An upcoming party, the gift table, beauty, gingerbread cake, space, to my sister, the mantle.

 1. Our simple holiday mantle. Featuring a cross eyed Mary. Every December that I unwrap this set that my mom gave to me when I was in high school, I laugh when I see the Mary statue.

 2. What I gave to my sister.

 3. Re-beginning. I am sharing a studio space once again with my fantastic friend, Sean. We shared this same space years ago. It's nice to have a  space away from home (a convenient 10 minute walk from here) for focused art making once again.

 4. The gingerbread cake that I made for New Year's Eve. You have to love a cake that includes a cup of stout.

 5. I chose the word "beauty" to guide me through 2013. I chose the word in honor of my friend, Karen, who passed away in the fall. She called many people- teenage students, fellow teachers, and friends, "Beauty." "How's my Beauty?"
Just a few days into the new year, this owl greeted me when I came home from work. A beauty.

 6. The Christmas gift table.

7. We are excited to be hosting a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.- Presidential Inauguration Day party this Monday.  Soup, oatmeal cookies, a fire in the wood stove.