January -- Much of this cold month was spent hibernating, reading and de-decorating. We enjoyed a trip to London, Ontario to see friend Suzanne, celebrate late Christmas and see the National Theatre Live production of one of my favorite Sondehim musicals, "Follies." And then there was this cardinal, my favorite photo of the month!
February -- More hibernating and art. Our Baby Grand turns one!
March -- A slow month! But the weather begins to look up (even though it seemed it would never be warm again) and ditch walks bring visits with the deer!
And I did enjoy a fun visit to Chelsea, Michigan to lunch with blogger Mae from Mae's Food. It was good to see the sun again!
April -- Our friend Larry Stone received a well-deserved alumni award from MSU and theatre department chair Kirk Domer and I take Larry over to the U's fabulous scene shop for a private tour.
Ditch water is fully open and Harry returns.
And Southern Exposure classes begin with the HUGE sun face (which is so huge, I can't mount it on anything so it leans against the house looking very cool!
May -- I begin painting more -- practice makes better!
And, it's spring! Time for more Southern Exposure visits and projects, including this fun little planter!
June -- A trip to Maryland to see Rick's aunt and a great reunion with my college theatre friend, Patty kicks off the month.
My former "work brother," Tim, whom I've known since my first days in TV, retires and his party is a great reunion of old friends.
Summer Circle Theatre productions run through the month and trips to the lake begin!
July -- After a LONG overdue wait, our second Baby Grand is born (becoming the Little Little Guy and elevating his brother to Little Big Guy!).
We spent some time waiting at Sand Lake with Rick's cousins and aunt Carol which made the wait a little easier!
After that, loads of time at the lake.
Art camp begins, bringing with it loads of good fun and great sunsets!
August -- My lip cancer returns and my tendon in my foot ruptures (although we don't know that at the time). I celebrate my birthday at the Northern Michigan Asylum, where my great grandfather spent the last 13 years of his life -- part of my genealogical journey.
Art camp continues and we go on a healing quest! Loads of time at the lake, art camp continued and those sunsets didn't stop!
September -- My lip begins to heal after the chemo; the foot, not so much.
My friend Judy hosts a belated birthday lunch with friends Kate and Jane.
Ditch walks continue as best they can. Southern Exposure kicks off a fall season and we close the cottage for the season.
October -- Paris and England, the trip of a lifetime. The Klimt experience at Atelier des Lumieres was the hit of that city, along with seeing my old friend Jerry, blogger Peter of Peter's Paris and Tara Bradford Holmes, former blogger and instagrammer.
England. Biggest sigh. Meeting and discovering London with our wonderful hosts, blogger Jenny Woolf and her husband T. The hitting it on our own, meeting up with our friend and longtime PBS pal Joan and connecting with Canadian friend Suzanne for Sondheim's "Company." Then it was on to Windsor (St. George's Chapel), Oxford (Morse country), Bath and a day trip to the Cotswolds (below). And there is MUCH more of all that to come here on the Gypsy in the new year!
November -- Let the season begin! There was the attempt to deal with the worsened foot issue, recovering from the trip and a successful art sale.
The holiday season kicked off with the Greens Market and friends Jan, Kate and I enjoyed the last of the season at Southern Exposure.
At the end of the month, our friend Judy hosted a Friendsgiving dinner which was great fun!
December -- One of the highlights of this month was a cooking class with Chef Geoff Russell (if you are in the mid-Michigan area, his winter season begins January 13. Check it out here.)
Then on to holiday festivities. And a visit with this little guy!
So, onward to 2019. We'll celebrate the New Year's Eve afternoon with our Cork Popping friends and spend the evening listening and dancing to the wonderful blues band Root Doctor on the Michgian Princess riverboat, again with friends.
And someone will be looking out for her New Year's snack! Here's lookin' at you, Kid!
40 comments:
Thanks for the sweet words on my look back post.
It is lovely look back at the year.
I'm sorry about your lip cancer returning and your foot issue, but you obviously didn't let them stop you.
We just found out we will be having a second grandchild in June and like your little guy, our Andy will become a big brother.
Happy New Year
Looks like you had a great year, Jeanie. You have posted so many pictures of yourself we may have to rename you Narcissus! I hope that 2019 is equally rewarding, filled with good food, a little wine, a little romance and memories in the making. All the best to Rick, too, with good bread and good cycling.
A lot of memories! Happy New Year!
What a full year you have had, Jeanie! I admire how you remain positive and upbeat and carry on with friendships and travel, regardless of what life throws you. Here's hoping 2019 is even better! -Jenn
You had a wonderful and well filled year and saw and experienced a lot. May the next year be great, too. Hugs, Valerie
With all the fun things you do and all the great photos you take, I don't know how you could choose just one image to represent each month! You are so upbeat, it's been a pleasure getting to know you though the blog community this year.
We´re mostly hibernating since... oh, too long already - cute bird - and toddler!
The sun-mural is awesome!!!
Can´t wait for Harry again :-)
Sun and arts, awwww. And Baby!
Chemo. Oh. Well, we should be grateful there is at least something like that to eventually help... Hope your foot is better!
The trip of a lifetime sounds soooo good!
Seems like all in all you had a great year, Jeanie - to a great 2019!
What a beautiful year you have enjoyed. I am so sorry you had to deal with the lip cancer and foot issues, hopefully resolved. Having another little grand made the year most exciting along with a trip of a lifetime! I always enjoy your posts and I am so thrilled our paths crossed in blog land. Wishing you a a healthy and happy 2019 my friend!
What a beautiful year you have enjoyed. I am so sorry you had to deal with the lip cancer and foot issues, hopefully resolved. Having another little grand made the year most exciting along with a trip of a lifetime! I always enjoy your posts and I am so thrilled our paths crossed in blog land. Wishing you a a healthy and happy 2019 my friend!
Overall it sounds like it was a good year for you and your family. Here is to a healthier and happy New Year.
The cardinal made my heart sing. It's still a bird that I'd love to see someday - haven't seen one in California. The deer is magical, what a special animal. You had an eventful 2018, Jeanie, with many outings and travel. I love that sun mural. I don't remember seeing that picture before. And a sweet picture of you and the little one. Being a grandmother is simply the best.
Happy New Year Jeanie! I appreciate your blog friendship very much.
~Sheri
Seeing your wonderful photo retrospective shows me a very eventful year in 2018! I'm so glad you came through with flying colours. May 2019 be a stellar year for you and Rick. Much love ☺
So many wonderful pictures. And the last one...purrfect.
Hope your 2019 is filled with good health, happiness, peace and prosperity.
Other than the lip cancer and your tendon, it does sound like a fabulous year. You have so many blessings to be thankful for. I wish you a wonderful year in 2019 filled with much love, joy and lots of peace, and definitely a fixed tendon and no more lip cancer. Hugs-Erika
Loved the re-cap, Jeanie. Your photos are fabulous. I hope you enjoy the end of the year with your cork-popper friends. And I wish you and Rick the best year yet. Here's to a fabulous 2019. hugs, Deb
So great that your year was packed so full of beautiful experiences. I'm thrilled to have been one of your highlights! That Chelsea lunch and shopping trip was really fun. I hope we can do it again soon.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
What a nice review. Other than the lip cancer and foot problems it looks like a good year. Oh how your little guys have grown just in the one year.
What a big year! Love the photo collage as a way of capturing the highlights. I think I have been inspired alot by your stamina and resiliance. I specially like your return to painting practice. Keep it up.
Wonderful recap of your 2018 with all the great memories and special photos.
Hope 2019 brings you lots of health and a lot more wonderful travel moments and time spent with the grandkids.
What a wonderful year! Best wishes for another fabulous year!
You have some incredible memories of 2018. Not sure how you are going to top that this year, but I bet you will. This is an amazing post, Jeanie. I hope you have a healthy, joyous, productive, and photo worthy 2019. Give Lizzie a snuggle from me, please.
what a year, huh? I can't help thing however, of all the years before, the friends especially, who have touched my life and are no longer here. May 2019 be a great year to remember, recreate, continue and spread the love that is ever so fragile, yet so strong. HAPPY 2019 JEANIE!
A lovely summary. Very Happy New Year to you!
Oh well done! Your poor little lip..Gotta love great doctors that fixed it all up perfectly..You brave optimistic happy girl!!
Kudos..Great look back:)
Sounds like a pretty great year for you. Well, the lip cancer returning for a while there wasn't a good thing, and neither was the thing with your foot. But other than that, it sounds like you had a great 2018. I hope 2019 will be even better!
Such a great year for you (well except for the lip cancer and foot). I'm encouraged as I start 2019 with a renewed spirit and hopefully more blogging. Thank you for being such a bright light in the blogging world.
Enjoyed the wonderful photos and your big smile always.
Happy New Year!
Phyllis
Thanks for the recap, as I came in mid way. I didn’t know you had lip cancer, I hope it is better? The etendon ruptured, no wonder you were in so much pain! I hope that is better too.
We are in for some heat again the next few days, with Friday at 40 c again.
Cath
Jeanie, it is fun looking back over your busy year. Your pics are so good and always love to see the Little and Little guys. Here's to another year on the way..Happy New Year..xxoJudy
Happiest of New Years wishes going your way!
I'm so happy to have been along for the ride of your calendar happenings this past year, Jeanie. You've had what looks like a great year, nurturing relationships and enjoying new experience along the way. Truly, joie de vivre! Happy New Year!
What a great wrap for 2018 Jeanie!
I'm so sorry to hear about your lip cancer - that must have been a big worry for you....
Sorry Jeanie, I've been a terrible blog buddy the past year, but I'm hoping to sharpen up my act this year.
I'm still working at least 3 days a week which is a challenge at my age!
Anyhoo, it's lovely to be in touch again and thank you for keeping in touch with me!
I'm looking forward to your Cork Poppers - I love those posts.
If you like Pinot Gris, I can recommend the New Zealand "HaHa", from a vineyard in Hawkes Bay province
Wishing you and Rick and your wider family good health and happiness for 2019!
Hugs
Shane xxx
So many memories! I hope 2019 is a good one, happy and healthy.
Amalia
xo
It's been a nice year for you! I wish the 2019 will bring you more happiness and health than the previous one.
Happy New Year!!
Great recap of your year. You are a busy lady! I enjoyed your review.
Wishing you great health and happiness in this new year.
What a year you had! I am glad it had many shining moments. I hope the lip cancer stays away this time! Fingers crossed!! And that ruptured tendon sounded so painful and came at the worst time. But I'm glad you still made the most of your trip and were able to enjoy your time in Paris and England!
2018 was quite an amazing year for us as well. Paul was of course the highlight of the year. It was a very challenging year at times but the good far outweighs the bad!!
Such fabulous 2018 memorabilia...Thanks for sharing all the joyous pictures and moments... Happy New Year...Hug
What a wonderful year in review, Jeanie! I love your cat's eye!!! Say, did I ever ask you, do you know my cousin Bill Pimentel? He has worked for years for WGBH Boston? Don't know how big or small PBS is all together, but that is his heart. I think he is in membership, if I recall. He writes a lot on Facebook if you are interested ~ just wrote a short piece on visiting the Lincoln Memorial over Christmas ~ very patriotic, indeed!
Enjoy the New Year! Happy to catch up today. <3 Pinned a ton from all the posts I read for you! :)
Hugs,
Barb :)
Oh, yes! Hope your lip is feeling much better! My dad died from melanoma so I am really religious in getting checked each year since I've lived in sunny areas all my life. Just small keratomas and a couple small basil cell so far.
Best wishes for a full recovery and keep putting sunscreen on your lips (tastes yucky but works!),
Barb :)
Oh, Jeanie, I just spotted this post, and I recognised the lovely image from the Christmas card you sent! These are lovely photos and although I'm sure you don't wish to remember the lip cancer, I am glad that it has healed so well, I would not have known you'd had it when you were here.
Post a Comment