Four New Things 2014...

I've been doing this since 2010 and what started as a challenge from my daughter has become my favorite post to write at the beginning of each year. I blog more or less to keep a journal for myself and its always fun to look back to see what I've accomplished over the last year. Not that I only accomplish four new things each year but the original challenge my daughter started with me back in 2010 was to do, try or learn four new things each year. Funny thing is she's a mom now and doesn't even blog anymore. My blogging over the past few years has been hit or miss but luckily just enough that I have been able to write a post at the beginning of each year about four new things. I'm now working less hours and am close to having the new house in order so hopefully I can make/take time to post here more often.
Last year was a strange but exciting year for us and things just seemed a bit off. We're all settled in now and its a New Year. We are looking forward to doing, trying and learning new things. Are you?

Here's my list:
1.We bought a new house, sold our old house and lived with my sister and BIL for 6 weeks. This could be one or three new things depending how you look at it.
2.I started doing a monthly post in February and lucky for me I did. It sort of summed up what was going on in my life each month last year. And even though I missed posting for a couple of months, its a post I plan to do going forward.
3.Once we were in the new house and had an AV guy over to hook up our TV, sound bar and such I started listening to Pandora and am forevermore hooked. No more loading CD's or switching stations. Its pretty awesome, how did I not know about it beforehand.
4.I made a wreath which was one item on my Fall Bucket List, another post I'm enjoying and plan to do going forward.

So there you have it, another year that I was able to do, try or learn four new things. I'm pretty sure item #1 will never happen again people, moving is hard especially after you've lived in the same house for 28 years with four kids part of that time. I am so happy we had the chance to do it but I never ever want to pack up our belongings, put them in storage (we had two full storage units), go live with other family members (although it was not bad) and unpack all those belongings and put them in place again!

Happy 2015...



Wishing you all a bright, healthy
Happy New Year!

Winter Bucket List...

Happy Winter! I kind of like this list making stuff so I'm doing it again for this cold, dark, dreary, long season we call Winter! Maybe it'll help me fight off the Winter Blues! Here's my list:

 1. Make homemade noodles. Didn't get it done in the Fall so I'm trying again.
 2. Start a quilt. Again, didn't get it done in the Fall. I will, I am, I have all the stuff to do so. < That's me trying to convince myself to cut up the pretty material I purchased months ago.
 3. Catch up on my CAL (crochet along). I'm a little behind due to the Holidays.
 4. Crochet a rag rug. I've been wanting to do this for awhile now. She makes some awesome rugs.
 5. Participate in CY365. I'm hoping this will help me improve my photography skills.
 6. Participate in FMS photo a day. I have an awesome little book to fill up. Thank you Paula!
 7. Continue using My Fitness Pal. I've been using it for a few weeks now. I'm eating healthier and I've lost 4 lbs. If you haven't tried it, its pretty awesome!
 8. Bake something new. I have a couple of things in mind.
 9. Purge un-needed things from this house. I've been working on this since we moved in but there is still plenty to toss out!
10. Organize the items I am keeping. I have a lot of this done but I have a bit of OCD so I'm always organizing something!

Whatever the season in your part of the world. I hope you are enjoying it.
Me! I'm really looking forward to Spring. I have a whole new yard and some flowers to plant!

Fall Bucket List Update...

Back in September I made a Fall Bucket List hoping that it would give me the push I needed to get a few things done. It did and I'm happy to report that I completed 8 of the 10 items on that list. I'll add the last two itmes to my Winter Bucket List coming soon.
I need to learn to make a collage in PSE. Sorry for the long/picture  heavy post.



The Wreath
source

Halloween Package to my Aussie friend.
For once, it arrived in time.

The scarves, a lot of them.
I do not sew by the way.
source

 

The orchard. No apple picking within
city limits. Who knew?



• Four apple pies!

The pumpkin patch with the Grandkids.

Hike at the park! Granddaughter not interested.
Lets teeter totter instead.

Fall foliage at the park.



Fall foliage

 

Just A Minute In December...

Watching...Christmas movies, Survivor and cooking shows.

Listening to...Christmas music most of the time.

Cooking...as little as possible and baking lot of Christmas goodies.

Eating...Cookies! Fresh baked ones are so, so good!

Buying...Christmas gifts.

Looking forward to...a New Year and a fresh start. This year has been a little off for me.

Just A Minute In November...

Watching...the steps on my pedometer add up. ! Getting 10,000 or more most days.Yay! Just started using My Fitness Pay today. It's pretty neat!

Listening to...Pandora and my dog, he is very whiny these days.

Cooking...Lasagna, cookies and stuff I shouldn't be eating. I'm sure this will get worse with the Holidays coming up. 

Eating...small amounts of the above. 

Buying...a new Chi. My old, cheap drugstore iron is shot. And most likely a new iphone, mine keeps black screening on me. Ugh! Oh and a new external drive, mine somehow got reformatted, luckily my daughters friend can get my data off it for me. Yay!

Looking forward to...Craft fairs and the Holidays. My sister and I may do the drumstick dash. A 5K walk on Thanksgiving Day.

Just A Minute in October...

Watching...The leaves change and rain, lots of rain.

Listening to...My Norah Jones station on Pandora.

Cooking...Apple pies, soups and stews.

Eating...Apple pie, soup and stew.

Buying...Clothes and boots for Fall.

Looking forward to...the Covered Bridge Festival on Saturday.