January...Happy New Year to you! It is so hard to believe that today is the beginning of a whole new Year...and a new chapter in your life.
If there is one thing I have learned as I age is this...life is too short...too sacred...and way to wonderful to continue to drag around old baggage...hates...anger...and fears. Leave them behind you this New Year...and strive to become a more happy...and centered human being. Do fun stuff...creative stuff...just for the sheer joy of it all.
You have everything to gain...by leaving your old patterns and baggage behind.
Begin today... as a new way of looking at life...and start to create a new you!
A common theme we all seem to adopt is that we have all the time in the world...fact is...we don't. It is so easy to fall into the trap of always working...always striving to be more...to accomplish more...we forget or bury...the part of us...that needs to lighten up...fun up...and experience our creative self.
Make time each day... to do..."doing nothing"...daydreaming...napping...walking barefoot in the grass...blowing bubbles...acting silly...just because it is okay to be silly...no matter what your age is.
When you create the space and energy to play...and have fun,..you are in fact creating a more relaxed...creative and balanced life...as well as recharging your body...mind...and spirit. Your attitude will become more positive...and uplifting too...because you have made time for yourself...to just relax and have fun.
Make a promise to yourself this New Year...to lighten up...fun up...and embrace that child within you...because life is too short...way to awesome...to just work...worry...and waste your time...on anything but...a more positive...uplifting and balanced life.
Happy New Year,
Victoria
POEM...
"January is here,with eyes that keenly glow,
A frost-mailed warrior
Striding a shadowy steed of snow."
by Edgar Fawcett
PRAYER... " I ask for the courage and strength to let go of my past...and create a better...more loving self this New Year."
WORLD TRADITIONS AND CELEBRATIONS FOR JANUARY...January 1st...New Years Day...January 6th...Epiphany...January 16th...Martin Luther King Jr. Day...January 19th...Greek Epiphany...Blessing of the Waters
FACTS... New Year ceremonies are designed to get rid of the past...and to welcome the future...and January is named after the Etruscan word janua which means "door".
In order to set the calendar right...the Roman senate in 153 BC declared January 1st to be the beginning of the New Year.
During the Middle Ages the Church remained opposed to celebrating New Years Day.
January 1st has been celbrated as a holiday by western nations for only about the past 400 years.
FOLKLORE...Fog in January brings a wet spring. If grass grows in January it will grow badly the whole year.
NEW YEAR'S FOLKLORE...On New Year's Eve...kiss the person you hope to keep kissing.
GARDENING TIP... Protect tender plants from frost. Sharpen and oil all gardening tools. Prune all leafless trees and shrubs.
HOMEMAKING TIP...Keep your home neat and tidy this month by reorganizing cupboards and closets. Put cedar blocks in closets and cupboards too...to keep pests at bay.
Simmer fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks in water on your stove...to keep your home smelling fresh.
FULL MOON... January 12th is the Full Moon...the first one of the New Year.
FLOWERS...The beautiful snowdrop and crocus.
GEMS...The garnet...and onyx.
TEACHINGS...Go inward and get clear on your personal problems...and work on solving them. Strive to connect to your faith and spiritual nature...so you can be a better person. Spend time daydreaming...and journal your hopes and dreams...for the new year.
DREAM AND HOPE JAR 2017
SUPPLIES...jar with a lid...ribbon...items to decorate your jar...tags or small pieces of paper...pen...an open heart.
It is so easy with our busy lives to forget about our hopes and dreams...but it is so vital to keep in touch with those dreams you have always had deep within your soul.You know those things that make you feel with wonder and passion... you just KNOW you are meant to do!
Don't ever give up on yourself...or your hopes and dreams ever...they are part of who you are...and those hopes and dreams were given to you for a purpose...YOU are meant to have them. With focus...action steps and belief in yourself they can come true.
Here is a very sweet way for you to see in writing...your hopes and dreams...that you long for...each and every day. Make yourself this DREAM AND HOPE JAR. Find a large glass container...tie a pretty ribbon around the top...and decorate it if you want.
Find little white tags at a hobby store...or cut pieces of paper yourself...and then find a quiet time to connect with your heart...and write on the pieces of paper or tags...all your hopes and dreams. Really go for it...without judging or monitoring what you truly dream for for your life.
When you feel pleased with what you have written out...hold all the pieces of paper or tags in your hands...and bless them with a prayer. Now place them in your jar...sprinkle some glitter or dried flowers on top...seal it with a lid...and then place it where you can see your DREAM AND HOPE JAR...each and every day...reminding you...that you so deserve to have your dreams and hopes come true.
SEASONAL LIVING AND TIMELESS TRADITIONS
...FOR YOUR HOME
Be sure to carefully wrap up all your holiday ornaments...in tissue paper and put away. Vacuum up tree needles...and other holiday messes. Homes can get stuffy during the Winter months...so be sure to mop your floors with pure Orange essential oil...and add a few drops on your light bulbs ( be sure they are cool and off before you do this) so when you turn your lights on the scent of Orange citrus...fills your home.
...FOR YOUR HEARTH
Who says a picnic has to be in the warmer months? January is the perfect month...because of colder weather and your family indoors...to have some unexpected fun...and this of course involves good food!
Spread out blankets...and let the fun begin! Here is a fried chicken recipe to make for your indoor January picnic!
PICNIC FRIED CHICKEN
Serves 6
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon paprika
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 3 to 3 1/2 pound cut up whole chicken
vegetable oil
In a shallow dish...mix flour...paprika...salt...and pepper. Coat chicken pieces with the flour mixture.
In a 12-inch cast iron or nonstick skillet heat oil that is ( 1/4 inch) deep in the skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in the oil...until browned on all sides. Next after chicken is nicely browned reduce heat to low...and continue to cook...uncovered for about 20 minutes...without turning...until juice of chicken is clear...when the thickest part of the chicken is pierced with a fork. Drain chicken on paper towels. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Serve and enjoy...at your indoor picnic!
...FOR YOUR HEART
Begin self nurturing rituals this month...by taking time each and every day...to sit for a few minutes and just be with yourself and have a nice cup of tea...or a glass of pure water. Take your time enjoying your beverage break...and give yourself this time to recharge yourself.
