If I actually hit publish on this post, then I will hold myself accountable for the goals that I am setting. I have worked tirelessly to create a plan for the coming year and it is with utter determination and preparation that I approach this moment of truth.
First things first, daily work. Over the course of the past year, I have formed a somewhat regular schedule of duties to be completed on a weekly basis. I plan to alter my current daily duties to form the following new schedule:
Monday
Mending, Handwork, Sewing
Tuesday
Yardwork/Gardenwork
Wednesday
Meal Planning
Thursday
Budget, Grocery Order, Blogging
Friday
Shopping & Errands
Saturday
Baking & Cooking
Sunday
Rest
I won't be able to fully fall into this new routine until we have settled into our new home. There are still boxes to unpack and rooms to organize- but once everything has found a home, I feel confident that I can follow this routine with great ease!
Next comes monthly work. I am following the lead of The Weekend Homesteader by Anna Hess. These books (separate or available combined) are great for those of us that have set a goal of becoming more self-sufficient. January's work is:
- Soil Test
- Get into the habit of baking bread.
- Become media conscious. (Our family has decided to have a "lights out" candlelight reading time every night. We read a devotion most nights, so we are going to add a chapter book to our time together. We are beginning with Heidi.)
- Replace/purchase needed household items. (This month I purchased this and this. I plan to melt down our current beeswax candles that are worse for the wear and make new ones. The butter crock is a great way to keep fresh butter on hand.)
- Make your own cleaning products. I ordered this book to help me.
I have been researching Christian feasts and celebrations to keep our family connected to Christ throughout the year- not just at Christmas and Easter. During the month of January, we will celebrate:
January 5
Twelfth Night
January 6
Epiphany
January 11
Baptism of Christ
January 12
Plough Monday
I am using the following sources to help me navigate this new territory:
The Catholic Home (Even though we are not Catholic, this book is an excellent source for understanding the liturgical year and why we celebrate these occasions. It is a beautifully written resource that I highly recommend.)
I am beginning this year with Jen Hatmaker's study The 7 Experiment: Staging Your Own Mutiny Against Excess. I have read this book twice and really look forward to working through the study. The first week, which I plan to spend three months on, focuses on food. I really want to make over our family's eating habits- ridding our pantry of packaged, processed foods and concentration on making more & buying less, eating whole & organic. I am participating in 100 Days of Real Food's Cut Out Processed Foods in 14 Weeks Challenge. I have also set a goal of reading two books this month: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver and Food Rules by Michael Pollan. These are two books that I already own but have not read. With all the extra purchases this month, I thought it best to read books that I already have.
I have set a goal to invite a minimum of one family over for dinner this month. Our family is involved with three other couples- we call it "Supper Club"; we take turns hosting and meet every month. My husband and I have also been having dinner with two other couples with grown children on a regular basis, which gives us the opportunity to have some adult time away from the kiddos. Other than these two gatherings, I really want to get in the habit of inviting a new family over each month. I formed a list- loosely based on the Christmas cards we received this year. I am very excited about this challenge!
So, my goals are set and I am ready. What are your plans for 2015?
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