My Really, Real Reality
“Let us live for the beauty of our own reality.” ~ Charles Lamb
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Thursday, January 26, 2023
Thankful Thursday: January 26, 2023
I Am Thankful For:
Getting a late start
Getting back on track
Valentine decor
A positive outlook
A delicious pasta dish
Tickets to see one of my favorite comedians this spring
A warm house on a cold and windy day
A cranberry muffin and coffee
Finished painting
A quiet afternoon
Comfy pants
An unexpected visit
Quiet moments
Finishing a good book
Cautious optimism
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Thursday, January 19, 2023
Thankful Thursday: January 19, 2023
I Am Thankful For:
Sunshine through the clouds
Dog videos
My husband taking care of me after mom dental procedure
Sleep, sleep, and more sleep
Hot cocoa
Getting the dogs back safely after they escaped the house
Friday evening
A dusting of snow
Rescuing the bird trapped in the garage
New phones
My son helping with the grocery shopping
Birthday cake outlays
Red sky morning
Some good news
Meatless meals
Sunday, January 15, 2023
Thursday, January 12, 2023
Thankful Thursday: January 12, 2023
I Am Thankful For:
When the storms are past
Mushroom ravioli
My husband
When the dogs stop barking
Relaxing on a Friday evening
Trying a new drink
Brainstorming trip ideas for this year
My husband taking the dogs out so I can sleep in a little longer
A beautiful new rug
Homemade sausage rolls
My husband helping put away the Christmas decorations
A warm bowl of gumbo on a rainy day
Starting a new project
Sweet potatoes
When a cold morning turns into a warm afternoon
Sunday, January 8, 2023
Thursday, January 5, 2023
Thankful Thursday: January 5, 2023
I Am Thankful For:
A day at Biltmore Estate
The beauty of a frozen fountain
Winter landscapes
Lazy days
A cup of afternoon tea
Planning for the new year
Chips and queso
Warmer weather
Creative ideas
A good night's sleep
Phone calls from my daughter
Music from the 80's
Appetizers for dinner
Start of a new year
Two blue days in the pear tree
A beautiful January day
A day with my grandson
New ideas for my Etsy shop
Healthy and delicious breakfast
New wine cabinet
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Create
If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month. (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)
My word for January is Create.
What does this mean? Well... for me, it means...
To explore ways to be creative in my work and hobbies.
To create healthy habits for the new year.
Create time for the people I love.
Create time for the activities I enjoy.
Create pleasant spaces in which to work and live.
To create the best possible me.
Create a life I love.
Monday, January 2, 2023
January 2023
For me, there's something extra special when a new year, a new month, and a new week all start at the same time. It's like the ultimate "fresh start". Just me? That's ok. I said it, and I don't regret it.
I don't know about you, but I am so excited for 2022. The Man of the House and I are already floating some ideas for trips we'd like to take this year. We will be keeping our travels within the states this year while probably planning for another bigger trip next year. And our new grandbaby is due this winter. Obviously, I can't wait to meet him!
Speaking of grandchildren - January will find us celebrating Grandson #1's birthday. I can hardly believe that he is going to be 11. He's getting so big. He's already almost as tall as I am!
I received a small embroidery machine for Christmas. I am looking forward to learning how to use it and making some fun new thing. Embroidered burp cloths, bibs, and blankets for Grandson #2? Definitely! I also have some ideas for items to compliment the crocheted pieces I sell in my Etsy shop.
I have created myself a reading list for January. This is something I plan to do for each month this year. My list for January is: The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I also hope to be able to finish The Next Right Thing by Emily P Freeman just as soon as I can get it from the library again. (My loan expired and someone else had put a hold in it so I couldn't renew it).
January is typically a month for purging the old and trying to get organized. I'm no different when it comes to this. I'm back at it - working to decorate and organize my home office and create a pleasant workspace for myself. I also have some projects planned for the dining room.
My goals for the month include:
- File sales taxes for shop by January 10
- Put away all Christmas decor
- Create a pleasant workspace
- Create a plan with the Man of the House to take at least 2 trips this year
- Create some items for the grandkids while learning to use my new embroidery machine
- Read at least 3 books
What are your plans for January?
Sunday, January 1, 2023
Friday, December 30, 2022
My One Word for 2023
The end is near! No... Not in some cryptic "person on a street corner with a sign" kind of way. Tomorrow we'll see 2022 come to an end, and then we're moving on to 2023!
For many people a new year means a new set of resolutions. For me it means a new word. One word which is my focus and guide for the year.
That word for 2033 is Explore.
Explore: to investigate, study, scrutinize, or analyze : look into, to become familiar with by testing or experimenting, to search into or travel in for the purpose of discovery.
But, here's the thing...
As I began considering the word Explore and how it might take shape in the year ahead, something didn't quite feel settled. As if something was missing. At first I thought perhaps I had the wrong word. I kept getting clues and signals that the word for the year was Explore. Yet, that feeling of incomplete didn't go away.
Then, one morning during my quiet time, I had a thought that changed everything.
Perhaps a year of exploration isn't meant to stop at just one word. What if each month had its own word? A new word to explore each and every month.
Suddenly, it seemed as if all the pieces had clicked into place. That idea of one word for each month felt right. It was new and different. But also exciting.
So, my one word for 2023 isn't just one word at all. While the word for 2023 is Explore - each month of the year will also have its own word. I am not choosing all twelve words in advance. I trust that the word for each month will come to me according to where my focus needs to be and what I need to explore each month.
Do you set resolutions or make goals for the new year? Do you set a word as a focus for the year? Or do go in without any expectations, just waiting to see what the year brings?
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Thankful Thursday: December 29, 2022
I Am Thankful For:
Packages mailed
Kisses from my husband
New space heaters
Baking Christmas cookies with the grandkid
Jackets for the dogs
Every day I am given
Wrapping presents
Finding a bag of Christmas candy I had forgotten about
A surprise gift
Baked goodies from the neighbors
A quiet night before the busy weekend
Family gathered for Christmas
Games that make everyone laugh
Christmas morning
After Christmas deals
Christmas dinner leftovers
Toys that keep the dog entertained for a long time