In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want. ~ Traditional Irish toast
I haven’t given any thought to my “goals” for the new year. I don’t like to call them resolutions…that sounds so definite. I try to limit the goals to 3, I’ll have to get back to you on the specifics.
I hope the coming year is a good year for all of you. I appreciate your visits and comments and hope to continue to hold your interest in the new year.
Most years I take down Christmas on New Year’s Day, but I really enjoyed the simplicity of the decorations this year and will wait until next week to take it all down.
Did you take down Christmas yet?
Garden, Home & Party 
Victoria • Restoring our Victorian said:
I am pretending Christmas is going to dismantle itself… Because if it doesn’t, I am going to have to do it, and I am not sure I am up for that.
I love your new header!
Happy new year!!!
Karen B. said:
I’m surprised that I’m feeling reluctant to take down the tree. The rest has to be removed tomorrow because the “live greens” are now gray and kindle worthy.
Happy New Year!
around the table said:
Hi Karen,
We have started to put away holiday decor and will probably take the tree down tomorrow. We do things when the timing works not necessarily when we would like to do it:)
I like the Irish toast at the top! I’ll have to remember that one. I hope you have a fun evening planned to ring in the New Year!
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year ahead!
Karen B. said:
I have started taking some of the extras down, but I think I’m saving the tree-take-down until the weekend. The live greens were dead and dropping needles. We spend the new year’s with 3 other couples that we have a long history with (our kids all grew up together). Best part, it’s only 2 blocks from our home. Happy New Year to you and your family. xo
D'Arcy H said:
We had to postpone a holiday dinner with friends because of remodeling mess, so we’re having a “Twelfth Night” dinner (actually on 10th night, but who’s counting?) this weekend. Only the tree will stay up. Although I love the decorations, it always feels good to pack them away and start fresh for the new year!
Happy New Year, Karen! 🙂
Karen B. said:
That’s such a fun idea. I like mixing things up a bit…I keep saying we should celebrate Boxing Day or something different…but then I get to anxious for Christmas Eve. Have fun with your dinner. We’ve started taking down decorations as well, it always feels like spring cleaning! xo
Michel Cohagan said:
Happy New Year and thanks for all the interesting blogs!!!1
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Michel. Happy New Year and thank you for stopping by.
Karen
Gretchen said:
I finished packing away all the Christmas decorations this morning. It always feels like the right thing to do to start off the new year. Next step, make this years resolutions (I like your idea of calling them goals). At the top of the list is to simplify my life. Procrastination has gotten in my way of accomplishing this goal – so no more procrastinating!!! If my life is simpler, than I’ll have more time for friends and family – the most important goal!
Happy New Year, my friend!
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, That’s funny you should mention “simplifying”…that is my word for 2014! I plan to live by it (a huge goal for me). xo, Karen
Keri said:
Happy New Year to you, my friend!
I’ve never heard that Irish toast before, but I love it.
I took down my inside Christmas things the day after Christmas, much earlier than usual. My husband happened to be available to help, so I seized the opportunity!
I hope your new year is completely wonderful. Thank you for your friendship.
Karen B. said:
Hi Keri, Since our Christmas celebration truly began when our family from Austin arrived, I started taking down Christmas on New Year’s Eve. The tree will come down this weekend. Don’t you love the clean feel to your home in the after Christmas clean-up? I love the season and then am happy to put things back in order afterwards. May 2014 be a wonderful year for all of us, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you! xo, Karen
Linda Coble said:
Karen,
I like the term “goal” rather than “resolutions” for the new year. First, I want to pare down and simplify my life. Second, I want to work at being a bit more techno savvy. It’s a tall order, but I think I can do it. Loved the Irish toast!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Linda. Ditto! xo, Karen
Loi Thai - Tone on Tone said:
Happy New Year, Karen! We just took our Christmas decorations down. It was a breeze this year because our decorations were so simple.
Cheers to you and 2014,
Loi
Karen B. said:
Loi, Same here, simplicity is the word of the year for me and it started in December with the tree, fully dressed for the holiday, and then only a few greens and plenty of candles. Easy peasy. I’m looking forward to 2014 and am so happy to count you as one of my blog friends! xo, Karen
Phyllis said:
I really didn’t do much in the way of decorating this past Christmas. I am sure I will feel much more inspired in the year ahead. Happy new year to you, Karen!
xo,
Phyllis
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Phyllis. I kept it pretty simple too…it felt nice and was really easy to take down. 🙂 I’m always ready for clean and spare after Christmas. Happy New Year to you, my blog friend. xo, Karen