Word for 2013

I mentioned in an earlier post that there is some buzz about selecting a word for the new year.  This practice is designed to focus your efforts - to make you intentional around your goals and resolutions.  I shared a great resource from Susannah Conway that helps you identify your word and truly she helps you review the hits and misses from the previous year and refine your vision for the new year.

After spending a lot of time reflecting and reading, I settled on Thanks.  I like this word because it reminds me to be grateful, and heaven knows that I have a lot to be grateful for.  Also, sometimes when I feel stuck, it helps to say, "Thanks."  In a awkward or difficult situation, say, "Thanks." Who will argue with you if you are saying, "Thanks."   I just need to say, "Thanks." more.  I also have two ideas about how to pursue my goal.

1.  I am writing one note a week to a friend or mentor who has helped me.  By January 2014, I will have sent 52 notes to people who are superstars to me and my plan is to thank them specifically and clearly for how they have helped me.

2.  I am completing one act of kindness per week.  By January 2014, I will have completed 52 acts of kindness - random or carefully planned, for strangers or those closest to me.  I think acts of kindness are another way to say, "Thanks."

I am convinced that "Thanks." leads to "Wow."  If you don't believe me, read Help. Thanks. Wow. by Anne Lamott.  And, truthfully, we could all use a little more appreciation and a little more "Wow." in our lives.

If you are working on your plans for the new year, I recommend two blog posts from Tim Elmore.  One post offers ideas about how to review the previous year while the other focuses on planning for the new year.

And, if you need some inspiration, read my friend's blog about how she lost 35 pounds through intentional living. So proud of her!

Great read on faith

I really love a good book.  And, I know it is a good book when it makes me laugh and cry and nod my head in agreement.  I also know it is a good book when I make my husband listen to me read aloud sections.  If it is especially good, I get his attention, hand over the book and tell him where to begin reading because I am too choked up to read it aloud.

While reading Help. Thanks. Wow., I experienced all of the above.  I even told my husband, "I am going to make you love this writer."  It must have worked because he read the book as soon as I was finished.

Anne Lamott has been a favorite author of mine since I read Bird by Bird and Traveling Mercies when I was in college.  These two books were life changing for me.  I shared them with a friend and they have yet to be returned, so I guess she feels the same way.  (By the way, if you are reading this and you are THAT friend, no hard feelings.  Just return the books.  No questions asked.  Or, keep them.  They really are that good.)

So, the book.  Help. Thanks. Wow. outlines three prayers that are the cornerstone of all prayer.  Regardless of your version of God or your relationship with God or membership with a church (or not) or belief system of any form or fashion, these three prayers cover it all.  When I think about it, every prayer I have ever prayed is indeed some more complicated version of one of these three words.

I love reading perspectives from a person who has faith, but recognizes that there is no certainty. There is a warmth and realness in the writing.  As you read, you feel comfort in knowing that someone else wrestles with the same challenges, joys and frustrations of life and faith.

If there ever was a famous person that I wished to be my friend, or cool aunt, or second mom, it's Anne Lamott.

At the beginning of the year, this was the perfect compliment to my planning and reflection.  It provided great inspiration for the coming year.

Happy New Year!

 Today has been the perfect day to wrap up one year and begin another.

It is snowing in Kansas (still, at this hour) and has been all day.  It was one of those glorious snow days when we didn't have anywhere to be, so we didn't have to worry about the road conditions or getting in and out of vehicles.  Sigh.  I love these days.  I may or may not have worn pajama pants and a hooded sweatshirt all day.

New Years Eve is my time to reflect on the previous year and make plans for the new.  We usually sit down as a couple and review our lifetime goals list - checking off those things we accomplished over the year and set our sights on new goals for the upcoming year.  Done.

This year I found a great resource from Susannah Conway.  Her blog is fantastic and I love her photography.  I also really, really like this planning workbook she offers for free on her website.

So, in addition to our planning as a couple, I spent a good hour or so working individually on my road map for the year.  Susannah's workbook leads you through a process of selecting a word for the year and encourages you to select some supporting words.  More on my word(s) later.

I really encourage you to check out Susannah's workbook - one of the best that I have found.

A great life...

A friend from work gave me this cute saying.  I plan to display it at my office as a reminder that the little things that are the sum of each day add up to big results.  It is really easy for me to get lost in the details and to sometimes be discouraged about progress towards important goals.  This saying is a great reminder!

There are a couple of bloggers/writers/entrepreneurs that I follow that speak to similar concepts.  Both are wise, accomplished women and each has a take on finding simple truths about life.

Becky Higgins often posts ideas that speak to her thoughts on living a good life.  The posts always begin, "Part of cultivating a good life is..."  You will really like her website with links to her blog and free printables.


I am also a huge fan of Gretchen Rubin.  Her Twelve Personal Commandments and Secrets of Adulthood really resonate with me.  She posted the Secret of Adulthood graphic below.  It seemed like a good fit for my reflections on making a difference through incremental effort.

I imagine that many of you are reflecting on 2012 and preparing for 2013.  Whether you are in the middle of a deep cleaning project or thinking about your hits and misses of 2012 or planning some exciting new adventure for the new year, I am wishing you the best.

Eco-chic

 I am surrounded by creative, talented friends.  A dear friend from college has a growing business in which she sells her glass creations.  She takes glassware that you might find in an antique store or thrift shop and transforms it into beautiful and functional works of art.

My Christmas gift from her was this elegant two tier stand.  It is small enough in size and the pattern on the plates subtle enough to be cute and classic all at once.

I can see several different uses - in the kitchen and dining rooms to display treats, in our bathroom to hold soaps and lotions, and in my studio for scrapbooking and craft supplies.

I am really excited to have some of her work in my home!

She displays her work at festivals and fairs during the warmer months. If you would like to see more of her creations, let me know.

A December birthday

A dear friend has a birthday right before Christmas.  I have always felt sorry for her (and anyone else who has a birthday so close to a major holiday).  Whether it is true or not, I always imagine that she didn't have a party as a kid or her gifts got combined into a birthday and Christmas gift.

I knew her birthday was coming soon and I needed to get a card in the mail.  Most of my cards on hand didn't fit her personality or our friendship or the time of year.  (It didn't seem right to send a card with sand and flip flops during December in Kansas.)

So, I decided to make a card!

Using inspiration from Pinterest, I decided to use some scrapbooking paper and one of the techniques I learned this year (making a banner) to put together a card.

I think it turned out ok.  At least when I showed it to my husband, he said it was cute and when I quizzed him about what it was, he guessed right...after he told me it looked like sticks of dynamite.  Ok, candles or dynamite, I guess it works.

Cookbooks...I can't resist

 So, I broke a promise to myself.  I vowed to buy no more cookbooks, ever!  I have stacks and stacks - some I purchased myself and others gifted to me.

I love to read cookbooks and think about making great recipes.  The reality is that if there are more than 10 ingredients, I lose interest.  Most cookbooks are beautiful to look at (and I do adore beautiful food photography), but not practical.  I make one or two recipes and the books just sit.

Plus, with the online resources and Pinterest, one can find a recipe for anything at anytime and no need to think through which book had the recipe, wrestle with the index, and search through different books until you find the recipe you need.  This all sounds practical and prudent, too practical and prudent.  There is something about holding the book in your hand and dreaming about beautiful, tasty dishes you might make.  I am especially fond of walking on the treadmill and reading cookbooks.  This practice always seems funny to me.

Well, in the span of two weeks, I bought two cookbooks.  The first is a fundraiser for a student group I advise.  My mom has always told me that the cookbooks that are a collection of favorite recipes from a women's group at church or in this case a group of college women, are the best.  Real people offering their favorite recipes (and sometimes family secret recipes), and the results are usually really good food!

I like the quotes on the section title pages and the cookbook title itself is very sweet - From Field to Fork.

If you are interested in a cookbook, let me know.  There are a few left and the money goes to a great cause - supporting collegiate aged women interested in agriculture.  Their professional development and philanthropic activities get a boost from your monetary support.

Happy cooking!