Things I'm loving these days:
-Starting and ending my day with gratitude.
-Being at home.
-Catching up on all the Hallmark Christmas movies I've been too busy to watch, while I embroider or knit.
-Letting go of relationships, be they the kind I was born into or the ones that I once chose, that no longer offer enough positive to outweigh the negative.
-Choosing to let go of guilt.
-Claiming the life I want by spending my time in ways that honor that life.
-This quote by Brene Brown: "Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes they mean it. They're compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment.
-Jazz music, particularly French jazz like The Hot Sardines, Madeleine Peyroux and Emilie-Claire Barlow
-Learning new things: Crochet, lettering, ukulele, cello, paper mache, french, calligraphy, sewing a slipcover, drawing, watercolors, photography in manual mode are all on the seemingly endless list of things I would love to learn someday.
-Being excited! About projects, plans and dreams. About life because there is so much to be excited about!
-Buying clothing that fits me now instead of things that would fit me if I lost 10 pounds. Or 20. Life is short. Dress cute.
-Making time for yoga, mindfulness or other "Hippie Momma" (as my girls would say) pursuits that make me a calmer, more peaceful person.
-Being there for the people who need it, appreciate it and reciprocate it.
-Tea time.
-Loving this season, this stage, no matter what.
-Indie movies.
-Simplicity.
-Homemaking: organizing, fluffing my nest, baking and cooking, especially any meal that has me getting my food processor out, which instantly makes me feel like a professional.
-Being enough. While the list of things I will never be is enormous, the list of things I am is pretty awesome. I choose to celebrate that list.
jen... this is so good! all of it! happy new year, friend!
ReplyDeleteAll Good Things, Jen. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I hear you on relationships, especially ones you were born into. It's tough, but there is freedom in accepting the reality. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe Hot Sardines are definitely a good choice, I agree with you on that.
ReplyDeleteI read Brene Brown's book a couple of years ago, that woman talks a lot of sense.
Happy new year to you and your family.
Lisa x
the cottage nest is up at the top on my list! thanks for this little corner of beauty, creativity and reality!! happy new year, jen!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I am going to learn how to embroider this year because of your beautiful projects and blog. I am also getting into oil painting. This will be the "year of me"!
ReplyDeleteI agree simplicity and letting go of some relationships has become a necessity for me now. Great post. Love it like always.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteThis post and your photos are beautiful...thank you for sharing some of your heart with us. Wasn't familiar with the jazz artists you mentioned, so gave them all a listen on youtube. Particularly like the first two. Great quote by Brene Brown, too...wow, so much awesomeness in this post.
ReplyDeletePS - I just ordered the book, The Art of Everday Photography: Move Toward Manual and Make Creative Photos by Susan Tuttle on half.com. It's been one of my goals to use my DSLR camera in manual mode, too. This book is supposed to be easy to understand and follow. You might want to check it out!
DeleteMelanie,
DeleteI got that book for Christmas and am so very excited to start playing with it!
Love this post! You are the Best!!
ReplyDeleteYour list is a good list. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteOh Jen, I love this post. It could be my list too. I love how you view the world and how you write.I always leave your space with a lovely feeling in my bones. I know I've said it before and it's hard to describe, but it's such a lovely place here, and you have such a lovely magic about you. Not many people can say that!
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family have the most beautiful 2016, filled with lots of love and laughter. Take care my friend xxx
Love your post this morning, Jen. Where did you purchase your shoes. Love them. Want them. Have a great day.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I found them at Anthropologie around Thanksgiving but they were on super sale and don't know if they are still in stock. I will tell you that I love them and the quality is amazing!
DeleteWonderful post. I have always loved your blog. I also am a tad bit jealous of those clogs :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Lovely and wise! A peaceful and joyous 2016 to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love your blog.
ReplyDeletethe end.
xo :)
Hi Jen, I am new to your blog, but I am drawn to your particular brand of making, your style, and your thought process, all of which are similar and inspire my own. On a far-below-zero morning here in the far Northeast, this was a warm little glimmer to begin my day :) Looking forward to more reading. And wondering if you ever post how-tos (like the fab necklaces you made you girls for Christmas??) Cheers! Lisamarie
ReplyDeleteLisamarie, thank you for stopping by and leaving a note! I will say that it doesn't usually occur to me to post how to's because I always assume, if I can do it, you can too! I'm certainly no expert at anything but love to try lots of different things.
DeleteLike your list!....About learning the uke--in case you didn't already know this....you can learn to play a song on it the first day you own one. Easily! The night I got mine I played "Let It Be" by the Beatles. It was so exciting! There are lots of songs that only require simple cords that a novice can pick up quickly.
ReplyDeleteLove this list! I just wrote down my goals and one was to stop feeling guilty. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteDearest Jen, love this post your words & photos are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnna xx
love this post. and you've inspired me to put my calligraphy tools out on display because then maybe i'll USE them more! love yours in the jar! and yes yes yes to tea time.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list. So many wise words to live by. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI love this post too. Amen! thanks
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your comments. It seems a lot of people agree with your words. Just wanted to let you know, I'm blogging again...lol
ReplyDeleteA beautiful post! You are inspiring dear girl. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteI love your list and you have inspired me to make my own!!
ReplyDeleteI love your list and you have inspired me to make my own!!
ReplyDeleteLove this... All of it. I love the feeling of renewal that comes with the new year.
ReplyDeleteAs always I love. Y visit to your blog.
Happy Wednesday friend!
I wrote something in a similar vein a few days ago. About letting go. I like your future endeavors!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Jen,
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that I found your blog back when I ordered my monogramed pin cushion (that I adore!) I loved this post so much and you truly inspire me and make me think every single time I read your posts!
And that outfit - cute for sure!! :)
Hugs, Kimberley
Oh my..... I absolutely love this post. Especially the poem you mentioned. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete''-Claiming the life I want by spending my time in ways that honor that life.'' What a beautiful line! Good post enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteDeepi
This is such and inspiring post, Jen. I've got to learn to prioritize my limited time at home so I can do the things I truly love. I'm concentrating on finishing up all the things I've started so I can start some of the things on my bucket list.
ReplyDeleteLove your clogs! I need a new pair of work shoes, and I'm going to splurge on clogs. They really are the most comfortable shoes, and the added height they give me is a bonus.
Thanks for inspiring me once again and Happy New Year!
I just wanted to say hello, I have just stumbled across your lovely blog. And what a wonderful and inspiring post for me first to read life is so precious it really should be filled with all the things that make us happy and that doesn't drain us. I am now off for a little moouch around your cosy space. Will look forward to reading more from you in the future, dee :-)
ReplyDeleteit's always so nice to visit you in your calming, creative and beautiful space.
ReplyDeletehugs and scones and cookies, always
xo
elyse
Sipping on my first cup of coffee, wanting to make sure my morning will be lovely, so I am here. Always inspiring, always heart warming, always a sweet place for my soul to be. Here, with you. Thank you dear friend for sharing your heart - you are so precious. Just wanted to take the time to share that... now back to my savoring your images and words.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Me
Hello from cold North Yorkshire in England this Saturday morning. I have read and digested your lovely post and hope I too can aspire to the thoughts and intentions for 2016. I prefer these general ideas to actually saying 'I will do such and such' ie lose weight - all the usuals!! Instead I want to approach life in a more opportunistic way. I took my redundancy in 2014 at the age of 58 as my husband is 10 years older than I and wanted to spend time with him on a much reduced income. Do you know we haven't done without anything........... but I suffer from terrible guilt that I am not working as I could still do so, so many people say 'Oh haven't you found another job?' and I just mumble an excuse. I crochet and craft and read and look after my grandson occasionally, see my elderly mum, garden, diy, clean (rarely!) and generally potter............ I don't cost the state anything as I cant claim my pension until I am 66 and we manage. Enjoy your family, they will have fled then nest one day when you turn around and do lots of pottering................ Here's to 2016
ReplyDeleteYES! RISE UP and become the person you were meant to be. No guilt, no excuses. Next month I'll be 50 and am an aspiring hippie momma. Although my kids tell me I'm too old for that. Ha! :) Have a great week.
ReplyDelete