Goal Check Up

So I have started in on my 101 in 1001.

9.  Try 50 new recipes. 

When Isaac was home "sick" the other day, I made copycat Starbucks Lemon Pound cake.  Ryan loves all things lemon and had specifically requested a lemon pound cake.  I found this recipe when I perusing Pinterest and it got rave reviews.  It is moist and sweet. I don't think her blog permits me to post her pictures here, and I didn't take any of my own, but check out her post.  It's fool proof! The icing didn't turn out as pretty as hers did, but this recipe was definitely a success.  I only have one loaf pan, so I used my jumbo muffin tin for the other half of the batter and they turned out great as muffins too. 

62. Go to the eye doctor. 

While this is relatively dull to blog about, I thought it would be an easy one to cross off the list and get the ball rolling, so I called and made an appointement to knock this one out over Christmas break.  I hadn't been to the eye doctor in years.  Fortunately, everything is great.  My vision is good and my eyes are healthy.  Apparently my over the top obsessiveness with wearing sunglasses has paid off.    One item down, 100 more to go!

81. Visit 10 museums. 

Ever since Ryan and I met each other, he had talked about how much fun it would do some of the touristy things in Philadelphia-- he specifically wanted to go to the National Constitution Center. So we finally carved out some time yesterday and headed into the city.  It was a bright sunny and warm day (for January) and we really enjoyed ourselves.

As usual, there was a protest going on outside the Constitution Visitor's Center.  I love a good rally and Ryan humored me and let me hang around for a while, and sport my sticker.

First we hit up the Liberty Bell, which I don't think I had visited since probably middle school.  They have totally renovated the little building that houses the bell, and it was interested to read all about it.  I always think of the Liberty Bell being a symbol of freedom during the revolutionary war, but it was interesting to read how the abolitionists used the bell in their campaign against slavery and how it became a symbol of civil rights.  Visiting the Liberty Bell is also totally free. 

From there it was a short walk to the National Constitution Center, a huge white building with the words "We the people..." written across the facade.  Ryan and I found all of the exhibits to be so uplifting and inspirational.

 

It really made the whole Constitution come alive.  Our favorite exhibit was all about prohibition and the roaring 20's.  It was really well done.  Here I am campaigning for women's right to vote. 

And getting booked with some notorious gangsters...