MYOF Goals #31-40

#31- Save $50 a week.
I'm always looking for ways to cut back on expenses.  Some of the things I've
done this year that have helped me achieve this goal are:
* Stop buying breakfast cereal.  It amazes me how much a box of
   cold cereal costs.  Now I make my own granola when I want to eat
   cereal.

When I'm in the mood for hot cereal, I have grits or oatmeal and

breakfast costs mere pennies.

*Grow my own fresh herbs.   I love to cook with fresh herbs, but now

  if I don't grow them, I don't eat them.  In the winter, I use the dried herbs

  that I put up in the fall.  A bundle of parsley or sage doesn't seem like a

  big expense, but week after week it adds up. The only exception to this

  rule is cilantro.  I've tried to grow it and it bolts so quickly that I end up

  frustrated with it, so I buy cilantro in the store.

* Make a pot of soup every week.  I love soup and it's one of the

   most economical meals around, especially when beans are involved.

   The first part of the week, I usually make a big pot of soup and we 

   have it for dinner.  Then I eat it for lunches and put some in the freezer.

   I have collected an excellent collection of soup recipes over the years.

   This is a tomato florentine...so good.

*Eat food in season and stock up when I can get it.    When you

  eat local food, grown in season, it tastes better and it's less expensive.

  I eat strawberries, asparagus and rhubarb in April and May.   Blackberries

  and raspberries in the summer months, along with melons and peaches.

  Apples and pears in the fall and citrus in the winter.  I can and freeze the

  fruit and then we can have a cobbler or smoothie in the winter months,

  but once it's gone, it's gone and I'm not even tempted to buy strawberries

  in February.  It's a good way to eat and saves money on the grocery bill. 

 * Grow a garden.  Even though this is an investment, it pays off in
   the long run.  With bags of organic spring mix selling for $3-$4 each,
   I get excited when I can plant a packet of seeds for under $2 and grow
   enough lettuce for several households.

* Take free food when I can get it.  You can read about how I got
   all these free tomatoes and what I did with them here.

*Make my own laundry detergent.   This is a huge money
   saver.  You can read about how to do this here.

#32 -Practice piano 15 minutes a day.
This is one of the things I'm happy I've been able to stick with.
Truth be known, I don't practice every day.  In fact, I got pretty
lazy over the summer.  But I've kept at it and it surprises me how
just 15 or 20 minutes a day can make a difference.  I've improved
a lot since the first time I recorded myself in 2010.  Now I'm working
on learning simplified versions of the primary songs and that's what
I've really been wanting to learn all along.

I think I've improved, don't you?

#33- Take a vacation with Mark.
Don't even get me started on this one.  If nothing else this goal
has taught me that it's probably not a good idea to set goals for
yourself that involve another person's agency.
#34- Start beekeeping.
We started with a couple of hives.

I learned some things...mostly what not to do.

The bees all died in the winter

and now we're trying again.  After some bee classes and lots of 

reading, I'm praying we will have better success this year.

#35- Keep a gratitude journal.

This is one of my favorite goals.  You can read about how I got

started here and a few of my posts about my journal here and here.

#36- Completely organize each room  

        in my house.

I did get some things organized, but I'm not sure it's really possible

to get every room organized, because by the time I get finished the 

first projects need to be done again.  I need a smaller house and less

stuff and maybe I could get a handle on this.  Some things do look a 

lot better around here though.  I got the book shelves organized,

my bathroom drawers cleaned and organized,

and this coat closet.

# 37- Write 50 letters of

          encouragement.

This might seem like a strange goal, but I have received some of 

the nicest notes from people and they always lift and encourage

me.  I wanted to do the same for others.  So this year my mailbox

philanthropy has included notes to family and friends, to children

I sponsor in India and Guatemala, to speakers who've given great

talks, to missionaries serving in the field, to primary leaders

throughout the stake, to children who are accomplishing good 

work at school and at church and just about anyone else who I

think might benefit from a kind and encouraging word.  It's really 

a small thing that can make a big difference.

#38- Attend four cultural events.

Here are some of my favorites.  The Durango Bluegrass 

Meltdown where I heard my boys play.

Young Ambassadors performance at UNCA.

Rootabaga Stories at Carl Sandburg House.

National Underground Railroad Museum in Cincinnati.

Hairspray at Flat Rock Playhouse.

#39- Make healthy bread.

It took me a while to get started on this one, but once I did, I stopped

buying bread in the store.  Now it's a habit to bake bread a couple of 

times a month.  Homemade bread is so much better than anything you 

can buy in the store, healthier and less expensive.  I guess I should have

included this one under #31 too.  I'm saving money by not buying bread.

#40- Try new restaurants in Asheville

      with Travis.

When I started this Travis was living in Asheville and it was a great way

to meet up with him and try some new restaurants at the same time. We 

kept our monthly lunch date until he moved back to Hendersonville.  

During that time I was introduced to some great restaurants.  It was tasty

and lots of fun.  We had Indian food at Mela,

Sushi here,

the best BBQ ever at 12 Bones and

this over the top delicious, chocolate cake at the Chocolate Lounge.

French Broad Chocolates has been my favorite new food discovery

this past year.  Whenever I want to buy chocolates for my husband for

a special occasion, I brave the traffic and parking problems in downtown

Asheville to get to French Broad to hand pick the best chocolates we've 

ever had.  And I've had some pretty good chocolate.  Just looking at this

picture is making me want chocolate so badly!!!  It's a good thing this

shop isn't just around the corner.  I would be tempted to go and get a slice

right now!!!

*MYOF Goals #31-40

MYOF Goals # 21-30

# 21 - Knit a scarf

I started knitting this scarf early in the year and decided I was bored with

it.  I wanted to do something different.  This is a basic garter stitch and I 

already knew how to do this.  I felt like I needed to build on my skills and

try something new.  I wanted a challenge.  That's when I decided to take a 

knitting class.

I enjoyed meeting these nice ladies and learned quite a bit.  I posted a

about my classes here.  The class project was a sampler scarf.  Each 

square would teach new stitches and patterns, so theoretically, by the

time you finished you would have learned a lot of new things.

Problem was, the classes didn't last long enough for me.  I'm slow.

After the classes were over, I would try to keep knitting, but whenever

I messed up (which was fairly often), I would get frustrated and just

put it away...for a month, or more.  I didn't know how to fix my mistakes.

Then I found a neighbor who knits and after a few visits to her house

I'm back on the scarf.  I was tempted to just scrap the whole thing and 

start something new, but she encouraged me to finish it.  She did make

me feel better when she told me I had chosen a difficult project for a 

beginner.  But with her help, I think I will finish it.  Isn't it a lovely color?

And it's so soft.  The first two blocks are garter stitch and stockinette.

Next square is a diamond brocade.  It's kind of hard to see the pattern

here.  And there are mistakes, so don't look too closely.

Double seed stitch is the next one.

 I'm finishing up Little Shell stitch now. This one's been really hard

and I'll be glad to get it finished.  I have four more blocks to go and this

project will be completed.  My neighbor has already given me patterns

for two other things to make which she assures me will be much easier. 

But we both agreed I had to finish this scarf first.

#22- Study the New Testament

 I studied the New Testament throughout the year.  I spent a lot of 

time in the gospels, using this commentary.  I also did an in depth

study of Ephesians and 1 John, which I loved.  The New Testament

stories really came alive when I traveled to the Holy Land.  I will

never read the scriptures the same way again.

#23 - Try 50 new recipes.

Finally a chance to try out some of the recipes I've had clipped and

stored away in my binders.  This was a tasty goal.

New Recipes

1- Pizza Dough and Sauce

2-Chocolate Cream Pie

3- Baked Tortellini with Bacon

4- Baked Ziti with Gorgonzola and Spinach

5- Balsamic Vinagrette

6- Broccoli and Bow Tie Pasta

7- Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies

8- Hand held Cherry Pies

9- Black Bean Chili

10- Mexican Cornbread

11- Steel Cut Oats

12- Garden Vegetable Pasta Sauce

13- Ravioli

14- Easter Lemon Cake

15- Hot Cross Buns

16- Turkey Tetrazzini

17- Tomato Florentine Soup

18- Easy Creamed Spinach

19- Lemon Poppy Seed Vinagrette for Spinach Salad with Strawberries

20- Sweet and Sour Asian Wraps

21- Asparagus Soup

22- Asparagus Pasta

23- Balsamic Strawberries with Whipped Mascarpone

24- Sweet and Sour Cabbage

25- Peach Smoothie

26- Squash Casserole

27- Fettuccine with Peas, Asparagus and Pancetta

28-Tuscan pot roast

29-One Bowl Chocolate Cake

30-Pork Tenderloin in Slow Cooker

31-Sweet Sesame Chicken

32- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

33- Spinach Frittata with Green Salad

34- Penne with Artichokes and Feta

35- Chocolate Pudding

36- Black Bean Cakes

37- Sweet and Sour Tuna

38-  Tomato Lentil Soup

39- Jeanne's Pita Bread

40- Red Velvet Cake

41- Broccoli Salad

42-Sweet and Sour Red Cabbage

43-Chocolate Ice Cream Soda

44-Stove Top Lasagne

45-Orange Beef

46-Jessica's Salsa

47-Cindy's Molasses Cookies

48-Quinoa Breakfast Cereal

49-Guacomole Salad

50-Cowboy Cookies

#24- Attend the temple each month.

My trips to the temple help me start each month focused on things

that matter most.  Some months I went by myself, but more often I

had a friend or two go along with me.  We had lots of time to visit 

on our trips back and forth to Columbia. I've found that like most

things that are important, I have to work to make this one happen.

And here's my trick- put it on the calendar at the beginning of the

year.  I go the first Wednesday of each month.  If I start playing 

around with my date, it's too easy to let other things get in the way.

So far this has worked for me.

#25- Travel to Israel

What can I say?  This is one of the best travel experiences I have ever

had.  I loved everything about it. The sights, sounds, tastes and company

were all superb.  I learned so much and had incredible spiritual experiences

walking where Jesus walked.  Can't say enough good things about this one.

I blogged about it for 12 posts!!  You can start reading about it here.

#26- Improve my photography skills.

I think I have definitely improved, simply because I take so many

pictures now.  I try to capture life on camera.   I'm learning from 

experience what works and what doesn't.  I'm learning more about 

light and how to use it to my advantage.  But I still want to take a class

and really learn how to use my camera.  Maybe this year.

#27- Organize photos.

Oh man.  I need help. I have such a mess of pictures and I don't even

know where to start.  Have you ever had a project like that?  I mean, 

I just can't even make myself pull them out and get organized.  I really

have to do this though.  It's only going to get worse the longer I wait. 

With all the digital photos I take, I also need to figure out what to do

with the ones on my computer.  I have 16,000 pictures on my computer

right now and probably half that many in boxes in my basement. I'm

open to ideas from anyone on how to get a handle on my photos.

#28- Visit Dillon and Jantzen in

         Colorado.

This was a fun trip.  I got to see where my boys live and hear

them make music.

#29- Take stairs instead of elevators.

Sometimes I do, sometimes I forget.  It's a good goal though- 

a few extra steps in the day never hurt.

#30- Organize personal documents.

Ugh, no.  This one is right there with organizing my photos.  It's a little

overwhelming and doesn't fall into the "I'm just dying to do it" catagory.

But yes, I need to do it.  And yes, I will try to make it happen this year.

*MYOF Goals # 21-30

MYOF Goals #11 - 20

Here's the next ten....
#11 - Learn how to make pasta.
I had a pasta party for my 50th birthday.  You can read about it here.

It was so much fun!!!

#12- Nurture relationships with 

         extended family.

When your family doesn't live close to you, and even when they do, 

it takes a real effort to continue to build relationships with each other.

Life is so busy and if we don't intentionally make it a priority to spend

time with our families, months can go by without seeing each other.

I didn't want that to happen.  So, I tried to take every opportunity

that presented itself and looking back over the year, I realize I didn't

do so badly.  But this is one of those goals that I plan to carry into my 

new year and I already have some ideas on how to improve.

Time spent in the temple with Mom and Dad Wray

Visits with my great niece, Abbie

Partying with my sisters

Visits with Dad and Yvonne

Family Reunion- Sturdivant Family

Family Reunion - Wray Family

Lots of great memories are made around tables.

Trip to Israel with Sherri

Making Gingerbread Houses

Christmas party

Having lunch with my brother, Charles

Going to "bee" school with Mom and Dad Wray

Friends of the Library book sale with Cindy

I'm so grateful for the memories...

#13- Learn middle east geography.

You probably think this is a strange goal.  But I'll be the first to admit

that I didn't learn a lot of geography in school and I hate to hear about

a country and have no idea where it is.  I have a globe that I keep 

handy and of course you can "google" anything these days so it's 

easier to find a location quickly.  I tried to learn about those middle 

eastern countries that make the daily news and I feel much better now

that I can tell you where Yemen, Syria and Oman are located.  The 

best education is experiencing a culture first hand, and I was blessed

with that opportunity when I visited the Holy Land.

#14- Begin each day with scripture

         and prayer.

This goal has helped to establish a habit that reaps more benefits than

maybe any other.  I need Heavenly Father's guidance and help through

out my day.  It doesn't matter what I have going on any particular day,

if I take the time to strengthen myself by reading and studying the 

scriptures and in prayer, I'm going to be more effective.  I may not

be able to handle things too well on my own, but with the Lord's 

help, I can take on most anything.  I have a regular appointment each

morning right here in this chair.  This is my time to meet with the 

Lord and learn from him.  He comes first in my day.

One of the things I liked best this year was participating in an online

bible study on the book of 1 John.  You can read details about that here.

I just completed another study on the book of Ephesians.  

#15 - Improve technology skills.

I guess the fact that I am blogging right now means I learned something.

I had no idea how to blog a year ago and even though I'm doing it at a 

minimal level, I am doing it!  I have some new ideas I want to implement

soon.  I've also become a little smarter in using my "smart phone".  Still

have tons I can learn though.

#16- Exercise 50 minutes a day 5

         days a week.

Yes!  I have maintained a regular exercise schedule.  I haven't 

exercised fifty minutes every day- some days less, some days more.

But the time isn't as important as establishing the habit.  I am healthier

now than I was at 49.  I can climb mountains easier (including my 

driveway), I can jog a little (which I could never do before) and 

I actually try hard not to miss a day.  I like the way I feel when I

exercise.  Now that is an accomplishment.  I even want to run a 

5K this next year.  Can you believe it?  Me, the girl who didn't like

exercise?  Oh and the best part is - I can eat more when I exercise

and that makes me happy.

#17- Take a dance class.

I had envisioned taking a ballet class or maybe ballroom dancing 

when I wrote this one.   Nothing like that happened, but you know

what?  I'm going to count that Zumba class that I took with Sherri

as my dance class.  That was definitely an education for me.

 #18 - Work on monthly storage and

           preparedness goals.

I had plans of coming up with a nice checklist of items that I would work

on each month to help keep up with my storage and preparedness goals.

That didn't happen.  But I did work on a lot of things and I've decided that

I'm counting this one because this goal has basically become a way of 

life for me.  It's part of provident living and I think about it all the time.

When I'm gardening,

 canning,

baking bread, 

shopping,

and updating my 72 hour kits.

#19- Learn to identify birds at my

         feeders.

This is a nuthatch.

I've seen chickadees, goldfinch, titmouse, red bellied woodpeckers

and even pileated woodpeckers at the feeders. Mourning doves pick

up what the feeder birds drop on the ground.  We have bluebirds in

the boxes and I'm getting ready to put out the hummingbird feeders.

I love watching birds.  I think I learned that from watching them 

with my grandma.  She always had her feeders full and no matter

which room of her house you were in, you could look out a window

and see a bird feeder full of happy birds.

#20- Walk on a beach.

Walking on a beach is one of the most peaceful activities I know.

My soul needs it from time to time.  This year I walked on a beach

in Michigan.  The water was cold!

On the Sea of Galilee,

on the Mediterranean Sea,

on the Dead Sea ( I not only walked on this one, I bobbed around in

it too),

and the Red Sea.  So blessed!!!

 *MYOF Goals 11-20