A year ago my blog post explained why I stopped making New Year’s resolutions.
It is true than I am more and more appreciative of small successes, small gifts, small moments, small life pleasures.
In this aspect I’ve been lucky. The last two weeks at my home have been filled with some of my very favorite five life ingredients:
- Family time (meaning my kids were home with my husband and me)
- Late nights watching movies, playing games and reading
- Long walks
- Great homemade meals
- Meaningful gifts
Since I spend a lot of time writing it was fun to check my five posts that got the most views in 2015:
- 1 Chronicles From Château Moines
- 2 To Pull the Devil by the Tail or a Month of French Idioms From A to Z
- 3 A Galette des Rois and a Kings’ Cake
- 4 Bijou, Caillou, Chou, Genou, Hibou, Joujou, Pou: a Twist to a Month of French Idioms From A to Z
- 5 To Throw Flowers or a Month of French Idioms From A to Z
People from 125 countries stopped by. Since I am French American and write in French and English it is not a surprise that my most regular readers live in France and in the USA. Considering that my top five posts illustrate my affection for my native and adoptive land, it is also pretty clear that my dual identity attracts people.
By the way, I hadn’t planned to do the A to Z Challenge again, but should I reconsider? Really?
I’ll leave you with no resolutions for 2016, but with my five small (who said small wasn’t big?) moments of 2015 in photos.
Baltimore. My daughter’s new college home.
Still writing.
Los Angeles. My son’s college home.
Starting yoga.
Two daughters graduating with a BA and a Master. For privacy purposes I can only show one!
And my small gift to wish each and every one of you a safe end of 2015 and a very happy New Year 2016.
My Maine little pond.
See you soon on your blog!
Evelyne Holingue 
First, let me say how much I enjoy your posts. I don’t always comment, but I never miss reading one if I know it’s there. I loved the idioms at least in part because I remember just enough of my high school and college French for them to make sense. And having lived abroad and knowing a bunch of Hebrew idioms … and how funny idioms are when translated word-for-word … it was fun learning some more. I think anyone who enjoys words probably loved those posts. Happy New Year!
That’s really a kind comment, Marilyn. First, don’t feel bad about comments. I totally understand. I can’t either! Looks like most people had a great time with the idioms. Now I need to come up with another idea! Happy New Year to you too! See you in 2016!
Bravo on a lovely year, Evelyne! I hope it will be a beautiful 2016, and I’m taking on your “great homemade meals” as a challenge to myself in the new year. 🙂
Paige
Thank you, Paige. Homemade food is great as it is usually healthier than store -bought or restaurant food and can involve every family member. Best to you as well in 2016. Best to your book too.
I think as a solo woman, I regularly eat oatmeal or eggs for a meal. 🙂 I care so little about what I eat, but this year I may try to make an effort.
Happy New Year!
Paige
Plein d’amour, de belles choses à vivre, lire, écrire, regarder. Avec toute mon amitié, Evelyne, mes meilleurs voeux à toi et ta famille
Exactement pareil pour toi, Simone. Au plaisir de te lire et de recevoir tes visites. Virtuelles pour le moment…
Thanks, je vous souhaite de bonnes fêtes de fin d’année 2015 et une prospère année 2016 pour vous tous, il ne sert à rien de vouloir tout changer sur la nouvelle année, mais espérer et souhaiter que les choses changent en tout cas laisser un peu de chance et d’opportunités pour les générations plus jeunes.
Tout à fait d’accord! Je suis davantage que beaucoup d’adultes que je croise confiante dans la génération de mes enfants pour changer le monde ou en tous cas en faire une plus belle place à vivre. Je les crois capables de compréhension pour l’autre et animés d’un désir sincère de paix. Et les plus jeunes suivront aussi, je le pense. Mais il faut leur donner la parole et l’écoute. On a tous a en bénéficier. Bonne année à vous aussi. A 2016!
Hi Evelyne. I made one resolution many years ago, and I’ve never broken it. I resolved to stop making resolutions! 😀
Wishing you a very happy New Year.
That’s a good one that made me smile, Teagan. Let’s say that I keep my ideas or dreams for the new year quiet, as they tend to obsess me after a while. I keep a few concrete goals in mind and it helps to maintain the focus. Happy 2016 to you!
I really enjoyed the (your) A-to-Z series, but after going through one week of posting everyday, I wouldn’t wish the effort on anyone. That said, if you do it, I promise to support you by reading. Have a great holiday and I’m wishing you the best for 2016!
Thank you, Dan. Posting every day is a challenge in itself. But it was really fun to learn how to do it and also to bring something new to my readers. I just need to polish a couple of ideas and perhaps I’ll jump back into the A to Z pool. See you in 2016, in any case.
Happy New Year!
A very happy, kind and beautiful year Evelyne.
une belle et douce année 2016 evelyne, bises
Je vous souhaite une bonne et heureuse année ! Thank you so much for all the wonderful posts in 2015. I am so happy to have found your site grâce à “A to Z” ! I have enjoyed reading all your posts as well as your charming “Trapped in Paris.” I know it is a lot of work, but if you decide to do another A to Z, you can count me in as a regular reader! Merci beaucoup!
Merci! Thank you! I am considering another A to Z challenge but I’m far from being ready like I was last year. But I’ll try! Best to you!
Inspiring year in photos! Congratulations on all the successes, including your daughters’ graduation. May 2016 be even bigger, brighter and happier!
Thank you, Gulara. I believe in young people a lot. When I see mine and how their hard work pays off, I’m very hopeful for the future. Too many people tend to see the younger generations as good to nothing while in fact many study and work. I also wish you a lovely peaceful year filled with success and small life pleasures.
Congratulations on a happy, successful year, Evelyne. And congratulations to your two graduating daughters. Great photos of your five small moments. Is that you doing yoga?
I didn’t make resolutions this year either. I think I know what I want to accomplish.
Thank you, Nicki. Yes, it’s me doing yoga. I did some before I got my first child and just started again. I love the way it makes me feel. Especially when I get to do yoga outside. See you for more good posts on your blog later on through 2016. 😊
I have loved following your journey through 2015. I know 2016 will be filled with wonderful moments.
I’m trying to decide whether or not to blog from a-z. Do you have any good ideas for a theme?
So good to see you here again, Claire. I’d love to do the challenge again and I have an idea. But not yet turned into a series from A to Z. I’ll tell you more later…😊