Thursday, December 31, 2015

Thoughts and Plans

Its a quiet New Years Eve in my house this year. A nice supper, watching some tv and a movie. I hope I make it until midnight!
Looking back,  2015 was in some ways a very difficult year for me, but in other ways a good year too. I think most years have their ups and down, some years I guess the downs are just more noticeable than the ups. 2015 was definitely a year where the downs were big, so I personally am hoping for a really good 2016.
I am ready to step into the future.
Here's a journal page to celebrate the New Year!
 I am linking this Paint Party Friday, hosted by Kristen and Eva. Thanks to you lovely ladies for hosting. I really loved participating in 2015-the year I discovered Paint Party Friday- and I want to thank all of you who helped make my first year here a wonderful experience! And I want to be sure Kristen and Eva know I appreciate them hosting this site for all of us to meet and share!

So have you picked out a word for 2016 or made any resolutions? Maybe I list of what you want to accomplish in the up coming year?
 I thought I'd do to "hope to" list this year. I'm not good at making resolutions; I always fail at those pretty quickly. I can't even remember what word I picked last year.  Usually at some point early into the year I find a yearlong "project" I loosely pursue. (Or actually it finds me!)  In 2015 it was baking new recipes and learning to be a better home pastry chef. I've had years where my project was to visit new museums, to try new things, get some home improvement projects done or send out art to magazines. My idea for 2016 is to travel more, but not sure that is the "project" that will find me or not.
I guess we will see.

1-So I mentioned travel already, I have 2 places in mind I hope to get to this year. Each is 5 hours from my home in north and south directions. One is New York City and the other is Montreal. Of course, I'll go just about any place. And if I can follow my initial idea for 2016, I take some little journey each month. But we will see where those roads lead me.
2-Read more books. Buy fewer cookbooks. 
3-Bake more "new things", learn new art techniques, challenge myself  and learn some new skills. I've already signed up for another pastry making class during my April school vacation. Getting my new year list started I guess.
4-Hope my husband gets his blood immunity levels back to normal so he can get his new kidney and life get a little more normal around here. Finish de-cluttering the house. Finish up a few little projects I've got scattered around.  Make life simpler. Find more time to connect with old and new friends. Watch the sunrise and sunset more. This year has been way too complicated.
5-I've been saying I want to finish up some rehab in my kitchen so I hope to finally get my new kitchen sink and put in a new counter. And a couple of new windows too. My kitchen needs it, and is one of the last few places left on this house to work on. Fresh starts! 
6-Get another cat. I miss my Leo sooooo much!
7- Learn to be more house handy. Last year I refinished my porch floor, all by myself. I felt very accomplished. This year,hmmmm. But I would like to try something. Tiling perhaps?
8-Sew more. I always start things and then they sit there. The sewing machine is out, so go for it. I m a good sewer and I know the tricks so I just need to do it. The same goes for knitting! Don't let myself get too stuck doing the same type of creative endeavors over and over.
9-Don't let work overwhelm me.
10-Step out of my comfort zone more. Try new things!

And of course I hope we all stay healthy, happy and the good things in life just stay as wonderful as they are!

Wishing you all a wonderful new year . Hope your dreams all come true in 2016!




21 comments:

Nancy Chan said...

Hello Erika, wishing you a year full of blessings of joy, peace and love. Happy new year.

Valerie-Jael said...

Great journal page to start 2016 with, hope it will be a great you for you. Happy PPF and a Happy New Year, hugs, Valerie

Gillena Cox said...

HAPPY NEW YEAR

and thanks for dropping in at my blog today


much love...

Ginny said...

Happy New Year Erika. I hope that 2016 will be filled with wonderful moments for you to notice and enjoy. I love the sounds of all that you are planning on doing. From one teacher to another "Enjoy each day!"

Renee Dowling said...

Wow, you have a lot of goals for the year! As a teacher, I know how busy you are!

I like all of your layers!

May you reach your goals!

Renee

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a fabulous "hope" list for 2016. I hope the hubby one comes true asap and that life get back to "normal??", ha. Love the new header for the month, so pretty. Make a time to get together.....xox

Beth Niquette said...

Your work is just lovely. I think the word for this year is joy. It has been a recurring theme in my life, too. Happy New Year!

Neesie said...

Happy New Year Erika, I really enjoyed reading your post today... it's made me rethink my plans and wishes for 2016.
I've also being trying to remember my word for last year and it completely escapes me.
Your journal page is just perfect for New Year. I was singing "Auld Lang Syne" last night after we'd welcomed in the New Year.
I wish you a wonderful 2016 with all that you could wish for in it including lots of creativity too ;D
Enjoy! xoxo

Clare Lloyd said...

Super page, great colours. Happy PPF and new year too.

Linda Kunsman said...

Love your collage art Erika! I wish you success in all you list for 2016-esp. your hubby's health. I have been choosing a word but mine isn't coming to me yet for this year so we'll see. I love you travel goals because they are definitely realistic and attainable. I could go most anywhere in the world if I had the means, but I need to keep your idea in mind:) Happy 2016 and may it be all you hope for!

Karla B said...

Happy 2016, my friend!

sheila 77 said...

What a wonderful list! Enjoy doing all these things, they sound amazing. I like "read more books" and "get another cat", they are my favourites.
Love your January header, lovely and frosty, the girl looks as if she is enjoying the fresh cold air.
Your "Happy New Year" art is terrific. Happy 2016 to you too.

Lorraine said...

happy creative 2016 love all the layers

Tammie Dickerson said...

Wonderful work - love the layers and the gentle color choices! Best of luck with your new goals - and happy New Year!!

froebelsternchen said...

A fantastic page and a great list!
Enjoy all dear Erika!
HAPPY NEW YEAR !
♥♥♥
Susi

froebelsternchen said...

Forgot to mention that the new header is super!

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Well of course, I would have to be late to the party, since it's already the second. I hope you had a very relaxed new year's day.

I don't do resolutions, either, but I do post a few things I want to commit to. Some years I do better than others. I hope you meet all yours. I sure have enjoyed watching your baking skills blossom. I get hungry whenever I visit, it seems.

I sew, but I don't sew anything conventional, nor have I EVER sewn a straight line. So I applaud you and hope to see what comes off your machine this year.

I truly LOVE your paintings and journal pages, and learn so much when I visit. Like now, I am in AWE of your new blog banner for January. Perhaps it would be better if it were of a sunny beach, though, because I'm freezing as I type this. Here's to an art filled 2016, where a project finds you so I can tag along!

Giggles said...

Gorgeous mixed media piece and I love your New banner! What a fabulous greeting...and wow you have so many wonderful things you want to accomplish this year!Hope is a great word...mine came so easy this year about two weeks ago... Haven't announced it yet...but it's "improve" which I am hoping to do... Hope is good! Wishing you a Happy New year, all the best with your list!

Hugs Giggles

denthe said...

Beautiful journalpage! And I love your list of new years resolutions! A lot of those could be mine :-) Have a happy and healthy year, and please keep coming to the weekly party !

Indira said...

Happy new year, Erica. Wishing you a year where your dreams and wishes come true.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you, too, Erika and thank you for your visit and comment... Ariane