Happy New Year, everyone!

I must confess that between Facebook and Twitter, it’s very easy to be lazy and neglect my blog. It’s become crusty and, with the latest weather, quite encased in ice. But, I’m only a few days late for welcoming in the new year!

I don’t do new year’s resolutions. However, as I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed a change in my outlook, tastes and general preferences. This year, for me, has a theme: no more clutter. This applies to material things as well as mental things. The material de-cluttering started months ago and has been refreshing. The mental de-cluttering is a bit harder as it’s attached to some of the material things — do I *really* need that thingie that months of time on Google still can’t figure out? What about this project I swore I’d get to “eventually?” If eventually isn’t here by now, chances are, it’s not going to get here. So… out it goes!

On a different note, I’ve fallen in love… only I don’t know his name! I’ve made him my kitchen mascot. Here he is “au naturale.” Isn’t he awesome? He’s sitting on the island in the kitchen and greets everyone who comes into the house through the garage with his big toothy grin. He’s made from scrap metal parts and the knife and fork came with him. Have any ideas for a name? I need HELP!

Here he is decked out for the holidays in a bright colored hat and hey, how’d he get that candy cane???

He’s fiesty and lots of fun — but he needs a name! ARGH! Currently, he’s swiped the fur-trimmed hood to my daughter’s puffy pink winter coat to keep his knobby knees warm because it’s quite chilly outside here. If he doesn’t hide from the camera, I’ll see about getting a picture of him all bundled up in THAT getup!

Stitching-wise, I’ve been s-l-o-w. But, my favorite project by far HAS to be Decko! I’ve got several hundred more stitches done and should add another picture, but that would mean I’d have to stop stitching! I’ve gotten to some of the background to the left of his ear and it’s this gorgeous purply-pink! YUM! He’s such a handsome chart and a great stitch and a cat and abstract and — well, you get the idea. So no new starts for me this year. I’m hung up on a cat!