Sunday, December 30, 2018

Looking Back

Many people on Instagram are doing their Top Nine - the 9 posts that generated the most likes in 2018.


Although the collage of my top 9 is pretty, it doesn't reflect the year we had or life in our little cottage - a friend's shed is #5 and #9 is a garden we passed on a walk.


I decided to look back at my year and choose 1 photo for each month to reflect on 2018.


I chose my 2018 word of the year to represent January because I used the word frequently to explain my madness to Steve in constantly moving furniture around the house.


I chose to use a pic of our bedroom for February because I rarely show it, but also because the table holding the sailboat is part of my "intentional" furniture movement.


This photo in front of our garage door reflects my swing back to blue in 2018, my love of flowers and cycling, although this bicycle is never ridden.


My April pic has me yearning for garden time -we are actually experiencing a cold winter (by Southern California standards) and my garden misses me.


For May I chose a pic of Country Sampler magazine on the table - here is the article about our cottage in the summer 2018 issue.


In June I was so happy to see flowers blooming beneath the windows in Steve's studio - backyard neighbors 2 houses over cut down a 30' tall hedge and now the sun shines throughout our garden. 


In July I did A Fun Collaboration with StickerYou.com - I created iron-on transfers for tote bags to give family members traveling the 26 Miles to Catalina Island for a birthday celebration.


Our house was a chaotic mess in August with our bathroom remodel and despite living elsewhere for 3 weeks, I kept this area neat and tidy while we spent time at home each day.


Painting the fireplace white was on my list for years and I finally just did it.


A major remodel of our only bathroom was totally unexpected, but when Steve gets an idea in his head, he can't let it go - he decided to do it in July, we began in August and everything was finished in early October.


In November I began setting the stage for Christmas decor by organizing our entry cupboard with all white dishes.


Here is that table from the February pic of the bedroom - part of my "intentional" movement of furniture.


Although most of the pics on my Instagram were on my blog, I decided to scroll through the blog to find one favorite for each month - after January and February pics of flowers, I decided to continue the theme.


I really love this pic of the garden


and this one of our beach.


 But, my favorite blog pic looking back at 2018 has to be this shot of Andy, Kendra and Steve at the harbor.


Lulu didn't want to be forgotten.


20 comments:

  1. I love your “intentional” moves and decorating, I can relate to that since furniture here moved around a lot too! When I buy furniture it has be a piece thar can travel around! I live all the photos you picked and the your reason behind them! Andy is beyond adorable!

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  2. Such a great recap Carol. Love the picture of Andy KC and Steve. Adorable.
    Happy New Year!
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  3. I really enjoyed reading your post . Loved all the pictures . You gave me a great idea too for posting for new year maybe . Hugs and blessings cindy

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  4. You've made intentional living a thing of beauty! Happy New Year! Happy Decorating! Happy Blogging! xxx

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  5. Oh Lulu, you are the cherry on the top. That face of yours brings out a guffaw in me every time. Dearest friends, we made it through another year of creative expression and friendships, let's do it again in 2019. BLESSINGS to you all!

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  6. What a great pictorial of your year, Carol. I love visiting your beach cottage all year long. Cheers to 2019!

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  7. Your photos are always lovely, Carol -- so crisp and clean and I love your beachy home! Happiest of new years to you!

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  8. I love your little cottage and all the ways you make it look lovely, like even the mouse on your typewriter keys!

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  9. It's always fun to look in the rearview mirror a bit, Carol, especially at your house. And I adore your last pictures. They're the perfect way to wrap up the post, because after all, in the end it's all about family!! Happy New Year!

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  10. Great photos and great decorating ideas. Have a blessed day. Happy New Year. Madeline

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  11. Enjoyed your photos! Happy New Year!

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  12. It was so much fun to stroll thru all these great photos....I have to move a piece of furniture....or move a vase....or go buy flowers, every time I visit you. I am trying sooo hard to be CUTE, like you and my Summer House has a lot of your ideas that makes it really cute to me. I have questions almost every day like, "if you were me, Carol, how would you display these adorable Rae Dunn cups...?" but today, I got a couple of cute dish towels in my stocking and want to make pillows with them....what do you fill yours with when you make a pillow? I could never find a pillow insert the size I need...just fluffy fiber fill ??

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  13. 🥂Happy new year 🥂....love Ria 💕

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  14. What a wonderful look back. You always inspire me with your home, your flowers and your upbeat attitude. I'm looking forward in 2019 and hope to make it a much better year! Hugs!

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  15. It was lovely walking down memory lane with you :)
    Happy New Year!
    Connie :)

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  16. A beautiful look back! And of course, you could never forget Lulu. :-) Happy New Year to you and Steve. {{hugs}}

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  17. Carol, looking back over your year was such a treat. Any photo you show feels just like a day at the beach. I can just feel the sand between my toes (in a good way). It is funny that growing up in Santa Cruz, I never really liked going to the beach. I lived in the mountains, but seeing your view and your beautiful, little cottage, makes me miss it!..Happy New Year my friend..Judy

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