My 2011 New Year's Resolutions

I spent the New Year's in Chicago where the weather was cold (13 degrees to be exact) but 100% worth seeing great friends, their kids, and making great memories.

Now that I'm officially back to reality, which is surprisingly refreshing, I thought I would quickly (I told you I am back to reality) reflect on 2010 and make my New Year's Resolutions for 2011.

This was a huge year for me, I continued to work on my house, work hard at my job, spend time with friends and family...but I also started this blog. I have been wanting to start a blog for about 3+ years now, and to finally have done it is a huge check on my life to-do list. Plus, I never realized I would love doing it so much---BONUS!

Every year Ryan and I buy a monogrammed ornament to hang on our tree and remind us of the year. In 2007 an engagement ring ornament, 2008 a wedding cake ornament, 2009 our first house ornament, and this year we bought...drum roll please

A BLACKBERRY ORNAMENT :)

2010 will always be remembered as "The Year of Work" in our household. We both put in some long hours, but to great success. Hopefully 2011 will bring a little more balance...which brings me to my resolutions:

RESOLUTION #1: Gain more work/life balance

RESOLUTION #2: Save more

RESOLUTION #3: Exercise more

RESOLUTION #4: Learn Italian

I know, I know, some are fairly cliche...but if all else fails...maybe I will learn Italian? :)

Stay tuned to see how it goes :) HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Beauty of Winter!

 Good Morning!

    It is probably no surprise to those of you who visit here often that I love snow-well at least for a few months. So when we went for our walk yesterday I was happy to see instead of rain we were getting some big white fluffy flakes. It didn't take long to get several cm. so I was happy to get my camera......

and take a stroll around the garden.

and then a little drive to capture some of the beauty.

 I think snowmen are so cute- good job we don't have any close neighbours or I would have to wait for the little ones to come over to make one!

Back to our garden.

our home and barn

arbor

You gotta love those big fluffy snow flakes and the magic they perform!

Thank you for visiting me,

Carolyn

A Year of Tea Parties

January- a winter white tea

 February - a Valentine breakfast tea.

 March- a sun room tea.

 April- a pink tea

   May- a white tea in the cottage

  June- tea and peonies.

  July- a lovely afternoon tea in the garden

  August- pink tea with hydrangeas

 September- garden tea

 October- an Autumn tea

 September-

November- brown and white transferware tea

 December- a warm and cozy tea.

  Well, that is some of my favorite little tea parties from the past year- I hope you enjoyed a looking back  with me!

Thank you to all of you that left good wishes for the New Year to our family.

Today I am joining in with Sandi  again for Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage and also Lady Katherine at Lady Katherine's Tea Parlor for some lovely teas.

I hope you have a wonderful day,

Carolyn