Favorite Photos from 2012

2012 was a whirlwind of a year, full of many highs and a couple of lows, but overall it was jam packed with so many things. There were so many travels, things to see, do, feel, taste, experience. Ben and I just finished making an Instagram book of our favorite pictures from 2012, and it inspired me to write up a blog post so I wouldn’t forget anything. I managed to narrow it down to a few of my favorites okay, once I started actually going through my pictures I realized there were way more than just a few pictures, so I hope you don’t mind indulging me on this journey through nostalgia.

My friend Mari wrote me a really sweet note on an Edward Hopper postcard. Little did she know I LOVE Edward Hopper and have the exact same print framed on my armoire.

I took the train up to the ‘burbs to meet the incredible Joy the Baker while she was popping through Chicago on her book tour! I had a few friends who wanted to go to the book signing but couldn’t make it, so I had her sign my little notebook with notes that say “Hi GG!” “Hi Martha!” “Hi Mari!” and I took pictures of her with each one and sent it to my friends. Dorky, but awesome. Naturally, Joy had to make one for me, too. : ) She’s the coolest.

In March, Ben and I went on a road trip for his 27th birthday to Louisville, KY, Nashville, TN, and Garden of the Gods/Metropolis, IL. We had a great time, and while we were in town we picked Ben up an original Louisville Slugger.

He looks like a little 5 year old here, but I absolutely love this picture. I love this man!

Naturally, when we were driving along the highway and saw that we were coming up to the Jim Beam distillery, we had to stop and make an appearance. And stock up. You know.

I also ate at my first ever Waffle House. Ben was a little too excited about this experience.

We finally made it to Nashville and settled for the night in Franklin, a town just outside of the city. A few miles from there was this amazing BBQ place that Ben’s parents recommended. It was outrageously good.

See? Although, my one gripe was that the cornbread had so many peppercorns in it. Why can’t you just make plain Southern cornbread?? Or have an option of what kind you want?? I wanted SIMPLE cornbread, but no  - no, that wasn’t possible. As you can tell, I got a little worked up about this.

We took this picture walking over the big bridge in Nashville one night. I absolutely love it, and I love how handsome Ben looks.

While I didn’t do as much baking in 2012 as I have in previous years, I definitely baked a lot of challah. : ) Finally, this December, thanks to the Shiksa, I was able to learn how to successfully make a 6-braid challah! (Not pictured, but still awesome.)

This year was one of the hardest I’ve experienced because my mom was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. They caught it relatively early, but it was still extremely hard for me to be so far away from her while she was going through this. Luckily for me I was able to visit her monthly for the first six months, and she’s pulled through it like a champ. The above picture is after one of her surgeries; she had complications, and then developed a terrible infection that wasn’t getting better. I flew out to be with her, and try and help in whatever way I could. I think it helped me more than it helped her, but I’m so glad I went. I stayed with her in the hospital the three days that I was there, and only left twice to go out to dinner with Hannah.

Speaking of which, although this is a terribly grainy picture, this photo represents to me the kind of friendship Hannah and I have. I am so, so grateful for this woman. Hannah’s mom died of cancer 8 years ago, and I was petrified of what was to come for my own mom. Hannah was there for me in every way, and she was such a source of comfort, love and hope for me. She drove down to Boston both nights that I was there and took me out to dinner and let me process; freak out, panic, plan, and unload – she was there for all of it and she comforted me, loved me, and pulled me back together. Words can’t even express how grateful I am for her, especially that weekend. <3

I travelled a lot in 2012 – from March through October I was flying somewhere at least once a month. That led to many a happy hour at the airport, and they were very delicious.

In April I flew to DC for Erica’s bridal shower, and I catered her whole party. It felt awesome, and these cookies turned out great.

Here are all of the beautiful ladies who came out to shower Erica with love! (Also – that dress! I’m dying over the polka dots. I *need* it!)

In May, to mark the end of my career as a nanny, Ian, the father of one of the boys I nannied for, called his buddy (the owner of Hot Doug’s), and they made me the Celebrity Sausage of the Day. I was so touched and honored. It was also insanely delicious.

Prior to finding out that my mom had breast cancer, I schemed with my dad to fly out as a surprise for Mother’s Day weekend. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise because I was looking for any and every opportunity to get out there and be with her during all of that. This is her right as she started chemo. Isn’t my mother so, so beautiful?

In May, Ben and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary! We decided to try a new-to-us restaurant and dined at Socca, which was divine. This was my dessert: a caramel, cashew and goat cheese gelato with toasted coconut, homemade whipped creme, and hot chocolate. It was out of this world.

Ben and I also went on a bunch of bike rides this summer. We were heading north to check out the Edgewater neighborhood, a place we were thinking of moving to, when we stopped at this beach to watch a storm roll in. Little did we know that this was to be our neighborhood beach, only two blocks from our new apartment!

On May 22nd, Ben and my actual 2 year anniversary, I started my new job at the JUF. This is what I wore!

In June I flew out for Hannah’s bridal shower and got to hang out with these magnificent women. I had such a great time being with all of them and celebrating one of my dearest friends.

Here is Hannah cutting into the carrot cake I made for her shower.

I also sold my wedding dress! I hadn’t tried it on since my wedding, so I pulled it out for one more dance before the girl came to pick it up, and would you believe it – it still fit. I love this dress, and I’m so happy it went to someone who would love it too. Although, I heard from the girl a couple of months after she bought it that she got pregnant! Ha! Hopefully she was able to wear it after all…

Part two coming soon!