Monday, December 31, 2012

A New Year


  As I think of a new year upon us, it hardly seems possible.  This past year there has been so much to be thankful for... life also brought about a lot of change for us, but even though it seemed difficult at the time, now I look back and realize it also brought about many blessings. 


Somehow it seems so fitting that the Amaryllis bulb we picked up on clearance at Tractor Supply a few weeks ago would bloom this week.  We had just learned about plant growth in Jillian's workbook... every day we would wake up and comment on how much the Amaryllis had grown.  I had no idea what color the blooms would be, but I imagined red. 


And then we woke up and there was a bloom.  A perfect, beautiful, pink blossom.  I had just taken down our Christmas decor and the cheerful color was just right.  

"Mommy, look!  A flower!" 


Is there anything like the wonder in a child's eye... the beauty and joy they see in the simplest of things?


For some reason, yesterday I was remembering that growing up I always made a list and wrote down my New Year's resolutions. It's been a long time since I have done so; nevertheless, as a new year approaches, I always have a few things tucked inside that I want to work on and this year is no exception.


Our New Year's plans have changed as we have a sick little girl, but we'll still be together as a family and there isn't anything more I could ask for.

Getting to share a little of our lives on this blog has been a true joy for me this year, and I want to thank you for reading and for your friendship.  

I hope you have a beautiful New Year.

29 comments:

  1. I feel the same way you do about the wonder that is expressed on a child's face. It is the purest for of happiness that I can imagine. I had an amaryllis two Christmas ago and marveled at as we watched it. This year we received paper white bulbs and the enjoyment of watching it grow has been the same. I posted about our amaryllis here: http://averytnfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/as-i-watch-you-grow.html. I hope that your New Year begins with many blessings. Looking forward to visiting your blog in the new year. I alos hope your little girl feels much better soon :-)

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  2. Hope you have a beautiful new year, too, full of growth and good challenges.

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  3. Oh-The bright promise that watching a bulb come to blossom brings to us. I love seeing your little ones with the plant and I am sorry that one of them is sick. Blessings and Happy New Year to all of you- xo Diana

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  4. Sorry your little one is sick. Hope she's better real soon. Isn't it just precious to watch the expressions on a child's face as they experience life's surprises?

    Happy new year to you and your family

    Judy

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  5. Beautiful flower and post! I have heard the darker the leaves, the darker the bloom...it has seemed to be right for me. Love the picture of you daughters with the pot! I hope the little one not feeling well gets better soon.

    Wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year!

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. I am happy that your daughters have had the fun of watching the amaryllis grow and bloom. They are my favorite flower. I only wish I could get them to bloom for Christmas. Sometimes I manage to get them to rebloom for 6 years, but never for Christmas itself. I have a pink one that should open in a week or so and a red one that is showing some color. Come to think of it, the color might be lost at Christmas but will now cheer up January for me.

    I hope the whole family is well soon. When our youngest son and his wife were here Christmas I showed them your blog and they spent 30 minutes just going backwards in it, loving that you took your kitchen to the white beauty that it is and the quality of your photos--and he has a degree in the field and works for a large television production company, so that was a big compliment!

    Blessings to you and yours in 2013.
    Dewena

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  7. Sorry you have a sick one. Sure hope she feels better soon. That flower is such a pretty color. I have only had red ones. Wishing you a Happy New Year and so glad to have connected through blogging with you. Looking forward to 2013.

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  8. I love this post. I really love the picture of Rosey holding onto to Jilly's feet!!! That is so sweet. xoxox ~ Mom ~

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    1. That was my favorite, too. :)

      Happy New Year!

      -Angie

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  9. and thank you for always sharing such beautiful memories and moments.
    Happy new year!
    Fra

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  10. Happy New Year! I have an amaryllis that has a long way to go but my Paper White just bloomed the other day and I was as thrilled as your little girl! : ) It's the little things...
    I love the pic with the little one touching her sister's feet. It doesn't get any sweeter than that does it :)

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  11. Beautiful post! Wishing you the best in 2013.Happy New Year!

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  12. Happy New year to you and your family ! I agree with the blogging thing what started off as getting ideas for our home has turned into great friendships .

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  13. You have much to look forward to...2013 should be wonderful. I guess I didn't realize that things were difficult early in the year. Seems you took it all in stride and handled it beautifully. It's the dawn of a new year for everyone. Makes me very hopeful. Hope your girl gets better very soon. It's cold, snowy and gray here in Ohio. A good day to hunker down in my sewing room! Best wishes and Happy New Year...Ann

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  14. Sorry about the sick little girl... But being together, is a super way to celebrate the New Year.

    Lovely, lovely, lovely photos!!!! Gorgeous. Beautiful. Etc. :-)

    Happy New Year!

    "Auntie"

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  15. Your Amaryllis is so pretty and how wonderful that it opened at the perfect moment. Hope your little one is feeling better soon.. mine are in college but I remember those days!

    Wishing you and your family good health and happiness in the coming year. Happy New Year!

    xxleslie

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  16. Happy new year! How fun the watch the flower come into bloom! Your daughter is so beautiful!!

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  17. Happy New Year!!! What a sweet post! Thanks for your friendship this year, it has meant a lot:). Wishing you all many blessings this year, Jen

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  18. What a lovely post, I love the flower. Happy New Year.

    Cynthia

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  19. wishing your cute family a wonderful, happy new year, andrea:)

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  20. Happy 2013 to you too! My amaryllis is still a ways off from blooming. I love the pink bloom that you got!
    I also love the picture of your little one touching her sister's toes. So cute!

    Have a great day!
    Pam

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  21. I so love amaryllis...My very first one was a gift and it bloomed year after year!....Yours is such a beautiful color...your daughter looks so very proud!!!...I am sorry your daughter was ill...hope she is better!...I am sure you enjoyed just being together to welcome in the New Year....Happy New Year!!!

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  22. That amaryllis is beautiful...I've never tried growing one. Your sweet daughter looks so proud of her blooming flower. Sorry you have a sickie. Seems to be going around this time of year everywhere. God bless you and your family with good health, peace, and happiness for 2013!

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  23. I love Amaryllis and I so enjoy reading your posts. They feel so relaxed, welcoming and well, cozy. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!

    Margaret

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  24. Beautiful bloom.... so beautiful and adorable little one!

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  25. How interesting! We had a pink flower bloom the day before. I wrote about it on my blog, too. spooooky :)

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  26. Your girls and the bloom are lovely! I absolutely love your "winking owl" cookie jar. Did he come from Anthropologie or is he vintage? Well wishes.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Deni. He came from Anthropologie - a Christmas gift! We love him.

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