#26: Read 15 Books (4/15)

I finished Jennifer Weiner's, Good in Bed. I enjoyed it but it took a few twists and turns I wasn't expecting from the title. Overall a good, easy read. I've also red In Her Shoes by the same author.

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#52: Find a Local Source for Chicken

I guess I should have been a bit more specific when I said find a local source for chicken, as in BUY local chicken. I certainly have found one (Hopkins Poultry - you can find them on Facebook & highly recommended by a friend), but haven't made it over there yet. At about an hour away it's not super local. I'm sure there are more local options than this, but I just haven't been all that motivated to find them and go buy chicken. Our freezer is pretty full of local beef and pork, plus a number of whole chickens I buy at $0.59/lb to cook in the Crockpot and shred. It's really hard to forgo that price, so we'll have to see what the future brings in our chicken department.

#23: Fill an "Operation Christmas Child" box from our family

Technically, our family didn't fill a single box. We joined forces with Little Man's preschool and my MOPS group to fill a large number of boxes. Our MOPS group filled 21 boxes with a huge bag of leftovers that I took to Preschool for them to use in their boxes. Since my partner-in-crafting-crime co-Creative Activities coordinator  & I were in charge of this project, Little Man and I actually got take all the boxes to be dropped off, which he was very excited about. We also collected money for shipping, but put it on my debit card so we could track where our boxes end up. How cool!

I'm glad these will end up providing a little bit of Christmas for a child around the world, but I think it's important to remember there are plenty of people locally who are also in need, especially given the state of the economy right now. At my family's Thanksgiving this year, we collected can goods to be used for "Backpack Buddies". What a great, simple way to provide basic needs to those around us.

#26: Read 15 Books (3/15)

I quickly read Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult. It was interesting, but not one of my favorite books of hers. Plain Truth is the best book I've read by Picoult - truly great! 

On to another book...just not sure which one (mostly because I'm way down on the library list for the books I really want to read).

#27: Take a Photography Class

I just finished a 6 week Intro to DSLR Photography course. I loved it and learned a lot! I'm nowhere near a pro, semi-pro, or even decent amateur, but at least I'm out of auto mode (most of the time). I learned basics, like aperture and shutter speed. I also learned some neat techniques like light painting and night time photography. My brother and I had a TON of fun practicing for that assignment.

I liked this class not only for what I learned, but because it allowed me to have some adult time to focus on something I was truly interested in. Although I'm living my dream life being a wife and stay-at-home mom, it's nice to be able to converse and learn about something completely different than kids, cooking, saving money, etc. I'm so blessed that my hubby was willing to shell out his hard earned money and spend 6 evenings single-parenting after long days at work. I hear there's going to be an intermediate class during the next term...that's definitely peaked my interest!

#14: Take a Bubble Bath

After a long hiatus from bubble baths, I have actually enjoyed several since I started the 101 in 1001 journey. I really enjoy a hot bath on a cold day with a good book to read and that's just what I've been doing!

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#26: Read 15 Books (2/15)

I just finished the third Stieg Larsson novel, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I enjoyed this series, but was ready for it to end. The author went into so much detail that it was a bit long, but a good story overall. I've heard some buzz about movies...would love to see them if an American version is made (I'm not into subtitles).

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I'm interested in reading The Hunger Games series and the Harry Potter books (one of the last on the planet to not read those yet), but I need a bit of a break from series novels. I think I'm going to read a Jodi Picoult book I picked up at the "bargain" section at Borders. I enjoy her novels very much!

#82: Visit a Pumpkin Patch

We made our annual visit to the Pumpkin Patch las tweek. Pumpkin Patches have come a LONG way since I was a kid. At this farm, there are mazes, animals, a corn pit, hay house, hay tunnel, enormous slide, teepee & fort to play in, a train on actual tracks, plus the hay ride to pick out your pumpkin. So much fun for everyone!! And I mean everyone...my Little Man and I were accompanied by my parents, grandparents, my brother and his girlfriend. It's wonderful to have so many people who love you!

Is it just me, or does he look like he came straight out of an LL Bean catalog?

Uncles & girlfriends are so much fun!

That was a big slide and we went fast! :)

#7: Go to the Dixie Classic Fair

I love the fair...the food, the people, the crafts, the animals, the vegetables...I love it all! I've always gone to the NC State Fair, but where I live now that is not the fair to go to. Instead, everyone goes to the Dixie Classic Fair, so I had to check it out. It was enjoyable, far less crowded than the State Fair and much more relaxing with a toddler in tow. However, I don't think anything can beat the State Fair to me. 

Little Man enjoyed riding as he got used to all the sights, sounds, smells, and people.

He is a lover of animals, so naturally the petting zoo was a hit.

When he was tired of riding in the stroller, he happily rode on his Uncle's shoulders. 

Much better view from up there!

His favorite part of the fair were the Pig Races. He screamed "Go PIG go!" and "Run PIG run!" long after the races were over. He even enjoyed Swifty, the swimming pig (featured below).

#12: Go on a Picnic (1/5)

While on our weekend getaway, we also accomplished #12 on my list - go on a picnic. Since we spent the entire day at Biltmore on Friday and food is on the pricey side there, I decided to pack us a picnic. I had planned a long picnic with beautiful mountain views, but it was surprisingly over 90 degrees that day, so we chose to cool off in the shade of a tree and enjoy our lunch instead.

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