Every Friday I’ll indulge my order-crazed brain in a list of randomness. Welcome to my Friday Fives.

It’s a new year! Anyone smell the promise of 2014? I do. In true Falvey fashion, we rang in the New Year at home, eating some of our favorite foods and trying out some new recipes.

Since we weren’t home to have a traditional Christmas meal, Joe requested Dr. Pepper roast beef. He loves this recipe and it couldn’t be easier since it cooks in the Crock-Pot. I opted for Indian take-out. Don’t laugh. It’s not exactly holiday fare, or traditional in any sense, but it’s a food I love that Joe would never want, so we were each happy.

I made a New Year’s ball of baked brie. With all of the other food we hardly made a dent, but it’s still one of my favorites and leftovers make a killer grilled cheese sandwich.

We also tried this recipe for soft pumpkin cookies. They were sooooo good. I didn’t make the butter frosting, opting instead for a glaze made with powdered sugar and a little maple syrup. We’re not big frosting/icing people, so it was perfect. Joe’s been eating these things like crazy ever since they were cool enough to touch.

By the way, this was my first photo of the new year. My God, I love my dog.

Like I mentioned in last week’s Friday Five, 2013 was a good one for me in terms of resolutions. And now that the dark shadow of Diet Coke is finally out of my picture, I had to think hard about where I wanted 2014 to see some change. 2013 will be hard to beat, but here are some of my goals for the coming twelve months. Hopefully putting them out on the interwebs for all to see will keep me on track! Here goes nothin’.

5. Momentum

In the words of my brother (circa 2004), this one is a bit “weak sauce,” but I really loved my resolutions last year and I’d like nothing more to be like Barefoot Contessa and turn the volume up on those goals. Let’s take them to the next level. Here’s a refresher:

Writing/Blogging: Well, here we are. I’m going to keep on keepin’ on. Thanks for being a part of such a fun project and reading about all of the nothing and everything in my life.

Books: I’m still a month away on my next reading post, but I’ve been a book-eating machine the last few months. So, this is pretty easy. I just want to keep reading. It makes me so happy. Maybe read more classics? I will read Anna Karenina this year. I will. Please keep me honest. I’m always up for suggestions, too. Send me the names of your favorite books and authors!

Cooking: Thanks to Pinterest, we’ve tried more new recipes in the last year than ever before. In fact, I just made a new “Tried and True” board to keep track of all of our new favorite eats. And thanks to the FIVE new cookbooks I received for Christmas, I have more than enough to keep me busy. Some things I’d like to focus on: conquering high-altitude baking (I need some serious brownie help!), learn how to make pastry cream and perfect scones, and be okay with halving every baking recipe I try. It’s just math. There’s no reason for us to have 36 warm cookies on the counter. Well, there is, but it’s not a valid one.

Photography: This is a huge passion of mine that has been cloaked in fear. Fear of failure, which is really hard to admit, but so very true. I feel like I’ve made a good leap lately, but I want to keep learning, keep practicing and start having the cajones to do something with it. I have some sessions in the works with new friends here, so we’ll see where it goes.

Gym: If I told you I now go to the gym six days a week, would you believe me? It’s true. I’m really trying to get my butt in gear, but the greatest take-away has been the stronger I get, the less my back hurts. That’s reason enough to keep running. Just call me Forrest.

4. Good Better Housekeeping

Here’s a new one. I do not make a very good housewife, at least in the keeping-house sense. I can have an awesome dinner on the table on time. I can make my bed every day. I can find a lost item in no time. I could vacuum in pearls and high heels…if I ever wore high heels (I don’t) or vacuumed (not often enough). Donna Reed, you ruined this for us gals. I want to be better at keeping things clean and taking time (at least) once a week to vacuum, dust and pick up each room. I’m betting my allergies will thank me in spades for this one.

3. Be More Girly

This is just silly, but I’d like to learn how to fix my hair other than leaving it in a curly mess or straightening it with a flat iron. There are some cute, fancy-looking ‘dos on Pinterest that have me wishing for some variety. This resolution has the greatest chance of not happening. Feel free to give me gentle reminders to get my Barbie on.

2. Give Back

I’m not Mormon, but that doesn’t mean I have to be an outcast in my community. I want to invest in our new home. I want to find a job that will be fulfilling for me, good for my resume and will allow me to meet new people. (NOT. EASY. in this small town) I’d like to volunteer my time at the local animal shelter, if I can work up the nerve to not take home every pup in the joint. I don’t really have this one mapped out, but the feelings are there in my heart.

1. Dream Big

Not to be a tease, but there is a big project in the works that I’m not ready to unveil (SOON, promise!). I’m tired of just dreaming about things I want to do. I’m ready to act. I’m ready to not be scared. I’m ready to fail and get back up. No more fear, okay 2014? No. More. Fear.

This is pretty vulnerable for me. I’m changing already.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, productive 2014.