We’re taking one last look back at December to catch anything you might have missed and to remind ourselves we didn’t spend the whole month in a Christmas-cookie coma. Pausing to appreciate what we actually finished each month helps spark momentum for the projects still waiting in the queue. If you want more monthly roundups from past years, we have archives that summarize each month in a neat series of posts.
But first: a photo we haven’t shared before—our New Year’s Eve photobooth shot as a family. It was a real old-timey photobooth, so the processing has that intentionally “vintage” look. In spite of that effect obscuring my two-zero-one-three hand gesture, it clearly captures Clara’s impressive photobooth range of expressions.
Most Undone: Our gradient Christmas tree, which was a blast to assemble (we even made a time-lapse) but came down a few days later. We’re already scheming how to dress it up again next season.
Most Improved: The mirror in our hall bathroom, which we upgraded by framing it out with simple wood trim to give it a cleaner, more finished look.
Most Linked: The link-up post we shared inviting readers to post projects inspired by our book. Nearly 200 reader projects are gathered there now—plenty of great ideas to browse and get inspired by.
Most Overdue: Meeting Nicole of Making It Lovely in person. We finally connected during our Chicago stop, and in December we shared the photos from the time we visited her beautiful home.
ORB Victim of the Month: Every doorknob in the house, which we refreshed with a coat of spray paint (oil-rubbed bronze). It was a fast, inexpensive way to make mismatched hardware feel cohesive again.
Most MacGyver-y: When we painted the extra-tall sunroom, we improvised a reach tool—basically a paintbrush taped to a pole—to edge the areas we couldn’t reach from the ladder. It worked surprisingly well around the ceiling fan.
Most Magnetic: Ornament magnets we made years ago and brought out again to display holiday cards. We photographed them alongside other festive decorations for a holiday roundup post.
Most Graphic: A how-to on changing outlets presented as a single tall image for easy reference. The single-image layout with embedded captions made the steps straightforward to follow.
Most Likely To Want World Peace: Me, after briefly wearing the Miss District of Columbia crown during one of our book signings in the Virginia/DC area. That event also included a holiday crafting session we led at LivingSocial.
Most Unimpressed: Burger. True to form, he barely reacted when we finally painted the brick wall in the sunroom to match the rest of the space. Visually it unified the room, but Burger remained completely unphased.
Most Back-to-the-Future-ish: Sherry imagining how she would redo our first house now that our style has evolved. It was fun to see what she’d change and what she’d keep the same after all these years.
Most Giftable: Three holiday gift guides we compiled—one for kids, one for women, and one for men. We’d love to hear if any of those picks ended up under someone’s tree.
Coolest: The homemade play fridge we built for Clara. Paired with a thrifted wire cart and some play food, it made a great complement to her beloved play kitchen.
Most Gifted: December felt especially generous. We were proud to reuse existing wrapping supplies—bags, paper, and tissue—so we didn’t have to buy new materials. We also got the outside lights strung up.
Most Vertically Challenged (Plant Edition): Our tabletop tree, decorated with an assortment of non-matching ornaments that are meaningful to us, including a few handmade by Clara. This year we added a DIY felt-ornament garland for the window.
Most Vertically Challenged (Human Edition): Sherry, who used a discreet behind-the-desk box to appear taller during one of our live TV appearances in Richmond.
Most Dedicated to Their Craft: Clara and Burger, who nailed their parts “stealing” Santa’s treats for our 2012 Christmas card photos.
Most Nerve‑racking: Hosting Christmas dinner for the first time. It was a bit stressful, but everything went smoothly—Sherry even used cloth napkins and magnolia leaves from our yard for place settings.
Most Handsy: The makers we met at Richmond’s Handmade Holiday craft show. We came home with several thoughtful purchases, including wisdom cards that Sherry enjoys reading while she works.
What about you? What did you accomplish last month, or what got pushed aside during the holiday rush that you’re excited to tackle this year? We have a big girl room we’re itching to start, plus an unfinished basement and sunroom on the list.