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Fearless.  That was my word for 2008.  Let me explain.  I am not one to make copious lists of resolutions to fulfill, because inevitably they fall by the wayside and I feel like a failure.  So last year, this word popped into my head at the start of the new year.  I decided to claim it as ”the word of the year.”  Now, did I indeed live the year fearlessly?  Hardly not.

In retrospect, I would have to say that this was a year that I had to face my fears or run cowering into the corner.  Some of them I’ve already written about here, including my older daughter getting her license and recently learning how to drive in snow; a summer spent waiting with baited breath to hear if my husband would be laid off (after 20 years with the company) - he made it through; and then the general demise of the economy and our shrinking savings/retirement. So it seems that the entire year has been a lesson in being fearless.

Now on to this year’s word: inspired. This has been popping into my head the last few days, so I’m claiming this as the offical word of the year.  I think I like it much more than fearless, don’t you?  And I could use some inspiration as I try to figure out future plans.  You see, in about 2 1/2 years I will have an empty nest.  My goal is to figure out a new career, or steps to take to get there (maybe going back to school?).  I know I will need something to fill my time.  I feel like blogging is a step in that direction and a connection to the creative process. 

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I guess you could say that my first bout of inspiration involves trying out some new recipes and healthier eating.  After all, my kids complain that I make the same things over and over again.  I suppose that’s true and 18 years of the same recipes could put anyone to sleep.  So I happened to find this interesting new magazine called Clean Eating; the recipes really drew me in.  It seems to be about making recipes healthier, maybe not necessarily organic but just better; leaner while avoiding refined foods.

So on New Years day, I decide to try out one of the meals: round steak marinated overnight in balsamic vinegar with garlic and onions, broiled; fresh green beans with portobello mushrooms and feta cheese; and I added sweet potatoes (or yams…I always get them mixed up…the orange ones anyway).  It was actually pretty good, except that the meat was a little tough and I had (as usual) cooked it a tad too long.  Well, I think everyone liked it and I felt good that I had made a tasty, healthy meal, with one exception: shortly after we finished, we all had a serious craving for a dessert.  And I mean, it was strong!  I wanted to run down to Cool Hand Luke’s and place an order for their bread pudding.

Hubby asked if there were any brownies.  When I said no, he asked Mae if she was going out. Translation: Would you be going into town and could you pick something up?

Well, we suffered through.  The next new recipe I’m going to try is a portabello mushroom, red peppers and onions in a whole wheat flatbread wrap.  But just in case, I’m going to be prepared this time with a Sara Lee dutch apple pie for dessert. 

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So will I be inspired this year?  And the other question: Will I inspire others?  You’ll have to check back here to find out. To start with, I’m going to reread Madeleine L’Engle’s Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art.  What about you?  Do you have a goal, or a word even, for 2009.  Please do tell!