{Recipe: Martha's Casserole}

This is comfort food to me... I am what some would call a "picky eater" and am very specific about what will and will not go into my stomach- but my roomie introduced me to this yummy casserole a few years ago and it's the go-to dish for anything--always a crowd pleaser!!

Ingredients {double size for bigger parties}

1 lb ground beef

1 clove garlic, minced (buying the jar is the easiest)

1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp pepper
2 15 oz cans of tomato sauce
1 8 oz package of noodles (I think egg noodles work the best)
5 green onions
1 4 oz package of cream cheese
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions
1. Brown beef and drain excess drippings
2. Add garlic, salt, sugar, pepper, and tomato sauce- cover and simmer about 15 minutes
3. Cook noodles and drain
4. Finely chop green onions; mix with cream cheese and sour cream
5. In a buttered 9 x 13 inch casserole dish, layer noodles, meat sauce, sour cream mixture, and shredded cheese
6. Repeat process, ending with shredded cheese
7. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes and ENJOY!

A New Year with New Goals

It's almost here...only 1 more day and then it's hasta la vista to 2009 and 2010 will finally make its debut! From my previous posts, you can see what a fabulous year its been, but I have to admit, I am ready for what 2010 has in store for me.

I also wanted to catch-up on my resolutions for this past year and see how well {trying to be optimistic here} I did with my list: you can see the original post here

Goal #1: Become Debt Free--this goal, although still in the works, has been a tricky one for me to overcome in 2009, but I am happy to report that no expenditures have been put on my credit card and I am now on a strict budget and slowly {but surely} paying off my balance!

Goal #2: Read My Bible--OK, I need to be honest here, I have not been so good about reading the Bible lately, but on the other hand, I was saved AND baptized this year, and my relationship has grown stronger with God throughout 2009 so I have to give myself some credit... it's not all about reading per se, but investing my time with the Lord and I know I have increased that tenfold...

Goal #3: Get Healthy--if there is one goal that I have completed, I'd say this is the one. I joined the YMCA, I have started watching my diet extremely closely, and I am exercising 3 to 4 times each week- Go Me!

Now  to hold myself accountable for what I am about to list for next year's goals and resolutions, I need my friends {blogging ones included} and family to keep me on-track... support and motivation is all I need =)

Resolution/Goal #1: Read a Book a Month--yes, I am attempting to back off from my love of reality TV {sorry to Jersey Shore/Keeeping Up with the Kardashians/etc.} but I need to invest my time into some "other" forms of entertainment.. granted I most likely won't be reading the philosophical books out there detailing our history, but I will be spending some much-needed quiet time with me, myself, and I... I've just started Eclipse and that should be done within a week or two! {by the way: any good books that are a must read?? please share!!}

Resolution/Goal #2: Invest More Time into my Side Business--some of you know, some of you may not, but this last year, I decided to try out my hand at calligraphy... it all began with me writing my best friend's invitations for her wedding, and then I decided to start a blog for all things paper {especially stationery and invites}. No, I am not trained and haven't taken any professional classes, but I fully intend to spend more time on this endeavor in 2010--I am currently working with Kathy to design my etsy shop and will be blogging more on my Southern Paperie blog.  I am happy to say I already have a job scheduled to complete 250 invitations in January, and 2 other friends' weddings in June and August... if you know anyone, send them my way!! A little referral gift may be headed your way =)

Resolution/Goal #3: Complete at Least 5 Races--I saved the best for last... if you've been reading my blog lately, you know I am training for the Music City 1/2 Marathon in April, but I wanted to take it a step farther and knock out another 4 races in 2010! A big goal, but one I am determined to accomplish--my mind is set to do this and I'm getting a head-start by running in the Nashville Zoo Fun Run on January 23rd... should be a pretty easy 5K race in the afternoon, but I am stoked about it!! {if you have other local TN runs I should know about, let me know!!}

There you have it...my aspirations for next year--no, there's nothing listed about world peace or anything too extravagant, but these goals are extremely important to me and ones that I will be sticking to so watch out world!

So tell me, what do you have lined up for next year?

Wishful Wednesday...Santa

Yay for Kelsey bringing Wishful Wednesday to all of us this week, especially since I am stuck at work, and have to pass the time somehow! This week's topic makes me think I may sound a tad bit greedy since I was blessed with so many fantastic Christmas goodies, but a little wishing and hoping can't be too bad...

'I wish' .... Santa would have remembered
the Garmin Forerunner 405 GPS Watch

With all this training going on, it would definitely make it easier to monitor my heart rate so I can stay within my target zone, track my pace when running outside, and watch my distance so I know when I'm passing {yes I said passing} my goals. 

Now  it looks like I will be saving my hard-earned pennies so I can take advantage of this little toy {with a huge $300 price=YIKES!}... if anyone out there knows of another brand to save me some $$$, please let me know--all suggestions are welcome!! 

{My Year in Review: A Fabulous 2009}

With much anticipation for the upcoming year, I wanted to do a post dedicated to recapping the best year yet {and yes I do believe it has been the best year of my life}.

Here we go... Hope you enjoy =)

Went through a much-needed breakup and discovered best friends are the ones that are always there when you need them most

Initiated Board Meetings with friends

Rekindled my love of the Nashville Predators

Took a friendship to the next level and haven't looked back since

Partook in plenty of Mafiaozo's Two-for-Tuesdays

Held game night parties with close friends

Took trips to visit Bev in Knoxville for GIRL TIME

Celebrated Easter at the beach with the parents and roomie

Participated in a Bachelorette Party to remember in Seaside for Bev!!

Stood by my best friend as she married her prince charming

Took our first "couple" trip together to beautiful Napa Valley

Threw a great Steeplechase tailgate celebration {i.e. my favorite day of the year}

Joined Jeff in Knoxville for Beth and Harrison's wedding

Mastered Arrington Vineyards here in Nashville

Had a mountain hoedown to kick-off the 4th of July

Jeff surprised me with a trip to my beloved NYC for a birthday treat

Celebrated my 26th Birthday with friends at Urban Flatts

Took a little Mommy/Daughter Bday trip to Rosemary Beach

Went back to Seaside for our annual End of Summer Bash

Went hysterical when my bestest/roomie got ENGAGED

Confirmed my relationship with God and got baptized in front of my friends and family

Kicked off the 2009 football season of UT FOOTBALL- GO VOLS!!

Hosted Meg and Aaron's Mexican Fiesta Engagement Party

Made a DRASTIC change to brown- hehe

Celebrated the holidays with friends and family =)

More importantly, I can't wait to ring in 2010 with my parents and Jeff-- so much {already} to look forward to next year and I'm ready to share it with  all of you! Happy New Year friends... may you have a blessed year filled with those nearest to your heart! OXOX

"Now let us welcome the new year, full of things that have never been"