2012 recap

I've already posted the Top 12 of 2012....those posts that received the most pageviews this year.  However, there are some highlights from the year that did not make the list.  So, I thought I would do a little recap of my own.  There have definitely been highs and lows this year, but overall, I have so much to be thankful for.

I started 2012 off with a kidney stone, so I am hoping that I do NOT have a repeat of that.  Definitely a low, since it caused me to have to cancel my middle daughter's birthday party :-(

Speaking of birthdays, the Angry Birds birthday party we had for my oldest daughter produced some pretty angry cute cupcakes.  I was quite proud of myself!

I also got crafty for my cousin's baby shower and made this cute hooded towel.

I discovered the fabulousness that is lemon curd! Oh.My.Goodness.  My favorite muffins of all time (and I've made A LOT of muffins) are these Blueberry Muffins with Lemon Curd Filling.

As far as chocolate goes, I have a lot of favorites and firsts this year.  These recently updated DIY "Twix" Bars were delish.

I also made Biscotti for the first time.  Full of chocolate of course.

I also made a fabulous super duper chocolate-y cake for my brother's birthday....and proceeded to take the worst pictures ever of it.  The cake was awesome however.  

And adding bourbon to baked goods....

Phenomenal.  Chocolate Bourbon Banana Bread. Do it.

I really got into making soup this year.  My top two faves are the Meyer Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup, (and I have a bag of Meyer Lemons sitting on the counter right now, calling my name to make this!) 

and the Mexican Style Chicken and Rice Soup w/Roasted Vegetables.

Another not-so-fabulous picture. But the soup....muy bueno.

I also discovered a couple of quick and easy recipes that went over so well with the family, yet were so simple to prepare.  It's nice to have a few of these in your recipe arsenal!

I love these Speedy Sausage Muffins, probably more than the kids!

and these Hot Ham Dips were surprisingly good.  The homemade slider buns made them extra tasty, but when on a time crunch, any good roll would do!

and these Crash Hot Potatoes with Chopped Salad.  Super easy. Super delicious! 

I also had fun creating, re-creating, and experimenting in the kitchen.  I've done a lot of 'lightening up' classic recipes, with very good results.  I plan to do a lot more of that this upcoming year.  Check out this 'Lightened Up' Loaded Potato Salad.  So good!

This year we also celebrated my Dad's 2 year Anniversary since his life saving stem cell transplant! That is awesome and incredible all by itself.  If you are interested in learning how to become a donor, please check out Be The Match.  Our donor actually lives in Germany!  We have never met her, but we love her dearly.  It was such a miracle that she was found, and that her cells were a match for my Dad.  It is amazing.

Cancer has taken several family members and friends over the past couple of years.  I pray everyday that a cure will be found.

And....I couldn't highlight this year without honoring my Grandma.  She passed away in October and is missed so much. I just take comfort in the fact that she is no longer in pain and is walking around, holding hands in Heaven with my Grandfather :-)  She is a part of who I am, and I think about her often.  Just the other day, when I made my first Country Ham...it was grandma I was thinking about and how proud she would be! Yep, embracing my Southern roots and proud of it!

My family also moved, my puppy had emergency surgery, our roofed leaked in our new house, as well as the septic tank backed up.  So yeah, 2012 was eventful.  I'm not complaining. There are so many worse things that have happened all around us. I just feel blessed.

However, I don't feel bad in saying, GOODBYE 2012,  and HELLO 2013! 

(Which still doesn't even sound like a real year to me. Yikes!)

Wishing you all a HAPPY (and safe) NEW YEAR!

Linking up at I Should be Mopping the Floor, Diana Rambles