Top Posts of 2011

Here you have it, the top 5 most visited posts of 2011. 

It's no surprise that three of the five most popular blog posts were about the nursery.  After all, Noah's birth was the big event of 2011. 

If you missed them, be sure to check 'em out here by clicking on the titles.

Here's to a happy, healthy and productive 2012 filled with lots of home renovations, projects and blog posts!

#1. Upcycled Winter Wreath in Seven Steps

#2 Zen Bathroom Inspiration

chictip.com

#3 Nursery Closet Complete

#4 Nursery Progress: Making a Mobile

#5 One Year Giveaway and Nursery Progress

It's always surprising to see what posts get the most readers. Not surprisingly, these aren't my personal favorites (although I DID love creating that wreath). 

My favorites this year are the two big events that defined 2011 for me. 

#1 He's Arrived!

#2 Innocent Determination

My hope is that in 2012 this blog will be filled with even more inspiration.

May your 2012 be filled with peace, love and good health.

Good Writing from 2010

I woke up on New Year's Day and checked my daily blog roll, like always.

I was surprised and excited to find myself as one of Layla's top posts from 2010.   She selected
"Circular Saw Lullabies" as one of her favorite posts of 2010, which made me giddy!

What a wonderful way to open the New Year!

I read through all of her picks and there was some incredible writing out there.  I figured I would put together two of my own favorites from 2010.

A lot of bloggers have great crafts and beautiful homes, but sometimes the writing itself is more informational.  As much as I love all of the beautiful photographs and creative ideas, I also love really good writing.

Remember, I used to be an English teacher?!

I'm guilty of not always putting my best writing forward.  I've considered starting a second blog -- one that is more about the writing than the pretty pictures and fancy decorating.

I could write about some of my life's experiences . . . like how I found myself a single mom of a bi-racial daughter for three years.

Or how I left a very noble profession to enter the world of sales . . . and what goes on in that world.

But I don't have any more time to devote to blogging -- especially when I have a baby on the way!


But some people manage to write beautifully in every single blog post and for that, I admire them.

My two favorite posts of 2010 . . . (insert drum roll please) . . .

Kasey from Lola B's is perhaps one of my favorite bloggers.  She makes me laugh out loud, cry, and enjoy being a mom.  Her writing is fresh and real. I absolutely love her blog and read it daily.  One of my favorite posts of hers this year is "The Perspective Project."


Deborah from The Fairfield House writes with passion.  Her posts are thought-provoking and often sentimental.  She doesn't post every day but when I get an email in my inbox telling me she has a new post, I literally stop what I am doing to read it.  Check out "The Gift" but have a box of tissues handy.

If these two talented ladies are not on your blog roll and you like a good piece of writing, save yourself the money you'd spend at Barnes and Noble on a book of short stories and subscribe to their blogs instead!

New Year's Traditions

Happy 2011!

Every year, we are invited to a few New Year's Eve parties and every year we decline.

Part of the reason is that I don't like to be on the roads on New Year's Eve.

But the bigger reason is that I really enjoy our family traditions.

Jason, Imani and I bring in the New Year quietly . . . with just the three of us watching Dick Clark's
New Year's Eve party.

And eating a whole lot of junk - chips and dip (which I only eat on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve), soda, shrimp cocktail and whatever Christmas candy we can find.

This year we added Candy Cane Valley and Sprinkle Delights to the menu.

And Imani and I prepare three cups of confetti for the big countdown.

 

And Jason gets three glasses of bubbly.

 

Which is really just this. . .

And when the ball drops, we celebrate with our confetti and drinks . . .

 

And then we head into the kitchen to make ice cream sundaes.

 

They taste better than they look!  I made mine with Reese's Peanut Butter sauce and chocolate this year.   Imani loads hers with as many sprinkles and cherries as possible.

 

New Year's Day is spent sleeping in, taking down Christmas decorations and watching The Twilight Zone Marathon on the Sci-Fi channel.

Happy New Year! May the New Year bring you lots of

warmth

love

success

. . . and sugar.


I'd love to hear how you bring in the New Year!