Hello everyone! How was your Christmas and New Years? Hope you all had fun and enjoyed a bit of a break, if not an extended one!!
I worked all but the public holidays and weekends, finished moving and got sick, so I feel really tired and like I need a holiday now!!
Some new year fireworks at the beach.
I know everyone’s all but forgotten about 2012 by now, but 2012 was a fairly monumental year for me…it was the first year in 12 years that I didn’t leave Australia; it was the first year in about as many that we didn’t have any weddings to attend; it was the first year I’d had to deal with any sort of illness bigger than a cold. It’s been up and down and round-and-round, but I’m in a much better place now, learnt a lot about myself and I am looking forward to a great year in 2013, as I wish for all of you too 
So, in reflection of the year that was, here are 12 of my favourite things for 2012:
Favourite album – ‘Babel’ by Mumford and Sons. This album is so much fun to listen to. I love it! It is easily one of my most listened to albums of the year. I’m sure you could spot me on the bus tapping my fingers and humming along 
Mumford and Sons are a British band, and fall under the categories of folk, rock, country and bluegrass. Their music is catchy and their lyrics meaningful.
Mumford and Sons are a British band, and fall under the categories of folk, rock, country and bluegrass. Their music is catchy and their lyrics meaningful.Some lyrics from the song ‘Babel:’
“‘Cause I’ll know my weakness, know my voice
And I believe in grace and choice”
And I believe in grace and choice”
Favourite drink – 2012 saw me drinking tea like I have never drank tea before. The minute I walked into ‘T2′ on Rundle Street, I knew my tea-drinking habits would never be the same again (or on the same budget again – hehe!). I’ve drunk black teas, green teas, white teas and even fruit-flavoured teas. I bought a teapot this year and brewed tea. I bought a funky infuser from T2 so I can brew tea at work. I even received awesome tea-related presents for Christmas this year! Drinking tea is one of my favourite past-times and oh, so relaxing
Favourite movie – ‘The Intouchables’ still stands as my favourite movie of the year. I wrote about it in this post here if you want to see what I thought about it then….my opinion hasn’t changed
Favourite apps – 2012 has been the year of social media for me. Instagram is, without a doubt, my favourite app. If you like taking photos and you haven’t got on it, yet, you should! Another favourite is Camera +. I use this the most to edit my iPhone photos before uploading them to Instagram.
Favourite thing about Adelaide – aside from the fact that this is where most of my family live, my favourite thing about Adelaide is the variety of scenes you can see in a day….from the beach to the hills to the River Torrens in the city. I’m a big fan of Adelaide
Linear Park, a walk/bike trail that goes from the hills to the sea.
Favourite chocolate – I actually didn’t try too many new chocolates this year, but there was one stand-out, a locally made chocolate called chocoMe. It is a “boutique chocolate” made in Adelaide. They claim to have 60 million different taste variations, from salty caramel, to fruits and nuts, to chilli and black pepper. They try to source all their produce locally where possible. And, it is delicious! You can get more information about their chocolate at their website here.
Favourite place to walk – It is probably no surprise to you that my favourite place to go for a walk and breath in the fresh air is the beach! Any beach will do!
Favourite meal – I’ve been cooking a new dish a week this year and my favourite dish I have made was a fish curry in lime and coconut. It was so delicious and the fish was so tender. It was a family favourite also (bonus!) and been made a few times since. You can see my original post and recipe here.
Favourite weekend away - My favourite place to go for a weekend getaway is Yorke Peninsula, in South Australia. I love getting out of the city and having a place to relax, and I was fortunate enough to have a few weekends away there last year.
One of the many beautiful beaches at Yorkes.
Favourite book – ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ by Mary-Ann Shaffer and Annie Burrows. Don’t let the exceptionally long title of this book put you off. Not only was it my favourite book of the year, it is quite possibly one of my favourite books of all time. After reading a string of deep and depressing books, I put a call out on Instagram for any recommendations for a “happy” book to read, and this one came up as a clear favourite by many people. I can see why. It is so refreshing, easy to read and a wonderful story. It is based at the unsettling time after the end of WWII and written as a series of letters from author Juliet as she visits the Guernsey Islands to meet the members of the ‘Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.’ The society formed as a cover after they were busted by German soldiers outside after curfew. During Juliet’s visit, she befriends the members of the society and the letters do a wonderful job of growing their personalities and relationships. It was a delightful story and one I highly recommend.
Favourite concert – ‘Ben Harper in the Opera House.’ Like with the ‘Guernsey’ book, seeing Ben Harper live in the Opera House in Sydney was one of the best live concerts I have witnessed. It was magical.
Favourite thing I’ve done this year – I do have a few highlights for 2012 but one of the most simple and fun things I’ve done was participate in the Photo a Day challenge that lovely blogger Chantelle at Fat Mum Slim created. I’ve raved about it many a time during the year so I won’t go on about it too much again, but just know that I loved it! The interactions and building relationships with complete strangers on Instagram as a result of the Photo a Day challenge has been truly amazing.
If anyone is interested in participating in the photo a day challenge in 2013, see this link for more details: www.fatmumslim.com.au
So, that’s a wrap for 2012. Onward and upward for 2013!
Best wishes for you all for a great year ahead xx
What a lovely post to read & discover your favourites of 2012! Great stuff & I also love Ben Harper!
Thanks Sophie…Ben Harper is great, isn’t he!!
“I simply remember my favourite things”… oh, how many times I’ve heard that song since my girls started watching the Sound of Music. I really enjoyed this post Ali — it was a creative way to reflect on 2012. I really enjoyed the Potato Peel Society as well. Makes me think we should start a sideline book club online, as I never have anyone to “chat” with about the books that I read. All the best to you in 2013. I’m so glad that we’ve connected as I just love your outlook on the world.
Thank you for your kind words Barb
I’m very glad we “met” also. Are you enjoying your break?
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but this past weekend I sat down and watched the Sound of Music in it’s entirety for the first time (eeek, I know!!). I’m lucky where I work at the moment that there are quite a other book lovers, so we get to share and chat about what we’re reading…if you start a book club, let me know!
Hi Ali, thanks for sharing you personal 2012 highlights. What a great list of discoveries, insights and happy moments. May 2013 be as wonderful if not more. xo
Despite never leaving Australia in 2012 you’ve certainly had quite a journey! Great tour of your year but now all I can think about is salted caramel…..drool
It was quite a journey, that’s for sure! Now I’m thinking about salted caramel…must find that chocolate today!
Ali, thank you for sharing your highlights! You are busy and have had a sensational year.
You are correct; It is as if we need a holiday after the holiday! Happy 2013 my friend and the best of wishes for you and the new year
I can honestly look back and say it was a pretty good year!! Learnt a lot about myself and life and that is worth a lot!
I think holidays after holidays should be mandatory!! x
Lovely post and photos Ali. Happy New year! Those fireworks look pretty amazing. I’m a T2 junkie too – about to pour myself a cup of T2 pomegranate tea as we speak! xx
Happy new year Saskia! The fireworks were very cool! Mmmm, that pomegranete tea sounds delish x