Grapefruit Sumac Salad And A New Year

2015 is here and it promises to be a big one here.  Alex and I are both planning to graduate (and you can be sure I’ll let you know the moment you can call me doctor), and neither of us knows exactly what we want to do after that.  So far we have one wedding to attend in Hawaii and another in Germany.
  
But before I look too far ahead, I thought I would look back and see how I did on last January’s plans and allow them to inspire/educate this year’s.  

Top 10 of 2014 (Happy New Year!)

Another year, another countdown of my top posts (as tabulated by Google Analytics). 

I want to thank everyone that looks at my recipes, drools over my pictures, tests, and comments.  You’re the ones I do this for.  Although, I’d probably still do this if no one read my blog, but you sure make it nicer.
  
Have a great New Year!

10. Torta Caprese (Flourless Chocolate Hazelnut Cake) from December 12
9. Game Of Thrones: House Stark Cake from April 6
8. Orange Cornmeal Cake With Coronation Grape Sauce from October 14 
7. Game Of Thrones: House Lannister Cake from May 4
6. Pear Ginger Sparkle And Spice from November 14 
5. Burnt Orange Cocktail from March 3
4. Game Of Thrones: House Targaryen Cake from June 1
3. Roasted Beet Scones from March 16
2. Downton Abbey: Tea and Honey Macarons from March 22
1. Butterscotch Buttermilk Cake With Mascarpone Frosting from January 16

Burnt Caramel Fig Cheesecake

At my parent’s house for New Year’s Eve there was always cheesecake.  I actually thought it was a Polish tradition for a long time, but it turns out it was just my mom’s tradition.  Either way, I associate cheesecake with the New Year and that’s clearly a good thing.  Especially when your cheesecake is rich, creamy, and dripping with a deep, dark caramel sauce. 

Where Do We Go From Here?

I love the new year.  Even if my life isn’t changing drastically, I always feel like the new year is a clean slate.  The beginning of the year gives us an opportunity to assess ourselves and our lives that we don’t often give ourselves otherwise. 

So I spent a little time thinking about what I want from this year and this is what I came up with.