Although it has only been a few days, Christmas feels like a lifetime ago.
Two large family celebrations (down from the planned three) full of good food, wine, laughter and good cheer have left me thoroughly and happily exhausted.
We hosted my family for lunch on the 25th and my Roasted Pork Ribbe was a triumph. I had a baking marathon leading up the ‘festival’ and we all enjoyed endless mince pies, Norwegian cookies and Xmas Cake.
I made my first Chocolate Pav and loved it so much that I’m going to add it to my ‘Xmas Cookbook’. You can see the pictures on Instagram if you go to my profile dilishlife.
It’s true when they say Christmas is for kids. Olive’s bounty from the man in the red suit and family and friends was generous to say the least. She got her requested LaLaLoopsy Mermaid Doll and from us, a new bike. Her delight and excitement was contagious this year - so much so that both Grandma and Grandpa were jumping on the trampoline with her (their first ever time on a bouncy thing!)
Boxing Day we packed the car and headed to Mr Di-licious’s brother’s house for three days of more good food, wine and company (and more pressies!) In between games of scrabble and Taboo, reading, chatting and more mince tarts, I crept away from the boys while they watched the cricket and started to think about the blog and life next year.
It’s fair to say I let things slip in a big way this year. Not intentionally but life got busy and there just didn’t seem to be any time to blog as well. I also found that when I did blog it was heavily focused on recipes and cakes (some of my favourite things) and not much else. I didn’t have a rhythm, I didn’t have a plan. I was aimless. Quite simply, I didn’t have a clear goal of what I wanted my blog to be about.
I struggle with goal setting. Always have. I was a Stephen Covey disciple in my early working career but I struggled with the goals. I hated performance planning. I was terrible with realistic new year resolutions (I cringe when I review what I wrote for this year!). I struggle with meal planning for a week much less an exercise /diet plan to lose weight. Is it any wonder that I completely skipped the goal setting part of my blog when I started it?
In March I went to the Digital Parents Blogging Conference and sat through a brilliant Blog Coaching Boost seminar by Nic Avery from Planning with Kids. She’s a smart cookie and knows all about how to create a successful blog. And the key is writing SMART goals. I believe her. I was inspired for the rest of the day when we chatted before and after the session and had drinks in the bar at the end of the day.
I had the best of intentions until I came home and real life got in the way (as it does). I’m not holding a pity party for myself. It is what it is, but I want to make some changes moving forward.
Next year will be different. Olive is starting school and I will finally have regular time to myself. Time for some exercise. Time for some self nurturing. Time for my CWA Committee commitments and more importantly, time to blog.
I already know I want to make some changes to the blog – get back to the key areas of my tag line: Mastering the art of baking, motherhood and a happy home.
I don’t claim to be (nor want to be) an expert on anything. I love baking and am learning a lot through the CWA Judges course which I’m happy to share. I can’t advise on the best way to get fussy kids to eat but I can share the tips that worked for me and the ups and downs of school lunch box ideas. And I’m certainly not June Cleaver but I’m happy to recount my adventures in daily drudgery and finding enjoyment in the perfectly organised (for me) laundry!
To this end I’ll be digging out my note’s from Nic’s seminar, buying her e-Book and doing some navel gazing over the next two weeks. I expect I’ll restructure and reorganise the blog and so it’s easier to navigate. And I’ll probably also weed out some of the content that just doesn’t belong here anymore.
I know I don’t have a huge readership but the motivation to review and reorganise is important to me and I think (hope) it will make me a better blogger.
I hope you’ll still love me in the new year.
Well I’ve been reading through your past posts tonight and I think your blog is amazing. You get me all inspired to tidy my laundry, bake stuff, and get out the good china and settle down with a nice cuppa! Some of the things you make look just lovely. I didn’t know you had a thyroid problem. Me too… we should compare notes about fuzzy brains and cold feet!
Mel xo
Thanks Mel – what a wonderful comment to end the year on. And yes we absolutely should! I’m looking forward to getting some knitting lessons from you too! Glad you enjoyed your wander through my brain (aka the blog).
D x
Well, Di, I’m happy to read whatever you post. I just drool when I see the things you bake. They’re always so perfect. I’m also happy to read all about anything to do with the CWA. Hopefully I’ll get around to joining myself next year so any insider tips you post will be greatly appreciated! LOL Just to let you know, if you think because Olive is going to school and you’ll have all this time on your hands, you’ll be sadly disappointed. I’ve never been so busy as I have since the kids started school and all these intentions I had went out the window. I hope 2013 will be different. Sounds like a lovely Christmas. Best wishes for 2013 Di.
Anne xx
Anne @ Domesblissity recently posted..Favourite recipes of 2012
Thanks Anne. I feel like I just got a huge hug from you. IRL would be even better!
As always, I have the best of intentions. I’ll just have to see how I go when school starts and take it from there.
Thanks for all your lovely comments and support this year Anne. I know I haven’t always reciprocated but you’re always in my thoughts and I love checking in [eventually]
Here’s to a great 2013!
D x
wonderful post, thank you.
Hey Di – I don’t always find (make) the time to read through your blog, but when I do, I always enjoy it.
Here’s a tip from someone who is extremely organised (in my dreams!) – write lists, or schedules, or whatever, but PLEASE do not get too disappointed when, at the end of the day, your list of 7 things to do still has 5 things left. I once ended up (at the end of a month of carefully planning) with 21 things undone.
When my first baby was born, I sat up the next morning I wrote myself a schedule. I forgot to give the baby a copy. She was supposed to sleep between x and y so that I could get things done – she didn’t oblige. And neither did any of the next 4! I never learnt though – still wrote my lists. Full of optimism, that’s me. Now that I am studying, I am still doing it – and still not achieving what I want in the day.
What is that saying? Life is what happens while we’re planning it ….. something like that.
Keep on aiming high, at least you’re achieving what matters most – a happy home. That is the best ambition of all.
love – jude
Thanks Jude. I’ve learnt the hard way to keep goals simple. And that’s where I’m starting with the blog. Happy to report so far so good!
D x
Hello Di, I’ll be delighted to see more from you – please post a recipe for chocolate pavlova as a matter of great urgency!!
I’ve posted some blog goals too this year and I’m sure I’ll be amused to read them in a year’s time. See you soon.
Always happy to take recipe requests Seana! Will be over to check out your blogging goals. Mine are super simple. I’ll blog a bit more about them after I’ve done some more planning. I bought Darren Rowse’s Better Blog in 31 Days eBook as well as Nic Avery’s Blog Coach Boost. I’m going to do this properly!
D x