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word of the year 2020

January 3, 2020

Anytime I’ve decided on a word for the year, it has not been with intent…the word just sort of happened.  And, that was exactly the case this year.

I hadn’t planned on choosing a word for the year.  Then…it just kind of chose me!

I received an art print from my good friend, Phyllis, as a Christmas gift.  It was something she owned and I had really admired.  She was sweet enough to gift me the same one for Christmas!

On New Year’s Day, I found the perfect spot to hang my new piece of art.  The colors; just perfect with my neutral decor and the illustration; lovely!  As I positioned the piece in its new home, I realized the words ‘just grow’ written on the bottom were perfect for my goals for 2020.

just grow

I had made a conscious effort for my first read of the year:  Atomic Habits by James Clear.  In addition, I already had some of these ‘habits’ in my queue for 2020.  The word grow just seemed so consistent with everything I envisioned for the year ahead!  Thank you, Phyllis!  For the beautiful gift and for my word (grow) for 2020!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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happy 2019!

January 1, 2019

pleasure in simple things

A new year.  New?  That is a real understatement in my case.  Trying to come up with a word for the year that could possibly apply to my 2019 seems impossible.  Renew?  Not dramatic enough.  Strength or something related to being super strong – like, super-hero strong?  Maybe.  I just can’t come up with a single word that seems just right.

dreams

Instead of the perfect word, I thought I would share a few quotes for 2019…a few words that I find inspiring as I think of the year ahead.

good

Thank you so much for following.  I have some exciting times ahead to share in 2019!

move on

I wish you the very best in the year ahead!  Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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word for the year 2018

January 2, 2018

2018

Do you have a word for the year?   I don’t feel a need to have one every year, although I usually have a yearly focus.  For 2018 I have a clear focus, but I find it impossible to find a single word to represent it!

I have some very major schedule changes I want to accomplish in 2018.  I wondered how that could be represented in a single word.  Maybe overhaul?  Revamp?  Redesign?  Not very sexy!  How about something a little more subtle…like shift, change, or redesign?  My 2018 goals just don’t seem to fit into a single word!

I DO think I can represent an attitude for the year with a quote…one of my favorites from Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”

I think I will leave you with this quote and forget about a single word for 2018.

emerson new year quoteI hope your 2018 fulfills all your dreams!

Thanks for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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redecorating

April 21, 2017

removing wallpaper

I was reminded today of my word for the year- treasure.

wallpaper removed

I walked by my daughter’s old room and was flooded with emotion. Right now the room is in the process of being redecorated and I can’t help but think of the last time I decorated that room. I had emulated the vibe of the Polynesian hotel at Universal Studios in Florida that my daughter loved so well. Mahogany furniture, golds, elephants parading around the ceiling on the wallpaper border… all the little details I used to try and capture my daughter’s imagination by bringing back memories from a family trip to Florida.

Polynesian room decor

I usually never post ‘before’ photos until I have the ‘after’ photos that go along with them. But, for Friday field trip today, I am treasuring the ‘before’ of the room of a little girl…my favorite little girl.

monkey

Now that girl is moving out…what will become of the room? You will have to wait for the ‘after’ photos to find out!

Have a wonderful weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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word for the year 2017

January 13, 2017

treasure 2017 word for the year pleasure in simple things blog

I don’t typically choose a word for the year – I’ve only done so once before.  But, since this year is a very special year, I felt compelled to choose one.

What is so special about 2017?  We are adding a member to our family!  My daughter is marrying the love of her life; expanding our family by one.

Of course, the feeling is bittersweet…my baby is moving on and I will not be with her every day.  But, it is comforting to know she will be taken care of by a wonderful guy and, I am extremely lucky she has chosen to live nearby.

treasure definition word of the year pleasure in simple things blog

At first I thought I might use the word family for my word of the year.  But, after spending some time thinking about it, I decided the perfect word to be treasure.  As a verb, treasure is “to regard or treat as precious; cherish.”  That’s my word.  And, with synonyms like value and esteem…this word is perfect!

I know 2017 will be a fabulously fun, exciting, and emotion-filled year! xo  I look forward to sharing it with you! :)

treasure is my word for 2017 pleasure in simple things blog

Did you pick a word for the year? I hope today’s Friday field trip has inspired you to think about your year ahead and, if it feels right, to choose a word for the year.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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2014 word for the year

January 10, 2014

2014 word of the yearfood for the soul

I hadn’t planned on assigning a word of the year for 2014.  I had seen many others choose one and I wasn’t particularly motivated to choose one for myself.  I toyed with the idea of using the word renewal …but, I decided against it; thinking it sounded like such a cliche…and how could I possibly use a word like that for the entire year…the idea made me think of the movie Groundhog Day. 

Okay, I thought…no word for the year.

Then I met a friend for lunch that I hadn’t seen for a while.  One of those friends that you can just jump right into a conversation the second you get together…start right where you left off with no hesitation.

meaning of friendship

So today’s Friday field trip ends up being the short journey I took to discover my word for the year.

It didn’t happen right when we devoured the artisan cheese plate…

artisan cheeseplate

Or even as I ate my local greens salad….

local greens salad

It wasn’t until sometime during my banana cream pie with sweet potato sorbet and pecans as I reached over to try my friend’s chocolate hazelnut budino, and spooned into the caramel at the bottom of the glass, that it really hit me…

My word for the year… Friendship.

It had to be Friendship.

Because the true nourishment that afternoon did not come from the food…the true nourishment came from a friendship…two friends connecting in a special way that only friends can.

food at Le Farm

In the words of Marcel Proust “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” 

Even when I think of my wonderful family relationships, it is the friendships that make them special.

So for 2014, I want to acknowledge all the friendships that make my soul blossom…reconnect with some old friends… get together with some I don’t see as often as I would like…schedule regular family get-togethers…let those that I do see know how much they mean to me…

For it is truly the people in my life that give it meaning.

In the words of Henry David Thoreau “The language of friendship is not words but meanings.”

I value and acknowledge my friendships with a special focus this year and I look forward to creating some new friendships. :)

favorite friend quote

Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie

P.S. The photos in this post were taken at the wonderful restaurant Le Farm in Westport, Connecticut…a “must try” if you live in the area or plan on visiting.

Sharing at Craftberry Bush and Finding Silver Pennies.

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