Ah, fresh beginnings . . . who doesn’t love them?  Somehow, someway, at the beginning of a new year with a clean slate in front of us, we are appropriately compelled to make new starts, new beginnings.  No matter how many failed attempts we have in the past, hope rises to the surface . . . sometimes even in the most adamantly self-declaring pessimist.

At first glance, this photo looks a little, well, ridiculous.  A door in the middle of nowhere?  But, to me it represents hope . . . that even when I see no possible way to get from one place to the next, doors can and do pop up in the least likely places.  It’s up to me to notice them and walk through them to discover life on the other side.

What are you resolving to do differently, starting tomorrow?  My New Year’s Resolutions have ranged from the typical ~ lose some weight, reduce debt ~ to the simpler ~ be a kinder, gentler me.  Whatever we choose to plan to change in the new year, it is always our sincerest desire that we get it done and not add any more fuel to the failure fire.

Use this image of a door in the middle of nowhere to get you dreaming big about what you can accomplish, and when the going gets tough, remind yourself of it to keep you striving toward your goal.  And, when we come to December 31, 2009, we’ll look back and see how we’ve changed . . .perhaps not having fully reaching our goals, but nevertheless changed for the better.

Happy New Year! –Cheryl

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What are you planning for the very last few hours of 2008?  Do you relish going out on the town, going to or hosting a party with friends, or enjoying a simple, relaxing evening with a special someone?

Whatever your bent, I’ve got a great recipe to share today ~ great as a New Year’s Eve appetizer or a New Year’s Day party dip, or just about any other time you want some great flavor!  My husband’s daughter made an absolutely divine version of this (with a secret ingredient), and it reminded me how much I love love a garlicy artichoke dip.

I pulled out my Tuscan Cream Cheese Spread recipe from my collection — it combines all of my all-time favorite flavors ~ cheese, garlic, artichoke, fresh herbs and . . . lemon!  Yes, a splash of lemon is the secret ingredient to getting that party going ~ even if it’s just in your mouth.

If you have a food processor, you can pull this together very quickly and let the machine do all the work ~ otherwise, plan on about an hour to get it all done.  Make it a day ahead of time, and the flavors, those delicious FLAVORS meld together like they’re having a celebration all their own. Totally fabulous!

Tuscan Cream Cheese Spread

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• Splash lemon juice
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped black olives
• 8 green onions (just the tops), chopped
• 3 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, softened and chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Throw it all in the food processor, blend, and chill for several hours before serving.  Pretty simple, isn’t it?

Heidi and I want to say thank you to all of you who have visited Truly Engaging over this past year.  It is our hope that you have been inspired and encouraged!  To celebrate YOU, our readers, we’re having another holiday sale over at MagnetStreet Weddings ~ 15% discount on EVERYTHING!

All you have to do is enter promotional code WBCS15 at checkout with your online order.  Hurry, though . . . offer only good through 1/1/09!

Best,

Cheryl

Photo courtesy Creative Commons

On the second day of Christmas,
My true love sent to me
Two turtledoves,
Three French hens,
Four calling birds,
Five go-olden rings,
Six geese a-laying,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Eight maids a-milking,
Nine ladies dancing,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Eleven pipers piping,
Twelve drummers drumming…

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Thanks to Vane’ for putting together such a fun card swap.  I loved getting cards from… Savannah at The Backyard Bride, Krista from Impressions Photography, Alexis from Pretty Pomme, and Christa from C Neu photography

Image above: links back to Etsy store.

Update:

MagnetStreet Weddings Holiday Savings … 15% discount on EVERYTHING, yep everything!

simply enter promotional code: WBCS15 at checkout of your online order.

Offer is valid 12/24/08- 1/1/09

I just love the idea of guests personalizing ornaments for a Christmas wedding.  I borrowed this image from Project Wedding~ they’re featuring a very lovely Real Green and Navy Blue Wedding.

Keepsake Christmas ornaments… place metallic pens on your reception tables for your guests to use when they sign their ornament.  Ahhh, so romantic!  Imagine your first ornaments for your first Christmas tree as a married couple.  And the best part~ you get to re-read these precious sentiments every year as you put up your Christmas tree!

Personalizing ornaments might be a great idea for guests to sign at a bridal shower too… What do you think?  Any other ideas?

Thanks so much for reading!

Heidi