At Year's End

I totally stole that title from another blog, but I love it and the thoughts it brings.  It leads one to ponder.  

Yes, it is the end of another year.  How quickly they seem to go these days, but I guess that's the way it goes as one ages.  Or so I've heard.  And now it's almost 2019.  Impossible! Almost twenty years of this new century lived by Dan and me, who as Dan likes to say, "were born in the first half of the last century."  Yikes! And yet mostly so good, filled with beautiful days, like this one this week:

I love our backyard and the views beyond.  I'm so happy we still have snow! It lights these short days and keeps me energized.  Inside the Christmas tree lights up the evenings and makes everything so cozy.  We also have those amazing faux candles and tea lights that bring even more coziness to the darkness.

I love this little wooden "basket" that hold a tea light that actually flickers like a real candle.  And I don't have to worry about burning the house down!  

It may be the end of the year, but our Christmas decorations will continue to light our days and nights for a few more weeks.  Christmas day is not the end, but just the beginning and as we go into a new year, we'll take the gift of grace that Christmas brought so long ago and carry it with us each day. ♥

Monday, Monday

I haven't meant to be gone so long, but once again, it seems it has happened.  I worked at the shop four days last week, and then of course, there was housework and cooking to be done.  I have good excuses!!

And now it's Monday morning, almost two weeks since my last post.  It's a gorgeous sunny morning and I've exercised, made breakfast, scrubbed the kitchen sink, washed my hair, made the bed, and contemplated the rest of my chores for the day. Laundry.  Deciding on dinner.  And hopefully, some sewing.  

As I prepared to make my usual cup of French Vanilla Coffee this morning, I reached into the cupboard to choose a mug for the day.  As I pondered my options, I chose this one:

I bought it years ago from one of those PBS catalogs which are so full of fun and unusual items.  I need this mug often because it's so easy for me to think I must be Wonder Woman and accomplish all my tasks early and quickly and then set about the save the world.  Isn't that true for most of us?  In an attempt to remind myself of reality, I chose it again today.  One thing at a time, and then think wisely about the next.  That's my motto for today.  ♥

One day last week I took the vacuum out and set it in the living room as a reminder that I really needed to put it to work.  I regret to say that it's still sitting there.  Add that to my list of contemplated chores for the day (I'm promising nothing).   

I did finish my wall hanging and I will soon be putting it up in the living room.  I am ridiculously pleased with it!  I love the fabric and found quite a bit of it is still available online so I may get some to make a coordinating quilt for the rocker.  Perhaps the matching bigger size?  

Time to sort the laundry and throw a load in.  So thankful I can walk away while the washer churns and tackle another item on my list!  

Happy Monday!