My year in pictures.

Finding magic in the last day of the year.

Every year I think of the last day of the year as kind of magical. That magic usually sets in during the early afternoon, when I find myself in the kitchen, getting things ready for our New Year's Eve dinner. In the background, a broadcast from a Belgian radio show called, “the timeless countdown (songs of the year)” fills the air. It's a tradition that feels almost universal in the Flemish part of Belgium—tuning in during the final days of the year until the show wraps up with the announcement of the number 1 song just before 8 pm on New Year's Eve. The songs are listener-chosen; in the weeks leading up to the year's end, people send in their top 3 favorite songs of all time, shaping the final list, which tends to vary somewhat every year. Due to the time difference and our usual travels at this time of year, I end up missing significant chunks of the show these days. However, and this makes sense of course—the best songs are always saved for the end. So, in a way, I never miss out on the most exciting part of the show.

Just like how newspapers often publish an article in the last days of the year titled “the year in pictures” or something of the sort, I'll find myself scrolling through my phone, all the way back to January, reflecting on the past year through the pictures I come across. Unlike newspapers, my photos only capture moments of happiness because, let's be honest, we don't usually snap pictures when things go awry, do we? I understand it's not a completely honest reflection, but delving into the less cheerful days on a festive occasion isn't exactly doing anyone any favors.

Since this newsletter is landing on the last day of the year, I thought it'd be fun to share a bit of my year in pictures.

Michigan winters never fail to surprise. In February we had an ice storm, which left many people without electricity for days.

At the start of the year, we embarked on a substantial round of renovations, focusing primarily on our upstairs space. A huge improvement was the installation of sturdy shelving in our walk-in closet—a significant upgrade that has not only organized our space but also still brings me joy every day.

My husband and I absolutely love exploring new restaurants, and Detroit never disappoints with its ever-growing culinary scene. However, looking at our pictures, I realized that this year was a bit low-key on the dining adventures. I think we’ll have to make it our New Year's resolution to elevate our restaurant game in the coming year!

I went mommy-daughter trip to the capital of the U.S.! Not only was it memorable to see Washington D.C. in real life, but it was also one of those special moments dedicated to building lasting memories together.

By now, you're well aware of my serious weakness for pastries… So, whenever the chance arises to explore new bakeries, I seize the opportunity! This picture was taken during our mommy-daughter trip to Washington D.C., where we discovered a bakery that exclusively uses whole wheat grain in their baked goods, and I can confidently say this was THE BEST pastry I've ever had in my life.

My in-laws visited us in June, which was especially exciting as they hadn't seen the house we bought back in 2020 yet. We had planned a trip Up North to show them all the amazing views, but unfortunately, those plans were disrupted by the heavy wildfire smoke from Canada. Nevertheless, it was another moment of building lasting memories.

Until this year, I owned a home-based bakery, which I eventually decided no longer made sense to keep. That decision partly filled me with sadness but at the same time I am proud of all the orders I fulfilled and all the new baking techniques I learned along the way. This picture captures some of the bakes from my last order.

At the end of August we traveled to the Indiana / Kentucky State border for a unique experience—a stay in a cabin nestled in the woods, something we had never tried before. It was a truly relaxing small getaway before diving back into the hustle and bustle of a new school year.

If there is one picture that summarizes my entire year, it’s definitely this one—puppy playdates. My dog and his two neighborhood pals make quite the gang!

As the year drew to a close, we escaped the Michigan winter and embraced the warmth of Palm Springs. Our days unfolded within a steady routine: kicking off with breakfast, embarking on a scenic hike, often indulging in ice cream for lunch, enjoying afternoons by the pool at our Airbnb, and concluding with dinner—a comforting loop of relaxation.

That end-of-the-year magic tends to fade quickly after January 1st. Life resumes its usual rhythm almost instantly once the new year starts, except for the need to remember to jot down 2024 instead of 2023. There's no magical reset button, no instant resolution to the world's problems. The highs and lows, moments of joy and sorrow, laughter and sadness – they all continue to exist, just as they have been every year that's passed and every one yet to come.

But as long as the good days outnumber the bad, I can confidently say: it’s been a great year.