So, it’s official! I am participating in the Year Of Lovely Things 2011.

And here, in no particular order, … (drum roll please) … is my very own Lovely List:

1. make handmade cards and mail to friends
2. send someone flowers
3. try a new crochet pattern
4. go on a retreat
5. pray
6. go to church
7. light a candle at church
8. learn how to meditate
9. volunteer my time
10. organize my home office/creative space
11. make hot chocolate from scratch
12. plan a sleepover with my nieces
13. try a new recipe
14. make the bed
15. scan old pictures
16. restore my parent’s wedding album
17. hang pictures in the bedroom
18. organize my shoes
19. take a Zumba class
20. do yoga
21. run a mile
22. go kayaking
23. go hiking
24. ride my bike (that’s been sitting in the shed)
25. dance (in public, not alone at home)
26. drink lots of water
27. enjoy a spa day
28. plan a girls’ weekend
29. put laundry away (as soon as I fold it)
30. put up a clothesline
31. make curtains
32. start a garden
33. read books I’ve bought that are collecting dust on the shelf
34. read & discuss a book with a book club
35. donate to charity
36. start a recipe book of family traditional favorites
37. cook a turkey and all the fixins for no reason
38. go to an art show
39. see a new musician in concert
40. see a show on broadway
41. wander around NYC
42. Skype with far away family
43. scrapbook with friends
44. make new professional connections
45. write a poem
46. write a love letter
47. put together Adirondack chairs that have been sitting in shed (and paint them fun colors!)
48. go to a professional football game
49. clean out the attic
50. play scrabble
51. do crossword puzzles
52. read the New York Times (hard copy not online)

Who knows if I’ll accomplish all of these lovely things, but it would be great if I did! What’s on your list? Visit Year Of Lovely Things 2011 to see what other participants are doing and perhaps sign up yourself.

Thanks to perches in the soul for the inspiration!

Here’s to a lovely year!