The Best of 2012

2012 had been one of the best (though sometimes hardest) years of my life.  So when I saw this list  from  {in}courage, I knew I wanted to celebrate by recording these:

The best recipe you couldn’t not make again?  Dear li'l 3-year-old grandson did not like my homemade venison sausage (It's too 'picy, Gramma!) so I switched out the pepper with minced garlic, which met his approval. 

The best book you couldn’t put down?  Well, I read Knowing God by J.I. Packer at least half a dozen times, and read through the whole Harry Potter series for the first time.  :) 

The best song that you just couldn’t get out of your head?  10,000 Reasons.  :)

The jeans that fit best?Haha. well.  Jeggings?  Then, after doing the diastasis exercises (see the best link) I fit back into all my regular jeans again.  :)  I don't know the brands.

The tool/gizmo/idea that worked best? (It’s true: One good idea in hand is worth two good friends knowing about it too!)  That would be the Mix and Masher from Pampered Chef:

The risk that returned best? (It’s why angels always say it first: “Do not be afraid.” You never start living until you stop fearing.)  Maybe taking a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old camping for the first time?  and the second time?  Pure delight!

The best link of 2102? One my daughter pinned for me on Pinterest: http://inspiredrd.com/2012/06/dear-diastasis-recti-im-so-over-you.html

The best laugh?  The things my grandchildren say. . .and do. . .and pretend!

The best living?  Oh, living the life God has for me. . .being who he wants me to be, doing the next thing, knowing I can be honest with him, not wanting to hide. . .And I had more purposeful fun than I have ever had in any year of my life!  Camping, picnics, trips, weddings, parties, games, movies, books. . .and so much pleasure and joy in doing them with people I love!

The best thing you didn’t want to do — but you did anyway? (Happiness comes to them who pursue hard things.)  :) Starting my council of friends was so hard. . .but they have been one of the biggest blessings in my life for  a long time!

What was the best habit?  After reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, I made a li'l chart to help me remember to send birthday cards and make phone calls to reach out to people. 

The best holiday?  Passover/Resurrection Sunday!

The best gift?  The best ever, and every day, is that God gave us himself!

The best sacrifice? (The best way to have more is to give more…)  Taking care of my mom for a few weeks--difficult but rewarding!  And thankfully she is much better now.