#30 Try a new recipe every month - January Edition

Swedish Meatballs w/gravy

I figured Ben would be full of suggestions for recipes to try. This was one he found and sent to me.
http://damndelicious.net/2014/02/21/swedish-meatballs/

 First I had to put the recipe on paper so I could follow it. I HATE using technology while I cook. Next, I needed a weekend beverage. My current drink of choice is Coney Island hard root beer.

 

 

I put all the ingredients in a glass bowl.

 

Then I remembered how much I didn't want to touch raw meat and dumped it all in the stand mixer bowl.

                                                                                                                                          

 Rolled into balls and put in the skillet with oil.

   No pictures of sauce making, the constant stirring couldn't be interrupted. It all happened so fast.

 Finished product served over mashed potatoes.

I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome. I have a fear of not cooking meat all the way through. I was terrified they would be pink in the middle, but no pink to be found. I think if and when I make them again, I will be halving the recipe. It took a lot longer than I had patience for.

#13. Learn how to fill in my eyebrows

     I figured I'd tackle a pretty easy one for my first completion.  Last night I hopped on the trusty YouTube and looked up eyebrow tutorials.  I didn't realize so many women just shave off and draw on their eyebrows.  I did realize, however, that I am NOT one of those women.  It took lots of searching to find another woman on the internet who wants her brows to look pretty natural.  I'd rather it not look like I'm on my way to the club every day. 
     Today, I gathered up the little assholes and went to Mommy Mecca. (Target)  Once Lucy had some popcorn, I wandered to the make up isles.  The YouTube lady with similar brow goals also had a relatable budget.  I walked away with a NYX eyebrow pencil.  I made sure it had a spooly/spoolie? because the Internet tells me it's necessary.  I also picked up an ELF brow kit for good measure.
     I took a no make-up before picture and then followed along with the video.....

Obviously following along is not my forte.  I grabbed a baby wipe and started over.  For the second go around, I went ahead and put on my pretty standard make-up face.

 

I think I got the hang of it.  I also just kind of went with my instincts the second time around.  Which goes to show you, your gut is usually right.  There's room for improvement obviously, but I think it's a pretty good start.

The List

     My best friend, Lindsey for future references, asked me to help come up with some ideas for her "30 Things to do Before 30" list today.  She inspired me, like she often does, to make a list of my own.  I decided I wanted to create a blog to document my list.  I've tried to start a few different blogs in my life.  I'm hoping this will be the one that sticks.  There is a clear beginning and a clear place for it to end, hopefully that will help.  First things first, here's my list...

1. Take a wine and painting class
2. Visit The 4 Corners (4-10-16)
3. See a Las Vegas show
4. Get a massage
5. Do at least 1 month of Shakeology
6. Get down to a size 20/22 (I know, I hear you. Most people fear getting up to a 20/22, but I've promised myself these will be attainable things to keep myself from getting discouraged.)
7. Go to a local High School football game
8. See a local theatre production musical or play
9. Put my feet in the Atlantic and Pacific in the same year (Atlantic 4-6-16)
10. Get professional family pictures taken
11. Write a will
12. Wear make-up every day for a month
13. Learn how to fill in my eyebrows (1-18-16)
14. Set and STICK TO  a workout schedule
15. Make both kids' birthday cake from scratch
16. Learn how to use fondant
17. Start our Angel Tree family tradition
18. Watch ALL the Star Wars movies
19. Go away for a girls weekend
20. Complete my 2016 Reading Challenge
21. Visit Arches National Park (4-10-16)
22. Go 1 month without drinking soft drinks
23. See the Trans Siberian Orchestra Christmas show
24. Keep a daily journal
25. Send 30 postcards
26. See a giant panda in real life
27. Take myself on a date: dinner, movie, manicure
28. Buy a new outfit (regardless of what size it has to be) from head to toe
29. Spend a weekend away with Ben
30. Try a new recipe every month

....that's it. It may sound boring or simple, and maybe it is.  Maybe that means it's time to realize I'm a little bit of a boring and simple woman.  I'm old enough to be okay with that.  I know the popular thing is to freak out about turning 30 and get caught up in the numbers.  Honestly, I don't have those feelings.  It doesn't seem embarrassing to admit I'll be 30.  I don't have any desire to keep turning 29.  I realize there's a whole year for those feelings to change, and maybe they will.

     My hopes for this blog are to have something to look back on and realize even small accomplishments are worth celebrating.  I imagine there will only be about 30 updates and even if no one reads it but me, that's okay.  Things you do for yourself are just as important, if not more so, than things you do for other people.   I suppose that's a lesson I'm still learning and hope to master by the time I blow those 30 candles out.  I'm worth making time for and I deserve to be taken care of as much as I take care of others.  If there's anyone else reading this, even if it's just you Lindsey, you're worth it too.