A New Year's Resolution

Happy New Year Everyone!  It's an absolutely beautiful Sunday here today and I am hoping to enjoy it as much a possible! 

Hard to believe it's the first day of a new year already!  What do you have on the calender for today?

Look closely, do you see what's on mine?  That's right friends it says; OFF!

God willing, that's exactly what I intend to do today.  Take off!   I hope to be out over the water soon enjoying the weather with good company.

Last night the Mr. and I went down to the boat to check on everything for today's sail.

And to watch the sunset on the last day of the year.  It was a wonderfully relaxing evening for us.  No big plans or commitments just a quiet evening alone.  Sounds good right?  Maybe....

Well, this evening while I was enjoying taking a well deserved break from the chaos that has become my life lately, I sat thinking about New Years resolutions.  I am not one to get too caught up in them as they are generally very hard to keep.  To me, resolutions also seem to be only a very small glimpse into one's idea of living life that year and I am a big picture kinda gal.  But there it was, the nagging purpose of a resolution that I just could not escape.  

The unexamined life is not worth living. - Socrates

  

I saw this quote recently posted on a friends FB page.  How timely!

As if that was not enough of a push towards making resolutions, I couldn't escape noticing the similarity in several quotes that were piling up in my quotes board on pinterest.

This last one has always been one of my favorite verses!  The reminder that yes we were all created with a purpose.

When life becomes hectic it can be hard to remember what that purpose is.  Our days become just one more day towards another until finally we reach the end of our days.  I have never wanted to live that way.  Unfortunately, so often due to our circumstances that is exactly what we allow to happen.  But, we don't have too.  We can take the time to reflect and change our course.

I came up with a few resolutions that I've thought would be wonderful to accomplish this year.  They are listed here in no particular order.

Career

1. Allow myself  more time to get ready in the morning

2. Listen better to others and not take everything so personally

3. Learn to eat healthier lunches while on break

4. Smile more!

Home

1. Let go of (donate) clothes that I no longer wear.

2. Juggle the housework better with working

3. Plan a better meal schedule with the Mr.

4.  Enjoy and appreciate every moment that I have to spend in my beautiful home.

Personal

1. Strengthen my spiritual life.

2. Learn how to use my new smart phone

3. Learn how to use my camera (read my new camera book!)

4. Focus on healthier living habits.

5. Enjoy my family and the company of others more!

All of these are great and definitely something to strive for but didn't I tell you I was a big picture kind of a gal.  Yes I did!  I told you that because for me a resolution has to be something bigger then that list above.  It has to be a summary of sorts.  So, I've come up with one that I really want to reach for.

My number one New Years resolution for this year is...

" To Live like you were dying!"

I certainly hope I am not offending anyone by saying this but honestly I just cannot get this thought out of my head.  I want to live everyday "knowing" I will not get the chance to live this day again.  I am hoping if I ingrain that in my memory, I will truly start to make the most of every day under every given circumstance.  I know I will not be going sky diving (like the song goes) or rocky mountain climbing literally but I think I can strive for that metaphorically.

To my knowledge I am not ill or leaving this world anytime soon, God willing again!  That is not where this is coming from.  It is coming from living a life that too often get's bogged down by circumstances.  It is coming from hearing myself and too many others say; "If I could do that, or if I had your talent, or if I knew how too....."

Well, what's stopping us?  I think we all can!  We just have to try!

I am joining The Tablescaper for a Seasonal Sunday and to

wish all of you a very Happy New Year!

Thank you for this new day and for this New Year Lord!

Christmas Day Tablescapes

We had quite a busy Christmas this year hosting both my family on Christmas Eve and then my husbands family on Christmas Day.  It is a lot of work but, Oh, so wonderful getting together with family to celebrate!  

I only remembered to snap a few quick photos of the tables just seconds before the guests arrived on Christmas Day so there aren't many here to see but thought I'd share them with you anyway.

At the kitchen table I only needed to set the table for five this year.  My kitchen table has two large leaves that we insert during the holidays.  Usually we have to extend this table when my husbands family comes and even then still need a folding table in addition to the dining room table.  Not this year though, as a portion of the family did not make the trip up for the holidays.  So I only needed the kitchen table without sleeves and the dining room to accommodate everyone.  It was a wonderful afternoon but they were truly missed!

 I used my old Christmas china called Holiday Ribbon from Belks in the kitchen combined with my darker green glasses.  I think the green goblets are Libby.  The Christopher Radko cookie jar served as my centerpiece paired with candles and Santa salt and pepper shakers.

In the dining room I used the new plaid tablecloth that I purchased from last years after clearance sales at Walmart.

I kept the centerpieces simple in both of these rooms.  Since I had to move them in order to clean the linens after the first nights use and because I like to keep the table less cluttered when family is sitting around the table, I decided less is best.  

In my dining room I used the Butler's Pantry china combined with the Holiday Gatherings salad plates, both are from Lenox.  My lighter green goblets are from the Better Homes and Garden collection sold at Walmart.  My cloche filled with sparkly white, gold and silver balls served as our centerpiece.  Very simple and casual just the way we like it!  

I realized while setting these tablescapes this year how limited I was on holiday linens, specifically napkins.  Having to work first thing on Monday morning for our after Christmas sales at SteinMart has it's advantages!  I was able to snag a few bargains for myself to help resolve my limited amount of Christmas linens.  I'll be sharing a sneak peek of those with you soon.  But already, I am dreaming of next year's tablescapes!

I am joining BNOTP for Tablescape Thursday.  Please be sure and visit this link to check out many more beautiful settings. I bet there will be plenty to enjoy from the holidays!

Here's wishing you all many blessings for a Happy New Year!

Christmas Owl or Hawk?

Hi All!  I suspect by this time, many of you are all snuggled in for the evening relaxing after a long day of Christmas celebrations.  Some of you may still be enjoying celebrating with family or friends or maybe just resting in between more family visits. 

We have had quite a whirlwind of activity around here that has come and gone quicker then a blink of an eye.  Not the way I really like to celebrate Christmas but I guess that's the way it goes sometimes and I am very thankful for all the blessings of the last two days!

I really want to share a photo of one interesting visitor we had this Christmas morning. It's not the first morning we have seen him, but this was the first morning we were able to get a photo of him before he flew off and before we realized the camera battery needed recharging yet again. 

Just what is this interesting bird?

It has been visiting us quite a bit for a few weeks now.  It likes to sit perched on our fence by the pool though we do not ever see it going towards the water in the pool.  It is usually just looking out at the woods.  We had been thinking it was an owl.  You cannot tell in this photo but if you saw a full frontal view it has a very round head on a roundish body with large round eyes like an owl.  But after looking in a book we have on birds we are thinking it might be a type of hawk, maybe?  

I was thinking how lucky we were to have seen an owl on Christmas day!  That is, until I read how so many of the owl legends out there do not associate owls with goodness.  In fact many of them seem to associate the owl with much darkness.  Yikes!  

I would really love to hear what this bird is if you recognize it! Also I would also love to hear any kinder, gentler or more positive stories associated with owls.  Seriously!  I've always thought they were fascinating.  I can't seem to find too much info on the legend of the Christmas Owl either other then it being the eyes for Santa.  What is the story behind that?  Surely, there must be more!

Hope you are enjoying a Very Merry Christmas!

Recycled Gift Tags

Thank You!  I really appreciate the support you ladies gave me by responding to my last post!  

  I feel like it's crunch time and I'm really struggling to get everything done by Christmas.  I typically don't get overly anxious about the house being a mess at times, but with the holidays coming up and no time to clean I just had to admit I am feeling quite stressed out this year.   Today,  on my only day off until Christmas eve, I focused on getting presents wrapped then tried to finish up my Christmas shopping.  

Luckily, the Mr. found some tape and I was all set until I realized I didn't have any gift tags.  I was about to go over the edge when I remembered I actually did have some gift tags.  In fact I had some of the most wonderful gift tags eva!  Do you see this wonderful box here?

It is a box that some of my previous Christmas cards came in one year.  I saved it after sending out my cards and it is now holding an assortment of gift tags that I made last year from Christmas cards I received.

It was such fun deciding which images to use and cutting them using my decorative scissors.  To see the original post I did last year on my old blog, "Sailing Simply" when I made these, click HERE.

I am so happy I remembered I made these, as I almost forgot.  I just love them!

As you can see, I got quite a bit of my presents wrapped today.  I know my store bought bows leave a lot to be desired but these handmade tags more then make up for the bows in my opinion. 

I thought you'd like to see a few close ups of how my tags look.

 Oops!  Looks like my son used one of my tags and attached it with the names showing front side up.  Men!

So what do you think?  Pretty cute idea and quite decorative too, huh?

It was so much fun to make these and even more fun to pull them out this year to use them.  I can't recommend recycling your old Christmas cards this way enough.  You really should consider it if you get lot's of cards in the mail.

It's such a great feeling!

I am joining BNOTP for Metamorphosis Monday.

Thanks so much for visiting me again!

Have a great day!

Do you see what I see?

Said the night wind to the little lamb....la,la,laaaa,la,laaahh.laahh!!!

This song has been playing over and over in my head like a scratched record, remember those? 

 I've got this song stuck in my head not because I am hearing it about a bazillion times a day or because I am filled with the joy's of Christmas.  Noooo, I am looking around my home and wondering...do you see what I see?

Here is my Dining Room piled high with presents yet to be wrapped.

The proof of my outlet shopping trip on one of my precious days off still sitting piled up in a corner of the dining room.  I didn't even attempt to hide the contents of a few bags either!  Why not???

Piles of bags that make it obvious where most of my time has been spent this season are cluttering up my dining room table.

The den is a wreck and has looked like this for at least a week now. I kid you not!  It's so much easier to cuddle up in your favorite blanket when it is still sitting right where you left it!

More bags and junk laying everywhere.

Speaking of junk, you think I'd at

least put up my jewelry that I wear to work at the end of the day.

More jewelry piling up high by my favorite chair.  I'm surprised there are not stacks of coffee cups here too.

I've only wrapped four boxes so far.

But I did pick up a new roll of wrapping paper, no tape of course.  It's sitting here in the kitchen foyer along with everything else that is piling up on this cabinet.

Just like all the mail.  Even some of those precious Christmas cards are still sitting unopened piled up on my kitchen desk/bar.  Speaking of the bar!

Thank goodness for allowing me to wine a little yall! Seriously! Going back to work full time in the midst of the holidays is just plain rough!  We are doing okay but I am exhausted and tired and really want MORE time off.   Don't get me wrong, I have such great support at home but I miss doing things the way I used to be able to do.  I am adjusting to the changes but it's just plain difficult at times.

My wonderful helper has taken to leaving me sticky notes all over the place where I will see them.

I mean who want's to see sticky notes all over their house?  LOL!

I cannot complain though because he has held up his end of the season quite well!  I have to admit our home has looked so wonderfully inviting when I pull in after 10pm on some evenings ever since the day after Thanksgiving.  He is amazing!  Life is rough at times and I thank the Lord for keeping me up and going and for a good man too!

Just felt like keeping it real here friends!

  It's 6:00am and I'm late getting in the shower.

Wishing you and me a good day!

Sharing Seasonal Joys!

I am feeling so blessed and fortunate this year to be filled with the Christmas spirit and able to enjoy some time celebrating with others.

  Luckily for me, I've also been getting most Sundays off.  Today my husband and I are looking forward to going to a Christmas party with our cruising fleet members from the Sailing Club.  We are going to a members house this year.  I am excited about it because even though we all love going to our club house for events, this makes it even a little more personal. 

 Tomorrow, I am off as well and have finally been able to coordinate a shopping date with my BFF.  We are driving an hour and half to an outlet mall that has a Pottery Barn outlet store.  Woohoo! 

Last weekend I was invited to my very first cookie swap and was so excited that I was able to attend.  I have always wanted to go to one of these but had never been invited to one.  I would really love to host one of these myself one year too.  It was so much fun!  I didn't take the camera to the party, but wanted to share the rewards I came home with.

Yummmm...eee!  Pretty nice stash huh?

 I had such a good time.  I was such a joy to visit with my friend and getting to meet a few new friends as well. Each person attending was to bring five dozen cookies.  One dozen to be eaten at the party and four dozen to share.  I was quite impressed that some ladies actually took the time to individually bag all their share cookies as well.

It was all I could do to find the time to bake my cookies.  My cookies were the candy cane looking sugar cookies shown on the top left corner of this photo, except that one is broken.  LOL!   I took the easy way out and just divided a batch of sugar cookies in half and added red food coloring to one half.  I rolled our a bit of dough from both the red and white batch's into snakes like you used to do as a kid with play dough.  Then I twisted them around each other and made the shape of a candy cane.  Next, I decided to flatten them out a bit on the cookie sheet with my hand so they would bake together without falling apart.  I may not flatten them out so much next time but was pretty pleased with how they turned out anyway.

I was going to put my loot in my Christmas tree cookie jar but changed my mind because I was afraid we would forget about them.  Out of sight, out of mind you know!

So I put out a few decorative paper plates and napkins instead and...

...put them on the counter for all to enjoy anytime.

Now if you think that sounded fun, just hold on because you haven't heard it all yet!

This was no ordinary cookie swap yall!  It was a Cookie AND Funky Sock Swap!

LOL!

Isn't that the funniest thing you've ever heard of?  I thought so too!  Basically it's a party where in addition to the cookie swap you bring a pair of "Funky Socks"  all wrapped up to share in a Chinese gift exchange.  First, we all drew numbers and each got to pick a gift off the table and unwrap it.  Then we all drew numbers again and got to choose whether we wanted to keep our socks or change them out with another s.  It was so fun!

There were so many cute and interesting looking socks from Holiday socks to ornamental to even thigh high socks.  Those were a hoot!  The gift I brought was a two pack of fuzzy zebra socks I bought from work and they were traded off a few times.  I guess I'm not the only one wild about Zebra.    I got really lucky and ended up with the next to the highest number for the trade off and was able to be the last to choose at the end.  I choose a pair from another lady that I had my eye on because they are fuzzy silk.  I've got a few pair of silk socks already and can tell you they feel devine!

Here's the socks I came home with from the party!

Cute, cute,cute!!!  

I am linking up to Seasonal Sunday today to share a few pleasures of the season.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I hope you are enjoying the holidays so far as well!

Take the time to enjoy the season when you can. 

 It is a blessing!