I’m not sure if I’ve ever experienced a real “White Christmas” where you go to bed and then you wake up to a snowy world. But this year we did. I know the snow is everywhere on the East Coast but it’s still pretty magical to me.
You can see all the pictures here.
We’ve been on technology detox around here. I’ve been avoiding the computer for pretty much every reason – limited media consumption, no work, no pictures, etc. It’s been all cooking and reading and going to the movies and out to eat. And there’s been more time to make stuff.
As I mentioned the “I don’t do Gift Guides” post, we try to give consumable gifts. In the past I’ve made chocolates or treat packs or we’ve given local food items that share our regional flair. I had the idea for this year’s gift last year and it became a joint effort for me and the husband.
We gave Sugar & Spice gifts – aka vanilla sugar and homemade spicy mustard.
Store the mustard in the fridge and enjoy with pretzels, on a yummy veggie sandwich or saute some green beans. We may even try to play with the recipe and some agave nectar to make a honey-mustard style version. If it works out I’ll share that too.
Happy Holidays!
I don’t really get into doing gift guides for the holidays. There is just so much stuff out there, I’d never have the time to pull together (I almost said “curate”, ha!) all the things that I love and think are cool. Maybe I need to save them up all year long so I can do one.
But gifts are so personal. Sure you can recommend a book, or some soap but that isn’t that thrilling, even though those are the types of gifts we like to give. But I actually love to read the gift guides that other folks have done. So here is my Guide to Gift Guides when I don’t do Gift Guides. And how do I pick them? Well, when I want almost everything on their lists!
The entire Design*Sponge site could be a gift guide itself. Everything they show is great. But around this time of year they really step it up, from Monogram gift themes to under $25, $50 and $100. Check out all of their gift guides here.
Last year I made a pretty substantial set of goals for myself. Because these are a list of goals and not resolutions, many of them will transfer over into this year, and some years to follow. And that’s okay because they are about progress and moving forward, not just checking items off of a list.
But I do think this year is going to have a different feel. Maybe it is the closing end of a decade. I’m not sure. 2009 really was a year of change a year to accomplish and strive. I feel that 2010 is going to be all about focus. Focusing internally and externally. So many things were created – connections, experience, work, that now it seems like a time to reflect and refine and find the right directions in which to grow.
Personally I want it to be a year filled with more experiences. We traveled more this year and I want that to continue. I want to regroup and decide on which path I want to follow. I have some very personal goals that I need to work on. And I need to work on creating more of a balance in my life between self, work, online, town and home. Having so many outlets can often be draining which makes me rebel by not accomplishing the things I want to accomplish. So by pulling back in some areas I hope to be more efficient and impactful.
How are your goals or resolutions formed? Do you feel the need to take stock at the beginning of the year or is this an ongoing process. I’d love to learn more about your plans and how you integrate change into your life.
Scenario:
I’ve been trying to refocus on adding more travel back into our lives. I love to travel and there are so many places that I want to see. Some are place I want to return to and experience more fully but some are totally new. And some are for the experiences as much as the location.
I had put this wish on my 2009 Goals list but it’s being moved to 2010, because we did the trip to Ireland (tons of pictures here, by the way).
There’s something magical about the idea of visiting Austria and Germany at Christmas time. Traveling in the winter is one of my favorite times to travel. Depending on where you are going it isn’t peak season and everything seems more peaceful. Many people feel obligated to be on family trips so they don’t travel at this time, so there can be great deals out there too. Yes, we miss some of the peak season events but the reduced stress seems to make up for it.
I’m hoping we can make this trip happen. Winter snows, train rides, confectionery castles and cuckoo clocks. I’m dreaming of the Black Forest and the Danube.
Ideal date:
December 25th.
Image credit: St. Anton am Arlberg, Tirol, Austria by Kruhme via Flickr
Scenario:
I have a dream. I want to cozy up in front of the fire. Ideally with the pups, a book or a good movie and snuggly cup of hot cocoa. I live in a house with two fireplaces, yet sadly I still haven’t realized this vision. Why? Our house is 110 years old and the fireplaces are unlined.
What this means is we have really old mortar which could have cracks and crevices in it. Fire sparks + 110 year old wood is not a good thing. So we need to have them lined. But the pitch of the roof is very steep and requires scaffolding to be erected, so it would be a pretty costly process. We’ve looked into converting the fireplaces to gas but the house (built oh so long ago) is not to “code” so we would have to cut up the original mantels to do this. Something we are loathe to do.
We also need to get one of the chimney’s capped. Right now it is open at the top and chimney swifts (small birds) nest in there in the Summer and cannot be disturbed, so we need to cap the chimney in the Winter in anticipation of working on the lining in the Summer. It’s a process.
So to make this vision a reality we need to save up. I’m hoping this is the year we can do at least one of them, so that by next Winter, the pups can sleep in front the fire for the first time.
Ideal date:
October 24th
Scenario:
Although this does not seem to be the type of day I need to actively plan for or mindfully enjoy, a lazy day around the house seems as elusive as a more “exotic” event filled or travel-requiring day.
When I’m at home I always feel there are chores to do, or work to catch up on or sites to read. I rarely sit down on the couch with a kitty on my lap and read, much to my dismay. I love to read. I have a library. I need to push away the distractions and immerse myself in a book. Although I do take naps, I need push away the guilt and turn of the noise (aka the computer and the TV) and be silent and still. I do a lot of that over the holidays but what better time than late summer, when its too hot to be outside running around doing errands.
Ideal date:
August 8th
I am a believer in the power of intention. I believe that writing things down makes them happen. This is either a subconscious manifestation or, in some cases, a magical one. But I’ve seen in time and time again in my own life so that I can’t discount it.
Each year I take off the last two weeks of the year. I have been doing this for over 12 years now. While many people spend their vacation time in the Spring or Summer, I prefer the Winter. It is a time when my job can often be quieter and I find that when other people are distracted by the holidays, I have more freedom to concentrate on things I want to do just for me. I try to work on personal to dos, relax, read and spend time with the pets.
I have a ritual of reading, right around mid-November, How to Simplify your Christmas. The book itself isn’t that great or innovative but it reminds me of the intentions that I have for myself during this period. What I like to at the end of the year, along with buying a new weekly desk calendar and filling in all the birthdays and events I need to keep and eye on next year, I write out a list of goals. I don’t do resolutions but I do list things I want to accomplish personally or around the house or trips I want to take. Last year I took it a step further and broke it down into categories. It is amazing how many of them are checked off at the end of the year in one way or the other.
The great thing about making goals is some of them can be used as building blocks for longer term (and I’m talking 5 – 10 year) accomplishments, so it’s not always a horrible thing if they aren’t completed when December 31st rolls around. The goals list is also useful to see where I need to focus better in the next year; where did I get lazy or skimp on myself. I haven’t done a thorough review of my 2009 list yet, so I can’t give a report out, but I’ll give myself a B against my 2009 list.
One thing I want to add to this end of the year ritual is what I am calling Days of Intention. I read a comment pointing out that starting today (December 20th) there are 12 days left in the year. A power number. How impactful would it be to envision a list of 12 days during the upcoming year that could become truly amazing touchstones? By envisioning these days you will create memorable, potentially pivotal, events in the future.
I think you could be very over the rainbow with these envisioned days. Putting it out there to the universe that you are open to magical events. And I think that is important too. But I’m going to use most of my days to create scenarios that are simpler and totally under my control. Things that I can either make happen or just be mindful and aware of when they are happening so I can guide them and imprint them into my memory banks, similar to cognitive dreaming.
So, look forward to the series, one for each of the 12 days, and I hope you will share some of your days as well.
Poochie
Panton has just announced it’s 2010 Color of the year:
Per the site:
Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.
In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.
Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.
Last year’s color was Mimosa, which was a very sunny optimistic color. It is interesting in a time where we are striving and wishing for peace, that we have a new hopeful blue to guide us.
Shoe Daydreams 