I have this little secret belief…
That perhaps whatever you are doing when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st…
Is what you will be doing more of in the new year.
So, I have my little stacks of favorite books ready.
I might fall asleep, but in case I stay awake, I will make certain to at the very least read a page.
I feel that reading has invaluable benefits to us, mind, body and soul.
It calms the mind, and is nourishment for the brain.
It helps us be mindful and calm.
And it takes us on wonderful adventures.
I think I always need more of that, how about yourself?
I just adore old books.
Tattered pages, antique imagery.
Add a fire and lovely hot drink and I am in heaven,
Cinnamon + edible stars and sparkles make everything better.
I love to keep some of my favorite holiday books in this big old suitcase covered in antique and vintage ephemera.
So, I guess without even realizing it I have made my New Year's resolution.
Read more books!
And perhaps I should even say, read a certain amount of books.
So, I will say 5 whole books.
I know it sounds like not that many, but how many books have you read this year?
I have read bits and parts, but am ashamed to say, no book beginning to end in this whole year.
The year we were going to read more 🙂
I wonder what book I should begin with?
Any suggestions?
Would you like to join in this new hopeful plan with me?
Books, the key to expanding our imaginations.
I find when I read a similar thing happens that occurs when I am creating.
My mind starts exploding with ideas.
I never allow myself the luxury to just read.
And I think it's important to learn to calm oneself enough to be able to enjoy a really good book.
Some of my best memories have been finishing a good book that ended so amazingly that I either sobbed, or gasped over and over and had to run outside and walk and walk, just thinking about it all and marveling about it.
I need more of that in my life, how about you?
Okay, so it's settled.
Book reading here we go!
I'll let you know what I start with tonight.
Lots of LOVE, and a Happy New year my dear friends!!!
Thanks for being here.
I know you are here even if you just peek in, I can see folks popping in.
I can't see who you are, but I can see folks stopping by.
I know leaving comments is not a popular thing to do anymore, but I like to know you are just there.
So, hi to you and wishing you all the magic, wishes and stars I can conjure up for you!
<3 <3 <3
ps: I wanted to do a proper post to celebrate this… but it was 14 years ago this week that I started my blog here.
Can you believe it?
I am so so happy that I did <3
Happiest New Year and Congratulations!
How uncanny that you wrote this post.. if you have time I’d love if you popped over to my blog to see a similar post I wrote just yesterday morning. Books are such magic, the feel of pre loved pages beginning to fur (cannot think of a better word hehe), the smell ~ the older the better, and the journeys! Love!! Happy new year and congratulations on 14 years 🙂
well…i read over 80 books this year. that’s just first time reads. it doesn’t count the ones i’ve read before that i re-read. i read a LOT. reading is one of the only things i can do that doesn’t make my headaches worse. so… plus, i’ve always loved to read. i haven’t decided how many i want to read this year. but i know i want to read less. i want to do more arting, knitting, stitching, gardening, etc… so less reading.
wishing you a wonderful, magical, happy new year!
love, kisses & magical wishes…
~*~
ps…hugs & kisses to matty…
It’s been 14 years of joyful reading for me, Vanessa. I chanced upon your blog when I punched in a search for “gypsy wagons” and fell for your bohemian flair. I’ve been following you ever since. Thank-you for bringing a feeling of comfort to my life.
Congratulations on your blog-a-versary! I remember finding you on the big wide web and reading back through all of your previous posts and saying to myself, is this stalking? Am I stalking her? But then, it seemed like we were soul sisters, and so many things you said and the way you said them led me to ask, am I stalking myself?? Is there another me living a parallel life??? And I wrote you a ridiculously long email, and instead of responding, go away crazy person, you said yes yes me too! And now here we are and what a journey it has been! Such adventures! Such life lessons! OF course I am grateful for your presence in my life, even though you are waaaaayyyyy over there, and things ebb and flow, and our lives twist and turn down different paths. There’s still kindred -and, my sparkling cape is still around here, somewhere. 😉 <-wink wink OH yessss I BELIEVE. That's why everybody likes to kiss at the stroke of midnight right? But I told Craig while I love him I don't want to be kissing all year haha! I want to be dancing - I want to reconnect to ridiculous boogie nights, all that crazy blood pumping aerobic and jazzercise greatest hits stuff from the 70s, 80s and 90s.... whether in my yard or living room… I have been remiss in paying much attention to music. Shocking! But it's podcasting and netflixing and working....so. THAT is my resolution. Dancing and music. Although, I really really like yours too. The first thing that popped in my head is Little Women, but that's kinda long right out of the gate, haha! I DO love me some Oscar Wilde. He is classy-hilarious to me, and his humor really stands the test of time. Whatever you do or don't do, I hope your last night of 2020 is full of good things and your 2021 is full of creativity, curiosity, hope, love, good health and magic!!always xoxoxoviiroostah
PSS I guess I will never be popular because I cant help myself. I. must. leave. commentssssssssssss. Write me back! 😀 (So high school I am this last night of the year…..)
Thank you for 14 years of magic. Yes to books!
Books are magic! And so is your blog! 14 years–wow. I think I discovered your blog in 2009 and have been loving it ever since!!
Happy 2021, Vanessa! Congratulations on 14 years of blogging! I’m here with you and I’ll be reading books along with you – it’s exactly what you say about opening your imagination and calming your mind.
Congratulations V on your 14 years anniversary blog! I am so lucky I found your IG account this year! It put a sprakle into my 2020…. I love everything about it! Thank you for sharing your magical world…Wishing you a blessed New Year to come!Xoxo Rose
Happy New Year to you!! What a beautiful blog and congratulations on 14 years!! I’m leaving my Christmas tree (and decorations too) up until Little Christmas- January 6. I just read it’s bad luck to take your tree down before then, although I feel pressure to take it all down when I scroll through Instagram. But I’m determined!
I purchased and read Manchester Christmas by John Gray, a local tv journalist and columnist this past December and absolutely loved it. It was like watching a Hallmark movie!! I don’t read many books but I, too, wish to read more this year!!
Thank you for sharing your posts and stories- they are all so beautiful!!
God bless you!! 💕💕💕
I love this post because I’m a book blogger! The best book I read in 2020 was also my first of the year: The Beekeeper of Aleppo. I highly recommend it.
Happy New Year, Vanessa!
Hi and Happy New Year!
Books are magic. I’ve worked in a library for 23 years, now. It has saved me. Books have saved me. I’ve met my two dearest friends through books and the library. And, lost one of them this year. Books and the library stepped in again to save me. Nothing like a good book. The perfect plan for this next year. I know it’s not a perfect world, but books are the icing on the cake! And, how did I NOT know about edible glitter stars???!
Happy New Year dear Vanessa. We are here.
Kathy
I am here, always and forever Miss V, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Happy New Year!
I am a brand new newbie here and have fallen hard for your way of life. Your words, pictures and art, oh my! Music to my soul. You have inspired me to enhance my life with more sparkle and color and charm.
I have read back several posts (looking forward to reading them all) and lost it big time with the passing of your sweet dog. We had to say goodbye to our beloved Pug Monkee 9 months ago. Miss her every day.
I need to make time for reading. Somehow I feel like I’m fooling around when I do. Even though all I do is fool around…crafting in every direction, taking care of my guy and home.
Anyhow, I wanted to say I’m here and really enJOYing all you do.
Thank you for sharing your amazing magical world.
Hugs,
Debbie J
Southern CA
I like your photos and thoughts in this post, and will add your slippers are so pretty. You created a comfy scene. I love reading and keep thinking I shall count how many books I read last year. Shall I guess 60?
Love your Slippers and Bloomers… Happy New Year!
You are such a light in this world and I am so happy that you exist and that you share your light.
love and stars to you!
Such a nice blog to read. I really like your photos and thoughts in this post.
I think this past Year folks have definitely done more Reading, of Books and Blogs. You are right, Commenting isn’t as common anymore as it used to be in the heyday of Blogging but it is nice to have folks pop in even if they remain silent.
Yes, books! What are you reading now this summer? Any garden story books?
I must say this is an interesting book. I have read book summary of it and it was fantastic. I usually read books on one of the most known online book club.