MamaManagement

Here's a little peek into what I've been reading lately... I'm just going to leave it at that. Until next time, go grab a great book and lose yourself in it for a while. Happy reading, my friends.

It has seriously been a while since I shared a recipe. But it's a new year and I got a new cookbook for Christmas, which means new recipes for all! This past week I tried three recipes from my new cookbook--and all of them were good! Plus, I actually enjoyed cooking this week...which hasn't really been the case of late, so it's a truly wonderful thing! I've done three things to try an add the joy back into my cooking. First, I've simply tried to change my attitude about it. Don't dread it. That goes a long way. Don't worry about the finish line. That means that if we eat a little later than intended, that's okay. No need to stress about it. Just try and relax. Which brings me to number two: Listen to some music. Sometimes I put on my favorite cooking cd-- the soundtrack to the movie Chef...it is the best music to chop and stir to; sometimes I put on my headphones and strap my iPod to my arm with my running band (yes, I see the irony!). But eithe...

I've been giving a lot of thought lately to what makes me happy...and, more specifically, what does not. It is the time of year for reassessing, after all. Something about that fresh year--the blank calendar, the unmarred planner, the pristine, white days ahead. It begs the highest of intentions, doesn't it? Well, in the best spirit of the new year's resolution, I have set before me a little project for 2016. And I've named it. Amy's 2016 Happiness Project It's not terribly original, I'm afraid. But it is rather descriptive. And it has two main components: 1)  Focus on joy , and 2)  Be a happy failure . The first isn't all that uncommon. It's meant to encompass bringing the focus of each day to my own joy and the joy of those around me. And it includes things like playing with the kids (and the dog) more and doing things that make me smile, like listening to music that I love and coloring and reading and writing...and relaxing. Making t...