Waiting in the wings

I have discovered a few things about completing my wish list...

1. The big things: Some of my goals/dreams aren't just things that I can run out and do on a Saturday afternoon. They involve planning (some involve mountains of planning) and require time to pass.

2. Moola: Some of my goals/dreams are costly. I am discovering that learning something new often involves money for classes or money for a plane ticket. In addition, activities that would be fun to do with a companion cost that lucky volunteer too.

3. Additions: I have been tempted to just add some easy stuff on the list, but I really feel like it defeats the whole purpose. I only want to put something on the list that I really want to do.

So on that note, I have a number of tasks that I am actively working on setting up, organizing and participating in. I have decided to update you on my progress as I move towards completion. So here goes...

#6- Get married: I am definitely actively working on this. The date is set for October 29 and I still have tons to do to get ready. However, I am mentally and emotionally ready to be married to my fiance, Pat. That is the most important part of the wedding planning process so I feel like it is a success already.

#17- Visit the Carribean: Due to #6 on my list I am planning a fabulous honeymoon as well. Check back for details as I set the date and reservations for this great week. We think we have decided where and when, but you will just have to wait to find out ;)

#11- Become a mother: Once again this is something that is waiting on #6 and please don't expect it to happen during #17. This one might be in the wings for a while so don't hold your breath.

However, I do have promising news. My mother found a great deal on a fantastic vintage sewing machine at a yard sale. So expect to see more sewing projects as I learn how to use it.

#26- Make perfect pancakes

I'm definitely not a morning person—at all. The only good thing about mornings is the food. I love it all—cereal, bagels, waffles, sausage, bacon and most importantly pancakes. Take me to Cracker Barrel or IHOP and order me up a short stack and you've got a happy girl on your hands. I wish this pancake lovefest had a happy ending, but it doesn't. When I try to make my beloved breakfast treat at home they turn out skinny and hard and chewy—none of those words should describe pancakes (in case you were living under a pancake-less rock).

I've tried different pancake mixes and nothing changes so I decided to do some research because someday I want my future children to say their mother makes the best pancakes, which leades us to #26 on my list—making perfect pancakes.

I did some web research and came across a rumored IHOP recipe for these sweet and fluffy cakes o' mine. From what I can read on-line the key to the pancakes is buttermilk. I also learned that you should never press down on your pancakes while they are cooking because it will flatten and de-fluff them. I know that sounds like something simple that I should know, but I guess it never crossed my mind. So here is the recipe I found...

Nonstick Spray
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 egg
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 heaping teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup cooking oil
pinch of salt

1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Use a pan with a non-stick surface or apply a little nonstick spray.
2. In a blender or with a mixer, combine all of the remaining ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour the batter by spoonfuls into the hot pan, forming 5-inch circles.
4. When the edges appear to harden, flip the pancakes. They should be golden brown.
5. Cook pancakes on the other side for same amount of time, until golden brown. Makes 8 to 10 pancakes.

Well the results were mixed. Let's start with the positive:

1. They were not rock solid
2. They were not flat
3. They tasted like pancakes

However, they were not perfect, at least not by my standards. They were a little too done on the outside for my taste and too thick in the middle. I was looking for fluffy and light and instead got meatier pancakes. I think one of the major issues is that we were using a regular old frying pan and not a good skillet for pancakes. My fiance appropriately loved them and produced lots of praise and I honestly do think he liked them, although that may have had more to do with the bacon and sausage he made to accompany them. His major suggestion was that we buy these pancake rings so that we can make them in perfect circles. He looked them up on-line and they do see kind of cool. If you are interested I linked to some here.

http://www.amazon.com/Nonstick-4-Piece-Egg-Pancake-Ring/dp/B00005EBGU

Anyway, enjoy the photos of my experiment below.

I did attempt a second round of the pancakes and took some facebook suggestions and incorporated cinnamon in a few and chocolate chips in others. I, also, got a tip from my cousin, Patty, to check out the Bisquick box for some delicious add-ons and tried out a teaspoon of vanilla. While the taste was great on my second try, the pancakes literally fell apart in my pan. Never fear though... I will keep working on this one. Consider #26 still in progress...

#5- Sew/create decorative pillows

I'm sort of plain. I like wearing jeans and a t-shirt and wearing minimal make-up. Inside my home I like things to stay neat, but not overly done. I often think of those houses with a thousand knick-knacks as the first step into my life as a hoarder. However, I have discovered this means I am afraid of color and design. My house is painted tan, tan, brown, tan and very light green—did I mention there is a lot of tan in my house?

One thing I have always wanted to do is create my own decorations and personal touches and to teach myself how simple it is. My mother is a talented seamstress (she made me and my best friend's prom dresses in high school) and she is always offering to show me and I guess I just didn't appreciate it until now.

So here is my first goal—while it may be simple, I thought better to start simple. I have goals to learn to sew other things on THE list, but thought I should start with something simple first. So #5 on my wishing list it to learn how to sew and create decorative pillows.

So I collected my amazing mom and off we went to the fabric store. We spent about an hour there and my mom explained to me about different fabrics and double-checked all my choices were washable (something I would have never thought to check).

For my living room which is mainly black and tan with a few red accents we found this intricate red and tan pattern with red fabric for the back. My other throw pillows are just plain red so I am hoping these will add some spice.

For one of my guest bedrooms which is all brown, tan and baby blue we found this japanese-ish blue pattern which brown backing for the pillows.

And finally, for the master bedroom I picked out some simple creme fabric to make some giant over-stuffed throw pillows. Our sheet set is overly striped so I didn't want too big of a pattern that would overwhelm the brain.

We spent our Friday night cutting and pinning and getting all of the pieces ready for assembly. I must say, it was way more fun than I thought it would be. We chatted, pinned until our fingers bled (literally- I have the bloody patterns to prove it) and schemed about what creative things we could do.

However, in the end we succeeded. We created seven pillows (my mom also made one for her living) from concept to head rest in 24 hours. Guess what I discovered... sewing is not that hard. As long as you have confidence (and a really good teacher) it will be a success. Expect more sewing projects from me in the future and enjoy the finished product below.

My mom said something really insightful that I have been thinking about since we finished. I was complaining that one of my seams didn't look right and she said, "The beautiful thing about sewing is that there is nothing you can't undo. If something doesn't seem right just pull out the stitches and start over." Don't you wish life was like that sometimes... you could just magically pull out the stitches and put things back together more beautifully than they were originally. However, the catch is that my pillows are unique because of my amateur stitches and lumpy filling and I don't think I would want them any other way :)

So what's next you ask... I am hoping to re-make the best way to start you day... stay tuned.