Kitchen Sink Links February 2013

Do you love a fresh notebook? The blank pages of endless possibility? Are you a note-taker or a list-maker? 

I've been a journal keeper since I was about 11 (yes, I still have all of them, and yes, most of the entries make me cringe). My teen journaling has morphed into to-do lists, recipe journals, and a notebook of letters to our daughter, but I still like to start each year with a fresh new notebook. In January, I started this year's notebook with our family mission statement. Then I choose a quote for January and wrote down my goals for the month. There are notes on those goals (for instance: we moved all our bills to one account so I made a checklist of bills and had the satisfaction of checking each one off once it was moved) along with other scribbled thoughts and doodles. 


I'm getting to my a point, I promise.  

This weekend I attended Food Blog South in Birmingham, Alabama. And one of the over-riding themes for the conference was "Be you". Adam Roberts gave a great presentation on "10 Food Blog Posts that Will Drive Traffic" and it made me think a lot about the kind of things I actually want to write about here. Let's get a little more personal. Let's share more of who we are and what we love. And let's try to build some community. 

I like sharing links in the Kitchen Sink column but it can some times feel meaningless. You can go to any of the other 30 million a day food blogs and get a list of delicious links. So I'm going to use the Kitchen Sinks space to share my goals for the coming month (as an act of accountability), things that are inspiring me, and some yummy links, too.

If its your first time back to Stir and Scribble in a while (or you're new here) it might be a good time to subscribe by e-mail [that little box to the right that says "NEVER MISS A CRUMB]. Also I've added some blog love, ATL love, and updated my recipes page. Go check 'em all out! 

So yes, February! My quote for the month is "It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." I'm inspired by reading the Happiness Project to continue creating small goals in ordered to achieve big, big ones! 

February Goals: 
One of our big goals is to own a home, so we are putting our family on a Spending Diet for the month of February (and maybe more) in order to grow our savings. I'm in love with "And Then We Saved" and the idea of debit-free living. Yes, I realize that homeownership + debit-free living is a paradox of sorts. 

We have some other small household projects to tackle in February like hanging a gallery wall of family photos and doing our taxes.  

Starting a 365 project is on my to-do in February. I'm going to shoot a single subject series of Kitchenware for a whole year! Sounds crazy but I really want a better grasp of light and texture and I think this will be an awesome experiment. Please e-mail me if you're interested in joining. 

I'm also working on growing my lady-friendships. I'm joining a friend's book club (We just read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet) and recommitting to a monthly girls dinner that I neglected last year. I also need to schedule dates with both of my sisters-in-law and probably my mom-in-law, too. 

You're all probably gearing up to eat through a football game and watch some commercials (what?! I can't be the only one!) so here are a few things I'm thinking about making and taking to Super Bowl parties this weekend: 

Super Bowl Bingo (a free printable)- so maybe I'll actually watch the game

Oven Roasted Buffalo Wings - yes, shameless plug! I love 'em

Pepper Jack Stuffed Pretzel Bites - good gracious, Gaby!  

Chile Lime Cashews - would also make good bingo markers

Buffalo Wing Wonton Bites are prefect for snacking without get hot sauce all-over-your-face!

And then stuff your face with Peanut Butter Pretzel Bars! 

Hmm, not a vegetable on that list. Well, there's always room for improvement. 

What goals are you working on right now? Are you preparing for a Super Bowl Sunday full of food and beer? I would really and truly love to know. 

p.s. I also love this