Off to a slow start...

Well after I started my blog, I felt a little discouraged after Mike wasn't a huge fan. Then I honestly forgot about it. However, I do have to say, I have done a lot of cool things since my last post. I will try to keep it more up to date from now on.

So here are a list of some of the highlights:

1. Sumitted my first 14'er in Colorado-Quandry Peak (14,265 ft). It was quite the experience! Winds were so high that it would knock me over! And I was sunburned/windburned in areas I didn't know could get sunburned, like my nostrils! That was a pretty sight going in to work the next day...But overall it was challenging, but doable. I've always been someone who needs a goal to workout. Being able to see the summit is good motivation for keeping me going.

Summit of Quandry with Mike and the Marine flag for his friend Andrew

2. Cupcake class at the Culinary School of the Rockies. I've been frustrated trying to bake in high altitude and not being successful. So I decided to take a class. While it was very informative and delicious, the recipes are very advanced and really hard core. I'm not sure I would be as successful at home, but we'll see. (sorry I don't have any pictures....I only took them on my phone and ate all the cupcakes before I could take a picture). My favorite recipes were Lemon cupcakes with lemon frosting and the red velvet.

3. My sewing adventures have come to a halt. I've been trying to make a few dresses and skirts and it's been a disaster. I've taken a few sewing classes, and while they are helpful, they focus on just one pattern. I really want to try and find a class that works on broadening my skills in all areas, like a non-credit 6 weeks class. I have not been able to find one at all! I'm going to try to go to a fabric store a girl from my sewing group just recently opened. You can rent a machine for $7 dollars an hour and get some help on the dresses then. The only problem is she isn't open on Mondays (which is the day I seem to have off lately...), but hopefully soon! 

In the meantime, I have made these 2 yoga bags from a free Amy Butler pattern I found online. The one of the top is the one I made for myself, with vintage fabric I found on Etsy.com. The one on the bottom is the bag I made for my friend Zanna for her birthday.

4. I joined a running club at the Irish Snug. I've only gone one time, but I really liked it. Running in higher altitude is definitely a challenge. My lungs always feel like they are going to collapse. I was a little nervous to try the group because the few times I've tried to run I've given up after 1 mile. But Jess and I decided to give it a try. The group meets at the bar, and they run 3 miles. Everyone goes at their own pace and can start whenever they want. I wish it was a more organized social event because most people seem to only talk to the people they came with, which I understand, but I was hoping to maybe meet some new people. I went with my friend Jess and we had a great time, but we're both new to Denver so we would have liked to maybe talked to a few more people, but oh well. Maybe next time...The happy hour after the run is a nice perk as well....

5. I got a new cookbook which I was really excited about: Robert Irvin's Impossible to Easy.
I decided to make crab stuffed artichokes from the book. Coming from someone who loves artichokes, I was really excited to try to cook them myself..... SUCH A DISASTER! Bleck!!! The artichokes turned out terrible and totally inedible. I don't know what I did wrong because I did follow the recipe to a T. I'll have to investigate further how to properly cook artichokes. After being really discouraged...I did end up making a good meal. The crab with the dressing turned out amazing and I made crab cakes with the crab. I rolled the crab in bread crumbs and fried them in olive oil on the stove. Until next time artichokes!

Enjoying AMAZING cupcakes in Louisville.

6. Last but not least, I took a long weekend trip to Louisville KY with 3 of my closest friends. Kristen and Lori ran the marathon and both PR'd. So proud of them! We had a fantastic time eating delicious food, drinking margaritas, and having dance parties. It made me wish even more that they lived nearby so we could have fun nights like that all the time.

Dance party!

My amazing friends PR'd in their marathon!

The BEST eggs benedict I've ever eaten on our last morning in KY!

AND CONGRATULATIONS to Lori Engel and Craig Smith on their engagement!!! So excited for both of you. It's gonna be a great party!!

Getting Started

SO I've finally decided to start a blog. I'm not sure how this is going to turn out and sometimes I'm afraid people with blogs are conceited, so here's to hoping that doesn't happen! I mostly started this blog because one of my biggest fears is becoming boring as I get older. That goes for my personal hobbies, friendships, and in my relationship. After several discussions with friends and the boyfriend, I have become somewhat less fearful of enduring this fate, however, it still pops up from time to time.

With one specific conversation in mind, my good friend Kristen and I decided that since we have a bucket list, we will not become boring, because we will always have things we want to do.

I've had a bucket list since I was in 8th grade and it's undergone some revisions (I no longer have a desire to have acrylic nails...) I still have all the lists, but my current list has over 150 items, with many of those checked off.

Another related idea comes from my travel-addicted friends (like myself...). When in grad school I decided I wanted to be a "tourist" in my own city where I resided. This idea came to me when studying abroad because I would do so many cool things in all these new cities and I never took the time to do them in the own town I lived in. As a result, I absolutely love Madison, Wisconsin! I really took the time to explore all the different restaurants, coffee shops, parks, festivals, etc. and fell in love.

My favorite spot in Madison-Monona Terrace

2 of my favorite things: Madison Farmer's Market
and fresh rasberries.

OK so how does all of this relate? Well, I wanted to create a blog that combined all my interests, but also had a purpose. I've been inspired by Julie and Julia and other blogs such as New dress a day and 1000 Awesome Things. With all this in mind and the fact that I have my bucket list, I am going to (try) to do 3 new things a week. They will be very eclectic and sometimes mundane, but that is what life's all about. Sometimes we embark on crazy, wonderful adventures, and other days we happily sit on the couch drinking coffee all day. I want to satisfy my adventurous spirit, while at the same time enjoying where I am at. It also helps I just moved to Denver, Colorado, and now I have even more excuses to go try new things and explore the city. Thanks for checking in!