And just like that, with Christmas still fresh on everyone’s’ minds, we are officially in the final stretch of 2023! Knowing what my year-end blogging traditions are- and once we had hit mid-November- I knew I had to begin looking through and revisiting thousands upon thousands of photos I’ve snapped over these past twelve months to begin the lengthy (but entertaining nonetheless!) process of selecting ten of my favorite pictures/memories to highlight here before we dive into my full recap of the year in its entirety a little later on this week, and then say hello to 2024 in just a few short days.
And when I say I went through thousands upon thousands of photos- it’s no exaggeration! My camera roll says I snapped approximately three thousand pictures throughout 2023, beginning with my New Year’s Eve/Day in Salem last January, all the way through concerts and weekend getaways in the Spring, to trips to the Cape and Maine in the Summer. A good amount of photos were accrued during my near month-long stay in California this past October, and of course I have so many snapshots of my friends and family here in New England, Maryland and the West Coast- which is where I spent a lot, if not most, of my time this year!
The ten pictures that I selected for this year’s post span across multiple states and months- some serving as proof of a milestone or achievement in my life and others serving as a reminder of how fortunate I am to have the wonderful friends and loved ones I do, and to also be able to find and see some of the most incredible, awe-inspiring locations. The most prominent emotion I felt while reviewing my photos from this year and narrowing them down to only ten- apart from nostalgia and wanderlust- was whole-hearted gratitude.
As is tradition, the posts these photos come from will be linked underneath the captions should anyone want to go and read/revisit some of my adventures. But I’m ready to get into it already!
10. Revisiting My Teenage Summers (May 2023) – To kick off the unofficial start of the Summer during Memorial Day Weekend, and following my radio/promotional work at Boston Calling, Troy- who had just returned from an extended stay in Italy- joined me for a couple of days off in Rye, New Hampshire and Old Orchard Beach in Maine. The two locations have been longtime cherished destinations for myself and many of my friends since we were kids and teenagers, but Troy had never been to either location before.
I got to introduce him to some of my favorite coastal restaurants and shops, stroll the famous boardwalk and amusement park, and eat more fried dough and slushies than I think either one of us are ready to admit, even to this day. It was a beautiful weekend with perfect weather and even more perfect sunsets by the ocean, and I’ll never forget it.
I snapped this photo of the abandoned Driftwood Motel (which I think remains untouched for aesthetic purposes) as we were walking from our own motel room down the street to the boardwalk for what would be Troy’s first time there. We all know I love abandoned buildings, and the colors on this one against the sunset just made me feel so happy that evening- like I was sixteen and carefree all over again.
[ SEE THE POST ]
9. My Kind of Art… (March 2023) – Back in March, during another one of Troy’s visits from California, we had carved out time to go and see The Killers (and my dear friend Steven!) while they were passing through Connecticut, as well as stopping by a few of our other favorite haunts in and around the Pioneer Valley. During one beautiful and sunny afternoon, we headed out to the Berkshires and, specifically, to MassMoCA- so we could check out the EJ Hill ‘Brake Run Helix’ exhibit.
I’m a big fan of roller coasters, and even though I couldn’t ride this one- it was still fun to be able to walk around and under the track and sit in the cart for a couple of photo opportunities in-between looking at Hill’s painting and light displays around the gallery. More indoor rollercoasters in museums, please!
I took this photo while it was unusually and eerily quiet in the gallery (there’s always people running around!) and I loved how it came out with the old mill windows in the background and the sunbeams on the wooden floor!
[ SEE THE POST ]
8. Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay… (June 2023) – When I set out to find the best lobster roll in all of New England this past Summer, I was delighted when my dearest friend/neighbor/photographer/bartender (he’s amazing!) Dan opted to join me on a couple of my journeys and road trips. One of our adventures led us to the absolutely adorable coastal town of Guilford, Connecticut and Lobster Landing- where we had the most amazing buttered lobster rolls we’ve ever tasted. I *still* talk about them to this day.
Don’t let the traffic/construction cones fool you. This place is an absolute gem- and the exterior of the waterside shack served as a perfect backdrop for some photos Dan snapped of me during our trip. I took the photo above during a lull in the crowd and while we were waiting for our rolls since it looks like the quintessential New England seafood spot. It reminds me of what a fun day we had exploring the area whenever I look at it.
I can’t wait to go back next Summer!
[ SEE THE POST ]
7. Winding Roads and Rental Cars (May 2023) – With some time off before Festival Season started and prior to my heading to Maine for Memorial Day Weekend- I first headed to Southern California and, specifically, San Diego, to catch some live music and visit with friends I hadn’t seen in a while. The trip, despite some rainy conditions- was amazing- filled with good food, strong drinks, lots of music and even more laughter with some of my nearest and dearest “Westie Besties.”
The day before I was set to fly back home to the East Coast, I took a scenic drive in the coolest rental car I think I’ve ever been provided through the mountains to/from Temecula (also a favorite spot of mine!) and found this pull-over spot with a nearby trail along a particularly bendy and sharp curve in the roadway. Naturally, I stopped to snap some photos since the scenery was breathtaking and it wasn’t too crowded.
I got to walk part of he trail, enjoy my coffee and the sunshine, and take in one last beautiful late-Spring afternoon in SoCal during that road trip- but it wouldn’t be my last time there this year, or the last photo from California that makes this year’s list!
[ SEE THE POST ]
6. “I’m a loner, Dottie. A rebel.” (October 2023) – Months later, during my extended stay in and around Southern California, I had fallen asleep in the car while Troy was driving us from brunch in Tustin to what I thought was back to his apartment in Orange. However, when I woke up some time later and we were still on the road- and in the desert, no less! – I wasn’t sure what was happening.
It wasn’t until I caught a glimpse of a Tyrannosaurus Rex painted to look like Pee-Wee Herman that I realized he had brought me to Cabazon so I could finally see the famous dinosaurs from ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure’ up close and in person! It’s been a bucket list destination for me since I was a little kid!
I was ecstatic, even more so when we got to go into the T-Rex’s head (like in the movie!) and take some photos- and even though pretty much all of the pictures from that day are my favorite, I love this one of the two biggest dinosaurs available for viewing. Absolute dream come true!
[ SEE THE POST ]
5. Positively Bewitched… (January 2023) – Shifting gears for a second, I wanted to go from the warm and sunny climate of California to the more chilly and brisk temperatures in Salem, Massachusetts- specifically from this past New Year’s Day. After a cozy New Year’s Eve at a delicious restaurant and fireside at one of my favorite bed & breakfasts in all of Massachusetts- Troy and I kicked off the beginning of this year strolling through and past some of the city’s famous landmarks, museums and cafés.
We took this photo while we were out since it was right across the street from where we had been staying- and it’s one of my favorite “selfies” even though you can only see our shadows leading up to the famous and historic Witch House on Essex Street.
I love Salem oh so much, and I hope to spend even more time there in 2024!
[ SEE THE POST ]
4. All Aboard The Polar Express! (November 2023) – A recent addition/photo made the list this year, and is pretty high up on the list since I adore it so much, and it’s from a wonderful memory following this past Thanksgiving holiday. After spending time with our respective families, Troy surprised me with a festive, Christmas-themed train ride through the Berkshires before we hit the road to drive to Pennsylvania later on that night.
The train ride itself was adorable in so many ways, but I couldn’t get over just how beautifully the vintage cars were decorated- with the one above being my absolute favorite. With the dim lights, white lighting with garland, and dark red seats- it was like stepping into a time machine with this one, and I was so thankful the staff left me snap a few photos after we’d gotten back to the platform and people were exiting.
I’m still so in love with this photo and that night!
[ SEE THE POST ]
3. The Big Freeze (January 2023) – We had our fair share of snowstorms, freezing rain, and the dreaded “Polar Vortexes” this past year, which blanketed New England in sheets of snow/ice/sleet, and with sub-zero temperatures serving as the cherry on top. Although my heating bill went through the roof as a result, I have to admit that sometimes the scenery looked kind of pretty, so it evened out somewhere!
I took this photo on my birthday while on my way to what I thought was a small dinner with friends but turned into a big surprise party for me when I arrived. The roads were thankfully clear, but the trees and shrubs were covered in layers of ice- which looked gorgeous from my car on such a cloudy day.
So far, it’s been a mild Winter- so I don’t know if we’ll get any views like this again in 2023/2024.
[ SEE THE POST ]
2. Paying Respects… (October 2023) – In all the time I’ve spent in California, I’ve never actually visited any of the graves for the actors/actresses and artists who have helped shape who I am and my tastes in music and cinema. I’m a big fan of classic movies, so I’ve always wanted to stop and say a quick “thank you” to those who inspired me- like Natalie Wood, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, etc.
During my last stay in California, I got to do just that- paying my respects to Natalie, Dean Martin, and Jack Lemmon- but I was especially moved to be able to see Marilyn Monroe’s resting place up close and in pure solitude. It was sad and beautiful all at once, especially when you could see the trinkets and flowers left by others who had stopped by before me.
The cemetery she’s in is really peaceful and meticulously maintained, tucked away from surrounding Los Angeles, which made me happy.
[ SEE THE POST ]
1. The Best Kind of Visitors (August 2023) – And finally, my favorite photo of 2023 was taken during a weekend stay near Sleepy Hollow, New York- where I’d traveled with Troy to attend a wedding at the end of the Summer. While there, we did some exploring near the “Headless Horseman Bridge” and some of the downtown shops/coffee houses. We also made it a point to stop by the historical Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and while taking in the scenery and pointing out some of the famous headstones- we saw two fawns just hanging out, laying in the shade, and eating the grass.
They were completely unbothered by our presence, not even when I was crying at how beautiful a moment it was or when I started talking to them like they were babies who could understand me. They just watched us curiously until we moved on- and it was one of the best moments of my Summer. I’m so glad I brought my phone with me for pictures instead of leaving it in the car.
[ SEE THE POST ]
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And there we have it! My ten favorite photos from 2023! I love that so many of these photos were taken while in the company of my nearest and dearest, and that I was able to take them while both traveling to some of my favorite destinations and while discovering new places, as well! It’s a trend I hope to continue well into 2024!
The full 2023 wrap-up will be up and running here on ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ this coming Friday before I take a teeny, tiny break for the New Years holiday weekend. I’m excited to share my resolutions and my plans to ring in 2024!
See you all soon!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 