Did you notice that the blog loaded more quickly today? (Let me know if you noticed a difference.) I strongly dislike going to other blogs and twiddling my thumbs while I wait for them to load.  That isn’t fun.  Along with the slow load time, I was having a few other issues.  So, I decided that the most important thing for me to do was to get new hosting which I did. And we’ll see if it impacts the other issues.  I hope so. However, my timing was a little off and I made a rookie mistake and brought the blog offline for a few hours yesterday… during the time I had set aside to finish up this post.

Since we have now arrived in 2016… I want to wish you a Happy New!  A new year that’s filled with joy and hope and peace and love.  I pray that your faith would be strengthened and renewed.  And that you can walk ahead into the new year with the confidence that comes from following Christ.  Knowing that He is always beside you… He promised to never leave you or forsake you.  So whatever comes… you can face it in His power and His strength and know you are never ever alone.

As 2015 sails off into the sunset… I must say it was an incredible year for me here at An Extraordinary Day.

In some ways I wish I could tell you my behind-the-scenes story… because if you knew… you would be amazed.

What I can say is that An Extraordinary Day has been powered by grace.  When it’s all said and done… it’s only by God’s grace that I’ve been able to continue to keep the blog going.

Some day… I’ll fill in the blanks for you. But, in the meantime… please know that I am grateful to God and to you for sticking with me through these wearisome times.

I have to say it would be easy to dwell on all that’s transpired… but instead… I’ll set this verse before me as a reminder to stop and see what God is doing right now… and to walk in faith knowing that He IS at work…. loving, leading, and making a way for each of us.

The Lord says, “Forget what happened before,
and do not think about the past.
Look at the new thing I am going to do.
It is already happening. Don’t you see it? 
Isaiah 43:18-19

As the year comes to a close I thought it would be fun to see which posts have been the most popular. In doing that I discovered that the top posts are not from this year.  I wondered about that for a few minutes and then I realized that Pinterest and search engines bring people to a lot of my old content.  So I decided that I would share with you the 10 most popular posts from 2015 and then do a brief follow-up of the year’s top performers from the past.

Without further ado….

10 Most Popular Posts from 2015

We’ll count down the top ten…

Starting in the 10th position… is a lovely impromptu spring vignette I put together at my friend’s home.  I think it was popular because everyone loves these special moments… but it sometimes isn’t quite as easy to put together if you don’t have the experience.  This was a great example of how using a simple tray can help bring a vignette together.

5 Quick and Easy Steps to Making a Spring Vignette

Coming in at number nine… I think we’re starting to see a pattern here.  Evidently you like to learn the ‘how-to’ steps in home decor. I was afraid when I put this post together that because it wasn’t filled with images from my home that it wouldn’t work.  I guess you proved me wrong.  Or maybe right in choosing to write it anyway.

How to Decorate for Fall in 4 Easy Steps

In eighth place… chocolate.  Who doesn’t love chocolate.  Even my good friend who’s allergic to chocolate loves it.  Chocolate makes everything taste better.  Especially when it’s warm and oozing over some delectably delicious like a brownie sundae.  My dear friend Ann, shared this recipe with me.  It was a family favorite from her mother-in-law.  This grandma who was known for her hot fudge sauce, cookies, and delicious meals, stepped away from her earthly stove this spring to a heavenly one.  It’s an honor to be able to share her great recipe with you.

The Best Ever Chocolate Hot Fudge Sauce and Easy Too!

Coming in at number seven…. is a round-up post of my past Valentine’s Day crafts and decor ideas.  The reason I think it was so popular is because these are low-cost ideas. I’m guessing that An Extraordinary Day readers are a thrifty bunch who love to celebrate.  Yes?

8 Low Cost DIY Valentine’s Day Decorating Ideas

At number 6… the first blog hop I ever hosted.  And boy was it a good one too.  I’ll be the first to tell you that blog hops are a lot of work.  There are tons of details and in this case there were 30 other gals to coordinate and work with.  But, I have to tell you, it was the best!  Everyone was wonderful, all the projects were amazing, and it really felt like we were a small community.  I am already looking forward to doing it again next year.  I hope you loved it as much as me.

This Year… Make it a Handmade Christmas

In the fifth position… is this super quick and easy Easter vignette.  I have to tell you… I’m pretty certain that you like vignettes… quick ones… and low-cost ones.  Hmmm… maybe there is a theme here.  What do you think?

Be Inspired by this 10 Minute Easter Vignette

In the 4th position… a sponsored post. I think there’s something about a good story and this story is one of my favorites and one I never tire of telling.  Its popularity might have been increased due to a lovely giveaway and the extra push that came from the BlogHer network.  Regardless… I love Milanos and even more my husband for this wonderful ritual.

Do You have any Rituals in Your Daily Routine?

In third place…. a mason jar project! You know I love mason jars and using them in my home decor.  This was a very fun project to put together and it seems that you liked it as much as me.

Hanging Mason Jar Posies for Mother’s Day

Number two… mason jar lid ornaments.  Who would guess that this would have been so popular?  Not me.  This was a good lesson for me that when my first ideas don’t come together… keep pressing on.  Because Plan B, Plan C, or Plan G… just might be the best idea.

Fun and Easy to Make Mason Jar Lid Christmas Ornaments

Drum roll please!  First place…. goes to a nail polish Christmas ornament.  I cannot tell you how challenging this project was to produce and photograph.  Maybe I need to clarify that.  The actual project takes mere minutes to make.  But, the circumstances in which I had to create this ornament, photograph it, write the post, and still host my first ever blog hop… I wouldn’t wish on anyone.  By the grace of God I accomplished it.  And I’m here to tell you that HIS grace is enough.  Believe me… you can still sparkle like this ornament through tough times and do it with class.

Make the Tree Sparkle with Classy Marbleized Metallic Christmas Ornaments

And for a little fun… here are the top posts for this year.

Pinterest has probably been the key to their good ranking.  A couple of them are real surprises to me, but, except the 12 Way to Spread Christmas Joy, they are all tutorials.  And a lot are geared towards Christmas decor.  Hmmm… I guess everyone likes a good tutorial.

From Sweater to Christmas Stocking in 12 Easy Steps

How to Make Pine Cones Pop :: Dry and Debug Pine Cones

A Box Disguised as a Stack of Letters ~ Filled with Words of Affirmation

How to Make Folded Paperback Book Christmas Trees {A Tutorial}

12 Ways to Spread Christmas Joy Around Your House :: Decorating Ideas

Farmhouse Christmas Vignette :: Creating Christmas Memories with Vignettes No. 6

Antique Washstand with a FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint Makeover

How to Plant a Window Box Garden :: Tutorial & Planting Tips

How to Make a Faux Love Letters Box

How to Create a Birch Wreath :: 12 Days of Christmas

What was your favorite?

As I look over the line-up… it’s pretty obviously that you all like quick and easy projects that are low-cost and look fabulous.  I’m guessing you’d like to see more in 2016.  Right now, I am still in the process of putting together my editorial calendar for the year.  So… now is your time to tell me what you’d like me to talk about, create, etc.  I cannot wait to hear your thoughts!!!

Thanks for stopping by today… I can’t wait to hear your lovely thoughts!

Wishing you…

An Extraordinary New Year!

Diane