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Lifelong Learning

January 7, 2011 by Tracey 6 Comments

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether this happens at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps on learning not only remains young, but becomes constantly more valuable regardless of physical capacity.” ~Harvey Ullman


In my final post about focus for the new year, I wanted to share a list of projects I’d like to try in the coming months. I was inspired by Crystal’s post on 12 Do-It-Yourself Projects I Plan to Attempt in 2011 and hope to learn some new skills (and probably attempt a few things that I will never repeat!).

January: Cook homemade spaghetti sauce (Got a recipe to share for this one?)

February: Post a vlog

March: Make homemade doughnuts

April: Plant a container garden with cherry tomatoes and cucumbers (I tried the tomatoes a couple of years ago, but hope to do better with them this time.)

May: Learn how to play chess

June: Select a song and learn to play it well on the piano (I have basic musical knowledge, but very rarely sit down and use the piano.)

July: Read my digital camera manual, along with a couple of photography books or blogs, and learn to take better photos

August: Make my own yogurt

September: Bake homemade bagels

October: Publish an e-book

November/December: Knit scarves for my daughters’ dolls. (Yes – it may take two months, considering my lack of skill at any handiwork!)

What’s something new you’d like to try in 2011?

photo courtesy public domain pictures

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Comments

  1. Forever Neighbor says

    January 7, 2011 at 6:40 pm

    I am hoping to take up photography. I need to purchase a new camera. With the hubby deploying I would love to take great pics to send to him.
    Great list! I have always wanted to learn how to play chess.
    Blessings!

    Reply
  2. JoannaTopazT says

    January 8, 2011 at 6:19 am

    Tracey, here's my mom's recipe for homemade spaghetti sauce (which I haven't made in a really long time…maybe I should do that this year, too):

    Meatballs: 1 lb. hamburger, a couple of crust of bread run through the blender to chop them up, one egg and some dried parsley Mix, make balls, brown on all sides.
    Sauce: 2 15-oz. cans chopped tomatoes in juice, 2 6-oz. cans Italian tomato paste; 1 cup of water. Heat up and let simmer for a while. Add mushrooms, onions, or whatever you want.

    Reply
  3. Clara says

    January 8, 2011 at 8:38 am

    I'd like to get into haute couture this year, designing my own clothing and sewing them. I'm not sure if that is a realistic new thing to put on my list or not, but that's probably the only NEW thing I'm wanting to do this year so far…
    Love your list. I make my own spaghetti sauce, but it's all in my head – next time I make it I'll try to remember to measure it and write it down for you! 🙂
    I'll be eager to hear how you go with your goals! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Kristen says

    January 8, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Great goals!

    I haven't made homemade spaghetti sauce in much too long! My Mom always made a great sauce. It's simple, too. Brown 2 lbs of hamburger with diced onion. Simmer with 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste, 2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce, 1 (16 oz) can water, 1 tsp lemon juice, 2 Tblsp brown sugar, 1 Tblsp chili powder, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 2 bay leaves and 1 clove garlic. I hope your family enjoys your homemade sauce!

    Thanks for visiting and following my site!

    Reply
  5. Suzanne says

    January 10, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Hi Tracey!

    Here's a sauce recipe I came up with after combining a few different ones:

    1/2 large green pepper, diced
    1 large onion, diced
    2 cloves garlic, crushed
    1 lb. ground beef
    1/2 to 3/4 lb. mild Italian sausages, casings removed
    28 oz. diced tomatoes
    28 oz. crushed tomatoes
    6 oz. tomato paste
    1/2 c. white cooking wine
    1 T. Worcestershire sauce
    1 t. sugar
    1 T. dried parsley
    2 t. dried basil
    1 large bay leaf
    2 to 3 t. beef bouillon powder
    fresh cracked pepper, to taste
    salt, to taste, if needed

    Brown and drain meat, and add fresh veggies to saute for a few minutes. Add remaining ingredients, adding a little water if necessary. Simmer for a while. Remove bay leaf.

    I use 10 heaping ladles of sauce to make a pound of baked spaghetti. Sauce can be frozen.

    Note: I sometimes also throw in a jar of Ragu meat-flavored sauce as well, but it's not necessary, and is what you're trying to say goodbye to, so leave it out! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Beth Stone says

    January 10, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    What a fun post – I like the idea of scheduling new things to try….

    This is the pasta sauce "recipe" that my husband's Swiss German/Italian grandmother shared with me… It's simple, but it's DELICIOUS!

    You will need:
    – fresh garlic (3 cloves or so, to taste)
    – canned diced tomatoes (as many cans as you think you will need for your family. I usually use 3-4)
    – olive oil
    – salt
    – basil (fresh or dried)
    – 1-2 bay leaves
    – rosemary (fresh or dried)

    Pour 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil into a saucepan, heat, and add minced garlic. Brown the garlic, then add your canned tomatoes. Add salt to taste, then your herbs to taste – I never measure. I usually use 1 or 2 branches of fresh rosemary, probably 1 T. of basil (dried), 1/2 t. salt, and 2 bay leaves…. But you can adjust it to your liking. Simmer for one hour over low heat, stirring occasionally, then serve over penne noodles. Enjoy!

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

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