Let's do this. Settle in, it's a whole year in review.
I'm currently reading my 50th book of 2013. These are my top 10:
1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
2. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
3. Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green
5. The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
6. A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams
7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
8. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
10. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
10. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
1. The Blacklist
2. The Americans
3. Downton Abbey
4. Veep
5. The Killing
6. Sons of Anarchy (I'm up to season five)
7. The Sopranos (I watched all episodes this year)
***Favorite People to hate on TV: Dana on Homeland, the inept FBI on The Following, Elena on The Vampire Diaries, Clay on Sons of Anarchy
Favorite Songs
1. Get Lucky - Daft Punk/Pharrell Williams
2. Royals - Lorde
3. Pompeii - Bastille
4. When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
5. Ho Hey - Lumineers
6. Suit & Tie - JT
7. Wake Me Up - Avicii
5. The Killing
6. Sons of Anarchy (I'm up to season five)
7. The Sopranos (I watched all episodes this year)
***Favorite People to hate on TV: Dana on Homeland, the inept FBI on The Following, Elena on The Vampire Diaries, Clay on Sons of Anarchy
Favorite Songs
1. Get Lucky - Daft Punk/Pharrell Williams
2. Royals - Lorde
3. Pompeii - Bastille
4. When I Was Your Man - Bruno Mars
5. Ho Hey - Lumineers
6. Suit & Tie - JT
7. Wake Me Up - Avicii
1. Engagements! Kim & Steve, Stephen & Aubrey, Shawn & Maggie. Happy things.
2. Babies! My aunt Dawn and Sergio and cousin Tiffany and Brandon had babies in June. Two of MFD's cousins had babies - Matthew and Laura and Nicole and Patrick. Frank and Amanda found out they're expecting in 2014.
3. Weddings! Laura & Chris! Lauren & Kevin!
4. Beach weekeends: OCMD trip with family, Girls' Weekend in Cape May, OCNJ with Kim & Steve and straight on to Strathmere with Frank & Amanda
5. Kim & Esteban's Bridal BBQ shower
4. Beach weekeends: OCMD trip with family, Girls' Weekend in Cape May, OCNJ with Kim & Steve and straight on to Strathmere with Frank & Amanda
5. Kim & Esteban's Bridal BBQ shower
6. Maisel joined our family
10. Relay For Life
11. Declaring Sundays stay at home days whenever possible
12. Getting a new king bed
13. Expanding the gallery wall going up the stairs
14. Turning the office into a dressing room and rearranging the upstairs
15. Re-doing the front retaining walls and painting the front door yellow
16. Learning how to do a sage smudge on my house to usher out negativity, how to make perfect rice in the crockpot and freeze it, that hard boiled eggs are easier to peel when you make them in the oven, and how to fold a fitted sheet
17. Already started paying for 2014's vacation
18. MFD had a successful year in his business even though he was on crutches for over 12 weeks - not cool when you're a realtor and need to be on the move
19. We got a fake tree! Finally!
20. I did three spending freezes with not too shabby results, and my next one is set for January with a link up planned for February 4 if you're down. More info to come.
(when the link goes to my pin on pinterest, I've noted alterations in the description)
12. Getting a new king bed
13. Expanding the gallery wall going up the stairs
14. Turning the office into a dressing room and rearranging the upstairs
15. Re-doing the front retaining walls and painting the front door yellow
17. Already started paying for 2014's vacation
18. MFD had a successful year in his business even though he was on crutches for over 12 weeks - not cool when you're a realtor and need to be on the move
19. We got a fake tree! Finally!
20. I did three spending freezes with not too shabby results, and my next one is set for January with a link up planned for February 4 if you're down. More info to come.
1. Roasted Carrots with Thyme
2. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
3. Jalapeno creamed corn
4. Triple chocolate greek yogurt zucchini cake
5. Buffalo chicken pizza
6. No bake energy bites - I omit the coconut
7. Layered Southwest Chicken Casserole a la The Weary Chef
8. Whole wheat waffles
9. Mimi's bread
10. Deconstructed Chicken Parm
11. Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
2. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
3. Jalapeno creamed corn
4. Triple chocolate greek yogurt zucchini cake
5. Buffalo chicken pizza
6. No bake energy bites - I omit the coconut
7. Layered Southwest Chicken Casserole a la The Weary Chef
8. Whole wheat waffles
9. Mimi's bread
10. Deconstructed Chicken Parm
11. Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
1. MAC lipstick in Twig
2. Essie nail polish (above L-R) Madison Ave-Hue, Sunday Funday, Cashmere Bathrobe, and It's Genius
3. L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes, the poor lady's Lancome Definicils
4. Erin Condren planner
5. Trader Joe's Face Wash and Moisturizer
6. Palmolive Soft Touch Aloe
7. Lodge Enamel cast iron dutch oven - total kitchen work horse.
8. Coconut oil - Good for face, body, hair...Christ even my dogs eat it to better their skin and coat
9. Muji Makeup Storage
10. Nordic bakewear - that photo is after using it all year and never once spraying it with nonstick spray. It is exceptional. I buy them at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
3. L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes, the poor lady's Lancome Definicils
4. Erin Condren planner
5. Trader Joe's Face Wash and Moisturizer
6. Palmolive Soft Touch Aloe
7. Lodge Enamel cast iron dutch oven - total kitchen work horse.
8. Coconut oil - Good for face, body, hair...Christ even my dogs eat it to better their skin and coat
9. Muji Makeup Storage
10. Nordic bakewear - that photo is after using it all year and never once spraying it with nonstick spray. It is exceptional. I buy them at TJ Maxx or Marshalls.
Favorite Posts I Wrote
3. Quotes and Reflections that Reflect Me
4. How to Throw a Kick Ass Party
5. This is written by my dog Gus, but still...From the Desk of Augustus Gloop
6. I didn't marry my best friend
7. When Sharing is Not Caring
8. Forgiveness
9. 36 Realizations from 36 Years - Part I and Part II
10. A Thanksgiving Timeline
4. How to Throw a Kick Ass Party
5. This is written by my dog Gus, but still...From the Desk of Augustus Gloop
6. I didn't marry my best friend
7. When Sharing is Not Caring
8. Forgiveness
9. 36 Realizations from 36 Years - Part I and Part II
10. A Thanksgiving Timeline
In general, 2013 as a year was harder than most for many people I know, me included. I won't be sorry to see it go. I also won't be listing the shit events because who wants to read a wahhhhmbulance list? No one, son.
However, from all bad comes good if you're open to it. The things that were hard for me taught me the most even when the only thing they taught me was that I could persevere. Plus look at this large list I've amassed, all these good things! There is always yin and yang, good and bad. I really think you need some bad to appreciate how good the good is. That's life, and there is beauty in the nuances. Signing off with one of my all-time favorite quotes:
However, from all bad comes good if you're open to it. The things that were hard for me taught me the most even when the only thing they taught me was that I could persevere. Plus look at this large list I've amassed, all these good things! There is always yin and yang, good and bad. I really think you need some bad to appreciate how good the good is. That's life, and there is beauty in the nuances. Signing off with one of my all-time favorite quotes:
Loved, loved reading your year in a nutshell! And I'm honored Brie and I made the cut. I'm also not too sad to see 2013 go, but I love your outlook. And you're right, look at the huge list of all the fabulous things that did happen in 2013.
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I love that you both did this. I love reading these and doing a little reflection at the end of the year. 2014 will probably be my only full year living on the east coast so I am beyond excited to have tons of adventures. And I also love hating Dana on Homeland. That made me laugh out loud. I never know if I hate the same people as others do (but we haven't watched any of season 3 yet - so don't spoil anything.)
ReplyDeleteI love your book list! I haven't read many of them and I needed some suggestions, so thanks! Your "I didn't marry my best friend" post is one of my all time favorites.
ReplyDeleteAccentuating the positive! Perfect. Love the landscaping and the yellow door, obv love Stephen and Aub engagement
ReplyDeleteand all the other happiness-es for everyone. #MAISEL - too adorable and a typical girl! Gratitude for what you have and have weathered is divine. Those mini pumpkin cheesecakes- delish! Love that quote, too. Love YOU!
Can't wait to read everyone's list.
Carpe diem! Love your MOMMA
I want to steal maisel!! so glad you posted your fave books too i need to read more in 2014!
ReplyDeleteYES to blacklist and SOA! the most recent season WILL ROCK YOUR FACE OFF.
ReplyDeleteand the KING bed!!! how much do you love it?!
-kathy
Vodka and Soda
ohh so many good things. im hungry and i want new makeup. i love your song choices. so funny we had some overlap. i love it! i need to get on some book reading.
ReplyDeleteLove reading your list! I am going to have to come back to check out your book list so I can add some to my to-read list. I am so sad the Killing isn't on anymore :( but excited the Following is coming back on soon. Love the retaining wall. I am adding so many of your recipes to Pinterest so I can make them all! So looking forward to next year!!
ReplyDeleteI love blogging because it's making it so much easier to remember what happened this year. I hope that your good outweighed your bad and 2014 is even better. I will definitely use your favorite books and/or favorite posts to entertain me during my relaxation time over the holidays!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a great post!! You really had a busy year and I loved reading about it. I need to get my butt in gear and create a post like this. Hopefully I'll have time to link up!!
ReplyDeleteIt's open for another five days Karen, I hope you can!
DeleteYou have had one busy year lady! I am loving all your favorite products, books and such. I will have to check some out! Also, how do you feed your dogs coconut oil? I wonder if it would help Gracie's skin. I never thought of that!
ReplyDeleteholy cow, can we say what a year?? I still think I should move close to you just so you can cook for me! :) but seriously, cheers to 2013 and most importantly, cheers to 2014, I have a feeling it's going to be great for us!! :)
ReplyDeleteCheers to a happier and healthier 2014!
ReplyDeleteI loved the Killing! and I am addicted to the Blacklist. Have you ever seen Strike Back? I finished all three seasons in a week. haha
ReplyDeleteThe Blacklist is SO good- just caught up and love that I guessed he was her father. And Me Before You was incredible! Looks like I definitely need to give Night Circus another chance.
ReplyDeleteYou def had a great year! Here's to an equally amazing 2014 :)
ReplyDeleteI use sage smudge too... my house accepts no negativity! And I'm so happy about Maisel. She seems to have blended in seamlessly.
ReplyDeleteNow, I need to know if I correctly linked up.
I'll ditto what Lauren said about blogging making it easy to remember what you've done! Very glad we made each other's list!
ReplyDeleteHi, My name is Jessica and I suck at blogging this week. I really hoped to partake in this super fun linkup, but...didn't happen!
ReplyDeleteI love awll the favorite things list! THE YELLOW DOOR! That was fun! I still have to get my door color approved...argh! Lots of babies, lots of weddings, lots of fun, but I am with you. 2013 was tough. And I am not sad it's almost over either. I learned a lot this year, but would just prefer to move on...2014 better rock!
I can't even comment on everything, there's too much I love. I love Maisel, I love the new front of your house, I love Downton but damnit- MATTHEW, my heart still hurts, I love all your recipes, I love all those posts because they're my favorites too. And mostly I love that you didn't write a wahhhhmbulance list, even though I know you could have, but instead found all these wonderful things to list. You rock. And also, now I'm hungry and I want Muji storage.
ReplyDeleteDang, already reviewing the year! Nice.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing, amazing year! I am so glad to have been around your blog for most of it :) I hope that 2014 is just as productive and much, much better for you! Also, I think that Gus needs to write another post for us...
ReplyDeleteYou had yourself a jam packed year!!!!! I like how you set this up. I have Cashmere Bathrobe, too... I'm obsessed... it's one of my favorites ever.
ReplyDeleteQuite frankly, I feel like 2013 went by so fast I can't even processed what happened!
ReplyDeleteYay for 50 books! I'm at 50 right now and unless I hurry up with the boring book I'm reading now, it'll probably stay at 50. A Hundred Summers has been on my Kindle for months, maybe I'll just read that instead. :) I'm sorry you had some crappy parts of your year, but to me it looks pretty great. Here's to 2014!
ReplyDeleteso wanted to link up, but I am not making time to blog lately. Oh well. Love your recap. Maybe one day!
ReplyDelete