The other day on Food­Buzz, I was asked “Lys, how did you fare on your 2009 Culi­nary Goals?”   Well, I’m happy to say that I did bet­ter than expected.  I didn’t take that culi­nary class that I wanted (but will be tak­ing them here in Philly).  I attended SOBE which was a blast.  Wish I could go this year but with the move, it’s going to be a stretch.  I moved Cook­ing In Stilet­tos over to Word­Press which has been quite the learn­ing expe­ri­ence!  I obtained some “Good China & Glass­ware” with some Simon Pearce and Vetri addi­tions – love love love them.  Neiman Mar­cus in King of Prus­sia must be quite sick of me hov­er­ing over the Loubous and the Simon Pearce.  I have not learned how to make fresh pasta nor dog food for the pug, but there is always 2010.  All in all, I’m pretty pleased.

Now, in 2010, I’ve done some think­ing and here’s a list of goals that I’m striv­ing to achieve for this year.

First up, Diana over at The Chic Life has orga­nized the “Eat In Month Chal­lenge” and I’m going to attempt it – 31 days of cook­ing EVERYTHING at home – with one free pass to go out to a restau­rant.  Granted my wal­let is doing the happy dance at the moment and dream­ing of a new pair of Loubous, but I am ter­ri­fied.  Me – cook EVERY DAY – oy vey!  This should be inter­est­ing.  If you want to attempt this with me, well, go sign up!

Sec­ondly, I’m vow­ing to get more involved with meet­ing with other culi­nary afi­ciona­dos here in Philly.  It is my new city and why should I not put down roots finally, right?

I’m also car­ry­ing over the 2009 Goals of learn­ing how to make fresh pasta – which means a trip to Fantes in Cen­ter City to look into a pasta machine.  Per­haps there is a cook­ing class on mak­ing fresh pasta over at Fos­ters or Sur La Table.  I’m also going to take more cook­ing classes here in Philly – and I might even look into Culi­nary School – I’m still on the fence with that idea though.

I’m also mak­ing a point to go to Read­ing Ter­mi­nal Mar­ket – and soon.  Can you believe I have NEVER been there, even though I have been com­ing to Philly for over 20 years.

Now re: the dog food for the pug, let’s set­tle for mak­ing fresh dog treats and call it a day.  The lit­tle mon­ster finally has the right food which has not made him sick.  How­ever, when it comes to treats – that dog is a bot­tom­less pit some­times.  So I fig­ure if I make him some decent treats, he won’t be apt to (a) steal peo­ple food (yeah right!); (b) snack on things he shouldn’t; or (3) not leave milk­bones everywhere.

I’m going to forgo SOBE this year I think and I’m look­ing into pos­si­bly attend­ing the New York City Food & Wine Fes­ti­val in Octo­ber.  It looks inter­est­ing.  Speak­ing of New York, I’m also plan­ning on a few trips to the city and hope­fully will meet with friends, both new and old and explore the Chelsea Mar­ket and a few other foodie haunts (and Dean & Deluca – love them!) plus see that famous shoe depart­ment in Saks with its own zip code.  I am, after all, the Stiletto Wench, right?

Another goal is to get a new DLSR cam­era and take bet­ter pho­tos – not with a point and shoot.  BR is advis­ing me on the *right* cam­era so this should hope­fully be a goal I can achieve soon.

Finally, another goal I’ve decided to attempt is to make more things from scratch – includ­ing bak­ing.  I have noticed quite a bit of preser­v­a­tives in things and I have learned that Jenn of the Left­over Queen is rather wise.  Things are much bet­ter you make them your­self.  How­ever, the cof­fee thing will take way more work.

Now – I think that’s a good list to get started, don’t you.  What are your goals for 2010, both culi­nary and personal?