What a great year!
Enjoy my trip down memory lane!
January
I started the year off with becoming a crazy mall walker. I remember January 2022 being VERY cold and snowy so that was my only option for walking. I have since fallen out of the regular habit but really enjoyed listening to audiobooks while walking laps around the mall like an old person.
I also stopped in B&N on the reg to check out new titles to add to my list….
We also ventured down to Marco Island for a weekend getaway, which is always VERY needed in the winter. I distinctly remember this day; we walked 1.5 on the beach to get to the tiki bar, I had a bit too much to drink and the walk back was NOT fun…. But it was fun up until that point, so that’s all that matters.
It was also rainy one of the days that we were there so we went to see some GORGEOUS model homes. Adore.
February
I focused on alllll the hygge.
… and when that wasn’t doing it, we ventured down to Miami for a weekend. It was amazing.
We joined a skeeball team and met some very cool people, one of whom we’re still friends with!
Because we’re a bit spoiled, we went back to Naples/Marco Island for Valentine’s Day and it was GORGEOUS.
We had hibachi for Valentine’s Day dinner and… then I got sick and we called it an early night.
And, since we apparently can’t sit still, the following weekend we took a little day trip to Hershey.
And, again, because we can’t sit still, the following weekend we went up to Smoketown Brewery in Brunswick, MD for some of our favorite beer.
February is also when Lent started and I gave up Instagram. Fast forward to now, I’m still off of it and don’t regret it for a minute!
March
I heard that one of Jim’s favorite cover bands was playing in Cleveland, so we gladly made the trip. Note: Who’s Bad is AMAZING and did not at ALL disappoint.
Also in Cleveland, we paid the Metroparks Zoo and Rainforest a little visit. It made for a GREAT winter day activity and the weather was unseasonably warm.
I tried the Detroit-style pizza at Caddie’s on Cordell in Bethesda. It was good, but Buddy’s is (obviously) 10802357023958923857 times better. #IYKYK
I took the Amtrack (obsessed) from Alexandria to Richmond to visit a friend for the day.
And it snowed. Argh.
We spent St. Patrick’s Day at my all-time favorite pub, Murphy’s in Old Town.
On an exceptionally beautiful Virginia weekend, some girlfriends and I ventured out to Charlottesville to celebrate my friend Ashley’s bachelorette party.
PSA: Charlottesville is seriously the BEST for a bachelorette party.
The girls left early on Sunday but I was ELATED to find a Torchy’s Tacos (!!!) in Charlottesville. So, like any normal person, I went and had tacos and queso by myself. And it was amazing.
Then, the weather turned cold again *but* it was peak for the cherry blossoms. My gosh, it was freezing…
April
We took a little day trip up to Emmitsburg for a friend’s birthday…
And I dusted off my Cricut.
I visited my cousin in North Carolina… And got no pictures of my cousin in North Carolina. I did, however, get a picture of her puppy.
We went back to Marco Island/Naples for Easter and I flew on the Maryland One!
Then we got back to Maryland and the next day, Ashley got married!
The next weekend, I hopped back on a train from Alexandria and went down to Fredericksburg for a lovely afternoon of antiquing, brunching and drinking.
Oh, and I also made Easter bread to send to my great aunt. Yum…
Last but not least, we spent an afternoon in Middleburg at a beer fest with the boys.
… and I discovered too late that the boys got fleas from this trip and it took around $1000 to eradicate. So that tainted this memory a bit.
May
One of my besties came to visit and it rained the WHOLE time she was here. We made the most of it and visited some great spots in DC. The drinks at Del Mar… Amazing.
Frickle really liked having her too…
I also flew to Cleveland to help with a Humane Society fundraiser. I love my hometown.
We attended my school’s fundraising gala…
And my friend’s ordination…
We joined a bocce ball team and LOVE the new friends we made in it.
We celebrated Jim’s birthday with our team…
And continued the birthday celebrations the following weekend at the Jersey Shore. (Note: it was SO fun)
… And wrapped up the month paying our respects to the Fallen at Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day.
June
My favorite charity event EVER, the CF Foundation Brewer’s Ball, was back for the first time since Covid and we had a BLAST.
School let out for the summer and I relocated to Ohio for three months, which was fabulous.
Cannoli was thrilled to be there too…
Jim came up the second weekend I was there and we got to ride on a Huey helicopter. It was VERY scary but I’m glad I did it.
After the helicopter ride, we ventured over to Cedar Point for the day to break in our season passes.
The next weekend, Jim was back in DC but that didn’t keep me away from Cedar Point!
July
One of my favorite months of the year began with some college friends randomly visiting Port Clinton.
I hosted a little 4th of July gathering (SO fun) and decorated for the occasion…
We spent more time at Cedar Point…
… and Kelley’s Island..
We went to the Apricot Festival at Twin Oast Brewing and perhaps spent way too much time in the petting zoo…
Cannoli had an unfortunate health scare (he’s fine now)
Jim’s parents came to visit and we spent the day at Put-In-Bay.
And I met Jim Obergefell at the Port Clinton Farmer’s Market. Regardless of our political differences, the dude made history and I was VERY star struck to meet him.
August
As my summer in Ohio drew to a close, I spent lots of time on my friend’s boat… Going to Cedar Point. Obviously.
We made the trek back to DC…
And I traveled to Charlotte, Denver and Boston to conduct teacher trainings.
On one of my trips, I was ELATED to see an In N’ Out.
I did some genealogical for my DAR application and discovered that my great-great-great grandfather fought at Gettysburg. So, like any normal person, I dropped everything and drove up there to see his name on the PA Memorial! (105th–his name is George Thomas)
Then I had my Boston training, so I flew up a day early to explore. I went to Plymouth, NH and Kennebunkport, ME.
And, I wrapped up the month with a girls’ night in Frederick, MD and enjoyed an absolutely delicious cocktail at McClintok’s.
September
I dove back into DC life in one of my favorite manners, I boat ride around The Wharf with Float DC.
And, for the first time in our relationship, we watched Ohio State and Notre Dame play each other.
I bought myself a new baby…
.. and decorated early for Halloween.
I took another trip to Fredericksburg, VA to meet up with my friend.
Jim and I went up to Harper’s Ferry Brewing for a day.
The highlight of the month, however, was a weekend trip to Cedar Point for HalloWeekends.
… with an en route stop at Primanti Bros., obviously….
Sigh, HalloWeekends is one of my all time favorite things.
October
We went down to Charleston/Kiawah for a weekend.
And, the next weekend, I went to Hawaii!
And, when I got back, we went to the Annapolis Sailboat Show and I was reminded how much I adore that city.
I went back to Ohio for a weekend.
And got all the important goods…
I did some baking….
And we saw Jerry Seinfeld in Baltimore!!
And, ending on a high note, we celebrated Halloween in DC.
November
Our fall bocceball league came to a close 🙁 but we ended on a high note with a bocce!!
The first weekend in November, we attended what is sure to become my FAVORITE DC tradition, a Dead of the Dead Gala at the Mexican Cultural Center. It was AMAZING.
I found evidence of a mouse in my office so I caught it, we had a little chat about trespassing, and I set him free.
We went to the Notre Dame/Navy game with some bocce friends.
I got my approval from the DAR–After years of procrastinating, I’m officially a Daughter of the American Revolution!
I submitted a photo of my Papa for our Veteran’s Day DAR presentation.
I decorated for Christmas early.
And Ashley and I went to Luckett’s for the Christmas market. (adore)
I tried baking sourdough again (I’m more than a little rusty!)
On my way home for Thanksgiving, I got a call that the headstone I had ordered for my late aunt was laid in Youngstown WHILE I was driving through Youngstown.. So, naturally, I had to swing by.
We had a great, chill Thanksgiving with family (and my sister made THE BEST mashed potatoes). Jim and I attended a Cleveland Monster’s Game and we all went to ZooLights.
December
I returned from Thanksgiving break with the sniffles, which evolved into a full-blown flu by that Monday.
After three days of zero appetite, this was the only thing that sounded good…
Upon recovery, I took the boys’ Christmas card photos.
I went with a friend to the Alexandria light parade.
The next day, I checked out the DAR Juniors’ Holiday Bazaar.
And the DAR Holiday Open House…
We attended the Club Christmas Party and met some VERY cool people at it. It was so fun.
After the festivities (photos aren’t permitted in the Club_), we ventured over to the Willard for some drinks. It was GORGEOUS.
And then we had a late-night dinner at Fillomena. It was the only reservation we could get…
The following day was our annual Cookie Swap!
Then, to maintain my Southwest status, I flew to CLE for the day that Sunday. My mom and I went to a little Christmas market and had lunch before I flew back that evening. It was short and sweet but a nice little visit! There’s a dinosaur in CLE Airport…
I did more baking…
My birthday was in mid-December and my parents came to visit for it! We went to Old Ebbitt’s Grill for dinner and back to the Willard for after dinner drinks :). I had a hot toddy.
We also did Wreaths Across America with our DAR Chapter (my mom is a member too!)
My parents left and that night was Jim’s company’s Christmas party.
The next week was a whirlwind before break but LOOK at what one of my students got me!
We made it to Ohio for break ahead of the crazy winter storm that rolled in. Like… It was SO cold and miserable, but I enjoyed the cozy and White Christmas sing alongs.
My friend’s son was in a Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve so we obviously had to go!
We finally made it to Michigan on Christmas Day. Look at how MAGICAL Jim’s hometown is!
I got some GREAT after Christmas bargains at Hobby Lobby.
And we capped off the year with the Buckeyes breaking my heart and us getting stuck in Shaw until 3 AM because we couldn’t get an Uber…
All in all, 2022 was a great year but I’m excited to see what lies ahead in 2023!
Happy new year, friends! Here’s to great times ahead.