Long Lists and a Mission

via lia artisan concrete designs

Cross One Thing Off and There's Another

Am I the only one this happens to? You make a list. You work on a project on said list. You cross it off only to find as soon as you do, you have to add something new that needs to be done.  I'm not complaining.  I love being able to cross things off and I like to be busy. As the holiday season begins though, I also want to relish the simple things in life and just enjoy spending time with people we love, cozying-up in our little cottage, cooking and baking festive food, counting our blessings and getting out into nature to just breathe in the air. 

The problem with that little mission is the aforementioned list. So much to do, so little time.

Some of the things on my current list include:

advertising design for clients

packaging and shipping prints and stationery

print more stationery, cut, fold, package

print more desk calendars

marketing email designs (note the S)

apple pie making

product photography

potential mini holiday catalog design

plans for possible pop up shop open house for me and the Gman

organizing my office space which is a downright mess at the moment

bookkeeping

a good house cleaning in prep for decorations

finish raking

decorating

writing Christmas cards

OK, I have to stop or my head may spin off. You get the idea.

When times get busy like this I think it's best to take one thing at a time and that's what I'm doing today.  I may not be able to simplify my to-do list right now, but I can simplify the way I look at it. I'm going to be mindful and take it one thing at a time and remember to breathe. 

One of Gar's bowls has inspired all this 'simple thinking'. It's one of the things I've been re-shooting for the mini catalog I'm trying to pull together. It's beauty is in its simplicity.

As visions of lists run through my head, I'm going to try to take my cue from this bowl and work on simplifying how I get things done. 

I am throwing multi-tasking out the window. It's not all it's cracked up to be anyways. The studies show that you're not nearly as effective when multi-tasking as when you're focused on one task at a time. I'm going to be mindful of what I'm doing at the moment and not worry about the next thing on the list until I get there.

Away I go. I've crossed three things off my list for today so I'm moving onto the next thing at hand.

By the way, in case you love the simple bowl as much as I do, it can be yours. Gar  handcasts and hand burnishes each piece.  Light gray and darker gray available. Email me if you'd like more info or if you'd like me to invoice you via paypal ($21/ships to U.S. priority. If your international, I can give you a shipping quote). Easy as pie. 

Speaking of pie. I can't wait to smell it cooking!

Wishing those in the U.S. a very Happy Thanksgiving. The rest of you, make it a great day.

Ciao for now, 

A Thought for The New Year and Freeform Friday

via Bates Mercantile Co.

New Beginnings

At this time of year, many--- make that most--- of us are thinking about things we want to accomplish in the coming year.  We make our lists, put our resolutions (or manifestos as it may be), goals, wishes, wants and dreams to paper.  I am no different. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to accomplish this year.  I think it's important though, to dream big yet keep things in perspective so to speak.

So you want to lose a few pounds, learn a new language, travel more than last year.  That's all well and good, but many of us want 'instant' gratification and I think for most things it is just not possible. It also tends to make one forget that most often, it's the journeys that make life grand, not the destinations.

In that vain, this is my latest illustration. It's a good reminder to not get ahead of ourselves.

This getting ahead of myself stuff and not being mindful stuff is exactly how I know that I need to get into the habit of practicing yoga again. I did get one practice in this week, but I must say it's not terribly easy with a very runny nose. Makes the 'breathing' bit just a little challenging.

How about you....are you able to live in the moment, see where you are at and start there to move towards your goals? Or do you constantly need to remind yourself that things take time?

Freeform Friday

Tonight we have our Christmas Eve Eve celebation with our good friends the Harringtons. We call it Christmas Eve Eve because that's when we 'used' to get together. Then we decided it's kind of nice to have one more thing to look forward to after the holidays are done. Call me a kid, but having more presents to open makes me happy. 

So does this song.......Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes (Mr. Levine isn't too bad on this track either).  Click here if you're reading by e-mail......but first turn up your speakers (that doesn't necessarily refer to you Mom ;).  Get up and dance if you want because I'm sure going to rock it!

Have a great Friday and make it a GREAT weekend while you're at it.