Looking back at 2015

I wasn't going to do this again, but I really enjoyed looking at the one for 2014 so I'm squeezing it in before January is over.

Survived the coldest winter ever. In the history of man, I'm pretty sure.

Completed the kitchen renovation.

Made some new Korean dishes.

Fed the birds at Mendon Park.

Spun steel wool for some cool photos.

Went camping.

Flew the drone over sunflower fields and waterfalls.

Made our own yogurt.

Went snowshoeing.

Saw the ice volcano.

Got a crepe maker. Best purchase ever.

Annual maple weekend.

Saw Guster and Nate Russe in concert.

Said goodby to Jim's Restaurant.

Went to Niagara Falls.

Watched a great airshow and Aaron got to fly in Fat Albert.

Walked to raise money for Verona Street Animal Society.

Hung out with horses on our annual trip to the Outer Banks.

Saw movies at the drive-in.

Took the boat out a lot.

Drooled over a pyrex exhibit at Corning Museum.

Welcomed Wyatt the moustached cat into the family.

Ate a lot of apples, donuts and apple cider on my #RocFallFarmTour

Mourned the loss of our family's long time companion, Wally.

Won a pumpkin carving contest.

Had our first craft show together as Janda Made.

Visited Seattle and had a fantastic time.

Look back at 2014

I looked back over my blog posts for 2014 for a review of the year.

Some parts were tough... in May I lost both my Grandmothers.

But there were good things too.

We survived the polar vortex.

I took pottery classes and made about 20 pieces.

Went on Channel 8 News talking about Rochester Animal Services and social media.

Continued my jar obsession and decided pie pans were the next big thing.

Aaron got me a Chevy Spark for my birthday! In the driveway with a big red bow and all.

Aaron and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversay.

Spent a week at the outer banks with my family.

Aaron graduated UofR with an MBA. Threw him a party with Le Petite Poutine truck and Eat Me Ice Cream Cart.

Attended Rochester events - Fringe Festival, Food Truck Rodeos, Air Show and ROC 360 Tour.

Wore my Salt Water Sandals every summer day and moccasins all autumn.

Went to some great concerts - Ray LaMontayne, Queens of the Stone Age and Bastille

Experimented with cooking - s'mores dip, beer can chicken, salt potatoes, charcuterie, stuffing waffles, buffalo cauliflower bites

We traveled to Korea and toured lots of palaces and ate amazing food.

I went to three craft show with my peeps.

Picked strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches and apples.

Blended everything in sight with a Vitamix.

Grew stuff in the green house and square foot garden.

We got a boat!

Tried pinhole photography, archery and leather crafts.

A look back at 2013

We had a soup swap.

I went to Palm Springs

We explored Rochester Subway.

I juiced a lot.

My sister got married.

We grew and juiced wheatgrass.

We went camping and ate like kings.

I turned 40.

We rode our tandem bike and I got a trike.

We grilled a turkey.

I baked english muffins and started a #latenightbaking trend

We ate at food trucks in downtown Rochester.

I walked for heart health with my peeps.

I down rappeled down 21 stories.

We had a summer CSA veggie share and canned things like garlic scapes.

I discovered the joys of iced coffee.

We walked in the Fast & Furriest for raise money for RAS & I did the social media & sat on the board for VSAS.

I made a scene from Empire Strikes Back with marshmallow peeps.

We got a pretty good harvest from our veggie garden.

Oscar and Hugo enjoyed a monthly bark box.

We saw Spiderman being filmed in downtown Rochester.

I made a poster for Spokes & Ink and served on the Genesee Center for the Arts & Ed board.

I added new vinyl to my collection

I took a letterpress class and printed cool stuff.

We watched the sunset on the beach and blew bubbles

I designed a poster for the Roc City Roller Derby.

Aaron built me a greenhouse.

We went to San Diego where we sea kayaked and cave snorkeled.

I celebrated 15 years with Kodak. Then our division was sold.

I sold crafts at two shows with my two best peeps.

We saw the Lumineers and Fun in concert.

I was a little obsessed with jars and cuppow.

We went to Switzerland were we went to the top of the Swiss Alps.

We painted the house and put in a new kitchen floor.

Klout Perks: Starbucks Refreshers

I just got the first shipment in a round of of Starbucks Klout Perks. A can of Starbucks Refreshers... raspberry pomegranate. When I was traveling recently I got a packet of the Refreshers Via mix. I didn't like it as well as the Refreshers you get freshly made in Starbucks but it was very convenient to pop a packet in a bottle of water on an airplane. I was curious to try the canned version compared to the fresh and the Via powder.

I would say it doesn't taste as good as getting it fresh at Starbucks but it is peppier than the powdered version. Since Refreshers have green coffee extract aka caffeine, it makes a nice afternoon pick-me-up for when you don't want another cup of coffee. I know a few people that like caffeine but don't like coffee that would appreciate these also.

Chevy Sonic visiting for a week

A couple weeks ago I was supposed to go to the Rochester Car Show over lunch and test drive a GM car. I got tied up in meetings and had to cancel much to my disappointment. I was thrilled however when GM offered me a car to try for a week! There were several models to choose from and the Chevy Sonic was at the top of my list.

I especailly wanted a hatchback because it's extra cute.

Imported from Detroit

I was bowled over when they actually dropped the Sonic off at my office! I've already had three co-workers ask me about the new car I'm tooling around in. They seem extra interested in what mileage it gets. With today's gas prices that seems to be top of mind.

So far I would say it is easy and fun to drive, really comfy and super cute. I won't leave the review at that however.

Over the next few days both Aaron and I will drive it and then post our thoughts on the resurrected Aaron Says, Jenny Says blog! That way you will get a balanced view of the Chevy Sonic's engine performance vrs cupholders (stereotypical I know, but I think they are important!)

We may even attempt a video. Watch out!

Jet pens

I love pens so I was pretty excited when I got a sample pack of pens from Jet Pens! I really liked the one second from the bottom - it is a white correction pen! I didn't even know there was such a thing - perfect for fixing mistakes. The fifth one from the bottom was just about the thinnest fine point pen I have ever used. The Brushables were fun to use... fine point on one end and a brush on the other.

My favorite pen has been this Pentel Brush Pen. I have been using for cards and gift tags. I don't think I would have thought I could use it the way I have been.

Here is some of my pen handiwork... decorating envelopes to kitty birthday cards.