THOU SHALT NOT WHINE

courtesy of http://www.kristinemays.etsy.com/

So here they are, my New Years Resolutions. Number one on the list and probably the hardest to make public is
1 THOU SHALT NOT WHINE. It will be a hard one since I am quite a perfectionist and a doer so really get pissed off when people don't have initiative to make things happen and just show up for the show.

2 I SHALL LOVE MYSELF AND TAKE GOOD CARE OF MYSELF as in go and get that foot massage I've always wanted, get my toe nails done, get a facial once in a while, go to the hairdresser to dye my hair rather than do it myself, eat well, exercise more and think of caring for myself first. I tend to do everything for my children and significant other and then feel sorry for myself because I'm not reaping any of the benefits.

3 I SHALL NOT FEEL GUILTY ABOUT number 2.

4 Focus on the Chile plan, draw lots of pictures of how I want my loft to be and make lists of possible restaurant/store area at the front including my best recipes for cooking.

5 GO TO CHILE this year no matter what

6 Continue ridding myself of clutter, craft supplies I will probably never get around to using and selling lots of the knick knacks I have that really serve me no purpose but to gather dust. Easier said than done.

ABOVE all to LOVE and Respect my CREATOR and all the wonder he has created, especially all my worldwide friends on FLICKR, ETSY and ZNE.

Looking Back at the Year

As I look back at the year and just in case I feel I didn't accomplish enough, here are a few of the finished products.

Pastel de Choclo

Page from unknown Magazine

Page from unknown Magazine
Originally uploaded by peregrine blue

As chaotic as Christmas can be, it also slowly brings us back to the essentials. I can finally gather my thoughts and choose to bake brownies, go for a long walk, light the fireplace and watch an oldie, read some of those magazines i never have time to read, commit to some of those recipes and begin an inventory of the year.

Yes, there will be resolutions, not many but four or five. Most importantly it will be to focus in order to stick to them. How else can that dream deferred begin to unfurl?

Melancholy envelopes me when I stop to think of Chile. So so so many memories of that country I only began to touch on the surface. I will make an inventory of dreams to accomplish there too.

Wrapping up the year I choose to sing. Sing, "When I was 51, it was a very good year".

A Scent of Cinnamon and Cloves

November and December have been a frenzy. The year moves at a fairly normal pace until after Thanksgiving, my favorite day of the year. We lit the fireplace and family gathered at the Hughes' all love and warmth and simplicity. I don't know what happens after that; the whole ambiance in the air changes to frenzy. As much as I have vowed not to fall victim to the Christmas season, I always do. Yet, I can't just switch the lights off and skip the season altogether.

At least my lists are reasonable this year and Christmas cards were mailed on time. Funny thing, as I shop for sons and lovers, I always end up with a thing or two for myself that I've been craving. I guess I can get away with it by telling myself that is "lo
v ing myself" or taking care of "numero uno". ATC Collection over the years

Originally uploaded by peregrine blueAnd so, these framed ATCS are a product of years of collecting. I gave myself permission to buy the most expensive shadowbox to give them the respect they deserve. I was lucky to find Album Cover frames on sale so grabbed 3 of those too and framed my Jethro Tull and Joni Mitchell covers and ordered a classic Cream album to complete the third. I think Album Covers make the coolest artwork. There are some awesome covers over the years. I will take pictures of these later and include them here.

I have been working around the clock, too, fulfilling custom orders for etsy customers all over the world. Knitted three children's sweaters in chocolate, red and moss green shipping to Canada and made all sorts of neck warmers and cuffs too.

The house now smells of Cloves and Cinnamon and the mixer awaits the ingredients for homemade fudge and cookies, and we are in earnest for the 14th. Christmas Carol Concert at Padre Serra Catholic Church
As long as we keep the meaning of Christmas in focus, all should alright.