Okay we need a pick me up

 The ground hog in our area said six more weeks of winter.  Hmm.....first of February I can pretty well guarantee we will have six or more weeks of winter regardless of a shadow.  That said we thought we all need a bit of a pick-me up.  Something to do, look forward to and maybe plan.  Here are a few ideas.

• Pick yourself up some flowers.  The don't have to be expensive. There are some lovely bouquets at the grocery stores. We are worth it.
• If you have to submit your vacation for the summer (or year) soon start looking at cottages to rent if that if your thing.  Beach, lake, middle of now where all good.
• Clean out your linen closet. Toss those towels that will never look clean again. Those old sheets - what are we saving them for.  Once this is done treat yourself to new towels or bed linen. Something pretty for the spring
• Treat yourself to a magazine when your picking up your groceries. Home decorating. Cooking.
• If you have a pile of book - pick one up and start it. Take time for you to sit and read. Put your feet up. We all know once the weather gets warm we will be out and about. Use this time to nest.
• Pinterest anyone!  If you enjoy doing crafts now it the time to pop into Pinterest and check out spring crafts or Easter. Lots of time to pin and get supplies.
• I always have blank cards around for last minute wishes. What about picking a friend or two and sending "just because" snail mail cards. 
• Make a date with friends. 
• Book a facial or have one at home. I always have a few scrubs or facials to grab when I feel I need a pick me up self-care wise.
• Get outside! Yes it is still cold so dress for it. Enjoy the fresh air. If you have snow enjoy that. Take the kids or adults snow shoeing or sledding. 

Trying to regroup and make the most of it

It has been over a month since we posted.  We are all feeling a little stagnate. There are still restrictions in place and even when they lift some of us are still leery about heading back out to crowded restaurants, theatres and events.  We know eventually it will be "living with COVID" but are we there yet?

January can be a blah month to begin with. Weather and a pandemic hasn't helped.  Not enough fluffy snow and too much ice and rain. Come on weather cooperate.  It is now the second week of February and we are working at regrouping and shaking off the January blues.  

There are a few things we are pulling together for the next month and a bit.  Book club is one. Suggestions welcome as would like to have a few picked out.  We are also planning a wine and cheese get together at one of our homes before the end of the month.  Bring your favoriate wine and/or cheese please.

A few of us are planning a Saturday afternoon out for a few drinks and munchies. Plan to be home before the supper time rush.  Also Pinterest for spring crafts anyone? If anyone decorates for Easter let us know. What do you use? Craft DIY. The works.

Just having a few up and coming things feels good.  We truly believe we should grab our wins, COVID or not, when we have them. It is just it has been hard lately.  Enough said.  We have a plan. If you are feeling blue also, be gentle with yourself. This has been a long hard road and sometimes we didn't see the light at the end.  Make a plan for you.  Purchase new bubble bath and a candle. Do a spa day at home. Treat yourself to some magazines and make plans with friends.  Deep breath we have this.

Word/s for the year

 Happy New Year.  Hope everyone had a safe and lovely holiday.  WOW 2022 no idea where or how that happened.

We were over at Setting our intention and the post was about setting your word for the new year.  Check out the post for all the details.  Summary what do you want to accomplish this year?  How do you want to feel this year?  Start there.

So two of us decided to work with those parameters and go for it.  One word that resonated with one of us was clarity.  This is the year to get clear with what is important. How do we want to move forward? What do we want to let go of?  To get clarity on where the path is or even where to head.  Action plan is to sit down and write out what brings joy. Distress. What can be let go of? What can be added?  Clarity.

 Peace was the other word. COVID19 has made us slow down.  Not rushing out to social engagements, sport activities or even family gatherings.  We have been home more and quiet. At times it has been nice and actually needed.  This year we want to concentrate on peace and making it a habit.  Setting time aside if not daily than weekly to slow down, sit and just be.

Do you have a word for the year?  Let us know your word and the reason behind it.

Hostess gifts and IKEA

Here is a few quick ideas for hostess gifts from IKEA.  Nothing expensive just a little gift to say thank you for having us.  Everything is under $10. 

You can't go wrong with Christmas napkins.  They are the best gift as you use and discard. They have a variety of designs.

Tea towels are nice. Especially festive ones.

Not everyone enjoys scented candles. Or they have their favorite scents.  So maybe consider white taper unscented ones.

Maybe pick up a few of gift bags for bottles of wine.

Hope this helps. It is also a good idea to have a few items on hand.  Napkins and gift bags already at home could save some time and energy!

Wrapping things up

 It is hard to wrap our head around but in a week and a half Christmas is here.  No idea where December went let alone the rest of the year.  It will soon be time to take stock of the year and start a fresh one with possibilities and plans.

This year was different.  I'm going to use that word as parts were hard and parts weren't.  We are still in a pandemic but things opened up.  We got to go to restaurants, sit on patios, take in a few shows and be with family and friends.  Oh yeah and get vaccinated!  

The hard parts were still not travelling outside of province, numbers rising and still restrictions. Thinking of we were clearing this only to be into another wave. Things are again tightening up before the holidays with numbers rising.  

This year was making the best out of what was available. Sitting on those patios, BBQs, cottages, the beach, family and friends.  Grabbing our wins when we could and shifting what was important. Supporting our community buying local.  One of us purchased artisans gift boxes all year as they are struggling with less craft shows and less people coming to the ones that were open.

So we are heading into another year in a pandemic. Another holiday season.  There is no point in being bitter of what we can't do. Everyone is in the same boat - word-wide.  If family can't get to you shift your thinking - Zoom.   Opening presents together via Zoom.  Decide to make the most of what we can do and what we have. What about making a care packages as a family for the homeless?  Check in on neighbours or people with no family near. 

We have some control over how we spend our holidays - our attitude is a major one. Decide now no matter what restrictions are in place to be positive. What ever plans you have to change, you are going to take a breath and make the most of it.  What we can do? What can we do differently?  Maybe you will find out differently is the new way to go!

Holiday Collections Anyone ???

 Turning the calendar was a bit of a shock.  How did we get to the last month of 2021? What happened to 2021?  Remember March 2020 and being told March break would be extended for a week due to COVID19 well.....we know how that went down and here we are rolling into 2022 and the world is still dealing with it.

Enough of that we want happy posts.  So we decided to showcase a few things worth collecting and displaying for the holidays.  In no particular order.....

Christmas trees.  One of us has collected glass Christmas trees for a few years. It is a beautiful collection as they come in different colors and can be placed in grouping or as a single tree.  Yes glass so can be put on the bathroom vanity so a splash of the holidays.

Nutcrackers.  This was debated to include as some like and a few others find creepy. All individual choice.  Have seen one collection going up the stairs which was a neat way to display. 

Holiday mugs and/or Santa Mugs.   Inspired by Charm (fabulous eye candy blog). Has a Santa Mug collection which he display.  This is a neat item to collect as you actually use them.  You can swap out your mugs for your holiday mugs end of November (if not before) and enjoy.  

What about holiday sweaters!  Snowflakes, ornaments, maybe the Grinch!  Something fun to pull out.

We know someone who always collects a Christmas ornaments during her travels. It is a small memory she pulls out every year.  Imagine having a tree full of travel memories.

Snowperson would be in-line with Christmas trees. Something fun to display during the holidays. Really they could be out all winter!  Such a great variety in various materials. They would look great in a grouping or scattered throughout the house!

If you have a collection please let us know. It is fun to collect a specific item and display.  Are you thinking of starting one?  Let me know.

Happy Holidays.

Time to evaluate goals of the past year

 We are rolling into the last part of the year.  Looking back we thought we'd evaluate some goals of the past year.  

• Purging check.  One of us did Project 333.  Check it out so worth doing. 33 items for 3 months. Makes you evaluate what you actually want to wear.  Ended up getting rid of a lot of summer clothes that didn't make the cut.  Didn't miss and felt like enough clothes to wear. 
• Cleaned and purged under kitchen cabinets.  Everything out, cleaned and less back in.
• Cottage rental. So good and needed. Read books, painted and general had days of doing nothing.
• Did some hiking this fall. Weather perfect for hiking in the fall.  Warm but less or no humidity.
• Yeah happy to say made it to a few patios this summer. Felt normal. Even tried a new place downtown which was cool.
• Bought a few artisan gift boxes. This year a major to do was support local artisans. Purchasing gift boxes was an easy way.  More than one artisan in the box. Look for them in your area. Support local.
• Tried a few on-line paint classes. A few of us did one together - very neat. No we won't be showing or work!!!!
• Book club - maybe not as frequent as we wanted but did manage a few.

Overall it was a good year so far. Family and friends safe. Mostly trying to make the most of a pandemic that is still ongoing. 

Live the life you can in the times you are living.  That has been our motto.