Reflecting on 2018: A Year of Milestones, Memories, and Our Top Recipes

It’s hard to believe that another year has come to a close, and here I am, penning yet another “last goodbye” post. It feels like only yesterday I was writing the one for the year prior, marking the passage of time with a bittersweet reflection. This past year, 2018, truly passed in a blur of activity, emotion, and growth. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, there is so much to be profoundly grateful for – moments of triumph, periods of challenge, and the simple joys that make life meaningful.

Home Sweet Home: Renovations and Revelations

One of the most significant achievements this year was finally completing all the major home projects we had envisioned when we first purchased our house. There’s a deep satisfaction in seeing those long-held plans come to fruition. My kitchen, in particular, feels utterly transformed. While we opted against ripping out the floors or installing entirely new cabinets, the impactful changes we did make breathed incredible new life into the space. The crisp subway tile backsplash and the beautifully framed double-paned window have elevated the kitchen’s aesthetic, making it feel bright, modern, and finally, complete. It’s a space that now truly reflects our style and feels much more inviting.

However, with completion comes new perspectives. We’ve started to realize that the current layout of our home might not be serving our evolving needs as effectively as it once did. With my kitchen downstairs and my studio located upstairs, I find myself constantly running up and down the stairs throughout the day. While it’s certainly a workout, it’s also a significant logistical challenge that has us pondering future possibilities. Could 2019 bring a new chapter, perhaps a move to a home that better suits our dynamic? Only time will tell! [insert lighthearted facepalm here – because who needs more major projects, right?]

Family Milestones: A Proud Older Sister’s Delight

Beyond our home, 2018 was a monumental year for my family, marked by incredible academic achievements. Both of my beloved younger siblings graduated, filling me with an overwhelming sense of pride and joy. My younger sister completed her undergraduate degree with highest honors, excelling with a double major – a testament to her dedication and brilliant mind. Not to be outdone, my brother also concluded his extensive academic journey, earning his doctorate in Physical Therapy. Watching them both achieve such significant milestones has been incredibly inspiring, and yes, I am absolutely a proud older sister, beaming with admiration for their hard work and accomplishments.

Navigating Challenges: When Things Go Awry

While the ups of 2018 were truly exhilarating, the year also brought its share of unexpected downs and challenges that tested our resilience. A few months into the year, disaster struck when a pipe in the wall of our family room sprung a leak. Waking up one morning to squishy wood floors was a truly unwelcome surprise, and the immediate panic quickly set in. We had no choice but to rip out half the flooring in the family room, a daunting and messy task. The subsequent search for an exact match for our faux wood floors – to avoid replacing the entire house’s flooring – was an ordeal. “Stressful” is an absolute understatement; it felt like a never-ending quest.

Thankfully, my incredibly resourceful husband rose to the occasion. After countless calls and visits, he managed to locate the *only* store in all of Houston that stocked and manufactured that specific flooring. His persistence paid off, and we were able to have the new sections installed without too many further complications. It was a crisis averted, and we breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful for the resolution and the unexpected test of our problem-solving skills.

Cherished Memories and Heartbreaking Loss

Beyond the practical challenges, the year concluded with a deeply personal loss that cast a shadow over the festive season. Just a few days before Christmas Eve, we said goodbye to someone very dear to us – my great-aunt. She was far more than just a great-aunt; she was a prominent, loving, and profoundly caring figure in our family’s life. While many people might not share an exceptionally close bond with their great-aunts, we were privileged to have her presence as a central part of our lives. She loved us with an unconditional warmth that felt akin to a grandmother’s embrace, treating us as if we were her own grandchildren. Her kindness, wisdom, and loving spirit will be truly and deeply missed, leaving a void that cannot be filled.

Little Spice Jar’s Highlights: Favorite Things & Travel Adventures

Moving along to the blog, this year I had the pleasure of sharing some of my favorite things from 2018, along with a dedicated post on my favorite kitchen tools. This was a new venture for the blog, and I genuinely enjoyed curating and putting these posts together. It’s a wonderful way to connect with you all beyond recipes, sharing insights into products and tools that genuinely make a difference in my daily life. I’m excited to announce that I’m hoping to continue this tradition into the new year, bringing you more curated lists of things I love and find useful!

Travel also played a significant role in our 2018 story, with three memorable trips taken. Four, if you count the adventure that began late last year and spilled over into the first few days of this one, allowing us to kick off the new year with exploration. Our journeys took us to diverse and exciting destinations:

• **LA/San Diego:** A taste of California sunshine and coastal vibes.
• **Chicago:** Exploring the architectural marvels and vibrant culture of the Windy City.
• **Italy:** A truly unforgettable two-week immersion in history, art, and incredible food.
• **Orlando (specifically, Harry Potter World):** Stepping into a world of magic and wonder.

I know I still owe you a comprehensive itinerary for our incredible Italian adventure! We packed so much into those two weeks – from culinary delights to breathtaking historical sites – and I have tons of recommendations on where to eat, what to do, and how to navigate. However, shortly after we returned, Venice experienced devastating flooding in late October. Seeing the very same streets we had walked less than two months prior submerged under water was incredibly heartbreaking. Out of respect for the beautiful city and its people, I decided to postpone sharing our joyful travel posts until the new year. So, don’t worry, the Italy itinerary is absolutely coming, packed with all the details you’ve been waiting for!

And for all the Harry Potter fans out there (or parents of little wizards!), keep an eye out for a dedicated ‘best tips’ post for visiting Harry Potter World. It will be full of insights to help you make the most of your magical visit!

Setting Intentions for 2019: Personal Goals

As we step into 2019, I’ve taken time to reflect and set some personal goals to guide me through the upcoming year. These are intentions focused on growth, well-being, and mindful living:

• **Volunteer More:** Giving back to the community is something I’m passionate about, and I want to dedicate more consistent time to causes I care about.
• **Find Natural Ways to Calm My Ever-Growing Anxiety:** This is a significant focus for me. I’m exploring various holistic approaches to manage anxiety and cultivate inner peace. If you have any tips or practices that have worked for you, please feel free to share them in the comments!
• **Step Away from Social Media on a Regular Basis:** Disconnecting to truly recharge and be present is crucial. I aim to implement more structured breaks from digital platforms.
• **Travel Often:** The world is vast and full of wonders, and I want to continue exploring new places and experiencing different cultures.
• **Take More Mental Health Days:** Prioritizing self-care and acknowledging the need for rest and rejuvenation is paramount for overall well-being.
• **Incorporate More Meatless Meals in Our Diet:** This last goal seems to be a rollover almost every year, but honestly, this year I am truly committed to making it happen. My focus will be on creating delicious, satisfying meals centered around plant-based protein and, of course, a colorful array of fresh veggies!

Little Spice Jar’s Top 10 Recipes of 2018

And now for one of the most exciting parts of any year-end review: the top 10 most popular recipes from 2018 here on Little Spice Jar! It comes as absolutely no surprise to me when I scan down the lineup of recipes that made this coveted list – almost every single one features a generous amount of garlic! It genuinely makes my heart incredibly happy to see that there are so many fellow garlic lovers out there, embracing bold flavors just like I do! 😂 Your clicks and comments on these recipes have shown a clear preference, and I’m thrilled to know what truly resonates with you.

Here we go, your favorites from the past year:

1. Crazy Good Quick Garlic Noodles
2. Balsamic Tomato Baked Chicken
3. Garlic Lovers Pepper Steak Stir Fry
4. Chopped Thai Chicken Salad
5. Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowls
6. Baked Garlic Butter Chicken with Mozzarella
7. Garlic Butter Skillet Steak and Shrimp
8. Cozy Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini
9. Rancher’s Texas Chili (Chili con Carne)
10. Flu-fighting Chicken Noodle Soup

While we’re on the delicious topic of recipes, I’d genuinely love to hear from you! Is there anything you’d like to see more or less of on the blog in 2019? Perhaps a specific cuisine, cooking technique, or meal category? Is there a particular recipe you’d love for me to put my own spin on? Your thoughts and suggestions are invaluable in shaping the content I create, so please don’t hesitate to share them!

Farewell 2018, Hello 2019!

And that truly wraps up our look back at 2018! It’s astonishing how quickly the year flew by, brimming with both significant challenges and beautiful moments of joy and achievement. As we close this chapter, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your continued support and engagement with Little Spice Jar. I sincerely hope that the new year, 2019, holds tons of incredible surprises, boundless happiness, and the very best adventures for all of us. May it be a year of growth, good health, and delicious discoveries!

See you in 2019!