Goodbye 2011...

Don't let the door hit you in the a** on the way out!

Yes, 2011 was a bear in many ways - but as I look back, I'm finding it hard to complain too much. We traveled, we had lots of good food and great times with friends and family and generally enjoyed ourselves quite a bit.  On the flip side, there was more sadness and loss around us than we are used to - both in our lives and the lives of some close friends.   I hope that's not a continuing trend.

A few weeks ago, I saw a quote that really resonated with me:  "Enjoy the little things, for someday you will realize that they were the big things."  Late this summer, I had a mini health scare that gave me just enough pause to see the wisdom in this.  The things that make my life great are the "little" things - like meeting a friend for coffee and a chat on a weekday morning, making and serving a killer dessert,  showing my nieces one of my favorite movies or playing a game with them, reading a book to a two year-old, going to the farmers market or harvesting fresh vegetables from the garden, drinking a great bottle of wine on the patio, putting a vase of gorgeous flowers on the table, roasting a perfect chicken, going to a great yoga class... just being with the people that matter most and enjoying the moments in between the stressful, inevitable realities of life.  These are the things that make life good, even when the big picture isn't so rosy.

Regardless, it still feels like it's time for things to start looking up in 2012, doesn't it?  Let's hope so.  Here's to better times ahead.  Salud!

To the Continuing Journey...

left to right - Top to Bottom:
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desserts at Chez Panisse: gelato at Otto in Vegas: Birthday Party Poms: Brunch at Out the Door in SF: Salumi at Otto in Vegas: Camp Confab: Craftting Community in Palm Springs: Clothes at Sunhee Moon in SF: Oysters at Hog Island in SF: Fish tacos at Mariscos El Pescador truck, Chula Vista
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Candy Store Collective Boutique in SF: Momofuku Milk Bar Midtown, NYC: Homemade caramels: Emma's kitty cat cake: Momofuku wall, NYC: Juju's Craft Party: Heath Ceramics Factory Store: Zuni in SF: Meatballs at Delfina Pizzeria, SF: Russ and Daughters, NYC
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Birthday Party at Boulette's Larder: The Grand Canyon, North Rim: Corn at our Summer BBQ: Cooks Confab Egg: Esalen Farm, Big Sur: Cakes at the Madonna Inn: The Standard Hotel, NYC: La Super Rica, Santa Barbara: Caelan and Emma at Disneyland: Viva Pops in North Park
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Juju and her cake: South Point House at Esalen in Big Sur: The Bell Jar Boutique, SF: Cannoli at Pizzeria Delfina in SF: Rajas at Super Rica in Santa Barbara: Crafts at Juju's party: Dinner at DOC in Portland: Mozza in LA: Crafting Community in Palm Springs: Crafting in Palm Springs
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Me with my Birthday Croquembouche: Pizzeria Mozza in LA: Camp Confab: Lobster Roll at the Standard Grill, NYC: Stumptown Coffee in Portland: Mast Bros. Chocolate in NYC: Emma in Vegas: Emma with her cake: The Grand Canyon Lodge, North Rim: Nepenthe in Big Sur
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The Tabor cart in Portland: Me with my Grandmother: MIHO Gastrotruck: DOC in Portland: Dale Chihuly exhibit at the Salk: The Standard Hotel in NYC: Eataly: Gobo salad at Okan: Santa Barbara Spot Prawns at Mozza in LA: Zuni in SF.

Without question, this year was filled with good things for us - lots of travel, amazing meals, parties, quality time with friends and family. On the other hand though, I have a feeling as this year comes to a close, that things have changed across the landscape in some sort of permanent - or at least very long term - way. The full brunt of the economic downturn seems apparent now, and it's pretty sobering. There are more homeless people on the street, local businesses and stores have closed, people who should be succeeding are treading water, and those who were treading water are having a hard time staying afloat. It feels a bit Marie Antoinette to discuss this year without acknowledging that reality.

Things aren't perfect for us by any means, but I feel very lucky to have what I have, to do what I do, and to know the absolutely fantastic people in my life. This was the year I turned 40, and as I said in May - I viewed it as sort of a halfway point - maybe even a high point. We can always hope that things continue to get better, but there is definitely something to be said for being grateful for what you have in the moment, and I truly am.

Here's to the continuing journey, friends. I hope 2010 has been kind to you, and wish you all the best for a warm, happy and peaceful 2011.

(p.s. - click on the photo and view in Flickr for a key to all of the pictures.)