Obviously, these are the ones I like better. Best.
Before we get to them, I've got something to say.
I'm really glad we're friends.
I am so appreciative to all of you who read and comment on my little blog. I had no idea what a wonderful, warm and welcoming community I was joining, and how many of you I would come to think of as real friends. I find myself thinking about you as I go about my day...and miss you when I don't hear from you. I do stop short of saying, "call me when you get home" in my comments to you, but you get what I'm saying, right?
I'm saying Thank You :-)
OK, back to the Five Faves. Last week, I wrote about my five most popular dessert recipe posts for 2013, but now I'm sharing my personal favorites in case you missed them the first time, or started following me more recently...or if I wrote them before anyone even knew I had a blog.
Here goes...
1. THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT AND THE MUDROOM
Have you heard of the Butterfly Effect? It is a real scientific principle, which simply put, says that the slightest change to one thing can have a huge affect on something seemingly unrelated. An example often given is that a butterfly flapping its wings in Mexico can cause a hurricane in Florida. I got to thinking that maybe if I renovated my mud room, it would precipitate some ideas as to how I might re-invent myself after giving up my career. Read more...
2. YOU CAN'T FROST A CAKE WITH MOD PODGE
As a new blogger, I really had no idea how much I didn't know.
For one thing, I thought Mod Podge was a TV show in the 70's with Peggy Lipton.
But when I found out it was a glaze, I used it to frost a chocolate cake. Read more...
My friend, B. has one of the greenest thumbs I've ever seen. For a "last hurrah" of summer, I'm going to show you around her beautiful garden. Read more...
For me, it is most definitely morning. Coffee on the deck is one my favorite simple pleasures.
But sometimes on a weekday morning, even if there was no time for drinking a cup of coffee, I'd try to find a minute to stand on the deck and drink in "home."
Then, I'd take a sip of that vision whenever I needed it to help get me through a stressful day. Read more...
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Usually, I see someone who needs a few botox injections, but sometimes...
...if I look really hard -- past my own reflection -- it's everyday life that is staring back at me. Read more...
I am looking forward to spreading my blogging wings in 2014, and hope that you will continue to fly along with me, wherever my words and photos may take me. The fact that you choose to stop by this little place I created means the world to me.
Thank you, and have a happy, safe, peaceful New Year!
Oh, and call me when you get home, OK? xoxoxo
LINKING WITH:
"I am so appreciative to all of you who read and comment on my little blog. I had no idea what a wonderful, warm and welcoming community I was joining, and how many of you I would come to think of as real friends. I find myself thinking about you as I go about my day...and miss you when I don't hear from you. I do stop short of saying, "call me when you get home" in my comments to you, but you get what I'm saying, right?"
ReplyDeleteI could not agree more, it is so wonderful to have blog friends like you. I do not always manage to visit or to reply to your comments, but my heart definitely makes a little jump when I see a new post of yours appearing on my blogroll or a comment of yours. It's a wonderful world out there, in Bloglandia, and I consider myself lucky to have met you.
Now, I'll have to come back later, with more time, to read all else you have written and republished. Just HAD to leave you this note, immediately. May the New Year be filled with love and joy and everything else you wish for,
Merisi
Merisi, you made my day! I am so touched, but then again you just proved my point about the incredible people I have met. Thank you so much, and I wish you the same Joyful, Loving, Peaceful New Year!
DeleteWhat a beautiful post Amy. So many of us look back at the year and i love it i agree that i think of all my blogging friend as real friends. Oh the wonderful WWW and blogger.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful 2014.
Riet
Thank you, Riet! One of my most favorites cities that I have visited is Amsterdam, and everytime I see a post from you, it connects me again with the Netherlands (even if you are posting about Florida!). Wishing you only good things in 2014!
DeleteThank goodness for the WWW and the great big blogoshpere! For expats like me, these two 'venues' have proven indispensable, as places to meet such lovely, wonderfully talented and like-minded people...like you! You expressed my sentiments perfectly, above, and despite what some may say, I know for a fact, that REAL friendships do exist in this realm, where big, warm hugs are received, and heartfelt tears are shed, for sweet pals in this vast and virtual space!
ReplyDeleteYour five faves are great posts, Amy and I look forward to visiting you in the new year!
Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2014; all the best!
xo
Poppy
Thank you, Poppy! I have to admit that when I first started blogging, I tried to find bloggers who live in places that I've either been to, or want to go to. I've been to Greece once (although not Crete -- yet --), and somehow I found you. How lucky was that! I look forward to every post you write, even if I don't get to them all in a timely manner. I wouldn't miss a single one. Thank you for being one of the people who are so special to me in the Land Of Blog. Happy New Year, and may it bring you only good things!
DeleteDear Amy, I am glad that I met you too. I know what you mean. You think about each other and wish you lived a little bit closer to each other.
ReplyDeleteI like your post about the mirror too. It was very thoughtful.
Have a very Happy and Blessed New Year. Catherine xo
Thank you, Catherine! I have so enjoyed reading all of your delectable posts! I'm very glad to count you among my blog friends! All the best to you in 2014!
DeleteBeautiful post! It really is amazing how one can make such good friends via the web. I love the experience! Your deck is gorgeous! I could sit out there most any hour. I liked what you said about the mirror too.
ReplyDeleteI'm so very glad to see 2013 end ~ it's been a horrible year for me! I'm looking forward to good things in 2014 and I wish that for you.
Pat
Dear Pat, I've read a bit about your year, and I am truly sorry it was so painful. I hope 2014 brings only good things to you. I am going to start one of those Happiness Jars that you wrote about...and I think the first slip of paper I put in will say how much joy my blog friends bring me!
DeleteHappy New Year Amy! Keep up the good work! I'm glad we "met" this year and I appreciate all of your sage advice. "See" you in 2014!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth, I'm so glad we connected - and it was all because of your camp post! As for advice, I may be contacting you soon about ads. Oh - I tried to comment on your blog yesterday but I couldn't find the comment button :(
DeleteOH SWAMI TOODY I missed the mud room post / you are too funny. It is quite the transformation though! Looks great! Happy New Year ! :) I ALMOST was going to make your S'more brownies for our New Years Day dinner, but more people are coming than I thought, so it was 2x the amount of meat etc to buy and I opted to just make a fruit cobbler on this round since I had some fruit in the freezer anyway. I think those S'mores will get baked soon, though...I keep thinking about them, is the problem :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, Deb! The only way to get those s'mores brownies out of your head is to bake them! But then again, it could have the opposite affect ;)
DeleteI was glad to re-read some of the posts. I really liked the one about the mirrors! I can't remember how I found your blog, but I'm so glad I did! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I found yours, too, Magali! I think I was searching around for some international blogs -- wanted to connect with people from places I've been or want to go, and found yours (as in "want to go"). Happy New Year to you! Glad you enjoyed the link I sent you.
DeleteAmy.......what great posts you've highlighted....and I just discovered what Mod Podge is, too! Hope your holidays were fabulous and I wish you a happy and healthy new year! Looking forward to reading more in the year to come. But....I'll call you later! ;- }
ReplyDeleteAh, so I wasn't the last to figure out what Mod Podge was! Happy New Year to you, and I'll be following along with you to see what delectable treats you whip up!
DeleteAmy- Congrats on your first year of blogging. What fun posts you have done and how far you have come in a short time. I am so glad to have met you here and looking forward to 2014 posts/friendship! Happy New Year- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diana. I have come a long way, but oh-so-long to go! So glad to have connected with you in this land of blog! Happy New Year!
DeleteI didn't see these the first time around, so I'm interested to catch up. Especially the mod podge cake... (why no photos?!) :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for following, Rachel! Oh, yes, those Mod Podge cake photos! Happy New Year!
DeleteWhat a great post, Amy. I somehow missed the one about the mud room but I will have to go back and check it out. I know exactly what you mean about the friendships made while blogging. I love checking in with my friends out in blogland and I'm so proud to call you one!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie, that mudroom post was one of my very first, and absolutely NO ONE was reading my blog at the time! I did have a soft spot for it! So glad that we have become blogging buddies! Wishing you a happy new year!
DeleteAmy, So many good posts here and inspiring ideas. Thanks for linking up to Best of the Weekend. So glad you could join us!! Nichi -The Mandatory Mooch
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nichi! Have fun hosting the party!
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