2023 Year Wind-up

It's the last day of 2023...  Hello 2024!

I made this Up-cycled Ornament Wreath!

I had goals for 2023.  In the beginning of 2023 I made the goal of posting a blog post at least once a month. Truly a modest goal, but something I hadn't done since 2009. I made this goal! As an additional "stretch" goal, I thought I should try to meet or exceed 15 posts. This will be my 16th post in 2023, which means I made more posts in 2023 than I have since 2011.  

[Notes:  1.  I love the blog archive gadget on computer viewed blogs (you don't see the gadget with cell phone viewing.)  2. There were multiple months where I needed to "post soon, just to get the post in before the end of the month."  I only posted because of my goal.]

Conclusion: My stated, intentional goals worked!  And these goals kept me more in touch with the blogging world, and my nascent writing skills.

Last year, I said 2022 was probably my most creative year to date, and yet in 2023 I feel I explored, expanded and created more than in 2022, especially when including writing as a creative skill. (Which it is...)

In 2023 I traveled a lot, and still did a fair amount of creative projects.  For me 2023 was a good year, even though I recognize that it wasn't a good year for many people, and I reflect on this a lot.  

I went on multiple vacations this year: Arizona in February; California in March-April; Paducah's quilt show in April; a Down South road trip in July to Charleston, Savannah and more; two camping trips, one a Canoeing Overnight on the Wisconsin River, and the other to a dark sky sight to see the Perseid Meteor shower, (which was just awesome); a trip to Canada and a wedding in Minnesota.

Now I am setting goals for 2024: 

• My daughter decided to set the goal of seeing all the National Parks, so I copied her and added that goal to my long-term goals.  (I saw 7 US National Parks in 2023*).
• I am again planning on a blog post a month.
• A new "stretch" goal is now more than 16 posts in 2024.
  
• I want to post more (short) travel photography posts, reviewing and using the incredible library of photography I have amassed.  (Photography is definitely a creative effort, as is writing.)
• I want to enter and exhibit at least one of my artwork's in an art show (and I have two framed pieces ready to go!)
  
• Creating more in 2024:  Mosaics, needlework, printmaking, calligraphy, iron-work, writing and more.
• More travel!
  

I hope that 2024 be a blessed year for you, and the world if possible. 

Happy New Year!

May 2024 be a blessed year 

for you and the world.  

Sending wishes for a 

Great 2024!

 

* National Parks seen in 2023: Saguaro National Park, Grand Canyon NP; Yosemite and Pinnacles NP; Mammoth Cave NP, Smoky Mountain NP, and Congaree NP, and Canadian National Parks Banff, Jasper and Kootenay NP. 
 

 I find Goal setting fun and motivating.  Is that your experience? Feel free to share your thoughts, (and links!) in the comments if you have time...  :)

If you want to see some of my top posts from 2023 you might like:

Glass Flowers

Mosaics

Hutches

Autumn Wreath

Oak Leaf Print

Glass Leaf

Mosaic Chair

Lilies of Valley

Spring Nest

Flowers

Grand Canyon

Vintage Linen

I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 356 (Entry 16x of 52x)
My Random: Anything Goes 401 (Entry 61)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 14 of 22.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 18x of 25x.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 508 Mon 1p (l Entry 19 of 59.)
Keeping it Real: Party 395 (Entry 16 of 22.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 302 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 15 of 33.)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me 711 Mon 3p (l Entry 15 of 119.)
Fifth Sparrow: Whimsy Home 63 Wed (Entry 11r of 74r.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 406 Tues (m Entry 4 of 85.)
Master pieces of my life: Home Imagined 34 Tue 6a (Entry 37)
Peabea: Pictorial Tuesday (Entry 19 of 20.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 558 (l Entry 4 of 26.)
Eclectic Red Barn: You're the star (l Entry 30 of 62.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 570 5p Tues (l Entry 1x of 89x)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 12r of 50)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 3 of 62)
Ridgehaven: Homestead 478 Blog Hop Wed (Entry 6 of 41.)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 420 Wed (m Entry 7 of 36.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 381 Wed 4p (m Entry 22 of 59.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 25 of 99.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 71 of 152.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 470 8p (i Entry 32 of 104.)
Also Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 413 Th 4p (Entry 32 of 104.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 599 Fr 8a (L Entry 63)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters Fri 461 (s Entry 4r of 116r.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 3 of 48.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 13)
Natalie: Coffee Share Th (Entry 4)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 172 (L Entry 17 of 73)
Shabby art boutique: Create-gather 604 (L Entry 16x of 109x.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 31)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Party 19 (Entry 27 of 37.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 329 (Entry 10 of 105.)
Weekend Reflection: reflections (Entry )
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry )
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 179 7a (Entry 88)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 87)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 234 3p (l Entry 92)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun 602 even (l Entry 54)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 17)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 512 Sun a (Entry 87)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop Mon 4a (Entry )
Create with Joy: Mir Inspired me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 62)

595235

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Calypso