2017: A Year In Review

I love that there’s a whole new year ahead of us — full of hope and possibility — and can’t wait to see how it unfolds. One of the things I like to do this time of year is to take time to reflect and honor the past 365 days.

For us, 2017 was a year filled with waiting and planning. We were also able to cross a few items off our perpetual to-do list. Please allow me to share the highlights and favorite posts from this past year.

JANUARY

The Chief embarked on a 7-month deployment aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

We couldn’t be any prouder of his military service, however his absence left a big hole in our family unit. To help ease the separation on both ends, we stayed connected by sending care packages and keeping the kids involved throughout the deployment.

With the Chief gone for most of the year, we didn’t take on many home improvements. One of the things we did before he left, however, was to remove a clunky stock cabinet in the kitchen and replace it with industrial pipe open shelving.

Even though we plan to completely remodel the kitchen one day, these shelves continue to be a source of satisfaction and a good reminder that even small, budget-friendly changes can deliver big impacts.

FEBRUARY

Over the course of the year, I partnered with Hometalk to record a few live video tutorials to inspire other DIYers. One such partnership was tackling ways to get ready for the Super Bowl. These five fabulous football DIYs are perfect for the upcoming big game and all season long. (Video HERE.)

MARCH

I shared the fancy floral details of our daughter’s third birthday party.

I love planning and hosting any reason to gather with friends and family, especially when it includes good food like this creamy chicken and wild rice soup.

It’s timely to share again as this delicious soup is sure to warm your belly and ward off the cold winds rising this winter.

APRIL

I received a plant cutting from a friend that inspired a watermelon and pineapple planter. These fruity terra cotta pots are one of the top projects of 2017 and were featured by the craft store, A.C. Moore in its email campaign.

Also featured this year by Shutterfly were the wall-mounted bookshelves we built for our daughter’s new room.

We continue to be humbled and so very thankful for the support we’ve received for the blog!

MAY & JUNE

Since I’ve been bit by the Gardening Bug, I showed you how I arrange outdoor planters — hanging and container. I planted over a dozen containers for our outdoor spaces this past spring and summer and can’t wait to share more gardening tips and tricks in the coming year!

JULY

I celebrated my 42nd birthday and shared 42 things about me. (Yes, I had to do the math again.)

With only a month left until the end of deployment, the kids and I stayed busy by checking off activities on our list of summer outdoor things to do. Kona came, too.

AUGUST

Finally, after months of waiting, the Chief returned home from deployment and our family was whole again. (Read about it HERE.)

It should come as no surprise there were no posts in August. ;)

SEPTEMBER brought the start of a new school year for both kids.

OCTOBER

I caught up on posting the last two birthday parties for our son: A Nightmare Before Christmas-themed party that I saved to coincide with Halloween,

and his Super Sonic Sixth Birthday Party. The kids dressed as Sonic and Tails for Halloween this year.

We also took a family vacation to Legoland Florida in October. I’ll write more about that adventure soon, but as the song says, “Everything [was] awesome!”

I earned a few weekend getaways as post-deployment gifts as well and returned to my old stomping grounds in New York City (more on that later, too).

Then to Colorado to attend the Broncos vs. Patriots game. (Have I mentioned that I’m a diehard Broncos fan?) My dear friend, Lea, is a Patriots fan, but I think she caught low-grade Broncos Fever while visiting the Mile High City with me.

NOVEMBER found us working to grow our sense of gratitude with a Thankful Tree. It is definitely a tradition worth repeating each year.

DECEMBER

With the holiday season came the return of The 12 Baking Days of Christmas series. So much deliciousness in one month!

The year has gone by in a flash, and I am grateful for the things we accomplished, the blessings bestowed upon us, and the hardships that gave way to life lessons. I am also pretty pumped about implementing and blogging about some of our plans in the coming year — stay tuned!

Thank you for choosing to follow along and support this creative endeavor. May 2018 be the best year yet for you and your family! Happy New Year, everyone! — v.