Good morning and merry Christmas Eve!
I just spent the last thirty minutes looking back over some old posts from this past year and all I have to say is dang. This has officially been the weirdest year of my life. If you have been following the blog for awhile you know that in 2009:
- I graduated from culinary school
- I baked bread for a living and woke up every morning at 3 am for work
- My little brother passed away in a tragic accident
- I quit my job to focus on writing
- I helped plan my first blogging conference
- I traveled to: Boston, New York and San Francisco in a span of 2 months
- I got selected out of thousands to come to Sonoma for a chance at the “Wine Country Dream Job” for Murphy-Goode (I still think this was some sort of fluke)
- I moved cross country with 2 suitcases and a one way ticket because I felt called to be in California
- I lived on a friend’s futon for 2 weeks while I was homeless
- I got a new job in a new industry
- I flew to NYC and got a BOOK DEAL
- I bought my first car
- I rented my first house all on my own
- I sprained my ankle
- I ate at Chez Panisse
- I made tons of new wonderful friends
- I ate pork belly on Thanksgiving
Yep, strange year. Definitely had the worst times of my life and then the best times of my life…..who knows what 2010 will bring. I was talking to my mom about this the other day—never in a MILLION YEARS would I have even for a split second thought my life would take me this direction last year at this time. If you were to tell me last Christmas that by now I would be living in California all on my own and writing a book, I would have laughed in your face. Just goes to show that God has much bigger plans for us than we have for us sometimes. 
This morning as I reflected, I ate some overnight oats:
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
I was going to say I am so jealous…but I am tired of being jealous and envious
Great for you and have a safe holiday.
Hope you have a great Christmas with your family!!
What a year of challenges for you…you definitely handled everything SO much better than me or probably most people could. I hope 2010 is a happy, fabulous year for you!
I haven’t been following the blog for that long, but I have gone back and read a bunch of your archives. A think you’re so strong for going through so much this year and coming out on top. … And it really cracks me up that Chez Panisse makes your list of highlights.
You have had a huge year with lots of ups and downs. As you said, we never know what’s in store for us. Our job is to sit in the boat and let God take the oars.
Boy it has been a crazy year…You’ve had so many milestones and achievements all in a matter of 12 months, it’s really incredible and inspiring.
Jenna, I have been eating your overnight oats EVERY morning now and I totally understand why you do it!! Thank you for introducing me to them. I mix it a little differently though – I add a full container of vanilla greek yogurt with the oats and splash of almond milk. In the morning I nuke it for a full minute and it’s YUMMAH! It’s like sticky regular oats with a ton of protein. ? I hope you have the BEST rockin’ christmas ever Jenna!!!
I think you meant to say you did all that in 09 not 08
but regardless congratulations!!!
It’s crazy how things turn out sometimes. I have a feeling ’10 will be a good one. And I LOVE that movie!
You’ve had quite the full year and I know 2010 will be even more eventful and hopefully even more wonderful than 2009 was. Enjoy your getaway and have a very merry Christmas!
And to think that you have come out if it on the other side with such a positive outlook and a smile on your face! Merry Christmas Jenna!
Tis indeed one crazy year. 2010 will be a fantastic year for you
Have a fantastic Christmas!
I started reading your blog one week before your brother passed- I was so sorry to hear the news. I read your blog daily even though I don’t comment and just wanted to say I admire your strength and determination and wonderful attitude. You inspire me daily to eat, live, and run
Okay the running I’m not that good at yet but I’m working on it 
I’m pretty sure you meant “2009″ but it would have taken most people two years to accomplish half that! (Sorry, I’m such a proofreader)
CONGRATULATIONS on such a fabulous year! There are so many people who go with the flow, stick in a rut…you are truly an inspiration. Follow your heart!
Here’s to an amazing holiday season and 2010!
you are an inspirational and real person. thank you for sharing your journey- the highs and lows- with us.
The house swap sounds amazing!! I love “The Holiday” — Jude Law is very yummy in it (even if he’s an adulterous jerk in real life)…and I just love Kate Winslet in anything. Merry Christmas Eve! Enjoy time with family!!
Enjoy your holiday, Jenna! The house swap sounds like the perfect, cozy way to spend down-time with your family.
So inspired by your amazing journey. May 2010 bring you even more success, happiness, and adventure!
I for one am happy you’re here!
Have a safe trip!!
p.s. love the movie The Holiday hah
I read a day or two ago that you were looking for the Celestial Seasonings Holiday Tea – Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride. I immediately went out to my local Vons Food & Drug in San Diego and couldn’t find any of the holiday teas even though the Celestial Seasoning’s website said I could find them there. Then, the very friendly checkout man said I should try the holiday food specialty sections. YEAH!!! I found two of the teas, Candy Cane Lane and Gingerbread. Both came in a gift box with a bottle of Lotion by Jason that had the same sent as the tea. I was soooooo excited. I am checking another Vons today to see if I can gather all the flavors.
The Candy Cane lotion is even better than the tea. Good luck and happy hunting. I am going to try the Jason web site next to see if I can hunt down more stores.
It has been so much fun to follow your life over the last year. Your life has been really interesting and it seems like you have just totally stepped out of our comfort zone and followed your heart. Props to you!!
it is always crazy to look back on a year and think of all you went through…i was just thinking about that too. i hope you have a wonderful holiday jenna and next year brings you wonderful things!
Wow – a lot has happened! I wish you a wonderful 2010 and hope that you have a very Merry Christmas. God bless.
Jolene xoxo
Jenna,
Merry Christmas. Thanks for taking us along on the ride of your crazy year.
I am really proud of you, Jenna. I may not know you in real life..yet..
but in a situation where most people just want to curl into a ball and give up, you decided to live life to it’s utmost fullest. You are living an incredible life with it’s ups and downs, but you always seem to keep as positive an attitude as possible. Thank you for sharing your lives with us and being such an inspiration! Praying for an incredibly blessed and happy 2010!
Katy
You’ve accomplished SO much. You are an inspiration! Merry Christmas eve!
MMM… sounds beautiful and fun! Have a Merry Christmas!
Jenna I have been reading your blog from the very beginning and I must agree that this year has been the craziest. You have a beautiful spirit and a wealth of inner strength, and I wish nothing but the very best for you in 2010. Much love <3
What a year you’ve had (did you mean to write 2009 though?)! You HAVE to be proud of all our accomplishments, bravery, and perseverance. Have a MERRY Christmas, Jenna =)
Merry Christmas Jenna!!
Wow…you have had quite a year! I hope you have a good holiday and that 2010 is all that you want!
What a crazy year for you… Lots of ups and down. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Jenna!
I did the sameeeee thingggg this morning. Even started a post about it!!
It’s amazing where you are now…big adventures. It’s just so beautiful how everything works out as it should =)
Much love, and Merry Christmas Eve, my friend!
Your year has had some ups and downs but I think overall it looks like you had a great year! I hope 2010 is even better for you!
Merry Christmas!
Jenna…I have been following your blog for awhile now! I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and today I have just learned so much more about you from today’s post. Your strength and faith to do what you’ve done in the past year is amazing…especially with the loss of a family member! I am a strong believer in God and your story just confirms his greatness. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS with your parents:)
Wow! What a wild ride it’s been for you this year. How fun that you have the blog to provide a way to go back and relive what you were thinking and feeling (and eating!) in those moments. Here’s to 2010!
Wow! It’s been an honor, inspiration and delight to be on the trip with you and all the other ELR fans. Can’t wait to see the pix of where you and your folks will be staying. What a special trip! All the best in 2010!
I’m guessing you meant 2009?
have a great christmas eve
jenna
Merry Christmas!!!! You’ve accomplished alot this past year and definitely will next year too.
Way to go! and I LOVE your blog.
Merry Christmas Jenna! I hope you and your parents have a blessed and restful holiday
I have no doubt that 2010 holds wonderful and exciting things for you!
I caught the “2008/2009″ error as well! I hope you have a very peaceful, restful and joyous Christmas! Enjoy the time with your parents! Looking forward to hearing what your dad thinks of CA!
Your strength has amazed me this year as I went back and read what you had been through! I also have been introduce to some great food through your blog! The overnight oats are absolutely awesome! And I had never even heard of pumpkin butter! And CA is now on my top 10 list for places I would like to visit!
Have a wonderful 2010! I know it will be awesome! You are one amazing young woman!
I’ve been following your blog for awhile…I was surprised you didn’t mention your break-up from Ryan, and all the money you raised for Cancer! You’ve been through a lot this year…
I hope you have a great Christmas and New Year!
Love it. Your beautiful. I want to see that movie.
Enjoy.
Such a year. I hope that the next one brings you happiness and success, I didn’t know about your book deal!
You are an inspiration. All the best in 2010!
What a year of challenges, ups, and downs. Your ability to take everything in stride and handle the ups and downs with grace and strength has been admirable.
Hope your holiday is full of grace and strength as well
I started reading your blog after it was mentioned in SELF magazine. I live in Sonoma county, too, so I love reading about your local adventures and learning things that I didn’t know about. Thanks for being inspiring! Looking forward to reading about your next year
You soared, overcame, and enjoyed.
Enjoy the remaining days. Like you 2009 has been full on. I am SO looking forward to 2010.
Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. It’s been so much fun reading you.
~M
Quite a year!! I think it’s been that kind of year for everyone. Hope your 2010 is even better.
But if we knew what God had in store we’d never believe it anyway. God has so much bigger plans for us.
What a year. I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful Christmas, you deserve it.
Rachel