101 in 1001: #5 Run a 10K.

Well, I did it. I didn't run the whole thing (think a run/walk combo), but I'm counting this as a huge check mark! Nathan and I, plus his family, ran Cincinnati's turkey trot on Thanksgiving this year. It was fr-fr-frigid, but sunny and clear, which was the best weather we could have hoped for! I lived in Cincinnati for four years before moving to Cleveland, and it was so fun to run by some of my favorite spots and reminisce about living in that city.

When I moved to my Cincinnati neighborhood right out of college, I tried so hard to catch the running bug. Hyde Park has got to be the runningest neighborhood EVER (seriously, you'd see tons and tons of people running all the time. Sun, snow, sleet, rain, etc.), and I felt like I should run to fit in! I enjoy being outside while getting exercise, but I only ever wanted to run a mile or so before calling it quits. I've pushed myself farther for a couple races here and there, but it's just never really been my thing. Anyone have any tips for a wannabe runner??

I had high hopes that I'd bust out this 10K no problem, but I honestly had a difficult time training in the midst of busy season and, let's be honest, the start of winter. I'm totally adding another race like this to my next 101 list (oh yeah, it's happening!). For now, I'm just happy I crossed crawled across this finish line.

101 in 1001: #11 Shoot a Charity Event for Free.

Does anyone shoot charity events for money? I'm now realizing how ridiculous that title sounds, but I take all my 101 in 1001 goals verbatim from my list sooooo ... Anyways, the important thing is that I got to photograph TWO charity events this year! I think it's really important to give back, and while I'm still searching for an organization (besides my church) to volunteer with on a regular basis (suggestions??), I'm thankful to be able to use my photography here and there when it's needed.

This first event was really, super cool. The Silver Spoon Awards Party is a food and wine-tasting event that benefits the Arthritis Foundation of Northeastern Ohio. There were SO many Cleveland-based restaurants and businesses in attendance, including my personal fav, Hodges. (I even got to take a picture of Chris Hodgson ... come ON!) Even though I don't profess to be a foodie, I love the creativity that goes into cooking. Everything at the Silver Spoon Awards was so photogenic ... AND so delicious!

Then I got to photograph an event that really spoke to me: Literary Lots. I LOVE to read, and Literary Lots is all about bringing the magic of reading to vacant, urban spaces. What an amazing, creative and inspiring project! It was reading meets art. During the summer, this empty space in Ohio City was completely transformed into a literary playground. There were sandwich boats a la Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, a space for tea parties, and a jungle gym of "pasta tubes." Talk about letting your imagination run wild!

Check out this video to get a better feel for the project:

101 in 1001: #24 Plant a Garden.

We had visions of our garden before we even knew we would be able to plant one. The sun would be shining as we picked carrots from the soil. I would probably be wearing a super cute sun hat while Rosie ran around chasing butterflies. ...

Let's be real. We planted our garden with much gusto. We were SO excited. Our neighbor offered up this little plot of soil between our houses, and we just knew we would be feasting on green beans and spinach and peppers in no time. Until the bunnies started eating everything, including the one tiny little strawberry we were completely smitten with. Until we realized we hadn't watered the garden for a week. Until I got so busy, I completely forgot we even had a garden (for proof, see picture below of our basil plant in May and then in September).

Yesterday, we discovered our garden again and realized we had some carrots. Except that we forgot to thin the carrots out, so they ranged from hugely short and squat (kind of resembling a sumo wrestler) to the most minuscule, inedible things you've ever seen. You better believe we'll be eating those carrots though.

One day, I want to tend to a garden just like the one at Lucky's. I would love to grow my own wildflowers that I can pick for vases and be completely self sufficient when it comes to summer vegetables. I'm hoping that our neighbor isn't silently cursing us and already making plans to ban us from the garden next season. Because I really would love to try again. :)

101 in 1001: #33 Ski down a moderate-sized hill without falling.

We're baaaack! Although you probably didn't even know we'd gone unless you follow me on Instagram. Nathan and I were in Breckenridge, Colo., on a ski vacation with his family. And it was WAY warmer in Colorado that it is in Cleveland. Brr! ANYWAYS, one of my 101 goals and January goals was to ski down a hill without falling. If you know me you know I am NOT a skier, but I am married to one. Nathan goes skiing with his family every year, and I joined for the first time this year! My trip ranged from taking a beginner class to having a panic attack on top of a blue mountain. It was quite the range of emotions. :) BUT. I did ski down some greens without falling. And just for posterity's sake, I'm sharing it here.

I was super tired and not in the mood to be videotaped (can you tell by the freeze frame?! Hahaha!), but looking back I'm so glad Nathan caught this and narrated the entire thing. Haha. My favorite part is when he tells me to go "lightening fast" and the I start out at 0.3 miles an hour. Oh, so embarrassing. I'm a cautious skier, what can I say?