Welcome 2014

 

Here's a toast to the year that just was and the new one that awaits.

Wishing you a New Year that is filled with 

happiness, 

love, 

promise,

and 

good health.

Hugs,

Katherine 

Resolutions

In a few days the clock will tick over past midnight and a New Year will be welcomed in.  With a fresh New Year before us it offers the opportunity to put to rest a year that may have played out less than kind, to give thanks for the year that blessed your doorstep, or to give hope to the next 365 days before us.

When you raise a glass of champers, what is mixed in with the celebration?

Is it a promise to yourself?

Do you begin a resolution?

Statistics show that 45% of people make a resolution, but only 8% achieve their goals. For most of us the proclamations are too far out of reach to fulfill. 

Setting realistic intentions that you know are achievable will ensure that self-made promises last past Valentine's Day. 

Experts suggest that we:

1)  share goals with friends and family so they can help cheer you on

2)  substitute good behaviour for those that you want to shed 

3)  record your progress and changes

4)  celebrate the small successes along the way

 

Do you set a New Year's Resolution?

What is your goal for 2104?

After Christmas Shopping

I've never been a big fan of Boxing Day shopping. Once the Christmas gifts are bought, wrapped... then unwrapped, and all the cooking is done, I'm not feeling the need to fight the crowds to buy something more.

Retailers open their doors for longer hours than they ever did before and I'm not really certain that it results in more sales, but rather sales spread out over those hours.

I'd rather spend time getting together.

 

Do you enjoy the after Christmas sales rush? 

How do you spend the days after the turkey digests?

Pioneer of Peace

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."

                                                                                                                     Nelson Mandela

"Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies."

                                                                                                                       Nelson Mandela

"Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again."

                                                                                                                                                              Nelson Mandela

"Real leaders must be ready to sacrifice all for the freedom of their people."

                                                                                                                                            Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

1918 - 2013

_______________________________________________________

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul. 

Author : William Ernest Henley

 

 

 

 

 

Post Cards from Paris

Vicki Archer from French Essence did a little shopping while in Paris at the beginning of November. The shopping included buying something special for her readers.....forty vintage post cards with various scene's from Paris.
It was HERE that Vicki generously offered to share the post cards and send them out to readers of French Essence.

I was very happy to receive an email from Vicki asking for my mailing address so that a card could be sent out to me. Today the carefully inked envelope arrived in the mail, inside was a pretty linen paper card with a watercolour painting of a home {Mas de Berard} that looks remarkably like Sharon Santoni's home on My French Country Home.

Inside is a quick note from Vicki {doesn't she have the prettiest handwriting?} and the vintage post card. The post card is marked PARIS - Parc des Buttes-Chaumont - La Passerelle - Le Lac - Le Belvedere - P. P. C. Paris and it has a 10 cent stamp.  
I  will need to have the assistance of one of my friends to read the message written in French, but I love the tightly scripted handwriting on the back of the card.

When I look at something like this with age, I can't help but envision someone sitting down to carefully write a note to a friend and then wandering across the cobbled streets of Paris to post it.

It will take a few more months until Cardinal House is ready for move in, but this little treasure already has a special spot waiting in our new home.

Vicki : Thank you for the lovely gift.