I'm excited. I didn't do anything extra special for my other milestone birthdays, so I've been thinking long and hard about how I want to celebrate this one. I decided that I want to spend my 40th year trying 40 new things. Starting on March 12, I want to go places I've never been, eat things I've never tasted, cook things I've never made, try crafts I've never attempted, and learn things I've never known.
I won't be jumping out of airplanes, running a marathon, or climbing mountains. I'm not a daredevil or a glutton for punishment, nor am I trying to prove anything. Unfortunately, Steve was laid off recently, which means that our family is surviving on unemployment and rapidly dwindling savings. So my 40 Things have to be inexpensive. Even though I've always wanted to visit the Ice Hotel in Quebec, we will not be going there this year. My 40 Things will be much less grand, but I'm hoping that the experience will still be rewarding.
Here's where you come in- I need help adding items to my list. Here is a sampling of the things I've thought of so far:
- Make tortillas from scratch
- Go to a drive-in movie
- Try absinthe
- Make popovers
- Try glassblowing
- Make fortune cookies
- See the Harlem Globetrotters in person
- Make hollandaise sauce
- Make soap
- Try Afghan food
- Flambe something
- Make risotto
- Visit Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco
- Do a planet walk
I have some more, but this gives you an idea of what I'm planning. I can't wait to hear your ideas!
The 40s are great, Cindy. In fact, the year I turned 40 was my very favorite year. You have lots of great things and great years ahead of you. I will think about your list. If you are in the San Fran area, how about a picnik lunch on the grounds of one of the Sonoma wineries? Or drive up to the base of the Golden Gate bridge? It's just amazing to see up close. I believe you can park there at the base for free.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas! I've actually done both of those before. One of my earliest dates with Steve was walking across the Golden Gate bridge. And I've been to many of the Sonoma / Napa wineries and picnicked at several. But those are exactly the kind of ideas I'm looking for!
DeleteIn my (limited) experience, the winery with the most beautiful grounds is V Sattui. It's in Napa. (St. Helena, CA).
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been there and it is beautiful!
DeleteCome hike with me and my llama! Also, there's a drive in movie theater right next to my work - I'd love to join you guys there. :) Have you ever reuphostered anything? I have the materials to recover a couple of benches, but haven't gotten up the guts to do it yet.
ReplyDelete"Hike with llama" is now on the list. I can't say it's something I've always wanted to do, but I can say it's something I've never done!
DeleteI think every other drive-in has closed down, so that'll be perfect.
No, I've never reupholstered. I am bad with sewing and everything related to it, remember? I can't imagine how poorly something I tried to reupholster would come out!
Since I haven't been to CA. Actually only touched small part when drove through part of Death Valley on a visit to Las Vegas! Visiting places specific I am lost.....BUT how about checking out local museums, art gallery, theater that you haven't had the chance to yet!
ReplyDeleteOn the crafty front do something with "40" on it, part of it, etc...
Do a 40 stop day direction. Something like: short walks, bookshops, coffee shops, parks, gift shops, sandwich shop, scenic look outs, gardens, special treat stop, beach spots, etc.
Good Luck hope you have a fun "40" adventure!
Michelle
ScrapbookingSOS.blogspot.com
We're actually really good about visiting local museums, art galleries, etc. The few that we haven't been to are ones that don't appeal. But I love your idea of a 40-stop trip... it made me think of traveling exactly 40 miles away and finding my own adventure wherever that is.
Deleteooooo.... you know I LOVE lists like this! Here's a few suggestions:
ReplyDelete*Try a Macaron (not to be confused with a coconut macaroon!)
*How about a 40 day straight craft challenge - 40 days, 40 cards or 40 days, 40 layouts?!
*Camp by the ocean in Big Sur (it's on my list, just throwing it out there!)
*Take a KP and AT scrapping classes (I hope this works out!)
*Pan for gold where it was discovered in Coloma - I bet Trevor would love this if you haven't done it before!
That's all I can think of off the top of my head - I look forward to seeing what you do!! And when you make tortillas from scratch... we substituted butter for lard. So delicious that way!! :)
*Try a Macaron - added to the list!
Delete*40 day straight craft challenge - yikes! That's a big commitment!
*Camp by the ocean in Big Sur - I've never done that, so it's a maybe.
*Take a KP and AT scrapping classes - definitely!
*Pan for gold where it was discovered in Coloma - We've been to Coloma and panned for gold, but we haven't panned for gold in Coloma. Good idea!
That's a great list of things to do...I haven't tried any...lol
ReplyDeleteAre you an obsessive note-taker like me? I like to write my thoughts/ideas in notepads which I've accumulated over the years. Sometimes I read through them and use my ideas from a long time ago...maybe go through your diaries and fulfill a long-lost dream or something?
I love your list!! I haven't come up with anything profound that I have 'had' to do by the end of this year, but that might change! lol!
ReplyDeleteHow about making marshmallows? I did that once. They tasted great. Also, how about going to Charles Schultz's exhibit in Santa Rosa? Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteI've made marshmallows before, but I haven't been to the Charles Shultz museum. Thanks for the ideas!
DeleteTry Girl Glass in Sac for your glass blowing. I did a glass *making* class with them and made a paper weight. I heard they have done a blowing class but haven't done it. The glass making was awesome, though, and I highly recommend it! I did it with my "bucket list friend." We do all those things that people say they've 'always wanted to do,' but while we are young enough to enjoy every bit and have time to make that list even longer! Next on our list is a photography class. :) I'd also highly recommend subscribing to things like Groupon and Living Social. It's a great way to get awesome deals on things you might not have otherwise tried. Aaron and Trevor are doing a scuba class in March b/c of Groupon and that's where my friend and I got the photography class and Glass Girl deals.
ReplyDeleteI am in LOVE with this idea!! I will be turning 40 this summer, and haven't been looking forward to it. Since New Years, I've wished I had done a 40 before 40 challenge to myself, but I really love the idea of doing it after, or at least before I'm 41. Thank you for this wonderful idea!!!
ReplyDeleteYea! It's been really exciting planning my 40 things and I can't wait to get started! (Yes, I've been making myself wait until after my birthday). I'm looking forward to seeing your list of 40 things, as I'm still short a few items for mine.
DeleteI like the idea of the hike with a llama. That sounds like quite an experience. The yaks on the trek to Everest Bsae camp were fascinating.
ReplyDeleteNo Everest base camp trek...?
Are you sure I can't convince you about skydiving...?
What about running with the bulls...?
No. Each to their own, I guess.
Best of luck with the rest of the list.
Ian
Cin, I continue to enjoy all of these 40 things blogs, and you've inspired me to come up with my own 40 things list for this coming year. Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete