Designed by James Radin (Photo: Cote de Texas)

She was right. I had two children, a dog, and a cat . . . not to mention, a husband who worked with horses. We were a clean bunch, and our house was always neat as a pin; but white in our family room would be hard to keep clean. “Something darker and patterned would be better,” she said. “It won’t show the dirt.”

I never did get the white couch. It wasn’t a matter of being practical; I simply didn’t find a couch in white that called out and begged me to take it home. Instead I bought a white area rug that looked fabulous with the navy patterned sofa I did buy. My bath was a crisp white, and I had white kitchen cabinets, too. They easily showed dirt and fingerprints, but I cleaned on a regular basis. I didn’t mind. I like a clean house.

Decorating with white

Pure as the driven snow, white is pristine, peaceful, crisp, and clean. Not really a color, it’s a manifestation of the presence of all colors. Like a diamond, it reflects light . . . and rooms in white are generally bright and airy.

White walls, furniture, and flooring are offset by dark wood and distressed frames (Photo: Hypevilla).

[above] This formal white living room looks good with dark flooring, a striped area rug, federal blue accents, and other vintage pieces (Photo: Country Living).

[right] Elegant dining on a winter day can be changed easily for any season by using fresh flowers instead of the white-washed twigs (Photo: Williams-Sonoma).

Layers of white . . . and neat, organized shelving create an inviting desk area
in the corner of this living room (Photo: Ikea).

White, painted brick and a vaulted, beamed ceiling add drama, and a nice mix of modern furniture
with the antique mirror give the room an eclectic feel (Photo: Amazing Decoration).

[above left to right] 1. Open shelving with white dinnerware, baskets, and cookbooks offer handy storage and look fabulous in this all-white kitchen (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens); 2. Designer Christopher Peacock’s white kitchen, with polished cherry flooring, gets a splash of bright color from an orange window shade, and walls are painted a silver-grey, like the range (Photo: Traditional Home).

Floor-to-ceiling soft white cabinets with dark Carrara marble and a handmade ceramic tile backsplash create a stunning kitchen (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens).

Pine beams, hardwood floor, toss pillows in water colors on a window seat
with an ocean view . . . sigh (Photo: Bright Bold & Beautiful).

[above left to right] 1. Vintage flooring, a soaking tub, and a floor-mounted faucet give this bathroom period style (Photo: Traditional Home); 2. White and polished chrome make for a totally contemporary, minimalist bathroom (Photo: HGTV).

A deep soaking tub is pure heaven! This freestanding tub by Waterworks
has clean, sculptural lines (Photo: House Beautiful).

Winter White

Pure, pristine white! See my collection of all things white on Pinterest. My boards are always changing as I add new and exciting things to them, so be sure to follow Our Empty Nest to get all the updates!

Top Photo: Cote de Texas. Designer: James Radin.

In addition to championship football, there are the gotta-see commercials and half-time show that provide a lot of laughs and entertainment. Watching the game with good friends is always fun and makes for a great party. All you need is delicious food, plenty to drink, and a television.

Super Bowl parties are traditionally informal affairs. If you’re holding one at your house this year, and want to liven it up with a festive touch, here are some ways to score a touchdown.

Guest List

Festive Super Bowl Invitation

The goal here is fun fun fun, hanging out, and having a good time. Invite anyone you know who’s even remotely interested in football, free food, and booze. The more the merrier, but consider seating when you’re deciding how many to invite. Your guests will want to sit in front of the television, near tables with food, so they can snack while watching the game. It’s been my experience that the rabid football fans take the seats up front and center, so provide plenty of seating on the fringe with extra tables nearby for snacks. Throw pillows on the floor and grab chairs from the dining room if extra seating is needed.

Informal or not, send invitations. Make your own or purchase them online. This Festive Super Bowl Invitation from Purple Trail can be customized and comes with envelopes. Be sure to send the invites out in time to allow at least ten days for an RSVP.

Plan Ahead

Start planning the menu as soon as the invitations go out. Chances are good, anyone invited will come. Keep the menu informal. Think finger foods . . . snacks and warm appetizers . . . and a simple main dish. Avoid anything requiring a fork. A buffet works best. Plan to have everything ready so your guests can help themselves. Chill drinks and make whatever you’re serving beforehand so you’re not stuck in the kitchen during the game.

Food

Stock up on the classic snacks. Peanuts, pretzels, popcorn, and chips are expected on game day. Have a nice assortment on hand of both salty, to serve first, and sweet-flavored snacks, for later. For a special treat, try one of these delicious popcorn recipes: Marisa’s Garlic and Parmesan Popcorn, Alison’s Caramel Popcorn, or Nicole’s Naturally Sweet Popcorn Balls.

To make the single-serving cones, roll up parchment or wax paper inside newspaper sports pages
and staple the bottoms to hold everything in (Photo: Pottery Barn).

Serve a variety of dips. You can find party dips, salsas, and cheese balls at the grocery store. Or you can make them yourself—it’s easy to do beforehand, and your guests will notice the extra effort. Either way, go with 2-3 different kinds. Choose between chunky, smooth, cheesy, spinach, avocado, salsa, hot, and cold. You want a nice mix of colors, textures, and flavors. Variety is the spice of life, but keep in mind that one person’s “medium” could be another person’s “Holy crap, that’s hot!” Stay on the mild side, and put hot pepper sauce on the table for those who want to pack more punch. Dips can go on tables in front of the television so guests can snack while watching the game. Serve with crackers and hearty chips that won’t break when your guests go to scoop.

Cheesy Broccoli Dip

Best Guacamole Ever

Skinny Taco Dip

Cheesy Football

Set the buffet table with hearty appetizers. Offer an assortment of finger foods from which your guests can pick and choose. Keep it simple. Again, 2-3 different kinds. Have a fresh veggie platter with simple cool ranch dressing—so good in place of salad, it goes well with everything and is a healthy option.

Spicy-Sweet Deviled Eggs

Classic Pigs in the Blanket

Pretzel and Almond Coated Chicken Strips

Fresh Vegetable Platter

Chunky Rigatoni Chili

Keep your main course simple. A chunky chili is always a good choice. It satisfies even the hungriest football fan’s appetite . . . you can make it the day before . . . and it tastes great reheated after it sits overnight in the fridge and all the delicious flavors merge.

Do yourself a favor and serve the chili in paper bowls or cups. Using sturdy disposable dishware and coordinating napkins is fine for an informal gathering and makes cleanup so much easier. At the same time, though it’s easier to toss out, don’t use plastic silverware—stick to the real deal.

Soup containers, the kind you get with carryout, are great for chili. You can find some online at Think Garnish. Use the corrugated as-is (sans the lids, of course) for a subtle, masculine feel—this is, after all, a football party, and what’s not masculine about football?—or dress the white cups up with a fun football sticker. Also, Plates and Napkins has 9-ounce First and Ten football cups, like the one on the right, that could be used.

Provide an array of decorative desserts. Cupcakes, brownies, and other treats with a football motif are easy to make and look great on the table. If you have a tiered dish, put a different dessert on each tier and use it as a centerpiece.

Chocolate Nutty Mini Football Treats

Grasshopper Cake with Andes Mint Footballs

Football Cupcakes

Touchdown Brownies

Drinks

Bloody Marys

Vary your drink options. Beer is a must-have at any football game, but it might not be everyone’s first choice. Be sure to have plenty of soft drinks on hand and a couple of bottles of red wine . . . or a signature cocktail. Try a twist on the traditional Bloody Mary, garnished with shrimp, celery, and a spicy salt around the rim.

Keep everything chilled and handy for guests to help themselves. Instead of stocking the fridge or an ugly cooler with beer, Julie Mulligan of Celebrations suggests using galvanized tins. Fill with ice, arrange your beers—and soft drinks, too—and tack on a fun sticker to dress it up.

A galvanized tin on your table makes a great container for chilled beer and soft drinks (Photo: Celebrations).

Decor

Don’t Go Overboard with Decorations. There’s a fine line between festive and tacky. It’s tempting to hang streamers in team colors or turn your table into a mini football field, but don’t. Instead, use a fringed cloth in a neutral color as a backdrop for your table; and keep decorations simple and understated. Try wheatgrass on the table alongside your decorative desserts or put personalized coasters out for guests to use. A few fun football reminders here-and-there will do the trick nicely.

Potted Wheatgrass

Festive Paper Products

Game Day Party Picks

Football End Zone© Personalized Coaster Set

For those who are interested, here are easy instructions for growing wheatgrass.

In a nutshell . . .

Personalized Candy Wrapper

• Send invitations out early.
• Plan ahead so you’re not stuck in the kitchen during the game.
• Offer a variety of snacks—peanuts, popcorn, pretzels, chips—and dips.
• Serve finger foods buffet-style.
• Provide plenty of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
• Keep decor simple and understated.
• Have paper towels and an all-purpose cleaner on hand for spills.
• Send your guests home with a sweet parting treat. A chocolate candy bar, in a personalized wrapper from Party 411, is an awesome way to say “Thanks for coming!”

Enjoy yourself . . . and the game,

Notes:

CLICK for full view

You can make this dip beforehand and freeze it. Thaw slightly; reheat and serve. Tastes great every time!

As the dip sits, it thickens slightly, but retains its gooey goodness.

Here’s a helpful hint that works for us: Put a bowl of it on the coffee table—it’ll keep your guests happily occupied while you finish up in the kitchen.

Store covered in your refrigerator.

Love cheesy dips? These are rich, creamy, and guaranteed to please party guests!

Photos: Southern Living | McCormick | Pepperidge Farm | Godalo! Demo Company.

When you live long enough, you learn a lot. Experience is a great teacher.

I don’t claim to be an authority on anything, especially life. Life is complicated. It takes you on a wild ride and likes to throw wicked curves. We all know about those wicked curves. They are the detours—the disappointments, drama, and heartache—that knock us down, bring us to our knees, and sometimes keep us there, praying for courage and guidance.

Eventually we all learn valuable lessons on how to have a sweet, satisfying life.

Live and learn may sound cliché, but you couldn’t ask for a better education.

Here’s what I’ve learned so far

1. You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
2. We all have the power within ourselves to bring about positive change in our lives.
3. In the broad scheme of things, possessions add no real value to life. Nice to look at and satisfying in some ways, but unnecessary. Need proof? If you knew a tsunami was coming tomorrow, what would you save?
4. Being positive attracts positivity. It’s like a magnet and contagious. You smile; people smile. If you have a positive attitude, good things happen. It’s the law of attraction, and it does work.
5. Memories should be cherished. Take photos. Keep a journal. Create a scrapbook. Otherwise, you forget.
6. Inner peace is the key to happiness. When we are at peace with ourselves, love and happiness radiate from within and touch every phase of our lives. We have better relationships, more successful careers, greater satisfaction and overall pleasure, and are able to cope more easily with the wicked curves life sometimes throws.
7. Life is best enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
8. A lot of energy is wasted on teenage angst.
9. Friends really do come and go.
10. The moment is all there is. Worrying and planning for the future and replaying things that happened in the past just distract us from living fully in the moment. Let go of it all and focus on what you’re doing right now.
11. The past is important only inasmuch as it explains WHY we are WHERE we are in our lives.
12. People don’t change; they just grow older.
13. Being too proud to apologize is never worth it. It’s better to swallow your pride, say you’re sorry, and move on.
14. There are some circumstances over which we have no control; and, though we cannot control the actions of others, we CAN control our reaction to them.
15. Bitterness festers like an open wound and eats you from the inside out.
16. Goals aren’t as important as you think. If you work without them, it turns out you can do amazing things because you’re free to choose paths you couldn’t have foreseen when you had specific goals in mind.
17. Arguments are pointless.
18. One of the hardest things you will ever have to do is stop loving someone because they’ve stopped loving you.
19. No one knows what they’re doing as parents. We’re all doing the best we can and hoping we get it right.
20. When your child asks for your attention, give it. Kids grow up so fast you suffer whiplash. Be grateful and savor the moments you can spend with them. Show them life is joyful, let them feel they are loved, and give them the confidence and security they need to become amazing adults.
21. Support your children in pursuit of their dreams.
22. Real life is not like The Donna Reed Show or Leave It to Beaver.
23. Nurture and develop any special skills or talents you may have.
24. If you’re not earning a living doing something you love, it’s just a job.
25. Do what you love even if you don’t get paid for it.
26. Don’t go into debt. Spend less than you earn. Live on little. Go without until you have the money to pay cash.
27. Money talks.
28. The only way for a chance at winning the lottery is to buy a ticket.
29. Invest early. Save all you can. Watch your money grow. You’re going to need it when you get older.
30. If you make a lot of money, channel it to help others while you are alive.
31. I’m not cool—I’m never going to be a movie star, model, or Wall Street tycoon—and I’m cool with that. Life really takes off when you accept who you are and can just be yourself.
32. It’s easy to stand with the crowd. It takes courage to stand alone. If you find yourself swimming with all the other fish, go the other way. Be your own person.
33. For a better perspective, frame every so-called disaster with these words: “In five years, will this matter?”
34. The only kind of marketing you need is an amazing product. If your product is good, people will spread the word for you.
35. Never send an email or message that’s unfit for the eyes of the world. Along the same lines, and something my mom once told me, never commit to paper anything that can be used against you.
36. Reading is crucial.
37. Sometimes you have to light a fire beneath someone to propel them into action.
38. You do not die from a broken heart.
39. You will not experience everything. You will never read all the good books, watch all the best films, go to all the fabulous cities in the world, try all the top restaurants, or meet all the beautiful people; but that’s OK. Learn to enjoy the slice of life you do experience.
40. Making mistakes is not a bad thing; what’s bad is repeating the same mistakes ad nauseum.
41. There is nothing to hold you back, except yourself.
42. You don’t need to raise your voice to be heard. Sometimes speaking quietly and deliberately causes others to actually focus on what you’re saying.
43. Rest is more important than you think.
44. Sitting too much slows your metabolism. Instead, move, dance, run, play, walk.
45. A long, leisurely walk cures many problems. Want to lose weight and get fit? Walk. Want to enjoy life, but spend less money? Walk. Want to cure stress and clear your head? Walk. Want to meditate and live in the moment? Walk walk walk.
46. Fitness doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a long process that happens in little bits over a long period.
47. Losing weight isn’t only about dieting and cutting calories, carbs, and fat; it’s about making real changes to your lifestyle and eating habits.
48. The destination is just a tiny part of the journey. If you don’t pay attention, you’ll miss all the great things along the way.
49. Let go of expectations. So much stress, frustration, irritation, anger, and disappointment comes from things not turning out as we expect. Take all the expectations you have—for yourself, your life, your spouse, your kids, your coworkers, your job, the world—and toss them out. A life without expectations means you can accept reality as it is and people as they are. It’s a life where you don’t need to be disappointed or frustrated or angry . . . and if you are, you accept what’s happened, and then let it go.
50. Do good because you love doing good, and expect nothing beyond that. Too often we give something and expect to get an equal measure in return—recognition or at least some gratitude for our efforts. It feels better when you let go of that need, and just give.
51. Competition is rarely as useful as cooperation. Though our society is geared toward competition—survival of the fittest and that sort of rubbish—humans are meant to work together and pool our resources, allowing everyone to contribute what they can.
52. Bad things happen to good people.
53. Gratitude is one of the best ways to find contentment. We are often discontent in our lives and want more because we don’t fully realize how much we already have. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, be grateful for the amazing gifts you’ve been given—loved ones, health and sight, music and books, nature and beauty, the ability to create, and everything in between.
54. Taste changes. Through the years I’ve loved Victorian décor, country, shabby chic, modern, minimalist, layered, browns, blues, white rooms, antiques, Persian rugs, sisal, full drapes, sheers, wicker shades, flea market finds, nothing but Pottery Barn, wall-to-wall carpeting, and hardwood floors. The list goes on and on. I’ve settled on a happy mix of eclectic, which is yet another “taste” I might outgrow.
55. One day, someone walks into your life and you can see clearly why it never worked out with anyone else.
56. All we are taught in schools and see in the media (news, films, TV, books, magazines, Internet) provides a worldview which we are expected to embrace. Don’t follow anything or anyone blindly. Question what people are telling you. Investigate alternatives.
57. Too often we judge people on too little information or relying on our own learned behavior and prejudices. Instead of judging, learn the art of empathy and keep an open mind. An open mind is receptive and willing to consider new ideas and different points of view. Though your opinions and values might not change, your way of thinking will. You learn to accept people for who and what they are. It is essential for self-growth to realize that people everywhere share the same human struggles. Understanding others helps us to better understand ourselves. We look at things differently. We grow more tolerant, forgiving, and compassionate; and, in the process, develop an acceptance of and genuine appreciation for others, our environment, and ourselves. When we learn to accept “what is” without passing judgment, our hearts open for a greater sense of love and peace.
58. It is never too late to start over.
59. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
60. There is something inherently wrong with people who do not like or have no compassion for animals.
61. Having a satisfying outlet for your creative energies is essential for inner peace.
62. When you travel and visit the places you read about in magazines, you realize that people everywhere are basically the same.
63. Life doesn’t always turn out the way we plan. Smile and shrug, “O well,” and move on to Plan B or C or D.
64. Less is sometimes more.
65. Life is exceedingly brief. You might feel like there’s a huge mass of time ahead of you, but it passes much faster than you think. One day you wake up and see someone in the mirror who looks older than you feel.

If I’ve learned anything at all, it’s that I know almost nothing and I’m often wrong about what I think I know. I still have a lot left to learn.

“Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.” —Seneca proverb

Amen.

And that’s a wonderful thing.

It’s wonderful because this fresh start gives us a chance to reinvent our lives and ourselves. It allows us to reinvigorate ourselves, to shed the baggage of the previous year, and do anything.

Anything is possible!

That is a gift, my friends, and I suggest we make the most of this gift. Not just by creating and sticking to resolutions, but by reinventing the way we live.

Here’s how.

Let go

Many times we are held back by the tangled web of previous failures, commitments, emotions, barriers. We cannot change careers because we’re used to what we’re doing and it’s too hard to change. We cannot find time to get healthy and fit because we have all these other things to do. We cannot find time for our loved ones because we have too many commitments.

This is all old baggage. A fresh start demands a clean slate. Let everything from the past go (easier said than done, I know). Clear your plate and your palate.

Let go of attachments to what you’ve been doing for the past year or years. Let go of failures. Let go of fears you’ve built up. Let go of reluctance. Let go of your ideas about what your life has to be like because that’s the way it’s evolved so far. Let go of long-held beliefs and habits.

You have a fresh start. Let go of last year and start anew.

Decide what matters most today

Forget about your goals for all of this year. Instead, decide—what do you want to do today?

What matters most to you, to your life? What are you most passionate about, right now? What excites and invigorates you? What would give you the most fulfillment?

Often the answer is in creating something, making something new, helping other people, becoming a better person, working on a project that will be an accomplishment to be proud of. But whatever your answer, have it clear in your mind at the beginning of the day.

This might be something you work on all year, or it might just last a month, or it might last a week or a few days, or just today. It doesn’t matter. What matters is today—that you’re going to work on this with all your heart, today. Tomorrow . . . we’ll decide on that tomorrow.

Clear away distractions and focus

Clear away email and Facebook and Twitter and your favorite blogs and news websites and social forums. Clear away the iPhone or Blackberry or Android or cell phone. Clear away all the little nagging work and chores and errands that pull at your attention. Clear away the clutter that surrounds you (sweep it off to the side to deal with later).

In fact, if you can, shut off the Internet for awhile. You can come back to it when you take a break.

Now, find focus. Even if only for 15 or 20 minutes at first, but preferably for 30-60 minutes. You can take a break and check your email or whatever after you’ve focused. Focus on the thing that matters most. Do it for as long as you can until you’re done, if possible. Feel free to take breaks, but always return to your focus.

When you’re done, focus on the next thing that matters most, and so on.

Find happiness now

Don’t look at happiness as something that will come when you’re done with this goal, or when you’ve attained a certain accomplishment or amount of wealth or material goods. Don’t look at happiness as a destination, something that you’ll get later.

Happiness is possible right now. Always remember that. When you push it back until later, it’ll never come. When you learn to be happy now, it’ll always be here.

When you’re doing whatever you’re passionate about, whatever matters most, whatever you decide is worthy of your time and heart and focus . . . be happy! You’re doing what you love. And that is truly a gift.

Reinvent yourself every day

Every day you are reborn. Reinvent yourself and your life every day. Do what matters most to you that day.

It might be the same thing that mattered most yesterday, or it might not be. That isn’t important. What’s important is today—right now. Be passionate, be happy, right now.

You’ll have a fresh start every single day—not just on January 1. And that, my friends, is the best thing ever.

Leo Babauta is a simplicity blogger and author. He created Zen Habits, a Top 25 blog (according to TIME magazine) with 200,000 subscribers, mnmlist.com, and the best-selling books, The Power of Less and Zen To Done, as well as several eBooks. Babauta is a former journalist of 18 years, a husband, father of six children, and in 2010 moved from Guam to San Francisco, where he leads a simple life. You can follow him on Twitter.

Wheatgrass is not only easy to grow, lovely to look at, useful, versatile, and decorative; but it’s good for you.

It adds a welcome splash of springtime to any room on a dreary winter day. It can be used at a moment’s notice to create a colorful, inexpensive centerpiece for your dinner or buffet table. And, if you go organic, it’s loaded with protein, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and potassium; as well as every known amino acid, vitamin, mineral, and essential fatty acid for a super healthy boost for you and your pets.

Who could ask for anything more from a simple house plant?

Let’s grow some grass

1. Put wheatgrass seed into a bowl. Pour in enough water to cover the seed completely.
2. Place the bowl in a sunny spot, and let the seed soak for 12 hours.
3. Drain the water. Use a colander, lined with a damp paper towel. Rinse well. Repeat the 12-hour soak/drain/rinse, as needed, until the seeds begin to sprout.
4. Fill a decorative pot with soil about 3/4 full. If possible, leave 1-inch from the top of the pot. Pat the soil gently to level it—don’t firm it. Spray with water to dampen.
5. Sprinkle sprouted seeds evenly over the soil so they touch, but are not stacked on top of each other. Do not press the seeds into the soil.
6. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, allowing for air circulation, and place pot in a dimly lit, warm location for 3-4 days.
7. Water, once in the morning and once at night, to keep the soil slightly moist, but not wet. A temperature of 60-70 degrees F works best. If you start noticing mold, decrease water and loosen the plastic to allow more air to circulate.
8. When the grass reaches 1.5 inches, remove the plastic wrap and place in a sunny location where it will receive at least six hours of good light during the day. The more sunlight you give it, the greener your wheatgrass will be.
9. Continue watering, as needed, to keep the soil moist.
10. It takes 7 or more days for wheatgrass to fully mature. It depends on the temperature, watering, and light.

Be prepared to “mow” often. Wheatgrass grows surprisingly fast, but it’s not the type of plant that lives on and on. Eventually, you’ll need to replant seeds and repeat the process if you want to keep green grass growing continuously.

Wheatgrass

See my collection of creative ways to use wheatgrass on Pinterest. My boards are always changing as I add new and exciting things to them, so be sure to follow Our Empty Nest to get all the updates!

Have fun with it,

Notes:

CLICK for full view

Most times, especially when I can’t get Polish kielbasa, I’ll use mild Italian sausage; and, yes, I boil it. Purists will argue that you should never ever boil Italian sausage. O well . . . for this dish, I do. It tastes great and has just the right flavor and texture to mimic my mom’s traditional recipe.

If the sausage I use has a skin or casing, I remove it after the sausage has been cooked, before I start slicing. It comes off easy enough if you score it first and then peel.

Served with a small side salad and fresh bread, this dish makes a delicious meal!

Get lucky! Try these Southern traditions for health, wealth, and prosperity in the New Year!

Photos: Steamy Kitchen | Southern Living/Beth Dreiling Hontzas | Multiply Delicious | Southern Living/Jim Franko.

Let’s face it—most of us fail when it comes to sticking to resolutions.

Yet, we are eternally hopeful when the New Year comes around believing, without any credible evidence, that we can improve our lives . . . that change is possible . . . that we’re not going to be stuck in the same old rut again this year.

The problem with resolutions

New Year’s resolutions usually fail for a combination of reasons.

Caught up in the excitement of the New Year, we make lofty promises to ourselves—we’re going to do this, that, and the other thing. We expect too much and set ourselves up for failure.

Changing our habits is the only way to get around these roadblocks. Resolutions are, basically, habit changes. For instance, if you resolve to lose weight, you have to change your eating habits; if you want to stop smoking, you have to quit the habit; if you want to spend more quality time with your loved ones, you have to resist turning on the TV during dinner or whatever habit keeps you from doing it. You know what your resolutions are and what habits need to be changed.

A couple of years ago, Leo Babauta of Zen Habits created a step-by-step method for change called, 6 Changes, to help solve the problems that cause New Year’s resolutions to fail. His method is worth revisiting.

The 6 Changes Method

First, let’s examine common reasons for failure and some simple solutions:

Now, let’s work on those resolutions and create some new habits for positive change in the New Year using Leo Babauta’s 6 Changes Method:

Following this method, you’ll do much better than you’ve done in the past with New Year’s Resolutions. You’ll stay focused on creating long-lasting habits rather than trying to reach short-term goals that always manage to fail. You’ll maintain your enthusiasm longer. And best of all, after 12 months, you’ll have 6 new habits that will change your life in positive ways . . . and that’s no small feat.

Good luck . . . and best wishes for a happy New Year!

Through the years I’ve learned it’s unrealistic to aim high. Lofty resolutions are seldom kept.

It’s better to choose something you would like to improve, keep it simple, and focus all of your energies on it.

If you fail to keep the resolution for whatever reason, accept your humanity . . . and simply start over. Treat each day like a new beginning.

It’s never too late to make changes that promise to bring balance and harmony into your life.

Easy ideas for positive change for the New Year and every day

• Adopt a healthier lifestyle—Take a short walk every day. Try up-and-down the stairs at home or once around the block with the dog. At work, try parking a little bit further out than usual. Five or ten minutes of walking isn’t too much to ask. Walking will increase your metabolism and give you more energy.
• Improve your eating habits—Eliminate just one vice item from your diet. For example, if you are in the habit of snacking on potato chips, quit. Completely remove the chips from your shopping list; if they aren’t in the house, you won’t be tempted.
• Increase your water intake—Start with a glass of water a day and work up to at least two quarts. Drinking water cleanses the toxins from your body, keeps you feeling full, and will hydrate you from the inside out to give your skin a youthful glow.
• Savor suppertime—Eat dinner at the table. Turn off the television, use good china, pour a glass of wine, and eat slowly. Enjoy your food and, if not alone, quiet conversation with your company.
• Renew old friendships—Write or phone good friends with whom you have lost touch; or send a greeting card to let them know they are in your thoughts.
• Forgive someone—Nursing a grudge can make you sick. Like stress, negative thoughts about someone can restrict blood flow, decrease oxygen consumption and throw your immune and gastrointestinal system totally out of whack. You may never forget how your ex dumped you, but you’ll sleep better, be more energetic, and be a lot happier if you put it behind you.
• Reduce verbal negativity—You’ve heard the old adage: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything. Practice being the image of positivity. Do not criticize, gossip, nor utter a critical word; and if the urge strikes, bite your tongue.
• Improve your financial health—At the end of each week, put all of your loose change in a large jar. At the end of the year, bank it.
• Beautify your home—Paint walls and re-arrange furniture. Make a “clean sweep” as you go by getting rid of excess and clearing rooms of unnecessary items. As you declutter your home, you declutter your life.
• Get organized—Tackle an unruly closet, medicine chest, or file cabinet. Toss out old prescriptions. Sort through papers, keeping only what’s important. Donate clothes that no longer fit.
• Help the Earth stay green—Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Reducing energy consumption is the single-most important thing anyone can do for the planet; and it’s easy . . . just flip the switch.
• Plan a vacation—Whether it is out-of-town for a weekend or out of the country for weeks, get the tickets and go. For a quick overnight stay, there are plenty of opportunities for one-tank trips that will take you away from it all and have you coming back feeling refreshed.
• Rekindle romance—Set aside one evening a month as “Date Night” for you and your significant other. Make the night shine. Be playful. Hold hands and kiss shamelessly in public.
• Pamper yourself—Take a warm, leisurely bubble bath at least once a week. Dim the lights, burn an aromatic candle, listen to soothing music, or try total silence.
• Cultivate your spiritual self—Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes every day. With eyes closed, focus only on the moment and soft music or rain forest sounds playing in the shadows.
• Learn to breathe deeply—Take long deep breaths whenever you feel tired, stressed, or out of sorts. Count to 6 with an inhale and to 8 with an exhale. Repeat the process 10 times.
• Go back to school—Enroll in a class for poetry, painting, pottery, writing, scrapbooking, cooking, Photoshop, photography . . . or whatever your creative heart desires.
• Be kind to strangers—Compliment someone you happen to meet during the day. Tell the bank teller you like her hairstyle. Tell the salesclerk how helpful he’s been. Say something nice—and smile. It works wonders.
• Cheer the lonely—On holidays, spend an hour or so visiting with the old folk in a nursing home. Take greeting cards. You will be surprised how many people living there do not get visitors; and it will warm your heart to see how much happiness it brings them to have someone stop by to say “hello.”

The New Year is filled with promise; and, with a little thought and faith in yourself, you can come up with resolutions that will work for you.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy, prosperous New Year!

You want guests to feel welcome and comfortable in your home, and Christmas offers a perfect opportunity to spruce it up (pun intended).

Start with the tree and bask in its glow. Decorate the mantel. Adorn the staircase with garland and ribbon. Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Hang mistletoe. Bring out the Christmas bears and Santas. Light candles, the more the merrier. Dress your holiday table in gold or silver and glassware in vibrant jewel tones. Add a welcoming wreath on the front door for that classic Yuletide touch.

The possibilities for Christmas décor are endless. It’s all a matter of taste and personal preference. The whole point is to spread peace, joy, love . . . and celebrate the season.

What I love about these decorations

Colorful red berries pop in this classic arborvitae wreath (Photo: Traditional Home).

Understated elegance . . a simple pine cone arrangement on the door replaces a traditional wreath;
a thick swag of garland, with over-sized pine cones, frames the entry (Photo: Country Living).

Bouquets of seasonal greens, branches, and berries, tied with ribbon and green balls,
adorn this staircase (Photo: Better Homes and Gardens).

Tree is decorated with easy-to-make silhouette ornaments and tartan plaid hoops by Holly Mathis Interiors.

Primitive bears climb a small tree; stockings, in three sizes, hang from the mantel;
a string of lights adorns fireplace logs for a delightful Country Christmas.

A small, simple, live table-top tree. (Photo: Pottery Barn).

Christmas tree and garland make this dining room look (and smell) fresh and inviting.
Sprays at the back of each chair are a nice touch. (Photo: Style at Home / Michael Graydon).

Party favors, wrapped as gifts in tartan plaid with red ribbon, help decorate the holiday table.

Don’t forget to feed the birds

How to Make Bird Seed Ornaments

1. Lay a greased, bird-shaped metal cookie cutter on two layers of aluminum foil. Tightly wrap the foil around the cookie cutter.

2. In a pot over medium heat, melt 1 cup coconut oil. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped nuts (any variety will do) and 1/4 cup birdseed. Let cool to a thick, but pourable, consistency.

3. Place one end of an 8-inch long twine into the cutter, so that most of the twine sticks out from the very top of the wing. Then, slowly pour the seed mixture into the cutter until it almost reaches the top. Let harden at room temperature; then freeze for an hour.

4. Pop the shape out of the cutter and hang outside.

Source: Country Living.
Written by Jourdan Crouch.
Photo: Aimee Herring.

Peace, joy, and love to you and yours during the holiday season . . . and always,