#6

Take A Cooking Class

I was going to get with my Uncle & some friends to learn how to cook, but I never got around to planning it. Instead I threw a Pampered Chef Party! It was so much fun & I learned a new recipe. I didn't know that you made the snack during the party so I made it before hand. It was very easy! Here's the recipe:
The Pampered Chef ®
Blue Cheese & Bacon Potato Crisps
Recipe
4-5 small red potatoes (about 1 1/2-2 in./4-5 cm in diameter)
1/4 tsp (1 mL) coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp (2 mL) olive oil
4 slices cooked turkey bacon
2 oz (60 mL) blue cheese crumbled
6 grape tomatoes
2 tbsp (30 mL) reduced-fat sour cream
2 tbsp (30 mL) snipped fresh chives


1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C). Spray cups of Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan with nonstick cooking spray. Slice potatoes with Ultimate Mandoline fitted with adjustable slicing blade on thin setting. Discard ends of potatoes. Combine potato slices, black pepper and oil in Classic Batter Bowl; toss to coat with Small Mix ‘N Scraper®. Finely chop bacon with Food Chopper.
2. Press one potato slice into each cup of pan; sprinkle with half of the bacon and cheese. Repeat layer one time with additional potato slices, remaining bacon and remaining cheese. Top with remaining potato slices, gently pressing layers together. Bake 12–14 minutes or until edges are browned and crisp. Remove pan from oven; immediately remove crisps from pan to Stackable Cooling Rack.
3. Meanwhile, slice tomatoes lengthwise into quarters with Utility Knife. Spoon sour cream into small resealable plastic bag; secure bag and trim corner. Pipe a dollop of sour cream onto each crisp. Top with tomato quarters and sprinkle with chives.
Yield: 12 servings
Nutrients per serving: (2 appetizers): Calories 70, Total Fat 2.5 g, Saturated Fat 1.5 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Carbohydrate 10 g, Protein 3 g, Sodium 115 mg, Fiber 1 g
Cook's Tip: Choose turkey bacon with 65% less fat than regular bacon and contains about 135 mg sodium per slice.

To cook bacon, cut slices in half and cook in (8-in./20-cm) Sauté Pan over medium-high heat 6–8 minutes or until crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Use the cleaning tool from the Garlic Press to help remove the crisps from the pan, if necessary.
Shopping List
4–5 small red potatoes (about 1 1/2–2 in./4–5 cm in diameter)
1/4 tsp (1 mL) coarsely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp (2 mL) olive oil
4 slices turkey bacon
2 oz (60 g) blue cheese
6 grape tomatoes
2 tbsp (30 mL) reduced-fat sour cream
2 tbsp (30 mL) snipped fresh chives

© null The Pampered Chef used under license.
________________________________________



I also took a cooking class from the Chef James Morris at Vidalias in the Worthington Hotel. I won a spot from a Chamber of Commerce give-a-way. There were about 8 of us & then our spouses joined us for the dinner we prepared. I didn't take any pictures, but I have the recipes if you're interested.

My Idea has been Stolen

As I'm completing each item on my list, I thought it would be fun to compile it into a book. After all, the main part has already been done right?! That is unless you see it already in print! Let me back up...I begged RH to go with me to the bookstore yesterday & so off we went. While perusing I found 3 books that were maybes. When I saw this one book in particular, I knew I had to have it & all the others got put back on the shelves. The title, The Next Thing On My List by Jill Smolinski.

Here's the author's website: www.jillsmolinski.com
It was amazing! I read it in 2 sittings in less than 24 hours. Not only is it a book, but it's also being made into a movie. There goes my big break in Hollywood. I think I'm feeling like Julie in the Julie & Julia movie. Well, maybe that's a little exaggerated, but you get the idea!

#15

Learn/invest in the stock market

RH & I met with Jake Richter, our Edwards Jones consultant, and developed a plan for our investments/retirement. I felt very grown up, learning about SEP IRA's, rollovers, & of course stocks & mutual funds. Bottom line - you need someone you trust that knows different options that best match your goals.

#29

Indoor Rock Climbing

RH & I went down for ESPN Gameday @ Baylor to cheer the bears on against the longhorns. While we were there I thought I would check something else off my list, BUT b/c of Spring Break the SLC was closed. We'll have to try again.

Here is a pic of me trying to rock climb outside the SLC:

It didn't turn out so well!!

Here's some other pics that I took to count as #28:

some random crazy fan:

#5...again

Master 3 or 4 Greek Dishes

I forgot that I made Spanakopita & Baklava from scratch a couple years ago. RH & I stayed in SA for Easter & it was our first holiday to spend just the two of us. I thought it should be very fancy, so I cooked a feast! Phyllo dough is very difficult to work with, so I recommend 2 people in the kitchen. Here's one of the pictures from our feast:

#26...again

RH & I replaced another light fixture, this time in the laundry room. Check out our before & after pictures!

Before:

After:

February Recap

February was very busy with work. I was able to start the process of some of my 30 under 30 items, but not finish. Here's an update:

1. Run a 5k - After volunteering for the Cowtown marathon, I decided a 5k was too easy. Allison & I are doing Joe's Run that benefits the Samaratan House at the end of March. We are going to run half & walk half. I'm still training for the 5k so I can run half of the 10k, although an upper respiratory infection & a sinus infection are slowing me down a little. Here's a picture of us volunteering with our "medals":

3. Blog about 30 under 30 - I'm still on top of it.

6. Take a cooking class - discussed it with my Uncle Adam, who is an amazing chef, and we are going to plan for spring break.

9. Host a formal dinner party - We had to change the date & Jenica has planned the menu. I'm sure Michelle is ready to show up :)

13. Paint pottery - Jenica & Michelle & I bought a Groupon from Firehouse Gallery. Now we just need to set the date!

17. Go camping - Terri & Paige & I have a plan, but not a date set.

20. Sell $6 million in RE - I'm right on track, but could always use more clients so send me your friends who are looking for a new house!

23. Get CRS Deisgnation - I only needed 1 class left, but they changed the requirements so now I'm not sure what I still need :(

24. Get concealed handgun license - I'm just not seeing that happen this year. I'm changing it to, "Say goodbye to my 20's with gusto" This includes completing my 30 under 30 list and having a big 3-0 party!

28. Take a picture of RH & I every month: This month our friends Allie & Alex invited us to Sweatheart City, Party in FW. It was a black tie event & we had tons of fun!! Here's our picture:

We also went sledding with our neighbors during the snow days:

29. Indoor rock climbing - date set & planned

This week, I have exactly 9 months left until I'm 30. I think most of this will be completed by this summer!!