A Farewell to 2016

I always have these grand plans to write a real End Of Year post with all sorts of newsy bits, observations and deep thoughts for the next year. But then I sit down at my computer and suddenly all the words go away.

So instead of observations and lots of words, I’m leaving 2016 with pictures instead.

January

I started the year with trying something new. Donuts were basically a success. Thanks, #altonbrown. #brankshireseat

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Jan 3, 2016 at 6:20pm PST

We've been friends for a long time. Love it when we manage to catch them as they go by!❤️

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Jan 7, 2016 at 2:08pm PST

February
https://www.instagram.com/p/BA44YXskjz-/

Then there was this face…

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Feb 10, 2016 at 4:20am PST

March

I see spring. #springindixie

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Mar 3, 2016 at 2:25pm PST

https://www.instagram.com/p/BCyRjikkj3q/

April

What can I say? We're country bumpkins. ❤️

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Mar 19, 2016 at 3:14pm PDT

What can I say? We're country bumpkins. ❤️

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Mar 19, 2016 at 3:14pm PDT

May

This is true beauty. #springindixie #littlethings

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Apr 16, 2016 at 8:42am PDT

Nothing like a pillow house with papa.

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on May 17, 2016 at 7:16pm PDT

June

That big guy should make a cocoon any day. #lunamoth

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on May 26, 2016 at 7:00pm PDT

My little nature girl. Photo credit: @elyssa.z #jacksriverfalls

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Jun 5, 2016 at 10:32am PDT

July
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHcLm2bB7Ji/

When you get to help drive the car on the bumpy road back from the Jack river swimming hole.

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Aug 7, 2016 at 5:39am PDT

August

To the kind stranger who saw how hard it was for Charlotte to enjoy her beloved carousel with the music up so high and asked the attendant to give me these… You have no idea how happy it made her and me. Thank you. ❤️

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Aug 10, 2016 at 1:11pm PDT

Just a girl and her (stick) horse.

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Aug 26, 2016 at 12:00pm PDT

September

Last week on the beach, I realized I grabbed a rather inappropriate for the location book to read. It has sand in the pages now and I am amused again.

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Sep 13, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT

Ever since I saw it on an episode of @masterchefcda, my toddler has begged me for a Charlotte cake. In honor of our birthdays and since she is Charlotte, after all, we finally made it. It's setting and my kitchen is a wreck. But I sneaked bites of the mousse and may have fallen in love. Thanks to #natashaskitchen for the easy recipe! #brankshireseat

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Sep 11, 2016 at 1:01pm PDT

October

I haven't made Red Thai Curry for a decade. Now I'm trying to remember why I waited his long to make any kind of Thai curry again. #brankshireseat

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Sep 28, 2016 at 2:40pm PDT

These October days swirl away autumn with the wind. #fallindixie

A video posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Oct 14, 2016 at 12:14pm PDT

November

Auntie @samanthajaynefrost brought presents. Minnie was my favorite when I was Charlotte's age.

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Nov 7, 2016 at 1:45pm PST

Lots and lots of pies. #brankshireseat #thanksgiving #foodie

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Nov 10, 2016 at 11:19am PST

December

The magic of Christmas lights is timeless. But the exuberance of tiny people over Christmas makes the work of putting up the tree worth it when you are tired. #brankshirechristmas

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Nov 27, 2016 at 11:27am PST

A white Christmas. Charlotte's first sled rides. It's a pretty nice day. #brankshirechristmas

A photo posted by Chantel Brankshire (@cbrankshire) on Dec 25, 2016 at 4:02pm PST

Happy New Year, friends! May your days ahead be blessed.