What is this you asK?

Many people have a "before I turn 30" list, those things they feel they must do before turning into an adult 'for real' ... I didn't do that. I didn't do it for 35 either. And I'm pretty sure I suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome, not sure I'll ever be a real adult (adulting is hard). Regardless, I've decided to challenge myself to accomplish 37 things I "want to do" before I hit 40.

Also, for the past few years I've been "throwing myself online birthday parties" ... it started with a postcard birthday party, went on to a 33 Variations (recipes bday), a mix tape request bday, a 36 "things" birthday, and this year - as you can tell from this blog - I asked for a list of 37 things to do before I turn 40.

Since I'll have 3 years to do them, I'm going to add one thing a year, so I'll end up doing 40 things before I turn 40. And this here blog is dedicated to the tracking of my 40 things ... and perhaps beyond that.

So if you want too, follow my journey on here.

PS...I'm also going to compile a list of all the other things people wrote, and continue to work my way through them (pre or post 40, whenever they happen they happen!)

AND...I'm going to make a list of all the things people wrote down that I have already done. :)

As I do them, #'s will represent the 37 (40 - plus one to grow on so 41) things BEFORE I'm 40!

Letters will represent items off of the other, much longer, compiled list of things to do!

Thursday, September 29, 2016

12. Volunteer

Volunteering is an important thing to do - especially when you're not exactly rolling in the dough, and can't make large donations of the monetary nature. Instead, make donations - of all sizes - with your time, heart, mind and soul!!!

This month, September 2016, I officially became a 'Big Sister' in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Program, and I am super excited to start getting to know my Little! :)

I plan on doing more too, and will update when I do...

Sunday, September 11, 2016

11. Write Letters, they are often cherished!

A.) Write (or make, as my adorable niece said) a card to Michael and one to Mary (my siblings).

B.) Reconnect with someone by sending them a postcard. 


Sunday, August 21, 2016

10. READ -- b.) 40 of the books considered the best in Classic Literature

In order to keep myself on target with these, I signed up for goodreads.com.

And to be fair, I have read some of the books considered to be the best in Classic Literature already, but there are so many on that list that I'm sure I can find forty I haven't read yet.

Every time I read a new one I'll add it to this post. :)

#1 of 40: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 
#2 of 40: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 
#3 of 40: The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
#4 of 40:

Saturday, August 6, 2016

9. Visit New Skete With Dad

Went with Dad, and Mom, to New Skete on __DATE__, for their Pilgrimage. Experienced the Monastery, ate good food, meet many of the monks, pet a few pure bread German Shepherds. Good day! :)

Sunday, June 5, 2016

8. READ -- a.) Read "How To Be a Woman" by Caitlin Moran


A thoroughly enjoyable read. She's very funny, a bit crass at points - but who isn't? Ha. She really made me think about a few things that really land in the world of "being a woman." 

Thanks to my friend Lisette for putting suggesting this as one of my 37-things to do. :)

Sunday, April 3, 2016

7. Pickle something.

Pickle Something, said my Little Uncle Shreddy ... so ... here we go:

1. Spicy Carrot refrigerator pickles! 

Carrots (1 lb). JalapeƱo Peppers (2). Garlic (couple of cloves). Cilantro (a bit of fresh). Vinegar (1.5 cups). Sugar (1/2 cups). (Water 3/4 cup). Boom.

In a sauce pan, over medium heat, combine vinegar, water and sugar - cook until sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool.

While mixture is cooling, peel and slice the carrots. Slice the peppers. Peel cloves - cut in half if they're large. Place veg into an 800 ml mason jar.

Add a bit of cilantro.

Pour mixture over veg. 

Making sure the jar is cool enough for the fridge...cover and place in fridge. Enjoy!
*I ran out of carrots before totally filling the jar, as you can see a fair amount of liquid at the bottom. 

The recipe I followed said they'll be good for a week or so. 

And I'm sure I'll pickle more things over the next 3 years ... so here's number 1! 

#2. Pickled Okra


Thursday, March 31, 2016

6. Visit 37 Micro-breweries/Pubs you've never been too.


I'm This one will have to go in steps, obviously! :)

16. Frederick

15. CO 11/6/17 axe and the Oak




14. CO 11/6/17 Holy Cross Winery



13, CO 11/5/17 Whistle Pig Brewery 






12. CO 11/5/17 Great Storm Brewing 








11. CO 11/3/17 Colorado Mountain Brewery





10. CO 11/2/17







9. MD 8/25/17




8. Old Klaverack Brewery



7. Ommegang-it counts, even though is been before, because it's in a new building and they had new beer to try, right?!?!?! 12/30/16


6. 


Short Tart and Handsome


5. Honey Hollow Brewery 10/1/16 2/Aunt Kris. I had the Hurricane Pale Ale.
4. Cape Cod Brewery 7/8/16 w/the folks and The Hall's Part 2

What a fun brewery! The tour is all in one room, where you can keep on taking your 5 tastings, and where kids (or grown up kids) can play games. Quite tasty! 



3. City Steam Brewery in Hartford Connecticut! 6/4/16 with Charlie. It was a spur of the moment find, we'd just seen "Anastasia" at Hartford Stage and it was the only restaurant, that didn't have a wait, in town. There was some big Gymnastics meet in town...
I had the Puckish Monk, very Yum


2. Since the task was to visit 37 Micro-breweries and or Pubs you've never been too before, I think this one counts! It was one of the, lets face it, MANY, pubs I went into in London in May 2016. Founders Pub ... and Young's London Stout was a beer I'd never tried before. Tasty ... and I got the glass! :)

1. Druthers in Albany (3/31/16 with Aunt Kris, Uncle Fred, James & Laura)
If you're going to try the sampler, have a designated driver! It's like 3 whole beers ... and if you're like me, and because it's a "sampler", you can wind up drinking it really quickly. LOL

Sunday, March 13, 2016

5. Make your own flower pot and then plant a kind of flower you've never planted before.

This one comes from the list my niece made for me, and while it's not a "flower" I think it still works.

Mom's is on the top and mine is below. :)










Additionally, this is a book that was my Grandmother's ... a woman who loved to read and to garden! Oh, and I did this one with my Mom. :)