I’ve deleted and rewritten this first sentence at least thirty times. I’m forcing myself to reflect on the past year, but I can’t come up with any solid thoughts just yet. Maybe the process of writing it all out will help. I don’t care for New Year’s Day much minus my mom’s black eyed peas. Starting over is hard. As is saying goodbye to family and the anticipation of the holidays. Coming off that high leaves me dog paddling for awhile. Give me a week or two, though, and I’ll make my way to the shore. I’ll find my footing again. Life will take off at an alarming rate. And I’ll beg it to slow down at the start of each new week. But for now, I’m still holding on to 2012.

To that time my friends and I recreated Bitchin’ Sauce while my husband was interviewing all over the country for an internship position.

To that time we found out we’d be leaving our first married home, Chicago, for New Haven, CT.

To that time I created Salted Dark Chocolate Nutella Cookies and wrote a sing-songy post about it.

To that time my sister got married and I decided it would be a good idea to make the grooms cake.

To that time we moved across the country and it was weird to cook in a new kitchen at first so I decided to spend as little time in there as possible. And instated simple summer.

To that time I went to Alt Summit NYC and learned lessons that will shape me for a lifetime.

To that time I spilled all my fauxtography secrets. Maybe they weren’t all that secret.

To that time I redesigned my blog. And kept a real secret.

To that time I told my big secret. Launched a blog design business, Wooden Spoons Kitchen, with Erin. And dreamed I could really work for myself one day.

To that time I created Christmas in a Cookie and then shared it on a local news station, scared out of my witz.

To that time I said good bye to 2012 with a clink.

2012, you brought some pretty, unexpected changes to life. You inspired me. You showed me my dreams could be reality. You encouraged me. You taught me. You refined me. You were good to me. So much so I’m still hanging on. Until I write the date later today and remember it’s time.

Thank you, friends, for reading with me. Eating with me. Cooking with me. Celebrating with me. Let’s do this thing they call two thousand thirteen.