Happy New Year's Eve, friends!
It’s my tradition here on the blog to share a year-in-review post on December 31—a look back on the highlights, the celebrations, the things we learned and made and experienced during the year. 2021 was a long and tiring year, but also one of discovery and exploration.
Here's a look back on our year:
*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
In January, we made a commitment to explore more of our local parks and hiking trails. Every weekend through the winter and spring, we chose a new park or trail (usually followed by an afternoon of baking).
We made homemade bagels for the first time, my Grandma’s biscotti, and several new recipes from A Couple Cooks’ Pretty Simple Cooking.
In March and April, we spent several weeks taking apart our fireplace mantel and rebuilding it to be more characteristic of the 100-year-old original. We were thrilled to find the original inlaid bricks still in the floor!
In April, we started seeds for the garden inside (under a grow light) and became eligible for our first and second doses of the vaccine!
In May, we saw the lilacs blooming in Highland Park, painted the porch ceiling (a lightened version of Albemarle Blue), and planted our garden. I also hosted the 4th round of the Music Education Basics Workshop and re-launched The Art of Music Teaching & Learning.
In June, I hosted my second virtual piano recital, we picked Mock Orange by the armful, and we visited a new Italian bakery in town (pistachio gelato and croissants!).
In July, we visited Steve’s family in NH (I made my first tiramisu for the occasion). We stopped at the Meeting House where we got married (almost 10 years ago!) and caught the attendant as she was getting into her car to leave for the day.
I also attended the virtual National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. So much to take in!
In August, we spent a quiet week at the lake—sitting on the dock, going for long walks, painting in the morning, and swimming in the afternoons.
We painted the sunroom and had our contractor install radiant heat beneath a porcelain terracotta floor. It’s now our favorite room in the house!
At the end of the month, Steve returned to in-person teaching at Eastman (with masks and/or social distancing) and we re-launched The Musicpreneur Model.
In September, I returned to full-time teaching, though still online. Steve’s parents came for a quick visit and to hear a performance of Lauda at Eastman (my first concert since March 5, 2020!). We also went wine-tasting in the Finger Lakes (our first time in two years!).
Also, we discovered vegan pulled pork.
We saw the Beyond Van Gogh exhibit in Buffalo, NY and it was incredible. So much art to take in. I learned so much about Van Gogh’s life and work, through this experience and a biography I read over the summer.
I also launched my art shop on Etsy!
In October, we celebrated our 10th anniversary with a long weekend in Skaneateles. We spent the days walking through the village, exploring the shops, picking up to-go orders from the bakery, and exploring a trail by the river (that led to a brewery!).
We got caught up in Georgia Football and tried caramel apples from Stever’s Candies for the first time (a new fall tradition!).
At the end of the month, I received word that I could return to in-person teaching at school (after 19 months!). About 2/3 of my students returned to in-person lessons; the rest have remained online.
In November, we celebrated our birthdays with a visit to the MAG, our local art museum, and a sweet treat from The Mad Hatter, one of our favorite local bakeries. We also celebrated the one-year anniversary of Musician & Co.—a resource for freelancers, musicpreneurs, and self-employed musicians.
We got our booster shots and made a vegetarian Thanksgiving for the two of us with broccoli-quinoa casserole, cranberry sauce, sweet potato biscuits, North Carolina corn casserole, and cornbread-veggie chorizo stuffing.
After Thanksgiving, we made Cacio e Pepe for the first time and my Grandma’s arancini. Oh, and Rory had a playdate.
In December, we baked cookies and wrote Christmas cards, watched movies and worked on our hobbies (painting for me, woodworking for Steve). During the break, we spent a few days at a cozy cabin in the Adirondacks to ski with Steve’s parents.
I also finished reading my 26th book of the year! See my top five books here.
2021 was a year of waiting, exploring, and discovering new things. It was a quiet year, but one of learning and growth, and deep gratitude.
As always, I’m grateful for what has been and hopeful for all that is to come. Cheers to 2022!
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