2008
I say this every year, but I swear, I swear next year is going to be different. Next year I want more balance between life and work. Next year, I don’t want to feel panicked about not having done any Christmas shopping or cooking, because I’m pretty much working right up to Christmas Eve. Next year, I want to find time to write Christmas cards, especially to those friends who always send us one but never get any in return. Next year, I’m going to buy gifts at least one month ahead.
Okay, maybe the last one is a bit of a stretch, but I think the rest of it is pretty achievable.
2008 has been a pretty manic year for me. Thankfully, there have been a few things (and people) to keep me going inbetween the hectic work schedule. In no particular order :
TV shows I’ve loved :
1 Entourage
2 MadMen
3 Damages
4 Match of the Day
5 Dead Set
Favourite albums this year :
1 Boxer by The National (2007)
2 In Rainbows by Radiohead
3 Fleet Foxes by Fleet Foxes
4 Alas I Cannot Swim by Laura Marling
5 Oracular Spectacular by MGMT
6 19 by Adele
(with a special mention to two oldies but goodies, Appetite for Destruction by Guns ‘n’ Roses and Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins)
Favourite films :
1 There Will be Blood
2 No Country for Old Men
3 The Dark Knight
4 Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
5 Gone Baby Gone
6 Lust Caution
7 Juno
8 Persepolis
9 Wall-E
This is also the year of :
-The thermometer. Between Katrina and myself, I think we have gone through at least seven in the past six months alone.
Next year, I also want to find the time to attend our apartment building’s annual Block Party, instead of making macarons for them but not actually turning up!
Tags: chocolate, macaron, petit fours
food librarian said,
December 23, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Happy New Year to you!! I love MadMen too. Breathe…Balance…Bake! š -mary the food librarian
the projectivist said,
December 23, 2008 @ 11:25 am
I must say, i DID raise my eyebrows at the last aim
Iām going to buy gifts at least one month ahead.
I have heard tell of real, ACTUAL people who do that
but it’s completely out of my league.
I consider having bought a present AT ALL a triumph.
Great post!
I might have to steal your 2008 list idea and come up with my own!
Christie @ fig&cherry said,
December 23, 2008 @ 2:31 pm
I loved Persepolis too. Add to the list a meet up with me for a coffee, cocktail or cake (or all three). š
pea and pear said,
December 23, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
Y,
a) I think you have managed marvelously to achieve any balance at all.
b) I wish my block had a party
c) I wish if they did someone made macarons
d) even having bought Christmas presents a month early I still ran out of time to send cards
e) I find your blog to be inspiring!!
Merry Christmas and continue the fabulous work into 2009!!
Ali š
grace said,
December 23, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
a month ahead, eh? good luck with that! š
unfortunately, i’ve never heard of laura marling, but “Alas I Cannot Swim” is perhaps the best album name i’ve ever seen. š
Lorraine E said,
December 23, 2008 @ 11:14 pm
I really want to see No Country For Old Men as I read the book and really enjoyed it. But a part of me knows that most books are better than the movie-hopefully this is the exception. I didn’t like WallE at all though-ack!
Merry Christmas and hope it’s full of macarons! š
FFichiban said,
December 24, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Merry Xmasss ^^! and Yay your a Radiohead fan š even though I still prefer Ok Comp.
And you have great taste in movies too š I thought Dark Knight was a bit overrated though, because it was Heath’s (RIP) last movie.
And of course your macaroons look scrumptious yum!
malinda kay nichols said,
December 24, 2008 @ 4:38 am
These look amazing! Do you have the recipe you could post? I would love to try them out! Cute blog, by the way!
Hannah said,
December 24, 2008 @ 5:58 am
It’s always so hard to squeeze the holidays in when there’s so much going on… And who isn’t busy 24/7 to begin with? I hope you can find the time to relax and enjoy the season! š
Y said,
December 24, 2008 @ 7:46 am
the projectivist : Ali, two comments below yours, is the perfect example of one of THOSE people!
Ali : You freak! How did you manage to get your shopping done so early!?! š
Lorraine: Have you read The Road? Amazing book. It’s being made into a film as well, I hear.
FFichiban : Actually, The Bends is my favourite album of theirs š
Hannah : Thanks! I’m trying to relax, really I am š
Helen said,
December 24, 2008 @ 9:54 am
I always have empathy for people who work in hospitality and retail at Christmas. If there’s one thing I could never stand it was the constant rotation of Last Christmas and All I Want For Christmas on the inhouse music that would slowly drive me insane.
Hope you have a lovely Christmas and work on getting a bit more well-deserved R&R next year. Your culinary creations never cease to amaze.
And I wish we had a block party too!
chocolatesuze said,
December 24, 2008 @ 10:28 am
dear y, you inspire me. hope you have an awesome christmas and here’s to 2009! luv suze
MPG said,
December 24, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
These macaroon look beautiful & those are some good lists & aspirations…maybe I need to start mine š Happy Holidays to you!
P.S: We love the Fleet Foxes…saw them perform this year at a local music festival…just look at the crowd
lisa (dandysugar) said,
December 24, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
These macarons look beautiful. After looking at all these adorable photos, you’ve inspired me to make some. Happy Holidays!
cakebrain said,
December 25, 2008 @ 3:20 am
Yummy looking macarons! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Vera said,
December 25, 2008 @ 4:49 pm
Y, Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you! I swear the same every year around Christmas š
noobcook said,
December 25, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
your macarons are so beautiful, I’m in awe. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! =)
Anita said,
December 25, 2008 @ 9:27 pm
Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Those Macarons look gorgeous! What flavour are they? Do you have a recipe, as they look so tempting, I’d love to make some.
I’ve loved reading your blog and admiring the food you make.
Thip said,
December 26, 2008 @ 5:40 am
I just told my husband last night about there’s no life for people who work in the kitchen. We can’t sick or take vacation (too long). I really don’t want to live this way. I want to be able to take a long vacation at least once a year, enjoy my life, do what I love, go where I want etc. I think it depends on what we want right now. We may have to sacrifice one thing in order to keep another.
I wish your next year will be the way you want it to be, Y. Merry Christmas.
Piggy said,
December 26, 2008 @ 8:13 am
I have the same resolution every year and I’ve never achieve any targets that I’ve set for myself. š
Anyway, love the composition of the first pic, and of course the macarons look yummy as always!
I’m slightly late but here’s wishing you a happy holiday! š
Scott at Realepicurean said,
December 27, 2008 @ 3:25 am
The macaroons look delicious.
Hope you’ve had a great Christmas!
arfi said,
December 27, 2008 @ 8:15 am
Happy Macarons Day, Y hehehe… Gorgeous macarons. Happy Christmas, happy Prosperous 2009. Bake more macarons next year?
love
ab
Sophie said,
December 27, 2008 @ 9:16 am
Yeah, by the time I thought about the Christmas cards, it was too late :(. That Radiohead album rocks, I’m quite impressed…most bands get worse the more albums they release, not so with Radiohead :)! This year, one of my goals is to face my fears and make macarons! Hopefully half as pretty as yours, if I’m lucky :D! Hope you’re enjoying this holiday season!
cindy said,
January 8, 2009 @ 4:53 am
your macarons…amazing! i read persepolis but have not watched it yet, though i did recieve the dvd as a gift…i guess i will have to get to it.