Happy New Year, dear friends!
I am ever so delighted to be back in my blogging space after a few lovely weeks of rest, relaxation and time spent doing some enjoyable homey things. How was your Christmas holiday? Are you keeping well these wintry days? Please do let me know how you are doing in the comments below.
For my first post in 2021, I thought it only seemed appropriate to share my top favorites from last year. These are the things that brought my happiness and delight and hours of fun. So, without further ado, here are my favorites from 2020...
Book
Without a doubt, the absolute best book I read in 2020 was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I read this in the autumn and it was the perfect cozy read. While there is a movie that was inspired by this novel, and it is certainly lovely and wonderful on its own, the book offers an entirely different depth to the characters that you just don't get in the movie. Quirky characters, a beautiful setting on the Guernsey coast, a book club of unlikely kindred spirits, a bit of mystery and a sweet romance blossoming slowly but surely. This book offered all of that and more...it felt so magical and inspiring and really I just wanted to go and join the Society. If you haven't read this book, I heartily recommend it and as for me, well, I can't wait to read it again!
TV Show
I have several recommendations in this section because it was entirely too difficult to choose just one. I'll start with Crash Landing on You. I began watching this series in late 2019 as it came out each week and continued on until the series ended in the late winter. Oh, this was a marvellously done Korean drama! And it being my very first one made it so special and memorable! My sister and I are watching it together and she is loving it too. I adore the main characters and love the humor sprinkled throughout the storyline.
Cinderella and the Four Knights is another Korean drama that I watched in the springtime. This one is such a fun one! There were many times when I was laughing so hard, my stomach hurt and then other times when my heart was greatly touched by the characters' stories. My sister recommended this one to me after she loved it the previous winter. And she was right...it is a winner for sure! I think it would be a great K-drama to watch if you've never watched one before. You'll find yourself falling in love with the characters and even the ones you think you don't like, you'll end up having a place in your heart for. They aren't what they seem and their stories have made them who they are, and because of that, it shows you that listening to a person's story is important in order to get to know them truly and deeply.
The third show I loved in 2020 was yet another Korean drama. When the Weather is Fine takes place at the cutest little bookshop and that's what drew me in, to begin with. I so wish I could live in that bookshop...it's such a cozy, warm and welcoming place. The village community in this show was the sweetest and the book club meetings were filled with friendly faces always welcoming in whoever wanted to join in as a close friend. The main characters were wonderful in this drama as well and the story was far deeper than I ever imagined. While this drama is filled with emotional moments and heartwarming encounters, there's also a good deal of humor and fun thrown in so it's a perfect balance. I think this is the perfect show to watch in the wintertime as well.
Movie
Thanks to a kind recommendation on Instagram last autumn, I fell in love with The Hundred-Foot Journey just as soon as I watched it. Within the first half-hour, I could already tell that this was exactly my kind of movie. It has the same feel as Julie and Julia which is a movie that I dearly love as well. This movie really showcases the importance of family and dreaming together and kindness and not straying from your roots and values. I loved everything about this one! Oh, and the wardrobe of the female lead character is so dreamy! I wish I could just magically have those clothes appear in my wardrobe. {{winks}}
Music
Though these two artists aren't new to many, I was delighted to discover the music of JJ Heller and Ed Sheeran in 2020. JJ Heller's voice is calming and beautiful and her songs are the sweetest. I love how she puts so much care into the words she writes. Her instrumental lullaby album is also exceptionally beautiful; I believe that is her husband's music. And Ed Sheeran is someone who has been around for awhile now but I've just never listened to his songs more than just when I heard one on the radio or on a store's sound system. I don't listen to all of his music; some of his songs aren't what I would call appropriate. But the ones I listen to I really enjoy. (They're the background music whilst I'm writing this post.)
Project
Hands down, my most favorite project from last year are my patchwork curtains. I was so excited when I finished this project and they actually turned out how I imagined. I felt so proud of my very inexperienced sewing skills and how I went about it nice and slow and paid attention to what I was doing. I shared all about them HERE. It's been six months and I still love them...the fabrics are just so swoon-worthy. And anything patchwork has my heart immediately!
Discovery
My favorite "discovery" isn't really a discovery because it's YouTube. But I have been so encouraged and delighted this last year to find several channels that really speak to me. There are kindred spirits in a variety of areas that bring me much happiness and inspiration whenever I watch their videos. My sister has introduced me to several and the others I have just randomly stumbled upon, but I'm so glad I did.
Hobbies
My hobbies in 2020 were pretty much the same as they have been, but I did venture out with my knitting a bit. I have only ever knitted infinity scarves and cowls and last month I wanted to try something different. I made an earwarmer headband with a twisty knot in the center and after a few mistakes and having to take the yarn apart a few times, I was so thrilled when it actually turned out properly! I have made about five so far between my mom, sister and I and it is such a fun project for an evening. They are especially nice during these wintry days when it's cold outside.
I also made quite a number of pompoms using bits of yarn that I had in my stash. I know that isn't rocket science, but I'd never made them before and for some reason, it always sounded like a complicated project. Now I'm addicted! Pompoms everywhere!
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What are your favorites from 2020?
I'd love to hear all about what you loved most in 2020, so feel free to share below!
Do be sure to come back on Thursday for a fun announcement about a project I've been working on for the past several weeks. I can't wait to share it with you!
Have a lovely Tuesday, friends!
Stay cozy!
♥