Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

Bye Bye 2011, Don’t Let the Door Smack You On The Butt on Your Way Out

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"An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in.  A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves".  ~Bill Vaughan

I am not sure who Bill Vaughan is, but he hit the nail on the head with that little quote.  I used to consider myself an optimist, but the past year brought me enough challenges to make me question that.  Oprah says "Cheers to the New Year and another chance for us to get it right".  I like that too.

So, here's a toast to all of you lovely friends, and a heartfelt wish that 2012 brings you health, happiness and all that you desire.

What you see in the picture above is not anything particularly meaningful or momentous.  What you see are clean surfaces.  Yesterday I labored for hours to put away all the Christmas clutter decorations.  I love my holiday nick nacks and enjoy every minute of them (up until about two days after Christmas).  Around December 28, I get an itch to put every last trinket back into its box for another eleven months.  Any of you who read my blog regularly know I love decorating, but there is something about January that calls for cleared surfaces and a minimum of fuss.

Do you have any special plans to celebrate the New Year tonight?  I have trouble staying up until midnight any day of the year, and New Year's Eve is no reason to make an exception in my opinion!  However, in light of the quote at the beginning of this post, I think I had better stay up until midnight to be sure 2011 really does go away.  We will go over to my daughter's house, where a chef friend of theirs will be serving some exceptional hors d'ouerves and my son in law will uncork some of his fine wines.

Maybe we will even take part in my favorite New Years ritual.  It is an Argentine custom that I adore.  Right at midnight, you take your suitcase and run back and forth across the street a couple of times.  That gives you good luck in all your travels over the upcoming year.  I like to do it in the hope that I actually might have some travels in the upcoming year.  Anyway, at the very least, it is a riot to see your family and friends running across the street dragging their rolling bags behind them.

Have a safe and happy New Year!  I am looking forward to chatting with you all a lot more in the following months.

 


80 responses to “Bye Bye 2011, Don’t Let the Door Smack You On The Butt on Your Way Out”

  1. I’m like you, Nicole. By the end of Christmas day I’m gathering the decorations and starting to clear them away. It feels really good to have things cleaned up and clutter free.
    I’ll have to warn my friends that live up there that if they see people running around with suitcases it’s ok! Love the tradition!!!
    Here’s to a better year for the both of us!!
    Hugs!

  2. I’m like you, Nicole. By the end of Christmas day I’m gathering the decorations and starting to clear them away. It feels really good to have things cleaned up and clutter free.
    I’ll have to warn my friends that live up there that if they see people running around with suitcases it’s ok! Love the tradition!!!
    Here’s to a better year for the both of us!!
    Hugs!

  3. Nicole,
    Looking forward to your posts in 2012. Any contemplation of a future quilt along?
    Happy New Year,
    Pam

  4. Nicole,
    Looking forward to your posts in 2012. Any contemplation of a future quilt along?
    Happy New Year,
    Pam

  5. Happy New Year 2012 Nicole. I like you am ever so glad 2011 is about to be behind us. I’m dragging my butt around today taking down decorations. Can somebody please tell me why I am so dang excited to put all this stuff up the first of December? It will be a quiet night around here and there is no way I’m staying up until midnight. A toast to having you back and doing lots of quilting in 2012.
    Best Wishes,
    Mary

  6. Happy New Year 2012 Nicole. I like you am ever so glad 2011 is about to be behind us. I’m dragging my butt around today taking down decorations. Can somebody please tell me why I am so dang excited to put all this stuff up the first of December? It will be a quiet night around here and there is no way I’m staying up until midnight. A toast to having you back and doing lots of quilting in 2012.
    Best Wishes,
    Mary

  7. Happy New Year Nicole! Christmas was busy and fun here but I am also ready to pack it all up (actually it’s almost done) and move on to a fresh new year!

  8. Happy New Year Nicole! Christmas was busy and fun here but I am also ready to pack it all up (actually it’s almost done) and move on to a fresh new year!

  9. My decorations stay up until the weekend after New Years, and since this is new years weekend, mine will be out for another week.
    Wishing you a year of happiness, straight seams and more time to blog!

  10. My decorations stay up until the weekend after New Years, and since this is new years weekend, mine will be out for another week.
    Wishing you a year of happiness, straight seams and more time to blog!

  11. It’s so good to see you back here. I really hope 2012 is the best year ever. I’m giggling thinking about you running back and forth across the street with your suitcase. 🙂
    Happy New Year!

  12. It’s so good to see you back here. I really hope 2012 is the best year ever. I’m giggling thinking about you running back and forth across the street with your suitcase. 🙂
    Happy New Year!

  13. Many blessings to you and yours in the coming year Nicole! What a sight that would be running across the street with my suitcase…believe me, you probably don’t want to see it! Have a fun night and 2012 can ONLY GET BETTER!

  14. Many blessings to you and yours in the coming year Nicole! What a sight that would be running across the street with my suitcase…believe me, you probably don’t want to see it! Have a fun night and 2012 can ONLY GET BETTER!

  17. I’m with you sister! This past year has been so challenging for me and my family; makes me cringe to think how I took all those stress-free years for granted. I love the Oprah quote and will try to ‘get it right’ in 2012! My favorite way to start the new year is to sleep it in…does than make me an optimistic pessimist or a pessimistic optimist? Missed your posts…glad to see you’re back.

  18. I’m with you sister! This past year has been so challenging for me and my family; makes me cringe to think how I took all those stress-free years for granted. I love the Oprah quote and will try to ‘get it right’ in 2012! My favorite way to start the new year is to sleep it in…does than make me an optimistic pessimist or a pessimistic optimist? Missed your posts…glad to see you’re back.

  19. Great to see a post from you. I hope 2012 is a better year for you and your family. I’m not so sure that 2012 will be a wonderful year for my family but hey ho, some times you just have to roll with it.
    Happy new year!

  20. Great to see a post from you. I hope 2012 is a better year for you and your family. I’m not so sure that 2012 will be a wonderful year for my family but hey ho, some times you just have to roll with it.
    Happy new year!

  21. It’s easier for us in Ireland because we get to have new year’s eve 8 hours ahead of California! That means we can start with the boozy coffee when we get up in the morning and by tea time, we’re done. haha Say Goodnight, Gracie! Hey… whaddya mean the clocks aren’t the same? It’s midnight somewhere!

  22. It’s easier for us in Ireland because we get to have new year’s eve 8 hours ahead of California! That means we can start with the boozy coffee when we get up in the morning and by tea time, we’re done. haha Say Goodnight, Gracie! Hey… whaddya mean the clocks aren’t the same? It’s midnight somewhere!

  23. Like you, I am ready to shut the door firmly on 2011. I thought once my kids were grown that life would get easier yet this has been one of the most stressful years ever, even though there was a magnificent event towards the end of it when our daughter got married. Goodbye, indeed, 2011!
    A minimalist look for January is often the case around here–sometimes I can’t even bring myself to hang my favorite painting above my mantel!

  24. Like you, I am ready to shut the door firmly on 2011. I thought once my kids were grown that life would get easier yet this has been one of the most stressful years ever, even though there was a magnificent event towards the end of it when our daughter got married. Goodbye, indeed, 2011!
    A minimalist look for January is often the case around here–sometimes I can’t even bring myself to hang my favorite painting above my mantel!

  25. Happy New Year, Nicole. Looking forward to reading your blogs in the coming months. I am expecting 2012 to be a little more calm for me…I had 3 grandbabies born this year to 3 daughters. This was some busy year.

  26. Happy New Year, Nicole. Looking forward to reading your blogs in the coming months. I am expecting 2012 to be a little more calm for me…I had 3 grandbabies born this year to 3 daughters. This was some busy year.

  27. Wishing you a happy 2012 whatever you decide to do to celebrate the new year! The suitcase custom sounds like it could be a lot of fun if nothing else! Good to have you back blogging!

  28. Wishing you a happy 2012 whatever you decide to do to celebrate the new year! The suitcase custom sounds like it could be a lot of fun if nothing else! Good to have you back blogging!

  31. Nicole, Hope the new year brings you every good thing. We have had our challenges this year and are looking forward instead of behind. Here’s to 2012 may it bring us all luck!!!

  32. Nicole, Hope the new year brings you every good thing. We have had our challenges this year and are looking forward instead of behind. Here’s to 2012 may it bring us all luck!!!

  33. Happy New Year Nicole. I hope for you many blessings in the coming new year. Tomorrow the crap, ummmm, decorations all get taken down and put away. Can’t wait!
    Blessings,
    Marge

  34. Happy New Year Nicole. I hope for you many blessings in the coming new year. Tomorrow the crap, ummmm, decorations all get taken down and put away. Can’t wait!
    Blessings,
    Marge

  35. Hi Nicole the decorations are supposed to come down on the 12’th day of xmas that is the 6’th of january that is an old custom.I hope you have A great year.with all your family.I have been a bit slack last year but this year I will be on the ball you will hear from me more.Lots of love to you and family.
    Hugs Mary.xx

  36. Hi Nicole the decorations are supposed to come down on the 12’th day of xmas that is the 6’th of january that is an old custom.I hope you have A great year.with all your family.I have been a bit slack last year but this year I will be on the ball you will hear from me more.Lots of love to you and family.
    Hugs Mary.xx

  41. How wonderful to see you blogging again!
    I will be one of those happy to see 2011 gone! Our hot water heater leaked today and caused some fairly significant drywall damage in the house. It is never convenient to have these problems but over a holiday weekend, it is particularly difficult. Needless to say, we have no hot water, hopefully just til tomorrow when we will pay sizeably to have a new hot water installed!
    Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!!

  42. How wonderful to see you blogging again!
    I will be one of those happy to see 2011 gone! Our hot water heater leaked today and caused some fairly significant drywall damage in the house. It is never convenient to have these problems but over a holiday weekend, it is particularly difficult. Needless to say, we have no hot water, hopefully just til tomorrow when we will pay sizeably to have a new hot water installed!
    Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!!

  47. Most years I like to clear the clutter but I find myself dreading taking it down this year. I just don’t want to let go. I am not optimistic about 2012 and I don’t know why. But, I did spend my last day of 2011 stitching all day so I will take that as a sign that things will be pleasant. Here’s to a good new year for you!

  48. Most years I like to clear the clutter but I find myself dreading taking it down this year. I just don’t want to let go. I am not optimistic about 2012 and I don’t know why. But, I did spend my last day of 2011 stitching all day so I will take that as a sign that things will be pleasant. Here’s to a good new year for you!

  49. I’m glad to see the back of 2011, the coming year is full of possibilities, including quilty ones. Happy New Year!

  50. I’m glad to see the back of 2011, the coming year is full of possibilities, including quilty ones. Happy New Year!

  51. Happy New Year from England.
    No great celebrations last night just happy to have a nice warm home lovely husband and sons happy with their partners.Looking forward to May when your fantastic Barry Manilow visits us, three great concerts already booked.Plenty of sewing planed and an idea not to let anything else distract me from a quilt that has been on the go for three years now,must get it finished.
    All the best to you and your family.
    Kath kershaw.

  52. Happy New Year from England.
    No great celebrations last night just happy to have a nice warm home lovely husband and sons happy with their partners.Looking forward to May when your fantastic Barry Manilow visits us, three great concerts already booked.Plenty of sewing planed and an idea not to let anything else distract me from a quilt that has been on the go for three years now,must get it finished.
    All the best to you and your family.
    Kath kershaw.

  53. Hi Nicole!
    Good morning from the East Coast – 2012 is nearly 9 1/2 hours old. I spent much of yesterday transferring birthdays and anniversaries to my new calendar. Why did it take so long? Aside from interruptions, I doodle and add stickers feeding my frustrated inner artist or kindergarten teacher.
    Decorations are still up, but the knick knacks are beginning to mass on the dining room table for repacking. Our tree went up on the 17th due to my sewing and I don’t want to take it down yet.
    What a hoot about the suitcases!
    Hope you’ll soon be back M-F as before! Wish!
    Happy New Year and hugs!

  54. Hi Nicole!
    Good morning from the East Coast – 2012 is nearly 9 1/2 hours old. I spent much of yesterday transferring birthdays and anniversaries to my new calendar. Why did it take so long? Aside from interruptions, I doodle and add stickers feeding my frustrated inner artist or kindergarten teacher.
    Decorations are still up, but the knick knacks are beginning to mass on the dining room table for repacking. Our tree went up on the 17th due to my sewing and I don’t want to take it down yet.
    What a hoot about the suitcases!
    Hope you’ll soon be back M-F as before! Wish!
    Happy New Year and hugs!

  55. Nicole, all the best for you and your family for 2012. I too love the cleaning out of all the Holiday stuff as part of an overall plan to greet the new year. I have missed reading your blog and am glad that you are back!

  56. Nicole, all the best for you and your family for 2012. I too love the cleaning out of all the Holiday stuff as part of an overall plan to greet the new year. I have missed reading your blog and am glad that you are back!

  57. Happy New Year Nicole, and welcome back. Wishing you and your family health and happiness in 2012.

  58. Happy New Year Nicole, and welcome back. Wishing you and your family health and happiness in 2012.

  59. You got it almost right Nicole..I hope the door does hit last year in the big ole butt really hard on it’s way out LOL! We had a rough year too with hubby’s cancer and like you, I’m hoping and wishing and praying that 2012 will be filled with calmness, good health, and a chance to catch our breath! Hope yours is the best year ever also!

  60. You got it almost right Nicole..I hope the door does hit last year in the big ole butt really hard on it’s way out LOL! We had a rough year too with hubby’s cancer and like you, I’m hoping and wishing and praying that 2012 will be filled with calmness, good health, and a chance to catch our breath! Hope yours is the best year ever also!

  63. Wishing you a healthy, happy, stress-free new year.
    As our decorations only went up on the 24th they will stay so until next weekend.
    I look forward to seeing some more of your fantastic quilting creations in the coming year (oops it is this year already isn’t it).

  64. Wishing you a healthy, happy, stress-free new year.
    As our decorations only went up on the 24th they will stay so until next weekend.
    I look forward to seeing some more of your fantastic quilting creations in the coming year (oops it is this year already isn’t it).

  67. I’m so glad you’re back! I hope all is well… I feel EXACTLY the same way about 2011. It was one tough year around here. My husband cut out a cartoon of a beautiful lady labeled 2012 going to her pedestal~ and walking off was a battered OLD lady who was saying, “Good luck!”
    Hopefully 2012 will be a bit easier to deal with.
    Can’t wait to see what you’ll be doing next!

  68. I’m so glad you’re back! I hope all is well… I feel EXACTLY the same way about 2011. It was one tough year around here. My husband cut out a cartoon of a beautiful lady labeled 2012 going to her pedestal~ and walking off was a battered OLD lady who was saying, “Good luck!”
    Hopefully 2012 will be a bit easier to deal with.
    Can’t wait to see what you’ll be doing next!

  69. I feel about 2011 like you do. It was about a year ago this week that I found out that I have a problem with my pancreas and 2011 for the most part has sucked ever since. There were some fun things to remember but mostly I spent most of my time at Mass General Hospital. I am looking forward to 2012 and getting a handle on things. Hope your 2012 is a great one too.

  70. I feel about 2011 like you do. It was about a year ago this week that I found out that I have a problem with my pancreas and 2011 for the most part has sucked ever since. There were some fun things to remember but mostly I spent most of my time at Mass General Hospital. I am looking forward to 2012 and getting a handle on things. Hope your 2012 is a great one too.

  71. What few decorations I had out, are now tucked away for another year. I haven’t done much quilting in the last few weeks, been down in the dumps for some unknown reason and just not in the mood. Hope that changes with the new year. It’s so good to see you back blogging again, you always raise my spirits! Thanks

  72. What few decorations I had out, are now tucked away for another year. I haven’t done much quilting in the last few weeks, been down in the dumps for some unknown reason and just not in the mood. Hope that changes with the new year. It’s so good to see you back blogging again, you always raise my spirits! Thanks

  73. Happy New Year! I had to laugh, picturing folks running across the street with their suitcases. How fun, though!
    We live in a cul-de-sac. So how, exactly, would that work? Would it mean you’d always return home safely? 😉
    Good to see you and hope all will be better in the new year!

  74. Happy New Year! I had to laugh, picturing folks running across the street with their suitcases. How fun, though!
    We live in a cul-de-sac. So how, exactly, would that work? Would it mean you’d always return home safely? 😉
    Good to see you and hope all will be better in the new year!

  75. You’re back…so happy to see you again! 2011 was a difficult year for many. I’m hoping and praying that 2012 will be better for all of us. Happy New Year! ;p

  76. You’re back…so happy to see you again! 2011 was a difficult year for many. I’m hoping and praying that 2012 will be better for all of us. Happy New Year! ;p

  77. Ha-ha, it would be worth the price of admission to see you running back and forth across the street with your suitcase! 🙂 Happy New Year!

  78. Ha-ha, it would be worth the price of admission to see you running back and forth across the street with your suitcase! 🙂 Happy New Year!

  79. It was a rough year for us, too. My dear Dad died in late October and it was just one thing after another ending with a car accident in December. You are soooo right. Good riddance 2011 and bring on some sewing and fun in 2012. I am glad you are back gal, really nice to catch up with you. That sewing room will be awesome and a place to be all yours. lots of love, Pam

  80. It was a rough year for us, too. My dear Dad died in late October and it was just one thing after another ending with a car accident in December. You are soooo right. Good riddance 2011 and bring on some sewing and fun in 2012. I am glad you are back gal, really nice to catch up with you. That sewing room will be awesome and a place to be all yours. lots of love, Pam