My initial thoughts for this post were to discuss my secret desire to become a chef; however, after the last few attempts in the kitchen.....I changed my mind. Instead I will be sharing my cooking fails.

Attempt #1. Spaghetti Squash.

I found this recipe on Pinterest and it sounded pretty awesome. Pasta alternative? Hmm...Totally worth a try, right? Out of curiosity I even deliberately ordered an entree with spaghetti squash my last road trip to test 'er out. The texture can't be compared to actual spaghetti noodles but it was pretty tasty. I finally worked up the courage/motivation to attempt it myself. I found all the ingredients, got them home, and began the prep work.

Not going to lie, I felt pretty legit with my chef knife and cutting board in hand. Not. For. Long. Though. It should've been my first clue that it would be disastrous when I had to google "how to cut parsley" and then "how to prepare cilantro." After nearly losing a finger tip and I realized the level of ridiculousness....I decided to document it.

 [Fortunately for you....there are upload issues and you don't have to endure watching the lack of skill]

After baking the squash and forking it into a bowl, I was ready for the next step. I soon found I should've left that sucker in it's natural form. The other ingredients were tossed in and the recipe completed . If you know me....you know that I don't like timely recipes or ones with large ingredient lists....so at this point I'm expecting something awesome. I gave this 'Herbed Spaghetti Squash' provided by my computer friend Martha Stewart. Dun, dun, dun......yah. no. major FAIL. The only thing I can taste is parsley/herbs. Which I found out tonight I apparently don't like.


Attempt #2. Zucchini Chips. 

Once again I find a squash recipe. Thinking it could be an alternative to greasy potato chips. I follow the simple directions of tossing the thin slices in olive oil/seasonings and lay them single file on a tray. 

At this point I'm stoked that it's only taken a few minutes to prepare and there were less than 5 ingredients. It was flowing smoothly until I read the step that said "Turn on your dehydrator, 117 degrees." Are you kidding me? A dehydrator? Who seriously owns that....Not this girl. 

I've made substitutions/alterations in the past so I figured what the heck.....I'll just follow the baking directions for my "Sweet Potato Chips." Zucchini chips.....Sweet Potato chips.... Same thing right? Yah. No. At the time I felt I was pretty smart though. Note to self: when the directions say "Place on dehydrating tray for 12-14 mins"... don't use a cookie sheet and attempt to bake @350 for 17 mins. Not the same thing. 

Summary

• I no longer want to be a chef. 

• I'm squash recipe'd out. 

• Just fix the box pasta and eat real chips [in moderation of course].

Spelling.

There is a common difficulty with the spelling of my name. I've somewhat ignored or conditioned myself to it since it's an ongoing thing; however, the past few months I've experienced "Kindal" verses the normal "Kendall" or "Kyndal." I just so happened to document two of the times.....I feel that makes it blog worthy. 

Experience #1

Welcome to the creativity of a child. One of my little friends decided to do a count-down of just how long it took me to arrive at her house [typically a 10-12 minute drive]. Upon my arrival, she was stoked to announce it took me 110 seconds to get there. With that timing I should probably consider Nascar. For reals.

Notice her spelling of choice for "Kendal".....

Experience #2

Starbucks barista's spelling of choice on my drive back home from the Big D. 

Note to self: 

• Start wearing name tag everywhere to ensure correct spelling. 

Rollerblade

Had this awesome vision like 6 months ago. 

Roller Blading. 

New workout? I think yes. 

I didn't realize this would be so intense. For the reals. I originally pictured it being like my 3rd grade self whizzing around, dribbling a basketball, with some sweet twisting around action, maybe even a little backwards skating? Haaaaa.... did I have a reality check! I nearly face planted getting to the sidewalk and was hunched over awkwardly searching for sense of balance majority of the trip.

Attempt #1 was much different than initially envisioned but great and laughed more than anticipated. I've now researched the art of roller blading, hoping for better results with attempt 2. Excuse the nerd-tastic layout....my speech pathologist ways are coming out.

LONG-TERM GOAL: Blade long distances on varying surfaces, effectively jump small obstacles, and skate backwards for >1 minute. 


SHORT-TERM GOAL: Reach a level of confidence to travel short-medium distances using rollerblades. 


STEPS: 

1. Learn equipment
2. Stand without falling
3. Fall safely
4. Move forwards
5. Slow down without face plant
6. Effectively brake

BARRIERS: 

Fear of breaking bones (something I've managed to avoid for 25 years). 

To-Do list: 
Consider taking it to the nerd level with knee/wrist/elbow pads and hot pink helmet.  

Clusters.

 I think I found a connection to my randomness lately. 

*CLUSTERS*

I've been a little obsessed. 

Black/White awesomeness.

Freeing up counter space. Yes please.

Love me some pillows.

Enjoying the randomness.

Bring it on.

There are no words.

Note to self: 

Recreate/find all these sweet pieces.

Creativity at its best...

Creativity at its best...

Humidifier and heater in one. 

Reflection. 

Money maker. 

Wordage. 

Dad wrapped Mom's Christmas gift....

yes that says "Happy Birthday"

Modified remote for my client. 

The fewer choices the better. 

To-do: 

• Have more rhyme/reason to blog post. 
• Organize thoughts. 

Photos continue...

Determined to finish this SLR/iphone cam challenge. Mostly because I found a new challenge and refuse to look at it further until this one is checked 'complete.' Excuse the quality of some of the shots...I started getting more into the challenge of completing the 'challenge' than the quality of the photos. I did capture awesome memories though so either way I'm stoked.

#22. Hands. Originally snapped because the dentures were randomly pulled from this guys shirt pocket....reminding me of my Papa. I'm counting it for the hands pic though because it was to great not to share.

#2. Black and White. Personality overload. 

#8. A Bad Habit. Wearing these pajama bottoms/house shoes while home over Christmas.  

#2. What You Wore Today. The outfits started a little more stylish with tall boots/belts but our evening event required a change of shoes.... 

#24. Animal. The best kind. None shedding. Low maintenance. 

#13. Yourself with 13 things. There are most likely 13 items here and it's JBiebs. Hello awesome. 

#15. Silhouette. Slightly creepy. But I'm counting it. 

To-do List: 

Complete this photo challenge in the next few months. 

Photo Challenge Begins...

Recap: I accepted a photo challenge so I would use my SLR more often. Leave it to me to change things up a bit though. I may of accidentally snapped some of the following with the iphone. I also skipped around on the list just a little. Apologies.

#1. Self-portrait. My least fav of the challenge so I'm getting it over with. Yes to all of the following: cell phone pic, poor lighting, completely awkward. I'll analyze my challenges more completely next time. 

#5. From a high angle. Devoted. I climbed a tree. Just saying. 

#9. Someone you love. I might slip this one in more than once. 

Spontaneously captured and awesome.

#20. Bokeh. My sweet little cousins. 

The rest to follow.