My birthday

Today is my birthday (12/30), and as I am a proper lady, I won’t tell you my age. I will tell you that as a kid, I hated my birthdate. Since it fell during the school holiday break, I had to wait until January to celebrate with my friends. Also, my immediate family often had one big celebration on New Year’s Eve (NYE) for both. However, I received presents and cards on my actual birthday.

Now, as an adult, I love my birthdate. On my birthday, I can reflect on the year and years past, and on the next day (NYE), I can ponder the future and what I want to accomplish for the year. Those who know me know I don’t wait until NYE to decide on my yearly goals, word for the next year, and/or what I would like to learn more about. For decades now, I have had a practice of learning new things in the kitchen, and 2025 will be no exception. I want to turn my quick white bread recipe (no yeast) into a gluten-free (GF), vegan quick white bread for my gluten and dairy-free self and learn to make GF crackers.

As to my word for 2025…Belief. I chose this specifically over “believe.”

Belief (Dictionary.com) — an acceptance that a statement is true or that

something exists.

Believe (Dictionary.com) — accept (something) as true; feel sure of the truth of

I feel that “belief” is a stronger statement of accepting one’s true self. With “believe,” you accept something as truth. With “belief,” you know it is true.

Hear the difference….

I believe that I will succeed.

I believe I will succeed.

The first sentence is more authoritative than the second one.

Now to my birthday, which will culminate with a birthday dinner at my home of steak, Mac n’ Cheese (homemade this time), broccoli, and cake with a small gathering of family. This is one of my favorite meals from childhood.  If you could see the smile on my face as I write this, you would understand the good memories wrapped up in this meal.

From me to all of you, Happy New Year!