December 31, 2012 – Natalie Creates

best of 2012

posted on : December 31, 2012

i painted this watercolor a few days ago not realizing it’s real significance on this past year’s happenings & the amazing adventures of 2012. it’s true. life is a daring adventure full of good & not so great, joy & heartbreak, loss & gain & above all else- so much love.

i want to share some of the highlights of my year with you. this is one of my favorite posts to write because it reminds me of where luke & i have been & where we are going. sometimes life feels a little stagnate & aimless, but reflecting on our year reveals to me that we’re headed in the right direction although the path may be a little curvy at times.

january-

the very beginnings of print:: a year in film, a trip to madison where we fell in love with the people & the place, a family retreat in a cabin where we made goals & began anew

february-

our first (& only) snow of the year, finally feeling at home in our new town, celebrating love with a homemade heart t-shirt, attending our favorite documentary film festival with the best of friends

march-

planting seeds in our raised beds, writing at tend once more, collecting our first eggs (!!) from the coop, beginning my first full-time job post graduation

april-

celebrating spring & being ok with me, hanging my first show in columbia, sharing my birthday with my favorite person

may-

our beautiful spring garden, wild blackberry bushes found behind our fence, strawberry pickings for jam

june-

the beginnings of instagram with a bowl full of cherry tomatoes, heartbreak at the loss of two of our chickens to the heat of the summer, deciding to move to luke’s hometown on faith & a spark of hope

july-

missing luke but adjusting slowly to the distance, a trip to denver, finding balance in our new community, celebrating summer with a squawk & pop social

august-

celebrating three years with the perfect homemade card, celebrating once more with friends for luke’s birthday! we love august festivities!

september-

settling into our new home, finding my rhythm in the kitchen once more after the long summer heat, an exciting sunday afternoon of applesauce makings, finally finding where i belong in my work life

october-

catching the knitting bug & completing my first knitted hat, our annual war eagle trip, adding little dandy to our family

november-

the blur of november. an unforgettable trip down the coast of california, celebrating obama’s win at the LA watch party with dear friends, slowing down for thanksgiving with full hearts

december-

photo by keely yount photography

an amazingly successful show , slowing down to enjoy this holiday season with sweet friends & family, looking forward to what adventures are ahead

oh, thank you so much for following along throughout this year. it wouldn’t be as sweet & as creative without you in it! happy, happy new year to you! 2013 has so many good things in store!

love,

natalie