2011 was a year like no other. The older I get the more it seems that this is the case with the passing of every year. Things come together and then they fall apart. They come back together again – only to fall apart again. Expecting anything more, hoping for anything less has only made the journey that much more challenging. (See Pema Chodron)

I’m learning that I must create space for the chaos to swirl around me, finding peace in the eye of the storm and accepting it for what it is. I’m striving towards developing the wisdom to not react with labels. You know the ones – good and bad. Life just is. It was a year filled with equal doses of sheer joy and wrenching heart-ache. As the chapter formally closes on 2011, through it all there was mostly a calmness, a sense of peace, a sense that I would emerge.

I had the rare opportunity and luxury to close out the year in Phoenix. One of my closest friends and I scrambled up the Summit trail of Squaw Peak to watch the sun set on 2011. We toasted the year with a glass of bubbly (to the poor hiker that we scared to death when the cork popped – we’re really sorry!); grateful for our health, grateful for our friendship, and grateful that the next day would formally deliver a new year.

Figuring the best way to usher in the new year would be in the same manner we ushered out 2011, we made a pot of coffee, filled a thermos and hiked back up the summit.

I’m all about goals – duh, right???? That will never change. What is changing is this concept of sustainability. So, accepting that life just is, and accepting that this space is a hobby, I make no promises, I have no set-in-stone commitments. My goal is simply to come here as I’m able.

NOW, to really ushering in the new year. Every January for the past 7 or so years, I have waited with baited breath for the release of:

In my very humble opinion – it is the ABSOLUTE BEST resource, guide and all around amazing publication. Minus the ads, I read every word on every page… slooooooooowly, savoring the best that the staff of Saveur uncovered, unearthed and discovered in the past year. I’ve made it to number 39 and along the way here’s what caught my fancy…

Numbers 1, 7, 13, 15, 16, 19, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29 (I’ll be investing in that), and 32.

Now, I leave you with baited breath. Pick up a copy – enjoy. I’d love to hear what catches your fancy. Until next time!