Happy New Year everyone. Memories of 2012, a pick and mix from my personal files.
January 6th. Anyone ever heard of this: my Czech grandmother always insisted that Christmas decorations stay up till Jan. 6th, the feast of the three kings, the 12th day of Christmas. My British grandmother thought it was silly, but I loved my Czech grandma and have kept the tradition for ever.
Binky at a year and half already!
February brought a little snow on this sixth month of me owning my little house. Gave us a little winter wonderland for a day.
Inside the house was sunny and warm.
March and my cats stretching out in the sun. Here’s Morgan.
And here’s Milo. Milo feels his job is holding us up so we don’t slip off the sofa.
April and a new garden! Got out all my saved seeds and made a plan.
April and my beautiful Chloe turned 20!!!
A little easter egg fun with my oils. Bunches of blown eggs given as gifts to friends.
May and a visit. Our beautiful Binky is such a sweet scamp.
May brought university finals…Ugg
June and Kerstie had a baby shower at home for her new baby to be. I missed the jackpot birth date lottery by one day!!!
But then we have a new baby, a June baby, Isla Violet Gray, welcome to the world Bunny.
June also brought a lovely trip to Quebec city.
I loved my time away from cold Vancouver and in warm Quebec.
July…saying happy anniversary to me owning my little house for one year. Also saying goodbye to my house and my children for a few months in England. That’s a floor to ceiling cork board in the kitchen, painted black and holding happy postcards to and from friends.
July and August were a whirl of tea…
silliness
art, walks, time with my British cat Theo…
and trips out to towns, castles, gardens and Blenheim palace.
Beginning September and a necessary return to Vancouver. Time to tidy my British studio and collect my art and pack.
September in Vancouver, missing England…naturally reorganised my closet!
Chloe sporting the French ingénue look for her third year of uni. The fringe took a little getting used to.
October brought stress and strife in my life but happily Kerstie came with our two babies and it was wonderful to be with all my girls.
November and a nasty ex business. Court files all over the place and organisational stress, but my girls were there to lend support.
Don’t know if I’ve told you about the time we drove C’s boyfriend Bryson to referee a hockey game and C tried to burn down the Olympic skating arena with a bag of popcorn in the cafeteria microwave. Yup, steel doors closing, three firetrucks, blaring alarms. (Can’t take us anywhere)
Most of November I dedicated myself to meditative work to get over the stress and anxiety.
Then one more look at the house and December 1st I was off to England,
where I hung a great big bunch of mistletoe off my bedroom chandelier.
Wow, it’s nice to look back. With all the stress I imagined in 2012, there was actually less stress and more lovely times than I remembered. I hope you all get a chance to look back and reflect on 2012. Here’s to a wonderful 2013 for us all!! Cheers everyone…to your health and happiness. Much, much love to you all. 🙂
Sabra Bowers
I can relate to your stress of 2012…very stressful later part of 2012 for me too. We will have a wonderful 2013. Enjoyed your review. Cheers!
Veronica
2013 is going to be great Sabra! It’s got my lucky number 13 in it. 🙂 Oh yes!
Jeannine Bergers Everett
Such beautiful pictures! I especially love the cozy couch–what wonderful light. I want to curl up with a cat and a good book!
Veronica
Love to you Jeannine and your happy little family. I’m curled up with my British cat at the moment. Hope you get loads of cuddly cat and good book moments in 2012. 🙂
Esther Bradley-deTally
I adore your house – my idea of perfect; enchanting pictures; the best to you and love also
Veronica
Love to you Esther. I wish you loads of perfect light for 2013. 🙂
Penny
Lovely snapshot of your year. I hope 2013 is indeed your lucky year!
Penny x
Veronica
Happy New Year Penny, much love and happiness to you for 2013. It will be a fantastic year! 🙂
Frank Gasch
Wonderful memories all. Thank you for sharing with us Veronica, and Happy New Year to you!
Veronica
Happy New Year Frank, much love to you and your family and your adorable granddaughter. (Post more pics on FB, she’s so cute) 🙂
pomomama
Happy new year – here’s to more online interaction in 2013.
Veronica
Oh for sure Amanda! Let’s make 2013 really fun. I’ll be back in Vancouver mid January. Would you like to have a Sbux with me? Happy, happy New Year to you and your little family.
Misky
I loved reading this, Veronica. Wonderfully hopefully dialogue and gorgeous photos.
Veronica
Aww, thank you Misky. 🙂
Melanie
Happy New Year, Veronica! I loved reading about your year and seeing all of these gorgeous photos. I want to hug Binky now. 🙂 xoxo
Veronica
Thank you so much for stopping by Melanie. I miss Binky, she’s such a little sweetie. Will spoil her properly with tons of prezzies as soon as I get back to Vancouver. 🙂
Sara v
Cheers Veronica!! Yes the 6th is supposed to be the day the 3 kings arrived with gifts. In Cuba they exchange gifts on that day not 12/25. My Cuban inlaws always brought the kids a little something on the 6th. Makes sense, right?
A very happy new year!! Wishing you much peace and joy:-)
Veronica
Oh Sara, that’s really interesting. So my Czech grandma was right; good to know! Much love and happiness to you too my dear friend. Thank you for so much support. 🙂
Khara House
Veronica … Those Easter eggs were RIDICULOUS! As in, if I got one I would feel so guilty for cracking it open. So beautiful!
Veronica
Khara, thank you, you sweetie! Those Easter eggs are just the blown out shells, so crack really easily. A little bit of ephemeral art.