The rain has turned to snow, and it has snowed all day today. The winds were quite wild too. I ended up staying home. The roads were horrible as any standing water turned to ice and then there was snow on top of it. Too many people had to go out to work and such so I just stayed off the roads. In truth, I'm a bit of a chicken anyway. It seemed a bit pointless to try to get out and take photos when the weather is something like a snow globe. I did stand out on the back porch a couple of times and take some photos of a few of the birds coming in for food.
I was not too productive the rest of the day. Not going for a walk really throws me out of whack. Oldest son is home too and that makes things not normal too lol
I'm starting to give a little thought to plans for next year. Ideas are still forming. I know that I want to work on finances. Buying less, saving more, using what I have, sorting through what I have. I haven't said much on the blog, but I did quite a bit of reselling in late 2024/2025. It's a way of making a little extra money now and maybe once husband retires. However, I'm not sure it's working with the decluttering. I get rid of a bunch of personal stuff only to bring more stuff into the house to resell. Our house isn't big enough to have dedicated space to store a lot of things. I have to decide whether this is something I want to continue or not. Going into 2026 the goal will be to limit any items coming into the house and trying to get rid of the things we already have. I do like doing this to finance the trips that we take. Something to think about.
I am going to do start up my Phone Photos Things That Make Me Smile 365 project again. I've been feeling a little down and thinking about things that make me smile makes me consciously look for things that bring me joy. It's a good goal to have.
Other photography projects - still thinking about. My Big Project this year was documenting the beavers' lodge at Asylum Lake. Part of my project next year will be organising these either into a photo book or an ezine. I haven't decided which yet.
Crafting Projects - I really want to get back to doing some craft projects. Unfortunately, the craft room is even more of a mess than it has been. Late in the year it became a dumping ground and now is taken over with items I need to relist for sale. See dilemma above regarding reselling. Sigh.
Are you thinking about goals for next year?
With the reselling, can you do a list of how much you make, how much you spend and whether you can work towards having a dedicated space, even if it's just a corner? It sounds like it's a great reason to keep going, apart from the money, as it gets you moving.
ReplyDeleteYou've just inspired me a little - the idea of things that make me smile. I'm not sure that I'll be taking pics as I'm effectively housebound these days, but I think that it would be a wonderfully positive way to go through the year, just jotting something down. Thank you.
I think that's the way I'm leaning. I enjoy finding the stuff more than sorting and listing lol, so I really need to stop and think about what I am bringing in at least until I get things under control.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear that you're in the house most of the time. Hopefully you can find things around you that makes you smile, even if it's reading a book or doing a craft project. Most of my things aren't great photos, just fun things that do make me smile.
Such lovely photos! You don't need to venture out to take pictures, at all; you can just stay in your backyard and photograph the nature that come to visit you!
ReplyDeleteIf the reselling of stuff bring in enough of an income, then, you might consider having a section of your craft room just for that purpose. Maybe some shelving or storage space for the items to be sold, for packaging materials, etc.
Yes, I'm pondering plans for next year. I know I want to do more decluttering. Take more time to do craft projects. Improve my health (which should be of the highest priority, actually). I did start a new knitting project, today. :)
I do need to rethink storage and how much I actually bring in before things leave. I'm going to TRY for a low-spend month and see if I can get rid of some things. I think I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed.
DeleteI do need to declutter more. I did really well at the beginning of the year and as soon as we got busy I neglected it!
Even without going for a walk you took some good photos. I always think your Cardinal makes all British birds look really boring!
ReplyDeleteAh thanks!
DeleteThere are some wonderful British birds too! I really have fun looking for them when I'm back. There's someone in my online photography club who takes photos of the birds in her garden and they are just wonderful.
I've a couple of frighteningly large mega projects in the first 6 months of this year - frighteningly large to me, at any rate. I drew a line labelled 'here' at one end and 'there' at the other and labelled steps in-between. That has helped. Once things take on a bit of shape they stop being a cloud of impending doom. Then each step can be broken down further and actioned. (And rewarded with chocolate!)
ReplyDeleteOh that sounds like a good idea!
DeleteI did so well with my projects until summer hit and we were going this way and that, then things just seem to have stalled. I think I need to get as much done in the winter months as I can!
Stunning photo's
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI always feel sorry for the wild life in the depths of winter. I know they're 'built' for it, but it looks so cold.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way!
DeleteWe had that wet to snow and blowing too. It was a long shovel time, but I tried to consider it good exercise though I was sore later. I'd like to hone some hobbies this year. I need to sort out my UK photos and short video snippets for sure.
ReplyDeleteIt's been crazy weather - cold and snowy, then things here melt, then it snows again!
DeleteThat does sound like a plan. I'm forever sorting out photos. I want to go look through the ones I took when Mum and I used to go on our holidays but it still hurts.
Hope you have a wonderful 2026. Slowly changing over to a newer computer here and I can make comments now. Yay!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
DeleteHave fun with the new computer.
I love all these photos on this post. Would make great prints for selling. I always set goals, it's completing them I have problems with...ahahha
ReplyDeleteAh thanks!
DeleteThe same with me, sigh. I try each year to do better!
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ReplyDeleteWe have big plans to turn our spare bedroom into a proper craft room. We're getting rid of the spare bed and all the furniture. It's only used once in a blue moon.
ReplyDeleteOh how exciting! I hope you'll share photos of your progress.
DeleteHappy new year to you. Just want to say that I always love your photos; today I particularly like the picture of the cardinal (is it a cardinal?), such a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! Happy New Year! Yes, it's a male Cardinal. They always make me smile as they as so bright in the depths of winter.
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