Bucket List - Ride a horse!!

When I created my bucket list originally, riding a horse made the cut but shortly thereafter I removed it, both out of fear and of pain management (it's one of those things I'm not supposed to do because of the dandy rod in my back). But at the Hoe Down they had horses that we could ride and our new friend Ashley also wanted to cross riding a horse off of her bucket list. So I mustered my courage and got on the horse. And do you know what I found out?? I LOVE being on a horse!! I was completely okay with the fact that my horse showed NO desire whatsoever of walking quickly. We took a nice slow turn around the ring and then I promptly returned to the good ol' ground.

For the record my back hasn't been the same since and I can't decide if it was from the horse or from the lassoing I really tried to do but couldn't figure out. I had great teachers (thanks Nathan and Lori) but I must be unteachable in this area. I did finally learn how to twirl it over my head properly (sort of) and I can even lasso myself with some degree of accuracy (okay, okay, entirely by accident). Lori, on the other hand, is a master lasso-er! You should see her in action!!

Regardless of the reason I'll likely not try riding a horse again, but it was completely liberating to have been able to cross this off my list!!

2013 - October Recap

It occurs to me that I totally missed my September recap. So, before I report on October, let's do that...

SEPTEMBER:

Walk 500 miles: I only managed 33 miles. Not quite what I was planning on, but it IS better than nothing. Also note that I started school in there, so while it is still just an excuse, I feel it is pretty valid.

Read the standard works cover to cover: I was supposed to make it to Alma 36. Would you believe I only made it to Alma 35?!? Talk about LAME! I'm not sure where my brain was when I stopped reading, but I missed that one. That's okay though...and I'll tell you why in a minute.

Grow my hair out to donate: STILL growing...and I feel like it is taking forever!!!

As I mentioned, I did start school again which puts me on track to accomplish yet ANOTHER bucket list goal - graduate from college with a degree! Granted, this goal will take a bit longer than a year (by a LOT!), but at least I am on my way!!

Now to the fun stuff!!

OCTOBER:

Walk 500 miles: I made it 46 miles!!! During October I also walked my 400th mile! As of tonight (because let's face it, it's already late and there is NO way I'm working out!), I have completed 416 miles!! That is only 84 miles to go between now and December 31! It's certainly not time to get complacent...or to break a leg...but I feel like I can really do this!!

Read the standard works cover to cover: I wasn't about to pull a lame stunt like last month and miss my goal by one measly chapter. The goal was to read through Ether 15 and I made it through Moroni 6. That is a nice start to the next month, but again, it's no time to be casual. There is much work to be done!!

Grow my hair out to donate: I haven't given in yet!! And today I even took a picture!!

Yeah, that's my LONG hair. Seriously, I don't even remember the last time it was this long. If I remember correctly I need to have 8 inches before I can donate it. I'm a heck of a lot closer to reaching this goal than I was in January, but we're not out of the woods on this one. Does anyone have any good suggestions of how to make it grow faster??

School is still going well! I'm one night away from finishing one of my classes!!! YAY!! And since it's my blog and I can...I'll totally brag that I'm still pulling straight A's!! Now THAT is a HUGE improvement since the first college experience!!

Here we go...bring on November!! I'm thinking of tackling "no candy November"...I have a few hours to decide. We'll see...

Blueberry Muffin Tops

Here is part 2 of my Sunday afternoon baking adventure. Unlike so many of my baking adventures, this one was totally planned. So unlike me...what is happening?? :) This is another recipe from the Josi Kilpack culinary mystery series. I present "Blueberry Muffin Tops"

Ingredients:
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest (can use 1 teaspoon lemon juice instead)
2 tablespoons milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fresh blueberries, or frozen blueberries (no need to thaw)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter, egg, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and milk. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Add to shortening mixture until just mixed. Fold in blueberries, careful not to crush the berries. The batter might be a little crumbly.

Drop by teaspoonfuls (or 1-inch scoops) onto parchment or silicone-mat baking sheet (blueberries stick like crazy).

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until muffin tops are golden brown. Cool on cookie sheet for two minutes before moving to a rack to cool. Makes 3 dozen.

Option glaze:
1/2 tablespoons butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together. Drizzle over cookies while cookies are still warm.

Note: A streusel topping might taste really good too!

***Now, my notes!!
I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk in place of regular milk based on my personal preference. Also, the part that says "In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients...", yeah, I ignore that and just put all the dry ingredients right in the bowl, but don't over mix.

When it said the batter might be a little crumbly. Um, yeah, that was NOT my problem. Mine was very smooth. Almost a cross between a muffin dough and a cookie dough...delicious (not that I know...).

On the glaze, I skipped the butter and just used the 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a little less than a cup of powdered sugar (I think...that's what I get for not measuring!).

This recipe makes 3 dozen. Each muffin top is 2 WWPP!! Yum!!

Mom' s Lemon Tart

I have have an ever-growing collection of recipes from the culinary mystery series I love by Josi Kilpack. I've been putting off making these recipes, mostly out of fear. This is a daunting goal. But I figure that like every other goal I have set this year, I can't get anywhere near finishing if I don't take a step and start. I've made a couple over the last year or two, but I outdid myself tonight and made two recipes. The first I made was "Mom's Lemon Tart".

Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter (cut into smaller pieces)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a food processor or mixer, combine ingredients for crust. Pulse together until a dough starts to form in clumps. Press into tart pan, making sure to cover bottom and sides evenly. Pierce the bottom of the crust with a fork and place in freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Place tart pan on a cookie sheet and back until crust is a golden-brown color, approximately 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Filling:
5 oz. cream cheese
1/2 cup granulated sugar (Breanna likes an extra 1/4 cup sugar in the filling)
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 large lemons - DO NOT use concentrated lemon juice)
2 large eggs
Zest from one lemon (get zest from lemon before juicing)

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese with electric beaters until smooth. Add sugar. Mix until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each egg. Stop and scrape bowl halfway through. Add the lemon juice and zest and mix until smooth.

Pour filling into tart crust and bake on cookie sheet for 20 to 30 minutes or until filling is set. Let tart cool on wire cooling rack. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Use whipped cream as an optional topping. It can be piped on in stars or served on top with each piece. For extra flavor in the whipped cream, add a teaspoon of lemon zest.

**Quick note: I didn't added the extra sugar mentioned in the filling, but if I did it again, I probably would. It was pretty tart, but oh so rich and delicious. As my father would say, "that'll make your tongue slap your brains out".

Serves 20.

As the recipe is written (without the extra 1/2 cup of sugar, a serving is only 3 PP!! Not too shabby!

Fruity Pasta Salad

Another great recipe from Josi Kilpack's culinary mystery series. This one from the book "Key Lime Pie". Out of all of the recipes, this is one that made my mouth water from the very first day I read about it...YEARS ago...and I JUST got around to making it. I made a few "adjustments" to suit my current dietary needs which I'll notate below. Here you go!

Ingredients:
2 cups mayonnaise (I used 2 cups vanilla greek yogurt)
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 cup honey (I used 1/2 cup agave nectar)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2-3 chicken breasts, diced *
1 (16-oz) package tri-colored pasta (Rotini, wacky mac, penne, etc.)
2 (15-oz) cans mandarin oranges, drained (Shawn likes fresh mangoes, for a more tropical taste) (I used fresh mango...HIGHLY recommended!!)
1/4 lb. sugar snap peas, sliced diagonally
1/2 cup chopped green onions
Chow mein noodles (I skipped these entirely, but I imagine they would be fabulous)

In a medium-sized bowl, mix the mayonnaise, minced garlic, celery seed, honey, salt, and pepper together. Cover and place in the refrigerator. Cook the chicken in a pan, then dice and place in a large bowl. While the chicken is cooking, cook the pasta, then drain and add to chicken. Add the mandarin oranges, sugar snap peas, green onions, and mayonnaise sauce (greek yogurt sauce) to the bowl. Gently mix together until everything is covered with the sauce. Refrigerate for one hour before serving. Top with chow mein noodles.
Serves 12.
*Can use canned chicken in a pinch.

If you go ahead and use the greek yogurt in place of the mayo, don't refrigerate first. I did and it soaked in to the pasta and was dry, but it was sooo good at the very beginning. That, or make extra sauce to serve on the side after refrigeration. Either way, I think you'll like this one. I know I did and without trying to sound entirely selfish, that's what it is all about. :)

Monthly Recap - April

April has come and GONE!! This is insane! Here's a status update on my 2013 goals!

Read the standard works cover to cover: According to my handy little chart, I needed to read through Proverbs 27. April was not good for me as far as staying caught up goes. I would read everyday, but fell behind a little. And by a little I mean that I had to read over 150 chapters in the last 5 days. But I'm happy to say I made it and I will not get that far behind again!! Stressful!

Walk 500 miles: The minimum goal for walking is 42 miles per month. I made it 50! And I'm happy to say that this includes a few days off due to vacation where I walked a lot, but didn't track any of it! Not a bad month if I do say so myself!

Finish sewing a baby blanket: I sort of failed this goal for April. I got a little sidetracked and didn't get as far as I would have liked. But I did make some progress and I am going to finish it...sometime this year. :)

Grow my hair out and donate it: Another month down and I haven't cut it yet!!! I have started curling it to give myself some variety and I'm finding that I really like it! The only problem I have is that I saw a picture of myself with really short hair the other day and I realize that I miss it... A LOT! So, I'm going to avoid those pictures of myself and take more pics with this long hair.

Attend General Conference in person: Yep, I did that!!I can't believe it was just a few weeks ago - time really flies when you are having fun! Attending General Conference truly is one of the highlights of my life! It was an awesome experience. If you are planning a trip to Utah, make it coincide with conference and go! You won't be disappointed!

May will bring many new adventures and I'm so excited! I get to go to Boston for a week (!!!!!), I have at least one temple trip planned, activities for YSA, progress on all of these goals and I need to come up with a new monthly goal for May. I guess I had better get that figured out in the next few hours so I have plenty of time to get whatever I decide to do done! Bring it on!

Mango Corn Bread

So, one of the items on my bucket list is to make all of the recipes from one of my favorite murder mystery series. Sunday was the first in what will prove to be a long process.

This is Mango Cornbread. The picture isn’t much to look at, but the flavor was pretty good. I also imagine substituting pineapple for the mango.

It turned out being much more dense that I like my cornbread…almost like a heavy cake. And it needed a bit more salt, though the sugar on top helped diffuse some of that dense flavor (is there such a thing as dense flavor??).  Actually, now that I think about it, Lori and I were working on this together and I’m wondering if we forgot to add some ingredients (thinking the other had already done it)…perhaps the salt and baking powder. Hmm, must pay more attention.

Here is the recipe:

2 cups flour

2 cups cornmeal

2 tablespoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup butter

½ cup sugar

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 mango, chopped

1 tablespoon sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and milk. Add in dry ingredients, stir until just mixed. Add mango. Stir to combine. Pour batter into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When bread is done baking, sprinkle top with sugar. Serve with softened butter.

Makes 12 servings.

Note: Can use a cornbread mix. Follow package instructions to prepare batter, then add cinnamon, nutmeg and mango. Mix according to recipe.

**I checked with Lori...we did forget the salt and baking soda. While this doesn't give me much confidence in following recipes (at least not together)...it does give me confidence that this will turn out SOOOO much better next time!**

Bucket List - Part II

I have this amazing mother who supports me and all of my ideas, however, she is also my voice of reason when I've gone too far. One of the items on my bucket list was to ride horseback on a beach. I was talking with her yesterday and she said she liked everything on my list except for that one and then followed with the voice of reason. She reminded me that after my back surgery, the doctor told me to NEVER do two things: 1 - gymnastics and 2 - horseback riding. So, for medical reasons (and if I'm being completely honest, fear - but mostly medical reasons) I have removed this from my list and have replaced it with the following: Make all recipes from Josi Kilpack's Culinary Mystery series. That should keep me busy for quite a while!

Also, I have added my bucket list to my side bar so I can easily track my progress (or guilt myself, whichever comes first).