A First for Me

I made pasta tonight. :) Pasta is my favorite. Usually when I make pasta it is spaghetti, and I cook the whole box. And within 24 hours it's all gone. By myself.

Since Greg came along he's been after me to cut down on my pasta consumption. Because I want to. I asked him to. He wants the best for me, and wants me to be happy, and this last year especially that would definitely include losing weight.

But tonight! Tonight I made just enough for the 2 of us to have 1 bowl of pasta. And it was whole grain, which sounds healthier, though I am not sure if it really is. I ate slow and the bowl was enough.

And because there was a problem with the laundry, I wasn't tempted for more. Kinda of lost my appetite while scrubbing mysterious stains from the hotel dryer off 1/3 of the clothes we have right now. I don't want to know what it was, or why it was on my clothes... But it did help me eat less tonight!

One little triumph at a time.

Japan

Lots has happened since I last posted.

I fell in LOVE biscuits and gravy. Then fell back out of love with biscuits and gravy. Realized I married the most wonderful man. Met his family. He met my family. Realized I hated Facebook, but couldn't get rid of it because I like knowing little facts about all my friends' lives. Got a Nook. Started an IRA and a budget. Worked too much, too long. Decided sewing is one of my hobbies. Ran approximately 150 miles. Then had surgery and had to stop running for awhile. Gained 5 pounds...

Joined Weight Watchers, for 2 weeks. Gained 5 more pounds. Visited my family for 2 weeks. Learned my brother and sister-in-law are expecting again. Said goodbye to my dog Abbey. Gained 5 more pounds. Visited my husband's family for 2 weeks. Finally got to know them well enough to really miss them. Definitely didn't lose any weight during that visit. And...


I moved. To the other side of the world.

And before I left I didn't fulfill anything on my Kansas Bucket List. Nope. And I don't remember what was on the list anymore, but I do know that nothing was accomplished in Kansas. But I survived and moved away. I guess you could say if was bittersweet. It was time to go, but Manhattan felt like home.

It has made me think about what I really want on my Bucket List. Visit all 50 states. Earn a Ph.D. Bake a souffle. Travel to every continent. Make sure those I love know they are loved. Own a puppy. Own a house. Own a pair of Louboutin shoes. Learn to love myself.

Wow, didn't mean to get all deep here... I was just sitting here in the hotel room, for day #34, typing and thinking. And researching juicers. Yes, juicing machines.

I think I want one. Sounds healthy!

The List

I recently read a book about a list a girl made to complete before her 25th birthday. I've never made a "bucket list" or really given it all much thought before.... Naturally the book made me start thinking. I've always had some travel goals, a couple restaurants I'd like to try, and some sporty things I'd like to do, but nothing written down on an official list.

I went out for dinner with a good friend last night. We both had a drink, and on empty stomachs, they effected us effectively. I started to tell her about the book while I was reading over the cocktail menu, and it came to me. I would start a list. My list would start with having each delectable cocktail on the cocktail menu at della Voce.

There's 13 total cocktails (and one divine martini I'd like to try). I'm moving in about a year so I will have a year to complete that section of my list. I started with a mojito last night. I enjoyed it. It had strawberries. It kind of tasted like a garden. I enjoyed it. And even though it was my third drink (and final with those 4-inch heels), I thought it was very strong. I enjoyed it.

Wedding Cake... To Bake or Not To Bake

When I first got engaged in September, I decided that I would make my own wedding cake. I've been a fan of Martha's Weddings for 10 years and have tried several of the magazine's featured cakes. I also watch Charm City Cakes and Cake Boss frequently enough to have the illusion that I am capable of amazing things as well... And baking is a stress reliever, and I'll be practicing and sampling my cakes for 4 months - what fun!

For my first cake I made a fantastic brown sugar pound cake. Despite making too much and not having enough cake pans for it to fit in, and despite not using parchment paper and having some crust, it tasted great and turned out well. Then I started on the brown sugar meringue buttercream. Let's just say my mobile dwelling can be affected by heat, cold and humidity, and my meringue never set, until I put leftovers in the fridge.

Despite the unprofessional look, I brought the cake to work and asked for feedback. It was all positive, though no one would have wanted it for his or her own wedding. I loved the flavor, and the idea that I can get brown sugar at any time of year in small-town Kansas...

Well, then Greg and I decided on a reception site at a restaurant and the owner mentioned his wife is a pastry chef that could do amazing things to a cake. I'm game, but still want to practice making cakes.