2011 coming to a close...

On Wednesday, we packed Winslow in the car, drove two hours straight south and spent the day on beautiful Amelia Island. What a gorgeous place and so incredibly dog friendly.

Winslow got to come along when we ate at 29 South, an excellent restaurant, where they even brought Winslow his own bowl of ice water.

We are definitely going back there, maybe even this next month to explore the area a little more. It's only a short boat ride away from Cumberland Island National Seashore and also close to Jacksonville.

There'll certainly be plenty for us to do...

These past few days I've naturally been thinking about the beginning of 2012 and about the past year, which was filled with so many wonderful things - visits to and from family and friends, travel to distant places, trips closer to home, art classes, art in general, much knitting and crocheting, good food, and much much more...

I did notice though, looking back, that I spent too much time feeling stressed about small stuff, anxious about things I don't even remember now, and feeling not as good about myself as I would like to.

 Somehow my year had become a "to do" list and much of what was on it I didn't get done, because - you know - life happens when we are busy making other plans.

And because I had that imaginary "to do" list, I seemed to always fall short of what I had in mind and I sort of approached every surprise happening (and there are lots of those in life in general, don't you agree?) with trepidation rather than joyous anticipation.

I want to avoid that in 2012.

Therefore, I hope to look at every day as a blank canvas to be filled with whatever happens that day - some of it planned but with plenty of time to enjoy life's little surprises.

And I want to have fun, especially with my art. I already have a vision of how I want to work in my next etching class - in lots of layers and in color. I want to have as much fun with that as with my "regular" art.

And then my sister and I are taking Tam's Life Book class together, which will be a yearlong fun adventure in mixed media art!

I hope to enjoy Savannah and the surroundings with Daniel and Winslow, especially during the cooler months. We live in such a beautiful part of the country and it'll be good to explore it more.

Most of all, I want to allow myself to relax about things and just take everything as it comes...

 ... without having to figure it all out beforehand and perfectly.

And I plan to savor each moment much more - because that's what it's all about, isn't it?

What are your hopes and dreams for yourself for 2012?

No matter what they are, I wish good health and a full and joyful heart for all of us.

With much gratitude for your friendships, I wish you all a very Happy New Year!!