Thursday, January 7, 2010

January Tidbits & Tidings

By now, we are all in some stage of keeping or forgetting our New Year’s resolutions. For those who are dieting, I recommend Cooking Light magazine that is full of interesting recipes year-round. In addition, the library offers a number of cookbooks dedicated to the art of flavorful, yet light cooking including Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes (Apricot Glazed Pork Roast, p. 147) and Better Homes & Gardens Eating Light (Orange-Strawberry Sponge Cake, p.77).
For those who enjoyed our Victorian beaded ornament class but didn’t finish their work, an instructor will be on hand at the library on Tuesday, January 12th, at 12:30 and again at 6:00 to assist participants in completing their projects. New participants are welcome to try as time and space allow. On Wednesday, January 20th at 1:00, Craig Clark from Cornell Cooperative extension of Fulton and Montgomery Counties will offer an encore presentation of his program Save Energy, Save Dollars. Participants will learn low-cost, no cost energy conservation methods that will result in reducing their energy bills. Each participating household will also receive a free energy-saving tool kit. The program is free and open to all. For further information, please call Cooperative Extension at 762-3909 or the library at 993-4646.
I have found a way to make January and February virtually race by. Challenge yourself to clean every shelf, drawer, and closet in the house by the end of a chosen month. In forty years, I have never beaten the calendar and never given up! There are some good books available on the subject at the library—The Queen of Clean Conquers Clutter and 10-minute Clutter Control among them. I’ve learned a few tricks from them, but ignore anything that would interfere with my winter tradition. You notice that I use the word “tradition.” Resolution meaning declaration, announcement, decree--too negative a word for me. Makes me feel as if I am being backed into a corner or pushed off a cliff. But you take tradition meaning custom, habit, or belief…solid, gentle words. Little building blocks for a good foundation. In the end, we all want to be healthier, smarter, richer, happier, better organized. You name the goal, improvement, or outcome you would like to see in your life, and a librarian can help you find a book on the subject. The rest is up to us!
Submitted by Board of Trustees member Sally-Jean Taylor

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