Meilleurs Voeux

Well, hello there 2013! How did you sneak up on me like that?

How could it be time to say goodbye to 2012?
I loved the past year. It made me joyous, fulfilled, challenged and energized in so many ways. I feel like I learned so much and pushed myself further than ever before, happy to dig deep to find more of myself than in years past.

Today's post is a collection of a few of my favorite moments of 2012.
Thank you for sharing them with me. I can't tell you how much it means to have met so many great and interesting people through this blog; some virtual and some actually in real live person. Knowing that I'm not alone here in the South of France has made this life abroad a much richer and far less lonely experience.


January's christening of my beloved Mon Mari as P-Daddy and his very charming moment on the TGV to Paris.

February, Ma Fille's birthday and its bright sunshine. I am never more grateful for its warmth than in the middle of winter.

March and its travels near and far; Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, the Millau Bridge, one of my and P-Daddy's favorite spots from our honeymoon in Provence, Les Baux de Provence, revisited with the kids, and my trip to Venice with the Besties.

April's birthday celebration mixed with Easter at the Pont du Gard and the most bizarre carousel you've ever seen. And Ma Fille's recitation of a beautiful French poem that inspired a large part of a novel I finally managed to finish.

May is the month we celebrate our anniversary and last year was 14. It was also when we filmed our episode of House Hunters International which was a definite highlight of our year. Clementine's birthday and the rapid morphing of a clumsy puppy into a prancing, vivacious adolescent.

June is summer and if you've been with me for awhile you know how much I love it. There is no better season and no better sight than when the beach restaurants begin to pop up, magically appearing on the sand for yet another warm, sunshiney season. Heaven. 

In July we were thrilled to experience the Tour de France firsthand. They passed right by our city and we watched from the shade of a plane tree as they whizzed by, gears clicking, impossibly tiny tires carrying impossibly fit men, leaning into the curve in the road, so close we could feel the rush of air as they sped by and were gone. We also spent a wonderful week with Bestie A and her family in Barcelona; a definite highlight tucked into the middle of my year.

The Littlest and I celebrate our birthdays in August and this year one of my presents was meeting Heather from Lost in Arles. We also celebrated by cycling the Canal du Midi and as you know it took some perseverance and tenacity, plus a whole lotta rubber.

September and its back to school business, new shoes and jeans, signing up for activities and getting back in the swing of things is always a good time to get things done. It reminds me of the new year in a way and I always love the sense of anticipation every new school year brings. Oh, yeah, and you guys got to see our episode of the show. I hope you liked it!

P-Daddy turned Farty-Far in October and I had a wonderful time getting some 10+ fellow bloggers together for lunch here in Montpellier. It was a wonderful day and I was so happy to meet so many of you.


November is Thanksgiving, beautiful foliage, fresh air and here in France, Les Vacances Toussaint. We spent a wonderful week in the Loire Valley visiting chateaux, two of which I still have to share with you, and also paid our respects at the American Cemetery in Normandy.

And December, well, it is so many things: Père Noël, decorated trees, foie gras, roast chapon, Christmas carols now in two languages, wishes, sweet dreams, infinite gratitude for a full, healthy life and wrapping up an entire year filled with so many wonderful things; joy, hope, inspiration and change. Always, change.

Here's to your 2013! I wish you the best. Meilleurs Voeux toujours!