the groves family best of 2015:

It was only as I looked through the pictures from 2015 that I remembered this was they year Rory incubated two eggs in the downstairs bathroom and successfully hatched them. I couldn't believe that happened within this year. And that this was the year we tried to sell bee-friendly flower seeds. Also notable was that Rory started blacksmithing and we got our first apple harvest. Most definitely 2015 will be remembered as the Year of the Barn and the year we finally got honey from our bees. And obviously topping the list, 2015 will go down as the year Harriet Joy joined our family.

This is still my favorite way to process the end of a year. Sometime I'll share how I go through all our pictures...because it's actually a system that I find really enjoyable. So much happens in a year and I often have forgotten about half of it until I look through the thousands of pictures we have on the computer.

Here's a look at a few other Best Of's from years past. And soon I will share pictures with you of what will certainly be the Best Purchase of 2016.\

2016 is sure to be a good time.

the best of 2014

And here we are, the last day of the year. For four years now I have sifted through a years worth of pictures to find "The Best Of..." It's an awesome (and time consuming!) way to process the last 365 days. This year my pictures correlate heavily to the months of the year...showing the seasons of farm-life, mom-life and community-life as they change throughout the 12 months. I sort of love this. Since I love the thought of a life lived fully aware of the world around me, I'll mark this as a step in the right direction. 

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you The Best of 2014:

That last one is a tease for Friday's blog post. Can't wait to tell about these ice bowls I made with my nieces. They. are. awesome.

best of lists from: 2013 / 2012 / 2011

best of 2013

This is my third year doing a 'best of' post, and every year I am amazed at all that happened in three hundred and sixty-five days. It's such a fun way to reflect on an entire year.  And once again, this year was packed full...full of chickens, kittens, bees, two growing children, a garden, maple syrup, a chicken coop, and lots of cupcakes. 

I give you the best of 2013:

Next up: some thoughts on 2013 and why I'm totally ready for a fresh start in 2014.

(And here's the best of 2012 and the best of 2011.)
Happy New Year Everyone!