Last week I told you about my resolution. I also told you I had a project in the works that I could not wait to show you - well now it’s time.

I am adding something new to this space. Something I am calling the “Dear Friend” project. It is my way of getting to know you by way of your mailbox.

I mentioned in my resolution post that every one of us needs encouragement. Few things encourage me like a handwritten letter. That is why I have created a new page that will allow me to connect with you - my readers, on a whole new level. From my desk to your mailbox.

This resolution means more to me than a vow made over glasses of champagne. I believe that if we choose to form a habit of reaching out to those around us we can become better people. And isn’t that the purpose of resolutions?

“Dear Friend” has been an idea of mine since I started dreaming up this space, and I am so glad to finally share it with you. So write to me. If you want to share your favorite biscuit recipe I would love to try it out! I would love to invite myself into your mailbox - to write to you. If you would like to correspond through pen and paper you can find out how to do so on my new page.

Let’s reach out beyond our towns and workplaces this year. Write and share with old friends and new ones, because in the end we are all just trying to make sense of this life.

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie

Every one of us needs encouragement. It is important to be reminded we are loved. To be told that our hair looks fabulous, and you know what? You’re an awesome scrabble-player. Life passes out a lot of big things making the little things the most refreshing.

Someone sent me a letter several weeks ago. Not an email, not a text, but a tangible stamped envelope. And as I pulled it out from the stack of Christmas advertisements I smiled because the handwriting had already told me who it was from.

The letter had not come to wish me a happy birthday, or to say happy holidays. It simply came to remind me that someone loved me, someone who thinks it is cool when I come to their house in sweat pants and drink all their vanilla tea.

I have always loved receiving letters but I am sorry to say that I have been poor at actively sending them myself. Perhaps this was the final inspiration I needed. Just the push necessary to get me going. And so, cliche though it may be, I have made a resolution for the coming year. To begin the habit of writing letters. I want to play my role in preserving the tradition which is slowly being forgotten. To encourage and connect with those around me. Near or far, because everyone is fighting their own battle.

“Every man has his secret sorrows which the world knows not, and often we call a man cold when he is only sad.” - Longfellow

One letter may not be able to repair all of our problems. But, what it can do is remind us how little many of them matter.

Happy New Year's friends! Thank you for all the support you have given me this past year. I am excited about some new projects currently in the works and I can not wait to share them with you! But for now, welcome to 2014!

Sincerely,

Pedantic Foodie