Another Adventure

Happy New Year, y'all!  I hope your 2026 is off to a good start.  I heard somewhere that you should do all the things on New Year's Day that you want to do all year, so just like last year I am making sure today is full of puppy snuggles, tea, books, crafting time, and telling my fam that I love them.  And I have a card to share, of course!

I bought a few stamp sets what seems like a long time ago that I hadn't inked up yet with December being...well, December.  So meet Outdoor Adventure and the ridiculously beautiful Nature Walk DSP.  That DSP is speaking my love language in colors, it's all gorgeous greens and blues and I think I need another pack (or three).  Anyway, no challenges for today's card, just me playing with some new stamps and papers for funsies.

Supplies, all SU!
Stamps:  Outdoor Adventure, Scenic Adventure
Ink:  Secret Sea, Garden Green, Pecan Pie
Paper:  Garden Green, Secret Sea, Basic Beige, Nature Walk DSP
Accessories:  Outdoor Adventure dies, Deckled Rectangle dies, Dimensionals, In Color Flat Pearls

As I usually do on this day, I looked back at the goals I set for last year.  Last year's word was FOCUS and I don't know that I did that well with it, but this year's word is going to be CHERISH.  I want to cherish the time we have with Ryan while he's still a kid who loves Legos and believes in Santa Claus and loves his newly yellow-painted bedroom.  I want to cherish spending time with the hubs and making each other laugh and taking walks with Daphne.  I want to cherish the time I spend reading good books or creating things, whether it's cards, scrapbook pages, stitching projects, or even just dinner.  We are so blessed and I want to mindfully acknowledge that this year and spend less time doom-scrolling or worrying about things instead of focusing on what I'm doing in the moment.  I started work on that with my yoga practice this morning, I had to remind myself at least a half-dozen times to focus on and enjoy the yoga and not think about what else I want to get done today, I want to be present in the moment of whatever I am doing.  This is a mindset shift that probably won't be easy, but I think will be worth it in the long run.

So, maybe I didn't get very many scrapbook pages done last year (36).  I made a lot of cards and sent a lot of sunshine through the mail.  I was invited to join the Paper Players design team and I had a ball creating cards inspired by Nancy Drew books and making more Halloween cards than ever before.  So in 2026, I just want to create things and enjoy the process and not worry about the metrics.  Maybe I'll finally finish that wedding album, we'll see.  If not, that's okay too.

My TBR pile continues to grow nearly as fast as Ryan; I had just hit 1,000 books in my Unread collection on my Kindle and now that collection has 1,261 books in it, and I read 193 books last year.  Many many many of those were rereads as I am going through the Nancy Drew series and that's okay, I can honestly say that I heartily enjoyed the vast majority of the books I read in 2025.  I like to start off the year with rereading an old favorite, and this year's book is Anne of Green Gables, which is like a warm hug from your favorite friend in book form.  I sent the boxed set to my niece for Christmas and I still have the boxed set my aunt gave me when I was about the age my niece is now, though I am currently reading it on my Kindle.  Anne and I have been kindred spirits for decades and it is so wonderful to spend time with her again.  (I may have started that reread a couple of days early, I just couldn't wait!)

As for my health (other than that whole appendix thing), I did manage to go to the dentist in 2025, though I still haven't found an eye doctor so that is a goal for this year that I just cannot put off any longer.  And I am renewing my commitment to working out and eating healthy foods; December was...well, December ; )  I'm ready to start feeling healthier again and not eat cookies for breakfast.

As for stitching, I did finish Ryan's duckling, the shooting star quilt pattern, and my witch, plus a cute otter pattern for a friend's kiddo.  I currently am still working on an art nouveau tiger pattern in honor of my friend Neelu and I love it.  I have several other patterns that I am eyeing to start in 2026 (and I might possibly have bought a new one this morning).  I think I want to stitch something Christmassy this year.

So that's how I am starting 2026.  Contemplating my many blessings and mindfully enjoying the small moments every day.  Savoring my second cuppa tea before I take Daphne out for our daily walk, when I can appreciate the beautiful mountains that I can see halfway through our circuit.  Happy New Year, y'all.