- Sally Clarkson
Have you heard of 101 Things in 1001 Days? I was first introduced to the idea from a friend who had a similar list on her blog. On November 11 of this year I will embark upon my 60th trip around the sun, and with that I've decided to edit, refresh and give this idea another go. However, I've decided that rather than waiting until my birthday, to begin again in the New Year.
Here are few things to know about my list (if you're interested).
- There is no set order to this listr (at least for now). That means the there is the possibility that #90 on my list might be accomplished before #1. Maybe at some point I'll get around to organizing them a little better, but for now I just wanted to get them down.
- As time goes on I may decide to alter or add to the list, and in the event that I add to it, I may extend my original deadline.
- Some things will most likely only happen once, a single lifetime experience, while others, such as skills I hope to learn, will most likely become a regular part of my life.
- Items with red ❈ are goals I am still working on, and those with a ❈ are goals I've accomplished. There are currently three items on my list in the green. I actually achieved those goals prior to January 1, 2021, but since they were on my original bucket list, I kept them and counted them.
- I will be updating the list and checking off items as I complete them. Most of this will be documented in separate posts here at the blog. But if you're interested in how things are coming along, there is a link the right side bar that you can click on anytime.
And so without further delay, here are my 101 Things!
❈ 1. Learn to knit (well enough to at least make a pair of socks)
I've got the knit stitch down, but I am finding purl troubling.
❈ 2. Learn to successfully bake and frost a two layer cake and decorate it.
I am a wonderful cook, but aside from cookies, which are even a gamble at times, baking has never been my area of expertise. Yet I long to make cakes like this, or this! I mean, come on, that second one doesn't even have that much icing! I don't know if it's possible, but it's a goal.
❈ 3. Learn to make bread from scratch (not using a bread maker)
❈ 4. Read 200 Books
❈ 5. See The Nutcracker during the Christmas season.
❈ 6. Learn to paint with watercolors.
❈ 7. Read / Study the Bible cover to cover.
So, confession. I've read every book in the Bible except Numbers (it bores me to tears), and Revelation. My hang up with Revelation is due to a hell fire and brimstone preacher who quoted it so often and with such emotion (bordering on anger), that it scared me to death. The first time I was baptized and made a public profession of faith I was a child, and I did it because I was terrified of the very thought of going to hell. Not the worst motivation, I suppose, but it's not the reason for accepting Christ as your savior. So it's time to push past my childhood fears and tackle Revelation, and trudge through Numbers, as well. This goal may take me more than 1001 days, because when I say study, I mean digging for the meat. I'm going to take my time. So with this goal, I mean to at least begin. My target date is January 2020.
❈ 9. Learn to identify birds by sight and sound.
I haven't determined how many, I may not set a number. I know several by sight, but very few by sound.
❈ 10. Learn to identify trees.
This is beginning to sound like a Charlotte Mason education. :) The girls and I went on countless nature walks when we were homeschooling, and we've spent a good amount of time in woods and forests, living so near the Blue Ridge Mountains. But I was never very good at teaching them to actually identify what we saw. I appreciated them for their beauty, but now I want to truly know what I am observing. One of my homeschool regrets.
❈ 11. Grow a pretty pot of marigolds and figure out how to get my chrysanthemums to keep blooming.
Every year we buy these beautiful post of mums, all abloom. Then the first blooms die and dry up, and even though there are countless bulbs left on the plant, typically they never bloom again after that. They are one of my favorite flowers! I have to master this.
❈ 12. Build an off-grid tiny house on an acre or two of land, complete with a wood stove.
❈ 13. Build a small raised vegetable and herb garden.
❈ 14. Plant a small row of pine trees along the back of our property. Plant juniper trees, and holly bushes around the house.
❈ 15. Renovate a small vintage trailer and keep it at the back of the property. A little private get away.
❈ 16. Learn how to can my own vegetables.
❈ 17. Learn how to make my own beeswax candles and soap.
❈ 18. Build a fire pit and create a lovely place to cook and gather outdoors.
❈ 19. Educate myself on sustainable living and leaving a smaller footprint on the earth.
❈ 20. Curate a home apothecary and learn more about natural medicine.
❈ 21. Take a genealogy test and trace and record my family history.
❈ 22. Go on the waterfall trail in Virginia.
❈ 23. Hike McAfee's Knob.
❈ 24. Hike Flat Top.
❈ 25. Visit the Devil's Bathtub.
❈ 26. Hike the Virginia Creeper Trail.
❈ 27. Go to the Grand Illumination in Williamsburg.
❈ 28. Visit the Lavender Fields in Appomattox.
❈ 29. Go to the West Virginia State Fair.
❈ 30. Stay in Cabin #8 in Babcock State Park.
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❈ 31. Visit Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts, and Louisa May Alcott's grave on Author's Ridge
❈ 32. Visit Corgi Cottage - Tasha Tudor's Home
❈ 33. Visit Still Meadow - Gladys Taber's Home
❈ 34. Visit Almonzo Wilder's Childhood Homestead in Malone, NY
❈ 35. Visit Niagra Falls
❈ 36. Get a passport.
❈ 37. Travel to Europe, to the Lake District, London and Italy.
❈ 38. Visit Hilltop Farm (Beatrix Potter's home) in the Lakes District of England.
❈ 39. Visit Ambleside and The Armitt Library.
❈ 40. Visit Hilltop Farm (Beatrix Potter's home) in the Lakes District of England.
❈ 41. Visit The Betsy Tacy House in Mankato, Minnesota
❈ 42. Watch 100 Old Movies.
❈ 43. Purchase and learn to play a violin and the cello.
❈ 44. Spend the night or possibly a weekend in a monastery. (Cloister Walk)
❈ 45. Learn to speak Italian. (At least conversationally)
❈ 46. Keep chickens.
❈ 47. Have 1-2 goats. Learn how to milk a goat.
❈ 48. Learn how to make cheese.
❈ 49. Own an Australian Shephard and a Cocker Spaniel.
❈ 50. Own two cats, a Yellow Tabby and a Black, Brown, Yellow and White Calico.
❈ 51. Have a small pond on our property to attract geese. Maybe have a couple of ducks?
❈ 53. Own a pair of Black Hunter Boots
❈ 54. Curate a cookbook with all of my best recipes in one place, for myself and future generations. Actually write down my recipe for black eyed peas and red beans so I won't always be guessing.
(They always turns out good, but are too good for guessing!)
❈ 55. Write a book, What We Keep, (in process), and possibly a children's book.
❈ 56. Curate a curriculum for homeschooling families, or my future grandchildren to use.
❈ 57. Visit a tree farm and cut down my own Christmas tree, or plant trees on our property.
❈ 58. Visit New York City, go to the top of the Empire State Building, see a Broadway play.
*I've been to New York City several times, but I want to go again.
❈ 59. Visit Washington D. C. during the Cherry Blossom Festival or on the 4th of July.
* I've been to Washington D. C. several times, but I want to go again.
❈ 60. Buy a smoker and learn how to smoke meats.
❈ 61. Master making homemade barbecue well.
❈ 62. Find a recipe for a good burger and perfect it!- Summer 2021 - Based on my favorite burger, the Hunter's Burger at Bootleggers, I perfected my own! I actually think mine, is better!
❈ 63. Learn how to grill steak well.
❈ 64. Keep a Norfolk pine indoors until it becomes very large.
❈ 65. Learn to sew using a sewing machine. (I currently sew by hand after a mishap with a sewing machine in my teenage years.)
❈ 66. Successfully plan out and execute the observance of the Liturgical Year.
(I've observed some days, specifically Advent and Lent, but I feel like only dabble in it and want to make a regular rhythm in my life.)
❈ 67. Study Jewish traditions and holidays and consider implementing some of them.
❈ 68. Learn more about Taize.
❈ 69. Learn more about Ayurveda.
❈ 70. Pick a classic sitcom each year and try to watch every episode.
UPDATE: 9/21 - Watched every episode of Andy Griffith
Currently watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 2022
❈ 71. Keep a Commonplace Book.
I did this for many years when we were homeschooling the girls and I want to get back to it.
❈ 72. Learn how to give myself a manicure and pedicure and take better care of my nails.
❈ 73. Learn how to make jams and jellies.
UPDATE: Made blackberry jelly, and cowboy candy!
❈ 74. Learn ten card games and play once a month.
❈ 75. Play a board game once a month.
❈ 76. Learn yoga and make it regular part of my daily/weekly routine.
❈ 77. Buy a bike and actually ride it.
❈ 78. Make spiritual practices such as Lecto Divina and Centering Prayer a regular part of my life.
❈ 79.Go one one hike each month.
❈ 80. Learn more about foraging and begin collecting plants and herbs and using them.
❈ 81. Make smudge sticks.
❈ 82. Work on a craft project for at least 30 minutes every day.
❈ 83. Make a sourdough starter and learn how to make sourdough bread.
❈ 84. Crochet a blanket or throw.
❈ 85. Visit the Washington Cathedral again. Take my time.
❈ 86. Set aside a weekend every year to spend alone. Read A Weekend To Change Your Life. At least once in my lifetime, go on a trip by myself for at least a week.
❈ 87. Observe Tabula Rasa (A Clean Slate), annually! (See #86)
❈ 88. Build a small pool/hot tub using a stock tank.
❈ 89. Plant a tea garden and learn to make my own blends.
❈ 90. Go to Fresh Market, Wegmans, Trader Joes Whole Foods at least once a month and pick up some fun snacks, spices, etc.
❈ 91. Make my own vanilla extract.
❈ 92. Make my own spices.
❈ 93. Visit a traditional maple farm during maple sugaring season. Tap a tree and make my own?
❈ 94. Move to Vermont, at the very least, to Damascus or in that area.
❈ 95. Make a quilt from scratch. Maybe two.
❈ 96. See the Northern Lights.
❈ 97.Visit an observatory or purchase a telescope to observe the night sky. Learn to identify stars and constellations.
❈ 98. Attend more outdoor concerts and movies (once Covid is no longer a thing!)
❈ 99. Treat myself to Coke and whiskey on the weekends, or maybe even learn to make mixed drinks?
❈ 100. Attend a midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
❈ 101. Document each of the 101 Things to make them real and to remember.
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12 comments:
Happy Birthday!!!!
I have a GREAT easy no knead bread recipe to share with you. You can do it and this is the perfect place to start with your bread making!
This comes from a youtube video, but for the life of me, I cannot find the link for it. There are tons of videos out there, but THIS is the one I've made numerous times and I can vouch that it is simple and fool proof!
No Knead Bread
3 c. flour
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. yeast (I use SAF yeast purchased in bulk, but I'm sure any will do, just not the bread machine yeast)
1-1/2 c. warm water
Stir these for ingredients together in a largish mixing bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 4-12 hours.
When ready to make bread~
Put lidded Dutch Oven into oven and preheat to 475 degrees. Flour the counter and turn out dough. It will be really sticky, so flour your hands well and get the dough well coated with flour and roughly shaped into a ball. It will be really soft and not hold its shape, but you're going for round. Let rest while oven is preheating. (dough will kind of flatten while it rests because it's so soft, but that's ok) When oven has preheated (using hot pads for sure) pull dutch over out, place dough in Dutch Oven and cover with lid. Return to oven and bake about 30 minutes. We like ours with a lighter crust, so 30 minutes is good for us. If you prefer a browner crust, let it go a little longer. Let cool a few minutes before slicing.
Thank you so much for this! Yeast seems to be my downfall, and obviously you can't make bread without it! I don't think I do it right, whatever doing is. :). Any suggestions? Do you even know what I'm talking about? LOL!
Yes. I always feel like anything with "yeast" is intimidating, but I promise you, this is not! If I can do it, I KNOW you
can do it! The only thing I can think of with the yeast is that you want your water warm enough, but not too hot. I don't use a thermometer or anything, and I've not had any trouble with the yeast in this recipe.
I had sent the link to a friend a while back, and she found it for me this morning, so here it is. I'm so glad to be able to link it because once you watch it, you'll see just how simple it really is!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt_j3I37mTU
If the link doesn't work, the title is Easy Dutch Oven Bread (Large Family Cooking) and you can search youtube for it.
After you make it, I want to see a photo on your blog!!!!
I don't think I signed my comments, but it's me, Pam. :)
I am so excited! I'll give it a try.
Happy birthday and happy adventuring with your 101 things! I wanted to tell you that Revelation is quite a lovely book, actually. The first part is letters to the churches about what they are doing right and what they are getting wrong and there is some good advice there. The second part is about the Lord's return and it's actually interesting and exciting, I find. I would say to use a commentary or watch some of your favorite Christian speakers/pastors on YouTube discuss it.
Regarding Numbers, might I suggest listening to it? I always drag my feet with Job and I've been listening to it lately (using the YouVersion app) when I get ready in the mornings and I'm enjoying it much more!
Blessings and good luck!
Nicole, thank you so much for your encouraging words. I never considered either of your ideas and I think both might be especially helpful, especially listening to Numbers! What a wonderful idea! Thank you so much for the suggestion and encouragement!
I love the idea of listening to the "harder" books.
Pam
Good morning, Pam! I thought that was an excellent idea, as well! :)
What a delightful list to read! You should come visit me when you get to your "visit Colorado" task, I think we would be real life friends :) So many of the things on your list are things I want to do, have done or am currently doing with my children as part of our homeschool!
Ahhh! Thank you for the invitation, maybe I'll take you up on that! :)
I stumbled across your blog looking for ideas to round out my new 101 list and am reading yours thinking "can we be friends?" Lol
In a Charlotte Mason-ish unschooling mama of 5. (I can also make some suggestions on the bread if you're still looking for that.)
In stuck on mobile right more, which is not my thing, so hopefully everything in this comment is real words.
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