New Goals for a New School Year

It's the time of the year that I start to think about new goals for the year.

1) Take a college class - thinking this will be a spring semester goal

2) Walk one mile per day on purpose for 26 connective days. - Was thinking of doing this in September but with the pain my knee is giving me I may need to postpone this one, but I think I will at least still try.

3) Menu plan every two weeks- I have learned that if I sit down and menu plan I am more likely to actually feed the family.

4) Paint a picture- I am not a creative type person as far as painting is but it is something I want to try this year so once again I see you tube videos in my future.

5)Complete at least 75 percent of weekly to do list- I like lists and each Sunday spend some time making them but they don't always get done. This year I wanted a goal to help me focus on completing more of the weekly to do list.

6) Do a 5k walk- This is going to be late Fall or Early spring

7) Monthly organizing project- See below

8) Make Dinner 5 out of 7 days a week.- Friday's my 12 year old makes pizza and Sunday's is leftovers.

9) Family Game time at least 1x a week- I am going to aim that every Friday we play a game since we have no outside commitments usually that day. I will also aim to try to play a game with Aidan on Sunday afternoons.

10) Family dinner at the table with no devices at least 3x a week- We are a busy family and as much as I would like to eat together at the table every night as we did when the kids were younger that is just not happening. But I think we should be able to do it 3x a week if I write it on the family calendar, and most importantly no devices.

11) Take one picture every day and write about it. This is one goal that I think I will enjoy the most, and hope to print out at the end of year into a photo book.

Break down of the Monthly Organizing Goal so far

September- My side of the Garage
October-  Yard
November- The back of the garage
December- Under the stairs, the Christmas stuff
January- Filing cabinets
February- All the bookshelves in the house
March- Closets
April- August still to be decided.

And finally a wrap up of last years goals-

1. Read one non-fiction book per month :

I tried but I guess my real love is fiction and cookbooks.

2. Monthly date with the husband : 

With him working shift work, and me also working monthly dates didn't always happen this year. But I think we have done well in making time for us when we can, lately we have been binge watching Friends at night. We also have a just the two of us dinner out planned for later this month.

3. Weekly Game Night : 

It hasn't happened every week but we have some new favorites like Code Words and after a visit with a friend Labyrinth.

 
4. Try a new recipe each week - We ate a lot of old favorites this summer.

5. Fall-Spring Garden-
Oh my how the summer garden grew, well at least the tomatoes. Have been giving away tomatoes for at least a month. The cucumbers never set, and only a few zucchini. The greens did well and the rabbit has been very well fed this summer on kale, lettuce and more.

6. De-clutter- 

Have a new plan for this year

7. Loose some weight- 

Yep didn't happen, so changed this goal up for next year.

8. Learn a new skill - 

I made soap, this year and it was fun. I look forward to making some more this winter and really sometimes you just need to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.

9. Reduce trash- 

Bit by Bit

10. A Financial goal-

I think I met my goal this year.

Goal Update 4/14

Well it has been a while but a busy month.

1. Read one non-fiction book per month :

Not happening unless you want to count cookbooks.

2. Monthly date with the husband : 

In the last few weeks we have traveled to Branson MO and enjoyed some time with our current everyday family of three. I also fit in an at home date with the husband with a tray type dinner eaten in bed while watching a movie together. While the youngest ate pizza and watched a movie downstairs.

3. Weekly Game Night : 

In the last month we have played many games but one of the favorite things was a trip to a place called the Boardroom which was pretty cool, pricey but it was fun to spend an evening with all the children playing lots of different games. In fact we came home with a new game called Code Word. 

   

4. Try a new recipe each week - This month there hasn't been much cooking going on as I have been spending more time outside,cereal does count as a meal right. I am looking forward to more cooking once school lets out for the year and the garden is producing.

5. Fall-Spring Garden-
The last few weeks have all been about the garden from adding fencing to building beds and so much more.

              Had some extra help in  moving this pile of dirt from the                                 front to the back to fill the new beds.

Old beds moved to new spot

Fencing added to separate the dog from my garden

                     

Fire Pit all cleaned up

Building the new beds

  

All the new beds in, fencing up, lattice up.

Spring Veggies planted and starting to grow

6. De-clutter- 

Still haven't done the garage but have gone though the boy's clothes and after seeing how big the doesn't fit pile is, will have some shopping to do for summer.

7. Loose some weight- 

Need a new plan

8. Learn a new skill - 

I made soap, it wasn't nearly has hard as I thought. I did a hot process soap using a crock pot and have been using the lavender coconut oil / olive oil soap I made. Just the other day I made another using coffee, and have plans this week to make another using oatmeal. I can safely say that everyone is getting soap and towels for Christmas.

9. Reduce trash- 

Bit by Bit

10. A Financial goal-

Getting there dollar by dollar

Goal Update 3/3

1. Read one non-fiction book per month :

Not happening unless you want to count cookbooks.

2. Monthly date with the husband : 

Nothing this week.

3. Weekly Game Night : 

Speed games of Guess Who this week, he had watched some you tube videos on how to play this game even faster so almost every night this week it has been a few games of Guess Who. Which is great as it doesn't require a lot of brain power when my brain is done for the day and it gives us time to talk about his school day.

4. Try a new recipe each week - 
This week it was Shepherds  pie from The New Kansas Cookbook by Frank and Jayni Carey, well really Cottage Pie. Since we don't eat lamb, mine was made with ground beef. It is a meal I have made many times before but it is always fun to try a different recipe. I will take this cookbook out again in the summer since it has a lot of recipes that are seasonal for Kansas.

I also made a dessert from  One Pan and Done by Molly Gilbert,  Confetti Pavlova, pavlova being a type of dessert that I have heard about on British and Australian Cooking shows. It was a recipe that did tie up my oven for most of the day but otherwise was easy to make, the picky eater even liked it which is saying a lot . I will make it again this summer when the family is around and fresh berries are at the farmers market. In the above picture I only had whipped cream and berries on the half we were going to eat that night, the rest we ate over a few days. 

5. Fall Garden- Spring Garden

Everything I have planted has sprouted,but otherwise that is all that has gotten done due to unseasonable cold and snow. I have also been spending to much time on Pinterest pinning more garden ideas, so it better warm up soon so that I can stop thinking of new ideas and just get the ones I have implemented.

6. De-clutter- 

Still waiting on warmer weather to get to work on the garage.

7. Loose some weight- 

Will make it to the gym this week at least once, and if it gets above freezing will take the puppy on a long walk. 

8. Learn a new skill - 

I watched a few more you tube video's and have placed an order for the items to make some soap in the coming weeks. 

9. Reduce trash- 

Bit by Bit

10. A Financial goal-

Getting there dollar by dollar

Goal Update 2/24

Ten Goals for the 2018-2019 school year


1. Read one non-fiction book per month :

Not happening unless you want to count cookbooks.

2. Monthly date with the husband : 

Nothing this week.

3. Weekly Game Night : 

Well chess didn't happen, but we did play some two person board games, and we are looking forward to spring break when the college kids come home. We have an adventure planned to a restaurant that also has board games.

4. Try a new recipe each week - 

This Week I made French Onion Soup from the Dinner in an Instant cookbook, both I and my husband enjoyed it. I used my electric pressure cooker to make it and while it did involve a few steps so, not a walk away and forget it recipe it still was a weeknight recipe. I was able to make a homemade bowl of French Onion soup in 30 min, instead of an hour or more. 

I also made Slow cooker Honey Garlic Chicken from Dinner Made Easy with Six Sisters Stuff , this was a little sweeter then I liked but still very good and will make it again just with a little less brown sugar and honey. I served it with white rice and while that was okay I think adding a bag of peas and carrots to the rice will make it even better. In fact since this recipe made enough for 6, was able to freeze some for a quick weeknight meal.

5. Fall Garden- Spring Garden

The peppers and tomatoes haven't yet sprouted, and it was cold and snowy this week so no outside work. So the garden work this week was just dreaming of warmer weather.

6. De-clutter- 

This week I went though the youngest child's room and filled a bag with clothes that no longer fit, and put away some stuff the college daughter had brought home over winter break. I plan on working on the college son's clothing that they have left behind.
7. Loose some weight- 

It wouldn't be a list of goals with out at least one healthy living goal. 

8. Learn a new skill - 

Well I have looked and looked for a class locally and haven't found one. But I did find a you-tuber that has an on-line class and offers a kit on her website that has everything that you need to make 11 bars of soap. Thinking of ordering that kit and taking the plunge of making soap. I have read plenty of books on soap making, but when it comes to new skills a live person or you tube seems to work best for me.

9. Reduce trash- 

Bit by Bit

10. A Financial goal-

 I am not going to share to much on this publicly but I do have a saving goal.

Trying New Recipies

One of my goals this year was to try new recipes, but this goal wasn't going well until I modified it. I now take one or two cookbooks out of the library each week and I have to make at least one recipe out of each book. 

Since I started doing this I have been trying new things, and it has been fun. I just needed to find a way to follow though with trying new things.

I have made a different style of pizza from Cook it in Cast Iron Cookbook, Fried Chicken Taco's from a Pioneer Women Cookbook, Key Lime Squares and Chocolate Chip Muffins from Baking with Friends.

This Week I made French Onion Soup from the Dinner in an Instant cookbook, both I and my husband enjoyed it. I used my electric pressure cooker to make it and while it did involve a few steps so, not a walk away and forget it recipe it still was a weeknight recipe. I was able to make a homemade bowl of French Onion soup in 30 min, instead of an hour or more. 

I also made Slow cooker Honey Garlic Chicken from Dinner Made Easy with Six Sisters Stuff , this was a little sweeter then I liked but still very good and will make it again just with a little less brown sugar and honey. I served it with white rice and while that was okay I think adding a bag of peas and carrots to the rice will make it even better. In fact since this recipe made enough for 6, was able to freeze some for a quick weeknight meal.

Looking forward to this weeks cookbooks, and I challenge you to take out a cookbook from the library and try something new. While it is fun to find recipes on line there is something about paging though a cookbook.

 

2/17 Goal Update

Ten Goals for the 2018-2019 school year



1. Read one non-fiction book per month :

OK I am just giving up on this goal, non fiction just isn't inspiring right now. I have been enjoying a channel on You tube CrowsEyeProductions  that show's short films on dressing in the past, all the layers and how they were all assembled along with a bit of history. Makes the fiction I do enjoy reading come more alive.

2. Monthly date with the husband : 

We did go on some family dates this month with the youngest who is the only one at home, as it was both my birthday and the husband's this month. We did pull off an evening in our room with onion rings and chicken nuggets and watched the new show on Netflix the Umbrella Academy, while the son at home enjoyed Fortnight online with his brother who is 4 hours away at college.

3. Weekly Game Night : 

This week it was just some two person games between Aidan and I ,as the husband was on odd work shifts so the games that I know how to play. This week since he is on a regular day shift we hope to fit in some chess lessons with Dad.

4. Try a new recipe each week - 

This time I have been baking form this cookbook Baking With Friends  I have made the Key Lime Squares, and the Chocolate Chip Muffins. The muffins used sour cream in them and they are the best Chocolate Chip muffins I have made, not to sweet and great with a cup of tea or glass of milk. The Key Lime bars were fast and easy to make I can see making them for a summer potluck or even just a summer dessert, even Aidan who can be very picky liked them. Next up I have two more cookbooks for this week, one using the electric pressure cooker and another that has a few chicken recipes I want to try.

5. Fall Garden- Spring Garden

Well the Cabbage, Broccoli and Bee Balm seeds were planted and have sprouted, today I will be planting the tomato and pepper seeds. The grow lights are working well and are not heating up so I feel okay leaving them on when we are not home. I did have to add some netting to the shelving unit where I have the grow lights as we have a puppy who likes to check everything out. 

6. De-clutter- 



Still working bit by bit, waiting till spring to get the garage de-clutter going. But did pick up some more boxes for under my bed from Michaels , I got some last year on sale and they fit perfectly. I just  was waiting for this years sale in order to have a few more plus side is that they help from anything else getting lost under the bed. I use them to store my tea cups and other decor that I switch out seasonally, and papers that no longer need to be in the file cabinet.

7. Loose some weight- 

It wouldn't be a list of goals with out at least one healthy living goal. 

8. Learn a new skill - 

This has been on past goal lists but this year I will learn to make soap. Still working on it.

9. Reduce trash- 

During a break in the snow and cold I was able to get out to the compost bins to check on them and they look good. I do believe that I want to try worm composting this summer but need to do some more research. Thinking of adding a bin to the garage just for glass since we don't have curbside recycling for that and that might help keep it in one spot.

10. A Financial goal-

 I am not going to share to much on this publicly but I do have a saving goal.

Garden 2019

It's January it's cold out and it's looking like it's going to get colder this week so no better time to think about gardening. Last year the garden did not go well at all since I was traveling most of the summer and the kids at home didn't water what I had planted. I was able to get a bed of hostas started and I will see what happens with them when they come up again this year. It has been an adjustment to change from gardening in NY to Gardening in Kansas but this year I have put more time into learning and planning for the differences. I also an still battling the poison ivy but getting better at identifying it in all the seasons.

Kansas Garden 2017

I have plans for tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, summer squash, basil, oregano, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage and adding a watermelon, pumpkin patch area. I also will be updating the garden beds and adding another one, just haven't told the husband yet about that project.

Kansas Garden 2017

This week I will be starting cabbage and broccoli in the house, and if it warms up this upcoming weekend spending some time on clean up jobs and finding a weed killer to keep the grass out of the stone walk.

 

New York Garden, where the summers are wet and cooler

Goal Up date

Ten Goals for the 2018-2019 school year

1. Read one non-fiction book per month :

Yep not doing so well on this, but I have one checked out from the library and time set aside this weekend to try to read it.

2. Monthly date with the husband : 

No new dates this month, since the husband happens to a Federal Employee so no extra spending for the next while.  But have on the list a at home date night like we used to do when we were first dating, chicken nuggets, french fry's, onion rings and a movie at the time usually Uncle Buck or Teen Age Mutant Teenagers on VHS. Will set the at home kid up with his own tv show in a different room, so it will be a date and not a family movie night.

3. Weekly Game Night : 

The youngest is loving a new game his sister bought him for Christmas, Fortnight Monopoly. With the brothers back at college we are back to two person game time. 

4. Try a new recipe each week - 

Planning on cooking from cookbooks that I take out of the library is working really well, we tried a pizza recipe from Cook it in Cast Iron Cookbook by Cook's Country and we really liked it. There are a few more recipes in there I would like to try before returning it to the library.

5. Fall Garden- Spring Garden

This week we ordered our grow lights and got them hooked up, and I have placed my seed order at Rareseeds. I also spent some time making a list of planting times and reading up on Gardening in Kansas at the K- State College Website. I will have a garden this year that will grow. 

6. De-clutter- 

Working on this bit by bit, we have friends that have a fundraiser that collects soft goods like clothing, shoes, etc and pays them by weight. My goal is by Sat to have at least 5 bags for them to pick up.  

7. Loose some weight- 

It wouldn't be a list of goals with out at least one healthy living goal. 

8. Learn a new skill - 

This has been on past goal lists but this year I will learn to make soap. Still working on it.

9. Reduce trash- 

Increase our recycling, reusing, and composting. Doing much better and working on taking our own bags to the store. 

10. A Financial goal-

 I am not going to share to much on this publicly but I do have a saving goal which is on hold for now.