Every January I take a look back at what I’ve written during the course of the year. It helps put things in perspective for me. I’m always surprised at the various subjects I wrote about-many of which have completely fallen through the cracks of my mind by year end.
I’ve listed my favorite posts for each of the last 12 months below-along with some of my favorite posts from the Appalachia Through My Eyes series. (if you want to revisit any of the posts-just click on the words in orange)
January
My favorite regular post for the first month of 2014 was Doney-Gal. I came across the phrase in a John Parris book and fell in love with it-sort of like I did the first time I ever laid eyes on my own doney-gal.
Some of my favorite writing of the whole year showed up in the month of January under the Appalachia Through My Eyes series. When I read over Appalachia Through My Eyes – The Creek Is Full I’m filled with conflicting feelings. I think the writing is too good to have come from my fingertips yet know the words fit me so well no one else could have written them.
February
My Dearest Dear tops my list for the month of February. I was inspired to write the fictional story of Elizabeth and Rosanna after listening to Chatter and Chitter sing the traditional ballad My Dearest Dear.
March
Appalachia Through My Eyes – The Least Leaf is my favorite for the 3rd month of 2014. I’m still awed and inspired by the wealth of love and camaraderie one can send to another in a few written words with the sweetest leaf slipped in between the lines.
April
Granny and Pap celebrated 50 years of marriage last April-and Granny out did herself with the crocheted cake. Along with their monumental achievement I had a surreal moment listening to The Pressley Girls sing Where the Wind Blows.
May
What an exciting month! I got to celebrate Appalachia with my community and with the Blind Pig & the Acorn. I even got to meet some of you in person. My favorite post for the month shared the details of the night Wish You Could Have Been There. Hmmm…now I need to do it all again this year right?
June
I’m still tapping my toes to the song from June-I Never Shall Forget the Day. And I’m still loving the photo I snapped for Appalachia Through My Eyes – Baby Fox Grapes.
July
Meet the Blackberry Pickers was my favorite regular post for July. Even though picking berries is work and it can be hot sticky and sweaty-I say the fun of picking berries with friends and family far outweighs the work. The post Appalachia Through My Eyes – When You Need Help With A Fiddle Tune was also a good one-it shows the funny side of the Blind Pig family.
August
The first post of the month is my pick for August-Aprons In Appalachia. I don’t usually wear aprons-but in this post I detailed the back story of how Chatter and Chitter came to wear theirs.
September
This was the month of Cushaw Soup-I still can’t get enough of its creamy goodness. I also enjoyed sharing Foxfire wisdom in the post Appalachia Through My Eyes – Share Your Blossoms.
October
The post Appalachia Through My Eyes – Archaic Language And The 21st Century still makes me smile-love the example of using phrases from the 1800s with our modern smart phones.
November
AÂ Hike Near Home was my favorite post from the month of November. Writing about Pap’s memories of the three pretty sisters had Brasstown all a buzz.
December
Jingle Bells Take 2 was the perfect post for December. Having all the kids together to help us play Jingle Bells was a present unto itself.
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2014 was a great year for the Blind Pig & The Acorn. My blog readership grew to new heights which means I was able to celebrate and preserve Appalachia to a wider auidence.
Drop back by in a day or so and I’ll tell you about my plans for 2015.
I’m very thankful for each person who reads the Blind Pig & The Acorn-for without you there’d be no reason to write.
Tipper
Well, thank you Tipper, for choosing me to get the book, I am really looking forward to reading it… {if you sent me an email I may have missed it}. I love your review of the year and hope you all have a fabulous 2015.
Wow! I can’t believe it’s 2015- where have the last 5 years gone? Hope I’m going to be following Blind Pig adventures for at least another 5!
So many of your favorites are posts I remember very well, so I guess they were some of my favorites, too! Thank you for sharing another wonderful year of Appalachian life and lore. Here’s to 2015!
Hi Tipper,I so enjoyed visiting the highlights of 2014,they truly have Blessed me.I pray the New Year is full of Happiness and Good Health for you and yours!! God Bless.
Tipper,
I love looking back for if’n you don’t glance back once in a while, you jest might walk yore self in a circle! You know how dizzy that can make you!
When I saw the words look back, a song went off in my head! I don’t know why! Do you remember, by Jim Ed Brown…”I was looking back to see, if you was looking back to see, if I was looking back to see, if you was looking back at me”? I used to love that old song! Why he was cute as he could be and I was looking back to see if he was looking back at me!
Oh well, there you are!
I loved your “looking back” post today! Lots of fun! Memories are made of this…uhhhh, I’m getting off here, I keep hearing song titles in my head. It must be the rainy and cloudy weather!
Thanks Tipper and all who read and comment on Tippers post. I thoroughly enjoy them all!
This post brought on wonderful memories. Reread several of your favorites and enjoyed them anew.
Thanks so much for doing your blog!!
It is an honor and a privilege being part of the Blind Pig Gang Family.I am sure all of the other readers out there feel the same way. Thank you for bringing so much joy into our lives every day. Here’s to a great 2015!
Tipper,
I’m so glad I was introduced to
your blog years ago. Thank you for
sharing your beautiful girls and
family with us. It’s the BEST thing
out there!…Ken
Really enjoyed your post highlighting 2014. I look forward to another year from The Blind Pig. I think my favorite was the Least Leaf. I have a leaf my son gave me when he was just 3 or 4. He is now 20. It’s a redbud leaf, which is shaped exactly like a heart. Best wishes to The Blind Pig Gang in 2015.
Tipper: This is a wonderful LOOK BACK on a cloudy January day! Hope your day is sunny! Jim just placed a plate of HOT flap jacks on my table! Now the Sun will shine – maybe! Eva Nell
Thank You for writing. My favorite post for the year was “Where the soul of man never dies”. I’m atleast 1800 of it’s 2000 & something views. LOL! 🙂
You said you are thankful for your readers. I hope you realize how thankful your readers are for you.
So many memories which are way back in the mind are brought forward again.
I love being retired here in the mountains but also love thinking about the years gone by and the fun we had
doing such simple things.
Thanks for reminding us.
Tipper,I always enjoy your posts! Although I don’t always comment,I do read. I have learned so much and been entertained at the same time..thank-you so much!!
Wow, it’s been an eventful year. I have a question for you Tipper. You spend untold hours putting out the Blind Pig for us. How do you do that and still fulfill all your daily duties like cooking, cleaning, a full time job, a husband and two daughters, all the crafting you do, helping your mom and dad, growing a garden, work in the greenhouse, canning and preserving, and last but not least being a good friend to so many people?
I think you are a pretty remarkable girl and that shines through every day in every way!
Yes, it has been another good year at the Blind Pig with you at the center of it.
PS: I vote YES for another Appalachian gathering!
I really enjoyed reading your year in review; it brought back some very interesting reads that were published. Blind Pig demonstrates the enthusiasm and love you have for Applachia and its times of growth. Thank you for the work you have done to keep this site alive as well as fun and educational.