Hi again

I realize I've been a bit scattered with this blog, but I'm hoping to get blogging again, particularly when it comes to my writing. I also plan to write about my cooking as I have done in the past, with links and hopefully pictures as well. I'd also like to post tips on genealogy here. We'll see which of those three I manage the most.

My goals for this year were to work on a few different things:

1. I do the Goodreads challenge every year and have for about five years now. My reading challenge this year is 50 books, but in addition, I'm focusing only on sequels because I've been reading so many series without finishing them. if I manage to get through the 50, I then plan to add in Jewish stories, as it is of particular genealogical interest to me. And if I get through ten of those, or 60 books total, then I want to go through some of the classics I haven't managed to get to yet. We'll see how far I get. Doing okay so far. I've already finished 5 books so far this year.
2. Then there's my genealogy. I've started up my Ancestry subscription once more, and I plan to see if I can push myself further into the past, and to get all of my great-grandparents' siblings and their families detailed on the site. I also want to get my ideas for my new family books firmed up. I've already had some success finding new things in my tree, but I'm hoping for more. I also plan to help a few friends with theirs, if I can.
3. I've also decided to get better about my expenses and bills. Specifically to save for genealogy, trips, clothes, and cat expenses. I've got a few things in the works. We'll see if any of it works.
4. Then of course, there's my blogging. I've let it drop off in the last few years, aside from the Good news posts I did last year. Those got to be too much to deal with, but I have so many things to blog about. I've been trying to share the records I've found for the Hillinger/Seneft/Kresch/Reich families with that branch on Facebook. I also need to get posting on Oh, Spusch more often. And to my review blog as well. Then there's this blog. I want to work on writing here about writing, genealogy how-to, and cooking.
5. Cooking goals for this year are making one crock-pot meal a week because I got a new crock pot for Christmas. I've got a nice long list to work from, and I'm looking forward to seeing what I can do with it. I'll write up the success stories at the very least. I will possibly also post about new sources of recipes, and tips and tricks as well. I may also write up my new crock pot, which is awesome, and definitely my all-time favorite present this year.
6. Last but not least is Writing. Every year, I do the NaNoWriMo challenge, which is about the only time I manage to write anything significant. I managed to get my 50k for last NaNoWriMo, but I haven't finished the story, so I need to do that. I also always set the goal of getting some of the previous NaNos finished, but I haven't managed any but the Fanfic ones so far. So I will try again.

I think I'll try to do a weekly check-in of my goals here, and I'll make lists and posts about Genealogy, Cooking, and Writing. So here's to a more productive year.

Recipe Experiment: Crescent Pizza Pockets

So Foodie came over yesterday, and I had some crescent rolls in my fridge, so I asked if she wanted to make something with them, so we decided to make these Crescent Pizza Pockets. They turned out pretty great.

We made some minor adjustments to the recipe, and didn't exactly measure ingredient sizes, so they dribbled a bit, but they were still delicious.For the sauce, we used my current favorite flavor of Classico: Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic. We also used a cheese blend I get from the store with a bunch of Italian cheeses instead of just mozzarella. And on top of the cheese, we added a bit of oregano.

They turned out great, if a bit soft. I might lower the temperature for the next time I try them and cook them at least five minutes more.

Pictures:

all stuffed, one folded. You can see the oregano on the top of the cheese here.

Ready to be cooked. We had some issues with them splitting, but it was easy enough to pinch the splits together.

Finished. There were less dribbles than I expected for how overstuffed they were. You can see the parm on mine if you squint.

I still have another can of rolls. I might make something like this. I've got a thing of string cheese in my fridge at the moment, after all. We shall see.

NaNoWriMo Approcheth!

So I've spent the past weekend working on a long list of things to get ready for NaNoWriMo. Lots of random chores, a bit more cleaning up the house from the move, and getting ready for next weekend.

One of the things I realized I needed last time for my story, which I will be continuing for my 2014 NaNo, was a family tree for my Main Character. He's a spoiled brat of a Noble family in England, so he would probably always be bragging about them. Friday, I realized I could do it without doing a full family tree. After all, most families don't have stories about every member of their family. So I started a fic called "20 (or More) Important Members of the Bothwick Family." It's been interesting coming up with good periods in history to fit his family into. Still working on them, but I think that's my task for the week. Looking forward to coming up with more.

I have a nice long list of events that need to happen in the story. I made a list for each of my major players in the story and wove them together in a basic outline. We'll see how much more that will get me. I figure I'll have to redo it as I go, but then, I always do, so that doesn't worry me in the least.

The NaNoWriMo site has updated once more, and now it stores all of your former NaNos, and so I spent a lot of time at the beginning of the month making up covers for my old NaNos. Some I'm more happy with than others, but it's so great to see them all lined up like that. I can't believe I've been doing this for so long. I have a total of 8 former winning stories, though one is the story I will be attempting to finish this year--Catalyst. I hit 50k, but it was nowhere near done. It's possibly the longest thing I've ever done for NaNoWriMo. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it this time.

I've also been planning food for the next month. Every year, I make a giant pot of spaghetti sauce and freeze a bunch, so that's something I'll be doing next weekend. I've made up a list of the things I'll need, and I'll probably go shopping tomorrow to get it all. I've also been considering getting a large pizza delivered Friday or so. Might even make a pot of Peruvian Chicken Breasts and make tacos with them. Beyond that, I'm not sure what I'll do food-wise, but I'll probably go with frozen for the rest. Might see if anyone's willing to give me a trip to Grocery Outlet to see what I can find there. Time will tell.