Sunday Letter: 01.08.23

Dear Sunday Letter readers,

Aren’t we fortunate to be welcoming another new year!? I’m optimistic about 2023 and looking forwarding to what the months ahead will bring. And yay! The days are getting a tiny bit longer. It’s hard to tell right now, but it’s true.

🌞

I began planning for 2023 weeks ago. For me, writing down dreams and thinking about goals for the months ahead is like heading out on a road trip to someplace fabulous, frothy latte in the cupholder, seatbelt securely fastened.

Looking in the review mirror is also part of my planning process. Successes and failures, hits and misses, the good and bad—they all brought me to this point. I don’t dwell on yesterday or lament the things I never did. Instead I celebrate the yays and question whether those nays are worthy of this year’s goal list.

And I leave room in my itinerary to take little side trips.

Recapping 2022

A few highlights of last year included:

• preparing for and participating in the 2022 Arkansas Master Gardener State Garden Tour—welcoming our garden to hundreds of gardeners from all over the state was indeed an honor (and a lot of good soul/soil work);
• finishing, publishing, and launching Bernice Runs Away in October—when I wrote my first book, I never imagined book three would happen;
• our son got married and we welcomed a new daughter into the family!
• I read and reviewed 63 books (and tracked them on Goodreads);
• I attended 17 events (book clubs/library talks etc) across the state to discuss one or more of my books and my writing adventure so far;
• I helped judge the Arkansas Pie Festival;
• I picked up 17 bags of trash in our neighborhood (small bags, but it’s something);
• I grew squash and pole beans;
• I recovered from surgery quickly and without any issues;
• I did a four-week on-line Rest & Reset Retreat last January (which seems like forever ago now);
• I visited three bucket list places—the Missouri Botanical Garden / Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds / Laura Ingalls Wilder House;
• I kept my kitchen junk drawer clean & organized!!!

Of course I fell short of a few of my 2022 goals, and I didn’t accomplish all the things I wanted to accomplish. But my yays outnumber the nays, so I’m calling 2022 a win.

Phenology in 2023

Phenology refers to the timing of cyclical or seasonal events such as migrations, flowering, hibernation, etc. I’ve been interested in this for many years (maybe my whole life), but only since returning to Arkansas have I become more aware of how these natural occurrences affect my life. (And only last year did I discover the actual word.)

Part of my planning for 2023 has been to create a phenology wheel. My wheel is much like a vision board (have you ever created a vision board?), but this one incorporates the months and seasons into other activities I am planning.

This was so fun to plan and create. It provides a visual reminder of goals and dates and accomplishments, and I can add to and modify as needed.

For me, documenting goals and dreams puts me one step closer the actual thing. Plus, I get to doodle, use my markers, colored pencils, stickers, scrap paper, and washi tape. You creatives understand the joy of crayons, I’m sure.

I have big plans for phenology in 2023. More coming on this!

Such a Happy Discovery!

Do you remember back in October when I adopted this tiny little cactus and named him Felix? (Probably not, but this is a true story.)

Well, look at Felix now!

In two months he has sprouted teeny pink buds.

For the winter, I moved most of my houseplants into a sunny window in our spare bedroom. I think everyone is happy there.

Waxed Amaryllis

Also, an update on my waxed amaryllis.

December 1:

December 10:

January 1:

This beauty sure has brought a bright spot to my kitchen windowsill!

What to do with a waxed amaryllis bulb once the flowers are spent? Most people toss them, but I am going to try to remove the wax and save this one for next year. I have a few unwaxed bulbs to store as well.

Do you save amaryllis bulbs? If so, do you have tips?

One Little Word

Do you choose a word for the year?

I started doing this several years ago and find it to be a good way to intentionally start the year and focus throughout.

During the past eight years my words have been:

BELIEVE ~ BALANCE ~ FOCUS ~ SAVOR ~ GROW ~ REFRESH ~ FAITH ~ NURTURE

Each year, my chosen word has almost become a self-fulfilling prophecy (so be careful what you choose).

Last year my goal (guided by NURTURE) was to spend more time in nature, to nurture plants, myself, and my relationships. And I think I did just that. In fact, I had no choice after being told I needed surgery. Surgery makes you lay around and nurture yourself, right?

This year, I am choosing LIGHT as my One Little Word.

This word has several meanings for me.

• I want to lighten up and have more fun. To travel more and take time to play, to delight in the smallest things.
• I want to be lighter by ridding myself of heavy thoughts and tasks that aren’t working.
• I want to illuminate the positive, see hope, and notice the good.
• I want to spend more time in the light, among people who are bright and positive.

Have you chosen One Little Word for 2023? I love to hear about it.

Things Momma Says

I know you’ve been missing Momma’s witticisms and sage advice during the holidays. We are kicking off the new year with this one:

Somebody in this family needs to be a plumber.

 

(Oh man, if you know, you know.)

***

Today’s post kicks off my fifth year of writing a weekly Sunday Letter (and eleven years of blogging in this space.)

For those of you who have been reading since the beginning of Grace Grits and Gardening, I’m happy you find something within that keeps you returning. For newcomers, I’m so glad you have joined us.

May 2023 be a sparkling, joyful, bright year!

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.