You guys!!!! It is my last post of 2013. I may pop in if something comes up, but I may not. It is sad in a way but these "Top 10 posts of the Year" are are my favorite to write and to read. It is so satisfying to see lists of some of the things we all have accomplished. My friend Rhoda from Southern Hospitality has a linky party on December 30th for all the "top 10" posts. If you are a blogger and plan on writing one go link up so I can read them :)

And just because my blog will be quiet for a bit while I enjoy my kids home for Christmas Break, I will still be active on Facebook and instagram. So follow along there for behind the scenes and sneak peeks.

2013 has been one of extreme highs and extreme lows. It has been the hardest year of my life. And no, I am not being melodramatic. It seriously has. I have been more stressed in the past year than any other time in my life. I share a great deal about my life here, the lay offs, the failures, and a little bit of my family life. But there are some things that I do not share for personal reasons. I also know through emails that a lot of you also had the hardest year of your life. So here is to 2014! I pray it will be better for us all. And for now, let's focus on the good that happened...at least in the DIY department :)

In no particular order......

Card Catalog Tutorial

After searching for YEARS in vain for a card catalog that was in my price range, I ended up just building one. I wish I had done this years ago because we have all enjoyed it. My boys love hiding their treasure there :)

Pantry Makeover

I finally, after living here for 6 years, got around to organizing my pantry. The way I do lunches and snacks now has changed my world. Plus it is just plain pretty :)

 

Office Closet

After my tools got stolen from our garage I started storing everything inside. When you live in a 1580 square foot house with 6 people and 3 small closets, that causes a little storage problem. I decided I needed to go vertical and take advantage of every square inch of the space. You really need to see all the picture to appreciate just hou much I crammed in there.

Chicken Pot Pie

Eat, sleep, DIY....and repeat. It is no wonder that when I am not DIYing I am cooking. I also live with 5 guys who are constantly hungry. So I have been know to share a family favorite recipe from time to time. I have made this since college and it is the number one asked for meal at our house.

Hexagon Greenhouse

I love this! I made it as part of a DIY challenge for Homes.com and don;t really have a proper place for it so it currently resides in my bedroom. It was simply too cute to store in the garage until we add on to the house.

Serving Tray Tutorial

I love this tray and I have recently found it a permanent home in a place you may not expect. You will see the reveal in January!

 

Garage Window

It was just one little window, but it made a HUGE difference when I painted it and added shutters and a window box. Do you remember the before pic? HORRIBLE. Now when I look out my office window or walk into the backyard, I smile. I can't believe how happy it made our whole yard. I have plans to add these to the front window of the house this spring.

 

Cream of Broccoli Soup

This is another family favorite and another I have been making since college. It is perfect for cold winter days. In fact, I think I will make it tonight :)

 

My Family Room Makeover

I completed this room in early December last year but didn't blog about it until January. We have enjoyed it SO MUCH this past year. We spend so much time in there and it is cozy and sunny.

 

Laundry room PART ONE

I will be working on another project or two in this room over Christmas break, but here is the part that I have finished. I love it and I have been better about getting laundry done. So I guess prettier laundry room does equal more laundry getting done. Now folding it and putting it away is another story....

 I think 2014 is going to rock my socks. I have big things planned. Big changes and fun things for you. Remember to follow along on instagram and facebook :)

I will be posting the MOST EPIC Christmas family photo on both FB and instagram and you do NOT want to miss it!!!

See you soon and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!