…sunny, warm and quiet
After the Labour Day Weekend it gets pretty quiet at the cottage. Once the kids are back at school the rush to get to the cottage diminishes considerably. Lucky me!
Beach Action in Mid September
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Weekly Prompts Weekend Challenge – Journal
…thanks to Sue W and Gerry C for hostting Weekly Prompts https://weeklyprompts.com/2026/01/17/weekly-prompts-weekend-challenge-journal/
Before Christmas I treated myself to a brand new journal. I purchased it at the Holiday Market from a lovely woman who makes these journals by hand. Each one was different, using a variety of papers and fabric. My husband gifted me a beautiful Lamy fountain pen so I’ve been experimenting with it in this book. To be honest with you I’m very bad at keeping journals going for more than a month but because of its small size I can see carrying it around with me and taking it with me when I travel. My goal is not to tackle it every day but to at least open it once a week or when I’m inspired to add something to it.
Macro Monday and Texture Tuesday
….putting away the Christmas ornaments
Play Along With Judy
…thanks to Judy Dykstra-Brown for hosting the Numbers Game https://judydykstrabrown.com/2026/01/12/https-judydykstrabrown-com-2026-01-05-the-numbers-game-107-please-play-along-jan-12-2026/
Today’s number is 229. Just type it into your photo search box and see what comes up. Here is what I found.
Hope as in the Island
…thanks to Fandango for hosting the One Word Challenge https://zombieflamingoes.com/2026/01/06/fandangos-one-word-challenge-hopeful/
This week’s word is hopeful. When I see photos of Hope Island, which is across the bay from my cottage I am always hopeful that summer is not far away.
Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge – White
…thanks to Sue W and Gerry C for hosting Weekly Prompts Colour Challenge https://weeklyprompts.com/2026/01/03/weekly-prompts-colour-challenge-white-2/
One Jigsaw Puzzle Done
…surprised at how much joy this process gave me
This puzzle took me only two days to complete but then there were only 550 pieces. I probably spent 2 to 3 hours each day with a few breaks in between. I think the coffee and sweets theme energized me. Now I should go back to a bigger one that I had started last year and never finished.
Fandangos One Word Challenge – Feed
...thanks to Fandango for hosting the One Word Challenge https://mymindmappings.com/2026/01/03/fowc-with-fandango-feed/
What is it about feeding people that gives us so much joy? Food in our family is a way of caring for the well being of our loved ones and expressing love. My husband loves to cook. It gives him a great deal of satisfaction and enjoyment. We are so lucky to be able to feed ourselves and family every day and not worry about where are next meal comes from. Yes we complain about the price of food these days but for most of us we are still able to put food on the table. Sometimes we have to get creative to stretch the dollar but I still fondly remember some of the comfort food we prepared at university. Chicken livers and peppers over rice was a staple along side macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meat sauce (from a jar), grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup, homemade chilli and eggs and toast.
January 2, 2026
…starting a new puzzle
Today I finished wrapping the last of my Christmas gifts. I can now organize and put away my gift wrapping, ribbons and gift bags for another year.
A good friend gave me a new jigsaw puzzle for Christmas so I thought I’d get a start on it today. I cleared half of my dining table and started sorting through the 550 pieces. I like to do the perimeter first. Once I got going I couldn’t stop. I find it very addictive.
I did eventually stop so that I could get out and do a bit of shopping. At the last minute, despite the bitter cold I decided to walk to the store. I’m glad I did. It was exhilarating and I logged 2500 more steps. When you dress properly the cold isn’t an issue.
Here is how much of the puzzle that I completed.
Happy New Year
…no New Year’s resolutions
Just making the best of every day. In the past I’ve tried making resolutions that were too ambitious. For example, I used to set a goal of making art every day. As soon as I missed two or three days in a row I felt like I had failed and instead of getting joy out of making art it became a chore. So this year I’m hoping to do one thing a day that brings me joy.
Yesterday I read my first book of the year. It’s a children’s book but I highly recommend it to anyone from 8 to 88.
Charlie Mackesy is both author and illustrator. The book is full of inspirational quotes and I know that I will be going back throughout the year to lift up my mood and stir my creative juices. I like Mackesy’s loose style of drawing so I picked up my fountain pen and opened my new journal. I wrote down my first quote and copied one of the illustrations.
Other things that bring me joy are walking, taking photos, baking, crafting, spending time with friends and family, travelling, going to the cottage and making art.
My one goal this year is to share my joy with you!
New Flower (December 30, 2025) – Hot Pink Cyclamen
Mama Cormier 