What is really important

In the new year, it is time to remember what is really important.

Home Sanctuary tells about why she decided making a home the sanctuary away from life's problems for her family.

You are not committing to being a superwoman - we know we can't keep that up for more than a week, tops. What you ARE committing to is a deliberate choice to find beauty in each day, no matter how difficult your circumstances. It's there, and God will help you find it - I know he will. Commit to doing ONE thing - a Small Thing from here at Home Sanctuary or something of your own choosing - that brings a touch of peace, order or beauty into your home.

and from the other side of the "mommy wars", Professor Mary Beard muses on getting older, and doesn't regret raising her family.

And let me say to any young female academic with a brood of kids, who thinks her career is going down the tubes..so was mine (as several of my more waspish male colleagues enjoyed saying) back then, a couple of decades ago...... in fact people talked about the "tragedy" of my career. But stick in there; keep your name on the map; and dont let the buggers get you down.

Barnes and Nobel blog discusses a new book about the French emphasis on family and food:

his grandest point: that eating, that the table, is for slowing down life to promote good cheer. To eat well is to feel happy.

And Lifetrainblog has a story about gold wrapping paper. Go there and read it...