Making the most of things that matter

At the start of each year like so many others I make resolutions and don't manage to carry them through. Last year I choose one word "DOING" and although we did have many changes I soon forgot what the word was! So I think a new approach might be called for, something that will remind me constantly, especially as my memory is not as good as it used to be!


Our daughter bought me this motto above, so this is what I shall try and achieve more of this year, while also making the most of the things that matter.

 January is when we start planning what we would like to grow in the garden.Today we noticed our first flower just coming into bloom in our new flower border. The hazel in the hedge already has catkins forming. I have bought some branches inside to enjoy.


 I am going to try and write more lists this year. We have already a long list of local places we want to visit. We thought we knew this part of Dorset reasonably well but we keep finding new places or ones that we haven't visited for many years, such as here in Charmouth ...


The light on the water was just so beautiful and such a contrast to the dark cliffs.



Charmouth is at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Jurassic Coastline and a popular location for searching for fossils. The last time we can remember visiting here was in 1994! I can't think why it has taken so long to return!


It was also the first time Tavi had seen ducks!


Unfortunately he ended up going home smelling of them too! We were watching some pipits flying overhead and didn't realise until it was too late that Tavi had discovered the delights of  rolling in duck poo!

I'm back to work tomorrow after a long Christmas break, the weather has been so changeable. One day last week we started off a walk wearing hats and gloves and ended up by taking our coats off. It was hard to believe this was December!

Many of you have mentioned the TV programme Broadchurch, so just a reminder that the new series starts on Monday night.



Do you have any plans or resolutions for 2015?
Sarah x

Comments

  1. Beautiful photos! I'm back at work tomorrow too, I don't want to go! I haven't made any plans or resolutions but I would like to walk more this year as we seem to have become lazy and got out of the habit of walking like we used to.

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  2. No resolutions or words here! I wish you well with yours though, they are great words to live by I think! xx

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  3. teeeeeheeeee....westies are NOTORIOUS for rolling in unpleasant textures and smell!!!!!!!!

    What a sweet little coat Tavi is wearing; so appropriate for the chill of the sea!

    Sarah dear, it is so good to start off the new year with you. Goals are always on my mind, and this year, I am just going to try to take ONE DAY at a time. I often rush into my dreams and get lost in a fog of unmanageable steps to achieve my dreams. However, if I take one day at a time and ENJOY the process, I think I just may be surprised one day that I will have reached my goal.

    Sending you bright wishes for adventures and fun on the beach with Mr. Tavi!

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  4. I am so envious that you are already into early Spring... I need to move!!!

    I saw a duck yesterday too, all by itself quacking away in a little creek that had thawed enough for the water to show. Don't have a clue why it was still here and not flying south!

    Have a happy week xox

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  5. I think I could do with more lists this year as well. I love your photos, and how nice that you are still finding new places to explore. I do hope you have a very good 2015. CJ xx

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  6. It's amazing to see a flower already blooming in January. I think your plan for the year with that motto is perfect. Not a resolution, just an intention.

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  7. Happy New Year, Sarah!
    I apologise for being absent for such a long time... I have been physically and mentally away from blogosphere for ages due to my obsession with markets. This year I am resolved to spending time on activities that make me happy, even if it means blogging :D
    Wishing you a year and more of Living, Laughing and Loving!

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    1. Hi Juanita, It's lovely to see a comment from you again! Sarah x

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  8. I went back to work on Friday, it wasn't so painful!! I want to be organised this year!! Especially meals!! I tend to come home late afternoon and start rummaging in the freezer for something for tea!! New year, new start. This afternoon I made a vat of Broccoli and Stilton soup plus a Cottage Pie for Tuesday's tea, because every other Tuesday is my sewing day with friends. So tea done - only I got it wrong, it's not sewing this week, it's next week!!! I did try!!!! X

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    1. Oh dear hope you are as organised next week! Sarah x

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  9. Dear Sarah,
    This is such a beautiful post to start the new year off with... And dear little Tavi.. He looks o adorable in his coat, and what is it about bird poop? My Jasper loves to roll in it..
    This year I would like to spend more time out and about... The motto your daughter gave you, I have that hanging in my kitchen.
    Beautiful photos Sarah...
    blessings,
    Penny

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  10. I have, I have. But like each year ...
    We have a lot of snow, and a lot of water. My garden ist like morass in the moment - I wait for better wetter, for April - before April the garden is wet - in each corner.
    I envy you about the sea, walking at the waterside, each day!

    Sigrun

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  11. Wonderful pictures! Tavi is growing up so quick!
    Have a nice week,
    hugs
    Claudia

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  12. Lovely! Tavi is so cute. My dog often finds fox poo to roll in, utterly revolting! My resolution is to get out more and enjoy the fresh air. Happy New Year xxx

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  13. A visual resolution would probably be more helpful for me, as I seem to remember that I soon forgot what word I had chosen as a focus word for the year the one year I chose one! I admire your motto, Sarah.

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  14. I don't make resolutions, but we have a list of goals for the house.

    And, now that we are walking 6 miles each day, we are determined to keep that up.

    Have a wonderful 2015

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  15. Beautiful photos... no special resolutions, but I like your motto ..
    Hugs from Amsterdam
    Erna

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  16. Hello Sarah

    A wonderful post with fabulous photos. Tavi is just adorable and so cute.

    luv
    irene
    xxxx

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  17. Ah resolutions, they sound good, they sound do-able, they sound fun - they go out of the window within a week! I love lists in any shape or form so I'm going to just write a weekly list of "to do's" and "plans" and try and stick to that. Love your photos and your Tavi is so adorable. P x

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  18. I'm a big lists person. I make lists for everything, it helps to keep me organised, I'm also very forgetful these days so I just have to write everything down. As usual your photos are beautiful. Wishing you many more visits to lovely, interesting places in 2015 xx

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  19. Looking forward to seeing Broadchurch this evening - I didn't see the other series.
    The colours in the cliff face at Charmouth are gorgeous.
    Little Tavi looks as if he is becoming a very confident, alert, and interested dog.

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  20. I like your plans for the year ahead. I too think I need to write more lists. Have a good first week back at work xo

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  21. Gorgeous photos Sarah......I have fallen for the jug in that first photo! S x

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    1. The jug was from a local pottery and one of my Christmas presents. It captures a local landmark. Sarah x

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  22. Happy New Year to you Sarah. A beautiful photos and those cliffs are gorgeous. The colors are amazing. Love the photo of Tavi and he looks like he does not miss anything. Love his expression looking at the ducks.
    I know what you mean, we start off with a resolution and good ones and life takes us and we forget. I just wrote mine down. It is Phillippians 4:6-7. I read it this morning and thought it should be words for me this year and always. Lets see how I do. Love the word you have chosen. Have a wonderful year and thank you for visiting my blog too. : )
    Blessings,
    Bobbie Lynn

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  23. That's a great motto to follow for 2015, Sarah. You must have had to drive home with the windows open after Tavi decided to put on some dog perfume. :-)

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  24. Beautiful pictures of the skies, the cliffs and the sea. I almost envy you to be able to go there for a walk daily. And Tavi looks so adorable in his fancy coat. Watching ducks is fun but rolling in their pooh...... I think all dogs like doing that, anyway Snarf likes rolling in dead fishes or everything what smells horrible.

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  25. Walk on the beach more this year! That's a resolution I must be able to keep... surely??!
    Duck poo is the worst. :(

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  26. Hey Sarah,
    I have just watched Broadchurch. I was beyond excited about it's return. I have never been to Charmouth. We are planning on visiting Dorset in Betty this year. We are hoping to find a fossil or two. I envy your little Anenome.
    Have a great week.
    Leanne xx

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  27. No words to follow no resolutions either - just one step forward one day at a time. But your little motto is a good one to live by. Beautiful photos as usual Sarah - Dorset seems to have everything.

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  28. Lovely photos and a very good motto for the New Year. Tavi would have a wonderful time in our garden, smelling of Flora! I brought some catkins home from my country park walk with the girls yesterday, too. They're in a bright yellow vase, with daffodils and beech leaves and really brighten up the table. Happy New Year to you all from me and the girls in Winchester. Az x

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  29. Have recorded BC to watch tonight. Loved your photos as always. So pleased I get to see the sea regularly with all you lovely bloggy people who so kindly take pictures of it from all round the country and post them. I feel due a visit soon. Any my, hasn't Tavi grown?! x

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  30. Hi Sarah,
    A super post ..
    I stopped making new year resolutions a long time ago.. However, i have projects that are on going to finish.
    and I am hoping to get to do painting makeover on some old chairs and mirror.. new cushions.. and voila..
    I was at a decor shop on Monday, with a friend. And it I saw some nice ideas, i can do without buying new ..
    always something in mind.
    The beaches there are amazing. Tavi is fascinated by the ducks. Had to laugh, at him rubbing himself in the poo.
    I have my big dog, that rubbs himself in the horse poo. ):-
    val xx

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  31. Ah, smelly dogs rolling in poo....something I have to say we are kind of looking forward to...not the poo so much as having a dog in our lives again!
    No resolutions really, but determination to get this house finished quickly rather than let decorating and finishing off take years to complete. Lovely to see Tavi.

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  32. Thank you dear Sarah, for your most welcome visit and kind thoughts...
    I just love this photo of Tavi so much! I am looking forward to you posts this year.
    blessings,
    Penny

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  33. Beautiful photos, I love Charmouth and West Quay and have many happy memories of our visits there. My husband and I watched Broadchurch and kept saying "we've been there". :) Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Pj x

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  34. Bless your pup, what a cutie even in duck poo :) Our terrier loves fox poo! Such a beautiful part of the country and I see you mention Broadchurch - well we have been very late to the party on that one and only just watched the whole of the first series in a mammoth David Tennant session over Christmas. Loved it and now enjoying series 2 but with the added suspense of now having 7 days for the next episode. Happy New Year!

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  35. Beautiful! And tavi appears to have a very interested look - dogs love new vistas!

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  36. Dear Sarah,

    I enjoyed reading your post and seeing all the lovely photos. Such a great motto your daughter bought you, one I love too.
    Your pink flower is so pretty and must be fun seeing your garden start to flower.
    Oh dear! why is it dogs always love doing this - our dog Heidi would often try and roll in something dead on the beach.
    Love the photo of sweet Tavi. Good luck with going back to work, never nice after a holiday.
    Wishing you and your family all the very best wishes for 2015 and thanks for the kind visit and wishes you sent me.
    hugs
    Carolyn

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  37. So beautiful! Love the pictures! A nice post to read and the seaside is stunning, wow...
    Have a lovely weekend,
    Titti

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  38. Hello Sarah and Happy New Year, belatedly! I'm taking a moment to catch up on your blog (the sun is shining so I should be out pruning in the gardens but there we are) and I've loved reading your posts. I had to go back to your photo of the dark cliffs as I thought it was a Victorian painting, so dramatic and beautiful. In the gardens here, it looks like the anemones, tulips and daffs will all be pushing up at the same time, while the geraniums have never stopped flowering - dare I hope for another mild winter? I never use the New Year as a time to make resolutions but this year I've decided on the word 'Grace' as a touchstone and already been putting it to good use! The Jurassic coast looks wonderful, I've never been but ought to remedy that. Caro xx

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  39. Well my first resolution is to make sure I comment more on friends' blogs, even if I just want to say "great!"
    I think I will put Charmouth on my list for next summer, as we have gone dashing past on the way from Poole to Lyme Regis, but never taken the detour.
    My resolutions used to be all about improving myself or changing the world, but this time I have just decided to try to "shop local" more, using butchers, bakers, greengrocers and delis instead of the big supermarkets.
    Good luck with living your resolutions in 2015 :)

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  40. I am weeping....oh dear, am I overly sensitive or what? I blubber. But for good reason.

    Dearest Sarah, how I have enjoyed your world. I will continue to enjoy it, for I will continue to visit blogs. I simply will not be posting. I have loved sweet Daisy, I am totally in love with Tavi, and YOU? Your kindness, your shares of the ocean true....I will be here every time you post. Much love, and many thanks. Anita

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  41. Tavi is certainly showing his breed--very intent on those ducks! Was his tail going a mile a minute? Love the photos of the seashore!

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  42. I don't think Jack has encountered Duck poo yet but, when he does, I'm sure he'll roll in it too. He's coming up for two and the rolling has not abated in any way. Sigh. I hope Tavi gets over it quicker! xx

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  43. Happy 2015 , lovely Sarah , to you and yours ( hope your family are well and happy too ) Dean is in Kenya :) Training with the GB team , he's the only athlete of the paralympic team to go, he's blogging for our local news paper on his training plan.. which is fab.. and Olivia is enjoying uni in Leeds..Tis a quiet house , just now in the Rosey tinted corner !
    As always I can smell the sea air from your sea side corner to mine..
    Thank you for kind words..
    Lets wish for a kind 2015 for us all..and resolutions , no I don't make them !! I go with the flow.. They are to easy to break !
    I will be popping in again to visit, as I have done before...( my lap top is quite a pain, at the moment) it seems slow after using my iPhone..
    With kindest hugs and kisses Maria x

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  44. I have just discovered your blog and love your photos - especially the one with the sheep. I am so envious of you living on the coast in beautiful Dorset and look forward to reading about more of your adventures.

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