New Year's Resolution 2014: Own a Business
New Year's Resolution 2015: Live and Love in the Present

Starting this blog allowed me to complete my 2014 resolution to own a business and will help me keep my 2015 resolution. I'm a planner and a FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) at heart: socially, personally, and professionally. There's nothing I love better than a great plan which = fun activities to participate in! But sometimes, I get too caught up in the next best thing and what I want to accomplish 1, 2, 5 years out and forget to enjoy all the great things I have going on in my life RIGHT NOW. So, here's to living and loving each day through spending more time on the things I love (cooking and blogging) and with the people I love (my brother a.k.a. blog architect and all the friends and family who I know will support me) -- CHEERS!

After spending a couple weeks in Idaho for the holidays, I thought I'd start by sharing a recipe that's a holiday family tradition -- we made donuts on Christmas Eve this year but any holiday gathering where you have a large group of people works!

New Year's Donuts (video)
Time: 5 hours       Makes: 5 Dozen 

Sweet Bread Dough 
Mix together: 
2 c. lukewarm milk                  1/2 c. sugar           1 tsp. salt 
Dissolve: 
2 Tbl. yeast  in 1/4 c. water & 1/2 tsp. sugar 
Stir into warm milk mixture.  Stir in also: 
2 eggs         1/2 c. shortening 
Mix & then knead in:     7 – 7 1/2 c. sifted flour until dough is soft & manageable.  Continue to knead by machine or hand 7 – 8 min.  Put in a greased bowl & cover with lid or a tea towel.  Let rise and knead down 2X. Then let rest 15 min. so dough is easy to handle.  Roll out dough to 1/2" thick and cut with donut cutter (circle cutter with hole in middle) Let donut circles rise until light, 15 – 30 min. Fry in oil heated to 375º on each side, flipping after 2-3 min. or golden brown. Let drain and cool on paper towel for 5 min. and then frost.

Chocolate Frosting  
2 c. powdered sugar        2 Tbl. softened butter       2 Tbl. cocoa
1 – 2 Tbl. evaporated milk      1/2 tsp. vanilla
Mix powdered sugar, cocoa, & butter. Stir in flavoring & milk. Beat until frosting is smooth & of spreading consistency.