Happy 2010!

2010: that sounds very fancy in a silver spacesuit, mission to Jupiter kind of way.  Somehow it makes me feel more grown-up, and with that my perspective on a new year and all of its endless possibilities has changed.   I’ve realized how fortunate it is to be able to start with the proverbial clean slate every 365 days and that I should take advantage of such a gift - one of new beginnings, the unknown, and wonderful and interesting things to come.  Oh, and that fact that I turn 34 over the holiday break makes me feel a little bit more grown-up as well!  I wasn’t in the mood to really celebrate my birthday as 34 sounds so much older than 33.  (I did have out of town friends visiting and very much wanted to spend time with them so my birthday was just a good of a date as any to do so!)  I certainly know that 34 isn’t old but it feels like a big enough change in my life that for the first time in a very long time, I’ve come up with some resolutions for the new year:

Prioritize:

I’m really bad at this - to me, everything on my to do list is high priority.  So, many things don’t get done “in time” and I end up frustrated with myself.  And anything I have left as a low priority surely never, ever gets done but still takes up space in my closet, my mind, etc. which is no fun either!  I’ve already put this resolution into action this weekend: I went through a low priority item just to start to clear some space: altering and mending some vintage clothing so I can actually wear them!  I also went through some high priority items like start on a project for work.  So far so good!

Time management:

This is related to my first resolution.  (Could my resolutions BE more boring?  But I feel empowered writing these done nevertheless!)  Like I was saying before, regarding how I spent my weekend, I was able to work on both low and high priority to-dos but I just had to give myself a reasonable amount of time to do them.  I worked on sewing/repairs for the first part of Sunday and gave myself a stopping point of early evening; I didn’t let myself feel like I had to get all of it done and felt satisfied with what I had accomplished before I moved on to the next task.  (Oftentimes in the past I would neglect to see all that I had finished and could only see the huge pile of clothes waiting in the wings!)

Relax, don’t stress! (And appreciate the little things more):

Sometimes I take things too seriously.  I really think I’ve gotten better over the past year but I still find myself stressed out or anxious about things that I shouldn’t.  Hee hee, perhaps resolutions 1 and 2 will help with this.

Make more of an effort in my everyday appearance:

I’ve always been a girlie-girl but I’m also lazy and work from home.  I usually find myself wearing the same jeans or sundress throughout the week.  And perhaps it’s because I’ve just turned 34, I feel like I look better if I at least put on some mascara before I go out!  I know, it all sounds so very anti-feminist but I can be a strong and independent woman and still look good right?  I recently tried pot eyeliner which is the best invention in make-up ever and making an effort can be that hard.  (Thanks for the idea, Casey - I never would have considered the stuff if it weren’t for your blog!)

Create art for art’s sake:

I’m so goal-oriented it’s sometimes difficult to do something so it’s own sake, especially when it comes to something that means a lot to me personally.  (This is me, again, taking things too seriously!)  I hope to draw more this year and not get hung up on perfection, preconceived notions, etc. etc.

Spend more time with my friends (and make some new ones too):

I wonder how many of you experience this as well - As you get older and life gets more complicated, people move away, get married and have babies; careers advance, homes are bought and remodeled…you just don’t spend as much time with your friends?  That core group of women (or guys) that got you through college and bad relationships, dead-end jobs and lots of other drama?  Spending time with my friends always make me realize how much I miss them and the abundance of lazy days we used to spend together gossiping and just being silly.  It can be hard to make room for that time but it seems more important than ever.

Wow, I better get busy!  Hee hee, okay not really.  I’m not supposed to stress, remember?

So, have you decided to make any resolutions this year?

Hi sweets.  Some holiday gift tags, especially for you.

Look, Spoo Kee is dressed up like Santa!

Just print the pdf on letter-size paper and cut.  There’s room at the tops to punch holes, for ribbon or twine.

» Download gift tags

I hope everyone’s week is off to a good start!   This past weekend was nice and chilly and I spent a lot of time knitting for the holidays (a certain nephew needs a hand-knit stocking for his first Christmas).  Anyway, I have a little gift for you…

I’m giving away a bunch of “Our Tree Dresses” holiday cards!   A blank card for you to keep or use.

Instead of selecting 1 winner for a big prize I’ve decided to have a lot of little prizes for many of you this year.

SO, here’s how it works:

• Leave a comment: You don’t have to say anything in particular BUT I would love to know what you’re looking forward to this season. It could be holiday or non-holiday specific!
• Make sure the email address you enter is correct.  I’ll collect the emails and send you all a message (from dearliette {AT} gmail {DOT} com) at the end of the giveaway.
• Reply back with your mailing address.  (Don’t worry, your personal info is safe with me and won’t be sold, distributed, etc.)

The giveaway closes Sunday night, November 22th OR when I run out of giveaway cards, whichever happens first.  One card per reader; open to everyone.

Happy Commenting!

Update: Silly me, as Tracey kindly pointed out, I never mentioned what I was looking forward to this season!  Two every exciting things are happening: 1) My husband and I are celebrating our marriage (Reception #2) with my in-laws and 2) My dear little nephew’s first Christmas!

One of the best things about our little house is the lighting in the kitchen.  This main window faces the north/northwest and the light does not change much the whole day.  Even on the grayest of days there is plenty of light and I’m ever so grateful for this; I’ve lived in places that were dark and, really, I found it depressing.   This is the light in our kitchen right now: very bright and soft and white.  Yes, some of the doors are hanging off their hinges, the 80+ year old sink has seen better days but it’s really quite cozy, especially now.

My parents got us this Kitchen-Aid mixer as a wedding gift.   I know, I’m super fancy now.   I mean WE are super fancy.  So far I’ve made rapid rise bread with it (from the recipe book that came in the box;  pretty good but I’d like to try others) and some super fluffy cake frosting.   You know what would be really cool?  The pasta attachment.  Then I could make homemade pasta to go with my homemade lamb ragu (a household favorite).

And right now the weather in L.A. is perfect.  Very comfortable in the high 60s, bright and sunny, but not too hot to turn up the oven.  I’ve been brewing up all kinds of things lately which inspired me to make some fall-ish recipe cards.  I decided to post them as PDFs for free because, you know, I like you that much!

We’ve got a 4″x6″ recipe card:

And a 3″x5″ one too:

(Click images or links below to download.)  Just print them on your color printer, “best” setting, cut and go.

» Download: 4″x6″ Recipe Card

» Download: 3″x5″ Recipe Card

Oh, by the way, THANK YOU for the swan-love!  I’m so pleased you liked her.   She’ll have some friends soon.

Have a lovely fall-ish weekend!