Happy New Year!

Madelyn demonstrates her sparkler-twirling prowess

on New Year's Eve

After a lovely New Year's Eve with close friends I took my time about getting up this morning.  I stayed in bed and finished a fun book that I have been reading off-and-on for a couple of months.  It was the perfect way to usher in the new year.
"The Sharper Your Knife, The Less You Cry", by Kathleen Flinn, is the author's story of losing a job, taking a chance and moving to Paris to pursue a dream of attending Le Cordon Bleu cooking school.
Kathleen writes, "As in cooking, living requires that you taste, taste, taste as you go along--you can't wait until the dish of life is done.  In my career, I always looked ahead to the place I wanted to go, the next rung on the ladder.  It reminds me of "The Station" by Robert Hastings, a parable read at our wedding.  The message is that while on a journey, we are sure the answer lies at the destination.  But in reality, there is no station, no "place to arrive at once and for all".  The joy of life is the trip, and the station is a dream that constantly outdistances us."

In addition she writes, "My grandmother had a saying:  'Every woman should get herself two things:  a good partner and a good set of knives.'"  I would add two other things:  a good set of friends and taking time to savor the exquisite moments.

family & friends gather around the fire pit

"No, I do not have a treat for you"

My beautiful girls on New Year's Eve:

my oldest

My second

My youngest, with her 4-legged friend Kali