Ah...the smell and feel of a New Year. It's always shiny at this time of year. I'm not one to do big ostentatious festivities but I put in some effort for this one and that's why I was away from Hive for what seemed like forever (6 days lol). I even made a 30cm diameter bowl of trifle this year.
Firstly as the first post of 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! KEEP BEING AWESOME AND STRUTTING YOUR STUFF THROUGH EACH PAGE OF THIS NEW CHAPTER.
I managed to shut myself off from all the electronics for a good chunk of this holiday and it was fantastic. Did you do similar? While transitioning from the old year into the new one, I thought it was quite fitting that I saw in the festivities with old friends but at new places and new experiences.
Fortune smiled on me when I was invited to spend Christmas eve eve and Christmas eve at a little farm that belongs to family of a friend of mine and it was gorgeous out there. Of course, there was an amazing amount of delicious food which coupled with the company made it memorable, warm and homely.
We had great weather as well, it wasn't too hot which was a nice change although it's heated up substantially since. I visited a new restaurant that overlooks a vineyard in the valley and it was delightful to have no anxiety plaguing me around the holidays. I normally dread them but this year was different. They felt sublime, relaxed and cheerful.
I was surrounded by mischievous children, naughty elves and the magical side of entertaining these little ones. We painted baubles for the Christmas tree, had playdates with their friends, I took them swimming and enjoyed their silliness and innocent antics eliciting reactions from us adults. Needless to say there was a fair amount of laughter, lots of hugs, smiles and stories shared over barbeques and roasted marshmallows.
I watched purple sunsets fade into starlit skies and remembered all those who are no longer here to celebrate with us. Nine full days I got to spend with my niece, filled with activities, playground visits, walks in the park, looking for bugs, frogs and kittens. It breathed life into me after a long and busy year of chasing stuff and the ability to slow down somewhat was exactly what I needed.
I went back to work today filled with excitement and an urge to get stuck in and earn my place in the organization. So while it will be a good while before this rolls around again, I feel like I have some renewed momentum and purpose and I'll put it to good use. I have a big deadline coming up in April and if I can prove my worth in these hundred days, I'll be set for even bigger, brighter and better things to come.
All images were taken by me unless otherwise stated in the post.