Ah, the slow cooker. The most quintessential kitchen gizmo; something that just truly makes life better.

I really could have called this post either title.

Since we have been home from the Bahamas, I have been super productive and the weather has actually been quite pleasant. I am rather confidant these two events are in strict correlation. But now, after some snow falling last night and the temperature doing so, sharply, as I type this, I am rather ready to tell January to go screw already.

I just want to blink and have it be St Patrick's Day, in my backyard by the fire pit and friends.
But in the meantime--while I don two pairs of socks just to walk to the T in the morning and still feel my toes--I like to pretend it's already Spring by cranking the heat and using the grill pan. And, most recently, tearing open my newest attachment for my beloved KitchenAid: the ice cream maker. A big thank-you to my brother and sister-in-law for this one. You two have pints of treats in your future.

I made a rather delicious blueberry frozen yogurt first. It was awesome because I made freaking frozen yogurt from scratch. But. It was also icy and kind of not-actually-awesome, or, at least, could definitely be better. It could be as simple as me not churning it long enough. We'll see. So, I'll improve upon that and report back.

Anyway.
The matter at hand.
Is this:

Hello!
Happy January 21st!
"Happy New Year" sounds a bit, uh, dated already, but this is my first post in 2013, so I felt I must say something.

I had grand plans to post a Friday faves tribute to 2012, to close out a year that saw me engaged, promoted, ecstatic on so many occasions. But, I simply couldn't seem to find the time before the close of December to sit down and actually talk about the year in review. The thousands upon thousands of photos (legit) taken in 2012 were just too overwhelming when trying to determine the most noteworthy moments. I loved them all.


Of course, we all have the highest of hopes going into the holiday season. That you'll find all the perfect gifts, bake all the delicious treats, meet and exceed all your deadlines at work before the general population checks out until January 2nd. And That you'll somehow take photos and chronicle your existence and cookig endeavors for the Internet.

Obviously, the final item on that list is where I struggled. And, immediately following the chaos that was the holidays, came a trip to the Bahamas with some of my bestest (I know, woe is me); so I haven't exactly found myself doing Anything noteworthy in the kitchen as of late. But here I finally am, with time on my hands (and a long weekend to boot), ready to relay some happenings for ya. I'm so very excited to be back.

But first, in true initial-January-post fashion, I want to take a moment to let you in on some hopes and goals for this here new year. I shy away from resolutions; they're too definitive And harsh for my (insanely lax) personality. I'd rather be as optimistic as possible. January is bleak enough already.

So here's what I want, for here, for this year.
A wish list to myself, of sorts, as I am solely responsible for its execution.

I hope to blog better.

Not just post more often, but also keep increasing the caliber of content I am putting up. I want to feature more DIY ideas (and thus, capture our crafting endeavors more consistently) and stunning photos. I want to get more consistent with recipe posting, while continuing to create easy and fresh dishes that I know can appeal to my fellow twenty-something's, short on time and cash.

Oh, and I want to use all the crazy kitchen gadgets I have amassed over the last few years. Expect to see a lot of homemade ice cream, and hopefully a lot more baked goods, thanks to my lovely KitchenAid and all of it's glorious attachments. I also want to keep you guys apprised of tht kind of stuff- what latest gizmo I bought, if it's worth it, and what you can make with it.

Of course, a blog is one of the most self-indulgent endeavors one can ever participate in, so all these promises are hinged on the concept that you'd like to hear more often from me. I am humbly hopeful that this is the case, and this will be the year I really, really get Neverbroken in order and deliver a lot of great content for my audience.

As always, if you are here ever, or often, I must sincerely thank you. I hope 2013 is kind to you and yours.