Everyone says it, but can you believe how fast 2015 went? It seems like just yesterday I was writing my year in review for 2014, but here I am, drifting down 2015's memory lane.

Oh, 2015. What a year you were.

Between lay-offs, torn ACL's,  delicious recipes, gorgeous weddings, fun honeymoons, failures, successes and everything in between made for a 2015 I certainly wont forget anytime soon.

#bestofnine is currently sweeping Instagram and I'm not one to let trends go by without joining in. Before we start the year in review, here's my best of nine! It appears the winter season pictures are really loved. Thanks for following, liking and commenting :) 2015 really has been one of the bests.


Warning: this post might be a little long, but it's my fav, so grab a glass of wine and settle in.

It's time to look back on 2015.

January: I got laid off. Am I allowed to say that? I've never written that out before. But I got laid off in January. But I also made my first patch of paleo bread, saw Sam Smith live, watched a lot of the Bachelor, and did a lot of Pure Barre. Overall, it was a great month.

February: I was thrown a gorgeous bridal shower, went to my best friends gorgeous bridal shower, watched more episodes of the Bachelor and tore my ACL and my meniscus.

March: March was slow. I was a month out from tearing my ACL so it consisted of a lot of surgeon appointments, MRI's and random doctor visits. We sent our wedding invites out and prepped for our honeymoon. I got a wonderful new job (which is still my current job), crafted some delicious recipes, Jamie King re-tweeted me and Whitney won the Bachelor. Wanna know the BEST part about March? My adorable niece was born.

April: April was a really fast blur of a month. Dress fittings, my best friend's bachelorette party and my bachelorette party in Vegas. It was Adam and my one year Denver-Anniversary, we made delicious recipes and enjoyed our last month as an engaged couple!

May: I got married! By far the best month of the year. We spent 6 wonderful days in Arizona celebrating all things wedding. We got married and ventured off to Grand Cayman for the most wonderful honeymoon in the world. Tanned and relaxed we headed back to Arizona for my best friends wedding and my 10-year high school reunion. Oh, what a month. It will be one I'll always remember.

June: June was the calm after the storm. May was the busiest month of my life and in June we relaxed. I turned 28, we celebrated one month of marriage and we settled into life as husband and wife. Wanna know the BEST part about June? My best friend got engaged! Hooray!

July: Adam turned 29, we celebrated the 4th of July in Omaha and I took a blogging hiatus. The blogging hiatus was the best thing I did for myself and this space of mine. I came back inspired, encouraged and ready to write. To celebrate July, you get a delicious picture of my hubs!

August: The hiatus ended and I reintroduced myself to you, my lovely readers. Kids started school, my nephew turned one and we threw an amazing shower for Coti and Matt. The worst part? I had knee surgery. The best part. I started healing. August was good, but I was glad when it was over.

September: Adam and I spent Labor Day in Jackson Hole, Wyoming which is so rad. We celebrated tons of birthdays. I conquered paleo banana bread, got my knee surgery brace off, I had some great guest posters on the blog and we enjoyed fall in Denver.

October: I failed and I found my self worth. I went to Michigan to celebrate family. I saw Taylor Swift with my girls, watched my niece turn three and went to the Denver Beer Festival. I mastered the art of paleo muffins, I co-hosted an Instagram challenge and I figured out what is the most important. It was a month of learning, growing, some tears and a few bottles of wine. I think these months are the most important because it's how you grow.

November: in November, Adam and I celebrated 5 years together and 6 months of marriage. We made delicious food - ribs and again, I mastered paleo sandwich bread. We spent Thanksgiving in Arizona with our family, celebrated World Kindness Day, had a ton of snow storms and I launched my sponsorship program!

December: Adam and I spent a weekend in Keystone, dinner dates with friends, I showed you what's in my bag, we starting looking for houses, I showed you who I think is the most fascinating and we spent Christmas in Omaha. December flies by every year and every year I have all these huge plans, but it escaped me again this year. Now, we're gearing up for New Years and 2016!

So, I hope you enjoyed that super long trip down memory lane because I loved it! How was your year? Anything super fab? Let me know, I want to hear all about it! Until next year everyone! Happy 2016!

Start a blog they said, it'll be fun they'll said, you'll make money they said. Little did I know, when I started my blog over 8 years ago all the struggles that would come with it. 

So you've seen who I consider to be the most fascinating people #10-6. Do you agree or disagree?

Well, here we go - are you ready for numbers 5-1? Let's do this.

#5: Yolanda Foster: 
First, YOYO has the most beautiful daughters ever. Second, YOYO used to live in the most beautiful house in the world. Third, YOYO is a RHOBH and she's getting divorced. Fourth, YOYO is my favorite housewife of all time - or maybe she's tied with Heather Dubrow. Fifth, does YOYO have lyme disease? If you watch RHOBH or even if you don't, you know this is the topic of debate this season. She's been sharing her journey with this disease for the past three years via the show and her Instagram. She's had the crowns in her teeth removed, she's been in a cryogenic chamber, she takes thousands of meds a day and she's still struggling. I'm not discounting Lyme disease in any way, but in the words of Lisa Vanderpump, "I'm just questioning it." I'm questioning YOYO and I'm sure the result will be fascinating.

#4: Matt Bellassai:
If you haven't heard of or watched Matt Bellassai's videos yet, you are missing out. He is the face behind Whine About It, a (Buzzfeed) weekly video series where he gets drunk at his desk and complains about stuff. I for one cannot imagine how awesome this job must be. But Matt can and he is basically the most hilarious person ever. He says everything you're thinking but he's funnier. One of my favorite is "Questions about people who go skiing and he tells people that skiing is basically freezing lunges. Go watch him now.

#3: Trump:
Trump. Donald Trump. The Donald. Make America Great Again. I think it's safe to say Trump is a big personality with even bigger statements. While I'm all for "making america great again" I'm not exactly sure he's the way that's going to happen. I don't think that there is any debate that Trump is keeping this whole Running for President thing pretty dang interesting. Either way, good, bad, ugly or orange, he is definitely fascinating.

#2: Amy Schumer:
#girlboss. #hilarious #futurebff. Amy Schumer is killing it right now. She has a hilarious movie out, Trainwreck, her own HBO stand-up and she's best friends with Jennifer Lawrence. The best part about Amy is that she's confident. And on top of that, she's independent, funny, smart, witty, beautiful and all around someone probably everyone wants to know. Oh and don't forget when she was on the red carpet and pretended to faint in from of Kim K and Kanye.  Can you imagine what dinner with her would be like? Fascinating, I can guarantee it.

#1: Adele:
Um, hello. Adele is the most fascinating person of 2015, are you surprised. She has literally broken every record imaginable and only continues to kick major ass. She's gonna be the person that everyone is talking about in the years and years to come. Our kids will know her name. Not only is her voice the best ever, so is her eyeliner. If 2015 is any indication of what 2016 is going to be like for Adele, I can 100% guarantee it's only going to get more fascinating.

So, there it is! 

Who do you think is the most fascinating person of 2015? 

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you're enjoying your day, far from this blog, your computer and your cell phones (trust me, I'm trying!). Today is such a wonderful day to bask in the glow of family and friends.

Adam and I are enjoying time with family, celebrating this wonderful holiday. I hope you're all enjoying the same!

Today is not only Christmas, but its my fabulous mother's birthday!

To my mama, Happy Birthday!! I hope you have the most wonderful birthday ever. I hope you know how incredibly loved you are. Thank you for all you do for our family, me and everyone. I am so lucky to have you in my life. I wish I was there to celebrate with you and toast with mimosas, but know I'm with you in spirit always and I'll see you on FaceTime soon! I love you! 

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve everyone! So exciting that we're 2 sleeps away from Christmas! I hope you're all wrapping up your last minute shopping, baking cookies and enjoying time with your loved ones!

I just love this time of year. It's full of delicious food, delicious cookies, red wine, family and friends. What a special time to spend extra time with loved ones.

I hope as you prep for the holidays you remember what this whole thing is about:

Luke 1:1-20, verse 10-20,  But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests. When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, Lets go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the baby, who was lying in a manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. 

Enjoy today, celebrate this holiday and I hope you have the very Merriest Christmas Eve, Eve ever. 

My best friend, Coti is an amazing cook. She's always sending me snapchats of her incredible dinners.

Really I wish you could see them. Zoodles with bolognese. Roasted veggies and steak. Maybe one day I'll get her to do a guest post (hint, hint). But until then, I must resort to attempting to recreating her recipes.

This recipe, this amazing baked salmon recipe really caught my eye. Yes, yes, yes.

Since Coti sent me the recipe, I've made it 3 times. Adam told me its his new favorite. That's huge people, for a while I couldn't get him off ribs. So, Co, thanks for another great recipe. I owe you.

Without further ado, the recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of salmon
• 2 tablespoons organic stone ground mustard
• 1 tablespoon organic maple syrup
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• salt and pepper

How to Make: 

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Lay salmon skin side down on a baked sheet covered with foil.
3. Sprinkle salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. 
4. Mix the mustard and maple syrup together and pour on top.
5. Cook on middle rack for 10 minutes (time depends on thickness of salmon)
6. Turn on broiler and and cook for another 3-4 minutes until golden brown. 

Happy Monday lovies! Today is one of my favorite blog traditions. I love talking about celebrities and all things public media. Today is the start of my Most Fascinating People of 2015 list. I thought last year had a lot of interesting people. I mean, in 2014, Cailtyn Jenner was still Bruce Jenner, Blake Lively's baby was still in utero and the Duggars were still holier than thou.

Crazy to think what's happened in a year. 2015 sure didn't disappoint when it came to scandals, affairs, nude pictures, marriages and crazy antics.

Barbara Walter's Most Fascinating People list always makes me laugh because, really Bernie Sanders, Barbara? Of all the people in this world you thought Bernie deserved to be fascinating? Anyways, while Barb and I don't always agree, Barb can keep doing what she's doing, but today it's about my most fascinating people of 2015 list.

Just to keep you readers on your toes and to keep you coming back to Everyday Grace, today's list includes #10-6. Check back next Monday for the FINAL 5 Most Fascinating People of 2015.

Can you guess who #1 might be?

Alright,  let's get started.

#10: Leah Remini:
First, she challenged the church, then she challenged Tom Cruise. This girl is either the dumbest person alive or the bravest  - - and I'm going with bravest. She left a church after 30 years because she felt it wasn't right, she stood up to the church and as a result has been shunned, called a liar and ridiculed. And on top of that, she has a hilarious TV show that shares her love of her family. This girl is bold. And, if you don't want to look to or you disagree with her recent success, I suggest taking a look back to her role on Saved by the Bell. I think we can all agree that Leah has had quite a fascinating career and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. 

#9: Kylie Jenner:
Lip injections, lip kits, dealing with a new dad, Tyga, Lamborghinis and life as one of the most famous celebrities in the world. I have to preface with, I am not a fan of the Kardashian/Jenner clan, but my dislike cannot take away from the fact that the life Kylie lives is pretty fascinating. She's an 18 year old who's been in the public eye since she was 10. She has 45.4 million followers on Instagram while I'm dying for 1000. She has 12.9 million followers on Twitter and she has an app that will rack in $15 million in it's first year. She's dealing with Bruce becoming Caitlin, Kris and Bruce divorcing, all while dealing with normal 18-year old girl problems (as if those aren't enough!). I don't love the girl, but I gotta give her some credit. She's fascinating. 

#8: Josh Duggar:
Hard to believe that last year Josh Duggar was on this list because he was a good person. Oh how things can change in a year. First, news breaks that Josh touched 5 young girls when he was a teen. Second, we find out that those young girls were his sisters. Third, two months later, Ashley Madison is breached and all the world finds out that not only did Josh Duggar have an account, but he admitted to cheating on his wife multiple times and being addicted to porn. Safe to say, Mr. Duggar has fallen from grace and I cannot lie, I find the hypocrisy pretty fascinating. 

#7: Ronda Rousey:
This girl is the definition of a bad ass. I don't know much about MMA, but I do know that if you can knock someone out in 14 seconds, you're pretty good. She's the #1 female bantamweight fighter in the world, so I think that makes her awesome. She's paleo - whoop whoop! And she wrote a book called My Fight, Your Fight where she gets down and dirty about her life. This girl is a fighter and even though she got knocked out in her most recent fight, that doesn't keep her off this list of fascinating people. 

#6: Pope Francis:
Pope Francis is the 266th and current Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He's the first Pope from Latin America, Buenos Aires to be specific. He's the first Jesuit Pope and he's 76. So those are his stats, but ya know what makes Pope Francis really cool? He speaks tolerance and inclusion. He leads by example. He gives love and shows love to everyone. He used to be a bounce at a club. He speaks three languages and loves wine. He has over 8 million twitter followers. He loves soccer and selfies. He's make the Catholic church, God and religion accessible to people who have either never been interested or who have been shunned. The way he "popes" (can I make that a verb) is fascinating and he's doing an incredible job. 

Are you excited for #5-1? I sure am! Make sure to check back next week to find out who wins! 

What's going on with you? What are you currently loving?

Its that time of year, everyone is making delicious desserts, cocktails and toasting to the New Year. Did I mention the delicious desserts? While I try to stay away from desserts because they're my kryptonite, I couldn't resist these delicious little cheesecakes. My sister Natalia came up with this idea for a Thanksgiving treat and as soon as she read the recipe, I knew we had to make them.

2 cups finely crushed graham crackers
 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
7 Tbsp salted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup heavy cream

Caramel Sauce:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons water
6 tablespoons salted butter
3/4 cup heavy cream
sea salt for sprinkling

Strawberry Sauce: 
1 pound fresh strawberries
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

I hope you all had the best Thanksgiving ever!