2015 ~ MyPromises

Happy New Year ~
We were lucky enough to ring in the New Year on the Gulf Coast with family.
There is something about knowing that 2014 has been washed away ~ and we have a clean slate for the New Year.

Every year I do a list of my Promises to myself . . . Here is the ongoing list Promises for the Past Six Years
I have given it some thought ~whilst my toes were in the sand. Which is the BeSt place for me to do thinking. I have decided that 2015 needs to be about BALANCE.

My Promises for 2015
* To Balance my work and my life.
* To find Balance on these wonky knees.
* To get a Zero Balance on my Capital One.
* To Balance a baby (or two) on my lap.
* To get my Wedding Cake Toppers to Balance in style.
* To try to Balance on a Kayak.
* To Balance a tray of Limoncello in Positano.
* To Balance my LuLu time ~ in and out of Charlotte's airport.
* To Balance the blog with a smattering of recipes and weekly posts.
* And to continue to Balance with my toes in the sand.

Let me know your Promises for 2015.
Happy New Year y'all ~
Sandi

Promises for 2014 ~

It's that time again... every bloggy year I have made a few little promises to myself. The hard part about this is that they are all over the World Wide Web, not just on a napkin that will be tossed when I clean out my purse.

Here is the list of All My Other Promises ~ most of them have been lived and enjoyed.

Some things last year that I didn't do... like 'get lost in Venice' and the perpetual 'learn Italian'. I think those will stay on my 4ever list.

So... Here is my list for 2014 ~
* Surprise myself (in a good way).
* Dance at a wedding.
* Downsize.
* Take a road trip.
* Dance to a retirement.
* Plant a garden.
* Escape to Italy.
* Light candles.
* Clean out my purse.
* Just Dance ~ while I still can.
What is on your list for this new year? It doesn't have to be BIG . . . but it does have to matter.
Happy New Year y'all ~
Sandi

~ Promises ~ for 2013

Happy New Year y'all~
Since I started blogging in 2006, I have been making Promises for the New Year . These are not resolutions . . . but more, Promises to myself.

So ~ as we move into 2013 . . . I have to come up with a new list of  promises. I have worked hard to keep these promises in mind throughout the year.
Of course  . . . the other part of that is making promises that are goal oriented.
Unique to ME.

I Promise to ~

* Begin every day with an attitude of gratitude.
* Back up my photos and computer with a portable hard drive . . . ( lessons learned )
* Take Vitamin D supplements and eat healthy.
* "Mind the Gap" in London
* Enjoy the Moments that will create Memories
* Enjoy more sunsets at the beach with family.
* Get Rid Of STUFF.
* Get lost in Venice . . . with my camera in hand.
* Share my Kitchen Capers and teach a bit of cooking ~ WhistleStop style
* Surprise mySelf with something this year

I think my chances are pretty good ~ except for the STUFF. That 'stuff ' seems to follow me year after year.
No bloggy promises . . . I blog when I can, and LIVE LIFE the rest of the time.
What are your Promises for the New Year?
Sandi

PhotoHunt ~ END

The PhotoHunt for this week is 'End'.
It is the end of another year... how quickly they seem to fly now ~ like the old cartoon with the calendar pages that fly out the window.
I have filled most of my Promises for 2012 ~ although the de-cluttering seems to be an ongoing project.
I definitely spend time with family and took the time to sink my toenails in the sand . . .

and in the END ~ isn't that what it's all about?
Now I am working on my promises for 2013 . . . Promises to myself !
Because with every END there is a new beginning.
Happy Hunting y'all ~
Sandi

Promises for 2012

Every year I have blogged about my list of Promises. They aren't really New Year's Resolutions; More a list of Promises to MySelf (which are the very best kind aren't they?).

In 2010 , I procrastinated . . . and included my 2009 christmas letters. In 2009 I decided to support our local markets and stay out of Walmart . . . I was ahead of the 'Local Movement'.
2008 was the year to 'learn Italian' ~ pfffft ~ we all know this is an example of a poorly planned promise. That is just not a goal for one year. I promised to wear sunscreen in 2007 . . . this has proven to be to little, to late.
It is funny to see over the years how things have changed. It is even funnier to see my list of promises for 2011 ~ to dance at my daughter's wedding and to welcome a new son into the family.
WOW!
That barely covers the year that we have had! Not complaining~ Just sayin'. I am still exploring those moments in life that lead to contentment. I've cooked my way through TheEssentialsofItalianCooking and now I'm working on Flavors, neither lead towards skinny jeans!

Which leads me to my Promises for 2012
~ To love on our new grandbaby Hope!
~ Make use of frequent flyer miles to Charlotte
~ De-Clutter my world
~ To go down one size in those skinny jeans
~ Relax with mi amici under the May sunsets in Italy
~ Make a difference in someone else's life
~ Sink my red toes into the sand
~ To NOT text when I drive
~ To be a part of someone else's special wedding day, through my cake toppers
~ To Laugh Out Loud at myself more often
And . . . there it is.
My list of promises for 2012.
Our hope is . . . that each of you can find the Promise of the New Year.
Now ~ let's watch the Rose Parade!
Sandi

Happy New Year Y'all

At the end of the year, we all look back.
I am filled with Awe at the year we have had.
So many blessings in 2011.
Now we start 2012 . . . I'll be thinking on my Promises for the New Year.
Happy New Year y'all~
Sandi

My New Year's List 2010~

For the past several years I have made a list for the new year... Not really 'resolutions' that I can whimp out on, but more of a list of promises to myself. In 2010, I failed at the monthly pedicures, but I plan to carry that one over! In 2009, I got started on the decluttering process . In 2008, I managed to turn 50 gracefully and get that ride in a hot air balloon . In 2007, I began wearing sunscreen in ernest... something I should have started years earlier.

I have decided that 2011 is going to be the year of contentment!
I plan to...
*dance at my daughter's wedding!
*cheer Auburn on to win the national championship.
*To get those orange gloves that I fell in love with in Florence.
* welcome a new son into our family.

*light candles just because I want to.
*to be more physically active and to look like I actually belong in a pair of skinny jeans.

* go paperless whenever possible.
* watch the sun rise in Tuscany and enjoy a sunset or two over the beautiful gulf waters.

*splash in puddles with my rainboots on

*To explore the moments in life that lead to contentment

and~ I'm way behind on Pedicures!

So where is your list of promises to yourself?

I hope you find the time to make one or two.

Happy New Year!

Sandi

Promises for the new year

I know it is no longer January 1st, but for us the week starts on Monday. So now that the holidays are officially over, I can get down to real business.
I try every year to make a list of promises for the new year. Not so much a 'resolution', but a promise to myself to try something new (or just to do something I've avoided).
My list for 2009 was very successful, in 2008 I gracefully achieved almost every goal, 2007 was a hot success.

This gets a little harder, because I am trying not to repeat.~ I'd like to say because I have already accomplished everything on my lists. Really it is because I hate to admit defeat. So without any more procrastination...

My list for 2010~
*Join the CSA for local produce, then use it
*Clean out those closets
*Start everyday with breakfast
*Get a full body scan (at an airport)
*Plant and grow my own tomatoes
*Share another week (or 2) of Tuscan sunsets with friends
*Write my 2009 Christmas letter
*Spend the 4th of July at a Boston Tea Party
*Get a pedicure once a month
*Defrost the freezer at least once this year


That sounds like a do-able list, I already see 2 that I might delegate.
Are you a list maker?
Happy New Year y'all!
Sandi

Promises for the New Year

Every year I try to make a list of promises to myself.

This is not the traditional list of resolutions that I will break within the week... but a list of things I can do to make this world a better place or me a better person. I have done well with my lists in 2007 and 2008.

Now for the Promises of 2009...

*Write more old fashioned thank-you notes.

*De-clutter my life

*Support our local markets and stay out of Walmart

*Reuse and Recycle

*Go to the eye doctor and get some chic new glasses

*Spend 2 weeks cooking in an Italian kitchen

*Cash in some frequent flyer points

*Carry my own green shopping bags

*Move more~ eat less.

*Read an entire book under an umbrella on the beach

**Attend a wedding!

Not quite as exciting as last year's list... but you only turn fabulous once! I challenge each of you to make your own list of promises.

Here's to 2009~ health, happiness, humanity, and a year of promises.

Happy New Year y'all,

Sandi

2008 accomplished!

My list of promises for 2008 has been a success!

I can honestly say I have accomplished them all... Ok, Maybe not the hershey's kiss everyday~ but I did have a kiss nearly every day.
Remember?~

* Give Yoga a try
* Start cranking the pasta machine
* Learn Italian
* Have a glass of wine in front of a Tuscan sunset
* Eat shrimp and grits in Savannah
* Increase my flavanoids in one hershey's kiss a day
* Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
* Get that new cookbook finished
* Always have a bag when the donation truck comes through the neighborhood.
* turn 50 gracefully

Now I am working on my list for 2009... tough decisions!
The success is all about the perfect to-do list.



Do y'all have your lists ready?
Sandi

Promises for 2008

The new year is upon us. This is a time to reflect on accomplishments in the last year, and set goals for the upcoming year. I am still determined not to make resolutions, but a to do list for the year.

It is very hard to come up with a new fresh list for this year, but I am worth it. 10 things that I promise myself to do in 2008.

* Give Yoga a try

* Start cranking the pasta machine

* Learn Italian
* Have a glass of wine in front of a Tuscan sunset

* Eat shrimp and grits in Savannah

* Increase my flavanoids in one hershey's kiss a day

* Ride in a Hot Air Ballon

* Get that new cookbook finished

* Always have a bag when the donation truck comes through the neighborhood.

* Turn 50 gracefully

It is an aggressive list; one that may require a little travel, some determination, and of course sacrifice. But I'm worth it!

Our hope for 2008 is that it will be a year full of promise, good health, and good friends.

Happy New Year y'all!

Sandi

Done!

If you will remember in January of 2007 I made some Promises for the New Year. They weren't really resolutions, but kind of a 'to do' list. I have managed to mark most of them off my list.

* to paint my toenails pink

* learn to like sushi

* sing amazing grace

* make a snow angel

* wear sun screen

* ride in a London cab

* use whitening toothpaste

* drive a smart car

* throw away things that are out of date

* drink more red wine and eat dark chocolate

It was an aggressive list... and I did my best. That smart car has been a challenge, and it may have to carry over.

Now I have to think on my list for next year... I have some ideas!

Do y'all have your list ready?

Sandi

Promises for the year

I had said that I wasn't going to make resolutions for the new year. Most resolutions go by the wayside with the diet food and the treadmill after only a few months. I start off strong~ then fade out by the middle of January.
After giving it some thought, I have decided to make a list of things that I am going to accomplish this year. Not so much resolutions, but a list of 10 promises to myself. You might even call it a to-do list for 2007.

*paint my toe-nails Strawberry Margarita pink
*learn to like sushi
*sing 'Amazing Grace' when there is a beautiful sunset
*make a snow angel on the sandy beach
*wear sunscreen~ all the time
*ride in a London cab
*use whitening toothpaste
*drive a smart car
*throw away things that are out of date
*be healthier by drinking red wine and eating dark chocolate

I could go on...once you get started it is hard to stop!
I hope that we can find humanity and peace in this big world, and that each of you can find the promise in the new year.
Happy New Year Y'all!
Sandi