Halfway!

Last week sucked.  I need a little moment of goodness so I am taking some time to update you on my list of 60.  (Can I add on there I've been abandoned by co-bloggers?  The other Howe Girls have apparently given up on blogging.  I suppose I should retire as well...but not until I get my 60 things!)

Today I reached my halfway mark...30!  When we last left off I was at 13.  I won't give you all the details because some weren't too spectacular (cracked an egg with one hand, for example) however here are some of my personal favorites.

18.  Flash Mob!  I participated in my first ever flash mob...it was spectacular.



22 - 25: All had to do with things in Scotland.  I didn't want to go overboard on listing every little thing, so I picked some really unique things.  Haggis.  My first dram of scotch.  Driving on the left side of the road.  Being in Scotland.

Loch Ness...sadly I did NOT have my first Nessie sighting

The fam and I at the Glenfiddich tour

My first tasting!!  I seem a little unsure...

Scotch makes us dance!

Driving!  Stick Shift!  Left handed! On the left side of the road!
LIKE A BOSS!

MMMM, we love Scottish food, and each other.

26. Spa Day!  I spent a day at Glen Ivy Spa in the desert of Southern California.  I smothered myself in muddy clay.  It was heaven.

30.  Double Dutch!  I can jump rope like a pro, however double dutch has always been too hard.  A coworker and I decided to take this on together.  Every Wednesday at recess we are practicing with our kiddos.  Today I made it in and jumped and managed to get a spin move in.  Felt soooo good!

It was captured!  My first ever double dutch!!

Up to 30 now and it is about May.  I might make it!

Howe Girls Drink Scotch - Marmie and JJ, that is!

So this Howe girl has decided to do stuff in 2012!  All kinds of stuff, since I was a dismal failure with the 2011 cooking goal.  Let's kick this off by celebrating the spirits of Scotland.

This weekend, JJ and I attended a single malt scotch tasting at E-ville Spirits.  What a fun and educational experience!  There were about 25 in attendance - a bit squished, so we made friends fast!  I believe there were only 5 women out of the bunch.  I have the feeling that this minority will be changing as women continue to increase their appreciation for the brown spirits.  Bust Magazine just had a great article about this in the Dec/Jan issue called "Raising the Bar".

It was enhanced by the incredible knowledge of Jean from Pernod Ricard.  As a former "whiskey ambassador", she brought an incredible amount of knowledge to the tasting in addition to this:

Glenlivet 18, Aberlour 18, Glenlivet 21, Glenlivet 16 nadurra, Longmorn 16, Bowmore 18

JJ is an experience scotch drinker and I am becoming a fan of the "gold watch" myself.  Jean has taught me to add just enough water to a neat whisky to find my own sweet spot.  This varied, for me, from a drop to a splash to a full glunk of water, depending on the specific scotch.

So what did I come home with? 

The absolute winner of the tasting!  A 21 year old Glenlivet that is incredibly yummy with just the slightest addition of pure spring water.  Do you know that the 21 year old designation means that the very youngest of the whisky in this bottle is 21, but there can be much older?  Single malts are really blends of various years to maintain the specific taste.

It was a great experience that I would highly recommend.

Come on now - step away from your Sex in the City fruit drink and boldly order a Glenlivet neat with water on the side the next time you sidle up to a bar!

love,

marmie