Next on my list...

Since I've finally finished my bachelors degree, it's time to move onto other goals.  My list of certifications to get will include:

• A+ Certification
• Network+ Certification
• Security+ Certification
• Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
• Certified Ethical Hacker
• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator

Not too lofty and I think know I can pass these.  I bought an A+ Certification study guide today and my goal is to take and pass the tests by my birthday at the end of November.

Recap: New Orleans

The Boy and I are in New Orleans for an OWBN LARP event (The Grand Masquerade)  and while I don't really LARP, I wanted to go with since I had never been to New Orleans before. The main thing on our trip I wanted to do was to try some of the local foods.

Use the pointy end

I learned to knit when I was about 9 years old. I wasn't that good at it then. But I picked it back up in 2008. I've gotten a lot better. I started with scarves and this year I completed my first sweater. Every year I've tried to create a goal for knitting for myself.

My goal in 2009 was socks which I accomplished.  A picture of my first socks.

In 2010, I wanted to tackle cables.  Accomplished this and they were so much easier than I thought.  They're so much fun.  Here is a picture of my first cable project.

This year my goal was a sweater, double knitting, and fair isle.  I accomplished the sweater, I even made 2 and am working on a third one.  I still have a couple months for double knitting and fair isle.  Here is a picture of my first sweater.  I think it looks like pepto bismol and I don't wear it that often, though it is warm.

This year I also attempted lace, so far so good.  I am working on a shawl, Haruni.  I have not finished it yet, I am about 7 rows away from the end.  I ran out of yarn on my first skein and got a second one but I still need to wind it and finish it.

I love knitting and on Ravelry I keep finding more and more stuff I want to knit.  I do find that in the summer, I don't knit as often and it seems to kick in when fall rolls around.  I'm currently working on Tubey, it's going to be a nice fall red color for a friend's wedding at the end of October.  I hope I can finish it by then.

Crepes of Wrath

Well, not really.  But I can now say that I have made crepes AND they were edible.  I knew in making crepes they could be a fickle bitch, but I was up for the challenge.

I started looking for recipes on my go to recipe site: All Recipes.  Then I remembered Alton Brown had a crepe recipe.  And you can never go wrong with a recipe from AB.

So this is the recipe I used:


Crepes
Recipe courtesy Alton Brown


Ingredients
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons melted butter
Butter, for coating the pan


Directions
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients and pulse for 10 seconds. Place the crepe batter in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This allows the bubbles to subside so the crepes will be less likely to tear during cooking. The batter will keep for up to 48 hours.


Heat a small non-stick pan. Add butter to coat. Pour 1 ounce of batter into the center of the pan and swirl to spread evenly. Cook for 30 seconds and flip. Cook for another 10 seconds and remove to the cutting board.


Lay them out flat so they can cool. Continue until all batter is gone. After they have cooled you can stack them and store in sealable plastic bags in the refrigerator for several days or in the freezer for up to two months. When using frozen crepes, thaw on a rack before gently peeling apart.


*Savory Variation Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, spinach or sun-dried tomatoes to the egg mixture.
*Sweet Variation Add 21/2 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of your favorite liqueur to the egg mixture.


I opted for the sweet variation, but left out the liqueur.  I think next time I may add a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter.

I wasn't able to find my small non-stick pan, I think it's still in the attic in storage.  I didn't want to climb up there and look for it.  There be spiders and bugs up there.  I just used a small regular pan and sprayed some non-stick spray on it and omitted the butter in the pan.  I put my stove on medium heat and that seemed to work the best.  My trick to know when to flip them is to pour the batter and tilt to coat, set it back on the burner.  First watch for the top to go from glossy to opaque, then watch for the edges to brown slightly and curl.  Then it's time to flip.  You want them a nice golden color.  I also learned that if you walk away from them to do anything, even for a couple seconds, they decided to burn themselves.  Though sitting there and watching them, it seems to take forever.

For the filling in these yummy treats, I opted for Nutella and bananas.  A combination you just cannot go wrong with.  They were delicious, especially when eaten straight away and the Nutella is at that nice creamy consistency.  *drool*  The batter did make enough so I could freeze some.  Breakfast this week will be awesome!

So, I've been bad

It's been about two weeks since I've done any push-ups.  I've had no motivation at all.

But I think I may have gotten the motivation I need to start up again.  I can't go into much detail, but suffice it to say, I need to get into shape.  That list of goals I posted awhile ago, are becoming a reality.

I am going to start One Hundred Push Ups over, add in on opposite days the Two Hundred Sit Ups Challenge, and add in some running too.  Not sure what days I will be running, but I think I'm going to have Sunday as my off day.  I need to print off some calendars to track everything.

For the running, I'm not sure if I will follow the Couch 2 5k or just run.

But I found some printable versions of the programs to keep posted on my fridge.  I'll use it to help motivate me and keep me accountable.