Happy New Year !

 

Happy New Year - 2023 !!!

The holidays are over and it's time to reset for a new year.  We had a great time visiting family, hosting friends, and joining friends to ring in the New Year.

As much as I love the holidays and will admit I "decorate heavy" for Christmas, I really love putting everything away and embracing a clean and pared down look for January.  

I was really tired after putting away Christmas this year...our tree that we have had for years had all the lights that were pre-wired not working.  I kept adding lights...and finally decided to take ALL of the pre-wired lights off of the tree and next time we put it up do all new lights.  Well, easier said than done....those lights were on the tree and knotted and wound around every branch.  I did not take a photo, but it took me over 3 hours with a wire cutter and filled two plastic grocery bags with wire and burned out lights.  I have plenty of time to decide what kind of lights I want...we won't be putting up the tree next year as we plan on being away for Christmas.  Yes, I could have just junked the entire tree and purchased a new one - but this tree is the perfect size and shape for our home. So, it was worth the effort.   It also took a bit longer to put away the decorations because I labeled one storage bin "BASIC CHRISTMAS".  Into this bin I put the things that I intend to use next year or any year we are away.  Just some greenery, a small ceramic tree, basic Nativity set, and a wreath.  That way I can just pull that out next year...and any year we travel.  I can't NOT decorate at all because we will be home for the first weeks of December.  Where are we going ?  Planning a big trip for my husband's big birthday next Christmas Eve!

Not put away was this great little book.  We bought it and met the author in 2013 when we visited Seneca Falls, NY for the It's A Wonderful Life weekend - where the whole town turns into Bedford Falls.  We met the author, Karolyn Grimes - who plays Zuzu, Donna Reed's daughter, ate a a restaurant that transformed into Martini's...and had a great time.

One of our goals for this year is to read on chapter of this each week this year  - 52 little lessons in the book!

Life is full of books around here...I am the librarian for our apartment building.  We have a lovely library on the first floor.  Most of the books are donated and I use a great little app called Libib to catalog everything.   You can find the free app here

Libib  and use it for your own books at home to keep track of what you own.

This is a photo of our library....so cozy and inviting.

I spent most of yesterday morning going through donations and getting books ready for the shelves...and packing up duplicates and older books to be donated to the local public library book sale.

We now have lots of great new books to keep everyone reading during the winter months.

Spending the rest of my days cleaning out closets and organizing for the New Year.  What is it about the New Year that makes us want to do that ?  A great, collective re-start!

And, taking the time to relax and read and enjoy the winter decorations.

Eagles snowman and football are on display to bring our team good luck.

Snowflake pillow I found at At Home a few years ago in the after holiday sales.

Found this little snowman plate at a thrift shop near where I do grocery shopping...50 cents !

This was a little ornament gift from a friend but I think it is perfect for January.

Dining room centerpiece is made of snowball ornaments I found at Lowe's in the after holiday sales...they look like snowballs.   I need a blue or silver candle....that would look better. I need to go shopping!

Little snowman plate is from Yankee Candle...and our wedding cake topper is on display - along with our champagne glasses from our wedding - because we will celebrate 46 years this week !!!

Foyer is simple...a snowman, candle, and a great print from Ann at On Sutton Place from her printable collection.  Here's a close up of the great sentiment...

Such a cozy thought!

And, when the Christmas wreath comes down, the snowman goes up.  Usually putting this on the front door brings snow, but it has been unseasonably warm here in Lancaster, PA....in the low 60's today.  But, cold and snow is on the way!

Do you make New Year's Resolutions?  I try to make ones I have a chance of sticking with   - this year, as always, I would like to eat better and exercise more.  Also want to get back to journaling each day.  And, made a goal to write one handwritten note to someone each week - family, friend, a thank you to a community member...just one note that may brighten someone's day.

Looking forward to a great year of reading, decorating, cooking, baking, travel, and blogging.  Thanks so much for visiting Our New Vista today.  Please leave a comment and let me know if you have your Christmas decorations put away yet, do you make resolutions, and what are you reading.   I hope to do a post about some of my favorite books from last year in the future.

Happy, Healthy New Year to everyone....may 2023 be filled with the richest of blessings for you and your family!