Let's Read!

Posted by Melissa Baumgart and Amy Baranski

In honor of Reading a Book a Week Month, we did our monthly photo shoot at one of the most beautiful buildings in Seattle, The Seattle Public Library.  The angles, the colors, the lighting...it all came together and ignited our inspiration to read all month long, at any moment.  Perhaps even on an escalator!

We hope you feel inspired as well.  Whether you read books all the time, or you haven't read a book since Wuthering Heights in 9th Grade; we invite you to join us on this challenge.  Both of us have not read as much as we would like to in recent years, so if this isn't in your comfort zone, you're in good company.

On the side bar of the blog, you'll find a poll.

If you're in for reading a book every week, simply click on the "Yes!"  We can all share in the inspiration from the increasing numbers of fellow readers out there.  Feel free to share your experiences, joys, failures and thoughts in our comments or on our Facebook page.

Reading can evoke facial expressions.  Intense and relaxed.

Here are some suggestions for those joining us:

• Wednesday to Wednesday makes up one week.   
• You can choose any books you like.  
• Some people will just read and read and read, without the need for any motivation.
• Some people may find it helpful to divide their number of pages by 7, so they can see how many pages they need to read every day to stay on track.
• Any other questions?....Just Ask!

Read on!

If you're new to this blog, check out what we do, why we do it and like our Facebook page to stay up to date and participate.

12 New Things for 2012

2 friends, 12 new things, 1 year to try them all!

posted by Melissa Baumgart & Amy Baranski

A new year begins today!

Over the course of this past year we unintentionally discovered that the motivating force driving the blog has shifted from finding that one passion to opening ourselves to new experiences and challenges.

In the words of octogenarian protester Dorli Rainey's hero: "Whatever you do, take one more step out of your comfort zone."

You're Invited 

One of the best parts of blog has been reader participation: from your comments to your suggestions, and your cheerleading, we love it all. As Melissa chants: I like it! I love it! I want more of it!

Each month this year we will post a poll where you can pledge to join the month's new thing. Think of it as a symbolic act  among our blog community to inspire all of us to keep stepping out of our comfort zones.

How many of these 12 new things would you take on?

• February: Read a Book a Week (Amy)
• March: Water Aerobics (Amy - suggested by Ann)
• April: DIY Home (Melissa)
• May: Fishing (Melissa)
• June: Teach Your Husband How to Cook (Amy - Suggested by Jamie)
• July: Paint a Mural (Voted by the readers! Suggested by Cassandra)
• August: Photography (Melissa)
• September: Tennis (Amy)
• October: Sign Language (Melissa)
• November: Hanging Out in Cemeteries (Melissa)
• December: Stand-up Comedy (Melissa - suggested by Natalie and Sarah)
• January: Walk-a-thon (Amy)

A year in review: forage now, save for later

By Amy Baranski

Foraged Seattle blackberries.

One of the great aspects of this blog is reaping the benefits found during one month just five months later. For instance, the other morning I enjoyed a bowl of plain whole yogurt, cashews, and frozen blackberries. The blackberries were from our September forage last year. YUM.

Today, as I'm feeling nostalgic about my first year with this blog, Good Luck With That, I'm making my own granola (another hat tip to urban homesteading month). A huge thank you Melissa for adding that to our list last year and even asking me to participate in this whole blog adventure!

In fact I have to say that a lot of things Melissa chose last year for the list ended up being things I really enjoyed and turned into months well spent. As I sit here with the sweet smell of honeyed oats toasting in the oven, I find myself reflecting on the past 12 months, and several moments stick with me that I will always treasure:

• Urban Homesteading photo shoot
• Learning how to knit with Levi 
• Then practicing late at night while watching bad TV reruns and drinking red wine. 
• Raiding my friend Jennifer's plum tree.
• Canning with Melissa while blasting SNOOP.
• Sidewalk Paella feasts
• Mount Rainier, the whole damn thing.
• Hike to Lake Caroline, the agony and ecstasy.
• Mushroom foraging in Seattle Parks (Melissa's moss moment!)

Morning granola.

I could probably list the time that we attended Saul Krotki's class and became the Intergalactic-be-yourself-association, or the intense moments in the Sweatbox, or anything from aerial trapeze month, or a million other moments. But, by and large, and I find myself most drawn to the activities we did outdoors.

I wish there were more time to build on these adventures, but I suppose we'll do that in new ways for our new year, which I'm very excited about. It's hard to say goodbye to such an amazing year with a new friend. But, it's so fun knowing that we get to start a new adventure again. What will 2012 bring...? Stay tuned we will announce our new list shortly!

Thank you READERS, family, friends, neighbors and especially Melissa and the gang for letting me into your lives this year.