Sister Sister

My sister Spaulding was here this weekend and it was lovely!  We worked on my 25 Things list, had some good sister time, and alot of fun.

First...Goal #22: Give Blood...Done!!

Also...Walking on Campus, Village Deli, Harry Potter 7.2, Farmer's Market, and the Irish Lion.  

Then...Goal #6: Get my nose pierced...Spaulding got hers done too!  

And then...it was henna tattoo time.  My sister is awesome.

P.S. My sister did our henna...isn't she awesome!?!

Thanks for reading about my weekend.  9 goals finished!!

Yours affectionately,

A.H.

P.S. I started whitening my teeth this week...make that 10 goals finished.

An Update of Minuscule Proportions

     76 - Days until my birthday.

       7 - Goals finished.

     18 - Goals left to go.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

I've Got An Awesome Mom

The first goal on my list of 25 is to take a spur-of-the-moment road trip.  My best friend and her husband are very good at doing spur-of-the-moment things. (In fact they got to know each other on a late night road trip to Milwaukee in college.) I really enjoy spontaneous plans...once they are happening, but I am a planner to my very core. I like lists and plans...oh and I really like lists.  I just tend to plan my time ahead of time and that doesn't leave a whole lot of room for spontaneity. 

This is an topic that my mom and work on whenever we are together for a extended amount of time.  I'm a planner...she is not.  I love that about her, but we definitely have different approaches.  Well, one morning when I was visiting home...my plans got turned upside down.  I was working on my quilt and had laundry going when my mom walked in from her bible study and told me to get ready.  We were leaving as soon as I was ready.  I promptly told her I had no dry clothes...no less clean ones.  She told me to hurry up and go find something.  Twenty minutes later I was in the car with my mom and my sister.  We picked up two of my favorite women, Teri and Holly and headed out of town.  So began my spur-of-the-moment road trip.

We had a great day.  We drove about an hour and forty minutes and visited with one of my mom's friends who just moved there and got a tour of her new house.  Then we went out to lunch at this restaurant in a really interesting old building.  Before it was a restaurant it was a whole bunch of other things including a funeral home during the Great Depression.  It is supposed to be haunted by a ghost named Martha, she didn't joins us for lunch.  We walked around town and looked in some antique shops, but I think the best place we stopped was on the way out of town.  It as refurbished farm called The Crooked Willow.  Each building has been redone and now showcases antiques and boutique kind of merchandise.  It is a good thing I have no money, because I could have easily spent it all there.

I just want to say thanks to my mom.  I was really surprised and that isn't easy to do.  You may not plan like I do, but you can sure plan a great spontaneous road trip!  Goal #1...check!

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Little Bit Country...Little Bit Rock and Roll

This past August I went home for a visit and one day we headed out to my uncle's land for an afternoon that could only happen in the country! It was filled with guns, shooting, a 4-wheeler, a flooded crick (not creek...crick), family, sunflower seeds, and sunshine.

 I shot three guns.  The first one was a .22.  I was kind of nervous about the kick-back, but it wasn't bad at all!

First time I shot a gun.   How's my grouping?

Then I shot the assault rifle that is in this picture, which was pretty awesome.  It even had the legs on the muzzle.  It was intense.

But...the coolest gun I shot was one my grandpa George made...and I mean made. (Sorry I don't have a good picture.)  He carved the wood from a block into gun.  My grandpa passed away when I was a baby.  If he had still been around, I think he would have been out showing me what to do.  Not that I would give up the experience I had  my dad and uncles (they are pretty awesome) but it would have been great to have him there.

I have fulfilled goal #12...learn to shoot a gun.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

I Gave Blood and All I Got Was a Huge Bruise...and Test Results

I have never given blood or had blood taken.  So, when I went to fulfill goal #18 to have have my cholesterol checked.  My family has history of heart problems and I decided I should take some preventative measures.  So...for the first time ever I gave blood.  This is what I found out.

     -I have small veins.
     -I bruise easily.  A week later, I still had a huge bruise on my arm.
     -My cholesterol is within the normal range.
     -It is super weird to watch as you give blood.  It really should just stay in my body.  It kind of freaks me out...one reason I've never given blood before.

Only one blood-giving-goal left to fulfill, #22 donate blood...is it creepy that there is more than one?  Is it creepy that there is one at all? Ah well...either way...goal #18...check!!

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

P.S. If you read this whole thing...you must really love me.  Thanks!

We Didn't Start the Fire...Oh, Wait. I Did.

I grew up camping and having campfires in the backyard.  Yet somehow, I lacked any real fire building skills.  Well, ladies and gentlemen...that has changed.

                                                                No Fire....

Fire!!!

And I didn't all by myself.  I had to chase away my Dad once or twice, but that fire was all mine.  Goal #8...Done!

Now we couldn't waste a good campfire so we had some of my favorite people over for campfire fare.

After dinner we went for a boat ride on the river while the fire died down.

By the time we got back we had coal for s'mores.  You can't have a campfire and not make s'mores.  

All in all it was just what a summer evening should be.

Yours affectionately,
A.H.

Fishing is the Sport of Drowning Worms

I grew up in a fishing family, but there is a time in every young girl's life when her Dad stops taking the fish off the hook for her.  When that day came for me, so did the end of my rather pathetic fishing career.  I didn't mind so much.  I didn't have enough patience for it, plus I could just bring along my book in the boat and get some extra reading time in.  But the time came for me to face those scaly beings...plus my smallest brother, G was schooling me.  I think he was touching fish before he lost his diapers.  He really likes doing it, he talks to the fish as he takes the hook out of it's mouth.

To be honest...I didn't put the worm on the book G and my other brother B did it for me.  Thanks guys!  I was going to, really I was...they were just so...wiggly.  The boys did like it was no big deal, but it freaked me out.  I caught a fish on the first cast...it was so tiny!

Me and my tiny fish!

After a couple tries, I totally got the hook out myself.  Goal #16...Done!

I kept going...after the brothers put more worm on my hook.  I caught two more...one swallowed the hook and my dad took it out for me.  But I took the hook out of the third one by myself.  G offered (I told you he likes to do it!), but I did it myself. 

For the record...that is G shooting the fish with a water gun.  I heart him.

I liked the last fish, but I don't think Henry (that's what I've decided to name him) and Howard would have gotten along well.  I don't think I will take up fishing as a hobby, still not enough patience, but I had alot of fun with the family this day.  One more goal done. 

Yours affectionately,

A.H.

P.S. Thanks to my mom for being the photographer!

I Dream of Scooters.

A couple of weeks ago, I packed up my car and drove home for a lovely two week vacation!  Howard, my fish who often travels with me stayed at home.  He doesn't do well in the heat (my AC is broken) and I thought I would give him time to unpack his cookie jar/fish bowl in our new place.

Anywhoo...while I was home, I put a big dent in my list of 25 Things to do before I'm 25, with some big help from my parents, my aunt and uncle, and my friends.  Thanks guys!!  

First one I tackled was riding a on a Vespa.  Now just a point of clarification...I call all scooters Vespas, because if I don't people assume I mean the small platform with sad little wheels and and a unmanageable steering system.  Its like calling a facial tissue a Kleenex.  Everyone knows what you mean...this is what I meant in when I wrote goal #11.

Now I know this is not Vespa brand, but it was still awesome!!!!  Ok...so it wasn't working super well, but I went down the street and back.  Goal #11...check.

Just for the record I have my future transportation picked out.  A GTS 300...I can't decide between the Dragon Red or the Midnight Blue.  Seeing as I have $0 saved...I have some time to decide.  Which do you like? Take a look.  This is not some putsy little scooter...it goes 80 mph and gets 65-70 mpg.  I so want one.  Maybe owning it will be on my 30 before 30 list.

Yours affectionately,

A.H.

First Goal Finished!

           On Friday I completed goal number number 9.

           #9. Make a chocolate cake from scratch.

           If I do say so myself, it was delicious!!

           Here is the recipe and pictures!

 Cake Ingredients:
    1 c. Butter
    2 c. Sugar
    2 Eggs
    1 c. Buttermilk (I made my own with
              1 T. Lemon Juice and 1 c. Milk)
    1/2 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    2 1/2 c. Flour
    2 t. Baking Soda
    1/2 t. Salt
    1 c. Boiling Water

   Side Note:
As I mentioned yesterday, I've been sick with a cold/nasty cough this weekend.  I just discovered a tea I really like so I've been sipping on it all weekend. Including while I made the cake.  Just an FYI, I washed my hands all the time and did not lick any spoons or beaters.  Anyhoo...this tea is a new favorite.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and dust pans with cocoa.  (I really liked this, I usually use flour, but I'm going to try using different things.)

    Use 9 x 13 or 2 - 8" round pans.

    Sift together cocoa, flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

    In a large bowl cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in eggs one at a time.

    Beat in the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately.  Mix just until incorporated.

    Add the boiling water and beat for one full minute.

     The recipe said bake for 30 to 40 min, but it was more like 50 to 60.

    So, the picture....I thought I had 2 - 8" pans...turns out I had 2 - 7" pans.  I just kept baking the cake like normal and this is what spilled over.

    Like I told my mom, when I called to ask her baking advice, I chose to look at this, not as a failure, but as...I get to eat cake for lunch!  Even the overflow cake was nummy.

    I baked the cakes in the morning so they would have lots of time to cool.  In the afternoon I made two batches of chocolate ganache.

Chocolate Ganache:
9 oz. Chocolate
1 c. Heavy Cream

The recipe called for bittersweet chocolate, I ended up using mostly bittersweet and a little semi-sweet.  I think next time I make it I'll use half and half or all semi-sweet chips.

Heat the cream until just boiling, stir occasionally.  Once it's boiling pour over chocolate chips.  Whisk until smooth.

    I made two batches of ganache.  The first one I let cool and then whipped until it was light and fluffy.  That was the filling and edging.  The second one I poured over the top, starting in the center.

    Here's the finished product!

    The girls I had over to help me eat it told me it was good.  So...goal number 9...check!









           319 days left.  24 goals to go.



Your's affectionately,
A.H.

A Little Explanation

Some of my goals deserve a little explanation.  Like Donate Blood...yes I realize I'm almost 24 and still haven't given blood.  I just like my insides to stay on the inside.

But hold on...before any of that...I want to explain where "Your's affectionately" came from, mainly because it make me happy.  I thinks is safe to assume that if you know me at all, you know I am a fan of Jane Austen.  Her books, the movies based on her books.  It's all good.  (Side note: We were born on the same day 12/16.  Smile.)  Anyhoo...she used to sign all the letters to her sister with some variation of "Your's affectionately. J.A."  Hence the name of my blog...it just makes me smile.  

Back to the goals...

Some of them are just things I think an adult should know/be able to do/have done.

2. Learn how to drive a manual car.

3. Learn how to change a tire.

7. Read the entire bible.

13. Write down and share my testimony.

14. Go on a date.

18. Have my cholesterol checked.

20. Learn about all 44 of our Presidents.

I just think I should have learned/done these three growing up in rural Minnesota.

8. Build a roaring fire on my own.

          My family (*cough* my sister) makes fun of my lack of fire-building skills.  It's kind of sad.

12. Learn how to shoot a gun.

16. Catch a fish and take if off the hook myself.

         If I am feeling particularly spunky I'll even put the worm on myself.  Yeah, don't hold your breath for the worm part.

Why these three...just cause I want to.

19. Whiten my teeth.

21. Read the Five Love Languages book.

25. Finish reading all of Jane Austen's works.

Some these goals have won't make me grow, but come on...they are just fun!

1. Go on a spur-of-the-moment road trip.

6. Get my nosed pierced again.

11. Ride on a Vespa.

4. Write a children's book and have my mom illustrate it.

          Since high school I have wanted to be a published author, but I've never done anything about it.  Well...last year, while working in an elementary school/cashiering at Wal-mart, I kept having ideas for children's book.  (I used to write down my ideas between customers at work.)  I talked with my mom about it and she said she had always wanted to illustrate a children's book.  So I'm putting our aspirations together. 

5. Make the weight on my driver's license true.

          Lying is wrong.  My dad said so.

9. Make a chocolate cake from scratch.

         I should put a qualifier in there...the cake needs to be good.  My mom makes amazing chocolate cake and I want to be able to also.

10. Run a mile in 12 min.

         Why 12 min?  Well...for those of you that never experienced the horror of the presidential fitness test, let me bring you back to middle school.  I don't know what the standard time was then, but I can guarantee that I didn't make it.  Once, I pretended to step off the track and twist my ankle so I didn't have to run the mile with my classmates.  Yeah...I know lying is wrong. (Sorry Dad.)  In my defense, I'll just say Middle School should be called Awful School.  Anywhoo...12 minutes is the adult standard time.  This time I will make the presidential standard.

15. Learn how to french-braid.

          My mom can do it, my sister can do it, the best friend that I grew up with has been French-braiding her own hair since before she could spell "French-braid."  I've always wanted to learn.

17. Get to know my grandparents.

          Everyone has stories, I want to know them.  What better place to start then my grandparents?

23. Write a letter to my 2nd grade teacher.

         Ms. Finkie is one of the people I credit with my love of reading.  She had this great reading program in her classroom that kept me going back for more and more books.  I just want to say thanks.

24. Learn how to whistle.

         Yeah...I can't whistle.  I learned how to blow bubbles with my gum before my sister, but the same day...she learned to whistle.  My victory was snatched from me.  I must learn to whistle, even the piercingly loud whistle you do with your fingers can count.  

Thanks for reading. Starting soon..."Meet the President Monday."  Alliteration...it's swell.

Your's affectionately,

A.H.

25 Things Before I Turn 25

I'm not entirely sure how to start this lovely blog of mine.  Jane Austen used to start her letters with the phrase, "I am much obliged..."  If it worked for her it is certainly good enough for me.  Ready?

I am much obliged to whomever is reading this...Hi Mom!  Based on the suggestion from a friend and the fact that I have lots of extra time, I have decided to set myself some goals and write about the journey.  25 goals to be specific...all to be completed before I turn 25.  So here they are in no particular order.

1. Go on a spur-of-the-moment road trip.

2. Learn to drive a manual car.

3. Learn how to change a tire.

4. Write a children’s book and have my mom illustrate it.

5. Make the weight on my driver’s license true.

6. Get my nose pierced again.

7. Read the entire bible.

8. Build a roaring fire on my own.

9. Make a chocolate cake from scratch.

10. Run a mile in 12 min.

11. Ride on a Vespa.

12. Learn how to shoot a gun.

13. Write down and share my testimony.

14. Go on a date.

15. Learn how to french-braid.

16. Catch a fish and take it off the hook myself.

17. Get to know my Grandparents.

18. Have my cholesterol checked.

19. Whiten my teeth.

20. Learn about all 44 of our Presidents.

21. Read the Five Love Languages book.

22. Donate blood.

23. Write a letter to my 2^nd grade teacher.

24. Learn how to whistle.

25. Finish reading all of Jane Austen’s works.

Some of these deserve a little explanation, but that can wait for another time.  Wish me luck!

Yours affectionately,

A.H.