Finally Claiming my Italian Badge

I did it! Two weeks ago I posted a few things off my 101 list I wanted to do in the next two months. While I fouled up one (blogging daily for 30 days), I conquered this one: Make my dad's pasta sauce. 


Using jarred sauce for the past several years has been an embarrassment to me and my Italian heritage. For some reason I was scared to tackle this recipe, and now I'm scratching my head in wonderment why I was so nervous. It really wasn't all that complicated, and holycrap it's delicious! 


I bring you sauce a la Amy's dad:

Recipe: Dad's Sauce

Start with a couple of pork chops or pork shoulder and about a pound of beef cubes.  Brown in olive oil.  While its browning add some minced garlic (I buy the kind already minced in a small jar)  probably a little less than a tablespoon.  Chop up a medium size onion and add it to the meat with the garlic.  Stir the mixture so it doesn't burn up.

You can use a crock pot and start with 2 large cans of tomato puree, 2 small cans of tomato paste, about a tablespoon of salt, a tablespoon of basil, about 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

When the meat is browned add the whole pan into the sauce, including all of the left over olive oil, garlic, etc.  Cook for about 4-5 hours.

101 in 1001 Update

It's been a long time since I last looked at my 101 list. It saddens me to say I've only been able to check off a whopping FOUR things since then. :(

2. Make framed art with calendar or scrapbook paper.

- With the help of four square Ikea frames and a ream of scrapbook paper, I was able to fancy up the wall space on each side of our bed and window. 

33. Host a party for friends.

I hosted a housewarming party in late August and then another smaller gathering in October. 

38. Cultivate a plant.

At the last gathering mentioned above, we received a pretty orchid plant. It's a little wilted, but still alive. ::knock on wood::

70. Take a completely impulsive, spur of the moment road trip with husband

I'm going to count our NYE Pittsburgh trip for this one, since it's about as impulsive as we will probably get. 

I've selected a few more tasks that I think are realistic enough to accomplish the next two months (pending any possible job offers):

71. Blog daily. (2/30)

25. Go to a movie alone.

31. Make my dad's amazing spaghetti sauce.

65. Buy a digital SLR camera.

85. Host a theme party.

One oh what?

Thank goodness I have 1001 days to do these self-set goals/tasks, because I'm doing horribly so far!

It occurred to me I haven't even GLANCED at my list in four months. It made me question if I had done any unknowingly.   Imagine my shock when I discovered I had indeed completed a few!

30. Make dinner at least 3 nights a week, two weeks in a row.
36. Take lunch to work every day for two weeks.
39. Organize car trunk.
40. Clean out pile of wedding gifts.
43. Organize jewelry with a new storage system.
45. De-clutter the bedroom.
66. Buy a home.
95. Leave a 100% tip to a worthy server.
96. Throw away old makeup.
98. Pay a stranger a compliment.
99. Discover my favorite wine.


11 down, 90 to go!! (Note - I had to use my computer's calculator to figure that out. ::hangs head in shame:: I obviously should replace one of my items to "Learn 1st grade math.")

Amy's 101 in 1001

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizng and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. Learn more about the 101 Project here.

Start Date:  October 1, 2009
End Date: June 28, 2012

Bold/italicized - Completed Item

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Get Artsy
1. Take a photography class or self-teach
2. Make framed art with calendar or scrapbook paper.
3. Take a course in Photoshop or self-teach
4. Create art for above the bed.
5. Resurface or restore a piece of furniture.
6. Finish wedding party scrapbook.


Get Healthy
7. Work out three times a week for one whole month. (/30)
8. Lose 15 pounds by February 14, 2010.  FAIL
9. Participate in a 5k with my husband. 
10. Eat breakfast religiously for one month straight. (0/30)
11. Drink five glasses of water a day for two weeks. (0/14)
12. Go one week without eating convenience/frozen/boxed food. (0/7)
13. Floss every day for a month. (0/30)
14. Complete 50 push-ups.

Get Cultured
15. Read 5 non-fiction books (0/5)
16. Organize or participate in a book group.
17. Watch all of AFI's top 100 movies (2007 list) (0/100)
18. Go to a live show at our local community theatre.
19. Go to a local festival.
20. Attend a live music performance of someone I don't know who is not famous.
21. Read 10 books I haven't read from 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. (0/10)
22. Attend a concert of someone famous of whom I've never seen before. 

Get Deep 
25. Go to a movie alone.
26. Identify 100 things that make me happy. (0/100)
27. Identify 25 things I like about myself. (0/25)
28. Go to a coffee shop with a book and enjoy the afternoon solo.

Get Domestic 
29. Take a cooking class.
30. Make dinner at least 3 nights a week, two weeks in a row. 
31. Make my dad's amazing spaghetti sauce.
32. Make home made ice cream.
33. Host a party for friends.
34. Take a cake decorating class.
35. Decorate a cake (or cupcakes) for a loved one's birthday.
36. Take lunch to work every day for two weeks. 
37. Try 30 new recipes. (10/30)
38. Cultivate a plant.

Get Organized 
39. Organize car trunk.
40. Clean out pile of wedding gifts.
41. Keep a filing system for important papers.
42. Buy birthday cards and greeting cards to have on-hand and send
43. Organize jewelry with a new storage system.
44 Clean tarnished jewelry.
45. De-clutter the bedroom.
46. Change my name with several places I haven't changed with. 
47. Back up all 2009 photos and start printing/albuming pics since 2005.

Get Rich (or at least get my finances in better order) 
48. Set DH up with direct deposit and auto withdrawals. 
49. Transfer at least $50 to savings a month. (0/32)
50. Create a financial plan with the hubby.
51. Put $5 in savings for each completed task and $10 for every uncompleted one.

Get Generous
52. Pay 10 strangers compliments (0/10)
53. Purge and donate old clothes from closets at least three times (0/3)
54. Volunteer for a fundraiser or organization.
55. Pay for the person behind me at a toll or drive thru.
56. Serve food at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.
57. Send 12 cards or letters for no reason at all. (0/12)

Get Social
58. Mail 50 Christmas Cards out before Christmas.
59. Make plans with a new friend. 
60. Call one faraway friend a week for 6 weeks. (0/6)
61. Have a girl's night once every other month. (0/16)
62. Plan a surprise birthday party.
63. Have a dinner date with my husband once a month. (0/32)
64. Have a double-date with friends once every other month. (1/16) 

Get Stuff 
65. Buy a digital SLR camera.
66. Buy a home. 

Get Adventurous
67. Go to NYC.
68. Go to the West Coast.
69. Take a girls only trip.
70. Take a completely impulsive, spur of the moment road trip with husband


Get Habitual
71. Blog daily. (0/30)
72. Declutter house. (15min/day) (0/30)
73. Give up fast food for a month. (0/30)
74. Meditate. (0/30)
75. Photo a day. (0/30)
76. Stand in front of mirror and say an affirmation. (0/30)


Get Random
77. Write a letter to my future self.
78. Drink wine on a boat.
79. Go to a drive-in movie.
80. Re-read The Baby-Sitter's Club books for the first time in 20 years.
81. Get wedding dress cleaned.
82. Pick strawberries.
83. Kiss in the rain.
84. Play mini-golf.
85. Host a theme party.
86. Print off important digital pics.
87. Stay in a bed and breakfast.
88. Color a coloring book.
89. Attend a Zumba class.
90. Surprise husband with a romantic dinner.
91. Take pictures in a photobooth.
92. Send my grandmother flowers.
93. De-clutter my trunk
94. Keep a recipe book.
95. Leave a 100% tip to a worthy server.
96. Throw away old makeup.
97. Make Thanksgiving dinner.  
98. Pay a stranger a compliment.
99. Discover my favorite wine.
100. Be a vegetarian for a week.
101. Get a facial.