Minimalism - What a difference a day makes.

What a difference a day makes as the song says.  

The minimalism challenge has come full circle.  A year ago November I began a 30 day challenge to pick up, organize, clean out, recycle, and/or reuse. Then I turned it into a monthly update.

My behavior learned during the challenge really helped me look at the stuff that accumulates in my life.  

It was a successful year......

Cabinets with just what I really need.  Easier to cook and create.  Also stopped the duplicates at the store!

The cubby space is actually usable and I can find what I am looking for!  Success is getting all like items in one place.  It keeps evolving as I determine, all those cookbooks I don't use much any longer.  Now I search my favorite sites for new ideas.

  
Dresser drawers are another place that helps everyday living.  I can find it all with no muss or fuss.

What a difference a year can make.

Last winters storm damage to the 3rd floor carpeting pushed me to clean up my bedroom, closet, dresser, bookcases and such once again.  Bags of clothing were donated during the year to those that could use them.    Boxes of books were sent to the library for the Friends sale where the proceeds help the Lucy Robbins Welles Library in Newington.   Now it is a very peaceful room to rest and relax.

What a difference a year can make.


There was time for the garden and growing lots of veggies that I am enjoying today.  Started canning some of the tomatoes and with the winter squashes have been relishing the new recipes I'm trying out.


There's a sense of peace at the garden.  Enjoying the camaraderie of my fellow neighbors, trading secrets on how to do a better garden.  What works and doesn't work in the Newington soil and weather along with a dose of politics of course.

All this is happening due to my gardening space in the garage being cleaned up and organized!  


What a difference a year can make.

1st Place Big E 2015

1st Place Big E 2015

I finally got back to my lace.   I worked on coming up with entries to the Big E this past September.  Three presentations in tatting.  I received two firsts and a second!   

The firsts are shown here.  A collar and a series of hearts.

There was my crochet snowflake project going on since last Christmas at the same time.  

2nd Place Big E 2015

I have been making needle tatted flowers to practice.  I can carry it with me and in a few minutes I have made another flower.  Then I started giving them away.  By the time I realized it, I had given away around 200!  Now I'm keeping track of who they have been given to and the story that goes with them.  Everyone should have a piece of handmade tatting lace!

Once again -  clearing out nooks and crannies and organizing the would like to do patterns vs. notes on techniques and in various forms of handwritten notes, pdfs/jpgs, photocopies and books.  It's definitely better now.


What a difference a year can make.  If you start today.......  before you know it, you'll have made a difference just for you!  Enjoy

Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.

--------------------------------------------------

Snowflakes Viola!

One year ago today....  I decided that I would make the crocheted snowflakes.  

I had wanted to decorate with lots and lots of flakes.  Over the years I started and stopped; never getting more than a few accomplished.

Lots and lots of snowflakes....  while we are not enjoying the nature made variety in the balmy 65° weather here in New England, my collection of snowflakes did get done.  I made 35 during the year.  I had set a goal of over 50 flakes. Another batch would fill out the display in my foyer better.

I am so pleased with the flakes that I did complete.  There is magic as I look at each one of them.  Each is unique, each with a story of how a simple a hook and some thread  can capture the imagination.

Thank you to Snowcatcher , for year long inspirations.   It was a year ago today that I refound her blog.  Every Monday she presents a new snowflake pattern.  Before long, I was really looking forward to Snowflake Mondays.

To present the snowflakes themselves, here's a wee video to showcase them. Enjoy!

Now on to making more snowflakes for 2016.  I will continue with the crochet variety and will try my hand at tatting a few!


Here's to a year of catching the dreams you chase,

doing what makes you smile,

and loving the life you live.