2017 is fading fast, making room for a brand new year! I love New Year’s, it seems like a fresh start, much like every day is a clean slate. A few recaps of 2017 for your reading/visual pleasure.
BOOKS
During 2017, I read a grand total of 33 books with a total of 12,038 pages. Here are all of the books I enjoyed this past year.
My favorite 6 books of 2017 (in no particular order):
“The Whistling Season”
“All Our Wrong Todays”
“Spaceman”
“Glory Over Everything”
“Lion”
“And the Sea Will Tell”
MEDITATION
Although I did not meditate every day for the year as originally intended, I managed to make meditation a part of my daily life on most days. I rounded out the year nicely by meditating every day in December.
With a grand total of 68 hours & 48 minutes of meditation for 2017, this marks my best year of meditation.
Insight Timer has really helped in my journey to develop a regular practice. I love the founders for keeping it free for all, with an option to donate if you wish or to purchase an offline version for a small monthly fee.
BLOG IMAGES
A few of my favorite images from the blog in 2017:
BLOGGING IN 2018
For 2018, I have a loose plan for the blog. Blogging 1-2 times weekly, most weeks, with occasional hiatuses, sprinkled in.
The Weekly Photo Challenge is something I really enjoy so I plan to keep doing those. It helps to stretch my creative and photography muscles.
This year I hope to incorporate some variety into the blog such as:
Cooking/recipes along with photos. Highlighting a recipe or dish, allowing for food photography practice.
Short stories using a photo as a starting point. Helping to develop my writing.
How Yoga & meditation have and continue to enrich my life.
How Nature has also enriched my life along with photos.
My current reads along with a review & overview.
SNOW FINALLY!
We finally had some snowfall. Living out here in our cabin in the woods, I have come to appreciate the snow so much more. The other day, I practiced yoga via Yogaglo while snow fell outside.
Today, as I write this post (12/29), more snow fell. After walking dogs at the local shelter, I was happy to be home, warm & cozy in our cabin.
Happy New Year Everyone! May your 2018 be full of happiness and new adventures.
Amy Pantone 
2 responses to “Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018 (a recap)!”
Happy New Year Amy! I like this post for a couple of reasons. First, thanks for the book recommendations. I’m always on the lookout for new authors and it’s great to have recommendations from a real person who’s read the book instead of a paid book critic. Also, thanks for the link to the meditation timer. I’ve just returned to meditating after years of not and this app will be a help. Mostly, I needed a timer that wasn’t too loud. I’ve been using my iPhone, and not matter how I mute it, it always seems too loud. This app is perfect. BTW, I re-read your bio, and thought you might be interested to know that Terri is a Hoosier as well. She grew up in Crawfordsville, which is a small town west of Indy. Best of luck in the new year~James
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James, thanks for this wonderful comment. So happy the book list & meditation app were helpful to you. I love sharing things that I have enjoyed & you are right it’s different coming from a real person instead of someone getting paid to review. I find myself not reading those reviews for that reason. As for Terri, a fellow Hoosier, nice. I know exactly where Crawfordsville is. We live about an hour south. Happy travels & happy meditating in 2018!
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