101 in 1001: Travel

Something I like to do a lot and that I would rather than to have stuff is to travel. Did that sentence even make sense? Anyhow a small portion of my intense list is dedicated to this area.

1. Take a girl's night away vacation.
2. Visit the GA Aquarium.
3. Visit the art museum in Atlanta.
4. Visit World of Coke.
5. Visit the art museum in Columbia.
6.Visit the art museum in Augusta.
7. Take a romantic long weekend away with Hubby.
8. Visit the drive-in once a year.
9. Visit Ikea.

It seems a lot of this list is local but with a small toddler you try not to plan too big!

101 in 1001: Food

If you have been reading this blog at all you know that I have some interest in trying new cooking. It isn't really that I have that much interest, it is more that I get tired of eating and cooking the same thing all the time. And I have to do it so much! So of course my ultimate goal list would have to have some things on it that has to do with food.

1. Learn/take class on decorating cakes.
2. Expand my cooking techniques.
3. Learn to can by pressure canner.
4. Put together a small cookbook.
5. Join/start a community garden. (in progress)
6. Perfect a pork loin recipe.
7. Make a cake from scratch.
8. Have visitors over for dinner once a month. (in progress)
9. Incorporate more fruit in our diet. (in progress)
10. Get a set of cooking pots that are non non-stick.
11. Come up with a rotating menu.
12. Be a frequent visitor at the farmer's market.
13. Take my dad to RuthChris.
14. Copy the recipes I like out of my cookbooks.
15. Clear out my cookbook collection.
16. Record in book recipes I tore out of magazines.
17. Find a healthier drink than tea and soda.

VZ's Big Easy - a food review

For our own little Valentine's Day the Hubby and I took a gift card we had and dined at a new restaurant in town - VZ's Big Easy. As noted in a previous post we checked out the menu beforehand. Since we had to drop off the Peanut at 6pm, we made it to the place shortly there after and it was empty, as in no customers. We were the first. We were seated immediately, as you would expect. We had a pretty decent waiter that answered our questions and presented the specials. Hubby ordered the Bourbon Street ribeye with shrimp, onion rings, and green beans. I ordered the salmon wellington with mashed potatoes and green beans. All entrees came with house salad and rolls. The rolls were not great, neither of us were impressed. As for the salad it was pretty good. It was an upgrade from just iceberg and carrots, featuring mushrooms, cukes and tomatoes in an oil and vinegar dressing. What made it so darn good was the vinegar, which I am guessing was balsamic. Hubby says that he wasn't disappointed but that it was too pricey. I actually went out on a limb ordering what I did. I have to say that the green beans were fantastic! I don't know what they were dressed with but they had pimentos and mushrooms as well. Delicious. As for the potatoes, they were good, you could tell that they were made from scratch. As for the salmon wellington it was what I expected in that it had a very strong salmon taste. It also featured crab and asparagus, and they helped temper the strong salmon but for me it was still overpowering. We also had beignets for dessert. I have had the original beignets from Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans and these did not really compare. They tasted like sweet hush puppies. They were fairly good, but not close to what they really should have been.
In the end, I think that eventually we may go back but it was just too expensive to go very often. With two entrees, two teas and a dessert, our total came to $58. I was glad to have the gift card.

Happy Valentine's Day! What, I'm early?

Nah. Me and Hubby celebrate it a week early. His mom's birthday is Valentine's Day so that kills the romance a little bit. Plus we got engaged this weekend 6 years ago. There are added bonuses to celebrating this early. There is a little pressure to buy your gift/card earlier but there is better selection earlier. Plus we can go out to eat with less hassle. Sweet! We are going to try a new restaurant in town: VZ's Big Easy Cajun Restaurant. We downloaded the menu to check it out early plus we have a gift card. We were going to try another new restaurant called Prime but when we saw their prices we decided they were little too expensive for us. Plus no gift card to help make up the difference. I am hoping the rain will slack off by then. The Peanut is going to Parent's Night Out at a local church. She loved it the last time she went so I am hoping that tonight will go as well.

101 in 1001: Kids and Family

Since I stay at home with the Peanut, I would of course have a lot of plans and goals for that area of my life. With that said, this is what I have on my mind for that category for the next 1000 days!

1. Have a second baby.
2. Get rid of baby stuff.
3. Take the Peanut to a movie.
4. Take the Peanut to the zoo.
5. Take the Peanut to see the Living Christmas Tree (local).
6. Take the Peanut to a pumpkin patch.
7. Take the Peanut to a Christmas tree farm and get a real tree.
8. Take the Peanut to Lights of the South (local).
9. Take a yearly trip to the beach as a family.
10. Take a family trip to Atlanta.
11. Potty train the Peanut.
12. Move the Peanut to her own room.
13. Move the Peanut to her toddler bed.
14. Add to the Peanut's savings.
15. Start the new baby a savings account.
16. Teach the Peanut a mealtime prayer.

101 in a 1001: House

So I read a blog a while back that mentioned a new trend that has been circling blogland. You basically make a list of 101 things that you want to do or accomplish in 1001 days and then keep track of what you actually finish. It is kind of like New Years on steroids. I found it interesting but went about my business. But then I thought, why not? How hard can that be, to make a list of doable things? It is actually a little harder than you would think because each item on your list must be measurable and attainable. I think I stalled around 88, but eventually was able to reach the 101. My list is cut into 5 sections and I will take 5 different posts to let you know what each portion contains. Then I will periodically come back and let you know how I am doing. This is good for me because I like lists and I am very goal oriented. First section of the list are items that pertain to the house.

1. Remodel the front porch.
2. Replace windows.
3. Rewire house.
4. Repaint hall trim. (in progress)
5. Paint spare room.
6. Do some remodel work on back porch.
7. Cut trees down in backyard.
8. Do some remodel work in the kitchen.
9. Replace window treatments.
10. Replace roof.
11. Have the house professionally cleaned once a year.
12. Grow a container or raised garden.
13. Clean out the shed.
14. Get a stand alone freezer.
15. Get a different dining set.
16. Replace sofa/loveseat.
17. Get new shed or remodel shed.
18. Start composting.
19. Dry more laundry outside.
20. Look at other potential houses to buy.
21. Refinish two cabinets for spare room/Peanut's room.
22. Re-landscape side of house.
23. Clean out old rosebush.

As you can tell, there is a lot to be done in the next 1001 days - starting tomorrow! Hopefully we can get a good portion done by October 30, 2012.

Great finds

I went to Target last night to get some wipes and hopefully a new shirt or two for the Peanut. She has a funny habit of growing out of her seasonal clothes before the season is over. For example she has a few long sleeve shirts that are now 3/4 sleeves. However if you can believe it the girl is still wearing 12 months pants. She is a skinny minnie for sure. Anyhow I was pleasantly pleased to find that Target was clearancing some very cute things. So for $35 I got 3 long sleeve shirts, two short sleeve shirts, two sets of winter pajamas, a pair of shorts and a 3-pack of wipes. I think I might even go back for another pair of shorts because they are the Bermuda kind and that may discourage her hands in her shorts. I just couldn't believe how much I was able to find!