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Wow – I can’t believe I’m bidding farewell to 2018. I know it’s cliché, and cliché to say that you know it’s cliché, but TIME IS FLYING! With each passing year I feel like the world is spinning faster and faster on its axis and I’m struggling to embrace every moment.  I have entered that phase of my life where I dread growing even another year older. I wish I could be one of those women that embrace aging, but I’ve got to be honest, I’m not enjoying growing older; however, I do enjoy being in my 30’s. I feel like since turning 30 I’ve become so much more comfortable with myself. I can go to the grocery store in my sweatpants without a stitch of makeup or a care in the world. I can laugh at my mistakes and admit fault. I recognize jealousy and anger and can look at those feelings objectively and logically, and I’m getting to know my anxieties, both understanding them and accepting them.

2018 has certainly had its share of ups and downs. The first few months of the year were spent anticipating and preparing the arrival of my beautiful baby girl, Harriet. A big shout-out again to my dear blogging friends for throwing that wonderful virtual baby shower to celebrate her birth!

I had very little energy for the blog during this time, and things got much worse about a month before Hattie was born. I started experiencing intense insomnia, and it literally consumed my life. If you’ve ever experienced chronic insomnia, you’ll know what I’m talking about! I spent many nights awake ALL night, not even sleeping for an hour. The next exhausting, foggy day would be filled with anxiety about the coming night. Anxiety about not sleeping, and not sleeping because of anxiety. Such a vicious cycle!

Once Harriet was born, things got a little better, but the insomnia beast never really went away. I was already awake a lot of the night because I had a newborn, but when I got a chance to sleep I didn’t. Truly awful!

Anyway, I tell you this because it unfortunately impacted a lot of my 2018. I’m happy to say that thanks to some wonderful doctors, a new mindfulness practice and some modern medicine, I’ve been doing SO much better the past few months, and most nights I conk out just fine. I no longer feel like a walking mombie 😉

This summer flew by, but we definitely enjoyed it. The weather was fantastic! I can hardly remember even one day of rain, although I’m sure we had a few. We went to Kelowna in August for a week and a had great time at the lake and picking fruit from the trees.

By the time fall rolled around, I was ready for pre-school to start up again. I enjoy having a bit of a routine, and Oscar enjoys having fun with his friends. I can hardly believe how fast the past few months went by. Thanksgiving and Halloween is just a blur – do you remember seeing Hattie’s pineapple costume?! I wish I could dress her up in it every day! Adorbs.

At the end of November we went to Cancun for a 10 day vacation at an all-inclusive. I hadn’t been to Mexico since I was 18! It was ah-mazing being surrounded by the ocean breeze and humidity, and the food was exceptional. Etienne and I are usually the type of travelers that love adventure and never stay in one place more than a couple of days, but I have to admit the ease of a resort that has everything you could need or want definitely makes the trip easier with kids!

And here we are. The holiday season, and 2019 peeking around the corner. With that in mind, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to all of my readers and fellow bloggers. Your support and words mean more than you could know. The blog is such a beautiful, creative outlet for me and I am excited and ready to throw more of my energy and passion into it this coming year!

Now, I leave you with the top 10 recipes from 2018.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

10. Orange Carrot Cake

9. Anniversary Cake for Two

anniversary cake for two

8. Apple Cinnamon Gin Fizz

Apple Cinnamon Gin Fizz

7. Tiger Tail No Churn Ice Cream

Tiger Tail No-Churn Ice Cream

6. Baby-and-Me Banana Waffles

baby and me banana waffles

5. Halloween Cake Pops

halloween cake pops

4. Baby-and-Me Banana Muffins

baby and me banana muffins
3. Sweet Potato Fries with Dill Dip

Sweet Potato Fries with Dill Dip

2. Gender Reveal Cupcakes

gender reveal cupcakes

 

AAAAND drumroll please – my number 1 recipe for 2019 is AGAIN….Healthy Smash Cake!

healthy smash cake

Here’s to a great 2019.

Cheers!

About Katherine

Heeey! Thank you for stopping by! I like 30-minute dinners and giant peanut butter cups made with only 3 ingredients. I LOVE food! If you do too, you're in the right place.

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16 Comments

  1. Happy New Years “Beautiful”💞 Thanks for sharing your recipes. Inspiring me to try them and impress my family..thanks to you! I really enjoy reading your daily life stories..reacquainting us. Insomnia is definitely a Stuart symptom. Granny, Brian, Larry and your Dad. I’m so happy to hear that you sought the help of a Doctor to get under control. Enjoy that family of yours and everything life has to offer in 2019😘

    1. Happy New Year to you Aunt Linda! I’m so glad you’ve followed along with the blog, and trying out my recipes! You’re right, I actually often thought of Granny while I would lie awake. I know she struggled with insomnia for years! Thank you – I hope your 2019 will be wonderful too! XO

  2. Katherine – I love your blog so much, and these recipes and photos in your “top 10” are among my favorites! Thanks so much for the inspiration! Cheers and Happy New Year! 🥰

    1. Aw, Laura! You are so sweet. Thank you!! I love finding inspiration in my fellow bloggers too! Happy New Year to you!! XO

  3. Happy New Year, Katherine! I know exactly that feeling of the world spinning faster; remember as a kid when summer vacation lasted forever? Now, as an adult, I know that Halloween is just around the corner even though it’s the second day of the new year. UGH. Also ugh to getting older and to insomnia. Insomnia is seriously the worst and I hate that you had to deal with it! I can’t wait to see all that you have in store for us this year 🙂

    1. Happy New Year to you my friend!! YES – I do remember that. By August you’re ready to go back to school because you’re bored…! Crazy kids. Insomnia is the WORST. Thanks Kelsie – I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy!! I hope you have a terrific year ahead of you as well. I’m glad we “met”! 🙂

  4. What a year, Katherine!! Love your family and those top 10 recipes look pretty amazing too. Cheers to a happy, healthy, joyful 2019!

  5. Happy 2019 Katherine! I totally agree. As I get older, time seems to be racing by. One year turns into the next so quickly! That’s definitely a downside of aging, but I’m with you, aging has also given me a confidence I never had in my 20s. Hello, sweat pants and no make up at the grocery store! I can also relate to insomnia, so I’m happy to hear you are sleeping much better these days. I wish you lots of fun family time and success with your blog in 2019!

    1. Hellllo sweat pants and no makeup! Haha, it’s liberating, isn’t it? I’m sorry you’ve also experienced insomnia, it’s such a drag…literally! Thank you for your comments, Leanne. I can’t wait to see what 2019 has in store for us both! 🙂

  6. Happy New Year Katherine!! I am embracing my 30’s too and trying to not fret about looking and growing older every year lol….ugh. Such fantastic recipes from this year….I can’t wait to see what you share in 2019 my friend! And so glad you enjoyed the virtual baby shower! XOXO

    1. I know, sometimes it is easier said than done not worrying about it haha! Thanks Kelly! It was a great year despite all the pregnancy sickness!!