Another post on focusing on myself

[DirtySouth]

I'm really realizing more and more how much of an issue this is.  I have always been in a relationship.  And when I was young (like pre-teen), I read stupid Christian romance novels and daydreamed about being in a relationship.  I never really learned how to be happy on my own and it's messed up.

Yesterday I asked myself to list things that make me truly happy and have absolutely nothing to do with a man or relationship.  Sadly, I had to actually think about it.  However, today I did come up with a pinterest board of things I love that make me feel genuinely happy.  They are mostly silly simple little pleasures, but sitting down with a pumpkin latte and some pumpkin bread really does make me feel happy, damn it!

So this Pinterest board lists the things that I am going to focus on now.  I'm going to go to the outdoor farmer's market every Saturday.  I'm going to take a once a month cooking class.  Try making a new pumpkin recipe once a week.  Host a girls game night once a month or so.  Keep fresh flowers in my kitchen at all times.  Etc.  

[DirtySouth]

I just signed up for a knife skills class in a couple of weeks!

[1confused1]

Awesome!

[blanca]

Aug 7, 2014 9:02:54 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

I just signed up for a knife skills class in a couple of weeks!

I have always wanted to take a knife skills class!

[sweetchix]

Aug 7, 2014 9:02:54 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

I just signed up for a knife skills class in a couple of weeks!

What is a knife skills class?

[DirtySouth]

Aug 7, 2014 9:28:22 GMT -5 sweetchix said:

Aug 7, 2014 9:02:54 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

I just signed up for a knife skills class in a couple of weeks!

What is a knife skills class?

I emailed my dad and asked if he could watch my son the evening of the class.  He asked if I'm learning knife skills like how to carve a roast, or self defense.  LOL.  

Here is a description.  Learning to use knives is pretty fundamental but I really never learned correct techniques.


What You Will Learn



Become acquainted and adept with the most classic and important of chef's tools, and your time in the kitchen will be transformed. Hone basic knife skills and practice the fundamental cuts for vegetables—mince, dice, brunoise, bâtonnet and julienne—and acquire a few advanced techniques, too. Plus, learn how to select a knife that fits your needs, and gain tips for keeping all of your knives maintained and sharp.





What To Expect:



Great cooking isn't about recipes—it's about techniques. In our classes you'll work together with other students in a fun, hands-on environment led by our professional chef instructors.



Learn fundamental skills for a lifetime of great cooking

Work side-by-side with other students to prepare each dish

Interact with classmates and the instructor for a rich learning experience

Classes are 2 to 2 1/2 hours, unless otherwise noted above, and each student enjoys a generous taste of every dish

Held in our professional teaching kitchens, each class is led by an experienced chef instructor

Hands-on classes are limited to 16 participants

[DirtySouth]

Aug 7, 2014 9:56:22 GMT -5 FormerlyRR said:

Learning how to use knives properly, and how to choose & maintain them, has been huge for me. Good choice!

My ex got all of the good knives, which are ones he picked out.  He took most of the nice kitchen stuff.  I've decided that everything he took I will replace with something better.  Like Shun knives.  The class talks about how to choose and maintain knives, so I'll pick out a couple of fancy knives (I'm thinking one all purpose knife and a paring knife) after I take the class.  

He took the grill, so I want a Big Green Egg, damn it!  I'm going to end up broke but with REALLY great stuff to cook lol.

[Deleted]

I think this is great! Good for you

[DirtySouth]

I think this will be my September class. Yummmmm.

• Fried Chicken with White Peppered Milk Gravy
• Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
• Grits and Greens with Pot “Likker” Soup
• Hop N’ Johns
• Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread
• Banana Pudding “made from scratch”
• Plus - How to make Sweet Tea!

[Muddled]

I have one Shun and I love love love it. H won't use it because he's scared of it.

[onedayatatime]

DirtySouth -- I love your pinterest board idea and that you are focusing on small things you can do to be happy. Sometimes I think the "focus on yourself" message can be overwhelming. But the small things like flowers and pumpkin lattes are a great start.

Also, let us know how the knife skills class goes-- I was looking at doing one of those classes as well.

[DirtySouth]

Aug 7, 2014 14:09:29 GMT -5 pandora said:

Aug 7, 2014 10:04:13 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

I think this will be my September class. Yummmmm.

• Fried Chicken with White Peppered Milk Gravy
• Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
• Grits and Greens with Pot “Likker” Soup
• Hop N’ Johns
• Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread
• Banana Pudding “made from scratch”
• Plus - How to make Sweet Tea!

Imma take a gander that you live in the South, LOL. What's Hop N' Johns???

~signed a Yankee (not to be confused with a Yankee fan though ; )

Yep, I'm in the ATL.    

They are black eyed peas, rice, onions, bacon, seasoning.

[Deleted]

This is great DirtySouth! Only you can make yourself happy and it's important to recognize what it takes to make yourself happy and not rely on others. That cooking class sounds awesome!

[locarb]

Great board and I love the idea of learning new skills. The knife/ cooking class sounds awesome!

[athena3210]

That's a good looking board. Thanks for the idea.

[Kore]

I'm not quite SO (yet), but the past year has been huge for me with finding happiness & filling my life with things I enjoy. I feel so rich now with a large circle of close friends & interests. It's much more balanced, too, having my happiness spread around. If one aspect is less than happy for some reason, I still have 20 other things that make me happy. So it has more like a 5% negative effect vs an enormous impact when so much of my happiness was tied to my H.

Great job!

[abcdefu]

Aug 7, 2014 10:04:13 GMT -5 DirtySouth said:

I think this will be my September class. Yummmmm.

• Fried Chicken with White Peppered Milk Gravy
• Southern Buttermilk Biscuits
• Grits and Greens with Pot “Likker” Soup
• Hop N’ Johns
• Skillet Buttermilk Cornbread
• Banana Pudding “made from scratch”
• Plus - How to make Sweet Tea!

Hand over the banana pudding and no one gets hurt!!! mmmmmm...