Okay, my turn.  The “7 links” posts have been circulating around the internet, and after being tagged by Gena and Lisa, I figured I was due to share mine.  These remind me of the senior superlatives in our high school yearbook!  For a look back through the Daily Garnish archives, here are a few posts that standout the most…

MOST BEAUTIFUL POST:
A House is Not a Home

One of the things that has been most important to me throughout my pregnancy, is dealing with a long backlog of emotions baggage that I have shelved for far too long.  For better or for worse, I decided that one of my most effective methods for healing was writing, and rather than keep it to myself I’ve shared some of that raw emotion with you guys.  My favorite of these posts was this one, written when we were getting ready to embark on our fourth move in just two years.

But in my opinion, the “most beautiful post” on my blog is actually one that I didn’t write…

The Curious Case of Casey Malone

Last year, Casey wrote his (only) guest post and spoke out to readers about all the life changes he’s made on his own road to finding health. I’ve been lucky enough to witness these changes firsthand myself, but reading his words on the page made me realize just how far we have come together on this healthy journey.

MOST POPULAR POST:
Why I Quit Drinking

If I looked for highest page views overall, this post probably wouldn’t win the title.  For a long time it was my most frequently requested post, and once I finally sat down and put it all down on paper, it became a post that people have referenced and found over and over again.  I get comments on this post every week!

 MOST CONTROVERSIAL POST:
Calorie Counting and the Blurry Grey Line

I knew when I posted this that there would be a wide range of opinions on the topic of calorie counting.  I was blown away by how much discussion resulted and how many great opinions people shared on both sides of the argument.

MOST HELPFUL POST:
How To: A Tofu Tutorial

Whenever someone tells me they don’t like tofu, I always ask them how they are cooking it.  It’s amazing what a difference the right preparation will make, and I have heard from hundreds of readers that this tutorial and cooking method has saved them from giving up on tofu forever.

A POST WHO’S SUCCESS SURPRISED YOU:
You Don’t Have to Run A Marathon

I knew when I wrote this post that there would be a discussion that followed, but I had no idea the post would circulate as much as it did.  A few of my thoughts were even picked up by Runner’s World and printed in their April issue!

A POST THAT DIDN’T GET THE ATTENTION IT DESERVED:
How To Make Your Own Protein Powder Mix

When I wrote this post I had a much smaller readership, and subsequently a smaller reach.  Making our own protein powder mix has saved us so much money over the last few years, and I wish more people knew they could do the same thing!

POST YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF:
When Pigs Fly

I’ve run 5 full marathons and many other races in my recent running years, but no other race has made me feel more proud than I did at the Flying Pig Marathon in 2009.  I poured every bit of myself into training, and surprised everyone when I decided to run a marathon just six days before my wedding.  At the finish line, no one was more surprised than me.  I finished in 3:50:59 – my fastest marathon to date, and a day that left me realizing that I am truly capable of anything. 

I’m hoping to run the Flying Pig again next year in 2012, this time with Baby C in a jogging stroller on the sidelines!

We’ve been doing a lot of this.

For some reason I rarely read at home, but I can do it all day when I’m on vacation.  At home I always feel like instead of reading I should be doing something else – working, cleaning, walking, etc.  But at the beach I am content to put on a big floppy sunhat and stare at my book all day long.

For anyone who cares, I am currently alternating between Ina May Gaskin’s Guide to Childbirth (serious and non-fiction), and Jennifer Weiner’s Then Came You (girly fiction).  It’s my first time taking my Nook to the beach, and I love it!  So convenient to carry so many books in one little device.

This beach is really quiet and uncrowded – just how I like it.

Back in 2003, I lived in a beach house on Topsail Island, NC for four months after graduating college.  My best friend and I rented a tiny little cottage and worked as hotel maids to support ourselves.  Hands down the best summer of my life.  Being here reminds me so much of that summer!

No family beach trip is complete without group family photos, right?  We did ours on Monday night.  Rather than all do the matching outfits, we just wore whatever we wanted and luckily all ended up pretty well coordinated.

I hear lots of horror stories from others about in-laws and other family drama.  While every family has it’s quirks, I feel really blessed to have two wonderful families that I adore.  The Malones make me feel so loved and welcomed.  And everyone is so excited about the newest Malone!

Casey and I have a very similar picture to this one from the Bellagio in Las Vegas a month ago.  Funny to see how much bigger my bump looks now in the same dress!

My summer family.

And adorable in-laws.

Handsome fellas.

And such a fun group of girls.

Casey and I thought it would be fun to head down to the beach to get a few more pictures.  Once we got there, we realized that the wind was going to make getting a decent shot very difficult!

Beautiful sunset in the background, even if my hair is going a little crazy.

Sarah and I tried to get a picture too, but two sets of long hair made for a windy disaster.

At least the scenery was cooperating.

Casey felt that Baby C deserved his own portrait.

There is something about the beach that just makes me feel like I’m home.  I keep telling Casey I need an old rusty typewriter and a breezy beach porch so I can sit down and write my great novel.  :)

Please don’t make me leave.