a year ago.

7.  Give Relishments a makeover/(no revised goal)

Sometimes it was all I could manage this month to find time to put up a post at all, never mind do behind the scenes work.  Recently I found out through Sarah that Recipage is now free!  I’ve had my eye on it for some time now, but was too cheap to make the purchase.  Now I’m really looking forward to making my recipe page easier to navigate and use.

2011 was a great year for Relishments.  I did a total makeover in the spring and since then I’ve made a lot of little tweaks.  I’ve got lists of ideas for other updates, changes and posts that I can’t wait to implement in 2012.

8.  See new things/(no revised goal)

We spent the holidays with Brian’s family in North Carolina and Virginia this year.  Not only was it great to catch up with family, but the weather was amazing.  We kept busy, fitting in a visit to the Antietam battlefield, a couple trips to the beach, Colonial Williamsburg and some great food.

IMG_0258

IMG_0382

2011 was a great travel year for Brian and I.  We went to Boston, the Jersey Shore, Hyde Park, Maine and the Pacific Northwest.  I’m not sure we’ll be able to top that next year, but we’ll try.

Happy New Year!

Related Posts

Highlights: T-Day Sides, Decorating and Desserts
Investing in March and April
Looking Forward to 2010
A Look Back on My 2016 Word: Connect
Did you enjoy this post? Share it!

Filed Under: life Tagged With: goals, holiday

« Are You the Cookbook Giveaway Winner?
Highlights: 2011 in Lists »

Comments

  1. Carol Pious says

    January 1, 2012 at 11:01 am

    We loved having YOU here in NC!!

Welcome!

Welcome to Relishments! Follow along with my adventures in flexitarian eating and cooking in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

The Berkshires
Recipe Index
CSA Menu Plan
First Time?
 

Support Relishments on Patreon

Just so you know…

I’m just a girl who loves to cook and eat. This site is not a source for nutritional information.

Relishments is affiliated with various sponsors. Some product links on this site are affiliates; I may get portion of the sale. All opinions on this site are honest, regardless of revenue opportunities. Find out more about my policies here

Relishments is affiliated with…

View my food journey on Zomato!

  
Ahalogy Badge

relishments

Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
.
.
.
#igers413_food #strawberries #LocallyGrowjln #PickYourOwn #LanesboroughMA
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires

#NorthAdams #NAmazing
Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
.
.
.
#AdamsMA #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
.
.
.
#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
.
.
.
#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
.
.
.
#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #ShopLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #PlantConnector
This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
.
.
.
#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #BerkshireMuseum #PittsfieldMA
My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
Link in profile.
.
.
.
#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
.
.
.
#RelishmentsBakes #BakingFromScratch #baking #igers413_food #semihomemade #pie #ApplePie
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in