12/30 This week has been spent with family and friends and our hearts have stayed warm while the temperatures have plummeted at Lazy Goose. It was a very nippy 9 degrees out last night. But no complaints on that front; compared to last winter, it's been rather balmy.

We're wrapping up the year on a good note: a few days after Christmas, I submitted a manuscript to my agent (sorry, not about Lumby although I think it's just as delightful) and am so excited to finally have a chance to work on a book I've been thinking about for quite some time. And Art is finishing the last two paintings which we hope will be used in our second "Simplicity" collaboration (the first, Finding Happiness in Simplicity will be coming out March 6 and is now available as a pre-order from Amazon).

No plans for New Years Eve as of yet although we have a few kind invitations in hand. As it is in cold climates, a lot depends on the forecast for snow...will it? won't it? and if it does, how much? No matter where we are or who we're with, though, we're going to look back and be thankful for our good fortune over the last twelve months. But in truth, we'll be ushering out 2011 as quickly as possible; it was a very hard, tiring year and we can't wait for the new year to begin!

Wishing all of you a very healthy and happy 2012. It's a year filled with hope and promise.