A to Z Reflections 2016 #AtoZChallenge

Whew! We made it through the A to Z Challenge once again. Well, for me it was again. Was this your first time? Have you participated in the challenge before?

Going into this years challenge, my goal was to keep my posts short and simple. Why? Well, it's easier for me to write them. Also, it's what I prefer to read, and it allows me to maximize my time and visit more blogs. I know I didn't have the most compelling theme, but it did allow others to hop quickly.

After figuring out a theme, my biggest challenge always seems to be the actual blog hopping part of the challenge. I write most of my posts the weekend before they go live, but it seems like finding the time to visit other blogs is difficult. And when I do have time, I either stumble across blogs that have the longest posts on the planet, or find posts that I'm not super interested in reading. Sorry! This year I really wanted make the best use of my time so I could find some new blogs to follow, and add to my blogging buddies list :)

Some observations:

• I appreciate when people put their theme immediately at the top of their post. I'm still hoping for a way to categorize the challenge list, so it would be easier to find content that you connect with.
• It's annoying when I have to fill out my whole life story before I can post a comment. I'm getting so tired of this, that I started to skip commenting on pages like this (unless I was commenting back from a comment someone left on my page).
• I do, rather weirdly, enjoy checking off the “I'm not a robot” box. Gives me a chuckle every time.
• I prefer 'blogger' websites as opposed to 'wordpress'. I find it easier to comment and follow with blogger, and even navigate through older posts (assuming the blog has the proper widgets).
• I noticed that when I tag @AprilAtoZ (the A to Z Challenge twitter handle) on twitter, when I post my blog link, I get a lot more hits on that post. Thank you @AprilAtoZ!!!
• There were a handful of times that I had no way to respond back to comments that were left on my blog. Either the person didn't have any blogger profile links, or a link to their blog in their comment. :(

I am happy to say that I have found some new blogs that I look forward to visiting after the A to Z, as well as reconnecting with some old favorites.

Here are some stand out posts:

This one made me SMILE

http://pempispalace.blogspot.com/2016/04/h-is-for-hugs.html

This one made me CRY

http://stumblestandfly.blogspot.com/2016/04/s-is-for-single-mom-atozchallnge.html

These made me LAUGH

http://stumblestandfly.blogspot.com/2016/04/t-is-for-thrill-of-grill-atozchallenge.html

https://hmgardner.blogspot.com/2016/04/iwsg-atozchallenge-stormys-epic.html

This was INSPIRING

http://www.poojasharmarao.blogspot.com/2016/04/cherish-challenge-change-atozchallenges.html

The BRAVEST post I read:

http://www.thejoyousliving.com/2016/04/d-date-rape.html

These are just some of the ones that stood out for me, but I did come across many great blogs.

What do you have to share? Did you enjoy this year's A to Z Challenge? Did you find any new blogger buddies? And please share any posts or themes that stood out to you...I'd love to visit some more great blogs!

Zero Pain #AtoZChallenge

...zero pain.  Well, that's a dream for a chronic pain sufferer like me.  But a sweet dream I will keep on hoping for!  Come on medical science...catch up!

For anyone interested in knowing a little bit more about me and why I have chronic pain, please see my About Me page.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello to me during this year's A to Z Challenge!

For a complete list of all my posts from this years challenge, please visit my A to Z 2016 page here

Yellow Sunshiney Days #AtoZChallenge

...yellow sunshiney days.  Being a chronic pain sufferer, I also struggle with depression.  And anyone who has ever suffered from depression can tell you that we need the sunshine.  Need.  Like we need air to breathe, I need sunshine to help me feel better...both mentally and physically.

What is your favorite thing to do on a beautiful day?

Do you find that the sunshine, or lack thereof, affects your mood or health?

X-Files #AtoZChallenge

... The X-files.  Bringing back one of my favorite shows for a six episode run was like seeing old friends.  For anyone wondering...you don't need to see the original series to know what's going on with the new episodes.  In fact, I had began to do a rewatch, just because it had been so long since I'd seen the original show (and I have a terrible memory), but I quit mid-second season and watched the reboot.  I have no patience :)  Very happy I went ahead and did!

Image from Wikipedia

Have you watched The X-Files reboot?  Were you a fan of the original show?  Do you believe in any crazy conspiracy theories of your own?

Winter Wonderland #AtoZChallenge

...winter wonderland!  The peace of new fallen snow...the joy of a snow day at home...the magic of winter...

My boy...with his little head peaking out during a snowball fight

The view from our screen porch that I mentioned in this post

Do you find snow in the winter as magical as I do, or are you more of a summer person?

Vincent Van Gogh #AtoZChallenge

...Vincent Van Gogh, one of the most famous and adored painters of all time.  His work, coupled with his life story, is heart wrenching to me, which makes me appreciate and love him even more. Although we can now look at his paintings and acknowledge the genius that they are, and he was, Vincent never experienced admiration for his work during his lifetime.

For a great, yet sad, take on Vincent Van Gogh, watch "Vincent and The Doctor" (click here for the IMDb page) ...it's a Doctor Who episode that I think any Van Gogh fan would appreciate, regardless if you are a Doctor Who fan or not. 

My last cell phone case was Vincent inspired (The Starry Night)...

And one of my favorite paintings of his, Cafe Terrace at Night, hangs in my bedroom...

And remember that lonely nail polish that I mentioned in my 'A' post?  Yup, that's Van Gogh inspired too!  And yes, part of the reason why I bought it was for the name, it's called, "Starry Starry Night".

And then there is this cool exhibit that I found while surfing the internet...

Who is your favorite artist, and do you own any of their works?

Unexpected Gifts #AtoZChallenge

...unexpected gifts.  The best gifts are the unexpected ones.  The best surprise gift I ever had was my daughter :)  But I've had some material gifts too, and that's the focus on today's post.

Recently, my brother sent me this...

A Doctor Who license plate cover!  He said that when he saw it he knew he had to buy it for me...best bro ever.

Another surprise gift was this...

My friend Dany (same friend that I mentioned in Saturday's post) brought me this when she came to the US and stopped by for a visit.  It's now my favorite mug.

And the last one that I'll mention was a gift to my husband from the team he coaches.  How perfect of a gift is this?!

What's the best unexpected gift you've either given or received?

Time Lords #AtoZChallenge

...Time Lords.  Yes, like from Doctor Who.  Those who are Whovians will understand, and those who don't, head on over to Amazon Prime and watch some Doctor Who!

My very favorite Doctor is eleven, played by Matt Smith.  I love the quirky, 'madman with a box' that he portrays.  My second favorite is David Tennant, with "The Girl In The Fireplace" being my favorite episode with him.  And even if he only appeared for one episode, the 50th Anniversary special, I really loved John Hurt's Doctor.  That special is one of my favorites as it has all three of my favorite Doctors in it...guaranteed to bring a smile to my face.

My friend Dany gave me this! It hangs on my refrigerator so I can look at it everyday :)

Are you a Doctor Who fan?  Who is your favorite Time Lord?

Not a Doctor Who fan...then what show is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face?

Sharing #AtoZChallenge

...sharing :)  I miss them being this little! If only sharing was this exciting all the time :)

Do you have any special memories where someone shared something with you?

Rainbow Cookies #AtoZChallenge

...rainbow cookies.  Only the best cookies ever invented!  They take some time and patience to make, but it's worth it in the end.  I've talked about them before on my blog here.

For the rainbow cookie recipe that I use, click here.  Changes I made to the original recipe:  I omitted the raspberry jam and substituted almond pie filling for almond paste.  Then I made a ganache out of the chocolate so it wouldn't crack when I cut the cookies.

What are your favorite cookies?

Quiet Moments #AtoZChallenge

...quiet moments.  Those small, peaceful, quiet moments shared with our loved ones.

We were married at the end of November, and it was about 40 degrees out.  I was freezing!  With our wedding party in tow, we shot a bunch of pictures on the college campus where my husband and I met.  This picture was a candid shot that our photographer took while we were in between shots.  It is one of my favorites.

Do you have a quiet moment that is etched in your memory?

Pizza #AtoZChallenge

pizza...any kind will do...from homemade to frozen. But if you want the best pizza on the planet you'll need to take a road trip to Staten Island, NY to Denino's Pizzaria & Tavern. I could kill for some of that pie! Just the thought makes my mouth water...

image from Google maps

Click here for full directions

Click here to go to Denino's website where you'll find better pictures, a little about their history, and the full menu...do this on a full stomach or you'll just make yourself hungry!

  

Do you have a favorite pizza place?

Outside Spaces #AtoZChallenge

...outside spaces.  Of course, being that I'm so high maintenance, I need outside spaces with some shade, and without bugs. Enter--the screen porch.

When we bought our house five years ago, the screen porch was like the icing, extra fudge toppings, and a million cherries on top.  We love it!  Especially Emmie :)

It's fantastically awesome during thunderstorms.  We move the furniture to the middle as best we can, to avoid getting misted by the wind and rain, and then we sit outside and enjoy the Mother Nature show!

Do you have a favorite outside space?

Nail Polish #AtoZChallenge

...nail polish.  Polishing my nails is one of my favorite pastimes.  I used to polish my nails all the time, and then I had kids, and the hobby took a backseat for many years.  It's only recently that I've picked it back up.  After my ankle surgeries, when I was non-weight bearing and in bed most of the time, I found that polishing my nails made me feel good about myself even if I hadn't showered for days and was sporting yoga pants and a sports bra.

I actually find polishing my nails very relaxing, so as long as I have the time, I change my polish up about twice a week.  My favorite colors to wear are corally pinks and dark blues.

Do you enjoy polishing your nails?  If so, what are your favorite polish colors to wear?

If you're not a nail polish lover, if there something you do, cosmetically, that gives you a little pick me up?  Facials, hot shaves, hair coloring, etc?

My Cousin Vinny #AtoZChallenge

...My Cousin Vinny.  This classic comedy, released in 1992, is one of my all time favorite movies.  Whenever I'm feeling down, I can always count on this movie to make me laugh.

For those who haven't see it, head on over to Amazon or Netflix for a watch.  Here is the short synopsis from IMDB:

"Two New Yorkers are accused of murder in rural Alabama while on their way back to college, and one of their cousins--an inexperienced, loudmouth lawyer not accustomed to Southern rules and manners--comes in to defend them."

There are so many funny moments in this movie, but here is one of my favorites:

"The whole store got the flu!"  Hahaha!!!

Do you have a movie that always puts you in a better mood?

Little China Cabinet #AtoZChallenge

...my little china cabinet.  Originally my grandmother's, this piece of furniture lived in my grandparents house in Brooklyn for many years.  My grandma used to keep figurines in the top and used the drawer as a catch all.   She knew how much I loved the little cabinet and promised that I could have it one day.  I retreived it from my aunt's basement, where it was in storage, about five years ago after we moved into a bigger house that had room for it.  My grandmother had already passed by then, but whenever I look at my little china cabinet I get happy just thinking of her.  If I open up the door, and smell inside, it smells like my grandparent's house in Brooklyn...just the best!

*Please do not use, copy, post, or pin any of these photos in any way.  These are personal photos and are my own property.  Thank you in advance.

Look how cool these pics came out!  I took these with my cell phone, no flash.  See the rainbows in my grandparents picture?

*Please do not use, copy, post, or pin any of these photos in any way.  These are personal photos and are my own property.  Thank you in advance.

Do you have any vintage pieces that used to belong to someone you love?