Oh, the category that gets my heart racing. This is the love of this space. Anytime I can bring you around a table and encourage you to create on of your own, my heart just feels it is singing. I struggled to find time for these posts the way I wanted to in 2016 with a new baby and finding the balance of it all. I lost direction with them, but sometimes we get lost only to find ourselves in a better and clearer place. That was the truth for me this year. I closed this year with big ideas that will affect this area of the blog in a huge way in 2017 and 2018. Hang on. Till then I suggest mixing up that cocktail above for Derby Day.
The last gathering of the year was a table setting and dinner with my family that went back to my roots. Both these stories were big pieces of my heart poured out on these pages. I hope you feel that as much as I do.
Oh the dinner that brought it all together. It reminded showed me right where I belong and that the years before were all leading me right back to this place: Leelanau County. That quick weekend with my dear friends and gathering around that table were the things that I needed to remember what I was meant to do. One of my favorite Simple Evenings to date.
We made a lot of cocktails, didn’t we? Parenthood can do that. All that to say this cocktail with McCormick was so easy and top notch!
One of my favorite posts I produced when I was getting back to work was this one about creating simple bouquets yourself. Spring has such beautiful blooms and I loved showing how to create bouquets yourself.
I love fall for so many reasons. In Northern Michigan it is one of the best seasons up here (hard to choose though to be honest). I missed fall here and this year it was exceptional. This small gathering was the perfect way to celebrate the harvest before everyone became busy with Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season. See more here.
I have already made this apple pie about 4 times this year since posting the recipe here. It even was in the dinner I made with my dad because he grew up knowing a great homemade apple pie. Though I am still working on perfecting my crust skills, this pie is outstanding.
I told you, it was the year of cocktails. This was our go-to summer drink this year. Mike and I don’t like sugary cocktails so this is hands down our favorite go-to at the bar any night of the week, and don’t forget about the best sushi to try in Houston.
What was your favorite food or gathering post this year?!
