Calm and joyful...

Ah... It is the time of resolutions and starting with a clean slate. Lovely in many ways and quite stressful and stifling too, don't you think? I often must remind myself to move forward and not reflect so much on the past (translation: don't lay awake at night in tears over a silly, bad exchange I had with one of the kids today and instead get enough sleep and focus on making tomorrow a better day!).

Since I was little, I have always been moved by words of others. It could be a sentence in a book, a simple sign or word that help shape my days. A recent Facebook post from a friend reminded me to "be a calm and joyful mother..." Yes! A sign reads: Live simply. Yes! These words can be interpreted differently by each of us, and can be the solace to my busy mind on these crazy days.

I am not one to make a huge resolution, for instance like trying to not eat sugar for a year (this was a goal), because I end up binging on sugar for days and feeling really guilty about it after. Instead this year I plan to wake up each Monday with a new phrase written on the door of the pantry, something to remind me of who I am and where I want us all to be as a family. This year it is about stages, small projects, the little things and hopefully it will build into one beautiful, cumulative piece (or should I say peace?). Yes, I think it will be a good year.

Now if I can just get that pink, lead painted pantry door covered over to start this process we will be all set... A small project to start the year of small projects...

But progress is being made in the rest of the kitchen. I am starting to feel like it is a lovely little space to spend some time in.

Happy New Year!