End of Year Review

I can't believe it has been one year since I decided to challenge myself as much as I possibly could. What a year this has been.

I am so glad I was able to make this journey. This blog has been the reason I have challenged myself so many times. If I didn't have to write down every time I tried something new or challenged myself, I wouldn't have done very much this year at all.

I have learned so many lessons this year it's hard to properly articulate how much I have grown. Here are just a few:

-One never really knows how strong they are, or even what type of individual they are, until they are faced with great adversity. It is in these moments that the true nature of the person responds. I would strongly encourage every person to take a deep look at themselves when they are the most stressed and discover more things about themselves then they ever thought possible.

-Life is messy, unpredictable, beautiful, ugly and awful all at the same time. However, if you can laugh through most of it and keep a smile on your face, you'll come out further ahead than the person who has the most prized possessions.

-Don't be afraid to try new things, or put yourself in awkward situations. It is in these moments you realize who you really are and do the most growing. Either you like it or you don't. The moment will pass and all you have left is the memory.

-Surround yourself with good people. They will make you feel as though you matter, even when you make a mistake, and don't feel as though you have any real contribution to make. Contributions, even small, can make a big impact on someone, including complete strangers.

- Get outside and take advantage of where you live. I am truly blessed to live in BC and have had the opportunity to travel all over this beautiful province. I am so grateful for all of the things I have seen.

-Learn as much as you can about whatever interests you. Take the time while you can. You never know where this knowledge can take you.

-Try new foods. If other cultures can survive on it, there's probably a reason for that and leftovers can only keep for so long.

-It's okay to stick your neck out and look like a complete idiot, as long as there is a reason for it. Not everyone will understand where you are going or where you have come from. Don't pass judgment. Everyone's path is different.

May your 2012 be as happy as you make it!
Thanks for reading
Lynn

End of December Review

Here are the challenges I completed this month:

Prayer rooms

Pickling herring

Medications

Drive through

Drive through Williams park

Heaven is for real

Amaryllis

Gingerbread house

French onion soup

Pecan Pie

Brinded turkeys

Mojitos

Polar Bear Wade and windy lunch picnic

It has been quite a month. Especially with Christmas and New Years included. I have enjoyed this month. I also have discovered a few more Christmas traditions I hope will continue in the years and decades ahead.

One challenge I don't think I will do again is the brined turkey. Too much work for so little reward. However, I am fortunate to have been given the opportunity to at least try it.

Thanks for reading
Lynn

Last Challenges: Polar Bear Wade and windy picnic lunch

Well, here is the last of my blog:

I have always wanted to participate in the New Year's Polar Bear Swim. Something about starting the year off with a cold splash always seemed like such a good idea.
I can't participate in this years event as I have another Christmas dinner I am going to be helping out with on New Years Day and the turkey has to get in the oven rather early.
So, I decided I would try to re-create it today: I got all ready, brought lots of sweaters, towels and a change of clothes with me. My husband decided he wanted to try this one as well.
We get to the beach and there are more people out than I expected there to be. However, that didn't stop me this time as normally it would have.
When my bare feet hit the water there was a feeling of pain just in my feet. I made it up to my knees before my husband even made it to the waters edge. As my feet were going numb and I was only up to my knees, I decided to leave well enough alone and I stopped there. When I got out of the water, my husband decided he couldn't have his wife beat him, so he made it in just past his knees.
I thoroughly enjoyed doing this challenge. There is something about acting like a complete idiot that usually stops me in my tracks from doing anything out of the norm. However, not today.
Here are some pictures:

That's my foot print!

Afterwards, my husband decided that that challenge just wouldn't cut it for the end of this years blog. So, we decided to go to another nearby beach for a picnic. I didn't have a proper coat and the wind was howling. However, I made it through lunch with the wind. I was freezing by the end of lunch. However, I also got some great photographs of the whitecaps:

I have learned a great bunch of lessons today: It's okay to look like an idiot in front of other people. As long as you stand behind what you are doing that's all that really matters. I am also capable of getting much colder than I ever thought possible.

Thanks for reading
Lynn

Mojitos- Sort of

Today was the last of Christmas with the inlaws. While out, my sister in law prepared mojitos from a mix she purchased earlier. As I was a designated driver and I have health issues that do not allow me to drink that much, I was only able to have small sips.
None of the relatives really liked it. However, they finished their drinks as they didn't want to waste the alcohol.
From the sips I was able to try, I sort of liked it. I can't remember the last time I had rum. I forgot how strong a drink it is.
I would have liked to try the mojito with a shot of vodka instead. For some reason I seem to remember vodka as being a bit lighter.

Thanks for reading
Lynn

Brined Turkey

I have never brined anything and still haven't. However, it was my best friends idea to brine the Christmas turkey this year.

Yesterday morning he prepared the brine which included salt, apple juice, vegetable broth, and spices. It sat in this brine most of the day and night.

It went in this morning at 8 and was done cooking at 2 this afternoon. Brining took at least two hours off of the cooking time.
The turkey was also very moist and easy to carve. The only thing it also did was make the gravy a bit salty, which can easily be fixed next time.
It didn't alter the taste of the turkey meat. I would have hoped for all of this work, I would have been able to taste something in the meat.
I am a little bit of mixed opinion on this. It's worth trying once, but ordinary people rarely have two days to prepare a turkey for a big dinner. If you do that's great, but Christmas is stressful enough, without having another thing to worry about.

Thanks for reading!
Lynn

Pecan Pie

During the Christmas festivities, I have been very good this year. I haven't indulged in any of the chocolate at work.
However, I did try a piece of pecan pie. I have never had it, so I decided to taste some.
I would not eat this again.
It was far too sweet. The best part of it was the pecans on top. I wish the entire pie were just pecans. Better yet, I could just eat a handful of pecans. That would be a lot easier.

Thanks for reading

Lynn

French Onion Soup

I've never tried this. However, I have served this for people during many fundraiser dinners I used to volunteer at. Tonight I had the opportunity to finally try some. I only took a little bit because I didn't know how it would taste and if I would react to it. I also gave some to my best friend to confirm this was in fact what he had eaten before just in case it was a new recipe. It was the real thing.

I found it quite a bit spicier than I imagined it to be. However, I also find Ritz cheese crackers on the spicy side as well!

I wouldn't make this on my own, but if someone made it and invited me over for it, I wouldn't refuse it either.

Thanks for reading

Lynn