What’s your Word of the Year? and Why? A Guest Blog

Guest blog with credit to Colleen and JB

Do you pick one word or phrase as your focus for the upcoming new year? Choosing a word can work as a meaningful guide throughout the year and be a compass for your goals.

Old friends Colleen and JB live far from one another, but for the past several years they meet on January 1st via telephone for their annual “summit”. They discuss their goals and dreams for the future. They come prepared with lists, notes, ideas for “word of the year” as well as a glass of champagne to make an optimistic toast.

The discussion always includes the usual topics like diet and exercise goals and often include budget/debt worries, creative ideas and travel plans. They bring their calendars to plan out a few trips to see one another (well, not this year!). It’s really refreshing to share a friend’s dreams and commit in writing to creative projects or specific action plans. They talk again frequently to check in on progress and offer support.


This year’s words:

Colleen ~ BREATHE. It’s been a stressful year with more to come, and the isolation has her wound up tight. Family health issues are all consuming and make her feel like a little helpless. Big on her action list are meditation, creativity as a release, and taking a good deep breath often.

JB ~ GRACE. Adopted from a book by Melanie Dale Calm the H*ck Down acronym “Gratitude, Read, Adapt, Create, and Engage.” All needed right now to navigate through this unusual and unknown territory ahead.

Colleen’s Summit Prep
JB’s table
JB’s sister starts the new year with a new box of chocolates
Colleen’s black-eyed peas and bacon soup

*Editors Note:If you need inspiration to find a word for the year you can click here to get to a list of 150 possibilities at Happiness is Homemade

McWalker Yarns in Millvale Celebrates First Anniversary

You might remember my post last April of McWalker Yarns opening in Millvale PA.

Click McWalker Yarns website for class schedules, hours and directions.

Today knitters and friends gathered in the LYS (Local Yarn Shop/Store)  to celebrate the first anniversary.  

 Hospitable, knowledgeable and skilled staff on duty. Owner Amy Walker McCall second from left and Jess, Joanna and Lauren,    Ready to welcome you to McWalker Yarns and assist you in choosing the perfect yarn for the projects you want to create, whether it be knitting, crochet or spinning.

Class schedules, Monthly Knit Alongs and Knitting Community gatherings and events are listed on the website. and on FB page here 

It was a happy celebration with  Chocolate cake and champagne.  Congratulations McWalker Yarns and wishing you many more anniversaries to come. 

 

 

David Lujan of Gallery Black Lagoon

People at Work Series.

From the April wedding in Austin, Texas.

David Lujan co-owner(with his wife) & curator of Black Lagoon: art+ yoga and artist.  He tended the bar at the wedding celebration and made the little fairy chairs out of the champagne tops. He was sketching a tree house for his daughter, as I remember.  I must carry a reporter’s notebook to write down the details.

david

Available light portrait of David Lujan

fairy chairs  The Fairy Chairs he created from the champagne bottle tops.

david the bartender

black lagoonBlack Lagoon  Art + Yoga

Peter Celebrates the Big Five O (+)

Stuffed grape leaves, and fancy cheeses.  Goat cheese and fig jam on bruschetta.   Green grapes.  Some bubbly to toast.   M and D brought the most drinkable wine.  A secret in the carafe, a blind test.  Carlo Rossi. No kidding. Beat out the pricey Portuguese wine.  What do we know?

Dates and nuts in a chocolate South African pudding recipe, topped with whiskey whipped cream, created by his wife Janice.  Happy Birthday to Peter.  Live music at a party makes the evening rhyme. Marc on harmonica and Peter and Doug on guitar.  Kim sang a number with the lyrics on her cell phone.

A fun surprise party.  Well done, J.