2019 | Year in Review
Here at the end of 2019 I’m filled with so much gratitude for all that this year has been.
I shared back in January about my chosen word for the year – nurture. At the time I had intended to nurture this space and my creativity but I found myself led more towards a focus on home and family. That focus has, in turn, led me to a deeper sense of self and a better understanding of what I want to be doing here.
As I reflect on what 2019 looked like I thought I’d share some of the things I want to remember the most (in no particular order):
2019 was a year of quiet adventure. Most often we didn’t go very far from home but we still found so much to explore and observe. I love how nature is woven into our everyday lives and in turn gives me so much inspiration.
2019 was a year of unexpected surprises. The happiest of them all being Honey, our house duck. We found her egg laying next to a busy walking path in early April. Knowing the egg would never make it left there alone we brought it home, built an incubator and carefully tended to it every single day. Then one day in early May, it hatched! This was such a miracle and felt like a literal gift from God. Honey now sleeps in her little box next to my bed every night, follows me around everywhere I go and comes along on family trips. It is a little unusual but probably not so much if you know me.
2019 was a year of hands-on experiences. From learning new skills and techniques in the studio to catching all kinds of creatures out “in the field”, I love to look back and see what our hands have had the opportunity to hold.
2019 was a year of unfolding stories. I’ve spent so many hours piecing together my family history, going beyond names and dates to really learn about who my ancestors were and what their lives looked like. This has been deeply meaningful and a significant source of new inspiration.
2019 was a year full of connection. To those in the past, those in the present and to new people that I’ve had the pleasure to meet. I’m most grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had to seek out these connections through creativity, shared experiences, story and sometimes just simple acts of kindness. I’ve learned a lot about acceptance this year, both of myself and of others. I want to cultivate more of these connections in the New Year and express my gratitude for those that share themselves with me.
2019 was a year full of simple pleasures. Like nursing a newly adopted turtle back to health, pennies on the train tracks, the most amazing estate sale I’ve ever been to that we couldn’t help but go back to, library days, bumpy roads that lead to new places, making birthday cakes, my favorite wooden inspiration board, miniature marshmallows, watching the birth of our baby guinea pigs, holding hands, backyard movies, designing and building a backyard fort as a family, remodeling our kitchen, learning the history of our historic home, my boys eating fish eyes, finding fossils when we’re not even looking, spending hours together as a family in the best used book store I’ve ever been to, lots of terrible jokes being told, planting a garden together, seeing the praying mantis eggs hatch that we saw the mother lay the Fall before, being surprised with a very large black widow by my boys then keeping her as a pet, homeschooling, exploring lots of caves and lava tubes, creating nature collections, date nights, geocaching, finding ourselves in the middle of nowhere and knowing it’s exactly where we like to be, lots of hours spent at archery, swimming lessons, read alouds, long conversations. . .
I look forward to what 2020 will bring and want to express my gratitude to you for being here and allowing me to share my stories with you.
Happy New Year, friend!
