Thursday, March 24, 2011

I can't believe, you're done...Number ONE!

#1 "Travel to Europe" - I know I already posted a quick one about how this has been accomplished. However, I am still totally astonished by this. Its like I got to live in this amazing world for a week, where I just bounced around from city to city in Europe with my boyfriend and bestfriend, and had the week of a lifetime. Walking around all these different places was so much fun, and filled with smiling laughter, delightful food, wine, lots of wine, beer, and chocolate, and snacks! Baguette, and Boursin. These types of things make my heart melt, and I really had the time of my life for an entire week. I was so sad when we had to leave, after repeatedly telling family members, HEY! I'm not comin back! you can't make me haha. But I do love my bed and the return home has its pleasentries. Anyway, for the purposes of this list, and documentation I should mention the three cities we spent our time in:
1) Amsterdam - we landed from the plane took a bus, and then a metro to arrive at my best friends Beautiful and HUGE apartment! where she so gracefully, and wonderfully loaned us her bed to sleep in for the whole week (she's just the sweetest, bestest host EVER), and then we promptly got back on the metro headed to the trainstation, hopped on a train and started our first journey to Amsterdam. Amsterdam was beautiful, and bike-y in a scary way, like, they'll hit you if you dont move when they ring their bell! haha, Amsterdam was where we had our first Mannekin Pis Pomme Frites, delicious! and delightful, we then wandered the city, deciding that we did want to go to the Van Gogh Museum, which was beautiful, but it was SOO nice outside, that we decided to cut it a little short and wander around longer outside we saw the "I AMSTERDAM" sign - it was beautiful but full of people crawling all over it - Jeremy joked that in the states it would have barred off so that no one could get to it haha - its a law suit waiting to happen. After that we decided we needed another round of coffee and sat (mind you Jeremy and I hadn't slept in over 24 hours at this point) the whole time we were there it was sunny and beautiful. So warm we almost wanted to remove our jackets. Whilst walking around we noticed Wooden Shoes(duh) and promptly bought my mother a tiny magnet, and Jess and I got wooden shoes slippers - mine said Amsterdam and hers said Holland, we wandered around the Red Light District, but felt dirty so didn't stay too long, then we grabbed a quick dinner before heading back to the train station for the 3 hour ride home. We grabbed things like chocolate and baguette and boursin to eat on the way back, we munched after getting on the train and then took a nice long snooze. Sleeping felt soooo good. When we got back to Jess's apartment we were dying for a quick shower, and to get to bed so thats what we did!
2) Belgium (our inital day) - so our first REAL day in Belgium consisted of Jess giving us a scavenger hunt (we got a delicious prize everything we spotted something) Ultimately Jeremy won. He sucks. Moving on, it was a GREAT little scavenger hunt, and I loved it. We saw some of the most beautiful sights in Belgium and I spotted my favorite set of buildings, and we took all kinds of photos and what have you we wandered down the street into a little place and jeremy bought a beer and started drinking it immediately, after which we enjoyed pomme frit, and then our first waffel! They were both divine, the food in Europe is so good. SOO good. We saw the flag that says that the King was in Belgium, and I got to buy adorable boots! and Jeremy bought me a pretty watch <3 we wandered around down town doing a little shopping and ultimately going to dinner at Chez Leon which supposedly has the best Moule in town! Jeremy enjoyed himself - maybe a little too much, made for a rough morning the next day :p I had delicious goat cheese salad, and so did Jess. Afterward we admired the Grand Place with all its beauty, while drinking beers and eating waffels. This was one of my favorite days of the whole trip <3
3) Paris...2 days in Paris, is insane, and not even CLOSE to enough time. I can't wait to go back. Paris is filled with everything you think its filled with! We walked out the front door of the trainstation and just kept walking. We stopped at the first Cafe we saw for a cup of coffee (we needed it), it was 8:30 am. The next thing we did was find a bakery and get a crossiant and baguette we walked while we munched on those through the streets of Paris deciding that we would stop again when we got hungry but that we were going to head in the general direction of the Arc De Triomphe (despite the fact that it was approx. 5 miles from the train station). The next little cafe we stopped at was where we found the very best croissant in Paris. Jeremy was very, VERY pleased. Buttery and flakey, all things a crossiant is supposed to be. We shared a little breakfast, and then sat for a little while taking it all in. It is so beautiful, and I was filled with so much happiness being there with Jeremy. We walked through what appeared to be a popular shopping district, I bought perfume, wonderful perfume it was only 87 euros and boy was it worth it. Plus Jeremy looooves it <3  so that makes it worth every single penny! Anyway, eventually walking down the street we looked up and there was the Arc De Triomphe! would you believe it, we'd made it, so we went under the tunnel, and then all the way to the top. It was a magnificant view up there, and it was the first time I saw the Eiffel Tower! Dreams came true up there, we ended up being the last ones up there! After that we went to the hotel so Jeremy could shower beecause it was 70 degrees and sunny! we were sweatin from all that walking around the view from the hotel had an awesome shot of the Eiffel Tower. Then after a quick nap we grabbed a lunch at a cafe close by and then went to see the Eiffel Tower!!! It was an amazing site. Walking there we took many photographs, from far to right underneathe, then we went up to the top and watched the sun set from there, it was so beautiful to see the whole city from up there watching the City of lights, change from daytime to nighttime. It was gorgeous, by the time we came out, at the bottom floor, we were walking away when the Eiffel Tower started to Sparkle!! Like a million tiny sparklers! It was breathtaking. After our time at the Eiffel Tower we went back to the hotel so i could take a quick shower, and then we went to a restaurant nearby (to which I wore my boots) and ate our little hearts out, we even got dessert! I had Crepes and yes they were out of this world!! Afterwards we walked around a little bit before retiring back to the hotel. The next day we visited Notre Dame, it was beautiful, and so grand, we also bought presents, and even had lunch at the most adorable cafe, before wandering down adorable little streets/alley ways getting gelato for dessert, standing and looking over the river, before heading to the trian station to make our 5:00 train back to Brussels, but on the WAY! we found Jeremy's "Dr Seuess"! it was so exciting and he wasn't going to buy the book! but don't worry, I did. He's very happy I did too <3 After purchasing the book we took a relaxing walk back to the trainstation, grabbed a baquette, and some chocolate for the ride home, (of which I napped the entirity of). When we returned we met up with Jess, took quick showers, and headed to dinner, and then to a bar called Delirum, the bar is in the guinnes book of world records for most bars held on the premisis! 2004 different kinds of beers! I had a bunch of Framboise, and was soo happy to have so many different kinds at my disposal. AMAZING. after the bar we needed some frites so we grabbed some of those before heading back to Jess's apartment to sleeeep.
All things considered it was one of the best trips i've ever had. I'm so excited that Jeremy and I made it happen with the help of my bestie/babyshoes Jess. Ahhh
Here are a few photos I thougth I should include:


























Ahh Europe, I cannot wait to return...currently...planning a trip to NYC or AZ...hmmm

Monday, March 21, 2011

#1 Travel To Europe

#1 "Travel To Europe" - DONE! I can't believe it, but we sure did, we traveled to Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris, spending one solid week in Europe, and quite frankly...I can't wait to go back again soon. I will be posting pictures and details of the trip sometime this week, but I wanted to get this here, so I wouldnt forget to post.

#53 "Read Ten new Books" - another one to check off here, as a result of our trip to Europe, I finished the book "Have Faith" it was a really good book, had me in tears in the airport in D.C. I really loved it.

Monday, October 25, 2010

#31 Go Horseback Riding

#31 "Go Horseback Riding"- Check another one off the list please! :o) I happily trotted on Big Phil through Ellison park this past Saturday while the love of my life trotted along on Zebb. It was a perfect time the weekend after peak foliage, gorgeous fall colors, relaxing ride, and made the bf feel at home again. It was amazing, and awesome, and all things wonderful I cannot wait to do it again!
Here are some photos of me, and of big phil, and of Jeremy and Zebb :)



It was awesome! So Happy we did it, and during such a beautiful time of year :) Can't wait to go again!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

The end of summer, the beinning of fall - a good time for an update!

The changing of the seasons couldn't be a more appropriate time to update, and with the leaves just beginning to turn there are many new experiences ahead, and many items that can be crossed off this list. So here it is!

#16" Collect All of Anything Dr. Seuss has written*" - I've been collecting over time, and here's the books I can safely cross off of my list:
1) The Cat in The Hat
2) Did I Ever Tell You, How Lucky You Are?
3) Are You My Mother?
4) The Butter Battle Book
5) The Birthday Book
6) Oh The Thinks You Can Think
7) Green Eggs and Ham
8) The Cat in The Hat Comes Back
9) The Lorax
10) The Foot Book
11) Wocket In My Pocket
12) How The Grinch Stole Christmas
13) Ten Apples Up On Top
14) Oh The Places You'll Go
15) Snow
16) I'm Not Going To Get Up Today

So thats it so far, but that puts me at 16/54, and whats great is almost all of them were gifts to me! Which just makes them that much more special :)

#34 "Take a Glass Blowing Class" - Done! I took Hot Glass 101 at Studio 34 in Rochester NY, we didnt have a glory hole or anything to work with but we worked with a torch. Now, I am addicted! I love it, I even asked for my own torch or Christmas!! I've already made all kinds of beautiful beads at Open Torch. Amazing, I love it, So SO happy. You can see photos of it here --> http://www.lovelistsforlife.blogspot.com/ There are photos of my work station :) everyone should try this!

#48 "Do Something Creative With My Mom" - We went to Splatters! A place in Spencerport where we painted pottery. I can't disclose what I painted right now because they were Christmas Presents for the bf and who knows if he'd read this blog so- dont want to take any chances, but they're beautiful, and we spent about 3 hours doing it, it was amazing and fun!!

#53 " Read 10 new Books" - I've just completed Book Number Five - we're half way tehre - I read Kelly Coutrone's "If you Have to Cry, Go Outside." It was a most excellent book and was everything I need, and wanted it to be. Two Thumbs up for Kelly Coutrone on this one :)


There are also all kinds of things in the works right now - saving up for my trip to Europe, and my DSLR....ah great things the future holds!!


Thats all for now! Love Peace, and Pickles! :)

Monday, July 19, 2010

So...this weekend was nothing short of amazing.

Good Morning! It is with an accomplished feeling that I here today!!
Here's whats been done! thats right D-O-N-E DONE! :)

#26 "Go Canoeing" - Complete! We Went Canoeing on 07/17/2010 in Ithaca along the river. I loved it! I think I'm a real natural at it too. It was so much fun, I had a great time, and it was a perfect time for beginnger canoe-er to go because it was later in the day so there weren't that many people out on the river. At first it scared the crap out of me but 1/2 hour in I was really getting comfortable with the whole thing. It was great, I can't wait to do it again!!

#76 "Try 7 new kinds of fruit" - As you know I've already tried 1)Cactus Fruit, 2)KumKwats, and 3)Red Bananas. This weekend I tried 4) Golden Plums (which were gross!) 5) Black Raspberries (Amaaaazing, I tried them right off the Bush yesterday as I was picking :) ) and 6) Apricots (not horrible, but certainly not amazing) and 7) Purple Raspberries (I didnt know these even existed! I started picking them by accident thinking that they were Red Raspberries and wondering why the red raspberries were so sour, when I saw the sign, and they are a very mellow raspberry flavor (when you eat the purple ones haha) I really like them. So thats two more things to go ahead and cross off of the list! Yay!

Monday, June 7, 2010

2 Months Have Passed! Here's whats complete!

Hellllllo Blogger-onis!

I can't believe I've managed to let so much time slip in between my postings, so much has happened, so many things have been accomplished! It's just so exciting! I thought I had posted right after my birthday, but apparently I did not! Ridiculously I must say! So anyway, here's whats gone on:

4. "Read all of anything Kurt Vonnegut has written" (6/28)- Yessss, 1 more book complete, I believe I finished it in April - "Welcome to the Monkey House" an easy read, that I've been reading for probably like 6 months now, and have finally finished! Yipee, so that makes 6 down, and 22 to go! Yay!

16. "Collect all of anything Dr. Seuss has written" - I have received a whole bunch more, and will be updating my list on just how many it is, but I do believe that after my birthday, and graduation I have at least 16 Dr. Seuss books that have been added to the collection!

53. "Read 10 new books" - I've read another one! "For One More Day" by Mitch Albom. I didnt particularly like it, and I finished it in about 3 hours I guess his books are good for that.

60. "Go to 25 new-to-me Restaurants" - I've completed this one altogether! yaaay! California Rollin (a AMAZING sushi Place in Rochester, NY) was the final restaurant to be completed on my list, and I couldnt be more thrilled :o)

61. "Grow a Vegetable Garden" - It is official! we have quite the veggie/herb garden going here. We have Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Italian Tomatoes, Ethiopian Purple Tomatoes, Chocolate Habaneros, Red Hot/Sweet Peppers, Banana Peppers, Cherry Bell Peppers, Bell Peppers, Jalapenos, Beans, Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Peppermint, Spearmint, and Chocolate Mint...I think I may be forgetting a few, but I have lots of photos of the whole thing, and I'll post those soon here, with updates on how our little sprouts our doing. but it looks as though the corn will be knee high by the fourth of Juuuly! yay! :o)

64. "Get a Raise at Work" - Done, and Done. I was salaried officially starting 05/17/2010 its not an amazing amount of money, but its good for now. Exciting, amazing, and so happy that this one is complete!



Thats all for right now, there are a few however, that will be added very very soon to this list! Yipee!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

10 new restaurants, and another 1 marked off the list!

#60 - "Try 25 New-To-Me Restaurants" - Well, Whilst in Boston this past weekend, I quickly knocked another 10 restaurants off my list! (that is to say I ate at 10 new restaurants!!) - bringing my total to 23/25! Two more to go!! So let me tell you a little bit about each one!
1) Cambridge Commons - here we enjoyed two delicious apps of Sweet Potato French Fries (and they were DEEEELISH!) and a small plate of Nachos - which were kind of eh..but the best part of the night had to be the Beer Punch (which we had plenty of i think 3 pitchers..I know we're crazy1) I know you may find yourself wondering...beer punch what the..? Well its a glorious mixture of Lemonade, Poland Springs Vodka, and Sam Adams SummerAle...It was very sweet, but excellent, and we can't wait to make it at home with our homebrew!! (not to say that Sam Adams wasn't AWESOME in it, but the summer ale isnt always in season)
2) Finagle A (or my) Bagel - It was okay. Its definitely a chain, and chain restaurants (especially bagel places) tend to fall short for me most of the time. I'll stick with my Balsam Bagels in Rochester instead. Because they're awesome. Anyway, I got a Jalepeno and Cheddar Bagel with Veggie Creamcheese, and none of it was very good.
3) Luna Cafe - After an amazing experience touring the Sam Adam's Brewery and getting to sample Three new and different kinds of beer, we found our bellys quite hungry for food and more beer, so we wandered over to Luna Cafe (which is in Jamaica Plains, Boston) and each enjoyed a pint with a wonderful pizza covered in garlic, carmalized onions, red sauce, and goat cheese it may not sound great, but it was awesome!
4) That evening we decided to go up into the North End of Boston (A.K.A. - Little Italy) It was great just walking around up there, its so quaint and awesome. Nick - my best friend's boyfriend took us to this little italian retaurant called Pompei. The food tasted some what like a chain restaurant. I got Ravioli, and personally I would've picked a different italian restaurant, knowing how picky I am, but understand that food in Boston isnt cheap and Jess and Nick were on a budget so, all in all it wasnt bad, but it wasnt fantastic either.
5) Sunday morning we decided to explore Harvard Square and happened upon this little place called "Crema Cafe" OH MY GOD. It was packed, and for good reason. Jess and I go the most amazing sandwich I think I've ever had. It was whole wheat toasted bread with Goat Cheese, Sweet Potato, Apple Slices, Spinach, and Avocado. I want another one right now as I type this...SO GOOD! All in all LOVED that place.
6) We found ourselves slowly grazing our way around this day, so after walking to the river we worked up an appetite for BERRY LINE. Berry line is a place that sells frozen yogurt, but not that bullshit TCBY kind. It is legit frozen yogurt, I am still dreaming about it today. I tried three flavors - Raspberry, Original, and Banana, and they were all amazing. and the best part is you top them with fresh fruit or granola! LOVE IT! If you're ever in Boston you have to try Berry Line!!
7) On our way to Berry Line we walked past the cutest place ever. It was called Sweet. and all this little shop sold was the most adorable Cupcakes! Beautiful, Adorable Cupcakes of all varieties. Of course I had to try one of the mini Ones, it was rich and wonderful and I loved it. I felt like a little girl again in that place and Jeremy felt like he was in a doll house soo...haha it was still really awesome.
8) After we decided we were finished with Harvard Square we hopped on the T and ventured to NewBury street in Boston (the most famous street there, its covered in coach, and gucci and other designers). We walked around there, found a park, explore the library for all of 5 seconds before they kicked us out because it was closing, at which point we found ourselves a little thirsty. We wandered over to this awesome Irish Pub called Solas. There Jess and I each enjoyed an Irish Coffee (Baileys, Kaluha, Jameson, and Milk) and Jeremy enjoyed a Guinness, and the three of us shared a basket of Chips with curry sauce. It was good.
9) Veggie Planet - This is the FIRST and ONLY restaurant that I as a vegetarian could have selected any item on the menu! It was so nice to be able to look through and have the choice to eat anything on there! this is a rareity for me so I took it in and enjoyed every minute of it. We all decided that the dining area (which was too small, i mean really toooo small) wasnt very good, but that had we ordered take-out it wouldve been fantastic. Jess and I split a pizza with Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese, Carmelized Onions, and Garlic, and a small plate of Coconut Rice, and Broccoli covered in a Thai Peanut Sauce. AMAZZZZING. I loved it! Jes Loved it, Jeremy was less than thrilled, but happy that I was so happy Everything there was organic, free trade etc. All good more about it here - http://www.veggieplanet.net/
10) The Beanery - This was the restaurant inside the Albany Trainstation Stop. It had the most delicious potato salad! and even had vegetarian options...props to you little cafe for caring about those of us who don't eat meat!

Whew, that was a lot. But boy was it good (most of it anyway).

annnnnnd the second update isssss:
# 100 -"Visit Jess in Boston" - Done and now I will have to visit her in Brussels! We had an amazing time, I'm sure you can judge just by my reviews of the food. It was so wonderful to see my best friend, and to show Jeremy all of my favorite little spots in Boston - We did all kinds of things, like Lay in the Commons,


 Sam Adams Brewery Tour, 
 Explored Newbury Street, Walked through the Public Gardens, Saw Fanieul Hall and Quincy Mahket, Wandered around Harvard Square, tried new foods, etc. It was an amazing time, and we just got back last night here are some more photos, i took over 1000, but it would be crazy to post too many here!!