NEW YEAR WISHES, LOVE, AND THANKS...

Happy 2012...a little slow on the uptake, since the "Annual Christmas Cold" dragged me down, but feeling like my old self today.  Holidays spent among just the immediate family, though those in CO are always in my heart - it was a time of quiet reflection this year.  A few photos from the past week that I wanted to share and just never got around to, with the crud and all...

Great things came in small, beautifully detailed packages...

Beautiful, SPARKLY things came in those small packages - this being one of them.  If you haven't had the occasion, drop by MAYNARD GREENHOUSE - a breathtaking blog that you'll wonder how you've lived without.  Tell Carole I sent you...and that I absolutely adore my sparkly bauble!

Sweet things came in cellophane packages - Melanie (TOGETHER TIME PLAYGROUPS), and her daughter, Mackenzie (home from the Air Force Academy), dropped by with this tray of chocolate mousse/cream cheese cupcakes...atop at least a thousand actual peppermint candies that had been unwrapped and melted together to form an edible serving tray.  Melanie teaches preschoolers, and never ceases to amaze with her creative energy.  Have a little one at home, in Vegas?  Check out her blog for photos and contact information of her fabulous Mommy and Me classes.  Thanks, M & M...I shall have to blame at least 10 of these extra lbs. on you!  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Gorgeous enameled things came in small packages, and were much loved.  The talented group of jewelry gals held their annual Christmas exchange at the beginning of last month, and I received this beautiful set from Colleen.  She told us she LOVES this new-found passion - it certainly shows!

Cutting edge things came in small packages...a scissors charm from my dear friend, Jackie.  Plus, she gives me the special gift of Bobby Flay each year - what a gal...what a guy!

More sparkly things came in small packages, for the tree - and hung next to the blown glass wart hog...

Endearing, golden things came in small packages, and ended up IN the tree...

Love birds on the back of this small, antique framed tintype...a gift from my beloved parents...

Coveted things came in small AND large packages...four beautiful, treasured Bakelite bangles from my folks; the beautiful antique, cream bracelet from my sweet girl; and the coolest, large, three-tiered cast iron, graduated basket stand from "Z".  Power tools of my very own; a new camera case; an afternoon romp with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law; it all made for a wonderful Christmas (not to mention a beautiful Christmas Eve performance of The Nutcracker Ballet, with my daughter...even if they did kill off Mother Ginger.  Seriously - who takes the iconic Mother Ginger out of The Nutcracker?!)

Shiny, fresh-faced, festive things came in kid packages (the beautiful, full length shot of the sequined skirt wouldn't downsize for me, no matter what I tried tonight, so this is the shot.  My friend, Susan, sent a couple of STUNNING photos of my daughter, that she had taken this summer, and developed herself, but will save those for another post)...BEST Christmas presents, ever (oh, they have their moments)...

To my family (you know who you are) and friends (near and far - in person, and those that live in my computer), I love you all, more than you can possibly know (OK, maybe some more than others, but I do love you, just the same)!  Many thanks for the holiday well wishes and beautiful goodies...more than the material things, the love you all radiated means so, SO much.  No New Years resolutions - just the hope to be a better person; to keep up with the blog on a more timely basis now that I'm feeling better; and a wish for a FABULOUS New Year, to you and yours - XOXO