30 before 30 Update #2

Here is my update!!

1. Read the Harry Potter books. UPDATE I am currently 200 pages into The Deathly Hallows. I must say, I am super glad I had this on my list - I have been loving it! With that being said, I found The Order of the Phoenix tough to get through...the first 3/4 were not my favourite. Once they got to the Ministry of Magic, it picked up. Once I am done Deathly Hallows I will read the Cursed Child :)
2. Start my personal history: complete my history journal.
3. Complete a triathlon.
4. Take a family name to the temple.UPDATE I have yet to take MY family name to the temple, however I went and did family names for the first time in my life last week! Christi and I went and did some of Joanne's names. It sparked in me a desire to do my own! Also, at General Conference last weekened, it was mentioned TONS!!! I cant wait to get started!!
5. Learn how to braid my own hair. UPDATE COMPLETE I am pretty fluid at most braids now! French, dutch, ropes and fishtails. Here is a pic of some dutch braids I did.

6. Significantly reduce my wardrobe. UPDATE COMPLETE!
7. Take the family on a luxurious vacation. UPDATE COMPLETE!
8. Try 30 new recipes. UPDATE I have tried
1. Gingerbread cheesecake dip. Verdict - not my fav. I don't really like the taste of molasses.
2. Baked Cranberry Brie. Verdict - this particular recipe had vanilla and brown sugar with the cranberries, so it was quite sweet. I will make it again, however without the sweetness.
3. Broccoli Chicken Divan. Verdict - yum! My mother-in-law makes this, but I had never. It was pretty yummy! This recipe has curry and i love that flavor.
4. Cripsy Tofu Tacos. A-MAZ-ING!!! Even if you don't like tofu, I bet you'll love these!
5. Rice milk. As Doug and I are switching over to organic and whole foods, I have started making my own milk. Rice milk good for cooking, but not on cereal.
6. Coconut milk. This stuff is delish!
7. Crackers. I have been making my own whole wheat crackers and I LOVE them! I season each batch differently with whatever I am in the mood food. Nutritional yeast is probably my favourite seasons.
8. Cinnamon Raisin Bread. I got a Bosch, which is a post in itself (YAY), so I have been making more breads. I make whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread with freshly ground wheat from my new grain mill (DOUBLE YAY!)
9. Crusty french bread. Ummm....my family may have embarked on a new addiction to this...
10. Thai Turkey Cakes. YUM! Ground turkey, ginger, garlic, spinach, tumeric. Holy deliciousness.
11. Granola. I have been adding candied ginger which gives it a little punch, which I love! It is also a great way to get my kiddos to eat seeds.
12. Winter Squash chowder. Super hearty, warming and filling! I add chickpeas and corn, which give it some texture. It is super yum!
9. Print my blog books.
10. Organize a service project. We often do these within our church, however I would like to do one on my own, inviting my own circle of friends to assist me.
11. Learn how to play 30 songs on the piano. UPDATE I have been thinking that I might just scrap this one. I really have no interest in reading music right now. I have been playing my guitar ALOT and that has been filling my soul. So, with that being said, I am going to change #11 to 'Write a new piano piece'.
12. Write a new song. UPDATE COMPLETE! I wrote a song about my battle with depression and anxiety. Its pretty intense and raw. I haven't been able to write a song like that in years. Big props to Simone for pushing me to do it!
13. Host a fancy dinner party.
14. Bring my children to see live music.
15. Explore Lethbridge. There are tons of little shops, little restaurants, museums and galleries that I have never stepped foot in!!! Let's see what our town has to offer!
16. Take a spin class.
17. Write a letter to each of my children for them to open on their 30th birthday.
18. Climb a mountain. It doesn't matter which one, where it is, or how big it is. I just want to hike one.
19. Wear no make up. UPDATE COMPLETE!
21. Watch my favorite movies from my youth. Wayne's world, biodome, sword in the stone, the great panda adventure, Beethoven's second, Dracula: Dead and loving it.
22. Play scatagories with Ali.
23. Grow a herb garden.
24. Read a history book. I know very little about any kind of history, so it doesn't matter what kind of history I read about.
25. Face a fear: shoot a gun.
26. Write a letter to President Monson or any General Authority.
27. Ask 30 different women about their 'story' and record them. UPDATE This is one I am going to alter. I wanted to 'interview' women, however I have been getting to really know a lot of people lately and I do not feel a need to record what I have learned. As I have opened myself up and allowed myself to become vulnerable, many people around me have too. I have learned SO much from SO many! I don't ever want to mark this one 'COMPLETE', as I hope to be able to hear peoples stories for the rest of my life. So, in the future, I will refer to #27 as 'Continue to encourage others to share their stories'.
28. Watch a live sports event.
30. Play my guitar and sing for some of my friends. UPDATE COMPLETE! I went over for dinner at Julie and Vern's while Dougie was in Quebec. While there, Vern pulled out his guitar and we both played. It was lovely :) I also auctioned off a jam session at our wards service auction, so I'll be playing Norman for Diana too!