Friday, January 27, 2012

are you on the edge?

I know you've all been sitting on the edge of your seats waiting for me to post again! HA! Sorry it has been TWO WEEKS! I have been working and we have had company for the past few weekends so I have been busy!

As far as updates go... I've only lost two pounds. Seriously. I think the problem is that all the healthy, small portions I eat during the week have gone out the window during the weekend and I weigh in Monday morning so it's a losing battle. I am going to be good this weekend and see what happens. It was way easier to lose weight when I was single. I had more of a drive to look good no matter how miserable and hungry I was. Now when I am cranky and had a long day I don't want to eat grapefruit or cottage cheese. I want to drink a coke and eat some chocolate.

I had an email from a reader a few days ago asking about weight loss and goals and it got me thinking about the fact that most of my friends are always on a diet or saying they need to lose weight. We have such a fixation on being skinny instead of healthy. If being skinny was my goal I could achieve it quickly. Give me some SlimQuick, water, walnuts, and grapefruit and I could get the job done but I wouldn't be healthy. I am trying to put more focus on eating well balanced meals than eating 100 calorie packs throughout the day. I think people forget they need servings of fruits and vegetables and protein, etc... I just keep praying for the discipline to stay away from all the fabulous deserts I've been making at WenLilys, drink lots of water, and EXERCISE! Those of you that see my Facebook know that I am constantly cooking and baking. I watched Fat Chef last night on the Food Network and if that's not a reason to stop tasting everything you cook, I don't know what is! Y'all just try to hold me accountable!

On another note.. I am finding out that more people are reading this blog than I thought. And some of the people I don't even know! Hopefully I haven't stepped on anyone's toes or offended anyone with the sometimes crazy things I say.. especially pertaining to where I currently live. I started this as a way to vent and keep up with my family and friends. I guess I didn't really think anyone else would read it, but I am glad to know that people find it humorous.

That being said; the month of January is almost over. I feel like I was just writing about my new years resolutions and all of the exciting things to come this year and it's almost February! I don't know where the time is going. I have been helping my MIL during the week at her Cafe/Gift Shop in Summerton. As most of you know, it is called WenLily's, and we make "southern specialties." For example, pimento cheese, different kinds of chicken salads, cheese wafers, all kinds of home made cookies and bars, quiche, and casseroles. That's really not even the half of it. but you get the picture! This month I have introduced Chicken Tetrazzini, key lime bars, and bacon quiche; now I am working on some new recipes for a salad and new cookies. I swear one day I will get around to that cookbook and share our amazing recipes with the world. I wish we could make the pimento cheese and traditional chicken salad commercially. As much as I love Ruth's, we would put them out of business.

I'm watching the Foot Network and looking for new china patterns, naturally, and I am thinking I want to have a tea party. Any takers?! I'll do all the cooking, just show up with a big hat. No seriously. I don't have any dining room chairs so maybe I should wait until the weather is warm and we can sit on the porch. Or go buy some chairs. Hmmm. I also want to go camping and kayaking. Any takers on that one or suggestions for good places to go? I'm still pretty new to SC and that is something I want to do before it gets warm! To avoid snakes, mosquitoes, and gators! Oh my!

Let me know if you are interested! xx

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

welcome 2012

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years! Last year was full of many events, both good and bad. Our family lost some treasured women, my brother lost his home in a flood, Brent and I built a house and got married, many of our friends also got married and some had children.. I can only imagine what this year will hold for us! I already know of a few weddings and babies!

As for New Year's resolutions, as usual, lose weight, save money, etc etc. Brent's Mom and I have started trying to lose weight together. Our goal is 20 pounds in 13 weeks. We are weighing in every Monday and holding each other accountable. I can already feel the pounds melting away. (I wish!) I have been eating less and exercising more for a few weeks already and lost about 4 pounds so with the added 20+, I would like to lose a total of 25. That would put me back to my weight when I was 19! Sounds good right? I'll track my progress on here with you guys!

Life on the farm is very quiet right now, thankfully. Brent is away at a marketing conference in Litchfield for the week so I am holding down the homefront. I think tomorrow I am finally going to the Social Security office to change my name and then go get my SC driver's license! I wonder if they can fit my whole name on my license? If not I will just put 'Carson Clark Cogdill' and leave out the Amanda.

This weekend I am heading to Raleigh for a get together with my college girlfriends. It is hard for all of us to plan a time to get together so these don't come around very often! Unfortunately I have obligations at home so I can only participate in half of the activities but will still get to spend some time and catch up with everyone. Hopefully I can stick to my healthy eating while I am away. Brent has already asked me to bring home Smithfields when I come through Lumberton on Saturday. I will just have to resist eating all of the hushpuppies and drinking a massive sweet tea....