Hi, I'm Jennie

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    "I used to fear this life, this suburban mortgage and white fence and a baby on my hip. I want more, I used to think. I wanted Spain and novels and wild loves and adventures.

    I met your dad and instantly wanted you."

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Things I want to do in 2010


  • 1. Throw a mimosa brunch for my friends. (Photos here.)
    2. Edited: Spend a night in College Station with Mike.
    3. Take a few steps in the right direction of starting an organization that provides resources, encouragement and support to new moms.
    4. Put together a book of memories I've been meaning to make for a special someone.
    5. Run a 5K (Austin's Zooma Relay), then a 10K, then a half-marathon.
    6. Host a holiday ornament exchange and cookie decorating party.
    7. Make great strides in being the kind of friend who remembers and acknowledges birthdays better.
    8. Edited: Introduce Kyle to family he hasn't gotten to meet yet. (my grandma; Mike's grandparents)
    9. Own a great pair of investment jeans.
    10. Take a vacation, no matter to where or when, with just my husband. We've earned it.
    11. Read at least 20 books. (1. The Help 2. The Brightest Star in the Sky 3. Her Fearful Symmetry 4. This is Where I Leave You 5. Little Bee 6. Living Dead in Dallas 7. One Day 8. The Hunger Games)
    12. Write all my addresses into my file box.
    13. Buy nightstands for our bedroom.
    14. Let only good, genuine things motivate me more often.
    15. Throw Kyle a kick-ass birthday party (making the invitations and a banner by hand) (Also made: a crown and his thank-you cards.)
    16. Make fitness and health a priority.
    17. Buy a pretty dress and wear it out on the town, with my husband on my arm. (I bought this dress from Modcloth and can be seen wearing it here.)
    18. Continue creating awesome, fun and inspiring content on Style Lush. (With the help of the incredible writers.) Also, host a Style Lush edited: happy hour at BlogHer 2010.
    19. Make a dentist appointment.
    20. Make crab cakes, chicken masala and cinnamon buns (from scratch).
    21. Look fabulous at my 10-year high school reunion.
    22. Buy some art for our walls.
    23. Take Kyle to an A&M football game.
    24. Learn to drive a stick.
    25. Watch The Wire.
    Added:
    26. Make (with my own hands) an advent calendar for Christmas 2010.
    27. Start planning a 2011 family reunion.
    28. Buy a wall map and fill it with map pins.
    29. Spend time volunteering at Jonathan's Place.
    30. Finish my blogroll.
    31. Go to the movies alone. ("It's Complicated")
    32. Make Kyle's baby blanket (from his old clothes.)
    33. Stick to a budget better than years past.
    34. Learn to properly pronounce the word Worcestershire
    35. See all the nominees for Best Picture (Oscars): 1. Avatar 2. The Blind Side 3. District 9 4. An Education 5. The Hurt Locker 6. Inglorious Basterds 7. Precious 8. A Serious Man 9. Up 10. Up in the Air
    36. Discover a new artist/band once a month. (January: Eric Hutchinson
    February: Denison Witmer
    March: Tristan Prettyman
    April: Patrick Park
    May: Boyce Avenue
    June: The New Amsterdams
    July: Leona Naess
    August: Mumford & Sons)
    37. Eat at 10 new restaurants this year. (1. Brio, 2. Jack's Porch 3. La Duni 4. Classic Cafe 5. Manuel's 6. South Congress Cafe 7. Wild Sushi 8. MoMo's 9. Gerhard's 10. Taverna 11. Craft 12. Cowtown Sushi 13. Mercer Kitchen 14. Les Halles 15. All Star Sandwich Bar 16. La Peep 17. Farina's Winery 18. Ten 01 19. The Farm Cafe 20. Fenouil 21. The Field 22. C Level 23. Cafe Coyote 24. Casellula 25. Mercury Chophouse 26. Hully & Mo)
    38. Get a bikini wax.
    39. Enroll and finish a boot camp class, through our local rec.
    40. Take Kyle to the Fort Worth zoo.
    41. Read one classic book and watch one classic movie.
    42. Take a cooking class at Central Market (Sushi Class, June 30, 2010)
    43. Go to a concert. (Greenday)
    44. Take Kyle to the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.
    45. Make 10 items from Food Network shows I watch. (1. Caesar spaghetti from 30 Minute Meals 2. Grilled cheese sandwich with red onion jam from What Would Brian Boitano Make? 3. Florentine mac and cheese with chicken meatballs from 30 Minute Meals 4. Corn and Mascarpone Mini Lasagnas from Giada at Home. 5. Braised Paprkia Chicken from Ask Aida 6. Pizzagna from 30 Minute Meals 7. Pork Milanese with Creamy Lemon Caper Sauce from Everyday Italian)
    46. Take a dance class.
    47. Visit one new state. (Massachusetts)
    48. Count to ten more often before speaking when frustrated/upset/angry.
    49. Go a month without: meat, alcohol and shopping (March)
    50. Learn some calligraphy.
    51. Run 25 miles (total) in one month. (June)
    52. Go 5 days without checking my personal email.
    53. Start a recipe collection.
    54. Learn how to poach an egg.
    55. Make one new friend in the neighborhood.
    56. Host a play date at our house.
    57. Make the perfect Bloody Mary.
    58. Participate in DFW's Restaurant Week. (Mercury Chophouse)

    Post-additions
    58. Take Kyle to Sea World
    59. Eat dinner in a restaurant alone.
    60. Attend Comic-Con

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Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Define handmade

On my Things to Do in 2010 list, I have "make Kyle a birthday banner by hand."

4339068307_3340ec760c_m

So, putting this to a vote: does it count if it was indeed made by hand, just not by my hand? My best friend Natalie (and her mom and Granny) made this for Kyle, and displaying it made me ridiculously happy and not at all stressed out, which are signs of a great craft project, don't you think?

Can I put a line through this list item or not?

Does it help that I made these cake balls all by myself, only getting assistance from my dad and husband during the tasting portion of the recipe?

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(Recipe here. Not for those concerned about their pants fitting the next day, by the way.)

Tell it to me straight. Although, I have a few cake balls left over if you tell me what I want to hear.

Posted at 02:31 PM in 2010 To-Do List, All About Me, Celebrating, Cooking, Friends and Family, Kyle |

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Comments

You totally get to cross out that item - especially because you completed the banner in the smartest way possible by outsourcing it. Stress free and awesome.

Those cake balls look scrumptious!

Posted by: Life of a Doctor's Wife | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 02:52 PM

I think it depends on why you put it on the list. Was it there because you wanted Kyle to have an awesome handcrafted banner on his birthday, or because you wanted to complete a craft project for his birthday? If its the former (which I suspect it is) then I say, cross it off! Goal achieved.

Posted by: anna | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 03:06 PM

Cross it off. Life's too short to worry about technicalities. ;)

Posted by: Steph! | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 03:07 PM

I vote cross it off. He doesn't need 2 handmade banners right?

Posted by: Elsha | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:11 PM

The banner was made "by hand." I say it counts! It was made for him by the hands of people who love him. Cross it off!

Posted by: MelissaInk | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:23 PM

It counts -- it was your idea in the first place. And the cake balls were delicious.

Posted by: Mom | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:25 PM

To me it sounds like the reason you had it on your list was because you wanted to hand make the banner yourself. I wouldn't cross it off. Sorry to be in the minority! *hides* You could celebrate his half birthday in 6 months, and cross it off then... But of course I could totally be reading you wrong. :) Just voicing my 2 cents. Feel free to disregard. :)

The cake balls look delicious! I may have to try that recipe out.

Posted by: Sharon | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:36 PM

Um, I saw that other banner with the pics? I think that allows you to put a line through that item.

Posted by: Raven | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:44 PM

i was gonna say that you shouldn't cross it off because techically...well, you know. but then i read anna's response above, and i'd have to say that i agree totally with what she said - i think it depends on what YOUR intention was in putting it on your list.

either way, it's an adorable banner!

Posted by: auntie | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:45 PM

Strike it through! Definitely a step better than the store bought one I put up for the Hub's birthday party this weekend (although I did have the reattach it after it fell down about a thousand times).

Cake balls are awesome. I made some for Christmas, and they were everyone's favorite. A bit messy in the making, and the coating process is tricky (to get it the right thickness), but oh, so good. LOVE bite size cake.

Posted by: Julie | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 04:59 PM

Good call on what my intention was. Truly, it was to have a handmade banner at his birthday party (a banner with meaning, basically) and when I made the list it didn't occur to me someone would just make it for me free of charge! Nat's his godmom, so the banner was thoughtful, definitely.

Posted by: She Likes Purple | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 05:23 PM

It counts!!

Cannot wait to make cake balls :)

Posted by: Heather | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 06:32 PM

Was he happy? YOU'RE GOLDEN, my dear. Check!

Posted by: the wino | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 06:33 PM

Mark it off! What about the crown? You made that!!!

Does Zumba count as a dance class? I'm interested in taking that!

Posted by: Natalie | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 07:09 PM

Cross it off, baby. It's done.

Now, can we talk about those cake balls? You think those aren't going to be brought to the next party I bring sweets to??? Those look ridiculously fun.

Posted by: Stephanie | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 07:21 PM

Like Anna said, it depends on why you wrote it in the first place. I'd cross it off myself--I don't have a deep desire to prove myself in the craft department.

Posted by: Katy | Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 08:32 PM

I vote it gets crossed off!

Posted by: Vos | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 12:29 AM

I vote for crossing it off! And those cake balls were ridiculously delish. Luckily, I have panel pants.

Posted by: Heather | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 02:08 PM

Cross it, especially considering the cake balls!

Posted by: HollyLynne | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 03:51 PM

I was of the no side (sorry!), but then I remembered seeing that banner of pictures you made and I think that totally counts. Oh, and I'm flat out stealing that idea for my daughter's first birthday next weekend. :)

Posted by: Miranda | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 11:26 PM

The comments to this entry are closed.

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