'Pretty drinks on Boxing Day' by Me

Pretty drinks on Boxing Day, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

I've been having a think and have come up with a few new year's resolutions. So I won't hang about, here they are.

Number one, and my main focus for the year really, is to become a better mum. I think I am a good mum but not as organised as I could be. I've always been very good at doing activities and going fun places but since my daughter started school in September I feel I've kind of been bumbling along a bit. I need to make much more of that time between school kicking out and bedtime. Also I don't think I've totally cracked being a mum to a boy yet. Definitely another thing to work on and I think a lot of that will take place running around outside!

My second resolution follows on from one I made for this year. I didn't want to put on weight or need to go on a diet and I don't really but my diet is appalling. This year I want to eat much more healthily. I will even have a go at getting my five-a-day.

Thirdly, money. I want to be a bit more thrifty this year. Not much to say about that really. Just a bit of think before I spend.

And finally, I am going to work on my yarn based crafts. I will try and crack crochet in the next twelve months. All I want to do is be able to make a granny square. And I want to learn more knitting techniques too. I am good with stitches but want to work more in different colours.

Right, so that's it from me. Fingers crossed I can keep these resolutions and achieve these goals.

'007' by jessicawetrust

007, a photo by jessicawetrust on Flickr.

As there are only a few days left in 2013 I thought it would be a good time to sit back and reflect on the new year's resolutions made twelve months ago. I am actually rather impressed with myself as I've never actually made new year's resolutions before which I've made a conscious effort to keep all year.

Firstly, I made the resolution to not to need to go on a diet this year and I can put a tick next to that one as my weight seems to have stayed pretty much the same all year. I can't put that down to healthy eating though - that is definitely something I need to work on in 2014.

The next resolution was to read more and once again I did well. I have definitely read a hell of a lot more than I have done in previous years since becoming a parent. I mostly put that down to being able to read on my iPad and iPhone. I do try to read 'real' books whenever I can though.

I also planned to have a good declutter this year and although there is still a long way to go I feel I have made a good dent in the clutter and I like it. Although I am a bit of a hoarder I do actually find getting rid of things really therapeutic.

And finally was photography. I planned to focus a lot on that this year and I have. I have finally worked out where I want to go with this photography lark. Surprisingly I have decided I don't actually want to become a professional photographer. I just love taking pretty and interesting photos. I love my DSLR and my iPhone camera in equal measure. And I am completely sure that photography will remain a great passion of mine.

So, all in all I think it's been a rather successful year resolution wise. I therefore have a planned a few more for 2014 which I will probably share with you in my next post.

I searched for New Year's resolutions photos and came across this one that makes me want to take up painting. I love how the soft colours give the whole thing a really calm and peaceful feeling. I wish I could paint or draw but unfortunately I am rubbish at that. That's why I make pictures with the help of a camera.

Hope you had a great Christmas and are enjoying the last few days of 2013.

'♥ Christmas' by { oh angie }

♥ christmas, a photo by { oh angie } on Flickr.

Christmas Eve is here and I think I actually find it even more exciting and magical than Christmas Day itself. I hope whatever you are up to over the next few days you have an amazing time. Lots of love from me xxx

P.S. Here is one last beautiful bauble photo. I will think of something else to show you after Christmas but I do like a pretty decoration!

'Make something' by Becky Sue

Make something, a photo by Becky❤Sue on Flickr.

The run up to Christmas has been, and continues to be, so busy. Quiet frankly I am getting more and more tired by the day. I'll be having an afternoon snooze on Christmas Day at this rate. (This obviously isn't really going to happen but it does remind me of the Christmas Day two years ago when I was pregnant and really did have a two hour afternoon nap!)

Anyway, we are busy, busy, busy, until the day after Boxing Day when I think we can actually start to relax a little bit. That's my plan anyway. I would really just like some chilled out time at home with my family. We shall just have to see how that turns out!

Here is a photo of how I wouldn't mind spending Christmas. Snuggled up in front of the fire (we don't actually have a fire but for the purpose of this fantasy let's pretend we do) with something nice to eat and drink and my latest piece of knitting on the go. Such a lovely warm and cozy photo. Perhaps I'll just sit and look at this and try to relax.

'Cards' by Me

Cards, a photo by PhotoPuddle on Flickr.

Tomorrow is the last day of term. Hooray! I have been counting down the days for the past couple of weeks. My daughter's first term at primary school has been amazing. She has achieved so much and I am really embracing my new role as a mum to a school girl. But I am also shattered and I can tell my little girl is too. I am now really looking forward to a couple of weeks of chilled out family time, including some quality mother and daughter time.

Here are some of my daughter's Christmas cards from school. She has a lot. More than the rest of the family I reckon - popular girl!

'christmas time!' By SabaPhotography

christmas time!, a photo by SabaPhotography on Flickr.

As I type this post I am listening to the rain absolutely hammering it down outside. The weather is truly rubbish and I am so pleased it wasn't like this during the day when I had to be outside. I am also sat in bed trying to shoo away a slight cold I have. I don't have time to be ill right now so I really could do with the sniffles not turning into anything else.

So as that's the reality of Christmas for me this evening I thought I would share this photo with you that I feel is Christmassy but real. It's not a happy festive image but it not a depressing image either. It's just.... real. I wish I could find better words to describe why I like it.

'Untitled' by sara.robin

Untitled, a photo by sara.robin on Flickr.

It's a good job I am not doing my 'blog every day' challenge this month as there just doesn't seem to be time for anything like that at the moment. Every day seems to be busy, busy, busy - mainly with festive activities. This weekend, for example, was filled with lots of Christmas celebrations. There was dinner, drinks and giggles with friends. Party food, games and presents with family. And time spent with my husband and children Christmas shopping, singing carols and watching fireworks.

I need to make sure I get a few blog posts in throughout this week though or I won't be able to show you the wonderful Christmas photos I have found. Like this one which is hauntingly beautiful.

Must go now, I can hear a small child waking up from his nap. Hope you've got lots of fun festive stuff planned for the coming week.