Best of 2013

We already did a recap of what we did in 2013, but thought it would be fun to talk about our favorite things of the year -- books, television, food, etc. At first I was going to just share my choices, but while talking them over with James, was surprised to hear Anouk's little voice piping up to share her favorites, too. So we decided to make it a family affair and all join in.

Without further ado, here are our picks of the best 2013 had to offer, whether it be something new or just new to us. Head over to our friends at Not-So-SAHM to read their choices for best of '13, too!

Cathy's list:

• Best books: Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple; The Bookstore by Deborah Meier; Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan (lots of beach/poolside reading happening in 2013).
• Best television: Call the Midwife; Les Revnants.
• Best music: Slow Club's "Paradise;" Electric Guest's "Mondo;" Michael Kiwanuka's "Home Again."
• Best food: Smoked trout spread at Conch and Bucket.
• Best trip: Nags Head, courtesy of friends A. and M. 
• Best stuff: Nuxe perfume; Behr paint and primer in one; thrifted Banana Republic buffalo plaid coat (sold for $200 last year, got it for $20! Yes!) 
• Best memory: Celebrating 10 years of marriage in May; Thanksgiving with all of my dad's family in town.

Anne's list:

• Best books: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt; Open This Little Book by Jesse Klausmeier; Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner; Cinders: A Chicken Cinderella by Jan Brett.
• Best music: Disney's Frozen soundtrack.
• Best television: Caillou; Peg + Cat.
• Best food: Peanut butter Clif bars; Grandaddy's spaghetti and meatballs.
• Best trip: Visiting Bacon's Castle with Miss Molly, Ada, and Zeke.
• Best stuff: Tap shoes; Disney mini princess dolls; the vintage Barbie dream house Santa brought. 
• Best memory: Seeing the baby giraffe (just a few hours old!) at the Virginia Zoo; lots of little friends born to play with. 

James's list:

• Best book: 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson
• Best music: Poison Idea's "Feel the Darkness;" the complete Desmond Dekker discography. 
• Best television: Walking Dead; Breaking Bad.
• Best food: Apple uglies at Orange Blossom Cafe, Buxton, NC (Editors note: YUM).
• Best trip: Kayak trip on the Eastern Shore.
• Best stuff: Grandfather's hunting knife; our new espresso maker; Templeton rye whiskey.
• Best memory: Going to two good friends' weddings in the span of three months and having an awesome time at both.

PS: The photos at the top of this post are some of the ones we shared throughout the year on Instagram (don't forget to follow us!) And feel free to share your "best of" lists in the comments. Maybe they'll make our list for 2014. :)