Butter!

On my 30 for 30 list I have to make my own butter....and here is how it turned out!

Step 1: Organic whipping cream and a jar (with room for the liquid to expand)

Step 2: Tighten the lid and shake, shake, shake! You can also put this in a stand mixer and let it do the work for you, but what fun would that be?? It does take a bit of time shaking it on your own but you get a great arm workout!

Step 3: You will think it's not working but it is! After about 15ish minutes I noticed liquid begin to separate and a thick, yellow substance started to form in the middle. Once you see the butter, keep shaking until you are sure the butter is done forming. There will still be white liquid in the jar, around your butter.

Step 4: Strain the liquid from the butter - and save both!

Step 5: Homeade butter and buttermilk - YUM!

More than I orginially thought

Started this blog for a few reasons:

One: I wanted to have a blog (it's on my 30 For 30 list)
Two: It was a good way for me to keep track of places we've moved to and from and post our pictures (although I can't figure out how to post my pictures to the blog. It keeps saying server error, grrr).

However, as I've started this process, I've gotten more into it and the blog has branched into other areas that I didn't intend. I'm good with that and hope that not only is the blog a good outlet and organizational tool for myself but that at some point, somebody else will find it helpful.

Blog 1: About Me

I was told that the person you are changes throughout various stages of your life. You believe it but until you live through the changes life presents, you don't fully grasp it. I believe I am constantly learning about myself, my family, friends, and strangers I encounter. My life has taken turns I never imagined and while the path has been bumpy at times, I'm on an adventure I craved but wasn't brave enough to set out on alone.

I went from prancer - living the Sex in the City life (just not in NYC). I had my girls, a job, guys to date, and nights out with a few too many drinks. I am now married with a baby boy. While the changes were scary (yet welcomed) my life is drastically different than it was two years ago. And due to my husband's career - we move like an active duty military officer (but we aren't).

I realized there are pieces of me that will remain no matter what changes occur and regardless of how many roads we travel.

My mornings are best when fueled by a cup of Early Gray tea or a Caramel Latte. I could eat Mexican food every day (seriously) and I'm striving to live a healthier lifestyle. Yes, I even make my son's baby food and aim to feed him organic 95% of the time. And thanks to a friend - we've begun the juicing adventure, yum! 

I love fall simply because I can wear jeans, a hoodie, and still rock my flip flops. I love a new pair of  heels and a good flat with a funky design (my husband thinks I was born in the wrong decade). As girly as I can sometimes be - I was a tomboy growing up and still love a good, hard-nosed football game.

I was an education major. While little people are my passion I am eager to study and learn more about photography. I love to travel and aim to visit all 50 states and all 7 continents. I can't learn enough about other cultures. And while it's not as good as first hand learning - we have purchased the Spanish Rosetta Stone. Ridiculously excited.

My blog experience = zero. I've read a few but never knew what I'd write if I started one. While moving from Kansas to Michigan to West Virginia in the span of 11 months, I was photographing as we went along. Capturing where we'd been and snapping shots of where we were headed (mainly to send to family). It hit me - as much as we will be moving over the course of my husband's career, I should blog about the places we have been, are headed, and showcase the pictures we take. If not for anybody else - but ourselves to look back on.  

Just another stop on the map of our life.