Happy 2014!

Happy New Year to all my wonderful friends out there in blogland.  Hope you had a safe and lovely evening last night.  We went out for an early dinner with friends and I was back home and in bed by 10:00.  That is the way I like it.  I don't want to start the New Year off tired, with a hangover or any of that nonsense.  Today my big plans are to relax.  The last few days I have worked and cleaned like a mad woman. I like Christmas to be all packed away before my New Year starts.  I like to clean my house, change the sheets on the beds and tidy up, I do not want anything from 2013 trailing into 2014.  I like to start with a clean slate.  I am a little crazy that way. 

Rest is on the schedule for today, to help get rid of the ridiculous cough I have, that is unfortunately  following me into 2014.  Rest, relaxation and reflection.  2014 was a decent year, not near as crazy as the years before it, but still crazy enough.  Last year I picked a word, or as my friend Monica says the word picked me.  It was Peace, I was so darn tired of all the upheavals and turmoil in my life that I wanted Peace, and although I do not feel I have attained peace, I sure am better off then the years before.  Picking a word for the year is interesting.  I was not going to do it this year, but then the word picked me.  Suddenly the word Embrace started floating around in my head.  And I know it is there for a reason. 

I truly think I need to Embrace life a bit more.  Live life a bit more, rather than just trying to plow through the days working and marking things off my list of things to do.   Notice the little things that make a difference, butterflies, beautiful sunsets, a hug from my son.  I sure know I need to laugh more.  My sister Claudia has the biggest laugh.  She can make me laugh like no one else.  She embraces life even if she is worried or upset.  So my word for 2014, whether I like it or not is Embrace.

As for all the projects I made in 2013, I will not have a big photo montage for you.  I think you have all seen enough of my projects for now.  I made 46 projects, which is way down form 2012.  But I made bigger projects this year including 2 blankets, 9 shawls, 7 sweaters/vests/shells, and 13 scarves.  My very favorite make was the Bella sweater, I think it was also my most frustrating. I also made curtains for my craft room and one African flower bag.  Lots of other little projects were in there too.  What was amazing to me was the amount of yardage I used up.  I am almost embarrassed to tell you as it is more than I had imagined.  But as I stated the year tallying up my yardage I will finish it with a total, 17,455 yards!  That is almost 10 miles of yarn.  Wow, I think I might have a big problem.  Lets see how much I can use of  my newly acquired stash in 2014!

So here is to 2014!  Are you ready to Embrace it with me?