From Us to You!

2020

A New Year

This is the same post I make every year at the end of the year. Sometimes I adjust it depending on my needs or life situation. So far it has worked well for me.

A New Year is right around the corner! A brand new clean calendar! It is up to each one of us what we do with it. Each year I take the same same basic goals with a possible extra or two tossed in for good measure. I prefer to use "goals" instead of "resolutions" because I feel I am taking already important things in my life and putting my focus on strengthening them.

1. To make an effort to learn something new every day. The joy of knowledge is indeed a blessing no matter what you choose to learn.

2. To make time for myself. It's amazing what 15 minutes sitting on the deck with a hot cup of coffee and watching the birds can do for my soul. A little time each day to refresh my spirit is all it takes.

3. To take time to appreciate each day. Too often we forget to see the beauty around us and take the simple things in life for granted. My continued goal is to look with my eyes but to see with my heart. To enjoy life and all that is a part of it.

4. To enjoy my family and friends. I am lucky to have each and every one of them in my life.

5.  Organize and Simplify! Two key words I always yearn to make a part of my everyday routine but often lose focus on. Organize does not mean that I have to go on a cleaning binge each day. It just means that I need to get my life and things that are a part of my life in some sort of manageable order so that I feel comfortable instead of constantly overwhelmed.Not putting things off until the last minute can contribute greatly to this cause. Simplify! Just what it means - plain and simple! Stop making a mountain out of a mole hill. Do what I can and leave the rest. Don't take on more than I can handle or that will leave me stressed out.

6. To remember. So many people have come and gone from my life over the years and I want to keep their memories alive.

7. To keep my faith alive and strong.

8. A Random Act of Kindness. Like so many others, I was raised to do them. Only back then they were called "manners" or just plain "consideration for others". So many people still do these and without even realizing it. For the New Year coming up, I challenge myself along with each and every one of you to make RAKs a regular part of your life and to become more aware of them. Whether it means opening a door for a person, buying a stranger a cup of coffee, taking the grocery cart back inside the store or something else. Let us all strive to bring back those values and in doing so we will give back and make someone's day a little brighter.

9. To Forgive. Things happen that cause hurt, anger and resentment but often the people who cause these feelings don't know or just don't care. We are the ones left with the bitter feelings that only mount up and make us more and more miserable. I will let the past remain in the past and let go of these feelings so that I can move on with my life.

10. To use kind words and patience more often. I will try to live by the good old standard rule "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all".

And of course the New Year would not be complete without some fun goals!

1. Take more trips. Even a day trip can be fun.

2. No pressure. Keep the fun and joy in my hobbies. After all, that is why I started them.

3. Take more pictures

4. Continue to write in my gratitude journal

5. To blog regularly

6. To work on my Stitching Bucket List this year

7. Work on my stack of WIPs this year

8. Work on some Christmas stitching

Have a safe and Happy New Year. Thanks for stopping by! Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Just Words

Yes, I am still working on the Mother's Tree but the hand cramps started over the weekend so I took a few days off from the needle to let my hands rest up before getting back to work.

When I put my stitching aside to give my hands time to get over the cramps, I play in my stash. I have so many designs in my Stitching Bucket List but I have ear marked 10 of them for 2020. LOL. I am not saying I will get all 10 completed next year (that would be a miracle) but those are the ones I have my sights on. I am staying busy to make sure I have every thing I will need for each sampler I do complete.I have also been concerned about storage of these finished samplers (until I get them framed) so I was able to find a cross stitch project roll protector

We had plenty of unexpected errands to keep us busy all week as well. Our weather has gone from chilly sweater mornings to wearing that sweater ALL day!

Thanksgiving is coming up and I no longer cook that big meal for several reasons. My husband and I decided it would be easier and more enjoyable to just go out. There are not many places open on Thanksgiving that appeal to our taste so we decided to do something different this year. We are going out for an early Thanksgiving breakfast (at one of our favorite places) before the crowds start and then everyone can just do their own thing the rest of the day with sandwiches and such. Easy clean up.

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart.

Making Plans

Once again I am late with my blog post! It hasn't been a very busy week but I did feel icky quite a bit. Not sick just bleck! So I rested when I could. 

I can't believe that this year is almost over! And, even more, I can't believe how little stitching I was able to get done! While I had the ickies over the past week, I decided to make my stitching agenda for next year! 2020 has officially been declared the Year of the Stitching Bucket List!

While going through my stash to see which charts still needed to be kitted, I noticed that most of the designs that make my heart beat a little faster are inspirational pieces. I love all samplers but if they have a prayer, a proverb or even an inspirational quote I am hooked!

How did this happen? It all began with one piece. My very first inspirational cross stitch. My Home is Built in Glory by Heartstring Samplery. I stitched on it during a difficult time of my life when my father was sick before he passed away. The words and the design gave me great comfort.

Then I began to stitch prayers and similar designs for my infusion projects. But it did not take me long to realize that I wanted to do these more often than that!

So bear with me the next several months as I shuffle through various pieces until I can lay my sights on what lies ahead in 2020 for my stitching!

Until next time may you have simple days and an uncluttered heart!