Weekly Goal Roundup #2

Man, what a week. Gone Saturday through Monday for work, meetings every day, torrential downpours and tree limb-snapping wind gusts the whole week...makes a girl want to hole up after work and not do much of anything. Sigh. So here's my roundup:

1. Write every day: Do a couple of blog posts and personal emails count? 'Cause that's about all I did.

2. Drink 60 oz. of water every day: Stormy weather makes me crave all sorts of warm beverages I can wrap my hands around while in a huddled position. So, technically, I had at least 60 oz. of water every day, but it was in the form of coffee, tea or delicious instant Ghirardelli hot cocoa. Seriously, how do you get enough water in a day?

3. Exercise 3 times a week: I did not exercise. At all. But in my defense, it was reeeeally stormy out and I was extreeeeemely exhausted. But I didn't feel guilty one bit, and that's a huge step right there. You might even say it was a 'lunge,' so that totally counts.

4. Cook something new once a week: Success! I baked a batch of Grissini breadsticks that were the perfect complement to John's Penne with sausage and roasted peppers. Details to follow.

5. Read one book a month: Halfway through Julie and Julia. Liking it tons more now that I'm not comparing it to the movie. I'm digging her voice and I can even appreciate why she started the Project.

6. Finish the business plan: Serious pub chat time yet again this week. Details are coming, promise!

7. Learn to bake bread: My rolling pin, the one I ordered sight-unseen from an industrial restaurant supply catalog, the one that is (a total shock to me) longer and thicker than my arm, showed up last week. I used it for the breadsticks, AND I learned the art of kneading.

See, I always thought you just beat the hell out of the dough; maybe punched it a couple times, stretched it and scrunched it back together, then threw it onto a floured surface and watched white dust poof from under it in all directions. But noooo...not according to my new book! Here's what you're supposed to do, according to Gail Sher:

"Pick up the far edge of the dough and fold it toward you. Push down and forward with the heels of your hands as you rock forward with your whole body. Turn the dough one quarter turn while rocking back and fold and push again with another forward motion. Gradually the folding and pushing will become one movement."

So now, I appreciate the dough and become one with it while rocking and pushing. No more of that insensitive dough punching. Geez, what a jerk I was! Funny how my time in the kitchen, much like my time in the cheeseplant, is a continuing lesson in patience and humility.