3 in 30 - January Goals & Check in #1 & #2

This month for the 3 in 30 challenge I'm working on the following three goals:

1. Start working on and continue hobbies:

- Try at least one new recipe per week. 

During the first two weeks of January, I have been trying to use up what is on hand in the refrigerator, cupboards, and freezer. My goal is to gradually transition to a real foods/whole foods diet this year using the Get Real weekly plan.

One of the recipes I tried this week as a way to use up what was on hand was oven-baked fish from my Betty Crocker cookbook. The fish fillets were covered with an equal mixture of cornmeal and crushed corn flakes; and seasoned with salt, pepper, onion flakes, and dill weed. They were baked in a 500 degree oven for 15 minutes. Everyone liked the recipe.

- Write in my nature journal at least once a week.

After a long break of not writing in my nature journal, I started again on January 4th. I wrote about what I saw and felt on a walk with Sophia, Olivia, and the dogs (Montague and Gretel).

I will be writing again on January 12th since January 11th we spent the majority of the day at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (see below for more information).

- Continue keeping some form of a daily/weekly journal.

Since January 1st, I have been writing two pages each morning in my journal like I use to when I did The Artist's Way in 2003 or 2004. I plan to re-read The Artist's Way and follow the weekly activities that the author recommends.

- Grow African violets. Get first one on the anniversary of Dad’s death.

On January 5th, Sophia and I picked out three African violets in memory of my Dad. We picked out two ruffle-edge African violets and one that has plain edges.

Three African violet plants on the kitchen window sill.

When I was a child, my Dad had quite a few African violets that were either growing under lights in the basement when we lived in Minneapolis, or in the east-facing windows when we moved to Plymouth. I remember the care he took in making sure that no water touched the soft leaves of the African violets (otherwise they would get brown spots).

I like having the bright color in the kitchen on the window sill; and seeing them each time I'm preparing meals, washing dishes, or coming in and out of the door leading outside.

2. Do 4 interesting and/or memorable homeschooling activities this month that aren't part of the core curriculum.

=> See the Terracotta Warriors exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. 

On January 11th, Sophia, Olivia, and I went to see the Terracotta Warriors - the special exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Unfortunately, pictures couldn't be taken in the exhibit - only outside where there were a few replicas or smaller versions of what was found in the emperor's tomb.

Olivia standing by four horses and chariot.

It is a smaller version of what was found in China's first emperor's burial tomb.

The terracotta army was discovered in 1974; later, Chinese archaeologists excavated three pits containing more than 7,000 terracotta warriors with horses and chariots, all designed to protect the First Emperor in the afterlife.

Replica of one of the warriors.

His tomb was an elaborate subterranean palace, a parallel world that would enable his rule after his death.

This was another set of horses with a chariot.

We spent the majority of our time in the Asian/Eastern Hemisphere section of the museum. Because Sophia is studying the Eastern Hemisphere this year, the art that we were seeing complemented what we had been reading.

One of the pieces that we were all fascinated by was the Yamantaka Mandala created by Tibetan Buddhist monks. It was created to honor the 1.2 million Tibetans who have lost their lives to political/religious persecution during this century.

Sophia looking at a mandala made by Buddhist monks.

Normally the sand mandalas aren't preserved, but this one was thanks to a special process and materials used.

In a book that we just started reading (Daughter of the Mountains), there were mentions about a prayer wheel that Buddhists use.

As we were looking around at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, sure enough - there was a prayer wheel. It was interesting to see an example of one close up and bring to life an aspect of the book that we had been reading.

Buddhist prayer wheel.

After our visit to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, we headed over to United Noodles which is in a different part of Minneapolis. It is the largest Asian grocery store in the Midwest.

Sophia and Olivia at UniDeli - the deli at United Noodles.

We had some California rolls from the deli. They were very good.

California rolls from UniDeli.

=> Watch one movie from the American Film Institute's Top 100 Funny Movies.

This year I picked 12 movies to watch from the list, starting at #1 and moving my way down the list. I thought it may be fun for Sophia and Olivia to watch these as well so that when someone references them, they know what they are talking about and can comment about the movie as well.

So, Some Like It Hot is the first movie on the list that I've never watched. It has Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis in it; and was released in 1959. I checked it out of the library and have it at home. We'll be watching it this weekend.

=> Watch one movie that has received an Academy Award for Best Picture.

This list goes back to 1928 and has quite a few movies that I haven't seen yet. The first one is called Wings and received an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1928.

The story is about two young men who fall in love with the same same girl. After the United States enters WWI, both join the Air Corps and become aces. They remain friends, but the relation to the girl threatens their friendship.

Since I have never watched this movie, I'm not sure if it is appropriate for them. The IMDb (Internet Movie Database) gave Wings a PG-13 rating because of violence. I don't let Sophia and Olivia watch PG-13 movies, so I'm not sure yet that this one would be appropriate. (Though it probably pales in comparison to what is out there these days on PG-13 movies.)

The Best Picture category is considered the most important of the Academy Awards, because it represents all the directing, acting, music composing, writing, editing and other efforts put forth into a film. For this reason, I am hoping that Wings is one that the girls can watch. I'm still waiting to receive the movie from another library in the MN-LINK system (it is coming from another library out of the county that I live in).

=> Visit the ice castle at Mall of America.

Olivia wants to see the ice castle that was created at the Mall of America. There has been rain this week which has been unusual for January - so we will see the condition of the ice castle next week when we go there. Hopefully, it will still be as impressive as it looks in pictures.

3. Volunteer with seniors twice during January.

The girls and I attended a volunteer training session at a local care center at the end of December. We have looked over the scheduled activities as well as thought of ones that we would be interested in doing (e.g., painting, cooking/baking, gardening, bird watching/caring for the wild birds).

Our next step is to contact the Volunteer Coordinator and let her know what days we would like to volunteer and what we will be doing. During January, we are thinking of doing a session with painting and doing an indoor picnic. 

Embroidery Journal Project - November

During November I worked on the 11th quilt square for the Embroidery Journal Project that I've been doing this year. Each month I've embroidered a different design based on things that happened during the month. By the end of 2012 I will have twelve 12"x12" squares that I can make into a quilt that represent the year.

My November quilt square.

The focus for the majority of the month was on Thanksgiving. Although I had good intentions of doing something daily with Sophia and Olivia, it didn't work out that way.

We ended up doing quite a few Thanksgiving-theme activities the week of Thanksgiving instead. I feel like that was more than sufficient and not as overwhelming as trying to do something daily during the month.

Embroidered turkey to represent Thanksgiving.

We hosted dinner here at the farm as has been the tradition since 1995. This was the second Thanksgiving that Dad has not been here. Last year, in 2011, he was at the nursing home in the advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease. There was no way to safely transport him to the farm nor did we have the nursing staff needed to help him. This year marked the first Thanksgiving since his death.

Coupled with the absence of Dad, was the absence of Mom who was sick and unable to make it. It felt strange not to have both parents there for the holiday.

One of the highlights of Thanksgiving Day was seeing a beautiful red cardinal at the feeder and bird bath in the backyard. I haven't seen the male cardinal for the longest time, and there he arrived on Thanksgiving while I was in the kitchen making food for dinner.

He stayed for most of the afternoon, eating food with the sparrows, goldfinches, and other small birds. He drank water from the bird bath. Dad loved cardinals, so it reminded me of him and gave me comfort knowing that his love of birds has been passed on to me and onto Sophia and Olivia.

Embroidered male cardinal.

Another interesting thing happened during the week or so prior to Thanksgiving: the Christmas cactus that Dad gave me more than a decade ago began to show its pink buds. It never buds this early - it is always around Christmas time when it happens.

Embroidered buds and flowers 

on the Christmas cactus.

On Thanksgiving Day, one of the flowers opened on the left-hand side of the plant. It was beautiful with many different shades of pink. It was the single bloom for the day. There have been many more blooms over the Thanksgiving weekend.

The other curious thing is that there is a plant on the counter near the Christmas cactus that is a succulent/cacti type plant. About 7 or 8 years ago, I purchased it for 99 cents so Sophia could use it as well as other cacti in an arrangement for the county fair. 

This plant now has grown into a small tree, and right before Thanksgiving began showing little pink buds. By Thanksgiving, the entire tree was in full bloom with tiny, pink flowers. It has never done this before. It was a complete - and pleasant - surprise that it even would have flowers. 

Back to the quilt square...on the planter there are two images:

=> Chalice - to represent the ten-month program I'm doing called Wellspring through the UU church. This program has been incredibly inspiring and educational; and I'm thankful that I'm doing it this year.

=> Cross with Deacon Stole - to represent the 808-page book that I completed in early-November after working on it for the entire year. 

The book includes all of Dad's homilies, prayers, and invocations; some of the writing and his journal he kept while he was going through the Permanent Diaconite program; newsletters that he wrote; and items I posted on CaringBridge that reflected what he believed as well as the impact that he had on literally thousands of people throughout his life. 

It was a lot of work; and well worth the effort involved.

Next month marks the completion of the Embroidery Journal Project. I'm happy that I'm doing this project and will have something positive to remember what has been one of the most difficult years of my life.

Homeschool Mother's Journal - July 6th

In my life this past week…it was my birthday, Sophia's 11 1/2 year old birthday, and the Fourth of July.

In our homeschool this week…we have been concentrating on finishing 4-H projects for the county fair that begins next week. Sophia has been doing projects about cost comparisons at four stores of 18 different frequently-purchased items. It's been interesting to see the price differences between the same product at different stores.

She also is working on other projects: geocaching, hedgehog (for the pet project), cats, and equine vaulting (for the horse project).

Olivia has two projects left this week - finishing her quilt; and making six more recipes and taking pictures of the completed food for her food scrapbook.

Olivia is putting the squares in order 

for each row of her quilt.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…Sophia, Olivia, and I have been enjoying the naturalist-led programs at the state parks that are near us. Yesterday (July 5th), we learned about Minnesota geology and the glacial potholes that were left during the last ice age.

These programs are free and such a valuable resource to homeschooling. It seems like they are a hidden treasure that few people know about. They're definitely worth checking out!

I am inspired by…nature. During June, we raised a couple monarch caterpillars that we found on the milkweed in the backyard. The caterpillars transformed themselves into butterflies and hatched on June 28th and 29th.

This was the first butterfly that hatched. 

The caterpillar is one that Olivia found. 

This one stayed around for a bit, sunning itself 

on the leaves of a tree by the driveway.

Seeing butterflies, birds, and other wildlife up close always is inspiring to me.

This is the second butterfly that was born and released 

on my birthday. Olivia is holding it.

It stayed around for a while and crawled from 

Olivia's hand to Sophia's hand, and 

then my hand before flying away.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…during the upcoming week, there's piano lessons, percussion lessons, the county fair where the girls bring in their projects, equine vaulting, Sophia's audition at the county fair with her harp ensemble, and a naturalist-led program at a nearby state park.


My favorite thing this week was…adopting a hedgehog. The breeder, who lives in South Dakota, was driving through the Twin Cities. We met her at a location about 45 minutes from home at 9:00 p.m. This is the time that hedgehogs wake up since they are nocturnal animals. 

Sophia holding 8-week old Phoenix.

He's bigger than we thought he'd be, so we're not quite sure of his final adult size. Phoenix is inquisitive, active (at night), and friendly. He likes eating his food and trying treats - his favorite treat so far are apple pieces. He doesn't like mealworms or celery. 

Right now Phoenix has all his baby quills. Within the next month, he'll be growing in adult quills, which is like teething in children - except all over one's body. It's not a pleasant experience by any stretch of the imagination.

What’s working/not working for us…I still have not ordered the Sonlight curriculum for the upcoming year. I'm using two components: the science curriculum and the history/geography/literature component that is focused on the eastern hemisphere. 

Until I receive that, I am waiting to do planning for the upcoming school year. With only a couple months left until the 2012-13 school year, this has to become a priority during the upcoming week. 

Things I’m working on…cleaning and de-cluttering the home. My goal is to get everything done by September when I begin a nine-month spiritual-growth program. There's going to be a lot of reading, reflection, writing, activities, and meetings - so I want the home as organized as possible.

I’m reading…a couple of books now: Laura Ingalls Wilder's Prairie Wisdom by Yvonne Pope; and The Good Among the Great - 19 Traits of the Most Admirable, Creative, and Joyous People by Donald Van de Mark.

I’m cooking…with Olivia who needs to do a few more recipes in her Five in a Row Cookbook before entering it in the county fair as a 4-H project. She's made many recipes in the book this year, and certainly has gained a lot of skill in the kitchen. It's been fun to be able to cook with her one-on-one.

Olivia is learning how to make a grilled cheese and ham sandwich.

It is one of the recipes that's in the Five in a Row Cookbook.

I’m grateful for…getting two free flats of tomatoes from Fare for All to can. The Fare for All program is a great resource for stretching one's food budget. I took my mom to the warehouse where there is a wide selection of affordable food and an ever-changing selection of free food. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…This is a quote from Laura Ingalls Wilder who wrote for a Mansfield, Missouri, regional newspaper about twenty years before she wrote the Little House series. 

"The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes, and 

surely it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies."

Fear Versus Living with Purpose

When I was younger I had some irrational fears - like the fear of clouds falling me.

Clouds in December - 

looking west as the sun set.

As I get older, one "fear" seems to be persistent and never goes away: the fear of wasting my life.

I'm only given one life (as is everyone else) and I don't want to be old and look back on my life thinking that I didn't use it well.

When I think of the collective hours that I sat in front of the t.v. during my childhood, I think of the hours I will never get back. That being said, I also had a very active childhood with after-school activities and weekend activities almost every night (e.g., Brownies/Girl Scouts, 4-H, dance, piano lessons, CCD [religious education], swimming lessons, volleyball in junior high, Medical Explorer Post, Junior Achievement).

Not all the activities happened each week - some were seasonal that I did each year while others were only for a specific time period (e.g., once a month for one school year). There was also plenty of time to ride my bike; play in the woods and make fort houses; swim in the lake; and take the row boat out around the island.

As an adult, what I want is to create and live a life filled with meaning...with positive impact on people in need, animals, and the environment. I want to know that the activities that I do (at least the majority of them) have some sort of significance. That things that I do matter - either to myself or to others.


So, perhaps, the question for me isn't as much "What do you fear?" as it is "How can you live your life with purpose so your life isn't wasted?"

In that way, I am taking a more proactive, positive direction with what I've been given: life. It's the desire that my life to count for something meaningful and have some positive legacy. 


Beginning in September, I'll be participating in a nine-month program called Wellspring. One of my goals in that program is to gain a clearer picture of what I want to do with the balance of my life - determine my true calling and purpose in life; and set goals to reach that point.


By being even more purposeful with my time, it will positively affect Sophia and Olivia. I'm hoping that this upcoming year they too will be inspired to be more focused and set goals for their life.


Living in fear isn't healthy. Living with purpose is. And that's the life I want to lead.