Theme Words 2024-2025

Hello friends,

I hope the New Year has started off well for you.

On this first day of 2025, I took things slowly.  I give this gift to myself each and every year as a way to try and centre myself before having to get back into the usual flow of things.

The Christmas decorations were taken down but I won't retrieve the storage tubs to put them all away until tomorrow.  I know the 12 Days of Christmas is not over until January 5th this year but I've had the decorations up quite early this year.  In any case, I usually do try to take them down a day or two into the New Year.  What about you dear reader? Do you like to put the decorations away on January 1st, wait until the Day of Epiphany (January 5, 2024) or another day?

I'm planning to spend time this week doing some deep cleaning and set the house back in order. 

Today I washed the master bathroom shower curtain and liner.  I'm noticing that the rug in the master bathroom is beginning to look ragged and in need of replacing so I'll keep an eye out for one though it isn't a big rush.

The pillows also seem to need replacing.  I've had the current pillows for going on 6 or 7 years.  They don't seem to hold their shape anymore or feel as fresh even when washed.  I've order some new pillows and pillow protectors that are supposed to be good for those that suffer from dust or allergens. My DH is sensitive to dust so I'm hoping the new pillows will suit the need.

After taking down the decorations, the fireplace mantle looks so bare.  Usually there is a large framed African batik print hanging above the fireplace. But when I put up the Christmas decorations, I banged the picture and the glass shattered. So now I have to find a place that will replace the glass.  for now I have an old faux painting over the mantle.

I also have several bags in front of the fireplace to sort through.

These were the last books I read in 2024.

I had a modest goal of 30 books in 2024 and ended up reading 60 books.  The pages read total was 21, 898 pages.  I'm sorry I didn't exceed 22,000 but oh well.  For 2025 I've set another modest goal of 40 books. I may end up reading more but then again if I do more handcrafts, I might have less time for reading.

In 2024, I selected a theme word for the year.  My word was 'create'.  I intended to create things primarily through sewing, crochet and knitting and possibly other hand crafts. I didn't quite get to what I wanted due to other disruptions, mainly renovating the patio and the master bedroom. The patio project just seemed to go on and on and on.  They started the work in February 2024 and didn't finish until September 2024.  During that time, they started on my patio but only came back very sporadically until the last month.  They were working on other patios in the building.

By the time, they finished the work, it was too late to plant anything for the summer. In fact the summer was pretty well over for the year. I did manage to purchase a new patio umbrella and patio chair cushions as well as set up the furniture and planting pots but nothing else will be done until the Spring of 2025. 

As far as creating goes, I managed to knit 23 dishcloths.  I make them for myself and for gifts to friends.  I also made a crocheted cushion cover. I'm not happy with how it looks and plan to undo all the granny squares and create a border between each square instead. Last, but not least, I tried to learn how to bead. My first effort isn't that good but I learned a lot. I hope to finish this beaded pin in January then I'll be making a few other items.

If you're like me, I always underestimate the supplies I'm going to need.  Often it's because I'm making things up as I go, lol. So I've been purchasing some items to get started on some crocheted items and beadwork, possibly leather work.  It's been such a long time since I did any beadwork.  Back in the day I made jewellry which was quite popular with the women in the community. One needs so many supplies to do any kind of beading and it can get pricey. I think almost all crafts are quite pricey these days.

I bought a set of hooks so I should have the right sized hooks for most projects.

Granny squares without borders.

A multi-coloured skein of yarn I'm hoping to use for borders.

Most of these dishcloths were made with my cotton yarn stash.

I think I've slowed down on knitting dishcloths. I want to move on to other knitted projects. I'm not a proficient knitter so it will take me time.

Last, but not least, I started a beaded project. I haven't finished it yet so I'll wait another month or so before I take a photo of the finished project.

I no longer make goals or resolutions as such and haven't done for years. I find having one word that encompasses the majority of things I think I'd like to do over the year helps me a lot.

In 2025 my theme word is 'renew'. 

I'm hoping to renew my physical body. I need to get some energy back.

I'm hoping to renew my spirit.  I need to make sure I do more to keep my spirit strong and my spiritual life focussed on God and his promises during these challenging times.

I'm hoping to renew my mind and my creative spirit.  I've been preparing and I'm looking forward to getting a few things underway.

Are you planning any goals or resolutions.  If not, do you select a theme word for the year?