2017 Word of the Year

I am super excited about my word of the year!

Renew…the word is so simple yet can mean so much. Renew can be to begin again or with increased vigor. Renew can mean to restore and rebuild. Revive, reinvigorate, reaffirm…see where I’m going here.

The New Year always gives us a blank slate…a place to jot down our hopes and dreams, makes goals and see them through. So often we create lofty and/or unattainable goals for ourselves in the name of “resolutions”. I swear the majority of people do this knowing full well that they’ll quit within the month. It’s become a big joke. It is for that exact reason I made the shift to a single word.

So how do I want to honor that word throughout the year…

I want to renew some friendships I have let slide. Renew my effort to create a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for myself and family. Renew my vigor for this wonderful life I’ve been given. Renew myself in mind, body and spirit and when I fail I will renew myself again…not give up. My word of the year is very self centered and self serving this year and I’m not going to apologize for that.

Just a few inspiration thoughts I gathered on Pinterest to go along with my renewal.

Blog

WOTY

4 Comments

halleday

201612/31201612/31201612/31

Enjoy: 2016 recap

At the beginning of each year I chose my word of the year. For 2016 I picked Enjoy. Now that the year is at its end I always like to reflect upon how I did honoring my chosen word.

This is what I wrote:

Enjoy the process of creating and blogging. Enjoy and embrace the fact that I am a stay-at-home mom of teenagers and enjoy the time I have left with them. Enjoy more time with Mr. G since the kids aren’t needing or wanting our undivided attention. Enjoy being driven around by my son. Find a healthy lifestyle we can enjoy. Dig in the dirt for enjoyment of gardening and the nourishment it provides our family. Enjoy friends, good books, wine and walks. Enjoy the little things in life.

I feel as if I hit the mark with this one….my only regret is that I think I enjoyed food and drink a bit too much this year. :)

I can’t wait to share my word for 2017…

Blog

WOTY

2 Comments

halleday

201612/30201612/30201612/30

It’s a wrap…well almost

Here we are…New Years Eve eve…aka Mini-me’s b-day! She is 14 today! Holy smokes…I can hardly believe it!

I thought I’d share a little collage as a bit of a year in review.

Art, sewing, gardening, canning, painting, leather stamping and remembering…and oh yes, Marvin exploring the snow.

I’m sure someone will ask…the mural of Prince was spray painted on the side of the local movie theater by a New Zealand artist in about a weeks time. It’s very impressive in both detail and scale. Here’s a link to a news clip if you’re interested.

Happy New Year…a bit early! Be safe. Wishing you all the best in 2017!!

Blog

2 Comments

halleday

201612/28201612/28201612/28

T Tuesday: Wednesday edition

I’ve fallen a bit behind with T stands for Tuesday in both posting and visiting. I blame it on the holidays and birthdays this time of year. Time seems to slip through my fingers like sand through an hourglass.

I did finish up an art journal page on Christmas morning while we were trying to determine if we’d have to delay our family get together due to the sheet of ice covering everything. Instead of worrying, I created.

The words reflect what I was feeling.

I even included a coffee cup as each morning I start my day with that as well.

Today will be spent on laundry, sewing, maybe a bit of shopping and quality time with my girl.

What are you doing today?

Art | Blog | Creativity

art journal, T Tuesday, TFR journal

15 Comments

halleday

201612/20201612/20201612/20

T Tuesday: almost Christmas edition

I got out a festive and oversized mug to help me through our subzero temps. Sunday morning it was -25°F here. Luckily there wasn’t the wind that had been in the forecast otherwise it would have been awful!! I delivered a plate of treats to the neighbor in the afternoon and though…”huh, it’s not that bad out here.” It was -7°F at the time. We are a crazy bunch here.

A few days before we had a small gathering with my in-laws to celebrate the December birthdays. My psuedo SIL just came back from Japan and brought the kids each a variety pack of Kit-Kats.

There are some really strange flavors in there including….

sake. That is really strange. We’ve tried several of them and they’ve all been good, even the green tea.

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!

I’m off to do my big grocery shopping trip before the weekend…

What are you doing today?

201612/19201612/19201612/19

Music shines through

I was inspired to create this page after the Holiday choir concert J took part in at his school. The holiday concert is always a highlight of the season but this one felt a little more special. The school went through a rough time just a couple days before and this beautiful concert was a first step in healing and moving forward…erasing the ugly and replacing it with good.

Yes I know some of my letters are wonky. I’m totally ok with that. It shows yet another way we can turn things around,

The image is cut from a Thomas Kinkade Christmas card…it just worked perfectly to reflect my theme.

I used my sewing machine to stitch it down.

Linking up with Art Journal Journey for the current theme of Light and Darkness.

Art | Blog | Creativity

art journal, Art Journal Journey, polka dot journal

5 Comments

halleday

201612/12201612/12201612/12

T Tuesday: treat shop edition

I’m not really starting up a treat shop…it just feels like it. Every year I give plates of cookies and sweet treats to the neighbors but the list seems to be growing and therefore the amount of goodies is getting crazy! But still fun. I get to have a little of this and that without having to keep all of it around.

I’ve also made a double batch of spritz, pretzel hugs and Rolo pretzel turtles….unfortunately all the turtles have been eaten or maybe that’s fortunate since I couldn’t seem to leave them alone.