Applying My Word of the Year in January

 Rather than my typical sentence a day posts I've been writing for the past few years, this year I thought I'd focus my sentence of the day posts on my word of the year "Embrace." So each day I tried to log something I was grateful for, ways I embraced life, and the small joys of daily living.  



1. Even though it was cold, I agreed to go on a Ranger ride with my husband through the woods and we had a good time; I might not have been all in when we bought our new toy but I can't deny we really have had a lot of fun and gotten so much use out of it. I embraced the adventure. 

2.  So thankful for a day date to Red Robin with my husband even if I did have to spend part of my morning at Best Buy and my afternoon at the grocery store.  I embraced our time alone. 

3.  Grateful for such a productive day organizing our bathroom closet, my nail polish bottles, and getting lots of blogging done.  I embraced my chores.


4. Alec unexpectedly had a huge chunk of time off in the middle of the day so the other two boys set aside their schoolwork as well and we all went on a hike.  I embraced the moment and brought along my camera to take more nature photos; something that always makes me feel calm, centered, and happy. 



5. I embraced my mom when we went to drop off her birthday gifts. 

6. My day got a bit off track when my oldest son decided to rearrange a bit of his room but we still got all our schoolwork done, squeezed in a hike, and cleaned the whole upstairs so it was still a great day.  I embraced the shifting purpose of our afternoon.  

7. Alec and I finally made time immediately following his school day to make our hot cocoa bombs.  I was so grateful for the time together and fully embraced the activity.. and all the chocolatey mess that went along with it (I swear we were finding melted chocolate in places two days later!). 





8. My one goal of the day was to finish reading my 4th book of the month and I embraced any and all quiet moments that I could between school with the boys and getting the whole downstairs cleaned.  I finished up book 4 and turned to book 5. 

It was such a cute and good story

9.  My mother in law came over for a delicious dinner and I embraced the excuse to get a fire going in the fireplace.   


10. I got to spend a portion of my day visiting with my husband's aunt; we always have the best time together! I was so grateful to get to see family we rarely see. 

11.  I was so grateful to get a clean bill of health from my gynecologist for another year.  

12. I embraced another month of not knowing what is going on with Evan's ear but am grateful that his hearing is 100% and it doesn't sound like anything major is wrong.  I also set aside time to work on my blog to embrace some time playing Yahtzee with Ian.  



13. After more than 17 years living with the same curtains I embraced the change! Adding in some blue touches to my living/dining room has given us a refreshing change of pace with new curtains, table cloth, throw pillows and decorative accents. 



14. Despite a bit of drizzly rain Evan and I headed out for a walk in the afternoon.  I took my camera with me and was determined to get some great nature photos.  I am so grateful that he's almost always willing to walk with me no matter the weather.


 

15. I embraced my husband's last minute plan to get take out; we ate a delicious dinner from the Black Dog while watching TV as a family.  

16. I embraced the mess in the kitchen and spent a whole afternoon baking with Alec.  We made bread, a sour dough starter, and some white chocolate/raspberry blondies.  




17. We had a small party for Alec with all his grandparents and I embraced my mother and step father when they arrived and when they left. 



18. We had friends to come and visit for the day and I embraced the opportunity to visit; spending 6 hours chatting and catching up while letting all the household duties slide for the day.  It was wonderful.

19. I embraced my husband when he got home from work (OK, really I do this everyday but I couldn't think of anything else to write since this was just an ordinary day in the life...)

20. I embraced the cold and headed out with the boys in the afternoon for a nearly 2 hour hike!  It was fabulous to get in such a great workout despite the fact that it was cold enough it began snowing before we were done. 





21. With Alec starting Geometry I embraced the opportunity to review some simple terms and formulas with him. 

22. We embraced a cold morning walk with our friends at one our favorite hiking spots.  We hadn't seen these particular friends in months and it was so nice to get caught up with one another. 




23. I embraced a very last minute invitation from my husband for a family lunch out at the Pub 99; my first answer was a no since I have been trying so hard to stick with my Weight Watchers goals and eating out is tough on those but I am so glad I agreed to go.  We had a wonderful meal out! 

24. I embraced the process of making sourdough from scratch and while I can't say I am 100% thrilled with the results or even the process of making the bread I am so glad we tried.  Alec and I both learned a lot! 


25. I embraced the messy hair and threw it all up in a ponytail until it was time for my hair appointment. 

26. Though it was cold out, Evan and I embraced it and enjoyed a leisurely walk in the falling snow.  




27. While I wasn't looking forward to leaving the house and driving in the snow my husband and I had an appointment with our lawyer to review our will.  I embraced the opportunity to cross this chore off my to do list and we were in and out of there in record time. 

28. Evan and I embraced some time alone together while his older brothers were at work and at school.  We went hiking and out to lunch and had a great time talking just the two of us with zero interruptions. 


29.  Alec had a 2 hour delay because of the cold/ icy weather and though it threw off all our schedules we embraced the shortened day of school for everyone! 


30. I brought my camera with me while working with my husband and despite the freezing cold temps I did embrace the opportunity to take a few photos. 


31. I had to make some titles and embellishments for my scrapbooking pages and I really embraced the not knowing; watching a few videos, learning some new techniques. 


Linking up with: Sentence a day,  Spread the Kindness, Lovin' Life, 














Comments

  1. As always love the pics of your landscapes and sweet treats!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a positive way to look at things! I like that word.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful landscape pictures. Time with family is the best.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like how you are putting your word of the year into practice every day with these sentences. Even on the "not so great" days, I like how you found opportunities to embrace life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I started to get sick of using that word! LOL. But it was a great reminder.

      Delete
  5. What a great idea!! All your pictures are so pretty!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love how you are using your word Embrace!
    Isn't it funny how long we live with the same decor in our house?...lol Your curtains look fab.
    I love the name Alec, My cousin's name is Alec and you don't often hear that name!

    (I am new to the link up so it was nice to visit your blog) Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I honestly can not believe how old some of my home decor items are and figured this was the perfect time to make some small changes.

      Delete
  7. I love that you're being so mindful of your word for the year! You're off to a great start!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love that you are using your word of the year in your sentences and really keeping to the word of the year!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love this idea of posting gratitude. Its in every single day.
    So you do WW? I just signed up.. I'll need some of your best tricks & tips for meals & snacks & of course, desserts :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, my husband and I both joined nearly 2 years ago now. In my first year I lost 35 and my husband lost around 50. I went from a size 14/16 to a size 8! The hardest part has been maintaining and I have gained about 10 or so back which has me furiously scouring my blog for my old eating plans, scheduling workouts, and tracking every single thing I eat and do.

      Delete
  10. You've chosen a good word! I always enjoy seeing the scenery around where you live, it's so pretty.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love this way of documenting + sharing your word! I host a OneWord check-in linnk party the last week of the month. I'd love if you join in. Here's to February!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello, lovely to meet you through Sentence a Day. I've recently rejoined the linkup for 2021 so it is lovely to connect. Your photos are lovely. Where I live in Australia it is the height of Summer. I've always wanted to try and make sourdough bread so maybe you have inspired me. Have a lovely February!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am embracing all of your photos and great experiences this month. And wondering if it is too late to trade my word of the year from light to embrace!! So many possibilities. The photo of the falling snow is hauntingly beautiful. Not sure what is in the distance but it looks ghostly and like something from long ago.
    Made bread with my bread machine and wasn't crazy about the recipe and the results. Need to try again. I like the crustiness of your loaf. Would be a terrific bread bowl for soup!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't even notice that in my snowy photo-- we were walking in the campground so I know that part of it is one of the campers with the winter cover over it and the nearby car port but I'm not sure what the tall white part is... I'm going to have to go for a walk later and investigate.

      Delete
  14. Joanne,
    I loved reading how you used your Word of the Year for the Month of January!! The pictures were delightful too!! I think I need to try to do something like this with my word...Gratitude....Thanks so much for stopping by!! Stay safe, healthy and happy!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I could easily see this type of format working wonderfully with "gratitude!"

      Delete
  15. I enjoyed reading your creativity of embracing something each day. I like the blue touch you added to your home décor. Karen

    ReplyDelete
  16. Joanne, this is the perfect word for a new focus in the new year! I have been trying to embrace all the joys of daily living as well with a focus on perspective and gratitude. It really is amazing how much impact our perspective has on our mood! And I really love the way you phrased that..."the small joys of daily living". I feel like we miss those small joys all too often but they are the most important ones! Beautiful post, my friend!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love it! If we pay attention, we do have something good to embrace in each other. I am loving all of your beautiful pictures! I think my Wednesday's post will be a small compilation of some nature pictures but not cold or ice in mine. Just a couple sunrises and a couple blue skies! And I think I will bake a bread tomorrow! Those pictures are inspiring me!
    www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Such a great way to be mindful of your word but to also show gratitude each and every day through the simple act of embracing life. Love it.
    L xoxo #LovinLife

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Share Our Lives: 5 Items I Can't Live Without

Prime Purchases in February 2023

Let's Look At... Our Grocery haul