Time to end the year!

Ahh and the time has arrived to make resolutions, party, spend time with family and get ready to welcome a brand new year. Nothing like being able to enjoy the holidays, eat good, and most of all be thankful for all the wonderful things and the lessons learned throughout the year. I am not going to lie to you though, nostalgia often takes over and makes me really sit down and re-evaluate what I have accomplished and what will come next...which is a great thing.

So, what are some of those lessons learned? well let's just say that 2011 brought me many happy moments like obtaining the Magnet Nurse of the Year award at my place of employment, I got to travel to Minnesota, California, Colombia and Washington, we had the largest family reunion in 19 yrs, my mother survived triple bypass surgery and last nut certainly not least...I became a citizen. --Talk about an emotional roller-coaster!

What are you waiting for? Make that bucket list...revise those resolutions and get going..Life is too precious and short to be sitting around waiting for the world to come to you. How about doing a couple of these to make yourself a happier person...A little effort can take you very, very far.

*Volunteer- locally, online, abroad...there are tons of things to do-trust me!
*Olive oil- yes, that's what I said- mentally olive oil yourself before facing a bad co-worker/boss/"friend". In other words, do NOT let them get the best of you
*Enjoy the little things- Stop, look around you...enjoy your surroundings, they are the best gifts the world has to offer
*Travel somewhere- get in your car and drive, hop on a plane to some little town, just go and explore!
*Learn and read- yes, be a nerd! WHO CARES??? read about a place you never heard of, learn how to cook, or a new hobby.

And now...on to the gooey, sticky, wonderful, decadent...ahh well you'll have to make it so you can see what I mean. I know it's another cake recipe but it's new years baby!!!

Caramel Pecan Ring of Sin!

What you need:

1/3 c  Chopped Pecans (Dry pan saute to bring out essential oils)

¾ c   Sugar

4 tsp Cinnamon

2- 11oz packages (12each) refrigerated bread sticks

1/3 c Butter- melted

½ c Caramel  Topping

2 tbsp Maple Syrup

How to make:

Grease 10 inch fluted tube pan. Sprinkle with half of the pecans and set aside. In a small bowl, stir together sugar and cinnamon and set aside. Separate each package of bread stick dough along the perforated lines into 6 spiral pieces, making 12 pieces. DO not unroll. Cut the pieced in half crosswise. Dip each into the melted butter, roll in the sugar mixture to coat. Arrange in the prepared pan. Sprinkle with remaining pecans. In a cup mix the caramel and syrup and drizzle over bread. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes, covering with foil the last 10 minutes to prevent burning. Let it stand for 1 min, and invert onto dish. Serve warm.

*Make it better: Change the nuts to your liking, add a little pinch of nutmeg for heartier flavor.

Enjoy!!! And Happy Holidays 2011~2012.