a look back on 2012 {in words and photos}…

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This post took me the better part of two days. CRAZY. In a way I feel like I must be out of my mind to spend so much time on one post that will get lost in the shuffle sooner rather than later, except I know I’m not crazy at all because I LOVED THIS YEAR and I love this post and it was completely worth it to take the time and look back on it all and reflect and be thankful.

Now I have lots of thoughts about 2012 but, of course, I’m spent and I have no energy to write it.

… except for this:

2012, I have loved you.

You were fun and you were eye-opening and you were full of light and love.

2012, YOU WERE TERRIFIC.

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And also…

YOU.

Thank you, thank you! for reading and for following along on all of my adventures.

I am proud and humbled by what this little blog has become over the course of this year. This space makes me smile (BIG) and I’ve loved documenting and sharing everything here and with all of you.

I wish you a full and beautiful 2013. May you be thankful and healthy and most of all, may you be HAPPY.

Always!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Cheers, friends.

CHEERS!

Comments

  1. I love this post! Such a great way to recap your year and definitely time well spent. Don’t worry about it getting lost in the shuffle – I’m sure you’ll stumble on it every once in awhile and just smile.

    xo
    Erin

    • Thank you, Erin! And you know what? It’s posts like this one that I never forget. This one is one of my absolute favorites.

  2. I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE ME!!!!! You have had an AMAZING year, and I’m so glad I got to know you this year :) Yay!

  3. This is amazing! Totally worth 2 days!

  4. I loved looking back over these photos, so thank you bunches for taking the time to work on it! You have had a beautiful and wonderful year, and I can’t wait to see what you do with 2013! I always love stopping by here and seeing what new adventures you’ve been on. I hope you have a wonderful New Year. I certainly look forward to reading about it! :)

  5. This is gorgeous! And that’s the kind of thing that will be so much fun for you to look back on in five, ten, fifteen years, so I say totally worth the time!!

    • That’s why I love this blogging thing. How lucky will we be to have our lives documented so thoroughly 15 years from now? It’s amazing, really!

  6. Your blog is my absolute favorite. Thanks for taking the time to do this! I love recaps and this is the best I’ve seen this year. You have so many stripes in your wardrobe + I LOOOOVE that. Also, “do what you feel in your heart to be right” … I really needed to hear that right now. Much love, pretty lady! xo, eliza

  7. TOTALLY worth the time. I loved looking through your photos from the past year and I’m sure the process was fun for you. It has been such a pleasure to discover your blog this year and I am very excited to follow along in 2013. I hope your next year is even better than the last!

    • Thank you! I’m so glad you found my blog and I’m so glad I found yours! It’s always nice to find another adventure lover and that’s exactly what you are! Happy New Year, Melissa!

  8. Such a great post! beautiful!!

  9. This post is pure magic, Anna.

  10. Sarah Wilson says:

    Love this post!! A great recap of 2012 and it certainly had an awesome year!! You always remind me to stop and appreciate the little things! Happy New Year to you and Zan!!

  11. Such a magical post. You are so talented Anna and you make the BEST of everything. We are all so blessed to know a girl like you!!!!

  12. ahhh I LOVE this post! It was a great year, wasn’t it?!

    Can’t wait for many new memories in 2013 and lots of time together!

    LOVED looking back at the trips to Maine and Ali’s wedding celebrations! Good times!

  13. YOU GO GIRL! This post was worth every one of those 2 days you spent working on it. I’ve already gone through it thrice!

    I love all the pictures and quotes and the fact that I made it in there two times :) Did you do this using your fancy new Lightroom software?!

    HAPPY 2013!! Let’s plan a date soon!!!! I love this and I love you!

    • Yes to the date! SUPER EXCITED about our love in 2013.

      Also, no I did not use Lightroom on this post! Zanner and I are purchasing a new iMac (FANCY PANTS) and the Lightroom software will go on that computer. Big screen! Blogger heaven!

      • SO exciting!! Big screen!! Lightroom!! I think that takes you all the way to the profesh blogger level.

        • PROFESH? I’ll take it.

          Also, obsessed that you commented on this post FOUR times. What’s the fancy word for four?

          Also, what’s the likelihood that Zan will get screen time on the new computer?

          Likely, NEVER.

  14. Thrice. #fancy

  15. I figured if I was using the word thrice I might as well comment thrice.

    (too many glasses of wiiiiiiine)

  16. happy new year anna! i’m so glad 2012 brought about our wonderful friendship – an absolute highlight of the year for me. i hope your 2013 is as filled with light and love and happiness – i can’t think of a more deserving person.

    • thanks, C! And here’s to many MANY more real life friend dates in 2013! I adore you and am so very happy to call you my friend! XO!

  17. So glad you spend two days on this post. It was absolutely worth it.

  18. So cute and wonderful. And seriously, did you do all of this with Pages?! I need a tutorial like whoa. I have not gotten that advanced. Is it weird for me to say that I can’t wait to see what fun 2013 brings for you?

    Cheers to 2012!

    • YES! I did it all with Pages! It’s so simple, really, it just takes a bit of time!

      And not weird at all, I cannot wait to see what 2013 brings for you either! I LOVE your 2013 commitments! YOU ROCK!!!!! :)

      • Bleh! I wish your responses came to me in email form! I NEVER remember to come back and check. Well anytime you want to post another Pages tutorial, I will pin the shit out of it ;) (omg. I hope it’s ok to curse on here?)

  19. Happy new year! Very impressive layout and year! xoxo

  20. I loved seeing a glimpse into your year through these photos. And I love the layout, the font, and the overall happiness that exudes from this post!

    Have I mentioned (in the least creepy way) that you’ve become one of my most fave blogs this year? I love that you’re a teacher and I hope to be as good of one as you are someday.

    Happy 2013!

  21. Love, love this! What a beautiful year you’ve captured. May 2013 be just as beautiful! xx

  22. Ali Herter says:

    This post made me cry. Happy tears. You’re an inspiration. I forgot to tell you, my sisters read your blog too and Pam’s words were “I WANT Anna’s life.” I do too. Love you friend xxxxxx

  23. Oh you should definitely print this out and frame it! And then offer it as a service to others :)

  24. Everything here warms my heart. LOVE the photos, the words, and the memories. You, my dear, are amazing– wishing you just as wonderful a 2013, and can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures to come! xxx

  25. OH MY GOODNESS! i am all grins over here in my cozy cafe chair. ALL GRINS! glad i made a cameo into what seemed to be such an amazing and lived-in year for you, dear! hope to make it in for the next year, too :) love you, lovely lady!

  26. You so have a backup career if you ever want to take a break from teaching.

    I am so excited that I appeared in MORE THAN ONE of these photos!! But also makes me realize how long it’s been since I’ve spent any time with my bloggy friends. Maybe I need to make some resolutions too. =)

    xoxo

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