go sailing?

Yes, I know...sailing??!? Let me tell you why...I love being on the water and now that I'm living in Baltimore, I see more sailboats in the Harbor and in the Chesapeake Bay than when I lived in California. When I was running the after school program at Fort Worthington Elementary, I wanted our students to take lessons at the Baltimore Sailing Center. A lot of the staff used to "tease" me (in a loving way), "California Dreamin' (that was my nickname), there you go trying to take our kids out on the water again/on one of your crazy adventures!"  WHY NOT!?!?!

So anyway, now I'm reading Ted Kennedy's Memoir (LUV IT!!) and he talks a lot about sailing.  My curiosity peaked again.  I have a colleague that works on our national team that is an avid sailor (going on 30+ years, competes, etc).  SO, I started a conversation with him about Ted's book, sailing, etc.  Talking to someone who LOVES sailing/always recruiting folks to crew for him+ Why Not= I went sailing.

I had a great time (AND a workout)!! It was a BEAUTIFUL fall day in Annapolis and the national boat show was happening.  So, we went out...yes me, and two other middle aged men/sailors.  I want to go out again, but I told my colleague that he'll see me on the boat in the spring...I don't do winters/cold weather AND water for long periods of time.  He, on the other hand, sails year round!

So, who knows, maybe next spring I'll have more posts about my sailing adventures. Here are a few shots from the day!
The picture at the top is similar to the three man boat I crewed, a lightening sailboat (made of fiberglass). There was a regatta (look at me and my sailing lingo...HA) of wooden sailboats (there goes my lingo, I forgot the sailing terminology for them) that day.  I took lots of pictures of them too!

 

decorate cakes?

I've always been interested in taking a cake decorating class so this fall I figured, why not?  It was a lot of fun.  I signed up through CCBC's Life Enrichment Courses (there were SO many that looked like fun).  It was a four week buttercream class.  I learned icing techniques that are similar to those you can buy at the grocery store. Here are pictures from some of my "dummy" cakes.

I also learned how to make flowers (yes, those typical roses and pansies you find on cakes).

 

So, I didn't realize that the class was only four weeks (it seemed to go so quickly).  I didn't bring in a real cake on the last class so I'll have to test out my techniques this weekend with a homemade cake.  Below is a picture of the instructor showing the class how to make a dog cake.  Here's a website(cake central) with a TON of cake ideas that just about anyone can do!

Next week I start fondant class. Although I've heard that it doesn't taste so great, fondant cakes look awesome. Let's hope I can mine to look like the website!

start a blog?

    There are times when I'm asked, "Why are you doing this/that or going there?"  My answer..."WHY NOT??"  Life is too short! I say try it "all" or what interests you-within reason of course!  This past summer I was reminded of that when my closest aunt passed.  She was a wonderful woman who enjoyed hearing about all of my adventures and hobbies.  She was open to trying all sorts of new things but I can remember her saying something like, "When this/that happens, I'm going to do X,Y, Z."  Well...I think you can tell where I'm going with that.
   "Jack of all trades, master of none." Who came up with that quote?  And to think that it tends to be used in a negative way...no way!! I think life is much more fun (at least for me) giving a hand at this or that.  I think it's in my blood.  My parents were always trying new things and encouraging my brother and I to do the same.  They skied, traveled, gardened, attempted/learned to do self home improvements, cooked, etc.  I remember my mom and I making hair bows; I think that lasted a couple of years when I was into them and my mom enjoyed making them.  We also took porcelain doll classes; again I remember doing that for a year or two.  I'm listing all of this not to brag, but to show that I've had wonderful memories trying new things as a child....I'm not going to stop now!
   So...this blog serves as another way for me to express my creativity, share ideas and get more ideas from others.  I had the garden blog and realized that it's now almost winter and I won't be gardening but there are other hobbies that I will enjoy (the gardening will pick up again in the spring).  Here's how "it works"...the blog is titled "Why Not..." So today's entry would read as "Why not...start a blog?"
   Here's to many more "why nots" in my life....cooking, gardening, cake decorating, sewing, sailing, traveling, entertaining, etc, etc.  What's on your "why not" list?

**About the Kennedy quote: I love this quote and I think it is MUCH deeper than just hobbies.  I had a conversation with girlfriends in California about my idea to start a new blog called, "Why not."  Then on the plane ride home, as I was reading Ted Kennedy's memoir.  He quoted his brother.  This quote embodies my core beliefs from the work/passion I have for education/community power and change, my world view and yes...even my hobbies :)

UNDER CONTRCUTION-

Yes...after a few months I'm back to the blogging world.  The site is under construction for now.  Check back soon!

Cucumbers

So I planted one pickling cucumber plant and have it growing/trained along a trelis. So far, it's produced two cucumbers. I want to make pickles but I'm not sure if I'll have enough to pickle and eat for salads since I only have one plant.

I have to say that I was surprised at what I found; lots of "worts" and "hair" growing from them. I just brushed and washed away the hair and was left with a cucumber that looks like a pickle. I sliced in and ate it. At my first bite, it was extremely bitter. Read on a blog that the leaves and stem of cucmbers produce a bitterness. Once I cut the very end (that was attached to the stem), it was good! (picture coming soon)

June 23rd Progress

The plants outback have started producing small "fruits.The Roma and Heirloom "upside down" tomatoes have small tomatoes.

The eggplant and peppers all have small fruit on them as well (in the gray pot).

The strawberry plant is producing berries again (in a hanging basket right above the eggplant); not enough to make anything from but one or two berries every so often to eat when I'm outside.

Here's to Flowers!

My love for gardening started with flowers. In this blog, I feel like I've neglected them ;) Here are some pics of flowers that have bloomed in the last month. I have lillies that I planted last year but didn't bloom until this year. I also have a Clematis that has taken off. I received the Black-Eyed Susans from a friend that came to visit. They were perfect for vining above the gate in the backyard.