![\"Carol](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SUT-L-ERDOS-COL-0118-07.jpg\")
Carol and Frank Crisci host a New Year\u2019s Day feast. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\nNow that the new year has arrived, my wife wants me to prepare a list of resolutions.<\/p>\n
She insists it be a thoughtful account, one that I\u2019d be sure to pursue.<\/p>\n
So, as a dutiful husband, I proceeded to comply.<\/p>\n
The first item on the list was my sworn commitment to give up alcohol.<\/p>\n
My wife objected to the pledge, suggesting I don\u2019t even drink.<\/p>\n
She may be right, but that doesn\u2019t account for future plans.<\/p>\n
She insisted that such an assurance was an empty promise with zero value.<\/p>\n
So I proceeded to pour myself a glass of wine, which she quickly wrenched from my hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat else are you promising?\u201d she queried. \u201cNever to rob a bank?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t be ridiculous,\u201d I complained. Instead, I agreed to quit smoking.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t smoke!\u201d she squawked. \u201cAnd you don\u2019t rob banks. The list has to be harmful habits you have but agree to discontinue. Or perhaps add something positive you don\u2019t do now but promise to start.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou mean like joining a gym?\u201d I queried.<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d she said. \u201cThat would be an honorable pledge, but you need to add another word in addition to simply joining.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what would that be?\u201d I questioned.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipating,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
She also wants me to amend my diet.<\/p>\n
Carol and Frank Crisci host a New Year\u2019s Day feast. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
I reluctantly agreed, but only if I she\u2019d accept that I start a day after our visit to our dear friends who were hosting a fabulous New Year\u2019s Day feast.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SUT-L-ERDOS-COL-0118-03.jpg\")
The New Year\u2019s Day feast features a huge glazed ham. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Carol and Frank Crisci prepare a huge baked ham, an assortment of deli meats and cheeses, shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, deviled eggs, bread pudding, unlimited wine, Champagne, cocktails, sodas, juices and coffee, while guests add their own homemade treasures such as Rosemarie\u2019s stuffed mushrooms, Kim\u2019s herbed mashed potatoes, Judith\u2019s shrimp ceviche, Crystal\u2019s French toast casserole, Mary Beth\u2019s fabulous cheesecake, Amelia\u2019s pizzelle cookies, Marguerite\u2019s southern-style black-eyed peas and my homemade bagels.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s not forget cannoli, various pastries and dozens of homemade cookies also provided by our generous hosts.<\/p>\n
![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SUT-L-ERDOS-COL-0118-06.jpg\")
An orchid tree in the Criscis\u2019 yard. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)
\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SUT-L-ERDOS-COL-0118-04.jpg\")
The hosts\u2019 garden includes a koi pond. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
They honor their many guests in their beautiful home surrounded by a garden filled with flowers, fauna and colorful koi blissfully circling in a watery wonderland.<\/p>\n
![\"Fruit](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SUT-L-ERDOS-COL-0118-02.jpg\")
Fruit from a Buddha\u2019s Hand tree. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Add a forest of fruit trees including figs, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, peaches, pears and something called Buddha\u2019s Hand, an unusual citrus tree whose fruit is often candied, but also serves as a unique and unusual adornment.<\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/SUT-L-ERDOS-COL-0118-01.jpg\")
A Buddha\u2019s Hand tree. (Irv Erdos \/ For The San Diego Union-Tribune)<\/p>\n
Sadly, New Year\u2019s Day is over, and my diet has begun. It\u2019s overseen by my bride, which means no red meat, no potatoes, pasta, cake, pies, cookies, ice cream or happiness.<\/p>\n
Fish has replaced most meats, but not if it\u2019s breaded or fried. Chicken is OK as long as it\u2019s baked or broiled. Salads are common as are steamed vegetables as long as they have no added butter.<\/p>\n
Eggs remain acceptable for breakfast, but only if they\u2019re boiled or poached. But no toast, jam, cereal, pancakes, French toast or joy.<\/p>\n
After two weeks, I\u2019ve sacrificed pleasure for a loss of only a couple of pounds.<\/p>\n
Still, my bride demands I remain committed, insisting added weight reduction will eventually surface.<\/p>\n
So I explored some statistics, and according to leading indicators, I should reach my ideal weight and be at the pinnacle of my health exactly three years past my life expectancy.<\/p>\n
Happy new year, dear reader.<\/p>\n