A friend (hi, K!) dropped off a sweet little bouquet of red berries (teeny rosehips, I think) from her yard several weeks ago. I thought they would last for a week or so and the rosehips would fall, but they have outdone themselves. This stem has begun sending out roots, so I've given it some fresh water and love, and an hoping that I may be able to coax it along enough to plant it this spring. The other day I rattled off a few of my favourite patterns in nature. Roots and branches easily qualify for the list. Along with bark lines, tree rings, mosses...
To me, this is a perfect visual of the new year: last year's rosehips and growth making way for this new year's roots and what is to come. I'm excited for 2013. Maybe it's because we got lots of rest, visits with friends and quiet time while the grandparents watched the boys - whatever the reason, I'm looking ahead and making plans. And part of my plan is to intentionally make more time for the visiting with friends and the resting and planning throughout the year. When I make the time for those things, it makes everything else fall into place.
Happy, happy new year! Are you hatching plans, too? (I'm not just posting a question for the sake of posting it - I really am curious!)
Hooray for bonus rooting!
ReplyDeleteAs far as plans for the New year go, I have decided that 2013 is the year I finally figure out an organization "system" for our house/family, and you know what? I am already well on my way and I think this will really happen!
I'm so glad I asked! Amber, that's AWESOME. My favourite household tip is to have a perpetual collection spot for things to be donated - the second I look at a sweater and think "Oh, that doesn't fit like it should", in it goes! A kitchen gadget I forgot I had? In it goes! (I can be ruthless.)
DeleteLast year around this time, as we eyed all the Christmas candy and chocolate in our pantry, Emily and I finally decided to throw it all in the garbage, as well as everything else in our cupboard that had sugar in it, and we stopped eating refined sugar altogether. After more reading, our no-sugar initiative later led to my joining Emily in giving up wheat products too. We've changed a lot in the past year and the changes have all been very positive.
ReplyDeleteThis year we've made another big decision, incidentally at the same time of year. After a ton of thorough research and thoughtful consideration, we've decided to homeschool Jane, and eventually George.
We're excited about the coming year too!
Kyle, that's awesome! I'm excited that you're excited! We still have sugar and wheat here, but one of our things we're working on this year is Adam's health, so those things may change, and I'm always up for change. When will you begin homeschooling with Jane? Will you be doing a classical model? Unschooling? Are there many other families homeschooling in SJ? And what will it look like for you guys? It's absolutely something we've considered, but for a variety of reasons, don't think it would be best for us, right here and right now. But I love hearing other people's stories of how they, well, live, and make things work. I wish we would have been able to get together when we were there, but the snow stalled all of our plans, which turned out to be splendid, anyway. I think we'll be there over March Break, if you guys would like to!
DeleteWe would love to get together whenever you guys are in town!
DeleteThere is a homeschool group in Saint John. I emailed them, but haven't heard back yet.
I think our homeschool approach will end up being a bit of a mish-mash, but based mostly on the classical model. I checked out "The Well-Trained Mind" from the library, and boy, I agree with so much of what they say.
Beautiful! I am definitely hatching plans... I spent the last few days of my vacation basically in solitude and really felt this wonderful "emptying out" of my life and my mind and the opportunity to make very conscious decisions on how to fill it up again - with people, projects and experiences that fulfill and inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds wonderful! Being intentional is the key to success in anything, I think. I think you'll come up with some super fun, amazing projects! I'm looking forward to following along on your blog. :)
DeleteOk never thought that would happen! Definitely a little rose bush in the making! Plans for the New Year are some home renos and planning to run 10k!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to see if it will grow, Katie! Good luck with your 10k plans - that's awesome. Good for you! And home renos - also exciting. I hope they happen more quickly and cost less than you expect. :)
DeleteHow lovely, the rooting and your post. Hatching plans, no big ones, just working to strengthen community ties and be present.
ReplyDeleteNo big ones? Those are the biggest! I hope that you make forward progress all year. :)
DeleteThe last few years have been full of challenges that were beyond my control. I hope 2013 will be the year of challenges I decide to take on myself.
ReplyDeleteOne of my resolutions is to make instead of buy, wherever possible. I already do this quite a bit, especially in the area of food, but I just read Radical Homemakers, and it inspired me to kick things up a notch. I also resolve to cultivate more social relationships. I spend a lot of time at home - living in a rural area with one car makes it difficult to get out. Also, we've been focusing so much on our future move to the South Shore, that we have been neglecting the here and now. We need to work on cultivating friendships here in the Valley, especially with a new baby.
I also have a goal to purge a lot of the stuff in our home to simplify things. Sherrie, I know you'll like this one! We're starting a giant pile in the basement for a huge Spring yard sale / donation.
I love that, Margaret. I feel like the last half of 2012 wasn't me at my best, and I'm looking forward to more making, too. A baby is the easiest ticket for meeting people, and having something common to talk about! Swimming lessons, baby groups and the like are usually super welcoming. I hope you find a great like-minded group of moms. I'm sure they're there, just waiting to be found. And purging! You're singing my song! One of my favourite things that I did over the break was helping my mother-in-law to completely purge her pantry, and it was AWESOME. Seriously. I would love to be a consultant. Just make sure that pile in the basement getsout when it needs to and that nothing comes back in post-yard sale. Ahhh, I feel so good just thinking about it! :)
DeleteHaha, yes a baby is a great excuse to talk to new people. Though I feel I have become that person with a new baby who has a hard time talking about anything else. That, in combination with the new mom brain haze, makes me an awkward person to talk to at parties. Hopefully that will pass!
DeleteYOU would be amazing at that type of consulting and people do need help, especially with food. I've thought about it, too.
I've started meal planning too and it is kind of addictive...
Happy New Year!
Sherrie, you *need* to make that top photo into a poster with a motivational saying! It is too beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI have many little plans, but the two major ones are 1) to get things in order for son1 to graduate and apply to different universities (as the homeschooling parent, I have to play principal and counselor...who knew there was so much to do to apply to U's and apply for scholarships??), and 2) get more of my writing published (a.k.a. revive my writing career).
I foresee you being much more successful with your plans than I will be with mine.
Teresa, you're sweet! Shall I make a motivational poster just for you? It would say something like "Teresa, don't talk yourself out of it before you've begun! You can totally tackle those things." How's that? ;)
DeleteLOL! That would work for me. ;) Actually, the simple beauty of the branch in water calls for a message that is spare but powerful...like, "Dream and Grow" or something like that.
DeleteI loved reading this comments! Makes me feel ready to grab 2013 by the shoulders! I can't wait to see what you get up to this year, lady. Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete