...snippets of December.

December came and went much too quickly. So much to do and savor and create that I let my time tick away without sitting and sharing.
It is truly amazing how much can be stuffed into one month.
Here is a small look at all I've been up to during my favorite time of year.
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season spent with family, friends and those you love.

...a 4th of July parade.

Everyone loves parades! There's the Rose Bowl with it's wonderful floats made from flowers, the Macy's Day Thanksgiving parade with it's big brass bands and huge caricature balloons , and of course the Hollywood Christmas Parade (which is celebrating it's 75th birthday) All of these have pomp, circumstance and tradition, but none can beat the true American spirit of a grass roots 4th of July parade! The wonderment in the young children's eyes of the horses, fire engines, cars and marching bands! Things we all watched when we were little, and who's spirit I still try to hang on to today. I guess I'm just a sentimental sap at heart, but in our world of stress and pressure it is so wonderful to take a moment, slow down, and be a part of all that is
red, white, and blue.
Hope you all had as wonderful a day as I did.

...my return from a break.

Mother's Day in the garden. My birthday cake.

Birthday bouquet, peony's and tulips. Greg.
Lexie in the meadow. My nephew Daniel.

Wow! It's amazing how fast time fly's. It wasn't intentional, I didn't plan it, and most of all didn't realize how long it would be, but I took a break. So much has gone on in since my last post... I celebrated my 49th birthday (yes the last year of my 40's), had a Mother's Day lunch in my garden; At Mom's request, had a wonderful Indian dinner for her Birthday; Greg, my friend/brother/partner in crime has returned from his home in Panama and is now staying with me. I have worked on a couple of custom card projects for clients, and watched my youngest nephew graduate from High School (where did the years go?) I cleared my head (which needs a lot of clearing these days) on the trails and meadows with my dog Lexie. She tends to benefit from my de-stressing aids. Somehow a dog in full motion in an open field tends to relax the human mind. Thank you to those who e-mailed and asked about my whereabouts and if all was OK.
It's so warming to know that there are those out there who care.
I'm back, all is good, and will post often.

...New Years Eve.

I think that New Years Eve is a holiday that changes with our ages. When I was in my teens and early 20's it was all about the cutest boy, the best outfit, which party to go to, and who were you going to strategically stand next to at midnight in hopes that he turned around
to you for that all important kiss!
In my late 20's and early 30's I found myself traveling with a friend and had set out to explore the world overseas. I am lucky enough to have gathered great memories of this all important evening. When in Australia, I finished a private catering job in just enough time to race to the Sydney Opera House steps while the clock was striking twelve. Caught up in the celebration, some cute Aussie boy (who I didn't know) whirled around, swept me in his arms and gave me a New Years kiss that I remember to this day. I have eaten twelve grapes as the clock struck midnight in Spain, (the grapes signify twelve happy months in the coming year),
and have been fortunate enough to pop open a bottle of champagne on the
sparkling Champs Elysees in Paris.
I remember one Dec. 31st when I was alone and took myself to the movies. At the stroke of 12, the theatre lights went up, the movie stopped, everyone turned and wished each other a "Happy New Year", than sat back down and the movie continued!
For some reason, the feeling of that night has always stayed with me.
Now, in my late forties, it has become an evening spent either celebrating with good friends, or at home in reflection of the coming year. Most of us stopped giving in to the pressure of making the dinner reservation at the newest and best place of the year, don't want to be out on the road with all the "crazy's" and sometimes even need that extra cup of coffee
to make it to midnight!!
What ever you find yourself doing tonight and where ever you may be doing it, celebrate with gusto, be safe, and close the last chapter of this year with an
unforgettable memory of your own.