Thursday, July 21, 2011

I'm Always Up For A Challenge ;o)

I have to say that I'm quite impressed with myself. I've done quite well with my challenge considering it's only been a little over a month since it started. If you haven't seen it yet, check out my 40-4-40 Challenge :o)

I know I won't complete the whole list but I'm still going to try to get as close as I can to forty! One of my concerns will be reading forty books in twelve months. I've been keeping track of my reading list on Shelfari and it says that last year I read thirty books. It could be possible :o) I already have two books that I HIGHLY recommend you check out. The first is called The Forest Horses by Byrna Barclay. I think it would be awesome if they made a film from this novel. The second book is called The Truth Game by Janet Tanner. This one was hard to put down.

Tonight I ate my something new ;o) DH and I had ostrich wrapped in wild boar bacon. Oh-so-good!

Recently I completed another challenge and found a fireplace mantle! Here it is -

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DH 'thinks' it's made of walnut but there are quite a few layers of paint to remove. LOL! It's from 1914 so it's a true antique and we're both really happy with it. I think we're going to re-paint it white to match the trim in the house. Normally we would stain such a lovely wood but unfortunately the walnut won't match our other wood furniture. Once the mantle is installed, the antique mirror will go on top of it. We had to take it down because it hung too low.

I'm really enjoying this challenge. I don't feel any pressure but it's fun having something to strive for :o)


20 comments:

Nancy said...

Pretty mantle! Never had ostrich or wild boar, glad it was good! I don't have an adventurous palate so I think I will pass! lol

Annie said...

You sure have a variety of challenges to attack. Life is challenging enough for me without a list!

Angela said...

I'm not so sure about Ostrich but I think it's great to try new things :) Love the mantle and I put a hold on both of those books since I love reading too!

Tracey said...

Good luck with your challenge... you can do it!! :^) LOVE the mantle... can't wait to see the end result with everything in it's place!

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

love the mantel...thanks for stopping by...

love the compliment...i am trying to "pretend" i am in New England

:-)

kary, teddy and all the farmhouse kittys

xx

Alberta said...

Great challenge. I did something similar to break out of old habits and try something new & exciting!

Love the mantle, what an incredible find! It's all in the timing, right?

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I give you a lot of credit for trying ostrich and wild boar. Why is it that we eat other animal meats but when it comes to trying something that we're unaccustomed to sounds so strange? Did it taste like chicken? LOL.

Love the mantle - can't wait to see it in all its glory!

mdgtjulie said...

Glad you are enjoying your challenge. Some of us (I'm DEFINITELY NOT one of them) do well when setting ourselves goals. I never seem to meet my, so I get depressed, lol.

Tatkis said...

Oh, you are having so much fun :)
I need to remember those books - would be nice to find and read them, and mantle looks wonderful!

Hugs,
Tatyana

Stitchabilities said...

Are you getting a fire to go in the fireplace surround?
I think I have read that many books already this year, especially since having my kindle

Gabi said...

The mantle looks lovely. Good on you for trying out new things :)

Karen said...

What did the ostrich taste like? I'm assuming the wild boar was a lot like regular pork? The most exotic thing I've eaten is venison and pheasant. I liked the pheasant better. Love the mantle! Will it be going over a real fireplace, or is it just a focal point?

Melanie said...

That mantle is going to look fab.u.lous. when you are done with it!

Anonymous said...

Hhhmm... wondering if you went hunting to find those meats,LOL.

glad you are having fun with your challenges.

mantels have such a homey effect.

♥ Nia said...

I'm pretty sure that you'll surprise yourself and achieve more goals than you're thinking now!!! ;)
Have a great week sweetie!! :D

Carol said...

Ooh--what a great find! I love it :)

Sorry, but, ewwww...on the wild boar bacon wrapped ostrich :o( I can't even imagine! What did it taste like?

Justflo said...

You're doing well with your goals. Impressed I am. I've had ostrich, we read it was low in cholesterol so we had it several times just after my hubbies heart op. It had quite a 'strong' taste if I remember correctly. We quite like venison, wild boar sausages, I had debated on crocodile but somehow I didn't quite make it. Many years ago I had reindeer (while in Norway) But went on a guilt trip for eating 'Rudolf's' relatives.!!!
By the way your mantle looks good.Good luck with your 40 4 40

mumzy said...

I'm impressed. You are doing great at your challenges.

Love your mantle. You picked a very nice looking one and a true antique to top it off. I'm sure it will be beautiful when you have it finished and in place along with the antique mirror above it. Looking forward to seeing it all done. Great job you two!

{{{Love and Hugs}}}
Mom

Kalu V said...

ostrich??! wow ! i dont think ive ever eaten anything aside from cow, pig and chicken lol ... im not that adventurous ... then again i have a VERY sensitive tummy

but it did sound delish! =D

very pretty mantle

Julie said...

Ostrich with wild boar?? that certainly is a new one to me