22. Complete Sochi Olympic Project {Completed}

For my Sochi Project? I went with the Kitchen! Made 2 Pot holders, a dish rag, a towel holder and an iron skillet cover (yes - laugh now, I know what it looks like!)

20. Go to an Avs Game {Complete}

On March 27 we went to the Avs Vs Canucks!! The Avs won (3-2) in overtime!! And Skyler got to skate a scrimmage at Intermission! Definitely one of the coolest nights EVER for both Sky and myself!

30. Shoot only black and white photos for a month

For as long as I can remember, I have been a hobby photographer. I've carried a camera with me since I was 15. Sure, that's easier now with Cell Phones, but I often carry my DSLR with me too. I have completed three "Project 365" projects, among various other photography challenges. So when I was making my 2nd 101 in 1001 list I decided to go a little crazy - I listed "30 days of black and white photography" as one of my projects.

The problem is? I didn't anticipate just how hard this project would be.

I was thinking "YAY! Artsy shots!" I love the texture that black and white can provide. I love the emotion it can put into some photographs. But what I didn't anticipate was how difficult it would be for me to snap a photo of my daughter running through a bouncy house and not being able to see the vivid colors of the giant inflatable. Or that I'd use pastels for my latest cross-stitch project and want to ask my friend if the colors looked ok. I didn't know my mom would mail me a beautiful afghan that she'd been making for me - yet I couldn't share the amazing colors.

It was a month of trying new angles because my normal shot didn't look right in black and white. A month of hunting out texture, or the perfect expression.

But it was also a month of playing with my camera in a way that I hadn't in a long time! I'd become complacent with many of my settings, and in black and white? (With my DSLR especially) you just can't do that. You need to make sure the blacks are black and the whites are white.

As I get close to writing my 3rd 101 in 1001 list, I find myself thinking about this project and wondering if I'll do it again. I think I might. Or something similar.

  

 

31. Sell a Photograph

I have recently sold multiple photographs - not in the sense that I'd originally hoped, but I have definitely sold!!

I did photoshoots for both Brandy and Ari in the past week - and both have ordered prints THROUGH me - so I not only took the photos but am printing the photos for them!

25. Create my own font - COMPLETE

It was far easier than I ever thought it would be!!

I used My Script Font to create it, and took about ten minutes! But now?? I can make awesome graphics in my handwriting (like above!)

94. Learn to Identify 5 constellations - COMPLETED

In the Spring of 2013 my friends arranged three different trips to the local planetarium for our kiddos! Besides just having lots of fun? I learned several Constellations!! (I can successfully pick out 6 on a clear night! Not counting the dippers!)

*Orion
*7 Sisters
*Draco
*Taurus
*Gemini
*Canis Major

29. Attend 5 live shows : Madrigal

In December 2012, my sister was the Queen in her college's Madrigal Dinners - I attended two shows! (And yes, I'm counting this as a live show! There was music. And acting. Dinner Theater counts, right?) 

Laundry List! (4 items COMPLETED!)

#1 Gave up Fast Food - April 2013 - I was nervous for this one! We eat a lot of fast food (a LOT!) But it was easier than I thought - and since April? We don't eat out nearly as often!


#10  Purchase Kitchen Aid Attachment - (This is NOT my photo - taken from Amazon! I ordered mine today!!)

#19  Have and Eye Appointment - 20/20 vision in June 2013

#73  Toss 101 items - What started as Spring Cleaning in the Summer (yep; I'm late!) of 2013? I ended up tossing or donating 75% of Skyler's old clothes and toys. Not to mention my hall closet worth of clutter as well! All in all? Far more than 101 items went!

69. Take Skyler to a Water Park {Completed}

Over the summer, the splash park was a fixture in our lives. (Since the nearest large water park is more than 100 miles away, I've decided this can count as our Water Park for 101! But I'm still hoping for Elitches or Water World next summer!)

97. Make a Donation to Shriner's Hospitals {Completed}

Skyler is a patient at Shriner's Hospital (SLC) and so the Shriner's have a very special place in my heart. (And before Skyler, I was a member of Job's Daughters and Easter Star - so I'm no stranger to the organization!) But I'd never personally made a donation - something I really thought I should do.

So, in 2012, I finally did! It wasn't a large donation - but every little bit helps, right? And I had Skyler help me out with it - she drew a card to send in with my donation to the local Shriner's group. We talked about the hospital, and what they do. How she has been going since she was little (which she doesn't remember at all! LOL!) And so I made it a fun experience for both of us.

81. Read 101 books {Completed}

Photo from my 6 words a day project!

I smashed this one out of the park I read 140 books in 2012 - and am alread at 13 (Feb 2) for 2013

Book's Read in 2012

1. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand - Jan 2
2. First Date by Krista McGee - Jan 2*
3. Shatter Me by Tehara Mafi - Jan 5
4. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith - Jan 6
5. Ditched: A Love Story by Robin Mellom - Jan 7*
6. Before I Go to Sleep by SJ Watson - Jan 9
7. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Jan 11
8. Linger by Maggie Stiefvatar - Jan 15
9. A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Jan 18
10. The Pregnancy Pact by Gaby Rodriguez - Jan 22
11. Charmed Thirds by Megan McCafferty - Jan 26
12. Ten Things We Did by Sara Mlynkowski - Jan 26
13. Cinder by Marissa Meyer - Jan 28*
14. The Art of Seducing a Naked Warewolf by Molly Harper - Feb 2
15. Everneath by Brodi Ashton - Feb 2
16. Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally - Feb 4
17. Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Feb 10
18. Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony - Feb 11
19. Fourth Comings by Megan McCafferty - Feb 12
20. Perfect Fifths by Megan McCafferty - Feb 15
21. If I Stay by Gayle Forman - Feb 16
22. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper - Feb 20
23. The Fine Art of Truth or Dare by Melissa Jensen - Feb 22
24. A Love that Multiplies by Jim Bob & Michelle Duggar - Feb 23*
25. Wither by Lauren Destefano - Feb 27
26. Fever by Lauren DeStefano - Feb 29
27. Chubster by Martin Cizmar - March 8
28. American On Purpose by Craig Ferguson - March 10
29. Duma Key by Stephen King - March 18
30. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey - March 20
31. Spellbound by Rachel Hawkins - March 21
32. Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg - March 23
33. Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery - March 26
34. Seeking Solace by Meg - March 27
35. Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke - March 31
36. Untouched by Jus Accardo - April 2
37. Nice Girls Don't Live Forever by Molly Harper - April 4
38. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa - April 6
39. What a Boy Wants by Nyrae Dawn - April 12
40. Supergirl Mixtapes by Meagan Brothers - April 21
41. Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper - April 23
42. The First Days by Rhiannon Frater - April 27
43. Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgans - April 28
44. The Selection by Kiera Cass - April 30
45. Insurgent by Veronica Roth - May 1
46. In Honor by Jessi Kirby - May 6
47. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James - May 9
48. Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper - May 13
49. Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James - May 14
50. Growing Up Amish by Ira Wagler - May 15
51. Fighting To Survive by Rhianon Frater -May 17
52. Siege by Rhiannon Frater - May 22
53. The Girl Who Chased The Moon  by Sarah Addison Allen - May 25
54. Summer Days by Susan Mallery - May 26
55. Summer Nights by Susan Mallery - June 4
56. How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal - June 7
57. The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal - June 14
58. Flirting in Italian by Lauren Henderson - June 17
59. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James - June 20
60. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - June 27
61. Forever by Maggie Stiefvater - June 30
62. The Vow the Kim and Krickitt Carpenter Story by Kim Carpenter - July 1
63. Size 12 and Ready to Rock by Meg Cabot - July 11
64. The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal - July 13
65. Deadlocked by Charlaine Harris - July 14
66. Under the Dome by Stephen King - July 15
67. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick - July 22
68. House Rules by Jodi Piccoult - July 24
69. The Golden Lily by Richelle Mead - July 25
70. All Summer Long by Susan Mallery - July 29
71. Sweet Spot by Susan Mallery - August 6
72. Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas - August 7
73. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - August 11
74. Sweet Trouble by Susan Mallery - August 13
75. Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs - August 14
76. Imperfect, an Improbable Life by Jim Abbott - August 17
77. While He Was Away by Karen Schreck - August 18
78. A Little Night Magic by Lucy March - August 20
79. Marked by P.C. and Kristin Cast - August 24
80. Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen - August 25
81. Shark Bait by Jenn Cooksey - August 26
82. Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Mudrock - August 27
83. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen - August 28
84. Homeschooling 101: The essential handbook by Mark & Christine Field - August 29
85. Betrayed by P.C. Cast - August 30
86. The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhardt - August 31
87. Absolute Beginners Guide to Homeschooling by Brad Miser - Sept 3
88. Chosen by P.C. Cast - Sept 6
89. Virgin River by Robyn Carr - Setp 8
90. The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - Sept 10
91. Slow Summer Kisses by Shannon Stacey - Sept 11
92. Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen y Susan Gregg Gilmore - Sept 14
93. The Kitchen Daughte by Jael McHenrdy - Sept 18
94. The Year of Learning Dangerously by Quinn Cummings - Sept 19
95. 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy - Sept 21
96. All He Ever Needed by Shannon Stacey - Sept 22
97. A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery - Sept 23
98. Untamed by P.C. and Kristin Cast - Sept 24
99. Sweet Talk by Susan Mallery - Sept 26
100. The Boy Recession by Flynn Meany - Sept 27
101. Down to You by M. Leighton - September 29
102. Dream Lake by Lisa Kleypas - Sept 30
103. Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally - Oct 2
104. Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor by Lisa Kleypas - Oct 3
105. Playing to Win by Jaci Burton - Oct 4
106. he Waiting Sky y Lara Zielin - Oct 5
107. Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis - Oct 6
108. The Perfect Play by Jaci Burton - Oct 7
109. Changing the Game by Jaci Burton - Oct 8
110. Taking a Shot by Jaci Burton - Oct 15
111. All He Ever Desired by Shannon Stacey - Oct 23
112. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis - Oct 26
113. Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis - Oct 29
114. No Ordinary Joe by Michelle Celmer - Nov 1
115. Lucky in Love by Jill Shalvis - Nov 4
116. Thirteen Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson - Nov 11
117. Driving Mr. Dead by Molly Harper - Nov 11
118. At Last by Jill Shalvis - Nov 13
119. Forever and a Day by Jill Shalvis - Nov 14
120. Accidentally Amish by Olivia Newport - Nov 17
121. A Cold Creek Noel by RaeAnne Thayne - Nov 21
122. Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich - Nov 23
123. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen - Nov 25
124. Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis - Nov 26
125. Skinny by Donna Cooner - Nov 27
126. Love Times Three by The Darger Family - Nov 29
127. The Proper Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires by Molly Harper - Nov 29
128. Homefront by Kristin Hannah - Dec 1
129. Mistletoe and Margarita's by Shannon Stacey - Dec 4
130. The Duck Commander Family: How Faith, Family, and Ducks Built a DynastybyWillie Robertson Korie RobertsonDec 7
131. This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen - Dec 9
132. Til Grits Do Us Part by Jennifer Rogers Spinola - Dec 1
133. Rouge b Leigh Moore - Dec 15
134. Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson - Dec 17
135. Suri's Burn Book by Allie Hagen - Dec 19
136. The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - Dec 21
137. The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women by Dawn Dais - December 28
138. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Dec 29
139. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - Dec 30
140. Everything Changes by Megan Hart - Dec 31

41: Write 3 Novels {NaNoWriMo 2012}

Last year I wrote about completing NaNoWriMo 2011 so it's only fair that I talk about my experience this year.

Really, they should have made NaNoWriMo be in April or something - April is a good month with not a lot going on. November? HORRIBLE for writing! I mean, there's the whole Thanksgiving thing which takes a good chunk of writing time away.

But either way - for the 3rd year in a row I've completed NaNoWriMo. (I'm not yet finished with my novel from this year - but I've got 57,000 words written - and I'd like to do another 23,000 or so before I put it away and wait on edits.)

This year, NaNoWriMo was a lot of fun for me! I had a friend doing it, so we spent many evenings tweeting with one another and encouraging each other! I also started a twitter "Choose Your Own Adventure" game where I would give three vague options and go from there when I was stuck! It helped my story movement quite a bit and I also have a few people very interested in this piece so that they can hopefully beta read.

I would LOVE to be submitting my 2012 NaNo book for publication late this year so I can cross off number 42 as well!!)

45. Write a fan letter to an author I admire {Completed}

When I made my 101 in 1001 list, I never envisioned my book blog taking off the way it has. My book blog has made communicating with authors a somewhat normal occurrence in my world now - so writing a "fan letter" has been sort of an unconventional item on my list. Not to mention developing Twitter Friendships with a few authors, whom I have grown to love. And even a texting/phone call relationship with another.

I've had multiple Q&A's and interviews with authors - and with several I have sent written letters of appreciation to the authors. (And the rest of been strictly email correspondences.) So I'm going to count those as my "Fan Letters" since they often involved a written thank you!

Susan Mallery (x 2)
Susan Wiggs
Kristan Hannah
Jenn Cooksey (whom I ADORE!!)

26. Visit 5 Museums :: The Landing

I realize this is sort of a stretch - but the "Senior Living" place where my Grandma lives
has a pretty cool Fine Arts center - it's rotating, and usually focuses on Nebraska Artists, which is a lot of fun!

Skyler and I try to walk down there most times we visit my Grandma - although lately we haven't been as good at going as often.

26. Visit 5 Museums : Infozone

I've debated for awhile if I should count this as a museum or not - as it's part of our regular weekly trips to the library. But, in the end? Museum won.

Our library is awesome for MANY reasons, one of them being the InfoZone. The 4th floor of the main library has a permanent section about the history of our local newspaper, and then rotating exhibits - usually art based, although occasionally full of fun science experiments!

The Newspaper section is really neat, with images of historic papers (and an old printing press!) As well as an animated "Newsie" from the early days of the Pueblo Chieftain! 

26. Visit 5 Museums : Sangre De Cristo Art Center

With our membership to the Children's Museum, we also get free entrance to the Art Center/Museum!

Last week, after our visit to the museum, Skyler and I decided to take a walk through the art center! It's always fascinating to see the local art - they have a great permanent display featuring Western Themed pieces!

(It's easy to forget that we are living in the Great American West - since I grew up in the mid-west, and the focus on the Wild West wasn't so great there! We also live in an area highly populated by Native Americans, being so close to New Mexico.

This trip to the museum was fun for me because I really realized the cultural differences between Nebraska and Colorado - and it was comparing this trip to the Sheldon Gallery in Lincoln that helped to drive that home.

27. Create 10 Origami Pieces

Visit 5 Museums :: Beull Children's Museum

I've been debating for awhile if I should count this - but I'm going to go ahead and do so!

Skyler and I have purchased an annual membership to the Buell Children's Museum here in Pueblo! It's ranked #2 in the country by Child Magazine, and has a unique spin on art that I've never seen at a Children's Museum before.

(I have to drop this in here before I go on!) I love the Pueblo Children's Museum, as does my daughter. But in my opinion - on a fun/awesome scale - it doesn't hold a candle to the Lincoln Children's Museum in Nebraska. 

Now - the awesomeness of this museum? It had a rotating exhibit, so every so often ALL of the exhibits change. And each station in the museum has an art project that goes along with it! (Currently with the Wild West, you can make a Bonnet at the dress up station, a paper plate snake with the camping exhibit, A wanted Poster near the lasso's and a leather keychain with the silhouettes! There's more crafts that we haven't had the chance to try yet, but I'm sure we will soon!)

The museum isn't only a place to play and learn, but they do have local artwork incorporated with all of it's exhibits. (Which is how I feel comfortable including this here - because Skyler and I spent a good portion of our last visit admiring and talking about the art itself.

27. Create 10 Origami Pieces

3. Try 30 New Recipe {Completed}

I'm not sure why I picked 30 as my recipe goal - and I think I probably hit it long ago but just wasn't tracking! I'm going to kind of squeeze this last post together with links (and edits if I have them!)

My first 13 recipes: 
Calzones, Birthday Cake, Hamburger Soup, Cheesy Bacon Ranch Pulls, Cookie Dough Dip, Cheeseburger Cupcakes, Baked French Fries, Strawberry Doughnuts, PB&J Doughnuts, Pizza Bites, Pretzels, Cucumber Lime Popsicles

And Now:

 14. Caramel Apples

 15. Homemade animal Cookies

16. Blueberry Muffins

 17.Bacon, Cheddar and Beer Risotto

 18. Pancake Bites (Blackberry, Strawberry, Blueberry)

 19. Homemade Fries

20. Red Velvet Cupakes

21. Cream Cheese Frosting

 22. S'Mores on a Stick 

 23. Better than Sex Chocolate Cake 

(This didn't turn out so hot, btw) 

24. Gnocco Fritto

25. Wedding Soup

 26. Sugar Cookies

27. Taco Wrap

28. Hot Cocoa

 29. Pretzels (take 2) 

MUCH better than the first go-round!

30. Crockpot Applesauce