Holy Awesome December, Batman!

The weather this winter has been unseasonably warm.  We have no snow on the ground and it's almost 50 degrees out.  The only snow we've had is a dusting, which melted later on in the day.

Keep the goat sacrifices coming.  I could get used to this.

30 Things To Do When I Turn 30

I've decided to do 30 things I've always wanted to do when I turn 30.  Here they are in no particular order.

1.  Run a 5K
2.  Pay off my credit card
3.  Pay off furniture loan completed 11/14/2011  (I started the list before I paid this off)
4.  Refinance my mortgage
5.  Learn Fair Isle knitting
6.  Get A+ Certified
7.  Get Network+ Certified
8.  Get Security+ Certified
9.  Become a Certified Ethical Hacker
10.  Become a Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
11.  Get GIAC Information Security Fundamentals (GISF) Certified
12.  Cook a whole chicken
13.  Pull off a DIY(ish) wedding
14.  Make my own wedding favors
15.  Train and run a  half marathon
16.  Cook 3 course dinners on Sundays (salad/appetizer, main dish, dessert)
17.  Read 6 classic books that I haven't read before (Brave New World, A Tale of Two Cities, Uncle Tom's  
      Cabin, Picture of Dorian Gray, Madame Bovary, & Catch-22) - (all e-books were free except Brave New World and Catch-22)
18.  Learn double knitting
19.  Get some commission work for knitting
20.  Visit a foreign country
21.  Visit Washington, D.C.
22.  Plant a mini-vegetable garden
23.  Spin my own yarn
24.  Dye  my own yarn
25.  Knit my mom a sweater
26.  Install hardwood floors in my house
27.  Pay off my roof
28.  Write a good short story
29.  Take a road trip in the summer
30.  Work on learning a new language

Starting the Process

So, we've officially started thinking more about the wedding.  We have 2 dates in mind.  So the next step is to pick 1.  Then we need to get a rough estimate for the guest list and find a venue.  No idea of any good venues in CR.  We want to have the ceremony and reception in the same place.  To save money and for convenience.

I have several general ideas floating through my head, like chocolate sets of dice for favors. For the food, made to order crepes.  I have some cake ideas too and a baker in mind.

I want to get some engagement pictures taken this fall/winter and more pics in the spring/summer of next year.  I just need to shoot a message to the person I'd like to do the photos for us. :)

Recipe Reviews

I've had the idea floating around my head to look up recipes on All Recipes that have a low number of reviews and then make and review it.

It'll give me more incentive to cook than I have lately.  I'm thinking about doing these at least once a month.

My first recipe will be:

Chicken Spaghetti Salad









I will make it soon and then post a review.

Indian Food

Growing up in a small town, you wouldn't think of being exposed to many different cuisines.  My dad made sure to share the different types of foods that he loves.  He introduced me to Asian and Indian cuisines.  He makes an awesome curry sauce, which my goal is to be able to re-create some day.

I watched season 6 of The Next Food Network Star and Aarti made me want to try cooking more Indian food.  It's spicy and delicious and I need to cook more.  So, I have a list of recipes I want to try and will detail the cooking experience here.  Here is the list, in no particular order.

Green Chicken Curry
Chicken Tikka Masala
Indian Rice Pudding
Chai
Mango Chutney, Prosciutto and Paneer Pizza
Chewda (Indian snack mix)
Easy Tandoori Chicken
Crispy Coriander Potatoes

Also, I was thinking of finding a great Indian cookbook and cooking my way through it a la Julie & Julia.  It'd be a fun adventure and I'd learn so many fun things with Indian cooking.

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.