Playing in the Attic: Living

Is it too late to herald in the new year? I know we're into the third week of the year, but I feel like my feet haven't hit the ground since the clock ticked over into the new year!

2013 has been contemplated, mulled over, written about, and packaged up ready for this exciting new year to begin. I do love the very beginning of a new year. So much potential. Potential for doing things differently. To learn from the mistakes of the year that has finished, and to rejoice in the things we may have got right, making sure there is room for more of the same.

I feel like I've jumped in boots and all into this new year. I have so many exciting plans, small, but exciting!! Plans to connect with friends through creative projects, plans for puppies to join our family, plans for de-cluttering on a major scale (inspired by a blogger who gave away one item a day for 365 days!), plans for a visit to a yoga retreat with a buddy, plans to finish lots of projects, plans to renovate a room, plans, plans, plans ...

What about you? Do you have exciting plans for the year ahead? Are you already on your way with them? And I know I'm a bit late with this but I wish you a fabulous 2014!!

Trudy

Photos : Stained Glass Windows from our local Hall.

Hello Peeps. It's been a while, sorry 'bout that. Definitely time for a bit of a catch up. I thought a list could be fun! Who can resist a good list? I love them. This one can be found at Meet Me At Mikes blog, if you'd like to make your own.

Making
A room for a gypsy party which required pulling bits and pieces from all over the house, but delighting in the squeal of a gaggle of gypsies as they went inside.

Cooking
Hmmm, tricky ... does popping a crumpet in the toaster count for cooking?

Drinking
Chai Latte in a new Kookaburra mug, given to me by my sweetheart to celebrate our meeting sixteen years ago.

Reading
Just finished "After You'd Gone" by Maggie O'Farrell which was so terrific-a-read that I want to find another book by her, although "Wuthering Heights" is also calling. How could I have missed this one over the years? Recently found a lovely copy, illustrated by Ruben Toledo.

Wanting
The sky to be blue rather than fifty shades of grey. Okay, I know it's Winter but this wind, rain, sleet is Just Too Much!

Looking
At the mess that is our family room and wondering if we'll ever finish renovating this house.

Playing
Squash ... on the couch on a Friday night, our movie night. One couch facing the telly and four bottoms jostling for space. It's kinda fun until limbs go numb.

Wasting
Time. Deliberating, thinking, changing my mind, rather than just doing. Reminds me of a Nike ad ... Just Do It.

Sewing
Hand sewing a quilt dedicated to all the women in my family history, and loving the gentle art of making it stitch by slow stitch throughout this Winter.

Wishing
I was slim enough and daring enough and young and gorgeous enough to wear a crochet skirt and look this good in it!! See it there, just peeking out from below the shirt?

Enjoying
The new range of macarons in our store and needing to try all the different flavours so that I can recommend them to others!! The raspberry is a current favourite, with the chocolate one very close behind.

Waiting
For the electrician and the carpet layer to arrive to finish off my girl's room, then it's full steam ahead to set her up in her very own teenager room. Just think "green"!!

Liking
The bright green wall in my daughter's room even though I didn't think I would.

Wondering
If a new puppy will make it a bit better. If a new puppy will fill the hole in our hearts this gorgeous girl has left us all with. So much a part of our lives for fourteen happy tail waggy years.

Loving
Now having two consecutive days off in my working week, Friday followed by Saturday. Two days, what bliss!! Yippee!

Hoping
That hanging some festive Union Jack bunting in the hallway will spur us on to make the rest of our home cheery and bright.

Marvelling
At the joy of children. Of their love of celebration and dance. Of being surrounded by friends and living in the moment. We can learn so much from children.

Needing
A date night with my man. A day off painting a room together does not count for quality time together.

Smelling
The daphne as I come through the gate. Beautiful, beautiful perfume. So sweet.

Wearing
New black suede, lace up ankle boots which have been on my wish list for at least two Winters. I think of my great grandmothers every time I pull them on and draw them tight.

Following
The lives, loves and losses of my favourite characters on my favourite show "Offspring" as another series comes to an end. Did I cry? Of course I did.

Noticing
That any day now our blossom tree will ... well, blossom!

Knowing
I'll never have enough time to read all the magazines I'm bringing home from the newsagent, but not being able to resist anyway, and looking at the growing piles in my room and thinking I'm basically not very bright to keep doing it.

Thinking
About a holiday later in the year. Planning, dreaming, learning new phrases, saving hard and wishing it was sooner rather than later.

Bookmarking
Recipes!! Who would have thought? But yes, I bookmark recipes to make "one day". That day may not come soon, but I'll be ready with my supply of recipes (and my spatula)!

Opening
Bills, wishing they were letters. If anyone would like to drop me a happy note in the mail that would be lovely (P.O. Box 129 Foster, 3960, Victoria, Australia)!!!!

Giggling
I'm not a giggler. I laugh. And sometimes I laugh until I slap my hand on my thigh, but I don't think I've giggled since I was six.

Feeling
Slightly overwhelmed by everything I do and everything I don't do, and wondering if I'll ever be able to simply relax and go with the flow.