I have decided this is the year to break out the bubbly I have in my fridge for the past 2 years. I am getting the nice crystal champagne flutes out and toasting to the New year. I don’t plan on going anywhere, and I am sure my husband won’t join me unless he opts for another beverage. But I want to start the year celebrating what I have been blessed with, where I want to go intentions will be set and a toast to Auld Lange Syne

I do like to look to the next year full of opportunities to try new things, to set goals and steps towards accomplishing them, this year is no different. I don’t want to look at these as resolutions but some of my guiding lights.

I want to relentlessly pursue taking care of myself. It may sound selfish, but I need to do this to make the best year. I am trying new menu planning and cooking ideas from Mealime. Need something to mix up dinnertime, save money and get cooking. This is a menu planning app that’s free, makes a shopping list and has recipes for the meals you chose. There is a pro plan but I need to figure it out before committing to it. Pausing Hello Fresh for a month because it is expensive and trying out this service. My daughter uses emeals and that could be an option, too.

I want to be able to hike to this destination. I could not last year because of my health. It is a short hike but straight up.

https://www.gatlinburg.com/great-smoky-mountains/hiking-trails/kuwohi/

I am going to spend this year finishing several lingering projects- quilts and final finishes of Cross stitch.

I have 2 quilts I want to make and we will see if others work their way in.

I think that is enough to start the year off with.

I will read through my solstice goals as a way I want to accomplish these goals.

I am very happy to say I have 2 twin quilts left to bind. I have added binding to two quilts this month! I finished my knit wrap, now for the weather to cool off to wear it! I was looking at what to I have on hand to finish and it should happen this year because the stack isn’t huge. Several quilts to long arm/bind, the cross stitch, a fabric collage cottage.

I want to spend time doing new and exciting crafts. I have no idea what that means but I am a little tired of making the same types of things over and over again. I am thinking about making buntings and selling them. So an etsy shop trial. I am trying to get things scaled down in prep for retirement. That means to continue to declutter, stash bust and thin down my belongings. Not a task I enjoy but it is needed. Continuing with the housekeeper will help me budget my energy to do these things outside of my job.

Even though I work Monday, it feels like we are on the NEW YEAR Holiday break starting today! I am very excited to get started on these goals and ideas. They are always ever changing over the course of the year and I am ok with that.

Silk and sonder did a quiz for the word of the year. I thought, Ok I will play. I am continuing this journal as well. I got a great word of the year! You can also take the quiz here: https://www.silkandsonder.com/pages/your-2025-word-of-the-year?utm_source=org+social+&utm_medium=lib&utm_campaign=word+of+the+year+2025

Happy New Year!! I am going to make it a memorable one as best as I can!!

Vicki