Tuesday, December 30, 2014

2014 - it's a wrap


I love looking ahead to the possibilities of a new year, but not before I look back and think on the moments that made this year good, and the ones that made it bad too. The ying and the yang, so to speak.

Time goes faster and faster every year, doesn't it? I remember being a kid and thinking the summer lasted for an eternity. As an adult I know it's two shakes of a lamb's tail. The same can be said for a year.
I like to do yearly wrap up posts so I can look back and see my year at a glance. For you, dear readers, maybe there's something you missed along the way. You can click on anything underlined and it will take you to that post.
Some favorite posts - mine and yours
Reflections from 37
bitches eating crackers
why I don't want to hear anyone bitching about how other people act like their lives are perfect,
Romance is dead because that's how I like it
Do what you can
In our house, Buddha wears rosary beads
 the ways I love Dirty Dancing
when I was in high school
Mae's blog post was the most popular and loved. Sorry boys.

MFD said a lot of shit and you guys loved it all. The latest Shit MFD Said is Vol 13 and the links for 1-12 can be found on the bottom of that post.

Cooking: recipes I laid on your table this year
Mac & cheese please - regular & brie with baconBerry CobblerTurkey Rice SoupSnow Day StromboliGa-gung Ga-gung ChiliDamn Good Crescent Roll Jalapeno Popper BitesHeyohhh QuesoPancake BitesShe-Ra Power Breakfast MuffinsZucchini Pie, Greek orzo cold salad, asparagus corn salad, macaroni salad, Baker's one bowl brownies from scratch, unconventional barbecue chicken, lightened up shrimp & corn chowder, avgo-lenono soup, spinach muffins, spinach & artichoke dip, spinach casserole,
Hausfrauing/Organization
10 things I do to make life easier in the kitchen10 tips on decluttering10 Things I do to make daily life easierspring hausfrauing tipsOrganizers I loveLet's talk about vacuumsHow I use essential oils, Five best organizing resources, My top five organizing tips

I also let myself off the hook and got an awesome cleaning lady to come in once a month.

Recommended products: Mr. Clean with Gain and OdoBan (especially if you have a dog that marks)

Goal Check
winterspringsummerfall

Reading
This year, I read 64 books. My top books seven of this year, in no order...except that #1 was definitely my favorite book I read all year.
1. Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler
2. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
3. The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley
4. Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt
5. The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult
6. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen
7. Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Ann Fowler

I also wrote these book related posts: some of the best friends I've never met and started a monthly Show Us Your Books link up with Jana of Jana Says. You can always find those posts in my Reading tab at the top.

Travel
MexicoChicagoDisney CruiseDisney at Christmas

MFD and I also had a lovely long weekend in Salem, MA for Kim & Steve's wedding; an April weekend in Cape May; a few trips to Lori & Jack's, and a weekend in Ocean City with Laura, Chris & the boys. Solo I enjoyed a weekend in Boston for Kim's shower and girls weekend in OCNJ in June.

I also gave you the lowdown on my cruise essentialswhy you should put your toiletries in test tubes, and my Philly Favorites.

Music
Not typically a concert-goer, MFD and I saw Bruno Mars in Hershey, PA, in July and Fleetwood Mac in Philly in October. Both were excellent. Stevie Nicks and I are now best friends. Just thought you should know.

Big Life Things
Both of my Kims and my brother and Aubrey got married this year. We had a blast at all of their wedding events.
Miss Eva the Diva came roaring into the world in April.

Firsts for me
This year, for the first time I...
-Saw a concert in a club box
-Flew first class
-Saw a game at Wrigley Field
-Went to a horse race
-Saw a shore sunrise in the fall
-Took a vacation in December
-Finished Christmas shopping in October
2014 was full and good. I always like the Zora Neale Hurston quote, "There are years that ask questions and years that answer." This year was a year that answered after a few that questioned.

Before we close out 2014, I need to wish my good friend Angie a happy birthday today.
I'm pumped for 2015 because like a true psycho I already have our big vacations booked for the year, and both include places we've never been and things that have long been on my life to do list.

If there's anything you'd like to see on this blog, I'm always open to suggestions. Likewise, if there are any questions you have, you can always email me (lifeaccordingtosteph@gmail.com). Thank you so much for reading this year, but even more for interacting with me, be it by commenting on posts here, via email, on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.

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35 comments:

  1. What an awesome year you had!!! <3 Can't wait to follow along in 2015!

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  2. I totally agree - now that we're older time just flies!!! You had some awesome firsts this year and can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for you!! I think I'm going to follow suit and perhaps hire a cleaning lady for once a month!! treat yo'self right?! xo, Biana - BlovedBoston

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  3. I've got my year in review coming up tomorrow. Love the links to previous posts, since I haven't gotten around to blog stalking back posts. Looks like you had an excellent year, here's to 2015 topping it!

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  4. what a fantastic recap!!! i looking at "the best of..." posts. here's to 2015!

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  5. That was a great post! I liked all of the links to the old posts because I started following later in the year. The birthday post was my favorite and we are actually the same age. I have to check out your #1 book too!

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  6. Sounds like a fantastic year in the books!!! I love all the photos too! You cant look back at a year without photos!

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  7. Sounds like a great year!! I've never been on first class either- maybe 2015 will be my year for that?? Which reminds me I need to book our big trip, you make me think we're way behind!! Oh and I love your cleaning lady once a month idea! Here's to 2015!!

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  8. What a great year! I had never heard of Shotgun Lovesongs until today, and now this is the second time it's popped up in the last 30 minutes so I think I need to check it out. I'm so glad you shared that essential oils post since it's what got me to finally try them.

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  9. Holy moly you did a lot this year! But seriously thanks for being something I look forward to everyday!

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  10. Sounds like a fabulous year with so many fun vacations, weddings and time with friends/family. I already have 3 trips booked for next year myself so nothing psycho about it. lol Love the big Buddha... Where did you get it from?

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  11. Wow, you had a full year!

    I love year recaps. Especially when they're full of photos and previous posts!

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  12. this is one of the best recaps I've read! looks like you really had a phenomenal year. i love reading your posts because you're so true to who you are (plus i most often agree, so that helps too). can't wait to see what you got cooked up for next year!

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  13. Wow busy year w/ lots of fun events. I love year recap posts but they take WAY to long to write and all the links. Kudos to you for getting one done.

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  14. wow you've had a busy and fantastic year!! This is my first time here so it's great to read about everything you've done! Excited to start seeing these recipes on my feed!!

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  15. Lovely recap!!!
    Love all the pictures!!
    Love,your Momma

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  16. i love this recap, especially the 'firsts' thats so cool! you had a super busy year, and i love that quote about years that answered vs questioned. i haven't read any of your top 7 books so i need to get on that. and now i have to read like 10 of the posts you linked to haha :)

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  17. "You all loved the shit MFD said"!!! Haha, indeed. They were my fave. The year FLEW by and it's nice to look back and reflect and remember what actually happened, isn't it?!

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  18. Time seriously does go faster as you get older. I only thought time was flying when I was in my 20's...HA. People have no idea. Anyway, happy 2015 and I'm excited to see what you're planning for the new year!

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  19. I love this. I didn't do a reap last year but I was looking through some of my old recaps from years past and decided to do it again. I like the format you used so I might have to copy you :)

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  20. I just love all of your photos. And it seems like you had an amazing 2014 year. Great post. Happy New Year!

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  21. 2014 was incredible for you! Can't wait to see what 2015 holds for you, and what are these big vacations you speak of? :)

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  22. All your food photos have made me hungry.

    I loved The Storyteller!

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  23. well you have got to top this for 2015! what a jam-packed year!

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  24. I'm so happy I discovered your blog this year! Thoroughly enjoy all the reading and travel posts :)

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  25. You are so good!!!! How do you do it? You have covered the entire year in review. Bravo. What a lovely year it was for you and I am glad I got to follow along with you:) Cheers friend!

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  26. You had a really awesome year & knocked of some great firsts! 64 books is really impressive.

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  27. You had a really awesome year. I need to read all those books! The stuff MFD says is always hilarious! I am not surprised Crazy Mae's post was the favorite. ;)

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  28. Great look back at 2014, I like that they are organized into categories! Hope 2015 is even better!

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  29. Great looks back at the year. I read a lot this year but sucked at tracking it on goodreads :( so I cant even count them! From now on I'll do a monthly post so I can remember. The years really do fly by have a very happy new year steph!

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  30. I love the looking back of the year you have here! Love the firsts, the book section obviously and that you already have some great stuff for 2015 in planning!! Happy New Year!

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  31. Mr. Clean with Gain is the SHIT. ANYTHING with Gain is the shit.

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  32. I love the Zora Neale Hurston quote!! This past year was full of questions with our new military adventure, and this coming year will be full of the answers, like what helicopter Will is going to fly and where we will move next. Blog post idea! Haha.
    I think you guys had a FANTASTIC year and I'm glad you put those links. Some I hadn't read and I love all your recipes. I hope 2015 is just as good to y'all! xoxo

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  33. What a year!! I love seeing your picture collage for it! I'm hoping 2015 is my answer year :) I said I hoping 2014 was transition and 2015 will be direction.

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  34. You had a really great 2014. Can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for you

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