To sum up 2010:

1. First full year as a freelancer without COBRA. Cost of health insurance is stunning. The treadmill and I are new best friends.

2. Published Heartbreak Recovery Kitchen cookbook including tales of comeback from trauma and recipes that make you forget your woes. Celebration party with recipes from the book: Easy Frozen Lemonade Margaritas, Tropical Sangria, Korean Barbecued Beef, Asian Shrimp Noodles, Poblano Pepper Slaw, Walnut-Studded Dark Chocolate Brownies…

3. Summoned friends to sop up water in basement after a monsoon night in Iowa. Papa Murphy’s Pizza.

4. Bought shampoo and conditioner for the first time in 1 year after using up my supply of hotel sample-size bottles.

5. During a no-income spell over the summer, I survived for 2 weeks on $7 (and zucchini, see #6, below). Amazing how many meals can be made from 1 whole chicken (which I had in my freezer). I splurged for a pound of carrots and celery to finish off the carcass in a batch o’ soup. Then went on a chicken moratorium.

6. My zucchini crop was HUGE. Little friends Claire and Bren, right, show off one that took off when my back was turned. Double Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

7. Kitchen floor damaged after roof leak crept between walls and spread moisture beneath old vinyl flooring. New flooring. Roof repair. Martini time.

8. Baked up a storm for the holidays. Then my oven died 4 nights before my holiday party. Ho ho noooooo. New oven installed in the St. Nick of time. Short ribs with gremolata. Garlic mashed potatoes w/ celery root. Good friends.

9. Winter weather prohibited Christmas eve gathering with family. Just me, Jimmy Stewart, and an egg salad sandwich.

10. Christmas Day. Weather cooperated.  Cooking extravaganza with Lindsey. Ahhh. Joy. Roast ham. Cranberry chutney (wow). Roasted parsnips, onions, carrots, sweet potatoes.

11. End of year meeting with my financial advisor. Ouch. Chocolate ice cream with hot fudge sauce.

12. Thankful for friends and family…and the comfort of the kitchen. It may be time to make a batch of Change-Your-Fortune Cookies from Heartbreak Recovery Kitchen.

13. Farewell 2010. Stop stalking me!

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