Things I hope to keep in mind in 2014

I don't make New Years Resolutions as such - I do make resolutions but more when the mood takes me rather than at the point when one year ends and another begins.  Neither do I like to spend too much time dwelling on the past.  But I do like to have some quiet reflective time, and that tends to be around Christmas and the New Year.  


Here are some thoughts:


1.  On a grey day wear bright coloured clothes and take time to enjoy a flower, or wear one in your hair.  Don't get enshrouded by grey feelings: stand tall and be strong.

 Pink linen mix dress and designer handbag (Toffs $2 eacg) worn with Italian designer tights (toes cut out to allow my legs to fit in, from St V de P), black boots (Hospice Shop) and black leather jacket (Sally Army).  

Historic Iona Church, Port Chalmers, shrouded in mist and scaffolding awaiting essential earthquake strengthening.   

Dahlia, free from St V de P. Blooming madly in my garden.

2. Take time to look at the little things.  We were all once small - a seed, an egg, a germ of an idea, a hope, a wish, a dream.  Look at where we have come from and where we are going.  Find a place that suits you well - shade if you are a hydrangea, sun if a succulent.  Become part of a community - a town or on-line and enjoy the sense of belonging.

 Close-ups of flowers.  Large scale mural on building behind Iona Church, Port Chalmers, showing the town.

 #3.  Put things in perspective.  Family.  Home.  Heart.  From a height or distance even the biggest things can look small.   Close up, huge things can be overwhelming.  Take heart in the support and strength of friends and family, like shrubs in a garden, the hull of a ship or the foundations of a house. 

From the look-out at Lady Thorn Rhododendron Dell, two cruise ships, and my modest ex-State House home. 

# 4.  Take a road you have not travelled on recently and enjoy the journey.  Leave home in the rain and search for the sun.  If you find more rain, then delight in the clouds and the air. 

 Clouds and landscape seen from Ettrick, Central Otago.  Beaumont Bridge.  Beaumont main street - daring to wear turquoise and yellow vintage sundress from Restore with sandshoes and an op shopped cardigan.

and finally, be true to yourself.  

 Vintage polyester muu-muu like dress from St V de P. 

Cardigan, blue beads and pearl drops all thrifted.

Pearl choker, belonged to by Grandma.

Thank-you to all my lovely supporters and followers, for the comments and the inspiration, the laughs and the confidence.  Hope you all have a happy and healthy 2014.

Penny-Rose xxx