Cook My Way through a Cookbook

A lot of times I end up cooking whatever latest food blog entry matches up the best with what I have in my kitchen.  Basically I have a hard time planning meals and then sticking with that plan....food porn, you know. :)  But I have a cookbook in mind.  One that I would like to make all the recipes:

I've had the "Vegetarian Option" for over a month now, and I'm very intrigued with it.  I like his writing and recipes look absolutely interesting, different enough and doable.  I'm not a vegetarian but thought this would be a good recipe book for my plan- especially since it's not TOO big.

The pictures are beautiful (obviously mine doesn't do justice) :).  I'm one of those people who can spend hours looking through and reading recipe books and recipes-  (same thing with pouring over maps, but that's neither here nor there).  My plan is to make each recipes from front to back (as always no deadlines), take pictures and share them here in the recipe section (along with other recipes). 


What I really need to do is make some shorter term plans so that I can start checking some of these things off my list....and start feeling accomplished. :)

Food Photography- Collage

I want to take pictures of food.  I want to take GOOD pictures of food.  I also want to make my own art.  I have an idea for the wall between the  kitchen and dining room.  I want a collection of my own food photos- food as art.  It can/has been done.  For me I guess it will take a lot of practice, good lighting- not evening or dinner pictures now that it's getting dark earlier.  I have some ideas and if I can get my printer set up to the right computer (and an office), I think I will have a good start.  I like the idea of healthy, whole foods as art.  It can be so beautiful!  There are so many great colors and textures in nature.

This photo is not exactly what I have in mind (this had another purpose), but I still enjoy it.  I have several frames I plan on using for macros and whatever beautiful items I might come across in my kitchen :).

The thing I really like about this whole Life List idea is that there are no deadlines- no specific dates that anything has to be completed- it's a LIFE list after all! :)  I just try to look over my list every day to make sure I'm on track with it all.

Complete a Photography Course

Okay, so I've been enrolled in a photography course for probably over a year now.  I listened to the first section (there are a total of 6),  and then apparently got too busy to care for a year.  I'm back again.  This time I'm ready to take it seriously.  I've even started the written tests...and am really giving consideration to what I want to send in for my first photo assignment.  I love photography and want to learn everything about it, but sometimes I think I get a little overwhelmed and feel like I don't have what it takes.  There seems to be SO much to learn, and I'm not a patient person.  At any rate...I've hit the books again, starting with organizing my materials:

And while this doesn't look the least bit organized- it really is (this is me!).  Everything is in the same location- for starters and the lessons are actually in order.  There is room for improvement here, I more than realize this, but this is my space for now and when I have my office cleaned out and organized I move in there and off the guest bed.  This works for me as of now.  I'm excited to delve into this class knowing I have so many things to learn, clearly. :)  I think I have approximately 2 years to complete the rest of the course.  I'm pretty sure I can focus long enough now. :)

Update:  I have received 3 of 52 trophies- last week was a struggle but I pulled it out, and feel more motivated this week.

The office is slowly being cleared out and organization will begin.

I Want My Own Home Office!

Life List item number two... Create and have my own home office.  Here's what I have to work with:

Please don't feel sorry for me. :)  I have several ideas for this which I'm excited about.  First order of business is obviously moving most of the unnecessary items out- especially the workout equipment.  This will hopefully, sooner than later, become part of a workout room in the basement.

I feel I need an office to have a place of my own to work on my other list items- a place I can get organized and get the momentum going for other aspects of my life.  Oh, organization, where have you been all my life? :)

The Beginning- My Life List

I view my Life List as an updated Bucket List.  It's the things, big and small that I'd like to accomplish in my life.  It sets priorities and in my case will be an aid to me becoming organized.  God knows I need help in that department!  So, item number one on my Life List:

Getting a trophy for 52 consecutive weeks- 1 whole year of consecutive weekly trophies on my heart rate monitor:   

I actually started this goal last week and earned the first one on Monday October 11th.  I figure if I get well into this, say a couple of months, I will have no choice but to continue rather than start over. :)  This will help me stay with my workout goals which include:  At least 4 days of fairly intense workouts of running, HIIT (high intensity interval training), walking, hiking, workout DVD s, biking (sometimes mountain) and yoga.  I'm going to preferably workout 6 days a week, but go with how I feel.  Last week I did a jump rope session off and on for about 20 minutes and I couldn't get myself to run for two days after that.  My calves were KILLing.  I'm learning more and more what I can and can't do (listening to my body).  I'm excited about this item on my Life List as I know I can do it- yet it will be a challenge.