2016 was a year to go down in the record books.
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .
- It was the year that politics forever ruined Facebook for me. You just can't ever un-see Great-Aunt Mildred's potty mouth rants about her political views. Me, I'd rather go through life with blinders on regarding family and friend's political views, thank you.
- It was the year we lost Prince, George Michael, David Bowie, Glenn Frey, Florence Henderson . . . and the list goes on. It starts to get real when the people we grew up watching on tv and listening to on the radio are dying.
- It was the year that saw so many of my favorite bloggers run over to Instagram and never come back to blogging! I miss you guys! Get back here!
But, there were also good things that happened. Somewhere? Right?
Unfortunately I'm having a hard time coming up with the good things right now, but until I do here are some of my favorite posts from House Of Hawthornes in 2016.
Favorite DIY Projects, Tips & Recipes
DIY Projects
Shopping in the plumbing section at Home Depot has never been more fun.
This little post about jamming evergreens into dirt was featured by a much larger site and ended up being my #1 viewed post of the Christmas season.
And Better Home & Gardens featured this post on their site and got a whole lot of people interested in cutting up lemons.
Lemon & Rosemary Natural Room Scent
My dollhouse turned birdhouse post was one of my favorites this year. If only the birds had loved it as much as I did. (I later made it in a Christmas house.)
Vintage Tin Dollhouse Repurposed Into Birdhouse
Recipes
I made a statement last year that I was going to do more recipe posts, because I LOVED doing the photography for them so much. Here are the two (yes, a whopping 2) that I did this year!
Banana Bread - This Ain't Your Mama's Recipe
Gardening
In this post I showed you both the flowers I chose and how I turned a galvanized tub into a gardening container (hint - it involves power tools).
About this time of year I can not wait for spring to get here, so I occasionally hurry it along a bit. There may be some hammering involved.
How To Force Flowering Branches
Here are my 5 favorites for the late summer garden. When will spring get here again?
5 Favorite Late Summer Flowers
OK, so if you absolutely can't wait for the snow to stop flying, then buy yourself a plant that doesn't need dirt to live. Air plants are sort of footloose and fancy free (as far as plants go).
Yard Saling & Thrifting
I did a series of a few thrifting/yard saling posts this year. I have more on tap for 2017.
40 Yard Sale Tips For A Killer Sale
Top 5 Things To Look For At Yard Sales This Year
Tips For Shopping Flea Markets, Festivals & Fairs
And one more category for the road . . .
Bitchin' & Moaning
Because if you can't piss off ½ the internet, you're doing it wrong. Apparently, shiplap is a much loved wall covering.
I'm joining Rhoda at Southern Hospitality's Best Of 2016 party today! If you have a minute pop on over and see what other "Bests" happened in 2016. I promise, Great-Aunt Mildred won't be invited to the party.
Kirby
Great choices!
Sue Pagels
I am usually not one to complain, and always count my blessings, but 2016 pretty much sucked. Hoping 2017 will be on the upswing! Thanks for always making me laugh - your blog is one of my favorites and I pretty much only read three regularly! Short, simple, sweet, cute ideas - love it. Wishing you all the best in 2017!!
Anne @ DesignDreams
You summed up 2016 perfectly! It went the same way for me. Here's hoping only the best comes in 2017! Lovely selection of your posts.
Happy New Year!!!!!!!
Aimee Mcallister
Thanks for all the great blogs! I'm looking forward to all the new ones to come in 2017.
Brenda Kula-Pruitt
Oh, I so agree with you about the politics on FB! I just had to leave it and go away for awhile. Enjoyed all your projects, gardening and recipes. And of course, the best of 2016 on your blog for me is your phenomenal wit. Can't get enough of that!
Brenda
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces
I love your blog, Pam...all of your wonderful projects and decorating...and you always make me smile! I'm not on FB much anymore, for the same reason. Hoping for a great 2017! Happy New Year!
Tammy Hart
I always enjoy your stories and projects. I too was saddened by political views posted on Facebook and have filled my feed with liked bloggers' pages and websites. The occasional rant still slips through now and then but I ignore it. I love all of the posts you chose but my favorite is the tin dollhouse turned birdhouse. It brought me so many lovely memories and even sent me on a hunt through storage to find all the beautiful wooden dollhouse furniture my father made for me. Project 2017 is to recreate the dollhouse I received for Christmas all those years ago. Thanks for your stories and project and I'm sending out love and light for a beautiful 2017. Life is what you make it to be....choose light!
Linda
You make me laugh which is one of the reasons I read your blog! I also enjoy your creative ideas AND I'm with you on the shiplap! Can't figure out why this is so popular! When I had read your thoughts on it, I felt validated! LOL! Thanks for a great blog and the best for the New Year!
FLORENCE L SALMER
Hey Pam,
Interesting to see your top posts! A lot of these were my favorites too. Loved the pink coneflowers picture. Enjoyed your birdhouse post. Always fun to see the top garage sale finds. I might have missed a few in there like the recipe posts. My eyes glaze over when food becomes the topic b/c I hate to cook. Haha. Well, anyway, happy new year!
chris aka monkey
you know i adore you, but i disagree about joanna and chip if i see those words or fixer upper my eyes glaze over, and i think i go into a coma, it was like they took over the internet and most of the stuff they do is way over my budget sorry xx
Melinda
Great choices.
I wish Blobbing was what it used to be.
I keep trying because I am stubborn and don't want
to give my little blog up.
Maybe a comeback will happen in 2017.
Happy New Year!
M : )
Pat Miller
Have not been with you very long, but you are a " keeper" for me! I LOVE your decorating ideas! It seems as if everything in my home has a story...as does yours! Someone's story, anyway! I love using vintage and recycling. Most of the treasures in my home are from my mom, and it puts a tear in my eye every time I explain them to my friends and visitors. We need to save the planet AND our vintage treasures for our children and grandchildren is what I say!
Keep up the good work...and a happy new year to you and your family!
Amy | Stow and TellU
Although FB and I haven't broken up completely, we're kinda taking a break, for the same reason. Ugh, there were days there, where my stomach turned just thinking about clicking on.
Your Christmas porch was absolute favorite Holiday porch of the year. I did very minimal Christmas decorating this year, but I did make a winter porch pot inspired by yours, so thank you for that fabulous idea and all of the others you've shared for 2016!!
Happy New Year and here's to great DIY for 2017!
Ginger
Pam, as usual, your blog is a bright spot on the blight that is, soon to be was, 2016. And Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds? Come on!!! As a fellow Ohioan, all you do translates perfectly and I love all your ideas! Keep it coming!! And maybe all your readers can get together at the Country Living Fair this year and exchange our ideas! And our purchases!! Keep it coming and Happy 2017!!
Maria Brittis
You have the best recipes, i love the bread recipe, I just got a bread maker and will be making some for 2017
Maria
Jeanie Emmert
You sure had some incredible projects! I am such a fan of your blog (and your wonderful sense of humor!). Happy New Year! Pinned
Amy DeCesare
Looks like you found a way to glamorize the past...and make 2016 look like a fabulous year! Thanks for sharing so many wonderful ideas all year, every year!
Laurie @ Vin'yet Etc.
Haha, I love your blog so much! There is only one thing we disagree on, shiplap forever! 😉 I basically went on a pinning frenzy lady, so so good! xo Here is to an excellent 2017!
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
What a wonderful round up! I love the galvanized tub as a planter! If I'm honest (heck, why not?) 2016 was pretty rough for me, too! Happy New Year! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Pam
Happy New Year to you too Marci!