So long 2014…

 

2014 was a mixed bag and I’m ready for 2015.  But, before we launch into a new year with new resolutions, new recipes, and new adventures; in the spirit of reflection, I took some time today to consider 2014.

I started the year with a beginner’s photography class with Sam D’Amico in Washington, DC. I think this could be the best thing I did for myself and this blog in 2014. It was my dear husbandy’s idea and it makes me proud that I did this just for me. My culinary triumph in February (and perhaps all year!) were  home-made french macarons under the instruction of my dear friend, co-worker, and pastry expert, Meghan N.

I spent most of March, April, and early May with my mother and her wonderful fiancé in Hernando, Florida.

My dear mom spent the better part of this year fighting (and triumphing!) breast cancer, and Spring 2014 was a harsh schedule of chemotherapy for her.  We focused on her recovery with simple, healthy foods, like ginger tea rice.  Fighting cancer is no easy task, and on days when her appetite was up for it, we indulged in delicious meals, like homemade bi bim bap, my favorite post of the year.

By mid-May, I was back in Rabat with my dear husbandy and we caught up on our Moroccan travels with a trip to Marrakech and mountain trek into the high Atlas and a weekend trip to Fez.

Summer was a whirlwind. I kept our meals simple with salads because our summer travel was packed with a trips to Munich, Lisbon, Tampa, Montreal, Vancouver, and Kelowna.  I also attended my first ever food blogging conference, the Food and Wine Conference, where I met new blogging friends and was introduced to the Sunday Supper Movement.  I shared my favorite recipe of the summer, peach berry hand pies, with the #SundaySupper family, and my own.

Fall brought me back to Washington, DC for work and I filled my belly with soups and stews. My most popular posts of 2014 included my White Bean Pesto Stew, Creamy Pumpkin Sausage Pasta, and Pumpkin Chili, all recipes I shared in October. Clearly, my love for the Fall comes through!

Sadly, in October, we lost Capties, our loyal companion of twelve years.

November and December were relatively quiet. Omar and I took weekend trips to Assilah and Khemisset. I traveled to Las Vegas for work, but also got to connect with old friends from college and high school.  Then, in late November, one of my best friends in the whole world came to visit us in Morocco and we were treated to fabulous meals at Restaurant No. 7 in Fez and Tagine Wa Tanjia in Rabat.

We rounded out the holiday season with a nine day trip to Portugal, spent mostly in the sleepy towns and villages of the Alentejo region. More on that trip to come!

Most importantly, my 2014 ended with news that my mom is cancer-free. I couldn’t ask for anything more, and I hope it is only a sign of the great things in store for 2015.

Happy new year to all of you and yours, and I hope 2015 brings you joy, good food, and more eating in instead.