1,001 days ago I set out to do 101 things. I’ve updated you
all throughout the last 2+ years, but now the day has come.
I started stressing about my list about a month ago. I
was a bit disappointed with my progress. I started talking to fellow blogger
and reader Jason about my struggles and he brought up a good point – while I didn’t
accomplish some of the things that I set out to do, some are “in progress.”
For instance, take #60. That’s to visit a Chicago suburb
called Evanstown. While I didn’t have a chance to do that when we made a sudden
move, I will do that on August 25th when reader Jason gets married!
So that one is “in progress.”
On the other hand, some aren’t anywhere near progress.
Take “Get Manicures Quarterly.” That one was complety unachieved. I’ve got two
mani’s in the last 3 years! Ugh.
So without further ado, here’s my update!
Shot of Brandi (4 done, 0 in progress, 1 uncompleted)
·
DONE – new header
baby!
·
Wow. This one
surprised me. I’ve hit 301 absolute visitors! WOAH! Hi Everyone ; )
·
Oh remember when reader Lindsay and I showed you how toproperly pop champagne?
·
Sad.
This never happened!
Done! Without much fanfare, I hit this
number back in September!
Back to School (1 done, 4 in progress, 0 uncompleted)
6. Take a cooking class – In progress
·
DONE! Took a wine class with my mom in March 2011
8. Mix things up with a cocktail class – In progress
9. Register for a craft class – In progress
10. Learn another language (other than English or Spanish) – In progress
Bonjour! I started studying French in July before I went to
Canada! It came in handy around my Belgium friends in Ireland!
Food Yummmm (4 done, 1 in progress, 0 uncompleted)
Food Yummmm (4 done, 1 in progress, 0 uncompleted)
11. Go on a Chicago and/or New York Cupcake Crawl – In progress
Watch out Chi this December!
Brady and I dined here our last night as
Chicago residents!
·
Thanksgiving 2009 when Brady and I celebrated in Chicago I
baked a Ginger Pumpkin Pie (right)
·
As a follow up to the above, we also made a mini-turkey,
mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes!
Oh yes! In 2009! In 2010, I mastered the art of the Oreo ball
Throwin’ it Back (3 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
Throwin’ it Back (3 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
·
Does thank you notes count? I think so! I wrote 10 thank you
notes to work colleagues in 2011!
17. Subscribe to a newspaper
Another not complete, but we do
subscribe at work!
·
How funny – so this is a bit done! Through a work creativity
challenge, I exchanged letters with Connie Kang from Taiwan! She even sent me
some fancy book marks. Thanks Connie!
·
J Bo and I conquered six miles in 2010 on the Montour trail.
20. Create my family tree – In progress
·
A family member is actually doing this on Ancestry.com
·
Not done : (
Globe Trottin’ (2 done, 0 in progress, 4 uncompleted)
22. Travel to Napa
·
No : (
·
Oh yes, the Smith’s went, saw and dominated Ireland and
London!
24. Visit New Orleans
·
Another negative!
25. Sleep outside – aka go camping
·
Heck No!
26. Go to Disney
While I’m not going to call this “in
progress” the hubs and I are working on it. Especially given the new Harry
Potter stuff!
My close friends and family know about
my first attempt at a passport pic – let’s just say round two after the name
change is MUCH better. I’m off the terrorist list.
Crafty McCrafterson (3 done, 2 in progress, 1 uncompleted)
28. Complete 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 scrapbooks (I’m slacking) – In progress
·
I’m going digital!
·
If we ignore my recent craft-tastrophy, I did make a little
bathroom painting in Chicago
30. Create a book of family recipes – In progress
·
DONE! I made this really rad necklace (among other things!)
·
Pretty much done – I made a scarf!
33. Take a flower arranging class
·
Not done, but I put together some rad things for clients!
Rockstar (2 done, 0 in progress, 3 uncompleted)
34. Sing live band karaoke
·
Nope
35. Try out for a reality show
·
Nada
36. Complete my “secret project” with reader Amy
·
No
·
I have a few to add to this – some Food Network people,
athletes, Whitney Port (right) and Nick Cannon.
While he may argue this, I did attend
Lollapoloza with him for two years (proof below).
Giving Back (2 done, 4 in progress, 1 uncompleted)
39. Find one charity and contribute to it – In progress
·
Done – and see #101!
·
I had a MAJOR closet cleaning out earlier this year and when
we moved.
42. Babysit someone’s kids – In progress
44. Sign up for a
local political party group
·
Not yet.
45. Send a letter
to a troop (or troops!) – In progress
·
I hope our troops like glitter Christmas cards!
Let’s Get Physical (2 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
·
Pittsburgh Marathon 5K in May 2011 bitches!
·
Myrtle Beach, 2009, deep sea fishing – caught 6!
48. Play wirlleyball
·
NO! Ugh!
49. Go surfing, skiing or snowboarding (that’s for you, Brady)
·
No broken bones means that I haven’t completed this
50. Buy a bike – In progress
·
Take note. I want this
for my birthday!!! (And it’s been on my Christmas list!)
Cheee-caaa-goooo (0 done, 0 in progress, 5 uncompleted)
* I mean, this category just about sucks! I left Chi-Town too soon!
Nothing done here!
51. Go to a jazz club
52. Visit the botanical gardens
53. Go sailing
54. Go on a history bar crawl
55. Visit Ravinia
Day Trippin’ (1 done, 1 in progress, 3 uncompleted)
51. Go to a jazz club
52. Visit the botanical gardens
53. Go sailing
54. Go on a history bar crawl
55. Visit Ravinia
Day Trippin’ (1 done, 1 in progress, 3 uncompleted)
*Again,
a bit difficult to complete given my switch in residence!
56. Go to Milwaukee
·
Visited good ole Milwaukee in 2009!
57. Visit Michigan wine country
58. Tour the Wisconsin Dells
59. See the suburbs
60. Walk around Evanstown – In progress
The Arts (2 done, 2 in progress, 1 uncompleted)
·
Gosh, I read way to much! This one was easy! My favorite –
the Sex and the City prequels!
62. Attend a play or musical – In progress
·
While I saw a number of reader Brian’s comedy shows, I didn’t
totally fulfill this. But no worries, B and I have some plans!
Yeppers! A Beautiful Mind, Chicago, The Departed Forrest
Gump, Gladiator, Slumdog Millionaire
64. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago)
·
No!
65. Go to a Renegade Craft Fair – In Progress
Relaxin’ (2 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
66. Take a family vacation
Relaxin’ (2 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
·
Myrtle Beach ’09 and Hilton Head ‘10 (see right - we had to play "school bus" for the kids...)
·
YES! I bought a picnic basket and made Brady go to the Oak
Street Beach with me
68. Spend the day at a spa
·
I still have issues relaxing. I haven’t been back to a spa
since like ’08.
69. Sign up for yoga classes – In progress
·
I’ve got some great options on our new street!
70. Get nails done quarterly (surprisingly I get them done like twice a year)
·
HECK NO! I’m so so
awful at this.
Treehugger (3 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
·
I DO! Mostly all paper
72. Switch to eco-friendly cleaning products – In progres
·
I’m working on this
73. Keep a plant alive
·
I’ve killed several!
74. Plant a tree
·
Nope.
·
Ha. I did. With Billy!
The Jeep!
·
The Smith’s are totally
recyclable bag users!
Gettin’ Wasted (2 done, 0 in progress, 3 uncompleted)
·
Reader Lindsay and I dominated
on Halloween! And 4th of July...(right)
·
Thanks for former
reader Bubba!
79. Visit the Miller Brewing Factory
80. Dine at Goose Island Brew Pub
81. Attend a bourbon tasting
Random (2 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
82. Fly a kite
·
Done! On the family
vacations (below). Don't knock my work. I was trying to make a stone-like wall out of shells!
·
Done! I parked Dana’s
car!
85. Go to an amusement park
·
KENNYWOOD!!
Let’s Get Digital (2 done, 1 in progress, 2 uncompleted)
86. Sell something on ebay
86. Sell something on ebay
·
Nada. I have been
trying to buy things though! Ha.
·
Yes! B and I had a
channel!
·
Flip, baby!
89. Make an edited video- In progress
90. Meet Julia Allison
·
No, but I’ve come close. She also got a
show deal with Bravo!
·
Done! Easter night this
year! We even skyped in Dana to play!
·
This was my Chi
apartment and yes! Super Bowl!
94. Read the Emily Post etiquette book – In progress! I just bought the new one!
Personal (3 done, 2 in progress, 1 uncompleted)
·
Obvi done.
96. Start a journal after my wedding for my kids/grandkids – In progress! B and I started a little book, but he is being uncooperative!!
·
Ohhh boy. I found a new one and then went back to the old
one. Things I would do for this list ; )
·
Done!!
99. Find a church – In progress
100. Call my grandparents monthly (if I don’t see them)
·
I’m not going to go a done on this one, but I do get to see
them more often now!
Administration
So
the final tally is….
·
44 things DONE
·
23 things In Progress
·
34 not done
I
mean it’s bad. I know it is. But I have a feeling that in the next few months, I
can get myself to 50! And in the next year even more things done!
I’d
encourage you all to take the time to do this vs. a New Year’s Resoultion in
2012. It gives you more time to meet your goals and get things done! It was
really fun coming up with the list and challenging myself to do these things.
Oh
and if you are wondering about 101. Well, I’m the proud owner of the polar bear
at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. I decided to kill two birds with one stone
(is this appropriate given the charity is animal conservation? Eek). I donated
$46 to help make up for some of the items that are in progress. I can’t wait to
visit my bear soon!
(source)
Today is Cyper Monday. You know, the day when everyone
goes back to work (except those in Pittsburgh who are deer huntin’). It’s the day when people buy things online
that they weren’t able to find if they went shopping over the weekend.
Well these online shoppers are not alone. The National
Retail Federation estimates that 36 percent of people out there will do
their holiday shopping online.
I’m part of that 36 percent.
I seriously can’t count how many times this past week I
said “I’m doing all of my shopping online.” I’m just so annoyed after going out
to the mall and coming home empty handed because the store didn’t have
something in the size or color that I was looking for.
So if you want to join us cool kids in the 26 percent,
then here are some sites to visit.
·
Etsy: If
you’re on my list y’all may be getting’ some crafts! I love the handmade
originals on this site. Pro – you know your gift will be unique. Con – the
receiver may need to really like it because the return policy may be a bit
wack.
·
Uncommon
Goods: The site name says it all – this site is full of uncommon, cool gadgets
and gift ideas.
·
Minted: I’m
really into personalized gifts this year. I can’t say that I am buying
anything, but I’m into the idea of buying them. Minted has great stationary
options.
·
Kodak Gallery or Snapfish: Now a days, it’s a gift
just to get photos printed. But these sites have some cool photo gifts
Check out some of the obvious retailers like Macy’s, Best
Buy, Target, etc. They sort out gifts online and can serve as good inspiration
for shopping!
I remember when I was a kid and cookie dough ice cream came out. It was like the most amazing thing in the world and kinda still is. Well until now.
This Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip that I discovered via How Sweet It Is is seriously rad. It's like eating the cookie dough without worried about uncooked eggs.
I tested this awesomeness out last Wednesday and was like - ehhh it's okay. Then, I let it sit in the fridge for the night and...angels were singing when I took the lid off this bad boy on Thursday.
I've pasted the recipe below directly from How Sweet It Is. You will see above, I dipped in graham cracker pretzels (crazy, right?), but I also bought some animal cookies to dip in a future batch.
Cookie Dough Dip
makes about 1 1/2 cups
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups chocolate chips
Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to bubble. Set aside to cool, and whisk in vanilla.
Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar for 60 seconds. With mixer on low speed, add in brown sugar and butter mixture. Mix until combined. I added the chocolate chips at this time so the mixer could break them up into pieces. You can so that, or just fold in the chocolate chips.
Garnish with additional chopped chocolate. Serves with fruit, cookies, crackers, pretzels or a spoon.
You know how I’ve
been recently talking all about flower walls? Well here’s another one to add to
the list. Via Pinterest this gem was featured at the Biz Bash New York Expo (a
lot of party trends come out of these Expos). I expect these to be popping up at
a lot more weddings in the future!
(source)
This wall was
designed by Luxe Event Rentals & Décor.
I love the idea of using this as the backdrop for a couple to say their vowels, the cookie table, a photo booth, etc.
Note that the show
also featured mini candy apples! I made these a few times and they are SO EASY!
If you are making these, use chocolate first, then caramel. The caramel won’t
stick to the apple since it’s moist (I know, gross word). Here’s my last tray
(ignore my mom’s recipe sign in the dish)
I love fall. I love
the leaves changing colors. I love sweatshirt weather. I love tailgating. I
love football. And most of all, I love pumpkin-flavored food.
I know what you
are thinking, it’s high in calories. Eff it. Just work out more.
When I saw a link
out there that said “11 Ways to Use Canned Pumpkin” I just had to click. This
cocktail recipe is something that I just can’t wait to try, so I had to share
this today knowing that there may be some good opportunities to make it in the
next week (The Night Before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Tuesday –
just because! etc.)
Pumpkin Rumshake (from Bon App)
In a blender, combine canned
pumpkin, ground nutmeg, vanilla ice cream, milk and rum. Blend until smooth,
adding ice cubes for a more frozen consistency, if needed.
YUMMMMM…
So yeah, it’s
annoying that Bon App doesn’t give measurements for this. I guess they think we
are all pro chefs! So what I recommend is eyeballing it. I’m thinking 1 smaller
can of pumpkin, a teaspoon of nutmeg and then maybe a 1-1 ratio of the rest to
the pumpkin (it’s got a strong taste), but a little less than a cup of rum. It
will make several batches.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Social Icons