I don’t know about you, but I love a good New Year’s Eve at home with the kids. We drag out the party hats, noise makers, the Scrabble game, our favorite tunes from the year, a big ole batch of chocolate fondue and party like it’s 1999. Until about 10 pm, at which point, I have my annual discussion with myself about how in the world anybody ever becomes a night owl. Should I try to stay up until midnight or should I go to bed like somebody who’s got some sense? The girls talked me into staying up last year and I barely made it. I’m thinking of a 10 pm bedtime and an early morning run to start the new year off right. What’s your plan, if you don’t mind my asking? While you ponder, let’s recap the posts of 2013. And my fondue recipe is at the end, so maybe you should just skip right to that?!
The most popular post on my blog for 2013?!?!?!
How to Make the Perfect Pizza Crust—you should try it if you haven’t! I’ve made it 30 times this year I bet. SO good!
Coming in at a distant 2nd was my Closet Organizing Tips—which I could use to revisit myself!
Coming in 3rd, which kinda surprised me was How to Knit a Dishcloth. Now would be the perfect time to learn a little about the knitting arts!
My most pinned and in general talked about post for 3 years running is Grannie’s Fudge Recipe. It’s not too late to taste the heaven!
The post with the most comments, the most controversial post of the year, and the hardest for me to press publish on was Why I’m Not a Feminist.
A close 2nd in comments and in heart heaviness was Why I Gave Up Homeschooling.
The easiest and most fun post for me was My Preppy Texas Anthropologized Christmas Tour. And it’s all still making me happy today! I haven’t taken one thing down yet.
The posts that broke my heart in to pieces were the ones I wrote from Nicaragua. I’ve Got You was especially hard to write.
I gave away the family jewels when I posted the Quiche Lorraine recipe. Bacon-Fried Ham? That’s how much I love you. Amen.
Speaking of the family jewels, this post on Raising Gracious Kids was convicting, mostly to me.
What I love so much about this space is you. Thank you for giving me the courage to stay and keep writing.
Ruth and I hosted a 31 Days series on Less and More that was challenging and fun!
Emme and I collaborated on a Teen Room for her. We love how it turned out!
It was a great year and I can’t wait to see what the new year holds!
Now for the easiest and best fondue EVER! (you don’t need a fancy pan or any fancy chocolate)
In a medium sauce pan, melt:
- 1 stick butter
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla
Enjoy with strawberries, bananas, angel food cake, and whatever else you feel like dipping in chocolate!
Happy New Year’s EVE!!!
Happy New Years Eve Edie! I adore and cherish every post you publish.
From Michigan,
Julie
Happy New Year Edie!!!
Thank you for “lifeingrace”, where I find you with encouragement, ideas of decorating and organizing, menus and recipes, where you share your family and friends, you share your experiences, your passions, your love of Texas and boots,
You share your faith, love and passion for Jesus! Thank you for writing it down.
Happy New Year Edie! And thank you for your blog. I found you about a year ago and have so enjoyed following you. Thanks for sharing your love of Jesus and your family and all the other wonderful things you take your time to share with us. Please continue. I’m so looking forward to 2014. God bless you and your family. /Nancy
Dear friend,
I want to wish you and your family a very happy 2014. It was so wonderful bumping into you at the Target check-out line just before Christmas! I have kept your prayer request in my daily prayers and know that for certain that your time is near to become a major publishing house book-bound author. In the stack of books you posted in your previous post, I see your own book being added to the top. It will inspire many as your blog and e-book already have. You are so filled with God’s light and I am blessed to know you as a friend. I will leave you with the thought that I pondered at the beginning of 2013 and throughout this year. When I saw you standing in the check-out line recently, I actually didn’t know who you were from afar (my vision is not the best at a distance 😉 ) except in my mind I thought, “well there’s a really beautiful lady.”And it wasn’t just because you are a outwardly beautiful lady, it was because I could see you interacting with the check-out clerk and genuinely shining God’s light to him as you placed your things on the counter. The thought that I pondered the most in 2013 is how do we allow God’s light to truly shine through us in an authentic genuine way. You already have that answer down pat.You see all people for who they really are, and you allow themselves to be seen through your eyes, God’s eyes. You shine God’s light through your own beautiful array of rainbow colors and you allow others to know that they too can in fact be the genuine person that God intended them to be. May you be blessed in 2014, may your faith continue to grow and may the light that shines through you to others continue to shine with a brilliance that comes straight from God’s own heart.
Just clicked through to read your closet organizing post, then your favorite clothes post, and just wanted to say YES – Love Salley O’Malley. I always tell my hubster that when I put on my red pants I like to dance. 😉
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you so much Edie,
I needed a simple dessert recipe for tonight.
We want to celebrate but we are weary.
I so appreciate your blog and your thoughts.
Happy New Year!
Can’t wait to read about what you have coming up on the blog.
thank you for this post Edie. As a fairly new reader, I’m now able to find your best posts easily. I’ve been looking for a dishcloth pattern too. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Edie. Have enjoyed following your blog most of 2013 and looking forward to all your posts in 2014.
I will be working 6p-6a New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
New Year blessings to you and yours! Thank you for opening your home and heart to all of us—-May God’s richest gifts be yours as you continue to seek Him!
Happy New Year!
I loved this recap you gave of the whole year….what a great way to piece it all together.
Wishing you a wonderful 2014….can’t wait to see how God shines his light through you!
You’re a gem, Edie.
Happy New Year, Edie! From the looks of your Instagram photos, it appears you had a very enjoyable and super delicious time ringing in the New Year! I’m definitely going to have to try your fondue recipe! Love your post and the best of list… Look forward to reading more from you in the year ahead!
Happy New Year Edie!! What fun to share your colorful, authentic journey for another year.
And amen to early morning running and not taking down Christmas beauty yet. Mine will be up for one more weekend.
Much love from Oklahoma.
Such a great recap, especially since I read almost every one when you published it! Who says I don’t read enough?! My girls (ages 7 & 10) would love this fondue (and YOU for sharing it). Now I need to head to Publix for the week with your menu. Happy new year and thanks for taking the time to share. Garrett
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