Resolution quarterly report

It's been just about three months since I made my list of 19 resolutions. I've added four to the completed list (cook with five new ingredients; enter and complete a 5K; have tulips or lilies in my garden and apply for a fellowship.) The 5K was fun and I can't wait to do another one. The tulips were short lived, but I have the bulbs drying outside with hopes that I will be able to plant them for next year. I cooked with five different ingredients with Swiss chard being on of the best of the bunch and quinoa being the worst. And I got the news about a month ago that I didn't get the fellowship, but at least I tried.

As for the rest of the resolutions, I have started on some of them, such as eating at five new restaurants this year. I tried Rosy's at the Beach, Pluto's and Village Bistro, so I just have two more to go. I've also read three books, including Alice Munro's "Too Much Happiness," Audrey Niffenegger's "Her Fearful Symmetry," and Nick Hornby's "Juliet, Naked." I've got a few other books on the to-read list, including one by an author I met last week, Tim Z. Hernandez.

For some resolutions, I've started to lay the groundwork. Two weekends ago, I planted basil and a variety of tomatoes that will be used this summer to make my homemade pasta sauce. Unfortunately, a recent storm may have hurt the young transplants so I may need to replace them this weekend. I am determined to use as many of my homegrown tomatoes in the sauce as I can.

I have also booked a flight to somewhere other than Indianapolis for a short vacation. I will be stopping in Denver for a few days on my way home Indianapolis and it costs the same as flying straight home. Some people have asked me why Denver and all I can say is maple bacon cupcakes. Or at least that is the reason a friend told me to go there. Also, I know someone who lives there who has offered me a place to crash and to be my tour guide for a few days.

And with some of the resolutions, I have to admit, I haven't started at all. I keep meaning to add a few Oscar best picture winners to the netflix queue, but I'm on a "Criminal Minds" kick and trying to catch up on all the old episodes. I'm still on season one. I have also not started working on a short story since spending most of my week reporting and writing (and blogging) makes me not really want to write in my spare time. I've got some ideas kicking around in my mind, but just need to find the time.

I just keep reminding myself I still have nine months to go, plenty of time to finish the other 15 resolutions.