I Resolve..

As everyone headed off to their perspective morning places (school and work), I finally found myself alone. Pulling my coat tighter around me in the brisk, morning air, I was awestruck by the pink hues hugging the mountain sky. I paused only for a moment as my too-thin pj's were no match for the frosty weather. Carefully navigating the icy stairs into the house, the screen door made a sneering smack as it closed.

Having been busy with family and enjoying vacation in California for an almost combined three weeks, the quietness felt odd. However, with the Christmas decorations tucked away for another year I felt a urge to organize. After taking my shower, I had promptly pulled out the contents underneath the bathroom sink and set to work. Downing another cup of tea, I dug through random items including numerous hair ties, expired medication, bottles of half-used lotion. Yeah me.

Though I rather be out working on the garden even in the low thirties, these chores are a necessary evil in the Winter months. My goal is to ensure I'm as organized and efficient as I can be inside so I can enjoy the Gardening months ahead. This means I am slowly tackling areas of the home that need a "refresh", whether that be repairs, cleaning, organizing, etc. Today even with a cozy fire, I felt cold so I went ahead and set my oven to self-clean to glean any extra heat from this simple chore. I made the mistake of doing this last summer...not a brilliant idea on a 90 degree day, but I learn. 

Later I chopped and prepare a pot of lentil stew to cook in the crock pot, while I finished organizing and folding laundry along with my other daily chores. As I mindlessly chopped, I thought about the New Year...wondering how many of my friends and acquaintances were struggling and/or thriving with their self-claimed New Year's resolution. This got me to ponder what my New Year's Resolutions would be for 2018.

As continued my work this afternoon, I have spent quiet reflection on my goals for this next year. While relaxing from the warmth of a roaring fire with a small quilt tucked over my legs, I give you my New Year's Resolutions. If you are reading this, I hope you are apart of making these resolutions come to fruition here at The Britten Roost. 

1. Live intentionally; slow down and enjoy the moment with my family.

2. Cook and bake from scratch using local ingredients whenever possible. 

3. Take a ride with my husband in a hot-air balloon. 

4. Grow green beans! (Darn those rabbits the last three years...this is my year!)

5. Write and publish article(s) and/or book.

6. Host/Teach a seminar/class about gardening, chickens and/or homesteading on the property.

7. Embrace living more with less. 

8. Write more.

9. Be even more creative with resources - utilizing OfferUp, bartering, networking.

10. Expand edible growing space on the property.