Magnificent, Marvellous, Mighty Monday and Pip Lincolne and Neil Gaiman

Hmm, not sure if Pip and Neil have ever been paired together before but there you go. A first time for everything at Tale Peddler!
Of course both Pip and Neil are worthy of Monday posts on their own and no doubt I will do so in the future. I talk a lot about Pip on this Blog; I do love her chirpy, clever, crafty Blog. I particularly love her recent list of New Year Resolutions which I know a few of you have seen already. If you haven't here it is:

1. Listen to some new music :: Check out your local independent radio station website for playlists and suggestions. Or ask your friends for their tips! Or look at a list!2. Read a new book. Or an old book. I found these lists :: here and here : write the ones that sound good in your notebook so you know what to pick up at the bookstore!3. Grow something. Something on the kitchen bench (not mould!) or something on the window ledge or something in the garden. Try not to kill said something.4. Cook a new recipe! Look here or here or here or click the recipe tab above!5. Learn a new thing! What do you want to learn? Visit the library for ideas! Or look for instructional videos on YouTube!6. Make something crafty. Look here for ideas! Even if you think you're not crafty! This is your year to have a go!7. Improve something little every day. Even if it's just making your pencils nice and sharp or changing the light globe that has been out for weeks. Little improvements are the schizzle, I'm telling you. Totally doable and cumulative.8. Devote time to yourself. You can combine this with point 1 or point 2! Or you can do something else like take a walk or watch a movie or take a long bath. Try to do something every other day for you. Please do. I do. You do it too.9. Notice the good stuff. You don't have to write it down. You can if you like. But notice something good each day. I bet you can find one thing each day. Yep.Happy New Year!If you want to read her list with links then you can find it HERE at her lovely, fab Blog Meet Me at Mikes!
And whether you love, hate or are saying, 'Neil who?' I loved his New Year benediction which I found on Terri Windling's magnificent Blog Drawing Board. You can see his clip HERE but here are a few words from it taken from his journal:

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. -Neil

But finally I have to say I agree with my wise and beautiful Blogging friend Chez Pinry about New Year resolutions and setting ourselves up to disappoint ourselves. To paraphrase, we should really live every day to the best of ourselves and not be so caught up in the chronological time illusion. If you want to read her far more articulate version you can find it here at Chez Pinry.
My word for this year was ORGANIZE. Huh! I know that's not exactly the most original aim of this year. But as Pip said, I want to improve things even in a small way every day and as Neil says, surprise myself.
Oh yes - surprise myself. Watch the Neil broadcast if you have time. I think it's lovely. And in case you're worried, Pip does have a whole face. That's just my pants computer skills.
Thanks for popping in. I hope you have a magnificent week. xx

pip lincolne image source:

neil gaiman image source: