So beautiful. For someone who doesn’t believe in resolutions, this whole post would be a perfect wish for a 2026 lifestyle. I love the ‘world resolution’ and the knitting stitcher. My escape craft is art. I am totally enjoying preparing some coloured pencil miniatures for a group exhibition next year. Such a joy to disappear into a remembered landscape, capturing those elements that gave such joy. Sigh.
Thank you for the beautiful photos of your personal paradise. And thank you for the Simon and Garfunkel song at the end.
Wishing us all a year of peace, good health and happiness. Take care dear Prue.
Beth, how exciting! I wish you could show us your work!
My daughter gave me a miniature, portable watercolour set for Christmas as I expressed a wish to return to painting in watercolour after watching a documentary on King Charles and his art.
My husband gave me a watch this year for Christmas. It’s been years since I’ve had a watch. In just a few days it has launched me into thoughts on living an analogue life. I already have a pretty alarm clock beside my bed that packs up in a suitcase like the one my grandmother had. My resolution is to leave my phone in the kitchen at night. (I already know it will be an issue when I want to fall asleep to an audio book!) Needless to say your words this morning were just right. Thank you Prue!
Perfect Lindsay, and snap! I have two little clocks on the bench ready to take to the watchman for new batteries. Specifically one for my bedside, so that I no longer have to take my phone to the bedside table. The other is a folding alarm clock for the sitting room because our phones are in another room, and we rarely watch TV. The little clock will tell us when its time...
I fall asleep every night to a "sleep story" from the Calm app. (but no scrolling!) It would be hard to give that up, since falling asleep isn't as easy as it used to be...good luck!
Well yes to all this and so funny because you have perfectly described how I have been spending post-Christmas time here as well: organizing a kitchen cupboard, ferrying gifts to their rightful places and grabbing a shortbread each time I pass! It is pretty soothing. Also, speaking of slowing down, we are just coming out of the grips of a massive ice storm here: power lines down, tree branches too and the power was off for an hour or two. But there's something very rewarding and smug about having candles, quality leftovers and good conversations at the ready. xo
A wonderful way to cope with power outages! While we have rechargeable LED lanterns instead of candles, “quality leftovers and good conversations” make the dark hours somehow special 😊
The Marie Condo-ing has been fabulous. I may do a post on it. Pantry and silver cleaning before 2026.
The candles sound very romantic. I hope you escape any icy danger unscathed. On Christmas Day I would have said it was icy here but since then, we have returned to wearing shorts and spending time at the beach swimming. It's weird weather time!
Perfect sentiment and lovely images in photos and your carefully crafted words. And oh what a wonderful song by those harmony masters! Thank you for bringing the calm reminders to slow down, go analog and be peaceful. ☺️ we’ll all be the better for it! Happy healthy new year to you and yours!💕
This was beautiful beyond words. Reading it, I felt so soothed and calm. I’m fortunate that I already live a (mostly) slow life, yet your idea to cook slowly, like you are doing a tea ceremony will enhance my life immeasurably!
While I don’t really do resolutions, I have instantly resolved to make *one*: to reread and re-savor this gorgeous post—and each day, put all your peaceful and generous suggestions into practice. Thank you, Prue.
Prue, I am picturing you moving through all of these scenarios, and it's playing in my head like one of those extended scenes in a movie when no one speaks, so all other sounds are amplified. The photos anchor everything in a peaceful, gentle unfolding. Just glorious.
I'm no resolution-maker, but I have benefitted from focusing on a word or an idea for the year. Your phrase "a holy chorus" coupled with some earlier thoughts about returning to singing is feeling like it wants me to follow it somewhere.
Happy New Year, my friend! I do hope your wishes for good health materialize!
Last night's walk was so stunning. The photos sadly don't do it justice. i have thought of it a lot today. It was like walking in the middle of a watercolour painting - all soft and blurred. We came home, had a cup of tea and chocolate. Perfect! Happy NY to you and yours too.
‘Yes’ to all of this. I’d kind of come to same conclusion - wanting to ‘go slow’ although didn’t know this had become a thing - had not seen this on social media or anywhere as have begun to stop looking…just a feeling of wanting to be at home, in the garden, in my head. Have even bought myself some knitting! So thank you for articulating how I am feeling Prue. Have a wonderful, peaceful, healthy 2026 full of all good things.
Whilst I want to be physically able and fit, I want to take time to enjoy my garden, to be a part of what surrounds me. Slowly ... not racing through and saying in the words of Meg Ryan's French Kiss - "beautiful, gorgeous, wish you were here!" I think my words for 2026 are Savour and Serenity. Here's to a year of both.
But there's the thing, you see - online, most of those who talk about living slow are the 30-50's. Good on them, I say. Get off the screens, live life, do it the old way. It was a pretty nice way of living.
Slow is my preferred speed. After a lifetime of hurrying to school, work, school again (for the kids), their extracurricular activities, etc., it's nice to move leisurely...meeting only MY deadlines (most of the time).
I plan to make a few changes to "go analog," and your post is an inspiration! Thank you, and may we all have a new year that brings good health and peace. ☮️
And may the efforts of decent people overcome the hate and greed that circulate throughout the world like a nasty virus. 🙏
The uploader has not made that video available in my country! But S&G are favs so no worries. Happy New Year to you and thanks for the reminders for a slower, quieter world. ~J
So beautiful. For someone who doesn’t believe in resolutions, this whole post would be a perfect wish for a 2026 lifestyle. I love the ‘world resolution’ and the knitting stitcher. My escape craft is art. I am totally enjoying preparing some coloured pencil miniatures for a group exhibition next year. Such a joy to disappear into a remembered landscape, capturing those elements that gave such joy. Sigh.
Thank you for the beautiful photos of your personal paradise. And thank you for the Simon and Garfunkel song at the end.
Wishing us all a year of peace, good health and happiness. Take care dear Prue.
Beth, how exciting! I wish you could show us your work!
My daughter gave me a miniature, portable watercolour set for Christmas as I expressed a wish to return to painting in watercolour after watching a documentary on King Charles and his art.
Happy NY!
Enjoy! Such fun. 🤗🤗
My husband gave me a watch this year for Christmas. It’s been years since I’ve had a watch. In just a few days it has launched me into thoughts on living an analogue life. I already have a pretty alarm clock beside my bed that packs up in a suitcase like the one my grandmother had. My resolution is to leave my phone in the kitchen at night. (I already know it will be an issue when I want to fall asleep to an audio book!) Needless to say your words this morning were just right. Thank you Prue!
Perfect Lindsay, and snap! I have two little clocks on the bench ready to take to the watchman for new batteries. Specifically one for my bedside, so that I no longer have to take my phone to the bedside table. The other is a folding alarm clock for the sitting room because our phones are in another room, and we rarely watch TV. The little clock will tell us when its time...
I fall asleep every night to a "sleep story" from the Calm app. (but no scrolling!) It would be hard to give that up, since falling asleep isn't as easy as it used to be...good luck!
I love Calm. Keep it up.
Well yes to all this and so funny because you have perfectly described how I have been spending post-Christmas time here as well: organizing a kitchen cupboard, ferrying gifts to their rightful places and grabbing a shortbread each time I pass! It is pretty soothing. Also, speaking of slowing down, we are just coming out of the grips of a massive ice storm here: power lines down, tree branches too and the power was off for an hour or two. But there's something very rewarding and smug about having candles, quality leftovers and good conversations at the ready. xo
A wonderful way to cope with power outages! While we have rechargeable LED lanterns instead of candles, “quality leftovers and good conversations” make the dark hours somehow special 😊
The Marie Condo-ing has been fabulous. I may do a post on it. Pantry and silver cleaning before 2026.
The candles sound very romantic. I hope you escape any icy danger unscathed. On Christmas Day I would have said it was icy here but since then, we have returned to wearing shorts and spending time at the beach swimming. It's weird weather time!
The photos were/are stunning, Prue. What a beautiful place you live and roam. Wishing you and yours the best for 2026!
We are so very fortunate, Mary. I pinch myself daily. Best to you for the NY.
Prue have you been inside my head and heart.
It's unreal. I've seen so much about it online. Here's to first gear, slow, stop and sit!
Perfect sentiment and lovely images in photos and your carefully crafted words. And oh what a wonderful song by those harmony masters! Thank you for bringing the calm reminders to slow down, go analog and be peaceful. ☺️ we’ll all be the better for it! Happy healthy new year to you and yours!💕
I sat on the beach today with my grandson and found at first that just sitting felt awry. I began to thnk the word 'slooow'. And before long...
This was beautiful beyond words. Reading it, I felt so soothed and calm. I’m fortunate that I already live a (mostly) slow life, yet your idea to cook slowly, like you are doing a tea ceremony will enhance my life immeasurably!
While I don’t really do resolutions, I have instantly resolved to make *one*: to reread and re-savor this gorgeous post—and each day, put all your peaceful and generous suggestions into practice. Thank you, Prue.
Susan, you are beyond kind. Seriously.
May 2026 be your year of tea ceremonies.
Prue, I am picturing you moving through all of these scenarios, and it's playing in my head like one of those extended scenes in a movie when no one speaks, so all other sounds are amplified. The photos anchor everything in a peaceful, gentle unfolding. Just glorious.
I'm no resolution-maker, but I have benefitted from focusing on a word or an idea for the year. Your phrase "a holy chorus" coupled with some earlier thoughts about returning to singing is feeling like it wants me to follow it somewhere.
Happy New Year, my friend! I do hope your wishes for good health materialize!
Last night's walk was so stunning. The photos sadly don't do it justice. i have thought of it a lot today. It was like walking in the middle of a watercolour painting - all soft and blurred. We came home, had a cup of tea and chocolate. Perfect! Happy NY to you and yours too.
‘Yes’ to all of this. I’d kind of come to same conclusion - wanting to ‘go slow’ although didn’t know this had become a thing - had not seen this on social media or anywhere as have begun to stop looking…just a feeling of wanting to be at home, in the garden, in my head. Have even bought myself some knitting! So thank you for articulating how I am feeling Prue. Have a wonderful, peaceful, healthy 2026 full of all good things.
Whilst I want to be physically able and fit, I want to take time to enjoy my garden, to be a part of what surrounds me. Slowly ... not racing through and saying in the words of Meg Ryan's French Kiss - "beautiful, gorgeous, wish you were here!" I think my words for 2026 are Savour and Serenity. Here's to a year of both.
Maybe it’s to do with getting older? Subconsciously wanting to slow time down as there’s less left?
But there's the thing, you see - online, most of those who talk about living slow are the 30-50's. Good on them, I say. Get off the screens, live life, do it the old way. It was a pretty nice way of living.
Slow is my preferred speed. After a lifetime of hurrying to school, work, school again (for the kids), their extracurricular activities, etc., it's nice to move leisurely...meeting only MY deadlines (most of the time).
I plan to make a few changes to "go analog," and your post is an inspiration! Thank you, and may we all have a new year that brings good health and peace. ☮️
And may the efforts of decent people overcome the hate and greed that circulate throughout the world like a nasty virus. 🙏
Oh golly yes, please let 2026 be kind.
And we must all remind each other to be slow.
May 2026 be your year of good health. I have loved reading your essays this year. Thank you.
And to you, Alice. Thank you for reading, I appreciate it. Here's to a peaceful 2026.
The uploader has not made that video available in my country! But S&G are favs so no worries. Happy New Year to you and thanks for the reminders for a slower, quieter world. ~J
And to you, Janice. May your sails be filled and your seas be smooth.