on trying and learning new things
just keep swimming
I like to think of myself as quite stubborn and sassy. I feel loyal to the things I like and passionate about the things I do not. When people recommend something new I sometimes look for a reason to say no only to later end up (begrudgingly) loving it. Oysters, hiking, people, podcasts, Ted Lasso. It’s a weird instinct that rears its head when I’m not itching for something new or I’ve made my mind up before giving it a chance. I feel like my niece saying “no no no” only to say “yes” a moment later when she realizes she does want a bite of cheese.
As we know, two things can be true at once. Stubbornness aside, I’m mostly very good about trying new things and I often seek them out. I pick up a new hobby every 6 months or so, I love visiting new places, and my favorite thing about cooking is that I am always learning new things.
I find that when I’m not learning something new in the real world, I spend way too much time in the online world trying to fill that void.
Here are a few new things I’ve learned or tried recently
Grilled fish over lemon slices. I’d been wanting to grill a piece of fish but was certain it would stick and fall apart (unless I put it in foil which is less pretty). Then, I saw a video of someone grilling fish on top of lemon slices and I thought “brilliant, I have to try this!” And it turned out perfectly, which is never guaranteed but such a joy when it happens.
Kris doesn’t like feta, and no I’m not going to call off the wedding but I do find it baffling. The signs were there but I didn’t know not liking feta (perhaps my favorite cheese, top 5 for sure) was even possible. More for me heheh.
Needlepointing! I’ve been following the craze but I wasn’t sure I wanted to participate, I felt like I was jumping in too late, past some imaginary saturation point. As many of you already know, it’s a great hobby and so easy to work on while watching tv in the evenings or sipping coffee in the morning. The prices are insane though which still gives me pause.
Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice: my favorite thing to order at sushi restaurants. We tried making it at home and I’ll be honest! It was far from perfect. The rice stuck to my hands and was either over or under crisped. Still, we had so much fun and it was yummy. Presentation doesn’t matter when you’re laughing and trading bites at home.
Kiwi with the skin on. No thank you!
Gardening: I’m not under any delusion that this year will be the year I learn it all. But it will be the year I start learning enough. Tiny garden this year, a couple of garden beds next year. Maybe a decade from now I’ll have it all figured out, but I hope I’ll still have things to learn. Roma wasn’t built in a day.
A few things on my list to learn next
Lobster. I started liking it last year and I’ve never made it at home but I’ve seen so many mouthwatering recipe videos this summer. Colette if you’re reading this - please can we make lobster over labor day weekend? Grilled, mac + cheese, rolls, I don’t care!
Scallops on the grill: I bought little shells to put them in and I’m thinking I’ll top them with miso butter, corn, and scallions. I have high confidence this will work out beautifully.
Mahjong. Don’t tell my mother because she’s been trying to get me to play for years. Now that people my age are in the game, I’m ready. I just need some really cute tiles, a crisp glass of Sancerre, and someone who can explain the rules in under 120 seconds.
Planning a wedding!! If you’re sick of hearing about this, tough luck because we’ve got eight months to go. There are so many new things involved in planning and honestly it can be a bit overwhelming to feel like I’m constantly out of my depth (spoiler alert I’ve never done this before) but luckily I have a planner who’s done it over 200 times, a sister who just got married, a mom who planned her wedding, and many friends who were brides not too long ago. One thing I’ve learned to love: outsourcing.
Needlepoint 2.0 - I’ve mastered a couple of basic stitches but I’m excited to learn more. No promises but this might just be a hobby I stick with for more than 6 months!
And a few things I’ve learned about learning
Almost nothing is ever as daunting as it seems
Trying something new doesn’t mean you have to be good at it, like it, or ever do it again
Still, most things are worth trying twice just in case
Learning something new today might not come in handy tomorrow but it likely will at some point and you’ll at least be more interesting in the meantime
Your brain will be happier
As little kids we were exposed to new things every single day through school, trips, friendships, books, and just leaving the house. Kids’ brains are constantly expanding and these experiences help them build confidence and a sense of self. I don’t think our brains ever stop searching for that sense of newness and accomplishment, building new skills and acquiring new knowledge. It teaches us that we’re capable.
My challenge to you is to learn one new thing this week and try to make it something that at least involves your hands or a physical object that isn’t your phone.
In the next week I’m going to
Tour Mt. Vernon. George Washington’s home is just south of DC and as much as I love all things HAMILTON, I’ve never made the trip to see it.
Participate in my first Meal Train for our friends who just had their first baby!! I’ve been looking forward to this for months. Everything I cook is eaten at home so packing something to drop off that can be reheated later is new. All of the babies I know live in other cities so I didn’t get to drop off dinner for their parents. While I don’t anticipate it will be particularly challenging, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be helpful in this way. I’m going to make this:
Cook something I haven’t cooked before. There are a few things you’d think I would know how to cook that I’ve never even attempted because I find them a bit intimidating. To name a few: braised short ribs, lobster, sourdough, bagels, butter from scratch. It’s not that the foods themselves are scary, it’s that they require a whole new process of cooking that I’m not familiar with. Making a new sauce, pasta, marinade, cookie, or soup is easy because I’m very familiar with the underlying process. Making bread from scratch and understanding the timing and folding and rising etc. requires a lot more focus.
I have a tin of Fishwife Mussels in Basil Pesto sitting in my pantry that I’ve been meaning to throw into a pasta. I’ve never tried tinned mussels before but I like them fresh and I love basil so I have high hopes.
As much as our brains LOVE and THRIVE off of routine, it’s so good to get out of our comfort zones. Like the workout class you’re dreading that completely turns your mood around. On that note I need to go for a walk.
That’s all for now folks!
All my best,
Anna