I hope you are all having a warm and bright holiday season! Above are some photographs from my last week of festivities. I am enjoying the slower pace and the chance to see all of my dear friends and family day after day. I love the buzz of all of the gatherings and the drinks and the eats! Keep it coming!

Usually, at this time of year, SCB and I make our resolutions. You can look back in our archives and see previous resolutions under “Holiday.” This year, I have decided not to make any resolutions.

I will be honest, I have had a challenging year in full. I have struggled with many things, all of which I am spending these last days of 2013 moving out of my heart and head. I am trying to shake loose from the grip of this year. It’s time for a new year! New energy and new ideas. New good times and certainly, new trying times. Instead of promising myself, and you all, a list of things I plan to try to do, I think I will just leave it to fate! Sure, in the back of my head, I will be thinking of last year’s resolutions, which I am still struggling to put into action, but for this new year it’s time for me to commit to no more pressure. I’m a good person. I love my friends and family. I work hard. I try to tap into my creativity. I love my life and am grateful for it! I think noticing these things and trying to sit with them is just about all I can promise to myself moving into 2014. As for the rest, let’s just see what adventures lay ahead together, shall we?

And it is time for us to sign off for 2013. We will see you back in this space on January 10, 2014. Happy new year! xo

—MAV