An ending and a beginning!!

Ready for a new year to begin? Sure hope so cause it's only a day away!!! Some might be sad but then some might be glad but like always...where there is an ending there is a beginning. A time to start anew.

A brand new journal without any writings on the pages.....your journal.....make it one that at this time next year when you go back and reflect it will be a journal you will cherish and be proud of. No worries if a few pages aren't what you would want to share because as a new year begins so do new days. Each day being a new page to rewrite something not so good the day before or just to make sure you do better on this day. So, bye bye 2014 and HELLO 2015!!!

What are you doing to leave 2014 behind? Me? I'm finishing up Christmas gifts of course..hehehe!!! I'm making a new years resolution that I intend to keep. STOP THAT...no laughing...I am going to...keep it that is...STOP!!! BAHAHAHAHA My resolution is that I'm going to make my gifts all throughout the year. A very good friend (yes YOU, Johanna) suggested that we get a rubbermaid tub and place gifts throughout the year in it so that next year this last minute "CRAZINESS" won't happen. Ummmm....perhaps the craziness on my end will still be here but at least gifts will be made and not add to it, yes?

The mister took our great nieces and nephews gifts to them this past weekend. Noooo, the Chazman and I didn't go this trip as I was a bit under the weather and he felt he had to stay home and take care of me. Such a good kiddo!! I made each one a gift with the exception of my oldest great nephew. STOP that laughing again. I'm not old. My niece just started really really young. Bahaha. I got him a big tub of soldier men to plan out battles with. I mean, HEY, he has two sisters. ^_^  They loved them I was told and that makes me happy happy happy indeed.

Now, I just finished with my sister's kiddos gifts and am thankful that my oldest niece in that krewe is headed to NOLA tomorrow and can hand deliver them. I talked to my youngest niece and told her that "Noooo, I didn't forget her" and her gift would be coming shortly. She was excited as it would give her a gift to open after Christmas. Hmmmm....another idea my smart friend (yes..I mean YOU AGAIN Johanna) that it might be nice to start giving a gift or two after Christmas. It would be a great way to lift spirits. At least I think so because right after the holidays when everything is put away and the house looks NEKKID well I could use a picker upper myself so I know others could too. Anyways, here's what they are getting.

Pretty natural starfish painted pink with sparkle sealer.

Handmade Monocle necklace

 Handmade wool bracelet.

Handmade rose quartz necklace

Now, the three images below (please forgive the quality as I took a pic of the pics on my computer as I already had these boxed up) are my own designs for my  youngest nieces Monster High dolls. WOW..those are some tiny waisted dolls. I did enjoy making these and am going to make more outfits to be put in the rubbermaid box for her next year gift. Each one has it's own hat to finish the piece off. Runway models!!!

Now that I finally can put 2014 behind me I need to decide just what 2015 will bring as far as my art goes. For me personally, I'm starting a new part time job on the 5th that can turn into a full time position come summer. I'm so excited peoples. I have plans (BIG PLANS) for this new year and this is going to start me on that path.

Until next year................Hugs,
Regi

Happy New Year one and all.

We are blessed each January 1st to have a fresh new year ahead of us. Like a book with unwritten pages. Pages we can fill with what we want to be there. Of course there may be a few footnotes along the way but it's your book....so make it one that will make you happy!!!

Today is also one filled with traditions and being from the South....boy...do we have some traditions to uphold today. I already have a small pot of black eyed peas a cooking, some greens and later on will be adding to our New Year's day dinner some corn bread and pork chops. Now most, no matter where you're from probably know why we eat all these things today but just in case you don't...well....let me tell ya. The peas represent pennies we want to have during the year, the greens represent well of course "green" as in dollars, the corn bread represents gold (who doesn't want gold, eh?) and pork well that represents moving forward. Piggies root always in a forward motion and moving forward is a good thing, especially in a new year. Keep the past in the past and that brings another tradition in mind. Did ya take down those Christmas decorations before the 1st? My grandmother use to say to always remember to take them down no later than Dec 31st because you don't want the old year following ya into the new. A very good point for some of us, ri iight?? A new one I learned when the mister and I got married was one that his momma was very strict about. Never and she would stress NEVER do any clothes washing on the 1st because if you did, you were washing a loved one right outa your life. Not sure about this one but just to be on the safe side, I always make sure all the laundry is done on the 31st and not a stitch more is done until after the 1st. I know that may sound silly but HEY....traditions, some are not made to be broken!! (at least I know I'm not going to tempt fate)

This time of the year brings those loved ones I've lost (temporarily....I will see them again) to mind more for me than just about any other time. I guess because it is a new year starting and one that I know they are not going to be here for. I have learned to let my heavy heart and sadness go and remember all the good memories and that is a wonderful way to walk into a new year. One memory I would like to share with YOU is one that you could make part of your new year's day feast. My big mama's heavenly corn bread recipe. Now of course she made this more than just new year's day because I don't think I ever spent a January 1st with her but she did make it each time we came to visit and "Boy oh Boy" (smacking my lips) was it good. There were times I just ate corn bread and milk. (the corn bread was in my glass of milk too...makes it taste even better..hehe) Here's the recipe so you can just find out for yourself how good.

Ingredients needed:
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt

Directions to make:
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 inch square pan.
*Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well      blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture. Stir in cornmeal, flour and salt until well blended and a few lumps remain. (which means don't over mix) Pour batter into 8 inch square pan.
*Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Eat and enjoy!!!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful, prosperous and adventure filled 2014 year. I hope that you will come here and visit often too throughout the year. YOU are always welcome!!!

Until next time............Hugs,
Regi