I just finished reading "The Kitchen Sink" on Shauna Niequist's excellent blog. She is one of my favorite authors (Cold Tangerines & **Bittersweet) and I always look forward to her blog posts showing up in my Google Reader. Shauna meanders through several topics (thus the title) before landing on this question: What’s on your “must-do-before-summer’s-over” list?
Honestly, I hadn't really thought much about this list - living in Phoenix, we just pray to stay hydrated and air-conditioned for another day during the long, nearly unbearable summer. However, I can appreciate the question and it really made me pause to think through things I'd like to accomplish over the next two months as summer slowly, but surely, starts to dissipate, leaving us with an incredible fall, winter and spring.
I came up with 7 items for my list. I'm sure there's many more, but I don't want to think that hard today.
- I got my hair cut last week for the first time since December. Ashley (Mood Swings Salon) took the time to twist my hair into manageable curls before popping me under the hair dryer. I am beginning to understand why my grandma went to the beauty parlor every Friday to get her hair set for the week. That concept really needs to come back in to vogue. I am lame-o when it comes to dealing with hair and makeup. So, I really need to commit to taking the time to: a) look in the mirror daily; b) care about the reflection in the mirror; and c) do something about the reflection in the mirror. I'm talking about regular and competent use of hair products, face serums, tweezers, and lip gloss, along with dangly earrings du jour and possibly even lotion on my elbows, knees and feet. I know, I know, you probably won't recognize me.
- I'd like to finally pick out a new pair of glasses, not because mine are 12 years old, so out of style that they're nearly back in style, and the lenses are so scratched that I have to peer out of the top or bottom 1/4 of the lenses in order to really see well. I want new glasses because these practical, functional, brown, every-day-all-season specs don't reflect my personality or passions in life. So, with the help of a committee, I have been trying on every pair of frames at 2 different Costco's and 1 Eyemasters, trying to find the perfect one. I think we're finally closing in on one.
- I'd like to make a perfect pie crust. Perfectly flaky. Perfectly brown. Perfectly buttery and salty. Perfectly scrumptious. Perfectly able to support the chocolate cream filling, the banana cream filling, the fresh blueberry filling, the caramel apple filling, the pecan and even pumpkin filling. I made a crust just yesterday with an obscene amount of tiny cubes of frozen butter in it, the iciest ice water, flour, salt and sugar, rolled it out, baked it, pulled it out of the oven and was so disappointed that it tasted like an over-cooked flour tortilla. Do I really need to take a class to learn how to do this?
- Hike up Piestewa Peak. I truly hate hiking. My legs are too short for the tall steps. I feel like I need a pair of ski poles to help me up. But I've heard there's an easy, gradual trail somewhere off the way back parking lot. So, I'm considering it. Could someone please tell me why they hike in the first place?
- Go to a Zumba class. I am a klutz. I don't know the first thing about Latin dancing. I hate to sweat in a room full of non-sweat-ers who've been dancing with fluidity and ease since childhood. I will no doubt be stepping on toes, smacking people in the back with my uncoordinated elbows, and tripping over my own feet. I think I'll start with a Zumba video at home.
- Finish up the children's songs I'm writing for my sister's kindergarten class. I've got two done, now working on counting to 30, the shapes, and the colors. Must buckle down and get them recorded before school starts. This actually should be #1 on my list.
- Read The Making Of A Chef by Michael Ruhlman. Read Day After Night by Anita Diamant.
So, how about you, what’s on your “must-do-before-summer’s-over” list?
**P.S., I will be doing my first-ever giveaway next Wednesday (Aug 18) here on Rock The Desert. Theme is "Bittersweet." Will include a signed copy of "Bittersweet" and some bittersweet treats!
