Thursday, January 1, 2015

Hello New Year.......

Welcome 2015 I am so glad you are here.  2014 had many, many ups and downs as most years do.  It was wrapped in sadness as my family lost three close loved ones and we lost one very dear friend.  At the same time it was blessed by wonderful times with family and friends, as well as the arrival of Little Buddy.  We got approved to be his forever family on January 3 of last year, so much has happened since then.  My favorite day of the year was when he officially became ours on June 25.


Notice I am showing you this picture again because I look so much younger in this photo than I do in real life.  The lighting was perfect (so you could not see all of my wrinkles or should I call them smile lines), so was the day.

My favorite post of 2014, and yours as well, is the story of Little Buddy's arrival into our life, you can see it far down on the left side of my blog, it is called Beautiful Blessings.
I made many things this year, but my absolute favorite was the Olive Twist Shawl pattern by Sue Perez.  I made three of them and loved each and every stitch.  My favorite was this one in a soft gray.  I, who always make shawls but never wear them, have worn this several times.  I love it.


I used approximately 15,110 yards of yarn last year with all of my crochet, knitting and weaving projects.  That amounts to 8.5 miles or 13.8 kilometers of yarn.  I think the weaving helped me reach these numbers.  I was down from last year but still impressed with the number of yards considering I am now the Mother of a three year old.


There are some new knitting projects on my needles to start the New Year off right.  A cowl made from the beautiful yarn I got at Christmastime.   This yarn is an absolute pleasure to work with, natural, with no dyes and oh so soft.


I also have the Lady Kina in the works.  I got a bit distracted with other projects when I started this one, I will get back to it soon as it is easy and fun to knit.  If you are looking for a relatively easy pattern to knit this one might be for you.
 

I do not have many goals for the New Year, I rarely do.  But I, like many of you, like to pick a word to focus on for the year.  I have been tumbling many of them around in my head these last few weeks and the one that sticks is Blessings.  Bless, Blessed and Blessings.  I'd say that is something I need to remember every day that I am blessed in so many ways.  I forget to think about that, even the little things that make life easier.  I get so wrapped up in getting it all done, working, cleaning up, running here and there.  I forget that I am blessed every single second I am here on this Earth.  These three above, along with their father, while causing me to worry and fret half the time are the truest blessings of my life. 


Having a home to live in, a car to drive, food to eat, a family that surrounds me near and far, and friends that are always there for me.   These things I need to remember and be thankful for every day.


I thought about the words beauty, laughter, moving forward, letting go, love and peace.   They are all wonderful but if I remember I am blessed they should all be there, too.


And this guy..........who could not feel blessed with his crooked smile looking at me every day.

Happy 2015.  I hope this year brings you joy, peace, good health and blessings.

48 comments:

My Garden Diaries said...

So very perfect Meredith!!! What a year you had. Through all of the pain you came out with such a treasure! I absolutely love that photo of the 2 of you! Here is to the blessings of 2015!!! Nicole xoxo

kathyinozarks said...

Beautiful post
hugs to you
Kathy

Teresa Kasner said...

I am happy that I got to follow along with your year and become better friends with you. Little Buddy is a lucky guy to become your little boy. Here's to a wonderful new year! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Amen again and again! I love you and I love that precious Little B. God bless you and your family abundantly in 2015. Hugs, Tammy

Marjo said...

Happy New Year Meredith

Love and hugs
Marjo

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Meredith, I like your word of the year! Blessings! What a year 2014 was and I'm hoping 2015 brings some great things for us all.
hugs,
Linda

busybusybeejay said...

what a year and what a lot of happiness that cute little boy has brought you.He is so lucky to be so loved and special to you all.

moonstruckcreations said...

Such a lovely post, and so many blessings.

I feel blessed to count you as a friend Meredith!

Heres hoping 2015 is a blessed one for us all.

Helenxx

Bridget said...

Happy 2015, Meredith, to you and all of your family (including Max of course!).

Your word choice is a good one, and makes so much sense. I'm still deciding what my word for the year will be.

Have a lovely weekend!

Jill at emeraldcottage said...

Great health and happiness to you and your great boys too Meredith :)
Jillxo
ps Olive will not defeat me, I shall pay her a visit sometime soon ...

Gracie Saylor said...

You have had a momentous season in your life this past year...sorrows and joys. Little Buddy officially joining your family reminds me of the joy I knew when our sons officially joined our family. I have a picture of Tim and I on the front steps of our home the day his adoption became final. In the judge's chambers I could not help but cry with joy! Good memories! I love your focus words for 2015 and hope to grow in living my life with this focus as well. I am so blessed, and you are a blessing in my life, Meredith. PS...I am going to go click on your link to Lady Kina which you find " is easy and fun to knit" :-) I am ever hopeful! xx

Anonymous said...

Blessings seems just about perfect... The best companion on your journey through 2015. I hope it us a really good one for you and your lovely family x

Betsy said...

Of course my dear Meredith you know that I think Blessings is the perfect word. Thank you for taking us along with you in this post. I am so happy to have been able to share these things with you during the past year. I think of you as a dear friend and hope you feel the same of me. I was at the doctor yesterday and he said to me, "We're only guaranteed the actual breath that is in our bodies at that exact time. So we need to count our blessings and appreciate each and every breath we have and all we have." Kind appropriate considering the word you chose isn't it
Love you dear Meredith and Happy 2015.
Blessings,
Betsy

CJ said...

What a beautiful post, I am sitting here smiling. The photo of you and your little man is gorgeous, you look so beautiful and so happy. And the picture of your three boys together is wonderful too. Blessings indeed. Like you I like to remember how lucky I am as often as I can. Wishing you and yours a very happy 2015 Meredith. CJ xx

linda said...

It's been a very eventful year for you Meredith and I hope the next one is full of peace love and happiness. :) xxx

Caffeine Girl said...

You went through so many changes this year, and yet remained your gentle, kind self throughout it all. I know you and your three boys are headed into a wonderful 2015!

Home Meadows said...

Happy New Year Meredith. What a beautiful post for the new year. Wishing you all the best. Heather

Anonymous said...

Such handsome boys you have. Love the last picture of Little Buddy. Looks like he saw something that happily surprised him.

Kris said...

Indeed a bit of a bumpy year 2014 was! For us too! I love that photo of you!!! You are so trim, and youthful! Not to mention happy!!!! Running after a three year old will keep you young!! Your blessings are many! Your beautiful family first!!
You turned out so many beautiful things this past year. No doubt you will continue to inspire us in 2015,
Happy New Year to you and yours sweet Mer!
XO Kris

primrosesattic said...

Meredith you and Buddy look just perfect in the picture. So happy.
I hope you have a fab 2015.
Rosezeeta

Angel Jem said...

Blessings and salutations to you too! May 2015 be full of love and laughter all the way, especially in the dark places we all have to travel through! X

Linda said...

A great post which sums up your year Meredith. We have the happy times which help us cope with the sad times I think.

Happy New Year!

Carla from The River said...

A beautiful post. :-) Thank you for the inspiration for 2015!!

Happy New Year
Carla

Unknown said...

Happy New Year to you and your family. I love your word. Blessings. I have to remember that as I forget them a lot when things happen. I really like the picture of your boys. You can just see the love in it.
Love the shawl! So pretty!

Debby said...

I love the picture of you and Little Buddy. You look beautiful. The picture of your three boys is great too. GO BUCKS

Chris said...

Happy New Year, lang may yer Lums reek! )Scottish thing)

Such an incredibly lovely post, your three boys are amazing! I love the picture of you and Little Buddy on his adoption day, you just radiate happiness and love!

Blessings is the definitive thought and word we all should and need to remember and be thankful for. I count my blessings every morning when I wake up , slap a smile on my face and greet the day!! ( as I haul my carcass out of bed) .
13 km of yarn, holy doodle!! I have really enjoyed reading your blog , finding so many other kindred souls on your blog roll and admired so much creativity in bloggy land. I also appreciate we all travel a bumpy road in life too.
Here's to a happy creative fun 2015!!
Chris

Grammy Braxton said...

Wonderful post, Meredith. Yes, I think blessings is a perfect word for the new year. With Little Buddy around, you will remember that word daily. Sending you love, hugs, and wishes for a wonderful, blessed year!

Hugs,
Sharon

gaia said...

What a wonderful post; brightening up my day...
Happy New Year!
Hugs,
Gaia.

Géraldine B. said...

What a year you had !!! I wish you the best and so much happiness for all of you in 2015 !!! Hugs !

Stins said...

You are so right... These things are what it's all about really... And being blessed is the best!
The picture of your three boys is so beautiful...
And that one with little buddy's naughty smile is terrific!
I wish you all the best for this new year to come dear Meredith, and I hope it will be a very blessed year!
Lots of love from Mirjam.

Plain Jane said...

What an incredible year you've had - and how lucky that you and Little Buddy have found each other! Here's wishing you all a wonderful 2015 x Jane

mamasmercantile said...

A beautiful post. A wonderful choice of word. Happy new year to you and your beautiful family and many thanks for your well wishes whilst recovering from surgery. Wishing you everything you wish for yourself.

Mrs. C said...

A very Happy New Year Meredith! I think" blessed" is a wonderful word! My word for work for this year is "inspire", my personal motto is and always is "kindness matters" , because it does :) Hoping you have a happy and healthy year! :)

Tanna said...

I am so sorry for your loss... and Christmas seems to make these kind of losses even more difficult. {hugs}

Every word and image made my heart tingle. You're amazing, Meredith. Here's to a wonderful 2015! blessings ~ tanna

Amy at love made my home said...

I am blessed to have met you in blogging land. Whether you know or not, you bring a lot to my life and I am thankful for that. I love the picture of you and Buddy, it is a great memory of 2014 for you, and your family, and for me too. I am sure that Buddy will treasure that picture as he grows older. xx

Lilbitbrit said...

What a lovely post Meredith.

I hadn't thought of a word or sentence, but I have now and I think it is "friends", "reaching out in friendship"

kathy b said...

Great Recap. With a great view FORWARD.

I love your family, your knitting and your dog!

Suzan said...

What a Blessed Post today Meredith!!!
GREAT photo of Your Three Sons!!! (wasn't that an unbelievable Ohio game!!!)
I'm hoping one day when I retire - I'll be able to knit and crochet a fraction of what you do!!!
Your Little Guy is Blessed to have you for his Forever Family!! So much growth since this time last year!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Karen said...

Happy New Year, Meredith! I am working on my word for the year. I love what you came up with for yours. What a great year you had, full and full of blessings and challenges too. As life should be. Hugs to you.

Kaiya said...

Happy New Year, and may 2015 shower you with blessings in abundance!

Toni said...

Lovely post! Hope 2015 is a wonderful year for all of you!!!!!!

Joyful said...

Happy New Year, Meredith. I love the photos today and the one of you and Buddy is particularly nice. :-)

I also love your word for 2015. It is so important to remember the blessings in our lives. When things are going badly, it can help to lift our spirits and when things are going well, it can help to keep us thankful.

Blessings to you dear friend *Thanks to for the knitting project suggestion. I've saved the pattern and hope to try it some day though not soon). xx

Wainwright and Wright.Co said...

Beautiful photo of Little Buddy and you look fantastic in the first photo. Love the photo of your 3 boys, I agree, you can't help but feel blessed.
You make some beautiful yarn choices, the grey shawl is stunning.

Happy New Year Meredith
Best wishes
Caz xx

Vicki Boster said...

Happy New Year beautiful Meredith-- I love that photo of you and your little one. He is so special and so adorable:)
Such gorgeous yarns-- your projects are always so incredibly beautiful. You are a master at creating stunning knitted treasures. Although-- I think that you must never sleep-- I don't know how you manage to fit it all in!

I hope this New Year continues to bring blessings to you and your family.
Love
Vicki

EMMA said...

Happy New Year to all your family Meredith.
Hugs from Chamonix
Emma.

Clare said...

Such a lovely post, Happy New year to you and the family, may you're blessing be many in 2015.
Clare x

Judy S. said...

What a great photo of the 3 brothers! LB looks so happy. You will enjoy your Lady Kina; I made one last summer, and it's a great place for a special button. Happy Hew Yea, Mere!

Anonymous said...

You look lovely!!! and that little buddy is a CUTIE! I want to make an Oliver Twist shawl too.