On 2011: Maple-Bourbon Hot Chocolate

-Because chocolate and hooch are a fabulous way to hitch off the old year.-

Last year on my New Year's post I dwelled on the importance of resolutions. That, no, I don't believe that they're worthless if you pick goals that are both achievable, self improving, and allow for a bit of fun. When accomplished they're small lampposts that illuminate the year in your life. Tiny memories that may not be significant in your grand adventure but that you will remember regardless.  Memories to reflect on, skills gathered to call upon, knowledge gained to draw from.

2011's list was short and sweet:

• Learn to play mahjong.
• Learn to make beef bourguignon.
• Learn to make macarons.
• Finish the thesis.
• Burn a copy of the finished thesis out of spite.
• Start that project with Stephanie.
• Perfect making crepes.

As of today, 2012, here's how it looks

• Learn to play mahjong.
• Learn to make beef bourguignon.
• Learn to make macarons.
• Finish the thesis.
• Burn a copy of the finished thesis out of spite.
• Start that project with Stephanie.
• Perfect making crepes.

Not bad. Not bad at all.

-Still, I do wish I had gotten to those crepes. Probably could have found time if it wasn't for all the bourbon.-

Still, it's not complete. This could be viewed as a failure.

Here's the thing about resolutions that I didn't get into last year, though. If you don't do them all, it's not the end of the world. Don't kick yourself if you didn't learn to scuba dive, make homemade sausage, or take that road trip to Santa Fe.

Life won't end.

Things come up. Deaths, births, changes in work, new friends, new projects, new goals, travel... The Unexpected Happens.


The only thing to be ashamed of is if you didn't get to them because you didn't try. There is no excuse for laziness, sloth, or apathy. The only place to lay the blame in this instance is yourself. Man (or woman) up to it.

-Don't be such a wuss about it.-

For me those two unresolved resolutions are a mix of both. Could I have found time? Yes. There were days I was lazing about, but I was lazing about because I was exhausted. Is this an excuse? Yes. That's fine though. I own it. But I'm at peace with it because damn it, I worked hard this year.

That Master's program beat me down; a rhetorical bludgeoning with a lead pipe and a 300+ page academic work with my name on it. A beating encouraged by myself and headed by two angry advisers with PhD's.

Immediately after the thesis Stephanie and I went right to work on the proposal. More research. More time. More notes. More writing. More. More. MORE. Goals always demand more and once you've given it your all you need to look down and find your reserves because goals want every speck of energy you got. If your brain doesn't hurt, your muscles don't ache, and your eyes don't blur, then you are doing it wrong.

But we did. And we did it right.

Our reward for achieving the goal was the privilege to work even harder at the next one. Cooking practically every day. At least here I could legitimately claim that I did not have time for those two resolutions.

Sorry, no time for cooking because I'm too busy cooking.

And I love it.

-Why wouldn't I?-

2011 was a great year. Yes, it was stressful. Yes, my apartment flooded, became infected with an undying Lovecraftian mold whose name and stench could drive you mad, and I had to move. Yes, I had more than a few meltdowns from school and work.

But 2011 was a blessing. I found a new job I loved. I wrote for Gourmet; a life long goal of mine. I got to do new writing assignments and from that worked with some amazing editors, publishers, writers, and photographers. I started teaching writing classes. I spoke at some pretty nifty conferences. I met some extraordinary people. I got my Master's. I earned a book deal. I got engaged to a man I love. I traveled to China.

So I didn't perfect beef bourguignon. So what? In the grand scheme of things I'm okay with that. 2011 will get over it. After all there's still 2012 and, God willing, many more years still.

I did, however, find time today to sit down and have a glass of hot chocolate. Something I have been meaning to do all winter so far. Not really a resolution mind you, but a desire. Sometimes those need fulfilling as well.

Admittedly, those desires are easier to achieve if they involve booze and chocolate. So there's that.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Maple-Bourbon Hot Chocolate
Serves 4

18 ounces whole milk
4 ounce dark chocolate
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
pinch of salt
4 ounces of bourbon

1. Finely chop the chocolate into small pieces. The pieces have to be able to dissolve easily in the liquid.

2. Place the milk into a small, thick-bottomed pot on low heat and bring to a low simmer. Whisk once in a while to ensure that the milk doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

3. Add the brown sugar, salt, maple syrup, and chocolate and whisk vigorously until the chocolate has melted.

4. Heat for another 4 minutes, constantly stirring. Add the bourbon at the last minute and serve into mugs. Indulge silently.