New Year! New Ideas!

New year, new ideas

Out with the old in with the new, new year new me these are a few sayings that we say every year to motivate ourselves with our resolutions. What if your resolution is something you’ve tried but you want to perfect? Maybe it is something entirely new and you want to adventure out. Starting a new garden, traveling the world, or perhaps just wanting to get organized within your home are a few good ways to start. Whatever it is do what will be rewarding, motivating, and goal reaching.

New Year’s traditions from around the world

New Year’s traditions vary in every country and culture around the world. Lucky foods, traditional clothing, sayings, prayers, are all a few ways that other people celebrate New Year’s. In Spain, Portugal, and much of Latin America eating twelve grapes or raisins when the clock chimes twelve at midnight will bring good luck for the New Year. Germans prefer marzipan shaped into a pig for luck, whereas in the Netherlands, people eat doughnuts and ring-shaped foods. Filipino communities believe that wearing round shapes such as polka dots promotes prosperity and good luck. Also eating round fruits like oranges or grapes are considered fortuitous as well. In Cuba throwing a bucket of water out the front door before the clock strikes midnight symbolizes gathering all the bad spirits and negative energy and throwing it out the door.

How to start off the new year purging old stuff – de-cluttering & organizing tips

1.     Set a specific de-cluttering date.

2.     Start with holiday clutter.

3.     Assess your gift situation.

4.     Clear out any unwanted gifts.

5.     Clear out your storage space.  

6.     Deep clean as you go.

7.     Donate or give it to friends.

8.     Clear out the rest of your junk.

Winter Gardening

A few tips for those gardeners who plan to garden even through those cold months. Be sure to invest in row covers to help protect those more delicate fruits or vegetables that you have. Laying mulch to help preserve heat and moisture and keep away frost from the roots is another way to prepare for the cold months ahead.  A few plants that are hard to grow during the winter months may be good to know before wasting your time and money.; Collards, Spinach, Kale, Swiss Chard, Carrots, Parsnips, Beets, Turnips, Radish, Lettuce, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Cilantro, and Parsley.