2018 Word of the Year: Peace

Happy New Year!  We are back from taking a break over the Holidays and we are getting caught up and back into the swing of things!  Many people write new year resolutions.  I concurrently write down my goals for the year, which I recently finished, while also reflecting upon last year, but I have found it more helpful to have a word, an intention, to focus on throughout the year.

This year, after reflection, I decided the word peace would be my word for 2018.  Last year I chose the word relax; in 2016 I chose present; in 2015 I chose flow; in 2014 I chose trust; and in 2013 I chose the word create.  Also, My Intent offers custom bracelets and necklaces containing one’s word as a reminder of one’s intent, while spreading positive energy.

Peace defined: /pēs/ noun 1. freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.

I decided that I want to have more of a sense of peace than last year, which was quite intense, in many ways.  So Doug and I are making a concerted effort to enjoy each day and incorporate as much tranquility and peace as possible this year, and we are hopeful and excited to see how this year unfolds.

Are you considering selecting a word for yourself (or letting one find you)?  There is no right or wrong.  The main thing to remember is that this is your word.

And what do you do with this one little word?  You live with it.  You invite it into your life.  You let it speak to you.  You might even follow where it leads.  There are so many possibilities.

Happy New Year!

Happy Pawlidays!

“Dogs truly are able to see into our souls and remind us of the true meaning of Christmas.” — Unknown

Happy Pawlidays!  Thank you so much for a wonderful year!  I am very grateful to you readers!  Thank you so very much for reading the blog — it means so much to me.

Below is the front and back of our Pawliday card along with our matching envelopes using custom stamps and little seals of our beautiful little Victory!  (You can view our previous Pawliday cards here, here, here, here, and here).  Sending our Pawliday card is one of my favorite parts of the Holiday season!  This is my way of sharing our Pawliday card with all of our blog friends!  Thank you for reading this blog for however long or short you have been visiting!  I truly enjoy creating content for the blog to share with all of you.  We hope that you have a wonderful Holiday!

We are traveling over the Holidays and will be taking a brief break from the blog to enjoy some down time.  I will return to the blog in January 2018.  Meanwhile, if you are in a blog-reading mood, you are warmly invited to visit the archives — the links are shown below.

Dog Related posts

Dog Rescue posts

‘Dog-Centric’ Artists Interviews

For Artists posts

Photography posts

Personal posts

Victory Related posts

Happy Pawlidays!

2017: Wrap Up

We cannot believe this year, 2017, is coming to an end already.  This year has been punctuated with important milestones: Doug turned forty this summer and reached the career midpoint of fifteen years.  And, after nearly five years of work, I finished the final edits on my long-term photography project examining the relationship between dogs and people; and I continue to work on the forthcoming steps on my project.  Other highlights from 2017 include celebrating Doug’s birthday; enjoying long weekend trips to Dewey Beach and the Shenandoah Valley; celebrating Victory’s sixth birthday; and enjoying several visits to Maryland’s Eastern Shore for crabs with our fur girl, Victory!  Additionally, we vacationed in Charleston, South Carolina this summer and truly enjoyed lazy days by the ocean!  Below is a snapshot of images representing our 2017!

We look forward to seeing how 2018 unfolds; however, most of all, we are grateful for the many blessings in our lives and we do our best to appreciate everything while remaining present.

“May you live every day of your life.” —Jonathan Swift

Around Here: December

Happy December!  We cannot believe that it is almost the end of the year and the December Holidays are here!  Below are some items that have occurred around here in December!

-continuing to work on the next steps concerning my long-term photography project.

-enjoying date nights together!  However this month we did not try any new restaurants!  We’ll try again next month.

-making more dinners at home together, and here is an old favorite that we made this month!

-took Victory to see Santa for the fourth time!

-had our first snow this winter this month and the temperatures are cold — winter is here and it is here to stay!

-this weekend I took Victory on her last Hound About walk/ride for the year!

-gave Victory her last bath for the year!

-finished and sent out our Pawliday card!

-finished our Christmas shopping!

-continuing to work on getting fine art prints made, framed, and hung in our home, an ongoing endeavor!

-finished the third season of Broadchurch, a good series.

-finished Alias Grace, a really good series.

-started the second season of The Crown, an excellent series.

-began reading Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield.  I hope to get some reading done over the Holidays!

-listening to a myriad of podcasts, especially, at the gym and on walks!

-continuing to make incremental progress on our ever-growing to do list!

Happy Monday!

Weekend Outing!

This past weekend we took Victory to the historic downtown of Mt. Airy, Maryland and Winchester, Virginia.  We all had a nice time together and the weather was very nice, especially for December!  We even stopped at Zaxby’s and Victory got a kid’s meal!  A few images from this weekend are shown below!

Happy Monday!

Around Here: November

Happy November!  We hope that you had a nice Thanksgiving!  We cannot believe this year is coming to a close so quickly and the December Holidays are quickly upon us.  Below are some items that have occurred around here in November!

-still working on finishing final edits, which are very tedious, while continuing to work on the next steps concerning my long-term photography project.  So very close to finishing!

-continuing yoga class this month, which has been great!

-started acupuncture earlier this fall, which has been really beneficial!  I highly recommend it.  (I was skeptical at first; however, I have found many benefits.)

-enjoying date nights together!  Doug and I are aiming to try at least one new restaurant a month to expand our horizons!  This month we tried Facci and Kloby’s both of which were really good!

-we are soaking up what little warm enough whether there is to take Victory out on walks in her Hound About!

-we subscribed to Texture, which provides many magazines at one’s fingertips via the iPad!  We love it!

-we celebrated Thanksgiving!

-finished our Pawliday card and photo calendar for 2018.

-started our Christmas shopping, and we’re almost finished — thank goodness for online shopping!

-continuing to work on getting fine art prints made, framed, and hung in our home, an ongoing endeavor!

-finished the first season of Mindhunder, a really good series.

-finished the second season of Stranger Things, also really good series.

-began reading Slow Motion by Dani Shapiro.

-listening to a myriad of podcasts, especially, at the gym and on walks!  (Here is an interesting podcast on dogs and how their great sense of smell impacts dogs’ world view).

-continuing to make incremental progress on our ever-growing to do list!

Happy Monday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, my sweet readers!  Have a wonderful break.  Victory is ready for some yummy turkey and fixings!  We are feeling really grateful!  Have a delicious holiday!  xoxoxo

“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” —William Arthur Ward

(Photo by Vanessa Rees for Saveur).