Sunday, January 03, 2016

Happy New Year

A new day... a new year

I'm back!  Kind of.  Sort of.  At least my intentions are to start up again after the lull between Christmas and New Year.  There are two or three book reviews due this week and then the regular blogging will begin again.

We had our official Christmas dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Christopher here yesterday.  They spent the actual Holiday on vacation at Disney World with Mrs. Christopher's parents and sisters.  Lots of changes are happening in that family with high school and college graduation among her sisters... so it was an opportunity for one big vacation together while it was possible.

I remember our last vacation as an entire family, when we decided at the last minute to stay in a hotel in a Chicago suburb and take the train into the City for a few days.  It was far less expensive than staying in the City, we still saw most of the sites (still a little bumbed to miss the exhibit at the Art Museum), and Christopher absolutely loved riding the train.  He was ten-ish.

Isn't it odd how making memories can happen?  Such a last minute trip, at least for me because I am the type that plans trips far in advance.  That was even before I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease.  But it was Stephanie's senior year in college so we knew one way or another... family dynamics would change.

We do the best we can with what we have at the moment.  For instance, none of us were feeling great yesterday and one was feeling quite poorly.  However, I kept Christmas dinner to the basics... ham, creamy cheese potatoes, and broccoli casserole.  I sent leftovers home with the kids, including the desserts to enjoy at home (half a mystery pecan pie and chocolate chip cookies).

It is almost like (and I don't want to over spiritualize anything) yesterday was a reflection on where my thinking has already begun for 2016.  While I will write more about my "Word of the Year" soon, it is... Anchored... standing firm in the midst of chaos.

I'll be writing more after the book reviews, later in the week!   In the meantime, it is time to take down the Christmas decorations and start fresh with a new year.  His mercies are new every morning... and I love a fresh new year.

12 comments:

Vee said...

And a bright, beautiful New Year to you and yours, Brenda! Anchored...a great word....by faith holding your ground and resting in Him. Praying that everyone is feeling better today.

Heather said...


"We do the best we can with what we have at the moment."

Excellent. No guilt needed. We do what we can.
Happy New Year! Looking forward to another year with my internet friends. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year to you and your dear ones!
Dee/NY

Deb J. in Utah said...

Happy New Year! I love your word for the year. Our society is becoming so totally chaotic, that "anchored" is what we all need to be! Thank you and have a good week.

Judy said...

"We have an anchor the keeps the soul
steadfast and sure while the billows roll,
fastened to the Rock which cannot move,
grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love."

Already, I'm looking forward to reading the ways you open up the thought that you are 'anchored' as we enter 2016.

Happy New Year, Brenda.

rebecca said...

My mother (now deep in the fog of dementia) pre-planned her funeral and was quite adamant about it! She insists that the service begins with the playing of The Haven of Rest, complete with the bells! ♪I've ANCHORED my soul♪

So much to think about with this word....It doesn't mean there won't be storms. It doesn't mean the ship won't be tossed. It doesn't mean the ships contents won't shift and shake.

Hoping that health returns to your household. I look forward to more Coffee, Tea and Books in 2016.

Sherry said...

*anchored* has a tender meaning in my own life so seeing that it's your word for 2016 makes my heart glad. looking forward to all you'll share .. and thankful you're a vessel used by Him.

Laura said...

Happy New Year Brenda! My word for 2016 is "beauty" - God surrounds me with it but I must have eyes that see.

Heather LeFebvre said...

Happy New Year!!!! Love your word!!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back and happy new year! I can't wait to see what you do with your word, anchored, in blog posts. Love the way you have with expressing your thoughts. Being Anchored is something we need today. Smile. Hope you are all feeling better. Pam (SD)

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I love this word. Anchored. So good. Can't wait to hear more about it.

I didn't have a word for 2015 and I don't have one yet for this year. I need to give it some consideration.

Deanna

Thickethouse.wordpress said...

I do like this idea of having a word for the year. It's a new idea to me and I can see that choosing the word should not be done lightly. I'm just beginning a three month Artist's Way class like the one I did last year and am tempted to take Create as my word, but I also like the word See, as in, "He that hath eyes, let him see". Thank you for so often giving me things to ponder!

Happy New Year to you and your family, Brenda, and may you all be well. The mold should be gone now. Ironic that with a snowless Christmas holiday the kids had a winter wonderland here for the first day back!