Best of times?  I really think so.  Now, truly is a wonderful life.  Everyday, there is a struggle to hold on and slow time as it is.  Looking back, I see that blessings abounded in 2012; even in the trials.

I loved the invitation to reminisce. Here is my attempt at remembering the good…My Best of 2012:

Best Gift: It’s a Wonderful Life DVD from my daughter.  We watch it every year.

Best/Worst thing: Cysts on my vocal chords are teaching me to quiet.

The best recipe I couldn’t not make again:

My New Homemade Crock pot Macaroni and Cheese; tweaked from my old recipe….even better.  Talk about a comfort food!

• 16 oz cooked and drained macaroni
• 1/4 c butter (it’s gotta be butter, just sayin’)
• 4 eggs stirred
• 2 cans of evaporated milk
• 4-5 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
• Mix together in crock pot.  Cook on high for 30 minutes and then low for 1 hour to 1 hour and 1/2

The best book I couldn’t put down: Daring Greatly By Brene Brown

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt “Citizenship in a Republic,”
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

and One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Best trick:  Finding comfy jeans and pants in the juniors section…

Best idea: Pinterest!~

Best challenge: Christian boot camp with Rhymer Fitness and Christian power yoga

Best Movie: Les Miserable .  Who knew Russell Crowe could sing???

Best song from 2012; I can’t get outta my head: Sidewalk Prophets,

Best Prayer: from my friend, Jeannie, whom I have never met in person.

Best picture: taken before dissection

Best (though hard) Goodbye:

Ruth’s funeral where everyone wore purple.  …and she planned the whole thing from start to finish.

Best field trip:

Charlotte Mecklenburg Court House Tour

Best feeling:  First published check.

Best dance:  Participating in a Flash mob!

Best video: Waverley Mansion’s, Call Me Maybe

The risk that returned best: Attending She Speaks with amazing women in my speaker evaluation group;

learning to be vulnerable and courageous.

The best link/video of 2102:

Brené Brown: Listening to shame

The best laugh? Gut heaving sobs of laughter with friends and family…the kind that leave you teary and breathless. I live for those.

The best living:  In the here and now and ordinary.

The best habit? At least 15 minutes of silence every day. Love 30.

Best intro:

The Best Guy: celebrating 20 years~! And lastly,

Best quote I heard in 2012:

Not a new one…..

“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” Aristotle

Remember, as you begin your journey in 2013…

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

(Remember too, that this was spoken to those facing 70 years of exile.)

So… what was your Best of 2012?