A New Year

Life has been speeding by very, very quickly.

First this happened:

Then I turned 28.  I got these beauties from the hubby:

(PS--A tip for marital gift giving: I email my husband links to things I like all the time, and then for birthdays, anniversaries, Chanuka, etc, he surprises me with one of them! This way I know I'm getting something I love, but it's still a surprise to see what it is:))

We also went to a delicious dinner at Va Bene, an amazing Italian restaurant on the East Side (meaning "melt in your mouth homemade pasta" Italian!):

In just two days, we'll be traveling to spend Rosh Hashana with my family.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year--but instead of partying with the ball drop in Times Square and flutes of champagne, we enjoy round challahs, apples dipped in honey (and challah dipped in honey....) and go to the synagogue. There's a custom to have sweet foods for a sweet new year.

While a lot of people spend January 1st making resolutions about going to the gym, we also make resolutions, but about different things.  We focus on ways we want to grow spiritually, and try to choose one or two small items to tackle that will create general change. For example, if you want to work on patience, you might decide to wake up 15 minutes earlier so you're less exasperated in the morning rush. It's a small thing, but small steps add up to big change.

Our new year is intense, but it's also a great time to reframe and make sure you're moving your life in the direction you want it to go. It's also a fun time with family, good food, and lovely new fall clothes! I look forward to it every year.

And trust me, if you've ever had fresh homemade challah dipped in honey....you know what I mean.

I'll be away for a few days--no internet from Wednesday night to Saturday night, after all!  But in the meantime, tell me, what has been YOUR best kept resolution?