So here we are on the other side – happy new year everyone!
I finished up last year an extremely stressed, overtired mess – and then spent the whole of Christmas and new year with bacterial tonsilitis! It wasn’t all bad though – I still managed to eat my way through a pretty impressive amount of food, the kiddos were happy and we spent a significant amount of time in our pyjamas. What more can you ask for at Christmas?!
Last year around this time, I did a post talking about what I wanted to see and do in the months ahead, and this year I’m doing the same – most things revolve around craft and food, which I think is a pretty good start to any year!
Get Organised
Although I’m self-employed, my accounting system is something of a joke. I’ve never actually printed off an invoice in my life, and my tax return is usually done in a blind panic three days before the deadline. This year, I’m determined to get everything sorted – I’ve got ring binders, plastic wallets, and even a brand new, shiny ‘paid’ stamp for all those invoices that I’m going to print off and keep. I’ve also got everything Ben has ever done at school (almost three years!) stashed in a box, which needs to go into a scrapbook, photos to organise and print out, and old paperwork to shred.
Declutter
I’ve already cleared out a good 50% of our unnecessary crap, but there’s something about the new year which makes me want to sweep through the house again, bin bags in hand. Old, unloved toys, threadbare linen, unwanted clothes… it’s all going!
Develop my Yarn Projects
I’ve been working hard developing crochet patterns for tutorials here on the blog, and also for various magazines – I’d love to be publishing a pattern once a week, and I’m also thinking about doing a few of those ‘Crochet Along’ projects for anyone who wants to join in.
Garden Effectively
Every January, I get overexcited and order a ridiculous amount of seeds – then I end up with a gazillion seedlings that I’ve got no space for, or things that just won’t grow here. This year, I’m sticking to food that I know does well; runner beans, French beans, peas, tomatoes and salad, as well as several different types of flowers. Last year I planted some perennials; delphiniums, carnations, lavenders, and Veronica, and I’m hoping they’ll pop up again in the spring – I’m going to add in lots of sweetpeas, some more carnations and lots of lavender in pots for the front of the house. We’ve also got two miniature rooted Christmas trees to try and keep alive until next year!
Practise Sewing
Last Hallowe’en, I cobbled together a pattern for a pumpkin outfit for Daisy, which I realised could be used for a simple cotton summer dress – I’m thinking some nice printed fabrics, lace trim and maybe some ricrac here and there. I’ve also got cushions to make for the kiddos room (yes, still!), and a dressing gown pattern from the lovely folks at Gather Kits to get stuck into. I’ve got some ace aztec fabric that I’m dying to use!
Read More
I’m currently REALLY enjoying All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and think everyone should add it to their reading list – I’m aiming to read a book a month; spending less time watching TV or aimlessly scrolling through the internet and more time eating up books.
I’m not going to say we’re going to travel more – as much as I get itchy feet, they’ll have to be satisifed by watching documentaries and reading books; we simply don’t have the money to head off on expeditions. We don’t have passports either, so that kind of limits us from the get go! I’m also not going to say I’m going to cook more – we get by on my (really!) limited repertoire of bolognese-chilli-lasagne-shepherds-pie-pasta-stews, so I’m not going to spend time and money stressing myself out pretending to be a foodie, when I’m not. Pass the potatoes!
What are your plans for 2016? Did you have a good Christmas and new year? I hope so!
Loving your plans, with a few changes they almost mirror mine! bestest wishes for 2016, Ashley Ps:its so great to see a fellow crocheter on the hibs100, I enjoy your blog I am also resolving to comment more on blogs I like, not doing to badly so far!
Ahh, hello! Yes, I really need to get commenting as well – I read so many blogs on my iPhone though, and it's such a ballache to type on there! Thanks for the kind words, it means a lot as your blog is always particularly inspiring to me!
Great list! A lot of these are things I'd like to do too – I'm hoping to earn money this year from home, so I need to get to grips with the whole scary keeping accounts thing. Decluttering is also very high on my list too – I want to completely change the way we use our space. And sewing, I definitely need to embrace sewing as I'm fed up with knitting and crochet!
A good declutter is so satisfying – I'd say it's almost become one of my hobbies, ha!
I also really liked All the Light We Cannot See…and I hear you on the decluttering.
It's SUCH a good book, I can't put it down. Not sure I'll find anything else that matches up! Have you got any recommendations?
Decluttering is definitely on my list too. I'm constantly getting rid of stuff but I still feel like there's a mountain of stuff to get through. I want to crochet more but also get back into sewing. I have so much fabric stored away I'm determind to do something with it this year. And I'm letting so much more music into my life…performing, writing and listening!
Oh my, I just discovered your blog (through your post on Seeds and Stitches) and I just wanted to say that I love it, such beautiful photos and words <3