Happy New Year - Here's to 2013!

So another new year rolls around.  Hard to believe we are in 2013 already, it seems like only yesterday everyone was panicking that the world would 'crash' on millenium eve! Time really does appear to speed up the older you get, believe me!  Last night for us was a quiet one.  We had family over, a warming beef dish in the slow cooker, old fashioned board games and laughs a plenty and I was so very thankful to share my New Year's Eve with some of the people I love the most in the world.
1st January 2013 dawned bright and sunny, the first dry, blue-skied day we have had in...I don't know how long.  Mr B.P. was desperate to go to the beach, so we loaded up the car, took the hound and set off.  Unfortunately so did half of the west country - our favorite beach was PACKED!!! But it was great, saying Daisy loves the beach is a total understatement, she is beyond excited when she gets her paws into sand and there was so much going on and so many people and other dogs to greet, that she is now lying pooped on the sofa!

The beautiful Dorset coastline

The older I've become the less likely I am to make New Year resolutions.  As fantastic as they are, I sometimes think we put ourselves under so much pressure to achieve certain things in the coming year that we end up not living in the present and we get despondent when we don't achieve all of which we set out to do when we gaily made those resolutions.

Erosion on the coastline

Sure I want to do/see/achieve things in 2013.  I feel it is very important as humans that we continue to grow and learn, but this year I will be kind on myself.  I promise to just be as kind as I can to others, to laugh more, to stop rushing through life so much and instead notice the wonder of the world we live it - it can be truly outstanding, and finally to spend less money.  That is it.  Simple, attainable goals.

Blackened driftwood on the shoreline

Mr B.P. and I do need to reign in our spending this year.  Don't get me wrong we aren't frivolous individuals but we probably do spend more money on 'stuff' we just don't need, I know I am 'guilty as charged'.  We'd really like to move house in the next couple of years so saving money towards that will be the goal.

Beach huts at Studland

So whatever your plans, goals, aspirations or resolutions for 2013, I wish you the very best.  I wish for you health, happiness and peace.  I also hope you will stick around with me and follow my little blog as it grows throughout 2013.
Lastly I will leave you with this photo of Daisy.  She was a bit flummoxed when we came to a small stream which bi-sected the path we were on.  She eventually jumped it! (The stream is just out of shot).

My girl

Happy New Year!