The other day I came across NPR’s annual “Year in Review: 50 Wonderful Things from 2023” and thoroughly enjoyed reading through it.

NPR 50 Wonderful Things.

As there are plenty of year end stories recapping the tragic things that have happened as well as all the loss that has been experienced this year, it is refreshing to read a piece devoted to the lighter side of our past year.

That in mind, like everyone, our year in the Hippie Hut has had its share of illness and stresses – but also many amazing memories and joyful times together, so, in the spirit of the NPR list, I decided to make my own.

There were so many to choose from – but I whittled it down to 10 Wonderful Things of 2023. ❤

(In no particular order)

1. Our Sweet Henry’s 10th Birthday. – After all our baby boy has been through, we celebrated his 10th “On The Farm” birthday party with great joy. We love him dearly and are deeply grateful to celebrate him.

   

2. Braves Baseball Season with My Better Half. – This year, we got Courtney a Braves TV package for his birthday to watch all the games – but I had no idea how much fun we would have throughout the season watching the games together. It really has turned into one of our favorite things and I can’t wait for season to start again in the spring.

   

3. Petting My Giraffes. – Back this summer, Bug, Liz, and I went to the Alabama Safari Park down below Montgomery to see many wonderful animals – and interact with them – and have the most fantastic day. However, the highlight of All. The. Things. to me was getting to feed the giraffes in a completely unrestricted way, where they were touching my face and putting their noggins on my shoulders. Oh my word. I was in Heaven, I tell you. ❤

   

4. Our Trip to the Lake in August. – Courtney and I haven’t really been able to travel overnight together in several years with kids and dogs and our schedules, so it was wonderful to go with him for a work conference and get to spend a couple of days at the lake with Mom, Pop, and GJ, and take Henry too. We had the most wonderful time all together as a family. ❤

   

5. My Greenhouse. – For our anniversary, Courtney gave me a greenhouse for all of my plants in the winter – and worked so hard to build it. It is absolutely amazing and I still can’t believe I have one sometimes.

   

6. Southern Christian Writer’s Conference. – SCWC is always a highlight of the year, held over the course of a weekend in June, organized by my bestie Cheryl, with lots of speakers and workshops and many things to learn. It’s so precious to be with friends and have the sweetest couple of days together.

   

7. Football Season. – Of course, we love football season here in the Hippie Hut. Not unexpectedly, State has had a bear of a season – but Hail State anyway and we are very hopeful for our new coach. What has been so exciting is for my better half and the Crimson Tide who have just pulled off the most amazing turn around and are in the Rose Bowl tomorrow (New Year’s Day). It has been a fantastic season all around and all fingers and toes are crossed for this trend to continue. Roll Tide.

   

8. Audiobooks (Thank you, Matthew Perry.) – My entire life, I have insisted I don’t have the patience to listen to books – and I’m still sure I don’t have any desire to just sit and listen to them. However, when Matthew Perry passed away, I could not get a copy of his book anywhere (and the reviews were so good) but Audible kept offering me a free copy of the audiobook – actually read by him – with a trial of its service. I finally couldn’t resist and I got it and immediately began listening as I did my chores around our house and worked on my plants. I quickly discovered, as I cried my way through his wonderful book (there is a whole post coming about that), that I love listening to books as I work. And I was hooked. I started checking out audiobooks from the library. Listening as I am doing things at home, I now read two or three extra books a week. I had no idea how much more I would read this way and it has changed this little word nerd writer’s book life. Thank you, Matthew Perry. ❤

   

9. The Bestie Road Trip to Starkville. –  Just a couple of weeks ago, my Cheryl and I hit the road to Starkville for her book research and I am grateful in several ways. First, I am thankful for the time with her as it was long overdue. Second, I loved getting to show her my town. Lastly, after having been too sick to take trips like that for a long time – though it did send me to bed for a few days (totally expected), the gratitude I feel to be able to go on such outings again is impossible to put into words. God is so good. ❤

   

10. The Nutcracker with my Buggle. – I posted a few weeks ago also about Buggle taking me to see the Nutcracker for Christmas and it was the most lovely Christmas gift. As I have also mentioned, I put up a Nutcracker Christmas tree this year because it is one of my favorite Christmas-y things and having a day out with Bug to see it was just perfect. Thank you, sweet pea! ❤

    

There are so many things to be grateful for – my wonderful husband, our precious family, our sweet fur babies, our dearest friends, our cozy amazing Hippie Hut, and so much more.

I am truly blessed and leaning into 2024. Tomorrow’s post will be 2024’s Word of the Year.

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve, everyone.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.