63. Learn Calligraphy

In choosing this goal, I actually thought it was going to be really easy to do.  Turns out, not so much.  Calligraphy isn't like typing, where once you learn to do it, you know how to do it and that's it.  You actually have to learn different styles of font, how to make different strokes, how to use different pens/inks and how to have patience.  I wanted to start learning how to do this because I've always been artsy and I've always had great penmanship.  I practiced using a book and lined paper and eventually got brave enough to go ahead and put my learned skills to the test on my wedding invitations.  Here is a sample of my beginner's calligraphy:

While I was happy with the way they turned out, I also realize that this skill will continue to be developed.  Therefore, the goal of "learn calligraphy" is inevitably an ongoing pursuit.  I will count this as being completed for the purpose of this list, knowing that I will need to refine my skills and keep practicing until I've perfected the techniques.  Eventually I would like to use it in some art work and am looking forward to when I can do that! 

3. Take a Yoga Class

I haven't taken a yoga class since I was in high school and all I remember is that it was challenging and I was sore for about 5 days after...and I was in peak fitness back then!  So to say I was slightly intimidated by the thought of it now, about 16 years later, is an understatement.  That being said, I had to take the bull by the horns and just go for it.  Lucky for me, I have had lots of support from friends during this goal accomplishing time and one of said friends invited me to join her for a class.  Not wanting to put off getting this goal taken care of (and honestly, what better time to start getting in shape than pre-holiday!?), I took her up on the offer! 

I have no idea what the instructor called the type of class we took, but I can tell you it wasn't as bad as I remember it being.  Am I good at it?  Definitely not.  I lack some strength in my arms and core that I could work on to transition thru the poses better.  Am I bad at it?  Definitely not.  But I also don't plan on being a yogi anytime soon so that doesn't really matter.  I guess all that really matters is that I can say I did it and that I would do it again.

A big thanks to Racheal for giving me the motivation to sign up and "get 'er done" and also a big thanks to Monica for letting me talk her into doing it with us!  She was a trooper and I hope she had a good time too!  :)   

24. Grow 3 Vegetables, 25. Grow 3 Herbs

These two goals go together as I did them both at the same time...or better said, attempted to do them at the same time. 

I have a black thumb.  I don't know what exactly I do wrong, every time, but I kill plants, vegetables, herbs and pretty much everything else that is green and grows from the dirt (with the exception of those stinky, ugly red, white and purple flowers you see in the summertime - I'm pretty sure you can't kill them!)   

Knowing this info about myself, this year I decided to try to pick things that would be harder to kill...or at least I thought they would be.  I also have a plan that I don't want to dig up a portion of my yard for a garden if I can't grow anything in a container first.  Makes sense, right?!

So, I planted and harvested the following:

Planter Cherry Tomatoes  - they produced 2-3 actually edible tomatoes before the 100 year flood hit and drowned the plant completely.

One of the lone survivors!

Brussel Sprouts - got them to sprout but never got a brussel.  I can attribute this to the flood, however even with the proper care and if planted in the right time, I don't think I was going to get an actual veggie to grow. 

Beets - got some green stuff to start coming up out of the dirt but pretty sure they didn't have enough room to keep growing and died before any vegetable formed. 

Heirloom Tomatoes - I knew these were a long shot to begin with but we love them so much I had to try.  Not only once, but twice.  The first plant died so we bought a second, only to have it suffer the same fate.  It was pretty though and I did get it to bloom, only to have my dog break the one branch that had blooms on it.  Oh well, better just buy those from the store I guess. 

Cilantro - I was able to get one full harvest of cilantro and we used it in pretty much everything of Mexican flavor.  That plant didn't last long though as it died shortly after the first harvest.  The lesson I learned there is...learn what to do with the plant to keep it growing after you harvest. 

First Harvest of Cilantro!

Basil - I was able to grow basil for a little while as well and we did use it in some caprese salads, but that was about it.  I think our plant did not like being in the sunlight with the other plants and wanted rather to be an indoor plant.  It died...from heat exhaustion and drought (pre-100 year flood, where it likely would have suffered the opposite fate). 

Ate a few leaves with fresh tomatoes but didn't get much else from this basil plant.

Mint - I wanted to grow mint because people tell me there's no way that you can kill a mint plant.  Well, they can take that theory and throw it out the window!  There is a way and I did it.  If you ask me what it was, I couldn't tell you.  All I know is that I was successful at it and the mint did not make it into mojitoes for the 3rd Annual VanDeed Field Day as I had hoped it would. 

So, what did I learn from this?  1.  Don't dig up the yard next Spring as I'm definitely likely to have a mud pit instead of a garden.  2.  Money would better be spent on Farmer's Market produce vs. trying to buy and grow myself.  3.  I'm a horrible gardener and need some serious help.  4.  On my next 101 goals list you will probably see "Take a Gardening Class".