I started this post back in 2016, and finally got around to adding the photos 2 years later. So here you go a recap from my year as it occurred 3 years ago. It sure was a good one!
January
Due to my job, I got rather invested in the Seahawks and their fight to the Superbowl. Mainly because the longer they played the more opportunity my nonprofit had to fundraise.
Alex and I went out to eat (probably for brunch, probably where there was coffee).
We enjoyed the chance to babysit the youngest of our friends’ daughters. It was great fun to get some solo time with her and see Alex show off his future father skills.
At some point this was my grocery list, I don’t know what I was planning on making, but I am sure it was tasty.
February
Spent two evenings creating the adventures of Seda, a half-ling ranger, and her wolf, Akela. With the help of a cleric and a warrior, we successfully found, stole, and destroyed the crown of the long dead Lich-king.
Reached level 7 of Ingress.
Got to cuddle this ridiculous puppy thanks to my former co-worker Erin.
March
Ate brunch with Alex at Volunteer Park Cafe and then walked around the Arboretum to look at signs of spring.
Went to Olympia to tell lawmakers to fund emergency food programs. Also spent time looking at the cherry blossoms.
Alex purchased a long-a-waited desktop computer. He was very happy about it.
Went to the Pacific Science Center with Alex to escape a dreary weekend, mainly hung out in the butterfly garden.
April
Got a new iPhone 6, giant computing power that fits in my pocket. Main use? Taking pictures.
Went on a weekend getaway with Alex to Ocean Shores. Walked along cold beaches, made food that didn’t require an oven and lived in a tiny cabin 10 ft away from a hot tub = fun weekend. The more time I spend with Alex, the more I am convinced that I married an amazing person.
Lindsay and I’s office amarylis bloomed!
Alex and I went to hear Neil Gaimen speak at the University of Washington. Gaimen speaks as intelligently as he writes, or in other words quite well.
Jenn, Katie and I made pretty smelling spa things. One out of three was very successful, but mostly I liked the time spent with these fun women.
May
Seattle attempted to demonstrate just how many colors it could jam into one season
My family came to visit!
My friends came to visit!
David and Sarah got married (While the highlight is truly the lovely ceremony that reflected their deep appreciating for community based activism, the main thing people talk about is the llamas).
I went on a hike with family and one adorable dog.
I started a tiny porch garden.
June
I went strawberry picking with Katie, Jenn and kids. It was hot, but very delicious.
I ate a burger at Miller’s Guild that will be included in my top ten list of things ever eaten.
Alex and I joined up with Hedgehog friends from across the country and spent a long weekend in Cape Cod. The house was delightfully old, the beach was fantastically close, and the weather was mostly perfection. Side note: My friends seem to have only very adorable children.
Celebrated various birthdays with the Peterson family women by eating and drinking our way through a lavish high tea.
July
The sad departure of a friend at work brought about Bacon Hor-d’oeves day which was salty, fatty and completely delicious.
I took the bus down to Portland to visit Meryl. Portland was in a heatwave, so we spent most of our time chatting, drinking iced coffee and seeking out air conditioning.
We also spent one day hanging out and swimming in the nearby river – a completely lovely day.
I reached level 8 of Ingress.
Jenn and I hosted a baby shower for Katie and Bryan, for which we mainly focused on creating a spread of very tasty food. Highlights include the various tea sandwiches, Jenn’s Tres Dulce cake and my lavender creme brûlée.
My amazing former co-worker Zan helped me get my very own signed photo of the Chef from Battlestar Galactica. #Nerdpoints
August
Alex and I got very into making delicious protein salads like this one.
I finally finished my contribution to a group knitting project – a Tardis themed baby blanket for Katie and Bryan’s baby.
I ate homemade s’mores with my co-workers.
I was offered a long awaited dream job – librarian and after much discussion with Alex made plans to move back to the Midwest. (No photo)
I baked a blueberry peach pie.
I discovered an old macro cover for my iPhone and proceeded to take lots of extreme close-up photos around the apartment.
Katie, Jenn and I enjoyed a celebratory (and final (for a while!)) ladies night by having dinner at a fancy waterfront restaurant.
Alex and I “got sick” so we could spend the day savoring one last ferry ride around Seattle.
We indulged in one giant weekend of RPG, trying to make up for the fact that we didn’t know when we would be able to play again. Battles were fought, Akela died a noble death, experience was gained, and so much fun was had.
I reached level 9 of Ingress.
September
I harvested the tiny red fruits of my porch plant labor and my spider plant decided to have lots of babies.
Meryl came up for a visit and we talked, ate, laughed, Ingressed, talked, walked and laughed some more. Meryl is such a gem, I miss her lots.
I went to my first ever Steampunk Tea and Painting Garden Party in costume and painted an owl. Somehow during my three years at my last job, many of my co-workers became dear friends.
A baby was born! It was truly incredible to see such a tiny new life, only 24 hours old and to see two of my favorite people step up and become outstanding parents.
David and Sarah treated us to an incredible meal at a fancy restaurant. We caught up on life and ate lots of tiny amazing food. This was dessert.
While packing for our move, I found some outstanding old newspaper clippings that attest to both my extreme neediness and my brother’s early start to activism.
As part of our farewell (for now) tour of Seattle, we spent the day at the zoo with our friends and their amazing daughters. It is very true that zoos are more fun with children along.
After a feverish week of goodbyes, packing and much hecticness, Alex and I hooked up rented Uhaul and trailer and started our 5 day journey across the country.
After a 16 hour first day, we took it a bit easier and traveled through Yellowstone on Alex’s birthday.
Alex indulged my childhood love of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books and we spent one night and part of a day exploring the tiny town of De Smet, South Dakota.
We finally arrived in Goshen, tired and ready to say goodbye to our Uhaul. My parents welcomed us with open arms and plenty of help with the process of unloading.
Being back in the Midwest means getting to see several of dearest girl friends more regularly. This makes me very happy.
October
On Oct. 1, I fulfilled a dream I first started to have back in 2006 and got my first full-fledged librarian job. While changing careers is always hard, I am excited to say this job continues to inspire me and make me excited to grow in new ways.
After our arrival in town, my parents promptly left on a week long vacation, so Alex and I took care of their chickens for the week.
Another favorite of my fall was getting to see my younger brother Jonathan more regularly and get to meet his really awesome girlfriend.
While Seattle will always win in terms of mountains and water, the Midwest really takes the cake in autumn.
A quick weekend trip up to Evanston brought with it fun city adventures and more time with Jess, who is always incredible to hang out with. This also brought about my first visit back to the Chicago Botanic Garden is probably over 5 years. It was as lovely as I remembered.
November
Part of the advantage of living closer to the middle of the country is that one can easily take a day off of work and make a quick trip east to attend a cousin’s wedding. So good (if all to brief) to see family. (No photo)
The Midwest delivered a spectacular first snow of the year. 6 or so fluffy white inches and one very gleeful Norwegian husband.
Another highlight was the indulgent Saturday spent with girlfriends watching all of the previous three Hunger Games movies in anticipation of the release of the final one. Fun was had by all. (No Photo)
Thanks to our interest in cooking and disinterest in choosing only one kind of cranberry sauce, Thanksgiving was an expansive feast including three different red (or pink) dishes.
I reached level 10 on Ingress.
Family fun also included a game of disc golf, whereupon the four non-Jonathan members of the family attempted to beat the frisbee king at his own game by playing together on one team. We were unsuccessful.
Jonathan’s dog Mathilde is the cutest.
December
I love living closer to more of my family. Now all that we need to do is find a way to bring Tim and Charlotte a bit closer to this part of the country.
My growing appreciation for my new co-workers reached new heights with Ugly Christmas Sweater Day.
Winter means seeing a lot more sunrises, this is not always a bad thing.
We decorated the christmas tree with my parents.
My co-workers are intelligent, dedicated and also incredibly goofy.
Alex and traveled for the week of Christmas to Seattle where babies were cooed over, dear friends were hugged, coffee was imbibed, chats were had, food was eaten, presents were opened, family was enjoyed, and then we flew back to Goshen to celebrate Christmas in Goshen.
Bagels were baked, sweaters were knit, games (oh so many games) were played, food was cooked, presents were exchanged and lots of laughter.
We finished up our time together with a day trip to Chicago on the train.
Mennogirl 