December 29, 2016

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things :: 2016 Edition


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 (!!!!!)
:: 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?
It's been a good year overall! What about you? What are some of your favorite things from 2016?




6 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. Jenny: 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.

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  2. Yay! 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.

    I'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*

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    1. 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.

      Thank you! *hugs back*

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  3. Adored meeting you, dear Kara! And welcoming you to the INSPYs Advisory Board :)

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    1. Rel: You are the sweetest. I hope one day we can meet again and have a few more hours to chat. :)

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