Happy New Year my friends! Hope you had a safe and happy evening ringing in 2015!
Can you stand another recap post? Hope so! There have been so many lately, and for good reason. Recaps really gives us all the opportunity to take a look at what we accomplished because let’s face it, sometimes we sell ourselves short and think we didn’t do much at all, when in truth we did. For us, 2014 was a life changing year. We sold our business, moved to Massachusetts, and our daughter got married. I know many of you who are reading have been doing so for a while, but I’m pretty sure you still might have missed a few posts these last few months, and I simply just can’t let that happen! And to those of you who are relatively new here, some of these posts will give you a better idea of who I am (but in spite of that I hope you’ll stick around).
Here we go!
January
I started off the year with what has been one of my most detailed projects to date; painting a plaid pattern on a small dresser (pic in sidebar), and I showed you how easy and fun it is to make your own homemade mozzarella.
February
Admittedly, not a month I’d like to repeat. I ranted a bit here.
March
March brought with it some life changing exciting news , and after more than 30 years I took my wedding dress out of storage and had our daughter try it on. It fit her perfectly,and I can’t believe I was ever that thin!
April
April was a busy month, but not for blogging. We moved from NY to Massachusetts, and the process was not without some drama!
May
I channeled my inner crafter and made an easy and pretty paper lamp shade, and attended a small town America Memorial Day Parade, complete with antique cars.
June
I finally revealed the long awaited brooch bouquet, my first milk paint project, and an easy but effective way to organize jewelry or accessories. Lastly, our daughter got married and I posted some pics and a slideshow.
July
I revived an old console and showed you an easy way to make a Lightbox, so your pictures can look purdy.
August
I made the cutest fruit inspired umbrellas, almost had a run in with a bear, and visited beautiful Newport, Rhode Island.
September
We rented an RV for the first time and visited Cape Cod, I made the most delicious apple pie IN THE WORLD, and I shared my love for houses with broken hearts.
October
I finally tamed the ‘Serger Beast’, visited the beautiful ‘Bridge of Flowers‘ and revealed our biggest DIY project of 2014, our shed.
November
It seems November was a big month for tablescapes! I created a romantic table for two, visited a fabulous tablescape event which showcased the work of talented designers and artisans, and tackled refinishing the top of our wood dining table.
December
I volunteered at the local Botanical Gardens and put together some wreaths for auction, found a cool new blogging tool, and made some deliciously easy chocolate salted caramel bark.
It’s weird, but a good kind of weird, to think of how much happened in 2014. I rarely make New Year resolutions, and this year will be no exception. What I DO do is define some goals…for 2015 I would like to purchase an RV, spruce up the outside of the cabin and organize a lifetime of photos (not necessarily in that order).
In other news…
After 10 days of living out of suitcases, making pit stops in Charleston, Savannah and St. Augustine, we arrived today in Lake Worth, Florida at our rental where we will remain for one month before moving on. The rental is adorable, and I hope to take some pictures and share them with you soon, as well as a blow by blow of our escapades.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
You had a busy year, Doreen, but I guess we all did when we look at a summary like this. : ) I tend to forget what I did in the earlier part of the year so I usually surprise myself when I go back and look. I’m glad you did your recap because I didn’t find your blog until later in the year so I will have to go back and read some of the posts you highlighted.
Enjoy your time in Florida. I’m sure the weather is wonderful. I has been frigid (but sunny) here in Ohio and I am just thankful there hasn’t been any snow!
Happy New Year!
Feral Turtle says
A wonderful year and you gained a new son! Happy New Year!
Denise says
Happy New Year, Doreen! Enjoy the warm weather. I’m looking forward to this years blog posts. Last year’s were full of wonderful things. Great job! xxDenise
Alycia Nichols says
You just never really know until you take inventory of the year! I always knew you were a super productive person, and your year in review proves it!
Happy New Year to you, Doreen! I hope the year ahead in your new Massachusetts home brings nothing but goodness and wonder!
Doreen says
Thank you Alycia! I’m thinking about you and keeping my fingers and stubby toes crossed that all goes well with your surgery. XXX
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
LOVED this re-cap Doreen!!
It was so fun to look through the past year and feel like I was able to know you and your blog even better. I’m so grateful for the support you’ve given me as I started my blog journey and I look to you like a mentor. You’re not only funny and a wonderfully talented person & blogger – but you also have a heart of gold.
I loved especially looking at your daughter’s wedding. She’s a knockout – as are you Lady!!! That bouquet you made was just brilliant and incredible!!
Cheers to you for another wonderful year ahead and I look forward to sharing in it with you through this great place we call blogland. xoxo
Doreen says
You’re so sweet for saying that Carrie! It’s really my pleasure to help in any way I can, just as there were those that helped me and those that someday I’m sure you will help as well. I appreciate your kind comments about the wedding. It was indeed a beautiful day and I must say I worked my substantial butt off on the bouquet so it’s nice that others appreciate it. 😉 I’m confident 2015 will be a great year for you and your blog, and more importantly your beautiful family. (((Hugs)))
kelly says
It was fun to look back at what you did in 2014. I thought your wedding dress was beautiful! And I must say your daughter is gorgeous. I loved her wedding dress too and her unique glittery bouquet. Hope you’re enjoying the warm weather in FL. Guess you’re officially a snowbird right now. LOL!
Jane says
Looking at a whole year in black and white makes you feel good, doesn’t it? Everything is not so scrambled. And funny how we forget so much (at least me in my old age!). Your year would have tired anyone out but you have haven an incredible energy and zest for life. The retirement, your move, the wedding…and your projects are always fantastic…thanks for those!
Enjoy your stay in Florida!
Jane x
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
Have a nice time in Sunny Florida!
Vicky Hunt says
Love the recap! You did accomplish a lot in 2014! Enjoy your stay here is Florida. I love St. Augustine, but have never been to Lake Worth. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs, Vicky
cathy@my1929 Charmer says
You certainly had a busy year and face new avenues. I just finished ours and was so please that I accomplished more than I remembered! Your daughter was such a beautiful bride, and what a beautiful wedding! May the new year be extra special to you and yours!
Carol says
What a fun look back at a busy year.
Your daughter looks absolutely gorgeous in your wedding dress!
Amy @ StowandTellU says
The fact that you pulled off blogging all year while you moved your life from one state to another is remarkable enough, and then add to that helping your daughter plan her wedding, but you did all it VERY well. It’s always so enjoyable to stop by and see what you have going on. I hope you are enjoying your winter travels to warmer weather and look forward to what you’ll have for us in 2015. Glad you did a review because I did miss a few of these. Happy New Year, Doreen!!!
(PS: I tied clicking over to your updated console, but that link might not be working because it took me to your 404 page.)
Doreen says
Thanks so much Amy! I so appreciate your support and sweet comments. 🙂 And thanks for telling me about the link. It took me a while to fix with my ipad (don’t know if it’s just me but it’s so hard to do some things on that!), but it’s done thanks to you. Happy New Year!
Sue says
Oh gosh, I so remember the plaid dresser and it’s how I first found and started following you. Who can forget some of these posts, espcially the wedding!
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
This was a fun review to see and we are to get cold weather soon so yes, seeing you in Florida will be great 🙂
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Happy New Year Doreen! Phew! You had quite a busy year but sounds like you had a blast too. I remember reading most of these posts and will check out the ones I might have missed. Looking forward to reading about your projects and adventures this year! 😀
Manuela@A Cultivated Nest says
What a huge eventful year for you! I don’t know how you can top that 🙂
Have a wonderful time in Florida! I envy you those warm temps. We’re heading for a cool down in Georgia. January is often our coldest snowy month!
Dewena says
I loved going back and catching up on some of the posts I’ve missed…the houses with broken hearts post should have been in Yankee magazine, Doreen. I feel the same as you, and as Kilmer–“if I had a lot of money and all my debts were paid,” yes I would be restoring houses with broken hearts–if I were 30 years younger! Lovely post.
And of course your daughter’s wedding post was fabulous.
You have had an eventful year! And isn’t it nice that part of it’s been recorded for history, here on your blog? I think so.
Poppy says
A lovely look back into 2014, which, for you, was a filled with many achievements, sweet memories of milestone events, and of course, all your amazing creativity, here, at House Honeys, which we all appreciate! You are a gem, girlfriend, and I hope that 2015 will be your best year, ever!
xoxo
Poppy
susan says
I loved your re-cap. You were quite the busy lady in 2014 and it sounds as if you’re already off on your next adventure. Well, enjoy yourself and have a wonderful 2015!