CHEERS!! 2014 was a good one, maybe even the greatest yet.
I started out the year 3 months pregnant and said goodbye to snowy Michigan and hello to rainy Oregon. We drove a lot of miles, crammed ourselves into a sleek and tiny light-filled apartment in a great Portland neighborhood and settled in. Less than six months later, we house hunted and moved into our first home. Exactly a week after we moved into the house, our son Casper Hart, was born. It was an insanely wonderful first half to a year. Then, we got to work settling into our home with our boy. We fell crazy in love with our tiny human, slept little, and nested a lot. The second half was equally crazy and amazing.
Portland “snow” in our backyard.
Through it all we ate a ton of amazing food, visited with our families, and explored our new city. I also blogged and worked on freelance projects. Some for my girl Betty and a few others. It was fun and exciting and stressful. I found the light in 2 new spaces (the second of which I’m still figuring out) and tried to simplify my whole process. I was both happy with and frustrated with my work–it made me realize I want to work better and be better. I hosted some guest posts from bloggers I love and admire. I cannot give enough thanks to Nicole, Amy, Sarah, Erika, and Megan for taking care of my space while I took some time to birth a human and learn how to mom.
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
I made a lot of new favorite recipes this year and some of them were your favorites, too. One of those things I didn’t make, but my talented blogger friend did. Unsurprisingly, they were all treats and a lot of them were the frozen variety, some had booze, some were cakes, and there was also a pie and cookie that won your hearts and stomachs.
Double Berry Swirl Amaretti Ice Cream
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream
4-Ingredient Strawberry Cream Pops
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Pops
The Sugar Hit’s Blackberry Jam Donut Bundt Cake
Hazelnut Crunch Pumpkin Cake with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Malted Oatmeal Cookies with Hazelnuts and Sea Salt
And, my number one, tip-top, favorite of all time-ever, was this guy. I know, I know…this is who I am now!
Don’t punch me.
In the new year I hope to continue to simplify my blogging/working process and put myself out there more regarding blogging and opportunities related to this space. I want to define my aesthetic more and hone my photography. I want to work on my writing and make it more meaningful when I can without it becoming too serious. I would also like to include more life stuff, maybe some mom stuff, but I’m still trying to figure out how to include it in a sensible way. Becoming a mom has changed me in so many amazing ways and I just want to figure out how to share some of that here.
Anyway, peace out 2014! You were an amazing gem and gave me so much more than I could have hoped for or even imagined. Wishing all of you all of the health and happiness in the lands for 2015. Cheers!!!
Happy Happy New Year my friend! I hope to meet again in person in 2015. Mainly so I can steal that baby! Lots of love to you babes! xoxo
Thank you!! I so hope we can connect again, I know Casper would adore you!!
Cindy, I have really enjoyed your writing, photography, and your authenticity. Congrats on becoming a mama, the big move, and a very eventful 2014. Cheers to 2015! xo
Thank you, Kasey! You don’t know how much I appreciate it. You are truly an inspiration for me!
This is my first time commenting, but I gotta say: Casper is gorgeous! This is the first photo I’ve seen of him. Great job!
I love your blog. Here’s to a great 2014 and hoping for a great 2015 too.
Thank you, Jessie!! Cheers to you!
What a momentous and productive year, Cindy! I loved every moment of if that you shared here, and I know that 2015 — and whatever small modifications may come with it — will be just as rewarding. (Of course, I don’t think your space needs an ounce of change, but it’s always inspiring to hear that other bloggers are constantly reevaluating their aesthetic and such — it’s a never-ending process!) And I could never punch you in the face for posting pics of that little guy. What a champ! Happy 2015! 🙂
Your baby is adorable! Happy New Year to you – Wishing you all the best and you picked the best place to live, people there seem super creative lol
I love this post Cindy!! These are such wonderful goals–I feel like I have the exact same ones. Try to work more efficiently (not harder) and really hone my photography and writing this year. Here’s to a New Year! Congrats on an amazing year! I could stare at your baby pictures all.day.long.
Thanks Laura!! Cheers to you, I have a feeling your 2015 is going to be a memorable one 😀
Oh yay, I love this post 🙂 You had such a big year in 2014! I can’t wait to see all the amazing things you do in 2015, because they surely will be amazing. All the best!
Congratulations on such a kickass year, lovely lady. I can’t enough of Casper’s cuteness, and I’m so glad that people liked that bundt cake! Can’t wait to see what you get up to this year!