Hello dear friends, how are you today? Have you recovered from all the festivities of what is now last year? It’s 2010, can you believe it? I’ve been on a brief vacation for two weeks, though I’ve still been here each day posting a little something for you because I figured for those stuck at work or in need of inspiration that, well maybe it helped to know you could visit each day to find something new. In addition to being online for only an hour daily (which felt like a huge break for me), I spent a lot of time with friends and family eating and laughing and well… you know, things that we do when we settle down long enough to listen to our hearts and feed our souls. Things we do when we step out of our normal routine and give ourselves the permission to let loose a bit. I did some traveling and enjoyed that, but I mostly stuck around my city because there is plenty to keep me occupied. And you know what beautiful thing happened last week? We received a lot of snow! My friends say that it’s uncharacteristic to receive so much in this area and they’re suspecting I brought it with me from New Hampshire… but they are happy and I’m happy and well, it’s been beautiful. I gave my haus maus friends a little tour of my neighborhood in the snow (part of it anyway), if you’d like to see the full post and all of the photos you may click here. Some highlights are shown below.
You know what I’ve been doing in my neighborhood? Drawing on cars! My husband and friends call me crazy, but I’m spreading joy. Chances are if you live in my area, you’ve seen the cars I’ve decorated. They are very obvious, with massive smiles on hoods and windows. I use my glove to carve out two eyes and a big grin. Nothing fancy. My goal is that when people go to clean off their car, they see the smile left for them and experience a single moment of joy. How can even the grumpiest person now appreciate a happy face on their car? I see my smiles everywhere and so far I’ve decorated around 50 of them. :)
There are lots of people setting new year’s resolutions right about now, I always set a few of my own but I prefer to call them goals for the new calendar year and I only set a few that feel attainable so that I don’t walk into December 2010 with a long face feeling down on myself for not accomplishing all I’d set out to do. I believe more in small steps vs. major leaps, though this year there are a few things that I simply must do that will feel like a giant leap for me personally but I’m ready to take them on and see what happens.
So! With that I’ll leave you with a few more posts and then I will go do some work offline for the remainder of the day. I feel like I’m getting a slow start after all of that December action, what about you? But the 7:00 a.m. walk through the forest this morning for an hour and a healthy breakfast and lunch helped to renew some of my energy so I’m ready for the new year and all the things that it will bring. Cheers to us all for being alive, having our families and our health, and for all of the little joys along with the great big ones. Together let’s make this year a great one!
(images: holly becker for decor8)
January 4th, 2010 at 8:39 am
We have had snow over xmas too and my daughter wrote ‘Happy Christmas’ and a smiley face on our car, we forgot about it until we were driving through town and people were smiling and waving to us, it was so lovely. So YAY to drawing on cars!!
happy new year!
.-= louise´s last blog ..So this was Xmas =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:45 am
Happy new year to you too!
And surely, surely, surely I am not the only one who would lurrve to see pictures of those happy cars!? (-:
.-= Carina´s last blog ..Mosaic Monday, January 4 =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:49 am
Beautiful! The snow, you, drawing on cars and wishes for a wonderful new year!
xo
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Monday: inspired by a photograph =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Hello, Holly!
I’d like to wish you a happy 2010! I hope you keep inspiring people, drawing smiles on cars and enjoying each bit of your life. I’ve been following your blog for a long time and I’d like to thank you for all! It’s really amazing.
Hugs from Brazillan summer (oh, It’s really HOT in here!!!)
LOL
Cláudia
.-= Claudia Hein´s last blog ..Coração perdido =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Hi Holly,
My husband drops me off at the train station most mornings and when I kiss him and my little boy goodbye, I always draw a heart on the window beside where my son is seated – i love the way it makes him smile every time! Precious!
January 4th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Siobhán that is lovely, really. Oh so cute.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Wow! It looks like a fairy tale! You are so lucky to get to experience living in a place like that!
Glad to hear that your holidays were wonderful!
:) Kim
.-= Kim´s last blog .. =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Happy New Year Holly! Thanks for all the inspiration.
.-= Lecia´s last blog ..returning =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:54 am
Happy New Year! Thanks for being such a great source of inspiration!
.-= Stephanie Ryan´s last blog ..Small Sweet Steps: Doll Making =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
Aw, this is so cute! If I ever saw something like that on my car it would make me smile all day long, I promise :) I love it when people are being nice to one another without any particular reason, this is just how things should be!
As for the first days of the new year, well I feel a bit like I got a cold shower because after a week of relaxing and doing absolutely nothing I now have to work twice as hard. Last night I went to bed at 4:30 am and got up at 7:30 am but at least is keeping my mind away since I usually get all sad now that the holidays are over and I am no longer with my family.
Have a lovely day and take it easy :) xo
.-= Iva´s last blog ..Recipe =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Happy New Year Holly!
I’d love to have a smile on my car!!!
You look stunning! Hope to see you IRL soon!
Hugs
Yvonne
.-= moline´s last blog ..Freezing =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I am so lucky to experience snow during my vacation! Oh holly i adore that photo of you! Just lovely! Happy new year! Love to you!
.-= Jacqueline´s last blog ..Happy Twenty Ten =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
I really, really like that you are drawing on cars. (-:
.-= Jamie Watson´s last blog ..Joy in the Mundane =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Hello and welcome back! It was lovely to have your posts to read again this morning. And I plan on stealing your snow writing idea at the next possible opportunity- thanks for the great idea.
.-= Kathi @ allthingswhite´s last blog ..Lovely Vintage Damask Fabric =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
ohh how i would love to be there :) just gorgeous!
January 4th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
^^ I also decorate other peoples cars! Love it. And I also hope, that they have a little joy seeing it! =)
°°
January 4th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
I still need to buy one! I usually get a little kate spade desktop one. I love the drawings and the theme is always ridiculously clever and well-executed.
I guess my year is not quite up to a rip-roarin’ start yet if I don’t even have a calendar! ;)
.-= becky from hatch´s last blog ..Congratulations Richard! Love Your Arts and Craft Bungalow! =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Holly you are so good at releasing joy into the world. Through your warm sharing words, gorgeous photos and now through snow/car art!! I am thrilled we have you. I will start the happy car art here too : )
.-= emily´s last blog ..cluster w bottle no 5 =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
OK, I sound like a crazy person, I thought I was commenting on the calendar post. Time for more coffee…
.-= becky from hatch´s last blog ..Congratulations Richard! Love Your Arts and Craft Bungalow! =-.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
What lovely snow! And a lovely idea to draw on cars and spread the love.
.-= Mildawg´s last blog ..Long overdue =-.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:56 am
Happy New Year Holly.
It’s always such a pleasure to read you ;-)
.-= Melibu´s last blog ..Laurigami =-.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Happy New Year Holly! Beautiful photos and I wish my car was in your neighborhood to receive one of your sweet smiles. :)
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Sweet Zendalas =-.
January 5th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Jessica – Beep beep! :) :)
January 5th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
LOVE that you are doing this. Can I visit and we can write on everything to spread good cheer?
January 5th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
holly – it literally looks like a fairy tale. so beautiful!
i made some resolutions, and it’s funny you mentioned your smily faces on cars, because as i wrote one of mine, i thought of just the type of happiness you spread with decor8 and your other writing. here it is:
{my personal commitment to try and have only a positive impact on everything i touch. the applications of this goal run the gamut from actual environmental concerns like leaving a train seat as litter-free as i found it (or moreso), or using only cloth napkins at home (new goal for 2010) to more interpersonal scenarios or charitable pursuits. i want to be secure in the notion that i am bringing only good into the world, and that i treat every person whose path i cross with kindness and compassion. the world is a better place for those people and for me when i know i’m doing that – it restores my own faith in people and goodness, and it acts as an emotional air purifier, cleansing the air i’m breathing.}
the rest of my post is at http://honeyliving.blogspot.com/2009/12/putting-away-christmas-decorations.html
thanks for the gorgeous thoughts and pictures, as always!
.-= honey living´s last blog ..present and correct =-.
January 5th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Tara yes yes yes!!!!
January 5th, 2010 at 7:39 pm
what a sweet idea to draw on the cars! i’ll have to give that a try in our next big snowstorm.
.-= madesweet´s last blog ..60th wedding anniversary bottles =-.
January 6th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I am absolutely jealous of your winter wonderland photos! This was my first Christmas in Australia (moved here from Seattle last Feb) and I am really REALLY missing a fireplace, snow, and hot apple cider.
All the best for the new year!
.-= Sonja Barrett´s last blog ..Latest Market =-.
January 6th, 2010 at 9:22 am
I saw your writings about the day these pictures were taken on your other blog. It’s so nice to see someone really appreciating what they’ve got :) I love hearing about the transition too, especially as an American who likes to dream of a European move…you give a great realistic description of your experiences, so interesting. Thanks again for all you do :)
.-= when skies are grey´s last blog ..Recent thrifting =-.
January 6th, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Awesome blog…. U are fabulous writer.
January 8th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
hi holly, i just wanted to let you know that you inspired me to draw smiley faces on cars this morning. we had a little dusting of snow this morning, and i had to get up early to walk the dog. i was pretty grumpy about it, until we got outside. once i started drawing smileys, i became SO happy!! i hope my neighborhood enjoyed it, too. =)
thanks so much for the inspiration!
.-= jodi´s last blog ..a happy morning =-.
January 8th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Jodi how adorable are you??? Ha! This is GREAT.
January 17th, 2010 at 12:58 am
holly you are just darling!
.-= mer´s last blog ..[he'll fit into it...] =-.