Mama Fern's New Years Resolution follow-up

Yup, I actually kept track of my 2011 resolutions for the whole year so far....  So, how am I tracking?

• Sew 10 items of clothing

Well, I don't think I've made anything yet this year, but I plan to do some sewing of kids clothing for Christmas presents soon, so hopefully I'll hit the 10 really fast.

• Learn a craft and sell at least one item made using it

I learnt to make a few things weaving flax, but haven't tried to sell anything yet, although the school Christmas fair is only a few weeks off.  Also learned a little about scrapbooking.

• Paint 5 paintings

Managed two so far, though one of them didn't get finished as I wasn't happy with the colours

• Make sure that every one of our kids gets an hour of my time completely focused on just them at least once a month (this doesn't count the joint activities that we spend hours on every week, or school holidays, when it's easier to spread your time)

Well, I've done pretty well, as the kids found my list and tried to hold me to it :)

• Read (and blog a list of) at least 50 books

 The easiest one thus far...  Reading book 47 (Foundation - Isaac Asimov) and counting...

• Grow 5 plants from cuttings that I've never grown before

Parrot plant (variety of impatien) and rosemary cuttings planted a week or so ago.  Inadvertently grew a grape vine from cuttings earlier this year.  Attempted roses and failed miserably, but still getting constantly high strike rate with my lavender.  So, 3 of my 5 so far, and not too many days left in the year

• Make my own picalilli - I keep saying I will

And....  I'll keep saying I'll do this someday...  Soon...  Maybe

• Learn 3 new skills that help me live more sustainably

I learnt to make a solar oven, although it was over winter, so didn't manage to cook anything with it.  Also learnt to prune plants properly, which will hopefully mean a better harvest, therefore, more home grown food for the family.  I'm also in the process of learning how to plant out the first layer of our subtropical area, so that I can start creating microclimates for subtropical plants to grow, expanding the type of food we can provide on our section.

• Get all the family photos on to the walls or at least into photo albums

Photo of Grandad Ralph finally has a frame :)  One photo done, many many more to go! And I bought some scrapbooking supplies to try out with one of the girls, in order to deal with some of the other pictures

• End 2011 with leass than 4 months of debt repayment remaining (and then get NO FURTHER DEBT, unless it's a mortgage) 

This one is tracking really well.  At worst, it'll be the 21st of March 2012 that everything is cleared!

• Send Christmas cards and bake a Christmas cake

Attempted Christmas cake...  I now know I used the wrong type of recipe...  Second cake to be baked later this week!  Christmas cards scheduled on the calendar (I know, I'm a sad little puppy this year!)

So, I'm pretty happy that I'm tracking through my resolutions fine :)  Almost time for next year's - I've already put all the birthdays and important dates on the 2012 calendar, so it's almost time to plan them

Take care all,
Mama Fern