100 Things that Made My Year: 2022
Unfiltered view from our patio (see no. 36)
I was inspired by Austin Kleon to make a list of 100 things that made my year in 2022. I journal every morning and part of my writing includes a list of 3 good things each day. The following are 100 things in no particular order from those lists.
Organizing and decorating my studio (aka my happy space)
Hanging my own art in my studio
The feeling I get every time I go into my studio
Migraine meds
Writing a letter of resignation for my super stressful job
Birdwatching: at my feeders (hummingbirds, songbirds, my first indigo bunting and eastern kingbird) and 2 very active red-shouldered hawks
Teacup bird feeder gift from awesome friends/neighbors
So much good food - mussels in scampi sauce from Glyndon Grill; fish tacos and mojitos at Taco Bravo; Wegman’s crème brûlée ice cream
Massages by the amazing Sarah McConnell
17-minute naps
Spotify playlists for every mood
Endless cups of tea especially JeannieBird Earl Grey crème, Mighty Leaf White Orchard, and Eastern Shore Tea Co “Starry Night”
Having a gas stove during power outages (and lighting it with a chopstick to make tea)
Generator during power outages on 4 very hot July days and 1 very cold December day
Having more time to enjoy cooking this year
Days where I didn’t “have” to go anywhere or do anything in particular after years of constant endless running
Nagging cough finally went away (no more stressful job = no more gastritis)
Survived my first colonoscopy
Bean soup deliveries from our kind neighbors
January jigsaw puzzles
Not having to work the PEEPshow ever again
Having a garage so I don’t have to scrape ice off my car
Great Pottery Throwdown
Manor Mill classes - nature dyeing and pottery wheel
New delicious, quick dinner recipes - naan bread pizzas and firecracker meatballs
Neighbor’s dog visiting for treats and scratches
Wayne Thiebaud exhibit at the Brandywine Museum “You probably won’t make a living, but you can make a life.”
People waving Ukrainian flags at a MD rest stop
New art supplies: Derwent Graphik markers; Sennelier brush with Payne’s Grey ink; cats tongue paint brush; tempera paint sticks; Ooly watercolor pods
Completing 2 art challenges: 100-day project and 50-before-50 project
Sketchbook Revival - another fantastic year of workshops
Walking at Ladew Gardens
Salted caramel cupcakes from Flavor Cupcakery
Online art classes - so many but especially Lisa Bardot’s Procreate classes on Skillshare; Laura McKendry’s illustration classes; and Creativebug class by Maria Carluccio
Dancing at various bars with friends, band wives, and some cousins at 39 North shows
Sitting in the sun on our patio reading, drawing or just listening to the birds
Wine Stroll with Josh
Purging clothes closet and buying new clothes
Poppies in my flower beds from my mom’s house
Josh had no lingering effects from COVID
Antibiotics are miraculous (also no COVID “just” the flu and a UTI)
Found a new hair stylist
Fixing the printer by myself
Rediscovered needle felting
New nephew and his teeny tiny strong fingers plus a new sister-in-law on our anniversary
So many generous artists who share info for free
Yoga with Adrienne
Apple pies made by my amazing hubby
New peony and allium plants for my flower beds
New (to me) facial care products (smashbox primer and witch hazel with rose spray) and hair products (Ouidad for humidity control)
Watermelons that taste like candy
BGE and air conditioning in July
Vanilla soft serve with Butterfinger from the Bus Stop
Watching the crows eating random food I put out for them - apples, hard boiled eggs, grapes, old bananas
Fresh flowers in my gray vase
Going tubing with new friends in Harper’s Ferry and not getting hurt
Rescuing Josh’s car keys before the bus left with them at Harper’s Ferry
TV SHOWS - The Righteous Gemstones, Station Eleven, Andor, Our Flag Means Death, Stranger Things, Wellington Paranormal, What We Do In the Shadows, Inside Man, Three Pines and Wednesday
BOOKS - Cloud Cuckoo Land, Other Birds, Unlikely Animals, The Man Who Died Twice, Kingdom of the Blind, The Lazy Genius Way
Discovering I accidentally skipped an Armand Gamache book when I thought I was caught up on the series
Ecoprinting in a handmade journal
Making my own walnut ink
Celebrating our 25th anniversary with the love of my life
Opening our wedding time capsule and laughing at all the weird stuff
Road trip with hubby to Asheville, Savannah, and Charleston
A rainbow that followed us for miles in Bristol - we could see both ends
Discovering I can wear just one contact so I don’t need reading glasses
Halloween room at the Biltmore
View from Bittersweet Cottage in Asheville
Dinner at the Admiral and barbecue from 12 Bones
Asheville Art Museum especially the exhibit Border Cantos/Sonic Border
Finding & returning a credit card and getting a bottle of wine as a thank you
Aperol spritz at the Fish House in Charleston
Charleston Aquarium - watching a bald eagle eat chicken
Bird sculpture scavenger hunt in Summerville, SC
Halloween activities - Eastern State Penitentiary; Legends of the Fog; Josh dressing up as Derek Smalls and Mr. McGiblets for a show; my Zom-bee costume
Frozen chopped onions
Covid booster
A stranger complimenting my hair at Target
Quick, Draw! online sketching game
Seeing the Dead Milkmen with 2 amazing opening bands
Being able to adjust the heat without getting out of bed
Windex outdoor with hose attachment
Tackling some overdue home projects including 2 years worth of filing/shredding
Watching the Washington Capitals at Cap One Arena
Revisiting Ed Emberley drawing books from my childhood and finding out that he is still alive
Turning 50 and having zero f*cks to give anymore
New laptop from hubby for birthday
Birthday trip - Matisse exhibit at the Philly Museum; pretzel scone; vodka mule at Columbia Kettleworks; Josh enjoying the Nat’l Clock & Watch Museum; dinner at the Belvedere Inn (until the piano and sax started)
Sherpa wearable throw from LLBean
Thanksgiving dinner with my family
The retro Bluetooth keyboard I’m using to type this
Chicken and waffles at JoJo’s in Frederick
Watching Alex Ovechkin break record 802 goals (2nd most in NHL history)
Silver Bells tea from Shab Row tea shop in Frederick
Christmas movies - Elf, The Holiday, Love Actually, and Home Alone
Painting my toenails red and green for the holidays
Enjoying my birthday and holiday season for the first time in 9 years without work stress - no wreath festival, no gift shop, no working late at events
Notes app - finally a good way to wrangle ideas and digital reference materials
Ending the year quietly at home with my hubby, a Caps game, and a glass of wine from the Biltmore