Review

As 2007 rushes in, it is time to take a moment and review my goals for 2006 (or as I liked to call it 31 in 31) before I announce my latest venture. Last year, I made the list and set to work accomplishing my list of goals! I’m happy to report that I had a 64% success rate with only 11 items not completed (though I do think I should really say 10 items not completed since I did try my hardest to do NaNoMo!).

1. Read 31 books
2. Read Ulysses
3. Read the entire Bible
4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project
5. Knit down stash
6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program
7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday
8. Take a photo a day
9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon I'm changing this goal to "Finish The Artist's Way"
10. Do a Tri (Did the Danskin!)
11. Learn the butterfly stroke
12. Learn to Dive
13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)
14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)
15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight
16. Find someone special through dating
17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby (kickball!)
18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel
19. Once a week, take one small risk
20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish
21. Volunteer
22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays
23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars
24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day
25. Organize my CD collection
26. FRAME the darn cat poster
27. Learn to cook one difficult dish
28. Get an iPod
29. Save Money
30. Learn how to make proper pie crust
31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere

Now I’m happy to announce that I’ll be doing 101 in 1001 and you will be able to track my progress here. This is a much longer list with a much longer timeframe and I can’t wait to tackle it! Wish me luck!

Month Six, Seven and Eight Late Check-In

The List:

1. Read 31 books

2. Read Ulysses

I started reading Ulysses and I’m struggling through but I’m dedicated!

3. Read the entire Bible

The Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

The New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project

I have knit 13 items, which means I need to pump out at least one more.

5. Knit down stash

I'm knitting it down!

6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program

7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday

I've been slacking here!.

8. Take a photo a day

Everyday, a new photo

9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon I'm changing this goal to "Finish The Artist's Way"

10. Do a Tri (Did the Danskin!)

11. Learn the butterfly stroke

Need to do this!

12. Learn to Dive

Not yet

13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)

I have no idea where I am in this goal. I stopped keeping track! Yikes!

14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)

3,800 crunches, I’ve lost count and have no idea what I’m really at since I am not doing them regularly!

15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight

Working, working, working on this!

16. Find someone special through dating

Yes, Julie, I’m working on this!

17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby (kickball!)

18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel

October will be spent planning the novel and working on the outline.

19. Once a week, take one small risk

Doing it!

20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish

I started a book but need to finish it.

21. Volunteer

22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays

Getting it done every month

23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars

Not yet

24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day

25. Organize my CD collection

26. FRAME the darn cat poster

Not yet

27. Learn to cook one difficult dish (Our Chef at work is going to provide me with recipes for Duck Confit and Cassoulet -- CHALLENGING!)

Not yet

28. Get an iPod

29. Save Money

Working hard at this goal

30. Learn how to make proper pie crust

31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere

Month Five Late Check-In

The List:

1. Read 31 books

I've already read 26 books or 83% complete!

2. Read Ulysses

I started reading Ulysses and I’m struggling through but I’m dedicated!

3. Read the entire Bible

The Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

The New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project

I have knit 12 items and am 85% done with this goal.

5. Knit down stash

I'm knitting it down!

6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program

I’ve ordered the supplies and will start as soon as I receive the information.

7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday

I've been participating every Friday.

8. Take a photo a day

Everyday, a new photo

9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon I'm changing this goal to "Finish The Artist's Way"

10. Do a Tri

Danskin in August!

11. Learn the butterfly stroke

Working on it!

12. Learn to Dive

Not yet

13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)

95 miles so far and I feel as if I’ve abandoned this goal even though I am still running.

14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)

3,800 crunches, I’ve lost count and have no idea what I’m really at since I am not doing them regularly!

15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight

Working, working, working on this!

16. Find someone special through dating

I’m working on this.

17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby

18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel

It's not November yet!

19. Once a week, take one small risk

Every week, I push myself to take that risk.

20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish

Not yet

21. Volunteer

22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays

Getting it done every month

23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars

Not yet

24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day

25. Organize my CD collection

26. FRAME the darn cat poster

Not yet

27. Learn to cook one difficult dish (Our Chef at work is going to provide me with recipes for Duck Confit and Cassoulet -- CHALLENGING!)

Not yet

28. Get an iPod

29. Save Money

Working hard at this goal

30. Learn how to make proper pie crust

31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere

Month Four Check-In

The List:

1. Read 31 books

I've already read 18 books or 58% complete!

2. Read Ulysses

I started reading Ulysses and while I put it aside for awhile, I'll be picking it back up soon.

3. Read the entire Bible

The Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

The New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project

I have knit 9 items and am 54% done with this goal.

5. Knit down stash

I'm working it down!

6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program

This will be a second half project.

7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday

I've been participating every Friday.

8. Take a photo a day

Everyday, a new photo

9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon I'm changing this goal to "Finish The Artist's Way"

10. Do a Tri

Danskin in August!

11. Learn the butterfly stroke

Not yet

12. Learn to Dive

Not yet

13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)

95 miles so far, so I'm still a bit behind!

14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)

3,800 crunches, I'm 3000 crunches behind! UGHHH!

15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight

Working, working, working on this!

16. Find someone special through dating

I'm working to get back in the game!

17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby

KICKBALL! Chuck Norris!



18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel

It's not November yet!

19. Once a week, take one small risk

Everyweek, I push myself to take that risk.

20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish

Not yet

21. Volunteer

Not yet

22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays

May still needs to be done but I'll get it done!

23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars

Not yet

24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day

25. Organize my CD collection

26. FRAME the darn cat poster

Not yet

27. Learn to cook one difficult dish (Our Chef at work is going to provide me with recipes for Duck Confit and Cassoulet -- CHALLENGING!)

Not yet

28. Get an iPod

29. Save Money

Working hard at this goal

30. Learn how to make proper pie crust

31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere

Month Three Check In

The List:

1. Read 31 books

I've already read 13 books or 41.9% complete!

2. Read Ulysses

I started reading Ulysses and it is intriguing so far, complex but intriguing.

3. Read the entire Bible

The Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

The New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project

I have knit 7 items and am 50% done with this goal.

5. Knit down stash

My new One Skein book is helping me use up that stash!

6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program

This will be a second half project.

7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday

I've been participating every Friday.

8. Take a photo a day

Everyday, a new photo

9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon I'm changing this goal to "Finish The Artist's Way"

Artist's Way Reflections -- I'm so glad that I took this journey and I do want to take it again. I was re-awoken to all the creativity within me and around me. I know that if I take the time to write, I will be able to write beautiful things. A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Kat for taking on the responsibility of being the group's leader and she continues by supporting us in our creative journeys by proving us with the Contagious Creativity blog. The blog is full of creative tasks and goals. Some scare me (writing poetry) and some excite me (using poetry as inspiration), but I can't wait to try them all!

10. Do a Tri

Danskin in August!

11. Learn the butterfly stroke

Not yet

12. Learn to Dive

Not yet

13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)

67 miles so far, so I'm 67.4 miles behind!

14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)

3,500 crunches, I'm 1550 crunches behind which means I need to do some serious crunching!

15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight

Working, working, working on this!

16. Find someone special through dating

I've been taking a mini-break on this goal but I'm about ready to get back into the game.

17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby

Not yet

18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel

It's not November yet!

19. Once a week, take one small risk

Everyweek, I push myself to take that risk.

20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish

Not yet

21. Volunteer

Not yet

22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays

April is done! Two birthdays, two cards sent out!

23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars

Not yet

24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day

DONE

25. Organize my CD collection

All downloaded into iTunes and ready to listen too!

26. FRAME the darn cat poster

Not yet

27. Learn to cook one difficult dish (Our Chef at work is going to provide me with recipes for Duck Confit and Cassoulet -- CHALLENGING!)

Not yet

28. Get an iPod

DONE

29. Save Money

Working hard at this goal

30. Learn how to make proper pie crust

DONE and yummy!

31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere

I took a day during my vacation last week to drive to the Ocean and I LOVED it! Next I need to get to Portland and Vancouver.

Month Two Check In

The List:

1. Read 31 books

I've already read 13 books or 41.9% complete!

2. Read Ulysses

I started reading Ulysses this week.

3. Read the entire Bible

The Old Testament
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalms
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi

The New Testament
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts of the Apostles
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation

4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project

I have knit 7 items and am 50% done with this goal.

5. Knit down stash

I'm all about using up my stash!

6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program

This may be a second half project.

7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday

I've been participating every Friday.

8. Take a photo a day

Everyday, a new photo

9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon I'm changing this goal to "Finish The Artist's Way"

I'm currently on Week 11

10. Do a Tri

Danskin in August!

11. Learn the butterfly stroke

Not yet

12. Learn to Dive

Not yet

13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)

57 miles so far, so I'm 48.6 miles behind! Yikes!

14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)

3,300 crunches, I'm 600 crunches behind, but catching up!

15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight

Working on this every day

16. Find someone special through dating

Still looking

17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby

Not yet

18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel

It's not November yet!

19. Once a week, take one small risk

Everyweek, I push myself to take that risk.

20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish

Not yet

21. Volunteer

Not yet

22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays

April is on tap next!

23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars

Not yet

24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day

DONE

25. Organize my CD collection

Near completion!

26. FRAME the darn cat poster

Not yet

27. Learn to cook one difficult dish (Our Chef at work is going to provide me with recipes for Duck Confit and Cassoulet -- CHALLENGING!)

Not yet

28. Get an iPod

DONE

29. Save Money

Working hard at this goal

30. Learn how to make proper pie crust

DONE and yummy!

31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere

Not yet

Making Proper Pie Crust

Tonight, I gathered my materials (culled from careful research) and began making a proper pie crust.



I decided to make this crust by hand and started cutting the fat (chilled shortening and butter) in with a pastry cutter.



Once the dough was mixed, I formed it into a ball and put it in the fridge wrapped in plastic.



Once the dough was chilled enough (two hours or so), I began rolling out the dough on a sili-pat mat.



I then rolled the dough over the rolling pin and placed it into the pie pan.



Since I was making a pie which required a pre-baked crust, I filled the crust with dry beans (you can use pie weights but I didn't have any).



I baked the crust and finished it brushing an egg white over the crust before baking it for a few more moments.



Then I began preparing the filling! I made a Lemon Meringue pie which required a two part baking experience. First I made the lemon filling.



Here is where I had a bit of a slip-up. After making the filling (twice since I burned the first one) I filled the crust with the lemon filling BUT I neglected to let it cool enough before starting the meringue topping. The pie ended up a bit runny but still tasty all the same.



I spread the merigue on the pie and placed it under the broiler for browning.



And then I served the pie to my test subjects (my parents) who gave the crust a hearty thumbs up!



And that is number 3 off the list!

The Official List:

1. Read 31 books
2. Read Ulysses
3. Read the entire Bible
4. Knit 14 items for the Dulaan project
5. Knit down stash
6. Start the Master Hand Knitting, Level 1 Program
7. Focus on Photography by participating in Photo Friday
8. Take a photo a day
9. Run the Vancouver 1/2 marathon
10. Do a Tri
11. Learn the butterfly stroke
12. Learn to Dive
13. Run 500 miles (approx 9.6 miles a week)
14. Do 18,250 crunches (approx. 50 a day)
15. Continue my healthy lifestyle while losing weight
16. Find someone special through dating
17. Take up a Co-Ed Hobby
18. Complete National Novel Writing Month in November by writing a 50,000 word novel
19. Once a week, take one small risk
20. Continue with my Spanish studies by reading at least one book in Spanish
21. Volunteer
22. Proactively celebrate other's birthdays
23. Knit two socks at once on two circulars
24. Do the Polar Bar Swim with Mot on New Year's Day
25. Organize my CD collection
26. FRAME the darn cat poster
27. Learn to cook one difficult dish (Our Chef at work is going to provide me with recipes for Duck Confit and Cassoulet -- CHALLENGING!)
28. Get an iPod
29. Save Money
30. Learn how to make proper pie crust
31. Take a trip somewhere, anywhere