Friday, January 1, 2016

A Cozy, Quiet Start

A slow, simple, cozy, quiet day at home.  That's how we started the new year and hopefully it will set the tone for the days that follow.  Mindfulness is my mantra for the year.  With so much noise and chaos in the world, I'm making a concerted effort to slow down, live simply and create a cozy, quiet atmosphere around us.  I cannot control everything, but I am in charge of my own personal space and "peace begins with me".
 


My first project of the new year is a simple cowl that was started this morning and finished this afternoon.  Creating something handmade every day is definitely at the top of my to-do list, as is making simple homemade meals.
Corn chowder made with almond milk and a curried potato sandwich for dinner.

Wishing you a healthy, happy year filled with peace, love and creative moments.

40 comments:

Mereknits said...

I was going to use mindful as my word for the year, I wrote it down several months ago to think about, but then I decided I needed that and more so I am going for four words this year. Peace. Love. Happiness and Abundance. I think that about sums it up!
Hugs and Happy New Year,
Meredith

Terra said...

That meal sounds delicious and I like the colors of your knitted cowl. Mindfulness for you and blossom for me in 2016.

faith76 said...

Mindfulness is certainly on my list of priorities this year and to slow down where I can. Lovely make xx

Teresa Kasner said...

I like your start and agree that we can make our own space as peaceful and quiet and productive as we want. It's a bit harder to do the quiet part when you have a 1st and 2nd grade pair of grandsons living with you. LOL!
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
  *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Happy@Home said...

Happy New Year, Tammy. It looks to me like you are starting off the year on the right foot.
Your cowl is so pretty.

Laurie said...

Cute cowl! I've been knitting off and on all day. Making a beanie. I want to live simply and make a peaceful, cozy atmosphere in my home too.

Gracie Saylor said...

Happy New Year, Tammy! I am cheering you on with you positive focus for this year. The cowl you made is both pretty and practical. I have not made corn chowder with almond milk, but I am putting it on my list of creative things to try. I am cozy at home today, too,..and have some crocheting by my side to enjoy as well. :) xx

Zana said...

Happy New Year to you Tammy, That cowl colours are beautiful. Love the look of your lunch too. Given me an idea for my lunch Potato and Pea curry.

Diane said...

Peace and quiet. That's a good one. We just don't need all of the noise and we can control that in our own homes. Best wishes Tammy. Diane

Thistle Cove Farm said...

"Peace begins with me"...so easy when the front gate is locked and the phone is off the hook.
sigh
Happy New Year to you and yours, celebrate in good health and happiness.

Lisa said...

I think your mantra for 2016 is perfect. I hope to follow the same path. It's too easy for me to let the constant chatter of the world influence me. Mindfulness, simplicity, and creativity is what I need. Happy New Year

Sheila Rumney said...

Beautiful scarf! Wishing you a wonderfully blessed New Year!

Createology said...

Amen. My day was just right with some cleaning and cooking and then visiting some friends in their brand new home. Now a quiet cozy night at home. I must work on controlling my time and space. I know I can do so much better. Happy Fresh Beginning...

Betsy said...

Happy New Year! This seems to be a recurring theme on blogs I've rad the past few days, we all seem to want peace and a quiet safe place to call home. I feel exactly the same. I wish for you all of the things you're hoping for my friend.
Blessings,
Betsy

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

A lovely project already completed this new year and it looks so nice! Hope it is a year filled with your creative pleasures!

Dagmar said...

Have a wonderful New Year, I hope you have lots of time to be creative with your crafts, time is such an amazing gift.
Xo
Dagmar

Lorrie said...

What a lovely beginning to 2016. Ours was spent quietly as well. We did get out for a short hike. I love the idea of creating something each day.
Enjoy 2016, Tammy! Happy New Year.

Lizzy D said...

Lovely post. The cowl is beautiful and I love your artwork, so individual and sassy. You def could design greeting cards or fabric!

Blondie's Journal said...

Your photos say it all and we did the same. As I visit blogs tonight I see pretty much the same, so many stayed close to home with our loves. How fortunate we are!

Happy New Year, Tammy!

Jane x

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2016, Tammy! We started the new year very quiet as well. I'm totally fine with that.

Pradeepa said...

Have a wonderful 2016! Love the yarn and your dinner looks yummy.

Maya Kuzman said...

Those are the starts we too appreciate a lot around here! I love your cowl - isn't it fulfilling when you start a project and finish it the same day?

kathyinozarks said...

Happy New Year Tammy
Beautiful post, I agree with you that we can make our own personal spaces more peaceful and comfortable.
I definately want to do more creating this year too

crafty cat corner said...

Thankyou Tammy for all of the inspiring posts of 2015, they do reach others and make a difference.
My wish for you and your family is that you remain healthy and peaceful throughout 2016,
Hugs
Briony
x

Amy at love made my home said...

A lovely start to 2016! Happy New Year! xx

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Wishing you a happy and peaceful new year!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Love your pretty photos and I love the idea of of a more simple year!

Folkways Note Book said...

Your post photos reflects your feelings of slowing down, creating a peaceful atmosphere, and living simply. Your photos are absolutely beautiful! -- barbara

artemisa said...

Happy new year!!

CountryCityCindy said...

Love the marker art piece in the first picture - with great color!
Happy New Year!

September Violets said...

Such cozy images in your post Tammy. Love the cowl and your outlook for 2016. Happy New Year!
Wendy

Kit said...

Very good idea for New Years. I do not watch the news, or debate politics, obsess about what is in my food, and I sleep pretty well. Forget reality shows, and idiotic comedies, give me old classic movies, football, and Jeopardy.I wish you peace and friendship in the new year. :) Kit

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,
Yes, you are so right about your philosophy and I too try to follow that!
Happy Birthday to your husband! Might be too late for your time... but he shares it with my Dad who turned 95 today. What a special milestone reached.
Hugs to you and blessings and yes, I'm feeling a lot better and rested up after so many days in bed. Needed it I guess.
Flu is something that really can get you down, the entire head did hurt and I cannot take any over the counter meds, due to my kidneys so it was tough. Water bottles on the bedside table and eating lots of fresh fruits and a healthy meal kept me going.
Mariette

Melanie said...

Wonderful mantra to start the new year. I especially love your opening paragraph. So true! Your soup and sandwich look so yummy.

Tanya said...

What a beautiful mantra for the start of a new year. Love that you spent the day so creatively - the cowl is gorgeous, as are the rest of your photos, my friend. Company has left us, so I now have time to blog read more. Love to you in 2016 - XOXO

Julie's Lifestyle said...

I love your drawing, cowl and soup!! Wishing you a happy new year.
Julie

Sam I Am...... said...

The best and brightest New Year to you and your family! I love your drawings and your cowl. I am such a recluse and have been for years that it's pretty easy for me to be mindful and live in the moment but for years I read books about that sort of thing and trying to live in the moment. I'm not perfect at it but "I've come a long way baby"! LOL! In fact, I have learned to be happy with myself and my life as is although I will always have goals and hopes and dreams but I only want them to come true now if it is God's will. I am happy almost all the time and love the simple pleasures of my simple life. I wish the same for all this year and beyond...if everyone would just work at being happy then all the rest will fall into place.!Love you!

Serena Lewis said...

A lovely sketchbook page and mantra for 2016!

Tammy, your meals always look SO delicious and beautifully photographed too.

Great job on the cowl...I like the colour choices. :)

All the best for 2016! I'll look forward to following you on your blog again this year.

Love and hugs xo

CatieAn said...

Happy New year Tammy. I love the colors in your cowl. Simple meals are always so calming.
I hope this new year brings peace to your area. It is so hard to not be affected by all the chaos and turmoil all over where ever we live. I too like to think making our home spaces calm and inviting encourage peace to all around us.

Lotusblommans vardag said...

Looks very simple and yummy at the same time. Best food is often the most simple dishes I think. Just being grateful makes it taste so good. :)

Your cat looks so sweet...

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