Happy New Year

Wishing you all the best in the coming year.

My first day of the year began at 5:00 a.m. !!!  Dogs . . . Taz makes a good alarm clock and beginning tomorrow, that will be our normal wake-up time again. I've enjoyed 12 days of having Honey Do home and sleeping in (mind you, that includes getting up at least once a night to let Taz and the girls out). 

We got up to this - 

This is another 3 inches of snow in the driveway that I was shoveling this morning.

The snow isn't bad, especially if you don't have to go anywhere.  Honey Do goes back to work tomorrow. I'm concerned about school starting on Monday because the temperatures are dipping into the single digits and that means below zero wind-chills.  Kids walk to school and those temperatures will cause it to be cancelled. It could be a very long January.  We've already experienced colder than normal-to-us temperatures for the season.

I'm not complaining. It's amazing how much I can get accomplished in the first hours after Honey Do and Newton leave for work and school. As much as I've enjoyed the company, I'm also looking forward to getting back to what is my normal routine.

Of course, it's also that time of year for reflection, resolutions and change.  First, the resolutions.  I don't make them anymore. I've discovered in myself over the years that I don't keep them. That doesn't mean that I don't disagree with the need for change and reflection, I just don't make a hard, fast list because I know I won't stick to it.

I've set some goals for the year, but they all have to do with getting UFOs done and starting some new projects.  There are some beauties out there too:

Quilt Doodle Doodle has a new block of the month for the year.  The fabric requirements and first pattern have been published.  Getting ready to start this one.

Jenny of Elefantz has a beautiful tutorial for displaying a calendar and a new pattern for a pillow.

The Zen of Making has a three part series to make a hexie travel kit.

Tea Ros Home has a tutorial for making catherderal window coasters and pin cushion.

And finally, 

The House on the Side of the Hill offers links to free things almost daily.

Another goal for 2014 that I have is to continue working through my stash and keeping my purchases to a minium.  Shopping my stash will be my first priority before I head to the store to purchase anything.  I'm not in a position at the moment to start giving things away.  As I shop my stash I will make those decision based on what I have and what I'm working on at the time.  There's nothing worse than giving something away and finding a short time later that you could have used that piece.

There are also the goals of cleaning better, purging more, getting/staying organized. Last year I made a list of goals I wanted to accomplish around the house:  room by room.  I started off strong, but then spring break came and within four weeks the school year was ending.  Yard work, gardening and children take over my time and my goals are set aside.  Just becuase it didn't get done last year doesn't mean that I won't revisit that list and make those goals priorities again.

My immediate priorities are getting some stitching done, so

Thanks for stopping by,

Wishing you a creative new year.

Love'n'hugs,

e