Word for 2009

i published this over at my other blog a couple days ago, but i felt that it really fit with my theme here at handmade blessings. so enjoy the rerun if you read both blogs, and if you don't read both, then this will be new to you!


i'm pondering on a new word for 2009. for the past several years i have chosen a word to represent the new year, which i wrote about in detail here, some years i hit the mark, and others (like 2008) the word is a bit of a dud. one of my problems is remembering what word i have chosen!!

but this year, i want to try something different, or rather add something to my word. ali over at ali edwards also has been choosing a word for awhile, and she suggests creating a visual to remind you of your word all year long. being a visual person myself, i really like that idea. it can be as simple as just writing it on a piece of paper and taping it on your monitor, or as elaborate as making a scrap page with it, or creating a shadowbox. you choose! but the thing is, then you have something to look at, and remind yourself of what you are aiming for during the year.

here is a snippet of her ideas from her blog:

Now that many of you have chosen a word for the year, what will you do to keep it in mind throughout the year? It can be very simple or complex, a craft/scrapbooking project or a simple reminder in your planner or on your bulletin board. Some sort of visual reminder is a great way to add a bit of focus to your word.

Here's a couple ideas for honoring your word this year:

• Go through some magazines looking for your word or themes/phrases/etc that relate to your word. Cut them out and collage them together as a visual reminder. This could grow and expand throughout the year.
• Commission or locate a piece of jewelry that features your word. I am ordering a necklace with "vitality" from Lisa Leonard. Love this as a daily visual reminder.
• Print out a word card and place it where you will see it everyday (a bathroom mirror or refrigerator or bulletin board are all front and center).
• Start a journal to document thoughts, feelings, experiences you have with your word over the course of the year. This could be a visual journal or just focus on the words. Your journal could be as simple as a Word document on your computer.

she also has a list from last year of all the words that her readers chose for themselves. and she has ALOT of readers. after skimming thru the list i have several that i'm thinking over ... i haven't decided yet, but i do have 2 more days before 2009 is officially here, so i think i'm ok. for now.

how bout you? are you choosing a word to represent 2009? want to share what it is? are you creating a visual to remind yourself of your word? if you are, leave me a link. i want to see what you're doing!

and don't worry, once i decide, i'll share my word with you. and the visual i choose to make.

project 52 for 2009

i was doing some websurfing a couple days ago and came across Julie at Balzar Designs. when i saw that she is hosting this great project challenge for 2009, i had to investigate. she's calling it "project 52" and like it sounds, each participant creates a project of their own choosing each week of the year.

i have been looking for something like this to sink my teeth in, so when i stumbled upon her blog, i was very, very happy. and i love her philosophy. she's a dabbler like me, so its up for grabs what i might choose to do each week. photography? scrapbooking? quilting? or whatever! sweet!

so here's what you do. if you are interested in finding out more about project 52, go over to Balzar Desings look at her very easy requirements to join in the fun, then come back here and leave me a comment that you are up for the challenge. then we can encourage one another in 2009 as we grow in our creativity.

this n that update

well, i've been lame in posting here. i was busy! i know, excuses, excuses!

i crafted a bunch of cards for my sister and her friend and had to get the cards to them in time. one thing i never realized is how many shades of green there are even in Christmas themed paper. i think i had 5-6 papers and they all had a different shades of green. but i got more papers and made it work. it was alot of fun. now i'm back in the crafting studio making b-day cards, thank you cards, and starting to think about V-day.

i also have been knitting. finished my sage green scarf. have started a pink one, but need to frog it. too wide. havne't found my yarn for the collar scarf i posted about. maybe next week i'll venture out to the yarn store. we've been snowed under here.

have a wonderful crafting day!

Christmas Dinner Menu

since we are staying home this year and it'll just be the 3 of us, i'm pondering what to make for our Christmas Dinner. i like to pull out all the stops for holidays and make fun, festive food that we aren't likely to have the rest of the year. for the main course, i'm thinking prime rib.

one year i made a prime rib that was coated in coarse salt. it turned out so yummy! but i'm open to new ideas. so i'm going to be hunting the internet over the next few days for a great prime rib recipe.

another year i made a wonderful oyster chowder for the first course and that was a huge hit as well, but i don't feel like slaving over a hot stove for soup. maybe a super creative salad that i could make ahead would work instead?? or just make a nice appetizer??

how bout you? what's on your Christmas menu this year? are you cooking? hosting? or being the lucky guest who only has to bring the rolls?