Issue #58: A 2024 Recap
The best, the most, and the highlights from the last year
Instead of trying to break down the year into months or events, I like to highlight some of the positives. I’ve pulled together 24 of the best and the most from the year. Let’s dive right in.
24 Highlights from 2024
Best Kitchen Purchase - The Wonder Oven
I call this item my grown-up easy bake oven. I didn’t want another small appliance that only does one thing, but this is a 6-in-1, and it’s worth it. We use it to reheat leftovers, air fry items, roast veggies, and even bake two cookies from frozen dough. It’s not for everyone, but this thing has been fantastic for us in a two-person household without a microwave. Check out the functions and colors.
Most Unexpected Magical Moment - Seeing the Northern Lights from My Neighborhood
In early May, we got to see the Northern Lights for the first time and didn’t even have to travel. The storm was so powerful that we could see it from a friend’s rooftop. It turned a normal Friday night into something that we will never forget.
Most Expected Magical Moment - My Day at Disneyland
I visited Disneyland for the first time in December. I knew it would be fantastic, and it did not disappoint. It’s a lot different than Disney World, it feels more classic and nostalgic. It was the first time we had seen the Star Wars worlds they had added, and we got to enjoy the new Princess and the Frog upgrade to Splash Mountain. It’s fun to act like a kid again.
Best Movie Experience - Wicked in the Theater
I featured this in my December Favorites, but seeing Wicked in the theater cannot be topped. The music was so good, and I was so happy with the cast. I cannot wait to see the second half and the more I think about it, the more I hope they turn this world into more of a series. If the superheroes get 100 movies, why can’t the musical theater fantasy lands?
Most Listened to Artist on Spotify - Taylor Swift
The Tortured Poets Department was released, and I loved it. With as many songs as she has, I don’t know how she will be replaced on the top of my Spotify Wrapped. I dropped in my ranking of Swift listeners, but that makes sense since I listened so much more leading up to my Eras Tour experience in 2023. If you missed my recap, you can catch up here.
Best New Restaurant I’ve Tried - Rupee
This little neighborhood spot was on our list for a while and did not disappoint. It’s Sri Lankan cuisine and has a rotating menu of seasonal options. The cocktails are incredible, and the vibes are on point. We’ve already got a reservation on the calendar for January to go back, and I cannot wait.
Top Rated Book on Goodreads - The Small and the Mighty with 4.54 Stars
I’m posting my list of favorite reads from 2024 this weekend, but this book didn’t make my list. Don’t get me wrong, it was fantastic, and I learned a lot. Sharon McMahon is a gem on the internet and shares information in such a tremendous way. She has a fan club called the Governerds, and they showed up on the Goodreads ratings because a 4.54 rating is way higher than the other 51 books I read this year.
Get a copy of the book and learn about some incredible Americans.
Most Impressive Feat - Winning Fantasy Football a Second Year in a Row
I can’t explain how this happened, but it did. The championship game came down to just a few points, and I got lucky that my opponent had a shitty wide receiver playing. There’s no way I’m going for a three-peat, so I will just enjoy the glory for now.
Best PNW Summer Day - Sailing on Lake Washington
We’ve spent our summers here hiking, kayaking, and enjoying the extra-long daylight hours, but this summer, we have hit our PNW peak. A friend invited us out for a day of sailing, which was delightful. We took the dog for a long morning walk and grabbed coffee. The marina was a quick 20-minute bike ride away, and we cruised there with a cooler of snacks and drinks. The weather was perfect for cruising around the lake on the water. Next up, I need to get out on the Puget Sound.
Most Recommended TV Show - Hacks
I cannot get enough of Jean Smart in Hacks, and I think I’ve recommended it to everyone. With three seasons released and another in production, this show offers many episodes to enjoy. It’s funny, heartwarming, and showcases women working together in different phases of life.
Biggest Surprise Travel Moment - Making the 21-hour drive from Denver to Seattle
I’m over being mad now that Delta has reimbursed us completely for our unexpected road trip, so now I can laugh about it. We got stuck in Denver during the summer airline security shutdown. It ended with us driving home from Denver through the fires of Montana and to our corner of the country. It was not part of the plan, but we did get to see the Grand Tetons and some of the beautiful mountains of Idaho and Montana.
Best Dog Photo
It’s impossible to pick a favorite, but this picture showcases this dog’s personality. He loves to run, and we took him to a dog park alone and let him just run laps.
Best New Music Discovery - Kaitlin Butts
I love going to shows at the Tractor Tavern, which is a small venue in our neighborhood. I knew the name Fancy Hagood because he did a song with Kacey Musgraves, and he was opening for Kaitlin Butts for a $13 ticket. The show was incredible, and I instantly loved her. She’s got an old-school country vibe with a bit of musical theater. I cannot get enough of her voice and her vibe.
Most Attempted TikTok Dance - Apple by Charli XCX
While I didn’t have the most Brat Summer, I did find myself jamming to Charli XCX often. Apple was my favorite song, and I learned the TikTok dance with a few girlfriends one afternoon by just observing, and I find myself still doing it in my kitchen when it comes on. I’m way too old for this shit, but it’s fun.
Best Happy Hour Activity - Kayaking
In an effort to get the kayaks out more this summer, we started incorporating them into our after-work plans. We packed a cooler with cold beers and snacks and put them in the water near our house. It was fantastic to use them way more often and get a different kind of exercise. Plus, it’s a much better use of a happy hour than just sitting on a patio.
Most Used Kitchen Ingredient - Flour
After years of saying I would make my own sourdough bread, I finally did it. It’s part of our weekly routine, and things have escalated. I spent the holiday season baking all kinds of things. My mom bought me this cookbook, which features 52 pizza recipes with an accompanying salad using seasonal ingredients. I’ll be diving into making pizza dough and working through the cookbook. (Here’s the Amazon link too because it’s on sale.)
Best Concert Moment - The Entire Kacey Musgraves Show
Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well Tour came to Seattle in September, and I luckily bought tickets during pre-sale in the spring. This was the 4th time I’ve seen her and the best yet. The set for the show was incredible. If you missed out, they actually filmed the show we went to, and it’s available on Amazon Prime.
Most Popular Substack - Favorite Mid-Life Hacks
Best Party Game - Wavelength
I haven’t purchased this game for our household yet, but multiple people in our circle own it, and it’s so fun. You don’t need a lot of space, and it can be played in big or small groups. We just played it with ten people on New Year’s Eve. If you’re looking for a new game, grab one here (or here if you’re a Target shopper.)
Most Laughter in One Weekend - Girl’s Trip to Vancouver
I spent five days in June in Vancouver, British Columbia, over the Summer Solstice, and it was everything I hoped it would be. We laughed so much and spent days exploring, eating, drinking, walking, biking, hiking, and lounging. Seeing my best friends once a year is not enough, but I’ll take whatever I can get these days.
Best Time Spent on a Project - Baby Blankets
I got to knit three baby blankets this year, and it was so much fun. I like to have something to do while watching TV, so knitting is a great hobby. This was the first time I made gifted baby blankets, and I loved how they turned out. The size was meant to be a little stroller blanket to keep them warm on walks.
Most Played Music Video - Anything from Sabrina Carpenter
The style of this is perfection and I hope artists get back into music videos a little more in the years ahead, but it might be a dying art.
Coolest Seattle Discovery - Von Sauna
This spring, I organized an activity for girlfriends where we rented out this floating sauna in Lake Washington. We moved from the steamy sauna, cold plunging into the lake and hanging on the sunny dock with snacks for two and a half hours. Von Sauna is around during the cooler months, and they’ve added a second sauna, so there’s even more space. It was a very calm and relaxing experience.
Most Clicked-On Blog Post - The Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to New York City
I spent hours putting this together, so I’m pretty proud that it’s hitting the mark and people are finding it helpful. It’s great even if you
That’s a wrap on 2024. There were good times and not-so-good times, but we got a new calendar on the wall and have already planned our first vacation of the year. I’m looking forward to sharing some of the upcoming drafts I’ve been working on.
Happy New Year! And thanks for reading!
Steph
**Reminder: Some of the links included are affiliate links. Purchasing through them may give me a few pennies, but it won’t cost you any extra. The pennies help me justify the amount of time I spend watching bad TV to share with all of you. Another way to help is to share this, hit the like button, or even drop a comment with something you have loved this month. And if you’re really inspired, you can pledge your support.