One New Thing...

One of the things I vowed to do last year was create a bucket list---at the time, I thought it would be fun to try and pursue completing this bucket list within 2011.  When I started checking items off that list, though, I realized that I enjoyed trying new things.  It took me outside of my comfort zone, and I had some really memorable experiences in the process.  Rather than have "The Year of 52" which is what I'd originally set out to do, I've turned it into a lifelong bucket list.  I have revised that list, removing some items and adding others.  A few of the items I'll get to experience in the next few months include using my passport, another activity to help me with my fear of heights (that will hopefully NOT result in broken digits), a few creative projects for other people (which means wiping the dust off my sewing machine, finally!), and trying out some new spa treatments.  I'd love to say that I'm going to take pictures of all of these, because another thing on my bucket list is to get comfortable with staging photos, etcetera; however, this won't be the case for some of the items. :)  Trust me on this one.

I foresee a photography class in my very near future, as I've always admired photography as an art form.  While one of my bucket list items was to run a half or full marathon, I've realized that my body is not cut out to do that sort of work---I know I can train for it, and that just because I don't think I'm a runner doesn't mean that I can't do that sort of intense physical activity.  I truly believe that my feet aren't cut out to endure that sort of repetitive punishment.  After suffering two broken feet in as many years, I'm vowing to run a race, any distance...and my friend from culinary school, JF, invited me to join Team Glitter for the Diva Dash here in Austin near the end of April.  THIS is totally out of my comfort zone.  It's an obstacle course, but not crazy like Tough Mudder, or some of the other obstacle courses out there that you're lucky to finish alive.  

One of the things I'd like to do here on this blog in the next year is share my "One New Thing" that I've tried during the week.  It may not be earth-shattering or monumental, but it will help me with my commitment to continue challenging myself on a personal basis.  

I'm thoroughly bummed that I didn't post pictures of our soup buffet feast from last Saturday night.  I had a periodontal laser therapy treatment twice last week, putting me on a liquid diet for about two weeks.  Most of my friends and family know that I've been trying to live mostly animal-product free, and I had the opportunity to experiment with smoothies and soups.  I came across a fabulous soup website last weekend, http://www.soupchick.com/ , and we tried a few of the blended soups.  I hadn't had lentil soup in over 20 years, and the recipe I used was so amazing that I ate it the next day.  Cold.  Straight from the refrigerator.  We also had a Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple Soup that was so yummy that my mouth is watering all over again.  The third was pretty unremarkable---but there's not much you can do to perk up Cauliflower and Potato Soup, amiright?

I baked W a loaf of Homestyle Whole Wheat Bread from the King Arthur Flour website that apparently I found a while ago, because I can't seem to find it on their website now!  It utilized mashed potato flakes, dry skim milk, and fresh orange juice.  It was a hit with The Husband, and I figured because I had the supplies that I'd bake another loaf while he was traveling.  Instead, I perused my cookbook collection and came across a Hearty Country Bread that starts with a sponge and is a labor intensive project...but one that I believe he'll thoroughly enjoy.

If you have a stand-up mixer and haven't yet challenged yourself to baking yeast bread from scratch (trust me, once you've made yeast bread with your mixer, you won't go back to using your hands), please do!  It's so simple, and the smell of fresh bread baking in the house is definitely worth the work.

Until next time....which will happen very quickly, as I've had a few other "one new thing" experiences this week! :)