Thursday 2 January 2020

My Highlights Of 2019

At the start of a new year I always like to put together some sort of roundup and reflection post of the previous year so obviously this had to be one of my first blog posts for January. Usually I go month by month but this year I'm doing things a little differently and just picking various highlights instead as let's face it not every month is packed full of amazing things and life can be pretty boring at times. Whilst 2019 still had it's rough times, overall it was a great year for many reasons so I'm really excited to look back and pick out some of my highlights. Let's get started, this could go on for a while!
champagne glass held up in front of book case

My Birthday Meal

My first highlight of 2019 was my birthday meal in Leeds. I'm not sure if it's a blessing or a curse to have a birthday so close to Christmas as in one way it feels like the celebrations just keep coming but then they can both sort of blur into one aswell! Last year George and I went to Leeds for the day and had the most amazing meal at Bill's. It's a place I've always wanted to go for a meal and it did not disappoint, I still think about it!
eton mess and pecan pie at bill's restaurant

Many Trips To York

George passed his driving test early on in 2019 so we finally got a car which has meant we've been able to do so much more than before. We've had loads of different day trips but York has become even more of a favourite of ours. We first went for our minimoon a few years ago so it's special to us and each time we go, I just love it more and more. I adore The Shambles, it's full of cosy coffee shops and they do Christmas so incredibly well. Bear loves it there too.
the shambles, york

Waitress & Come From Away

In April we had a few nights in London and we saw two musicals, Come From Away and Waitress. Both shows I'd been obsessed with for a long time so it was a dream come true to see them both. Come From Away is such a heartwarming show and seeing Katharine McPhee in Waitress was something I'll always remember. 
Come from away at the phoenix theatre london

We Brought Bear Home!

Of course, the biggest thing to happen in 2019 was that we got a puppy! We first met Bear when he was 3 weeks old and it was love at first sight. He came home in April and since then he has just made me smile every single day. George and I have always wanted a dog of our own, it was just waiting for the right time but everything clicked into place and he has just made our life complete. There have been tough times, it's been far more difficult than I ever thought it would be but I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat, and we 100% will in a few years time. He is just my absolute everything.
Bear at 5 weeks old

Summer Days Out With Bear

Over Spring and Summer, we had lots of little day trips out with Bear and I just can't wait to do them all over again this year. We've visited a beautiful village called Castleton several times which never gets boring, it's gorgeous to just walk around and Bear always gets SO much fuss. There's also a lovely cafe with the biggest cakes ever. We've also ventured out to places like Bakewell and Bradfield too for lunch and days like that are always my fave. As we headed into Autumn and Winter too, we had loads of long walks with Bear which was just such a nice way for us all to spend some extra time together. I actually much prefer getting out in the colder months, though I'm not sure Bear is as keen as he has to wear his little jumper!
Bakewell, Derbyshire

Our First Family Holiday & Our 8th Anniversary

We got to celebrate our 8th anniversary on holiday in 2019 which was so special! It might not be the most adventurous place ever but you can't beat a seaside break can you? We had our first little family holiday with Bear and his two fave uncles came with us too so it was just one of the nicest weeks, I smile every time I think about it. We stayed in Whitby and I'm seriously considering booking it again for this year, it was that good, but we visited Scarborough and Bridlington too so there was LOTS of ice cream, alllll the fish and chips, and the ultimate - seaside doughnuts. The weather was perfect, Bear adored going on the beach and to say he was only just 5 months old at the time, he took to it all so well. He loved it just as much as we did.
Whitby holiday park, Whitby

We Visited An Alpaca Farm

Since getting Bear, George and I have really realised the impact of having date nights (well more like date days for us) as Bear and work take up so much of our time that sometimes we can go ages without really spending any time together. Last year we fitted in the odd cinema trip when we could or meal out and day trips to places I've already mentioned but one thing that stands out to me is going to an Alpaca farm. I had no idea there was one so close to us but it was such a fun afternoon. We got to feed loads of alpacas who were just so sweet and there was also an array of other animals that were so friendly. I loved it so much.
Mayfield alpacas farm

I saw & Juliet

Back to musicals and in September I was given the chance to see a brand new musical in Manchester called & Juliet. You all know my love for all things musical theatre now so to be invited was just an amazing opportunity that I'm still so grateful for. The show has now transferred to the West End and you best believe I'll be seeing it again in 2020. It was one of the most fun shows I've ever seen and I left so incredibly happy.
& Juliet the musical

We Went On The Emmerdale Tour

I have been a fan of the soaps, Emmerdale, Coronation and Eastenders for as long as I can remember. George and I went on the original Corrie tour in Manchester a few years ago which was excellent so I was thrilled when Emmerdale announced they would be doing their own in Leeds aswell. We finally got round to going in October and it was just so interesting. It was so cool to visit real life sets that are used each week, get to edit our own little clips and see how each episode is made. I learnt so much and definitely see things in a different light now when I watch it each evening.
Emmerdale tour, Leeds

ALL The Baking

I've always shared recipes on my blog, primarily baking ones but in 2019 I really ramped it up a gear. I shared about a million brownie recipes, lots of simple biscuits, festive cupcakes and loads more and I'm really proud of myself for that. Whilst I bake because I enjoy it, there is no doubt that I'd love to do something more with it in future, it's one of my dreams to have a little stall of my own selling my bakes at Christmas but whether that will ever actually happen or not, I don't know. In 2019 though I really started to perfect certain recipes and now I feel like there are some things which I've got nailed down and I do just want to share them with everyone. In 2020 I want to keep baking, keep improving and hopefully people will still keep enjoying everything.
after eight brownies on heart chopping board

A Christmas Market Or Two

I adore the Christmas markets. I say it every year but it's something I do genuinely look forward to from January to November (when they all start up again). They are guaranteed to get you feeling festive and I often come home ready to get out all the decorations and turn my home into a little grotto. Last year we visited Leeds and York for the markets - Leeds definitely wasn't my fave and I'm not sure I'd go back but obviously York got it so right. This year I want to head back to Manchester as theirs are always buzzing and they'll be something new every single year. I've also heard great things about Birmingham's market so that's another to consider. I do think 2020 is the year we finally head abroad though for the Christmas markets after literally years talking about it. I'm ready for Christmas again already!
baileys and biscoff hot chocolate in york

Bear's first christmas

And to end this post, of course one of my biggest highlights was Bear's first Christmas. Honestly, for years I'd dreamed of moments like that and each Christmas I'd always get that 'when will it be us, when will it finally happen' feeling and in 2019 it did, so to wake up on Christmas morning with this excitable little pup with us too was just everything. He has absolutely made my 2019.
Bear sat in front of christmas tree
Overall 2019 was a brilliant year and looking back we really did so much. Blogging-wise I might have fallen a little but I just had other priorities and it was no longer one of the main things I had to focus on anymore. Whilst there were moments throughout the year where things got difficult, or I struggled more with anxiety, I ended the year on such a high with my two favourite guys and now I'm just excited to see what's in store next. We have so many plans for the next few years so I just can't wait to hopefully see them all come true.

How was your 2019? Do you have any personal highlights?

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18 comments

jennyinneverland said...

It seems like you've had Bear forever. He's grown up so fast! Look at him when he was a pup! *sobs* Sounds like you've had some really lovely moments in 2019, hope 2020 is even more! x

Jenny
http://www.jennyinneverland.com

Heather Nixon said...

I need to visit York again x

Cora - Tea Party Princess said...

It sounds like you had a really lovely year in 2019. Bear is adorable!
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/

Daisy said...

Okay, I'm going to use this post as a tick-list for me to do this year! You had some incredible highlights! York is such a gorgeous city and it might be nice to go and see it when the weather is better. Instead of a puppy, I'm looking to get a kitten!

Here's to 2020!!

Daisy xoxo | TheDeeWhoLived

Nic said...

Glad you had a great 2019 and hope 2020 brings good things for you :)

Nic | Nic's Adventures & Bakes

Sophie said...

Oh my God, little puppy Bear, I totally forgot how tiny he was. I think your first year with a dog is always a special one with so many amazing memories. Sounds like you've had a good year with other trips and events too though! I hope you have an amazing 2020! x

Sophie
www.glowsteady.co.uk

Simply Avalon said...

Looks like you had a great year! And you got to go to an alpaca farm too! That's so cool! Can't wait to see all the great things you do in 2020!

- Avalon from www.simplyavalon.com

Amy said...

What a gorgeous little pup Bear is! It looks like you've made some wonderful memories in 2019, wishing you all the best for 2020! X

Lady Writes said...

What a lovely year! And Bear is such a cutie x

Tiffany Timms said...

Thanks so much Jenny! It's absolutely flown by, I can't believe in a month my little pup will be 1! I remember so clearly when he was about the size of my hand :( xx

Tiffany Timms said...

I'm already excited to go back to York at some point x

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you Cora :)

Tiffany Timms said...

Aww I hope you manage to get a kitten! Any pet is so special xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you so much Nic xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you Sophie, I can't get over how quickly it's all gone after waiting so long to get a puppy xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you! The alpaca farm was definitely a big highlight xx

Tiffany Timms said...

Thank you, I totally agree x

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