Top Five Posts of 2013
In which we prove, once again, you guys really, really like your granola:

• How to Make Healthy (and Clumpy) Granola 19,973 pageviews
• How many days are there in August? 17,536 pageviews
• Dr. Who Free Printable Valentines 15,582 page views
• Making Yogurt at Home 9,624 page views
• Secret Doctor Who Bedroom Makeover 3,719

A Few Favorite Posts of 2013

• An Almost-Spring Break Wherein Hannah and I escape to our favorite costal getaway and a bottle washes up at our feet.
• Happy Prom Season! Because if I can’t share embarrassing photos of myself online I don’t know what I am doing here.
• Announcing: Hook’s Revenge! Announcing the sale of my first book has been a lifelong dream.
• Announcing: Giraffes Ruin Everything! Announcing the sale of my second book a week later bordered on ridiculous, but who cares? It was awesome!
• Pumpkin Cheesecake Brûlée Because pie + brûlée torch, that’s why.

Highlights

Remember when I used to blog nearly every day? Heh. I only blogged 27 times in 2013, which was far less than needed to convey the sheer amount of awesome this year held.
In addition to the things I linked to above, some favorites from 2013:

• Nearly all year I worked on the festival planning committee for Portland’s Wordstock Literary Festival. As the children’s coordinator I was in charge of bringing in children’s authors from all over the U.S. (and even some from Europe). I met so many amazing people, from authors I have admired for years to ones just starting their careers. Included on the Thrilled To Meet List were my dear friend and agent sister, Emma Trevayne, and many cast members from my favorite tv show, NBC’s Grimm. (See the center photo above.)
• Speaking of meeting wonderful people, in June, Walt and I traveled to New York for Book Expo America. While there, I was able to meet my agent and both my editors. I am privileged to be working with such talented people (and they are pretty fun to be around too).
• A few weeks ago, I celebrated my 18th wedding anniversary with my best friend. I don’t even care that we are getting old since we are getting old together.
• I got to spend nearly every day with the funniest, most talented, most incredibly creative teenager I know. (I’m talking about Hannah, in case that wasn’t clear.)
• I went Mac and I’m not going back.

Books I Read

I read 68 books this year, some published and some in manuscript form. That was less than last year, but I’ll take quality over quantity any day. Besides, two were in the Game of Thrones series which are long enough to count as ten books each or so, right?
The first published book I read this year was The Sinister Sweetness of Splendid Academy by Nikki Loftin. The last was Vicious by Victoria Schwab. (Both great reads.)
My favorite read this year doesn’t actually come out until May, but I got to get a sneak peek. Be sure to snatch up Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times as soon as you can.

Looking Ahead to 2014

Certainly the biggest thing on my horizon is the publication of my first book, Hook’s Revenge, on September 16. I am both excited and terrified at the prospect. Exciterrified!

I don’t do resolutions, but I will offer myself some advice fit for 2014 and always:

• Try not to worry so much.
• Don’t overdo it. It’s okay to go slow.
• Self-care is really important. Don’t neglect that.
• Remember to put the most important things first.
• There is no such thing as too much pie.

And to you, dear readers, thank you for another year together. Happy 2014!