40 by 40

I've been inspired by lists lately. I guess because I've always been a list maker. It helps me be organized and I take great pleasure in crossing things off. No measly check marks here. Big messy crossing off feels so much more accomplished! A few months ago a friend on facebook posted a list of 28 things she wanted to do the year she turned 28 (or some number close to 28, but you get the picture). I really liked that idea and decided to come up with a list of 40 things I'd like to do by the time I'm 40. (I have exactly three years.)

I've seen a few Mondo Beyondo lists lately, and they are so inspiring. I'm excited to take the course asap and create my own list. But for now, I've decided to make a list of some short term goals. In no particular order, there are some family related, some fun related, some business, some art/craft, and some for the soul. I thought I'd post it here, and I'll come back to this post now and then to update my progress.

1. consistently make (x) amount of $ per month from my art and handmade goods. (contributing to the family income enough to work only from home.)

2. sell my wares in local shops

3. go to Squam

4. have a website with pages/links to a portfolio, my blog, online shop, etc

5. come up with a good name for my shop + blog (using jenny swanson on everything is not my favorite. I want something creative and clever that represents me but doesn't limit what I have to offer, since it's ever changing)

6. have developed my style/brand so that my work is cohesive and recognizable

7. go on a luxurious vacation with Joe

8. go on a sister trip

9. go hang gliding at Fort Funston

10. have a booth at a craft fair

11. be published in a magazine

12. do Beth Moore's "Daniel" Bible study + do the Daniel fast for the duration of the study

13. create a mini backyard Adventure Playground (more on this soon... that place was so cool)

14. complete (ok, and start) Judah's first year album

15. make bread from scratch at least monthly (would like to do this weekly, but I'll build up to that)

16. make and use my own laundry detergent

17. create and maintain a vegetable garden (family project)

18. make and wear my own clothing

19. make and stick to a weekly or monthly menu plan

20. participate in Illustration Friday weekly

21. family vacation to the Grand Canyon

22. complete the Couch to 5k plan

23. run regularly (at least 3x per week)

24. have ($x) in savings

25. take a ride in a hot air balloon

26. try at least one new recipe every month

27. participate in the Toy Society

28. tip 100% to a server who's having a hard day and doesn't necessarily desserve it based on the service provided

29. try a new craft or art project once a month with the kids

30. go to a new park every month with the kids (completed 1/36)

31. go on monthly dates with Joe

32. sleep in the back yard with the family

33. make a doll for Mercy

34. do collaborative paintings with Brooklyn

35. host a Stone Soup party

36. learn to make lumpia

37. learn to embroider

38. teach an online class

39. complete The Artists Way

40. visit my dad in Florida

100th post! giveaway

This is my 100th blog post!  I started blogging about a year and a half ago, and have gone through seasons of posting a lot, posting a little, posting about family, posting about art, posting about things that inspire, and some randomness here and there.  For anyone of you who has followed from the beginning, are just coming for the first time, and all those in between... welcome and thanks for coming!  I'm happy you've stopped by and would love for you to stick around.  I have come to love the blogging community and have made some really nice friends here in blog land.  So thanks for visiting, and please know that I genuinely love to hear from you via comments and emails, so keep them coming!  =)

In honor of my 100th post, I've decided to host a giveaway!  One commenter will win a print of their choice from my etsy shop!  There are lots of new prints, since I've listed all of the prints from originals sold for the Retrieval Project.  Above are some of my favorites from the project.

To enter, just leave a comment stating what is inspiring you today.  Today I was inspired by lunch conversation with Mati Rose and Stefanie at Cafe Gratitude in SF.  Winner will be announced on Friday, October 2nd.  (Can you believe it's almost October?!!)

celebrating 12 years of Brooklyn

On September 26, 1997, our lives were changed forever. At around 11:23am (Minnesota time), Brooklyn Joelle was born. She has taught me a lot over these last 12 years. She was our first baby, so she forged the way for the rest. I remember when I was pregnant, wondering what labor would be like, a little scared, a lot excited. When you're expecting a baby, you hear a lot of birth stories, both good and bad, from anyone you're willing to listen to. I thought so much about labor and delivery that I thought, if I could just get through that, I'd have this sweet baby to bring home and life would be good.

Well labor and deliver happened to be a piece of cake for me. Really, really wonderful experience all four times. What I should have put more thought time into was being a mom of a newborn. I got this sweet little 6lb, 11oz baby home and didn't know what to do with her. It was such a hard time for me. I was so disappointed in myself because all my life I'd dreamed of being a mom. I played with dolls from the time I was itty bitty until a few years after I probably should have, and then I started babysitting. I always loved being around babies and couldn't wait to have my own.

We had moved from California to Minnesota (for the first time) when I was about six months pregnant. Both of my sisters back in CA were also pregnant at the time. Joe was in school and I was trying to do a home based business while caring for this new baby. The business never went anywhere because I just couldn't make it all work. I was a fumbling mess with Brooklyn, especially the first week. Everything I thought would come naturally took so much work. I loved her with all my heart, but I was an emotional wreck. I wanted my sisters and I had a really hard time nursing. Brooklyn and I both cried every time I tried to feed her. Finally, after about a week, Joe and I decided to switch to formula. Another really hard thing to do. I felt like such a failure and like I wasn't a good mom.

Over time, we've figured things out. Each new stage we come to, we pray a lot and do our best. She's turning into a remarkable young lady. She's someone I admire. I still learn a lot from her, not just by learning how to nurture her, but by watching her. She has a great zeal for life, is very imaginative and inventive, and has such great courage. She's a natural leader (a true first born) and has an iron-strong will (which of course has its pluses and minuses). In a few weeks, she and I will get away for a weekend together. I can hardly wait for some quality girl time with her.

This is her birthday sign, made by her daddy (he calls her B-Town). He's so amazing at things like this.. I'd love to have half the natural talent he does. (If you click on the picture you can see full size.)

Her gift... she's been asking for one for a long, long time. Until recently, she was always with me, so I told her she didn't need one. Now this girl has a schedule that makes my head spin. So many times the last couple of months I've wished I could call her to tell her the babies are sleeping and tell her where to meet me when I'm picking her up, or to let her know I'm stuck in traffic (one of these weeks I'll learn to give myself at least 10 extra minutes on Friday afternoons). So it was time. She was sososo excited. She spent a lot of the day texting, mostly her cousin Josh. So fun that they can do this now. I found myself quoting Annie Camden from 7th Heaven (loved that show).... "it's a privilege, not a right." We had the whole responsibility and rules talk. Good thing she has unlimited texting... I wonder how many times yesterday I heard her ringtone!

We had a wonderful impromptu play day with friends. We had plans to do something different, but that fell through this week and we ended up at Adventure Playground in Berkeley. SO much fun. In fact, that deserves its own post... SUCH a great place. I can't believe I hadn't been there before. I was so inspired. More on that soon.

Tomorrow I'll be posting my 100th post! Come back for a celebration giveaway!

calling all crock pot recipes!

It's that time of year! Soon the cooler Fall weather will be upon us, and with busier schedules that come with back to school season, my crock pot is my friend. I thought I'd share a favorite crock pot recipe with you, and ask that you share some of yours too.

I know I'll be visiting A Year of Slow Cooking often. Have you heard about this blog? Stephanie used her crock pot every day for an entire year, and shared her secrets and recipes on her blog. Some very creative recipes there! Our kids and their cousins loved the crock pot french toast recipe. You prepare it before bed and let it cook overnight... what a heavenly smell to wake up to! The brown sugar chicken reicpe was also a big hit at our house. There are lots more to try, and now you can even buy the book (pre-orders now for early October release).

The recipe I'll share here is one of my favorites. I got the recipe from my sister Kelly, who got it from a friend. It's one of those recipes that's copied and shared, and then copied and shared some more. It's that good. Please share your one of your tried and true favorites. Or if you have a great website for recipes to share with the rest of us, that would be great too. You can't have too many amazing crock pot recipes. They make life so much easier, and I love the simmering smell in the house all day!

Tortilla Soup

ingredients:

1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix

1pgk. taco seasoing

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped

1 can white hominy

1 can northern (white) beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can diced green chiles

1 can diced tomatoes

1 bag frozen corn

chicken broth- enough to cover contents

directions:

Place all of the ingredients into a large crock pot, making sure there is enough chicken broth to cook it in. Simmer for about 4 hours. (You can also do this on the stove and simmer for 30-40 minutes.)

When you're ready to serve the soup, you can garnish it with grated cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, avacado, lime juice, cabbage, or cilantro.

Enjoy!