27-Before-27

I've finally finished my new list! Take a look...

27-before-27

1. Finish writing our book about Dad
2. Attempt a food challenge
3. Watch all the Best Picture Oscar nominees before the award show one year
4. Host a family holiday
5. Learn how to use my camera better
6. Volunteer at least once a year
7. Ride a mechanical bull
8. Learn and practice calligraphy
9. Conquer an IKEA hack
10. Go to an Eagles game
11. Play a round of golf
12. Visit 3 new places
13. Make pasta from scratch
14. Go on a weekend retreat with Mom
15. Try beef wellington
16. Lose 10 pounds
17. Plan a surprise for someone I love
18. Host a movie night
19. Do something that scares me
20. Practice yoga (at least) once a month
21. Have a garage sale
22. Write my will
23. Make every recipe in my Sprinkles! cookbook
24. Buy a house
25. Go on a camping trip
26. Have a picnic in central park
27. Learn how to make sushi 

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There ya have it!  This one was a little harder to write, and I wish I would have started it sooner, but it's all set and I can't wait to start crossing things off.  I'll keep my blog up to date with my progress :)

Have a great weekend!

Weckerly's Ice Cream Sandwich Taste Test!

I found Weckerly's on Instagram a few weeks ago and having been dying to try something from them!  The pictures they post are not only gorgeous, but they look delicious.  I was also intrigued by the unique flavors they would share (this week was a mouthwatering banana fluffernutter - yes, please!).

When I found out my birthday dinner was going to be at Terrain last weekend, I connected the dots and remembered Terrain started carrying Weckerly's ice cream sandwiches.  The stars aligned and I was able to pick up four different flavors for Scott and I.  We tried a different one each night this week and I'm excited to share what we thought!

Little disclaimer, these puppies were $5.50 a pop which for locally sourced, small batch, micro-creamery ice cream, I was okay with.  But I definitely wanted them to be good (crossed fingers and toes).  Okay, on with the taste test!

The first sandwich we tried was the classic Black & White on chocolate chip cookies!

The cookies were nice and soft and the cookie-to-ice cream ratio was perfect.  I thought it was more chocolate-y, but Scott said chocolate just overpowers vanilla.  Not a bad thing - it was really good!  We obviously enjoyed the chocolate chip addition in the cookies; you can't go wrong with classic chocolate chip.  This sandwich made us excited for the next three nights!

Tuesday night it was time for Blueberry the Pirate which was a super blue blueberry ice cream on cardamom graham cookies.

This ice cream was such a pretty shade of deep purple-y blue; I could tell it wouldn't be lacking any blueberry favor.  Let me preface this one by telling you Scott is not a huge blueberry fan and I like-but-don't-love them.  I really, really enjoyed this sandwich!  The blueberry was such a true flavor and was not weighed down by a bunch of sugar or anything fake tasting.  This wasn't Scott's favorite of the four, but that certainly didn't stop him from finishing his half!

Next we tried Chocolate Cherry Malt on praline cookies (insert emoji with big ole heart eyes)!

New Orleans flashback!  These walnut praline cookies reminded me of the big easy in a very good way.  The chocolate ice cream was as delicious as the first Weckerly's sandwich we tried, but the addition of the sour cherry and the buttery, toffee like cookies took this sandwich over the top!  It wasn't the easiest to eat but the messiness was 100% worth it!

Last but really-really-really not least, Strawberry Lovage on lemon shortbread!

I am a huge strawberry and lemon fan, but wasn't sure what lovage even was.  It's a herb usually found in salads or soups, but in this ice cream sandwich, it provides an earthy flavor I loved!  The strawberry ice cream had the same realness as the blueberry, the preserves in between the two layers was heaven, and the lovage ice cream was a whole new flavor experience.  Cloud nine?  Reached.

You may have been able to guess through my reviews, but here's our official rankings of all four Weckerly's ice cream sandwiches we tried!

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for more Weckerly's treats to test.  You can follow them on instagram (@weckerlys) or visit their website.  If you happen to come across any of these bad boys, I would highly recommend trying them!  How could you resist from these pictures??

Have a great sweet weekend!

My Love of Lists Lives On.... a.k.a. I Need Your Help!!!

Ahh the 25-before-25 list.  What an amazing decision is was to write that list.  I am feeling so damn proud of writing and accomplishing 23(ish) things on it!  

I didn't get to jump off a cliff into water and I'm only halfway done the interview with my mom.  For number 25 (write a book with my mom and sisters about my dad), I didn't technically say that we had to finish the book, and I have been working on it! For the most part, I think I did a pretty freaking good job.

It feels amazing to have done things over the past 18 months that I had been wanting to do and always saying I would try. I saw new places, tried new recipes, read new books and made new habits. I realized how much people enjoy receiving letters and how easy it is perform random acts of kindness. I learned how to knit and finish a scarf (just a few days after the last snow of the season) and got an amazing tattoo.

Along the way a lot of people asked if I would make another list.  And if I did, what would it be and what would I change.  I have decided I will most definitely be making another list!  These really aren't rules, but considerations I will keep in mind when writing my new list.

Things to Consider When Making My (next) List:

1. Make realistic goals - Writing an entire book in 18 months may not have been realistic, but working on a book was.
2. Give yourself leeway - Jump off a cliff into water was pretty specific.  Do something that scares you or gives you an adrenaline rush covers the same premise with a little more leniency.
3. Start planning the big things earlier - Scheduling some time aside to take a trip or do something that requires more time/traveling will help keep me more on track to not leave things to the last minute!

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This is where you guys come in to help me!!!  My creative juices need to be refilled.

I've decided to give myself two years for the next list, 27-before-27 here I come.

I need your help adding things onto my new list!  Even if you haven't before, leave me a comment with a suggestion to add to it!  You'll see if your idea makes the cut when I share my list in a couple of weeks!

Thanks in advance :)