I heart you

Are you in the mood for Valentine's Day yet?  If not, maybe these images will help...

Source: etsy.com via Randi on Pinterest

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I've been busy making my own little Valentines over here.  I can't wait to show them to you tomorrow!  Tune in for a chance to win some of your own to share with your loves.

Nerd Fantasy

Lately I've been channeling my inner librarian/school girl and craving everything bookish and scholarly.  It applies to every area- from what I want in my home to the clothes I want to buy.

I'm dreaming of school houses, library cards, horn rimmed glasses, oxford shoes, and cloth bound books.

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The best is yet to come

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Where did you come from 2011?  Last year at this time I was awaiting the arrival of my sweet Addie, trying hard to picture her little face.  2010 was good to me: a new baby girl, a new home and amazing plans for the future.  This year our life is going to change dramatically, but that's a different entry for another day (soon!).

My resolutions this year are simple.  I love to make lists and goals.  Narrowing down what I would like to accomplish comes easy to me.....actually doing them, not so much.  This time I'm going simple.  Four things that will govern the direction of my thoughts and actions this year.

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1.) Strive for more meaningful connections with those around me.

My husband, my kids, family members, old friends, new friends, acquaintances, and you.

 

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2.) Only take what I need, and leave the rest for someone else.

There are times when the selfishness and greediness of humankind (ahem, Americans!) overwhelms me.  I see it within myself when I start to think I need something that is clearly more of a want...when I eat that extra food that my body definitely didn't need (ouch)...when boxes of things that could be used by someone else pile in my garage.  I don't want my things to own me.  I want to be ready to give them away at anytime.

 

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3.) Take a walk everyday.

I'm fortunate enough to live 5 minutes walking distance from the beautiful Columbia River.  There's a paved path ready for me to use everyday.  Right now it's frigid, but it's sunny.  That sun is doing something crazy to me.  It makes me want to get out there and go.  

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4.) Make more things.

I'm no longer ashamed to admit I'm "crafty."  Not really in a scrapbooky way, but I have learned that I am my happiest when making something from start to finish.  There are so many things I want to learn.  Calligraphy, screen printing, letterpress,  bookbinding, etc. etc. etc!  Who knows how much I will learn this year, but I'm heading in the right direction.  Oh and in case you're wondering, those are tp rolls in the picture above :).

There they are....four things to work on.  What are your resolutions?

In keeping with number 1 and number 4, anyone who comments on my blog this week will receive a handmade gift from me in the mail.  I really appreciate anyone who takes the time to peek  into my little world.  Comment on something this week and email your address to swoonpaper@gmail.com and something will come your way.  Addresses will not be kept or shared.  

Happy New Year!

Winter Break

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Not sure if anyone is checking in daily (you out there Mom?), but I have obviously been taking a long winter break from blogging.  Don't worry (Mom), one of my 2011 resolutions is to be a more consistent blogger.  Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas!  More from me tomorrow :)

Bright spot

It's been a pretty rough couple of weeks with my kiddos for no real reason.  It's nice to have little bright spots along the way to keep me going.  Today was great thanks to a couple of things:

~A dear friend in town for the holidays to have good conversation and coffee with

~homemade chicken noodle soup....not made by me.  Thanks Jeremy!

~one of my best friends flying into to town that I only get to see a couple of times a year

~this little gem waiting for me at home as an early Christmas present! 

Have you heard of this magazine?  I can't wait to crack it open :)  

If you want more info watch this cool stop-motion video made by the creators of Anthology.

Don't want to spend the money on another magazine?  You might be interested in some of 

my latest online magazine obsessions, Rue, Sweet Paul, and Babiekins.

All free for your enjoyment! 

Dear God, please keep the good days coming...