Hey, hi, and Happy New Year! I hope you are off to the races! Also, all kinds of hugs and prayers to anyone in peril of fire at the moment. Jeepers.

I thought I’d start with the cutest end and beginning with dear Juniper. We did some math and realized she may be a year older than previously thought, so happy, happy to your tenth year in the universe!

Despite achieving elder pooch status, she is still quite the puppy, eager to walk, spinning three times for breakfast, cuddling on the couch , bolting about the back garden, chasing wild creatures, and always, always wanting a nibble, from whomever will offer.

We got another round of vaccines (so many jabs!), Hepatitis B and Pneumonia 20, in mid-December, and the following day, I was down for the count. Tired and achy, Greg went to the store for provisions and bought me flowers! They lasted weeks, which was pure delight.

Jeff came for a visit, and we made burritos. Delicious as, usual. Since it was also Christmas treat season, I also made starlight mint sugar cookies, peanut butter fudge, walnut fudge, and Dutch letter bars, for more deliciousness. This is Jeff’s take home tin.

For Christmas dinner, I made Beef Wellington, with steaks that looked normal, but once layered with mushrooms and encased in puff pastry (store bought!) were HUGE. We ate them over a few days and weren’t in the least disappointed.

The little plate at the top was made with all of the scraps and a delicate sprinkle of sugar. The shapes on the Wellingtons are acorns, but dang, from certain angles really look like fish. Ha!

Our post-Christmas adventure was a trip to my parents’ house, and this was my Basque cheesecake contribution. It was basking in a homemade orange caramel with cute mandarin slices. The tops!

New Year’s Day homemade pizza and sparkling pear cider. We have zero complaints in the food department, my friends.

Isn’t this the ultimate 80’s look? Also, made in Colorado! The man is a dead ringer for Keith Hernandez (hello, Mets fans!) or Eric, my uncle’s kindly ex. I am going to make a propolis throat spray with the contents.

My parents’ house – the Christmas tree has been put in the same location since 1976!

Our holiday lights and a new minimalist Christmas tree. I made the wonky little trees out of stacks of buttons and find them rather adorable. My friend Mary made the tiny mitten, which I wish you could see better.

Happy 2025 to one and all! May you be safe, healthy, and happy the whole year long…