Everyone does end of year lists. Books, movies, whatever.

I am just going to list some of random the things I loved from this past year with no rhyme or reason.

1. Tea

I have been drinking lots more hot tea in the afternoons or evenings and it has really helped me relax. My favorite teas I discovered were Chamomile Mint and Ginger Peach.

2. Travel

From little trips to leaving the country 2 years in a row. The more I travel the more I learn and grow as a better person.

3. Vynl

I jumped on the box subscription band wagon with a 3 per month curated record membership. Not all have been huge hits but many have been solid new favorites. I absolutely love getting my records in the mail each month.

4. My Day Planner

Having a portable paper calendar has been helpful and this year I got a really nice one for 2017. Hoping to stay more organized.

5. My Kayak

Nancy has been the best thing I have ever purchased. period. Kayaking can be relaxing and exhilarating. I feel like Lewis and Clark every time I go down a new river or a new section of a lake. I think I will spend the rest of my life kayaking.

6. The Pampered Chef Ceramic Microwave Egg Cooker

I cook perfect fluffy scrambled eggs or fried eggs everyday. I have a hard time getting enough protein in my diet and this little dog bowl looking thing has been a God send. Topped on a bagel or English muffin and a slice of Vegan cheese. YUM!

7. Pen Pals

I have a couple of pen pals I have started sending fun little postcards or handmade cards to. The joy I get from a little hand written note from someone I have never met but am slowly getting to know is immense. It is such a little thing but it has been such wonderful fun.

8. Zero

We lost Zoe this year and it has had a huge impact. Zero has developed some new quirks and I am seeing some ailments manifest. He has cataracts now and his hearing is going. He is still pretty spry and it getting more and more spoiled. I have put a lot more focus on him. He has been traveling with us to Grandmas to visit Rocky. He is putting on a bit of weight from getting lots of treats. Ariana got him a new harness and besides gaining his sea legs on the kayak he will be getting more hiking hours in. We are making it a point to soak in as much time with our aging Fox Terrier as possible.

9. Comic Books

Having a super hero obsessed little boy has inspired me to really get to know the characters behind the influx of Marvel and DC movies. I discovered my local library has a ridiculous assortment of graphic novels. I am pretty new to the comic book scene and by geek standards am not any where close to an expert but I have enjoyed quite of few lately. My favorite so far has been Suicide Squad and actually prefer the new over the old (my daughter prefers the old). Ms. Marvel was pretty good too. I am currently reading Runaways.

10. Rey

I think it goes without saying Star Wars was/is and has been my favorite movie ever since I was a child. It was my first non-animated movie I ever saw in the theater and I was hooked from the start. Disney has knocked it out of the park with the last 2 movies but man could they have cast/created a better new character with Rey? I LOVE HER. She was my first ever attempt at real cosplay. She is a strong female lead and I can't wait to watch her grow.

11. Roadside Attractions

I have always loved the strange and unusual. This year I stepped it up a notch by visiting lots of random museums. With the discovery of Roadside America and Atlas Obscura I am hoping to up the ante for 2017.

12. Yeti

Or Rtic or Reducer from Costco. Shane got a Yeti from our daughter last Christmas and I had no idea how awesome it was. I am way too cheap to buy one but when I heard about the knock offs that are just as good for 1/4 of the price I splurged. We have 4 of these things and I don't think I go a day without using one. Keeps the water on my nightstand cold for days. I fill it up and leave it in the car in the hot sun all day and it still has ice in it. I can drive to Beaufort, SC and sip the same piping hot cup of coffee the entire trip! It will fit 3 beers and keep them cold while I paddle down the river! I can not live without them. If you haven't jumped on the bandwagon, do it!

13. Seat Warmer

I got a seat warmer for my car at a white elephant and let me tell you...this thing has changed my life. Never again will I go without a butt warmer again!

14. Sky Chair

I have wanted one of these since the first time I went to the Renaissance Festival when I was 16. I got one on ebay, with the foot rest and drink holder for stupid cheap. Well this year I finally got the stand for it and it takes up a stupid amount of room in my living room but I love it. If I had a covered porch I would have hung it outside but really I don't want it to get ruined.

15. Polaroid Zip Printer

I scored this on Amazon Prime day and it has been the best little printer I have ever owned. I love printing out these little pictures and giving them away instantly and anywhere.

16. it Girl Cosmetics

My M-I-L gifted these too me and I have to say the foundation and mascara are the best I have ever tried in my life. The CC cream is a game changer and literally takes years of my skin. I am currently out and I can tell a difference without it. Will never buy another foundation ever.

17. Bath Bombs

I know I am late to the party on these but I am obsessed now. So far my favorite was the one I got on a whim from a farmers market. Now I am searching to find one that makes me feel as silky. I am slowly planning on going through the entire inventory at Lush.

18. Reading Blogs

I am late to the party on this one too. There was a couple of blogs 6 or 7 years ago I read but they stopped updating or they just started writing books or just changed completely. There are 4 I look at daily and a few I will check here and there as they don't update as often. In order as follows, The Dainty Squid, Under the Sycamore tree, The Daily Tay, The Only Living Girl in New York, Wander North Georgia, The Bloggess, Grits and Moxie, and The Office Goth.

19. Hiking

I feel like this is not anything new. I have been hiking since I was in high school. This year having the goal to hike one new trail a month, having a good friend with a similar goal and a boss who likes to do some hiking has taken it to a new level. I have read a few through hiking books that have left me itching for some longer / tougher hikes. There is something about the fresh air, all the sights and sounds that feel like I am a slate being wiped clean each time I go. It is invigorating.

20. Wine

This year I did a wine run, visited a few wineries and discovered that my tastes have shifted some. I used to be a red only drinker. Heavy on the Pinot Noir. My niece turned me on to a Sauvignon Blanc and I found South African Chenin Blanc are my new favorites.

I hope you enjoyed my completely random list of things I loved about 2016.

I think I am ready for 2017 now.

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