life, lately: a wrap up of 2012, according to instagram

{hosting our second “annual’ christmas party}

It’s been a wild year.  Even though 2011 seemed like it held the most ‘milestones’ (a move, a marriage, a death, and finding my way through a new career path), somehow 2012 feels like it was even bigger.  It was the last year that I can get away with calling myself a ‘twenty-something,’ and the first year I felt like I really understood exactly who I was.  James and I worked together to make our life in Colorado the best that we know how, and we grew together as ‘newlyweds,’ cruising through the finish line that is a one-year wedding anniversary, busting through that tape triumphantly, and for the better.  We’ve made a cozy nest here, but also pushed ourselves to travel and see the world.  There have been plane tickets to Santa Monica, Austin, Telluride, Los Angeles, San Diego, Jackson Hole, Deer Valley, Boston, San Francisco, and Baltimore.  We pulled out our passports and got stamped in London, Rome, Paris, and Sydney.  There were lazy days spent by the pool in Positano, insanely fun nights with friends-that-are-like family in Rye, cozy dinners in France, and city nights spent dancing and eating in Melbourne.  We squeezed in as many days on the slopes as last year’s pathetic snowfall would allow, and eeked out trips with friends to Vail and Beaver Creek.  We’ve seen close friends through new unions and new babies, and held their hands through disappointments and setbacks.  We’ve watched our puppy turn into a dog (well, supposedly anyway), and welcomed a cute little black kitty into our home as Cleland #4.  I’ve learned to cook in a professional kitchen, and subsequently have taken the helm at a very large and well-known from-scratch bakery.  I’ve baked hundreds of pies, learned how to make coppa and porchetta di testa, cleaned pounds upon pounds of fresh calamari and fat sardines, and rolled out armies of gingerbread men and women.  I’ve cooked a few fancy holiday meals for a crowd, and prepared countless platters of simple but nourishing weeknight fare, just for us.

It’s too easy to acknowledge that a whole three-hundred-and-sixty-five-days has flown by in the trite blink of an eye, but seeing all these things and places in print and knowing what I’ve gained personally from experiencing each and every one of them only makes me want to see more, go more, be more.

I’m not quite sure if I am ready for 2012 to be over; to face a new decade of life, to leave my newlywed status behind (old married couple?!), and to tackle a whole new set of choices that will undoubtedly be fun, but challenging.  I will however say that if there was ever a year to prepare me for that – both personally, and professionally – I’m honored that I was able to experience my 2012 as it came, and realize more than ever that these crazy and busy times only help to weave and bind together the tapestry that is unfolding as my life.

Happy New Year to you and yours!

{that mug!}

{ombre, in tights form}

{mocha chocolate chip bundt cake with chocolate glaze}

{earrings i made, and gifted, to my sweet sister-in-law georgia}

{channeling waffles}

{just amazing.}

{the menu for the bloody bar at our thanksgiving morning feast}

{bloody bliss}

{private investigator waffles}

{i made a mouse in my latte!}

{an americano at mateo}

{coppa and gherkins at beehive}

{arugula pesto crostini}

{deviled eggs}

{busted! someone figured out how to scale the kitty condo stairs and scarf kitteh vittles}

{no kitty present beats an empty shoebox}

{earrings in progress: gold and czech glass}

{winnie cleland = ferris bueller}

{our thanksgiving table}

{gumby kitteh}

{my sweet love bug}

{the best weekend with a best friend}

{frosty suds for sushi rolls}

{the pearl street roll}

{stopping in for a bluegrass fix}

{working on my wire-wraps}

{a tiny plate of treats}

{sunday night margaritas at a friends house}

{atomic fireballs: acceptable breakfasts since the 1980′s}

{my mountains}

{we got a tree!}

{tree trimming fuel: prosecco, fresh satsuma juice, rosemary}

{the gangsta leeeean!}

{our christmas party spread}

{cupcakes for the birthday girl! (and yes that is bacon)}

{the dj, spinning and tolerating my requests}

{greatest brunch drink: a greyhound}

{she always wins with those eyes}

{sampling tapas at bramble & hare}

{crispy black sea bass and rock shrimp at oak}

{hugs for best buds}

{breakfast at a bakery: chocolate croissant}

{cheese heaven at a blogger event at the st. julian}

{you NEED to buy 871637 tubes of this stuff…..like, now.  it rules. and it’s vegan!}

{three of at least a thousand gingerbread men}

{pomegranates are back!}

{christmas eve dinner: greens with maple roasted sweet potatoes, avocado, pomegranate, pepitas, and goat cheese}

{christmas morning: pumpkin waffles with spiced syrup and fresh berries}

{waiting up for santa and failing}

{christmas: excellent beef wellington (you must make this!)}

{hello, winter! we’ve been waiting for you.}

{our home}

{jolly satsumas to warm up a cold day}