Practicing what you intend to preach

For many years I have been the recipient of handmade birthday cards from two extra-ordinary now young adults. With rare exception these two were highly encouraged, read required by their mother to make cards for close family and friends. On the verge of becoming a parent myself, I am keenly aware of how these seemingly small traditions shape young people. I am even more conscious of the necessity to model the characteristics we hope to hope to instill in our children ourselves. How could I ever "require" handmade cards, if I do not make them myself?

Original:

My very first hand-made card inspiration found via Pinterest search "Birthday cards", originally from Oh Party.
My interpretation:

It seems only fitting that the first one would one be for one of 

those young people who inspired the tradition.

Eve of New Year's Eve

How will you celebrate the arrival of not only a New Year but also a new decade?
I am still working out my exact plans but I found lots of helpful suggestion on the internet!


At

I found a great collection of recipes "Eat Yourself Lucky: Good Luck Foods for New Year's Day"

As a child I was forced to eat "Hoppin' John", I turned up my nose and squinted my face at every bite. Last year I realized it isn't actually that bad. I cannot say that it is that good either but definitely not worth any amount of fuss for just a bite or two to secure good luck in the New Year.

This article also include a paragraph at end about foods to avoid. Lobster, chicken - Who knew?

Snopes can be counted on for other New Year's Day traditions to uphold.

and
is also full of simple instructions on how to ring in the New Year with gusto.

Personally,
I think you should spend the first day of the New Year in the fashion you would like to spend the upcoming year. For me that means:
- In a clean house, everything picked up and put away. If you're really on track, all the laundry done
- With the person I love the most (and others too)
- Starting on the perpetual New Year's Resolutions to eat better and exercise my body and brain more

Oh, and I also like this article about how to make your New Year's Resolutions Stick

First full day of Spring

I love this website, School of the Seasons.

In my heart of hearts, I like traditions. Events, rituals, what-not: Things that are repeated year after year.

Quietly, I have been working on my own set of traditions. In January to mark Martin Luther Kind Day we attended a gospel concert in his honor; In February for Valentine's Day: 2 Desserts and No Dinner and now the first full day of Spring....

For spring:
- Last night, while chatting with an old friend. I straightened up, in order to greet the "new year" with a "clean" house. I'll finish up tonight.
- I bought daffodils to brighten my apartment.
- I went to the Thursday Farmer's Market. Something, I wish was a weekly tradition.
- Tonight for dinner we-ll be having S - almon (keeping with a neo-Persian tradition).
- If Andy can find the last egg dying kit in East Bay, I'll dye eggs and than have deviled eggs a few days later.
- Moving or not, I want to plant something this weekend.
- On Sunday, it may be the first annual "ham holiday" and sweet potatoes because everyone knows you can't have ham without sweet potatoes

What are your traditions??