Farewell 2015 + Some Favorites From the Past Year

As I sat down to write this post and look back at what happened this year, it became really hard to fathom that another entire year has gone by. 12 months. 365 days. It seems to fly by so fast and before you know it, you're ushering in yet another new year. This year has been one of self discovery. Figuring out who I am and what I want to do. Even if it means changing my mind and career trajectory a few times. I've had a lot of anxiety lately over my career path and a lot of worry/fear. It seems that my default is to play the "what-if" game which only ends up de-railing me in the end if I let it win. As I watched one of my favorite musicians last night, I suddenly got the message the universe has been trying to tell me. He was talking about how it's no way to live if you are constantly afraid of tomorrow. Tomorrow is no guarantee so you might as well live life right this damn minute. Take charge! Do something! Do everything! Thank you Shakey, you're so wise :)

I don't share a whole lot about my personal life here on the blog, but here's an update on where I am and where I'm going in 2016. I start yoga teacher in January and couldn't be happier. Yoga has done a lot for me and I couldn't imagine life without it at this point. It will be such an honor to pass this gift on to others as an instructor. I'm also planning on bringing the baking business side of Sweet Miscellany back from its hiatus! This means finding a new farmers market, completely overhauling my etsy shop, and creating a product line-up. And, I'm still planning on blogging and developing/photographing recipes as much as I can. I've dreamed of moving to Austin for a long time so it's possible that may occur in 2016 though I'll have my hands full enough as it is :)

Before I leave you with my list of favorites from this past year, I want to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of you that actually takes the time to read my blog. I know you have millions of other things to do, so thank you for making me a part of your day! Have the happiest of new year's celebrations friends! I'll be back in January with more tasty morsels for you :)

dark chocoalate cardamom mousse tart with coconut & candied ginger crust (this one helped me celebrate my 29th birthday at the beginning of the year)

late spring crostini with fennel frond gremolata (this beauty reconfirmed the fact that I love the shit out of eating things on toast)

solstice watermelon wedge salad (one of my favorite salads to date!)

 spiced cacao maca shake (...and this one is my favorite shake/smoothie to date...mmmmmmm)

buckwheat scones with spiced butternut squash butter (I'm pretty sure I devoured all of these scones after shooting the photos...oops)

dark chocolate pumpkin truffles with smoked sea salt (pumpkin truffles...hell yes!!)

tahini dark chocolate chunk blondies with candied ginger & figs (I still dream about these blondies but haven't made them lately for fear of eating the entire pan in one sitting)

roasted kabocha & fennel soup (one of my favorite soups)

sweet potato & sage corn muffins (best little corn muffins in Texas...haha)

gingersnap pumpkin pie (basically my pie dreams brought forth into reality)

vanilla spice sugar cookies (planning on making these again very soon, very soon indeed)