Ushering in 2010

I know the new year began last Friday, but I feel like today is the beginning of the new year. I don't know why, maybe because I think in "weeks" so any resolutions I made for this year I didn't start until today. Plus, it was nice to have the weekend to say, " I'll eat those extra two slices of bread because starting Monday, less bread."

I'm excited for this new year, although I cannot articulate exactly why. I'd rather embrace the mystery of what will come to fruition during the next 365 days. I did make a list of resolutions, but I'm only sharing two of them because I've gotta keep some things personal here;)

1. Try to be better, not perfect. (I tend to be a perfectionist, or rather strive to be a perfectionist. So rather than hold myself to ridiculous expectations, I'm going to try to have a bit more grace with myself this year and pat myself on the back when I just do better at something.)

2. Enjoy the beauty in small things every day. (Reflecting on 2009, I realized how quickly the year flew by, which is scary the older you get! I want to pay attention more to the little beauties in every day life. Being immersed in the design world, it's easy to dream of the perfect house and then decide not to use your good china until you move into that perfect house. Well, no sir-ree! Even though we are house hunting, I love our little rented hobbit home and it will be a bittersweet day when we leave. So I'm making the most of it and pulling out my fine china even if it's for a cup of tea for myself!

I did want to share with you a fun idea I pulled from Joanna's blog, A Cup of Joe. She discovered an artist that has been illustrating the "missed connections" column in Craigslist. I love these, and it's a great reminder of the sweet things that happen every day that we are not aware of. Check more of her illustrations here.