Looking Forward
Posted on: January 4, 2016
- In: Dreams | Inspiration
- 36 Comments
2016 has started off well. We ate our twelve grapes at midnight for good luck, viewed fireworks from our terrace, and watched Bryan Adams bring in the New Year in London on television, while he played all my favourite songs. Then watched the amazing fireworks in London. It was a Spanish/English/Canadian New Year´s Eve for us.
12 grapes each to be eaten at midnight for good luck. A Spanish tradition
To learn more about this tradition read about it on Glamour Granny Travels http://www.glamourgrannytravels.com/2015/12/24/grapes-and-cava-a-spanish-new-years-eve-tradition/
On New Years day we went for lunch with my in-laws at a fabulous restaurant called La Herradura (The Horseshoe) where we enjoyed a delicious eight course meal and a Flamenco dance performance. A great start to the New Year.
La Herradura
Flamenco dancer
With my mother-in-law at La Herradura
New Year´s Lunch with the in-laws
Now it´s time for me to look forward and set goals for 2016.
1. Amanda on the Danube – The Sounds of Music successfully launched
2. Finish Amanda in New Mexico – The Ghost Hotel
3. Do more promoting of all the Amanda books and Pig on Trial
4. Connect with local schools and book stores
5. Continue to explore Spain, attend cultural events and write about them
6. Travel to Holland, France and England
7. Work hard at making new friends in Spain
8. Attend Pueblo Ingles with friends
9. Take time to read more
10. Practice Spanish
11. Keep learning more about writing
12. Enjoy my more relaxed life style
13. Look after my health by eating better and exercising more
14. Keep in touch with family and friends back home via social media and mail
15. Help other writers meet their goals
16. Be thankful for at least three things every day.
By writing these goals down and sharing them with you, my wonderful readers, I will be more committed to reach them.
Thank all of you for your encouragement and support over the years. I truly do appreciate it. May all your dreams come true in 2016!!
If you can dream it, you can do it! Walt Disney
I´ll leave you with two short videos of the flamenco show.
36 Responses to "Looking Forward"
January 4, 2016 at 3:14 am
Darlene I think you had MY perfect New Years right down to Bryan Adams! I did not know about the 12 grapes but will remember it for next year!Chris
January 4, 2016 at 3:45 am
It was a perfect New Years! I love the grape tradition and did not know about it until we moved here. All the best Chris!!
January 4, 2016 at 3:47 am
Happy New Year Darlene. Looks like a great flow you have going in 2016!
January 4, 2016 at 4:17 am
All the best to you and yours Shea. I hope all goes well for you as you move forward. ❤
January 4, 2016 at 4:29 am
What a great start to 2016. You reminded me of something I had completely forgotten with the grapes. I shared a flat in Edinburgh for a while with a lovely Spanish girl who told me about that custom and I remember not believing her because it sounded so bizarre. An eight course meal sounds pretty filling, and must have taken quite a while to get through. Good job you had that wonderful flamenco entertainment to accompany it. I think your goals are all admirable and I’m amazed that you’re already onto the next Amanda book, New Mexico. You’re on fire! I was interested to see a visit to Holland on your list, too. It’s a beautiful country, and somewhere I’d like to revisit myself some time. I read a quote recently that I liked and which you’re probably familiar with: “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it will achieve” – Napoleon Hill.
January 4, 2016 at 5:48 am
Thanks as always for your positive comments. Yes, I had heard the Napoleon Hill quote but it was a long time ago and had forgotten about it. I have a friend in Holland who wants us to come for a visit. It is a place I have always wanted to explore. So much to see and do in this amazing world!
January 4, 2016 at 5:17 am
Happy New Year Darlene. Looks like you had a fabulous one. What wonderful grounding you have set for yourself for 2016. Look orward to following you through and also hearing about your travels. Hopefully NZ is on your list to visit someday. 🙂
January 4, 2016 at 5:50 am
I would so love to visit New Zealand! Right now we are determined to see as much of Europe as possible but NZ is on the list. Thanks for all your encouragement over the past years Diane! ❤
January 4, 2016 at 5:24 am
I missed out on eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight. Still I hope for good luck in 2016. By the way, I have made a list of goals too. Even though I may miss the mark, I least I have taken good aim in this first week of the new year!
January 4, 2016 at 5:53 am
I am sure you will still have good luck. My dad always said, “You make your own luck.” I don´t think goals are always entirely met but they give us something to aim for. Good luck on meeting most of yours. You have been such a loyal follower and supported. ❤
January 4, 2016 at 2:41 pm
What a robust list Darlene! Wishing you every success and happiness in 2016!
January 5, 2016 at 1:08 am
Thanks Sue. I hope it is doable. We´ll see. I can´t wait to see where your travels will take you this year. Happy 2016!
January 4, 2016 at 11:53 pm
That’s a hefty list, Darlene. Lots o luck.
blessings ~ maxi
January 5, 2016 at 1:09 am
Thanks Maxi. I may need lots o luck!! Appreciate all your support. ❤
January 5, 2016 at 9:08 am
Happy New Year Darlene and Paul. Wishing you a year of adventure, abundance and overflowing joy.
January 5, 2016 at 6:51 pm
Thank you so much Cathy. All the best to you and the family in 2016!! ❤
January 5, 2016 at 11:00 am
Happy New Year Darlene. I hope it is year filled with joy and wonder. Loved your multicultural New Year! Looked like a lot of fun! Great photos.
January 5, 2016 at 6:53 pm
It has been quite a year for us. Thanks for your comments and support. It means a lot. Happy New Year to you and yours. 😀
January 6, 2016 at 12:04 am
I have always loved the 12 grape tradition. Happy New Year!
January 6, 2016 at 12:05 am
This is the first year I have participated in it. It was fun! Happy New Year to you as well.
January 6, 2016 at 11:01 pm
Happy New Year! It’s cool about the 12 grapes!
January 6, 2016 at 11:33 pm
Happy Happy New Year to you as well. I love all these different traditions. Happy Three Kings Day which is today. If you lived in Spain you would be getting your gifts today from the Three Kings (Wise Men). (if you had been good all year of course)
January 7, 2016 at 1:13 am
It sounds like your started the year off perfectly. Good for you for setting up your goals for 2016. You did so well last year that I’m sure you will be successful this year.
January 7, 2016 at 1:18 am
Thanks Karen. I worked on Chapter 2 of Amanda in New Mexico today so feeling I´m on track! Happy New To you and yours!!
January 7, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Lots of goods things. Bryan Adams brought in the New Year in England? Missed that. But then I didn’t watch ours get brought in either; I was in bed.
Great goals for the new year. I’ve always said I’d like to learn Spanish. Now is not the time though because life is too busy with everything else. Maybe when my son returns to school in grade nine, I can use 30 minutes that would have went to homeschooling for my Spanish schooling.
I wish you all the best this new year, and with all your goals. Happy health and happy writing.
January 7, 2016 at 6:46 pm
Thank you Diane. I should be able to pick up Spanish just living here but so many speak English here. I have never been good at learning a language through lessons. Happy New Year to you as well and I wish you all the best in meeting your goals for 2016!
January 7, 2016 at 11:24 pm
Happy 2016, Darlene! Those are wonderful goals, especially the one on enjoying your relaxed lifestyle. I love your upcoming Amanda titles as well. Hope to help spread the news when they are launched!
January 7, 2016 at 11:35 pm
Thanks so much Claudine. Your support over the years has been amazing!! Happy New Year!!
January 8, 2016 at 9:38 am
I love your goals, and you’re so right. I need to list mine also. You’re inspiring me! I hope all of your dreams/goals come true for 2016.
January 8, 2016 at 7:16 pm
Thank you so much! We will encourage each other to meet our goals over the year!!
February 9, 2016 at 11:42 pm
So many of your goals are mine as well. Espcially the reading, writing and marketing ones. Suppose it is true for all writers.
I loved your multicultural New Years eve as well. We did not stay up but went to bed,like usual. We miss a lot. However I stayed in my chair and slept till twelve last night. lol and now am up trying to write!!
So many distractions!!
Love,
Clar
February 10, 2016 at 12:47 am
I’m pleased we are on the same page Clar! I hope your 2016 sees many of your wishes come true!!
Darlene Foster's Blog 
January 4, 2016 at 3:00 am
Awesome kick off of your journey! I really believe that “If you can dream it, you can do it!” Just imagine success, feel it, smell it, and find ways to make it! Thanks for sharing this. How lovely~
January 4, 2016 at 3:44 am
Thanks so much for visiting my blog Kah! All the best for the New Year!!