Thursday, March 4, 2010

I Did It (and you can, too)

I'm not really much of a joiner. My rebellious side doesn't do well with others telling me what to do. I was talked into joining the Daring Bakers and I was delighted to be a member during the time I participated. But I soon found that I chafed under the rules and wasn't always eager to make the challenge that was selected. Either it wasn't a challenge for me, or I didn't have anybody to eat that particular challenge, and it was really wasteful to make something just to be part of the group. So I dropped DB.

But I do have many mountains left to conquer in the cooking realm. So I'm starting a new group. It's actually an UnGroup. You don't have to ask to join. You don't have to follow anyone else's schedule. You won't feel left out if you don't participate.

So what is this ungroup? It's the I Did It! ungroup. You select the challenge - you know best what intimidates you, what you've been putting off trying. When you put up your post, just slap up this logo to let the world know you've taken on something new and given it a good kicking!



(Special thanks to the super-talented Elle of Feeding My Enthusiasms for making the badge for me!)

Go ahead, grab the badge right now and tuck it into a folder to save for later. All I ask is that you put a link to this post by the badge so the word can spread and others can push themselves and reward their efforts with a high five.

This year, since I'm starting late in the year, there will be ten opportunities to high five yourself. (Of course, since this is an ungroup, with almost no rules, you can high five yourself as often as you like). You could do ten in one month, or one a month, or whatever you're inspired to do. In December, if you've posted ten I Did It's!, send me the link and I'll send you back an official High Ten! Badge to put on your blog, plus a round-up of all the participants.

So, grab that badge, store it with the link to this post, and start making a list of all the things you've wanted to try, but just needed an excuse or a small push to do. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

36 comments:

Roving Lemon said...

Count me in! I've already got a candidate!

Fallon said...

This is great! I know what you mean about baking somethings that aren't something you really want to tackle. When I have free time I'll definitely do some of the challenges. ;)

Dolce said...

I like the idea of your un-group because we can fit in anytime, any schedule, anything we fancy!

Great and high fives to you for doing it!

Sheila @ The Deliberate Reader said...

Thanks for this - I've hesitated to join some groups because I don't want to have to spend my limited free time doing what I am assigned to do, instead of what I want to do.

There are plenty of things that will challenge me and I'd already started a list of the baking challenges I wanted to tackle this year, so I've got some ideas of what some of my 10 will be.

Jennifer Jo said...

I could've written that first paragraph, minus the part about joining DB, myself! I hate being told what to do or having to do things a certain way (unless it's my way). Perhaps this will inspire people to do more things---I can always use a push (and not just baking pushes) on a regular basis.

Debbie said...

Great idea! I'm in! or un.

Karen Baking Soda said...

Un-groupers unite! (or eh not..) the idea is great and I smiled so much reading this post!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea! I just recently joined DB, and I'm already wondering if I have the stamina. I'm going to give it a go for a while, but I just love your un-group idea. I'll definitely be "joining" that! :)

Anh said...

This sounds like fun. I am joining!

Barbara said...

At this moment, I have one thing I want to make, but have been putting off. It's complicated and I'm not sure I can pull it off. But if I do, I'll let you know!

Da Bee's Knees said...

I did the same thing with Daring Bakers! I had a blast, but couldn't keep the committment.

I am SO on board with this UN-group. I've snagged the badge.

Brilliant!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I left the DB's for exactly the reasons you mention, but it is fun to have a challenge.

Jayne said...

I feel like crying. This is my first time visiting your blog but I think I am hooked. Every post makes me salivate and wish you're my mama. LOL. I love baking and cooking but am too cheap because good chocolate ain't cheap and I just got married so I haven't got any baking tins and stuff. Sigh... I splurged on vanilla beans last week though. Not if only I could get a muffin tin to make vanilla bean muffins. Sigh & double Sigh. So all in all, I'm just dropping a not to say I love your blog. it's coming under my must-reads. :-)

All the best!

Love,
Jayne.

Lien said...

What a lovely idea for a (not)group. I'm totally one of those who can strange myself in trying to follow all the rules of whatever. As I'm getting older I can manage to say no a little better. This might be a help to get me to do some of the stuff I wanted but still haven't...

Dharm said...

Ha HA! I LOVE This idea!! i know what you mean about the DBs...although I'm still there. This ungroup sounds like a load of fun! Great Idea!

Debbie said...

I think this is a great idea. I like to bake what I enjoy and not something that doesn't interest me or something I don't care for... Count me in!!!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Thanks, all, for your positive comments. I can see we're going to have a lot of fun being an ungroup!

Candid Whisperer - For starter pans, thrift stores and garage sales. They may not be the very best quality, but they'll let you get started. For your vanilla beans, may I suggest my vanilla bean scones? No special pans required.

Dharm said...

Lynn,
Answered you on my blog but to save you the 'trip' there, yes, Jello is the equivalent to what I used. I used a local brand as Jello is just so darned expensive over here!

Elle said...

I'm in...now what should be the first challenge?

NKP said...

Great idea! I have captured the badge and filed it for later. Thanks!

TeaLady said...

An un-group member. I LIKE THAT. Got the badge, got the recipe. Got it going!!

Gretchen Noelle said...

I really like this idea. It might get me to make some fancy Peruvian cakes that I just haven't gotten to but have always wanted to. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love this idea. I did not join DB because of the requirements. While I belong to other groups, they generally make recipes, I can use. IF not, I don't make it.

I do have my personal challenges and this would be a way to meet them.

I am cutting back on my baking, this month, trying to empty my freezer which would make a nice bakery.

In April, I will start but I am going to blog your idea and send others here. I think a lot of people will want to be part of this.

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

You are so smart! What a great smile for a Sunday afternoon! Wonderful idea.

Julie said...

What a great idea!! I just made a my Top 50 list of things I want to make.

Thanks for hosting!!

Elle said...

Just posted about this, with a link, so hope lots of bloggers will come connect and maybe others will do a post to spread the word, too.

The Blonde Duck said...

This sounds like a group I could join...

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

http://sweetsav.blogspot.com/2010/03/do-you-like-to-join-clubs-but-cant-keep.html

Marysol said...

Excellent idea.
I'm so in on the carnage!

Andreas said...

Great idea.
Let's become un-groupies. ;)

Carla and Michael said...

I love it! So, when can we start? And when can we link to the badge?

Lynne Daley said...

Great idea! I have many challenges that I would love to do-will begin my list. I have a hard time with groups, but just make what I like or have time to do and let it go at that.

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I owe you thanks. I decided to put our new non group award on a particular recipe to find that I never blogged it.

I found a note telling how I made it and left out an ingredient and would make it again before I post it. I did make it again but I never posted it.

Now, I can post it. It was rather funny, searching my blog in a dozen different words and not finding it. So thanks.

Da Bee's Knees said...

I am proud to report my first post in the "I Did It" Un-group!!!

www.beeingblessed.blogspot.com

Da Bee's Knees said...

Hi Lynn,

I completed the second "I Did It" yesterday. I made a Mango/Berry Sorbet! It was so easy... I don't know why I was nervous.

http://beeingblessed.blogspot.com/

Barbara said...

I love this idea! I just started a blog that mainly involves working through my grandma's and great aunt's old recipes. Some are rather intimidating. I will use this badge with pride whenever I tackle one of the more difficult recipes!