Can you believe that 2014 is almost over? The year went by so fast. I’ve been thinking about my intentions for 2015 for both my personal & work life (here are last year’s) but I feel like I can’t do so until I see what this year looked like. I went through and found all of my most popular posts from 2014 and here they are!
Let’s look back!
Here’s what the last week of 2014 looked like:
Our tree this year. We’ve had it for 7 years (?) now.
Half of my house was in white/blue/green. The other half was a red/green combination.
My dad digging into the pate on Christmas Eve.
Remind me to use glitter more often…and to be more careful next time.
A little piece of my table.
It was a super mellow Christmas this year. My brother & his fiancee came up from Los Angeles and my parents came from the city. We had a sleepover and a sit down dinner. Normally we have Casey’s family over for dinner, but family members have moved and things have shifted a little bit. We’re in the in between…figuring out new traditions. Life is like that, you know? I did really miss all of the cousins. I know Cooper did too.
I made this herbed beef tenderloin with an impromptu mushroom sauce.
We had roasted potatoes & sweet potatoes and a side of my creamed spinach.
Of course we started with my Mom’s Green Salad 
I’m working on a project with Patron Tequila and they sent me bottles that have SHUTTERBEAN engraved in them. How cool is that??! It was nice to see my dad take a few shots of tequila. Good sign, good sign.
Opening presents.
Leisurely morning with my parents. My mom and I were team egg/bacon/toast.
Everyone else just dipped into my mom’s coffee cake.
Cooper was busy putting together legos ALL DAY.
Sunny morning in our family room.
Seeing my dad read a book on his phone… on my couch made me happy. It meant he was relaxed.
My cat was more friendly with less people around. It was weird!
On Christmas day we ventured into the city for dim sum at Yank Sing.
We went for a long walk afterward.
Checking out the tree in Union Square.
It was weird to be in the city when all of the stores were closed.
We popped into hotels looking for cocktails.
Hot toddy adventure!
Steamy windows.
My parents watched Cooper this week and we had a one day stay-cation.
I made us hot toddies with Apple Infused Bourbon.
Foggy morning hike.
Day date in the city!
Day dates remind me how nice it is to hold hands with my husband.
Banh mi sandwiches at Bun-Mee. I had this fried catfish situation with salt & pepper fries.
BONKERS.
A little detour into Jonathan Adler…my happy place!
I want Christmas lights up YEAR ROUND. I’ve been enjoying coffee on the couch in the mornings with this view.
Dinner at Delarosa with my family. This kid got a haircut after I saw this pic.
Black, white, red & blue.
I helped put together a puzzle this week. IT WAS AWESOME. More puzzles in 2015. Please/thank you.
Testing out light with Joel.
Above.
Below.
Photo by Joel Aron.
Proof of my first kayak experience. Thanks for the pep-talk, Joel. I really thought I was gonna fall in.
My brain makes the water animate.
Testing out emotions.
If I have a sharpie and your foot is near me…be careful.
A moment of calm.
Master builder on his new Lego table (thank you NINI!)
Also…watching A Christmas Story because THAT’S WHAT YOU DO ON CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!
A grouping of my favorite things.
Take your boo to work day ONE.
Take your boo to work DAY TWO.
Retox Detox recipes in the making.
Party nail.
Blue yellow orange.
One last JOY shot. Bonus N.
LAST WEEK OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!! I can’t believe how fast that went.
I’ll be continuing this series in 2015 because I really love looking back and seeing both the little/BIG moments throughout the years.
There’s a new Joy the Baker podcast! Our last one of the year. This week we {real} talk about entertaining, the holiday season & the Serial Podcast. Check out episode #133 –That OJ wasn’t FREE.
I always make big plans for special breakfasts on holidays. Last year I made Breakfast Tacos (I spiced it up with soyrizo) for Christmas morning and this year I was thinking of making a ton of bacon, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and grilled sourdough but who am I kidding?!! We’re all just gonna eat my mom’s sour cream coffee cake for breakfast. Well…FIRST breakfast…
Coffee cake is always a great addition to your breakfast game lineup. It’s nice to have out in the morning when people do that I’m hungover/up too early zombie shuffle into your kitchen looking for coffee. Hand them a mug and serve them up a slice. First breakfast is for those of us who wake up EARLY with the kids. We’re a special breed.
Casey and I picked at this cake for a whole week. One slice turned into two…and then a few slivers here and there and suddenly it was gone. It’s slightly dense, super moist (sorry!), studded with juicy raisins, sweet dates and toasted walnuts. It’s not too sweet. It’s perfect. It’s definitely going in the coffee cake rotation!
Here’s what this past week looked like:
My life’s mantra. I am so glad I found this.
Always look in puddles. You’ll never know what you’ll find.
In between rain.
What does that accomplish?
Following my dad in Fisherman’s Wharf.
CRAB SEASON!!!
Thank you to EVERYONE who entered my giveaway! A lot of you love my favorite scents- vanilla, lemon and lavender are my go-tos! I’ll be emailing the winners soon:
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