Posted in AtHomewithKris

Hi Everyone! Each Friday, I will be posting some of my thoughts about the week and about things that I have read here on HomesteadBlogger.com. I know it's Thursday night, but I will be away from my computer for most of the day tomorrow and so am posting this a bit early! First off, I am going to start featuring a blogger here on the porch again. I had planned this for next Monday, but I need to get with the person behind the scenes that can help me make the post stay on the front page all week long! So, hopefully, beginning Monday, January 14th, I'll have a blogger to feature ... who knows? It might be YOU! I also have plans to host at least one contest a month here on the Porch. Our first giveaway is up and running ... read the details here.

Since this is the beginning of a new year and many of us are thinking about the past year and what worked/what didn't ... making resolutions or goals for ourselves ... basically, deciding how we can make our lives better for ourselves and those we love, I'd like to share what my plans are for this year. I have found myself in a bit of a rut for a while. I haven't felt challenged. Oh sure, raising a family and taking care of my household can be more than challenging , but I'm talking about challenging myself to learn new things. I truly enjoyed my years in college & learning so many good things. Over the past 5-6 years, I have done a ton of research on nutrition and health and have decided that, someday, I will go back to school to get a Master's in nutrition. I'd like to be a dietician or work in a Dr.'s office and help people make better choices for their bodies. I am still learning and have not applied all that I have learned to my own physical situation, so do not feel qualified to do this just yet. You can follow my quest this year to be Fit by 40 where I will share what I've learned and the changes I need to make to be the healthiest that I can be. Once I feel like I can be a role model for others, only THEN will I consider going back to school so that I can do it as a job.

Anyhoo, I'd like for you to consider challenging yourself this year. What things do you still want to learn? Make a list of all the things that you do not know how to do, but want to know how to do. Or maybe you just need to find someone to help you do something better! Consider finding a mentor in your area to help you! Take some time in the next week to create a "wish list" of things to learn. Last year, I started making my own yogurt and baking my own bread and I also learned how to make greeting cards. My goal for 2008 is to learn something new each month or pick up an "old" hobby and get better at it . I want to introduce myself to some new crafts and activities. Some of them I may continue and others I may not, but the idea is to quit THINKING about learning something new and JUST DO IT! So, here is my list in no particular order ...

1.  basic embroidery so that I can embellish pillowcases and such

2.  ribbon embroidery

3.  start a compost pile

4.  plant our FIRST vegetable garden!

5.  learn basic sewing like hems, making repairs, etc. from my mom  .... NOPE! I cannot sew - pretty bad for someone whose mom can sew and has been a quilter for 20+ years ... sigh ... I am even thinking of getting my own sewing machine!

6.  learn machine quilting and how to make rag quilts with my mom's help; she is NOT a machine quilter, but she is the best teacher that I can think of because she's my mom! 

7.  learn how to make my own household cleaners. I have several books and just need to pull them out and get going!

8.  learn how to make my own jams and jellies and I'd also like to make those cute fabric toppers and tags so that I can give them as gifts

9.  pick up my crochet needles again and learn lots of new stitches; maybe try to make something besides a dishrag or blanket ... something a bit more difficult

10.  learn how to make soap. My neighbor makes their own soap, so I'll start there, but I'd like to eventually learn how to make soaps that smell yummy!

11.  branch out and try new bread recipes, try making cinnamon rolls and fancy dinner breads. I also own the Sue Gregg cookbooks and want to begin using them and learning more about the 2-step process of soaking grains.

12.  start scrapbooking AGAIN!! I have 5 years of my son's pictures and 3 years of my daughters to get caught up on. I need to set myself a goal of getting about one year's worth of pictures scrapped each month so that I can finally be caught up. Oh - YIKES! - that means I better get hopping on this one this month!

So, for the month of January, my goal is to get my scrapbook table set up again and complete one year of pictures in my son's album. My sister has just reorganized her space at home and moved her craft area from her basement to a large upstairs room - see the pictures here - and this has got me thinking about my crafting space. I am lucky to have space to work my hobbies, but it's not set up so that everything is at my fingertips. I am hoping to make some improvements to this spot in my home so that I am more likely to sit down and scrapbook or make cards on nearly a daily basis.

So, there you have it ... my challenge to you this year ... think about some things that you want to learn and figure out a way to make a couple of them happen. I know that some of them will take time and money and that may be tricky. The library is a great place to look for books to help you. Check out the local craft stores for classes and save up the money to take the class you've been DYING to take. Or ask that good friend of yours to teach you what she knows ... I bet you she'd love to help you! YOU matter and are important! I love being home and taking care of my family, but I also know that I need to keep learning new things or I feel stifled. Of course, this may not happen to you - we are all different.

I'd love for you to share some things that you'd like to learn this year. Leave a comment and I'll try to find some links to post in future Friday editorials to help you! I would like to point you to TWO new resources for homemakers ... The Homemaker's Mentor online program and the new Seasons at Home magazine. I have the first issue and it is great! Seasons at Home will be sponsoring a contest here on the porch in April so you'll see them featured again soon.

Well, that's it for this week ... I look forward to getting to know you all better this year and sharing my experience of "stretching myself" to continue learning new things. I hope you'll join me!