As is custom when kicking off the New Year, there has been so much talk about New Year’s resolutions. I haven’t made any yet, so I’ve been feeling a bit guilty. But really, how many people keep their resolutions? Come on, be honest.

I came across a blog on WordPress called perches in the soul. It caught my eye because I love the poem “Hope” is the Thing with Feathers, by Emily Dickinson:

The concept is that you jot down 52 things (to correlate with the 52 weeks in the year) that you’d like to accomplish; small things that are doable within a day or week and that perhaps embellish your larger plans or goals for the year.

There’s a form to sign up to officially participate, which I have submitted and am anxiously awaiting an acceptance email. But, in the meantime, I thought why not go ahead and get that list started. Whether or not I am formally part of the project it’s a good source of inspiration for the New Year ahead. Below is what I have so far. Stay tuned for the complete list tomorrow, and check out Year Of Lovely Things 2011 for yourself.

1. make handmade cards and mail to friends
2. try a new crochet pattern
3. go on a retreat
4. light a candle at church
5. volunteer my time
6. organize my home office/creative space
7. make hot chocolate from scratch
8. plan a sleepover with my nieces
9. try a new recipe
10. make the bed
11. scan old pictures
12. take a zumba class
13. do yoga
14. drink lots of water
15. enjoy a spa day
16. put laundry away (as soon as I fold it)
17. make curtains
18. start a garden
19. read books I’ve bought that are collecting dust on the shelf
20. donate to charity
21. pray
22. start a recipe book of family traditional favorites
23. cook a turkey and all the fixins for no reason