12 New Things

I was really trying to stay on my Summer blog break into September and wasn't even feeling inspired to post, but then I saw Sarah Mae's 12 New Things at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee.  I definitely need to join in!  The point is to learn new skills - one a month for the next 12 months.

I thought I would come up with something immediately, but it turns out that I am already quite good at the skill of eating chocolate.  :)  Actually, I was pleasantly surprised to realize that through my blog in the past year I already worked on and accomplished learning several new skills!  I created a special grocery list, organized my recipes, made yogurt and peanut butter, ate from the pantry, started reading 12 books in 12 months, stopped using shampoo, and more!  But I did manage to come up with 12 more things to work on, and none of them involve chocolate...yet.

August:   Come up with another 12 books in 12 months list.  I started last September and I'm behind but trying to catch up!  I think it's a good pace for me though.  And hey - I'm reading!

September:  Write some articles to submit to magazines.  I talk about it, think about it, dream about it, but never actually do it.  So this is my chance!  And I figure this is an easier way to start than writing a book.

October:  Take up jogging.  Ugh.  I don't necessarily plan to keep doing it long-term, but I think it's a quicker way to get in shape than some of the exercise I'm doing.  Good for the heart too!  I can get some good old Vitamin D from the sun at the same time.

November:  Make my own pie crust.  I have NEVER made pie crust except for maybe in home ec waaaaayyy back in school.  Have always used Pillsbury refrigerated crust or a frozen prepared crust.

December:  Make meringue cookies.  I've always wanted to try this and have a few recipes already.  If I succeed, they can be included in Christmas gifts!

January:  Improve piano playing skills.  I'm not very good as I left off with lessons about...oh...30 years ago - LOL!  I have a piano theory book to work on and plenty of songs to work on.

February:  Crocheting.  I did make an afghan a few years ago and started another one.  I need to figure out how to do it again so I can finish that afghan.  I would also like to try making crocheted bracelets that a friend of mine made - they are SO cute!

March:  Typing.  I can't touch-type.  I learned when I was a kid, but never used it back then.  So I have my own hunt & peck method, but I would be MUCH faster if I put my hands in the right place and didn't have to constantly look at the keyboard.  My son has typing software, so I'll just use that - it worked for him!  He was typing almost 50 words a minute by the end of 5th grade.

April:  Learn conversational German.  No good reason for this other than I'm part German and my sis is living in Germany right now and I can dream of taking a trip there, right?  We already own a set of lessons that we can listen to in the car and we'll probably be taking a long car trip in April so we can all learn the German!

May:  Make jewelry.  Not sure how I will do at this, but I love all the creations I see on Etsy.  I will attempt at least a bracelet.

June:  Make espresso.  I let hubs do this and have refused to learn so far.  I shall try to learn all the particulars like the right grind, timing etc. so I can make myself iced lattes galore.  :)

July:  Make sourdough bread.  This seems intimidating because of making the starter first, but I love sourdough and it's a great bread to eat.

That's it!  Whew.  We'll see how I do!  I also want to give myself a list of 12 projects that need to be done in the next 12 months (maybe I should have listed *Project Completion* as a new skill to learn - heh,heh).  Then, on the side of my blog each month - I'll put the new skill I'm working on, the project I'm finishing, and the book I'm reading.  I'm excited to try this out!

What skills do you want to learn or grow in?  Write them up and link up at Like a Warm Cup of Coffee!  Or leave me some skills in the comments.

Thanks for sticking with my blog my friends - even though I took the Summer off.  I do appreciate you!

Have a marvelous day!!