hello + the best of 2013

Happy 2014! I hope the end of 2013 treated you well. We wrapped up the year with a quiet dinner at home, the ball drop on t.v. and fireworks (which we could see from the upstairs window in the boys' room). Then we hosted a New Years Day brunch for some friends and neighbors…which lasted until well past dinner time. That's pretty much the way I like things- a bit of down-time and introspection, followed by too many mimosas and a celebration with friends. 

I find that the end of the year is the perfect time to take stock of where I've been and where I'd like to be. I no longer make unrealistic or overly ambitious resolutions that I'll never keep. Instead I prefer to make a list of little improvements I'd like to try, without any pressure. I'd like to read more, stay hydrated (you really need to drink lots of water in Colorado), yell less and be patient with my kids, love deeply, be kind, hike weekly, call my mother daily (which as of now I'm doing) and build community here in Denver. I'd like to send out more postcards, hop on the computer less, and spend quality time with my favorite people on this here planet. Professionally, I'd like to strengthen my skills and grow our business…which will take a lot of time and effort, but I'm up for the challenge. 

As I look back on the past year, there have been many wonderful moments. There were quite a few weddings, a steady stream of friends came to visit us in our new home, and we celebrated the births of little ones. There were challenges too and hours spent worrying about my dad's health. I hope there are fewer difficulties this year. 

May 2014 bring you peace, love, happiness and health. Adventure too and the courage to make big decisions, even if they seem hard at the time. I also hope, that in the year to come, mistakes are made...

"…because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You're doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something. So that's my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody's ever made before. Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or it isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, Do it. Make your mistakes, next year and forever." - Neil Gaiman

Best wishes for the new year.
xo,
Batya

…and here are a few of my favorites (both in the kitchen and on the road) from last year.

Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Galette

Pistachio-Rosewater Meringues

Molly Moon’s Scout Ice Cream

Heidi’s Simple Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

Almond Citrus Olive Oil Cake

Asparagus DillBisque + Denver's Congress Park 

Warm Garbanzo Bean Salad with Fennel, Onion + Parsley and Lettuce + Apple Salad

St. Mary’sGlacier

Rose Lemon Sorbet

Hanging Lake + Glenwood Hot Springs

Cherry Picking

El Dorado Canyon

Aspen +Maroon Bells

Grilled Corn and Herbed Chowder

Ottolenghi + Tamimi's Spinach Salad with Dates, Almond + Sumac (the best!)

Paint Mines Interpretive Park

CastlewoodCanyon

Broncos Football + Pumpkin Cheese Soup

ChocolateMolten Cake

Shakshuka