Saturday, January 3, 2015

A Year to GROW

Happy 2015!  We've been enjoying the holidays, although a cold and tummy bug were among the visitors to our home.  :/

We hosted my family's Christmas Day festivities with 26 in attendance!!  After a dreary and cloudy month, Christmas Day was sunny and dry!  Perfect weather to drive out to the country.  We had a wonderful day visiting, eating and sharing!

Wonderful Hubby's side was hosted by my sweet MIL.  Santa was even able to stop by for awhile! 

Now that the New Year is here, I've joined a photo group called Project 365.  (See the link posted on the sidebar.)  The goal is to take at least one photo each day this year.  Hopefully, my photography will improve and I'll have some great photos to journal.  Although I'm not going to post photos each day, I'll try to share my weekly favorites.  Wish me luck!!  (Just in case this project is too difficult, I've also joined the companion project that encourages us to take a photo just once a week!  :)  )

Another new focus I'm giving a try is choosing a word for the year.  Wonderful Hubby is planning on retiring this year and he said his theme will be "Embracing Change."  We are both excited about what our retirement years will bring and have talked about more travel, home improvements and just generally doing all those little things we didn't have the time to do before. 

I've chosen another word:  GROW.  Last year was my first year of retirement and I've enjoyed being in my gardens so much!  (and am enjoying the frozen and canned 'fruits' of my labor this winter!)   I'd like to continue learning about gardening but there are other aspects of my life I'd like to nurture.

  • My faith and service to my Savior, Jesus Christ
  • My relationships with my beautiful family
  • My volunteerism in our community
  • My creativity

Thank you for visiting now and then and leaving your kind, encouraging comments!  It really lightens my day!!

I hope you'll check in to see how I'm growing this year.  I'll leave you with the first photo of the new year. 


Welcome, 2015!




15 comments:

Nancy said...

What a beautiful photograph to start your project. I really like the idea of posting a group at the end of the week as I don't want to post each day either.

I love your selection of words for the year and I will look forward to seeing how they show themselves to you during the year.

Congratulations on your hubby's retirement this year. The freedom of scheduling is wonderful..

Candy S said...

Congratulations on hubby's retirement. I retired at the end of September and it seems that I never have enough time to do all that I want to do. Hubby retired over ten years ago and he has already adjusted, not so for me. I managed my time so much better when I was working. I like the idea of a word for the year. I am adopting Debbie Dabbles word "live". After so many years of living to work it feels really strange to live without that structure (and money). Your picture to start the year is wonderful. I wouldn't mind doing 52 photo posts, I would just have to remember to carry my camera with me so I would have some pictures other than tablescapes. Have a wonderful week..... Candy

My Garden Diaries said...

Stunning friend!!! That shot is just beautiful! I wish you luck in your new blogging adventure! I think that is a great idea and I love the words you picked for 2015! Wishing you an awesome new year.....It will be awesome for you and your husband to be able to make special new memories together! Nicole xoxo

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hubby and I are looking forward to him retiring in two or three years. The words you have chosen are terrific! Best of luck with your photography. Looking forward to seeing them!
hugs,
Jann

Charla said...

Happy New Year to the two of you! We will all benefit from your beautiful photographs. Enjoy!

The Tablescaper said...

Good luck for the challenge of the upcoming year!

Happy New Year!

- Alma, The Tablescaper

trishie said...

I love the word "grow". This year I want to grow too. Grow my own veg, fruits, flowers and herbs and I also want to grow as a person. Wishing you a very wonderful year ahead!

Look forward to seeing more photos from you.

oomph. said...

great idea to choose a WORD for the year as it can apply to every aspect of our lives - vs a single resolution. i like GROW.

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Great word! Happy retirement, hope 2015 will be a year full of peace and joy!
Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY...
Blessings,
Cindy

Creations By Cindy said...

Love your word for 2015~ Mine is Praise. Your picture is beautiful and I will cheer you on my friend. I love taking pictures. Not sure I could do it daily but do enjoy it and look forward to seeing yours! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Jacqueline said...

What a fun goal! Keep enjoying your retirement! What a wonderful time of life and those are perfect goals!

Rettabug said...

What a GORGEOUS photo!! God's handy paintbrush at work!
I like your word for the year...it is a good one. I also liked seeing your beautiful tablescapes in the prior posts....very pretty.
Enjoy that retirement...every day becomes the same & the only way you know it is Sunday is that is when the BIG paper comes. LOL

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Congrats to your husband for his retirement, it's a new life and if one embraces it, it's the greatest thing, ever!
Thank you for this lovely post and everything you say for the new year and I wish you every word too.
Thank you so much for your sweet visit.
Blessings,
FABBY

Babs said...

Sorry to hear about your unwanted New Year "guests"..colds and tummy upsets.
Congratulations to your husband on his retirement. We're both retired and loving it. I enjoyed your lovely post and your GROW projects. I think I'll "borrow" your word. I just don't want to grow anymore around my middle. :)

Art and Sand said...

I am halfway through my second year of retirement and it is definitely a time to embrace change. We are still figuring out our routine. I just gave up coaching volleyball last month, but I have agreed to weekly tutoring - another change.

One of the things I planned in retirement was to get my garden perfect. The first year of retirement we had a new puppy who just dug up everything I planted. The second year was looking good until I became so anemic that I needed 2 blood transfusions. Add the California drought in the mix and it equates to a less than perfect garden again this year.

Have fun with your husband and doing anything you feel like.

Thanks for the sweet comments on my blog post.