Friday Playdate » Blog Archive » life list: eleven

Filed Under life list, other places on January 1, 2011

last outfit of 2010

I’ve gotten really into list making recently, largely because I seem to be at the age where writing things down is the only way to remember to do them. Wade gave me two very pretty Moleskine notebooks for Christmas, which I love both because they’re so pretty (mine are pink, of course) and because writing with a pen is still faster than typing things into my iPhone (again, I seem to be at That Age).

As part of my list making, I’ve been trying to get beyond the daily to-do lists and think about my life list. It’s hard for me to come up with big things that I want to do with my life, not because I’m not ambitious but because I’ve been fortunate enough to do most of what I wanted over the years (although I am still holding out for that trip to Europe). But there are things — bigger than the daily to-do list but not as big as traveling to Paris — that I would like to do this year. For 2011, I’ve come up with a list of 11 projects; each is totally doable, I think (I hope!) and each is something that I am looking forward to, if only for the satisfaction of crossing it off the list.

Run
I’m running a half marathon this year — actually, I’m running four. I’m already registered for the half marathon in Austin on February 20; my goal is to run the entire 13.1 miles, without stopping. On May 1, I’ll be running a half here in Oklahoma City; in October, I’m hoping to run the half in Chicago. In addition, Wade and I are planning to do the Redman Triathalon in September, as a team; we’re plotting to have Kristen come and do the swimming, because neither of us is up for that.

Read
Charlie is all about Harry Potter right now; he’s counting down to the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II” in July, and we’ve told him that we’ll take him to the midnight show for his birthday. Before we go, I want to finish reading the novels — I started “Order of the Phoenix” a while back (after reading everything before that) and then got bogged down with other things. So I’m going to finish Harry Potter before July.

Write
Christmas always reminds me how nice it is to get real mail, something other than bills and unsolicited offers for car insurance and home repairs. In 2011, I’m going to write one real letter each week, with a pen and paper and a stamp. The post office will love me.

Cook
This is going to be the biggest challenge of 2011. I hate to cook; I don’t find it pleasurable or rewarding or interesting. But I’m tired of eating out and my family is tired of eating the four things I am currently able to male, so this year, I’m going to do some cooking. One new recipe a week. If you have simple recipes that you are willing to share or cooking sites that you love, I’m all ears. Because sometimes the life list is a group project. Help.

Decorate
We’ve lived in this house for three and a half years and the walls are still essentially bare, which is just sad. Rita has offered to help me make some decisions about what to hang where (because I’m pretty sure she dies a little every time she comes over here and sees all that empty space); we’re going to start with the office, in the next few weeks. I can’t wait.

Party
If I’m going to start cooking and finish decorating, I need to have a party! I might even have a couple. You never know. But certainly one, soon; I’m thinking about a small dinner party in February. I’d also like to have a fancy girls-only cocktail party and a block party. Please note that none of these parties involve the children. That’s what laser tag and the club swimming pool are for. Duh.

Craft
I love the idea of being able to say, “Oh, I made that,” about a sweater or piece of furniture or whatever, but I have no idea how or where to start. This year, I’m going to paint my kitchen table (with Rita’s help) and embellish a sweater using Maggie’s simple DIY. And then I will sit at my pretty table in my pretty sweater and feel crafty. For once.

Organize
I spent a lot of time this weekend cleaning my closet; now I think it’s time to paint the inside of it, and do something about the bare light bulb in the ceiling. And possibly add some better storage. But as far as Wade knows, I’m just painting, because the idea of a closet makeover freaks him out a little, so shh. It’s our secret.

Learn
I put makeup on (almost) every day, but I don’t really know what I’m doing. 2011 seems like the time to learn. I’ll be making a date with the experts at Balliets for a full makeover; I’m hoping they can teach me how to look less tired and more glam.

Photograph
Last year, I planned to do a daily outfit photo; instead, I shot about half of what I wore. This year, I’m going to try again — I’ll photograph my outfits every single day in 2011 , no matter what I’m wearing (seriously, I’m going to do it this time). I’m also going to start shooting what other people are wearing — more on that later.

Rebrand
I started this blog almost six years ago; my kids were little, and writing about my life with them made the days go faster and helped me feel connected to the bigger world. It was a good thing. But after six years, I am done writing about my children, for a lot of reasons. Friday Playdate has run its course, and it’s time to start over.

In 2011, you can find me at The Working Closet. The site is still under construction, so please be patient; eventually, it will have a fancy template and some other really cool features (more on that later). I will also still be writing a weekly Working Closet post at Work It, Mom!, as well as overseeing The Working Closet Flickr pool (which I hope you’ll all join). I’m slowly moving style content from here to there, so if there are posts from the archives that you would like to see again, let me know — and if you have questions, please ask!

Happy new year — may 2011 bring only good things for all of us.

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[…] also made a list of eleven things to do in 2011 — they’re all simple and fun, and I’m hoping that each one will change my life in […]

A couple of things.

1) Happy New Year!

2) I too want to finish the Harry Potter series. By October, when I turn 40. I stopped in 2004 with Order of the Phoenix. Let me finish my current book “The Help” and then I’ll jump in with you. Deal?

3) I’m in the process of collecting the EASIEST recipes known to the world. Here are some:

a) http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roasted-chicken-and-carrots-with-olives-and-lemons-recipe-00000000023176/index.html

b) http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sausage-apple-kebabs-potatoes-peas-00000000039148/index.html

c) http://honestfare.com/pomegranate-gorgonzola-salad/

d) http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/oven-fried-chicken-grace-parisi

Looking forward to the (new) Working Closet!

And, I’ll be sure to send you few recipes that my whole family enjoys. Seriously, they’re good. Like, REALLY good.

Happy 2011!

One of my fav things to make when I’m in a pinch requires no recipe.
1 jar of Classico classic pesto
1 lb chicken cutlets
1 zuchinni
1 squash
pkg cherry tomatoes
1 baguette
olive oil
Parmesan
coarse salt and pepper

Chop up the squash and zuchinni and put them and the tomatoes (whole) on a baking dish and toss with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper- bake @ 350 for about 20 minutes. stir after 10 mintues.
on another baking dish lay out the cutlets and brush with pesto- bake until done (also about 20 minutes, same temp)

Slice the baguette down the middle and brush with olive oil and sprinkle with parm. put in the oven during the last 5 minutes of the veggies and the chicken.

This is SO GOOD! And all of the fat is healthy.

Thanks so much for your 11 mile tweet today. It was exactly what I needed to add to my generic resolution to run. A goal always makes it better.
Happy 2011.

Recipes, yum. My first two go-to sites are Tasty Kitchen and All Recipes. Tasty Kitchen is the one I’ve been hitting up the most lately, and they do have the option of searching for “Easy” recipes.

These are all great goals and I’m excited to see you cross them off, one by one.

I mentioned doing the Redman to Jared last night. He seemed to think it was a great idea. But, then again, he’d had a LOT of beer at that point. Whatever, I still count it as a “Go ahead, honey. Go to OKC and do a crazy long swim!”

I have recipes for you. I’ll send them your way.

Happy New Year, Susan! I’m raising a mimosa in honor of your 11 things — especially the rebranding! Cheers!

I’ve got a tomato basil sauce with fettuccine that is super, super easy to make. I can email it to you if you want.

So happy for you and your upcoming half marathons! By the 3rd and 4th one you’ll be a pro. I look forward to hearing about them.

Your list is great and similar to mine. The cooking and the decorating are at the top of my 2011 goals. I hope you post some recipes that you find easy and that your family likes.

I’ll miss Friday Playdate but I totally get it. It’s a new phase of your life! Blessings to you in 2011!

I agree with Christina — Classico basil pesto tastes fantastic on chicken breasts.

I’d recommend any cookbook by Laura Calder. Her recipes are always ridiculously simple and straightforward, and use very few ingredients. Simply Recipes, by Elise Bauer (http://www.simplyrecipes.com), is lovely and her recipes always work. The same with Deb over at Smitten Kitchen (http://www.smittenkitchen.com).

If you like mussels, they’re very easy and quick to make. And if you’re ever in the mood for a more involved recipe that is still simple, try out Michael Psilakis’ How to Roast a Lamb (cookbook). The recipes are ahh-may-zing, mostly economical, and so worth the time and effort. They usually require a few steps, but the steps themselves are easy to understand and to complete.

What a great list!

365 crockpot recipes is my favorite website for recipes. I bought her book, ‘Make It Fast, Cook It Slow’ and use it at least twice a day. It is so nice to have dinner cooking all day & pretty much ready to eat when we get home.

Looking forward to reading you over at the Working Closet! Happy New Year!!!

Congratulations on the new venture! I will miss Friday Playdate too, but I completely understand the transformation. (Are you keeping it up, or taking it down?)

As far as recipes, I second Real Simple. This is my current favorite:

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/baked-penne-spinach-00000000039494/index.html

I also love Martha Stewart Everyday Food. The recipes are easy and just a bit elegant. I got this cookbook for Christmas and I’m going to work my way through it:

http://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Food-Great-Fast/dp/0307354164/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1294061046&sr=8-3

One of theist satisfying and easy family dinners: roast a chicken, roast some potatoes (if you want an indulgent meal, peel baby red potatoes or for larger potatoes peel and cut into large pieces. Place them in the roasting pan so they roast in the chicken fat. They taste decadently delicious but are full of high calorie chicken fat!), and steam some broccoli or other green veggie. It’s easy and delicious.

The Pioneer Woman not only has good recipes but step by step instructions with pictures. It can help you understand what you’re doing, which I find can help me enjoy a task more.

Ah, the end of an era! (For you AND for me!) Friday Playdate is how I got my laughs, learned that life with school-agers can be happy and good, learned that I WOULD survive the baby/toddler years, and “met” Rita. So thank you for all that!

Looks like an awesome list. Can’t wait to meet up with you in Austin. Woo woo!

I am so stealing your list….well most of it. I am changing RUN to LOSE as I am not a runner, but want to lose a little weight by my 40th birthday. And since I am not a blogger I am changing REBRAND to GIVE. I want to give back a little more this year.
Thanks for the wonderful jumping off point. (As always, you are an inspiration).
Can we please see closet before and afters?

Long time no comment here, but I lurk from time to time. Go you!! on your running goals. Glad to see how wonderfully you are progressing. Redman is an excellent 1/2 IM, and big thumbs up on the producer. He puts on a good tri. You will have a blast!

Keep up the running! Oh, and don’t be averse to the swim. Easy day. Try it, you may like it.

Happy 2011, and good luck for your first 1/2 marathon! You will do great!

Happy New Year!

I’ve gleaned a lot of great style advice from your blog, so the least I can do is share an easy recipe with you.

Cayenne-rubbed chicken with avocado salsa:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/cayenne-rubbed-chicken-with-avocado-salsa

So easy and I usually have all the ingredients in my pantry.

Susan,
Sorry to see the end of Friday Playdate. It was my first ‘mommyblog’. I have really enjoyed sharing your family as mine grew as well.

On the recipe front (and some kid stuff too) the website Dinner a Love Story:

http://www.dinneralovestory.com/

is all about getting dinner on the table and not going crazy. I just recently found it and really enjoy it.

Thanks for the blog & good luck.

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