winding up 23

Today is my last day at 23. I have been busy putting together my accomplishments from this past year, and gearing up for 24.

23-

There were breathtaking moments. Heartbreaking moments. Moments that almost killed me.
Not all the things on the list got done. Not enough Spanish was learned or baking done.
Some pretty amazing things that weren’t on the list happened. I went scuba diving.
I saw the mountain gorillas. I discovered letterpress. I swam under a waterfall.

1. Run 5 km
2. Go on safari 
3. Sell at a craft fair
4. Take one picture on manual mode every month - Some months this happened, but the reality is I'm not any better at getting it done than I was a year ago. 
5. go parasailing
6. Give back
7. Cook or bake something new every month
8. get fake nails
9. Organize your life - A bit of organization happened, but there is such a long way to go
10. create an etsy store - I sort of lost enthusiasm for this one. Perhaps that excitement will come back again one day. 
11. eat more fruits and vegetables - I could have done better at this. But I was aware of it, and made an effort to change. 
12. drive standard - This, quite simply, just seemed like too much work 
13. go to san francisco -  I'm crossing this off because the trip is booked, and we head out in two weeks. 
14. go rafting 
15. have flowers every month
16. read a new book every month
17. learn 5 spanish words a month
18. go to the spa
19. hike the chilkoot - this is moving to next years list
20. try out buddhism
21. get into a first class lounge
22. go rockclimbing
23. have a picnic

So 15/23 done. Not bad. Next year is going to be even better! 

The List of 24 will be up tomorrow! 

peacock inspiration

I ran another 5k today. 39 minutes (about 5 minutes of walking).



















The other day while working on my digital peacock damask, I was inspired and wanted to doodle a peacock.
I love it when one totally different craft inspires something else.

And skating last week

















And the small demon living in my craft room

Cupcakes

After my depressing last attempt at baking (which actually turned out better than I had originally thought, people ate them all up). I decided to try something easier. I love chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter icing, so I decided to try making some myself. 
 
It went really well. They are easy and yummy. 

#3 - Sell at a craft fair

Last night was the Haines Junction Craft Fair. #3 of my 23 year goals was to sell at a craft fair. I'm so glad it was that one. 

(My mom's awesome table)

For me, sewing through my finger last weekend was less painful than selling at a craft fair. Its hard for me. I'm an introvert, and I am not good at showing off my stuff, or talking about creating, so it was challenging. And at the start I wanted to run away. Luckily I had my mom on one side of me and my aunt on the other. Otherwise I probably would have. 


Once things got moving, it was good. Something that I will never find easy I don't think, but I was happy with how it went and I am so glad I did. 


Now, I have a huge mess in my kitchen (I've been ignoring the dishes during the last rush of getting ready for the sale), a huge mess in my craft room, I leave for Hawaii on Thursday, and things are very very good. 

well that looks...interesting

Not appetizing really. Its supposed to be "White Chocolate Fudge Bars".

   

I learned a few things this morning while doing my "monthly, bake something new challenge".

First of all, the timer on my oven is really not loud enough for me to hear when I am working on my computer in another room, while my dad is using power tools in the basement. It's a measly beep. And when you finally realize what that little beep noise is, there is no way of knowing how long the timer has been going off for. But, I still don't think they we're burned.

Second of all - if there is no cocoa or chocolate chips in the recipe, its probably not going to come out very chocolatey. Even if it looks chocolately in the picture.

Thirdly - Apparently I've inherited none of the baking skill from either of my grandmas.












But, I ate one. It didn't really taste like anything much. Definitely not the delicious treat I was hoping for.

I've been doing lots of creating this weekend, but mostly digital stuff, so it doesn't really feel like I've got anything accomplished until I can pick it up from the printers.

23 Update: August

Wow I cant believe August is already over. Which means fall is on its way.

1. Train to run 5K - Ran my 2km 6 times this month (as long as I do my last August run tonight)

4. Take one picture on manual mode every month - I took pictures of mushrooms this month. I love them

7. Cook or bake something new every month - I cooked this. It was easy and yummy. And barely made any dishes dirty.

15. have flowers every month - Bought myself these pink gerberas. Having flowers makes me happy.

16. read a new book every month - I finished the book I started in July, and started Monsoon

17. learn 5 spanish words a month - sort of.

• What time is it?
• Eggs

23. Have a picnic - At carcross Desert. And flew my kite.

23 Update: July

1. Train to run 5K - I ran my 2 km loop 4 times this month.

2. Go on safari - I booked my safari. I leave Jan 6th.

4. Take one picture on manual mode every month - This one was a bit of a fail. I frantically took this picture at the beach today.

7. Cook or bake something new every month - I tried a seafood pasta recipe at the beginning of the month. I'll admit, there were a few tears, but it came out okay in the end.

11. eat more fruits and vegetables - I dont know if I've really done all that well at this in July, but I have it as a priority for August.

13. go to san francisco - Well I haven't done this yet, but I gave up a chance to go to San Fran for free, and instead I booked a trip to Disneyland with one of my favorite people.

15. have flowers every month - I enjoyed my beautiful birthday flowers this month.

16. read a new book every month - bit of a fail here again. But I've been reading this book lately, and enjoying it.

17. learn 5 spanish words a month - done! This month, my phrases were:

• I don't speak spanish
• What's your name?
• How much does that cost?
• Where?
• I'm sorry

23. have a picnic - a pizza picnic. at the beach. with chantelle. a wonderful day.