So! It's time for my list of favorite things from this year. I tried this for the first time back in 2014 and liked it enough I think this might be a yearly thing. I mean, it already is, I suppose, since this is the third year I've written it. :) Anyhoo! 2016 was definitely a year of ups and downs. I read lots of good stories, had some amazing adventures, yet so much of it was tinged with grief for mom. So I look back with a lot of bittersweetness. Still, there is a whole lot more sweet than bitter! And I am here to focus on the happy today, let's get to it, shall we? :)
:: Christian Fiction Readers Retreat ~ meeting all those lovely authors and fellow readers (!!!!!)It's been a good year overall! What about you? What are some of your favorite things from 2016?
:: Meeting Rel and Jamie in person. (Still a bit in shock that happened.)
:: Also meeting Laura Frantz, Kara Isaac, Becky Wade, Pepper Basham, Dani Pettrey...AAAHHHH
:: Friends with new babies for me to snuggle
:: Sweet final memories with mom
:: Quick weekend trip to the ocean with friends
:: Discovering a new favorite restaurant ~ pita sandwiches make me happy
:: 24 hour write-a-thon
:: Seeing my California friends when they came to visit over the summer
:: Visiting my aunt and her family over Thanksgiving
:: Seeing the Ark Encounter in person
:: Happy packages in the mail from awesome author friends
:: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies movie!!!
:: Little Women Read-along ~ It was past time that I read this classic and I enjoyed it. Course, it helps that it was a read-along. I love those! :)
:: Northanger Abbey Read-along ~ even if I didn't finish
:: Libraries with free wifi and comfy seating
:: Twitter, instagram, and blog convos with my people
:: Friends, both online and off, showering me with love and happy
:: Twitter-watch-alongs with Amber
:: Getting that first email about the invite to be part of the INSPYs Advisory Board and then all the happiness sent my way from the other members when I accepted
:: Starbucks Chai Tea
:: BOOKS
:: Re-learning appreciation for the little moments in life
:: Did I mention books?
2016 has been a rough year for me but I wanted to do a post like this. To focus on the good is a wonderful thing. And, yes, books are always on the list. I wouldn't have survived my year without them.
ReplyDeleteJenny: I wish I could hug you in person because I know last year was hard for you. I hope that your 2017 is filled with many more reasons to smile! Focusing on the good things definitely helps. I can attest to that. And books, of course. They are a guaranteed happiness bringer! I'm so glad you had some good stories to help you through your hard.
DeleteYay! I'm glad the Little Women RAL made your list. It was so much fun! We need to do another RAL. It's been a while.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you have so much sweet to look back on to help you cope with the grief you've felt and gone through. *hugs*
Jenni: Yes! I love our RALs, they are THE BEST. I so enjoy analyzing stories with you awesome ladies. :) Perhaps we'll get the chance to do another one this year, I'd certainly be game.
DeleteThank you! *hugs back*
Adored meeting you, dear Kara! And welcoming you to the INSPYs Advisory Board :)
ReplyDeleteRel: You are the sweetest. I hope one day we can meet again and have a few more hours to chat. :)
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