I think 2012 is technically Year of the Dragon, but I prefer to think of it as Year of the Pegasus.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Mine was busy-busy but very nice. I celebrated early mini-Christmases with my mom & Andy, and I spent Christmas proper in Atlanta with my dad's side of the family. I got so many great gifts and felt very spoiled by my loved ones. Andy & I surprised each other with BB guns, which was pretty hilarious. Mine is pink. I am sooo not a gun enthusiast, and never thought I would own a BB gun... But I used one at a friend's barbecue a while back and learned that I am pretty darn good at shooting balloons. (What's next.. Pink camo?) Andy also gave me a Chia Pet, something I have wanted more than anything in the world since I was a little girl. I just think they're neat, ok? Don't laugh. So far mine is not growing, but hopefully I can share pictures soon. Another particularly touching gift was a flash drive loaded with all of my dad's (amazing) recipes... Such a great idea!
I love these beautiful letterpress mushroom bookplates from my Aunt Dana so much...
My mom commissioned tiny sculptures of my pets... Shorty is particularly lifelike. (Can't remember the name of the artist off the top of my head.)
Andy's brother & our sister-in-law sent us this mini pie maker and a book of handheld pie recipes... I think this is going to get us into a lot of trouble! Delicious trouble.
Roasted watermelon radishes from Christmas dinner... so pretty & tasty!
After Christmas I spent a long afternoon with some dear friends visiting from New York, and I got to meet the latest addition to their family. I made a bigger, baby-safe version of my snail out of soft, nubby fleece.
I think she liked it, despite the frown.
They are such a sweet family, and I really wish I could see them more often...
Andy & I spent New Year's weekend at a cabin in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee with a big group of friends. I had never been to Pigeon Forge, and it kind of blew my mind. The entire (small) town is one great, big, kitschy tourist trap, especially this time of year, when everything is absolutely blazing with Christmas lights. Pigeon Forge is home to Dollywood (sadly, it was closed) and a gazillion other crazy attractions (not to mention dozens upon dozens of pancake houses, mini golf courses, and go-cart tracks). We drove to nearby Gatlinburg and took a (scary, precarious) chairlift up the side of a mountain to ride back down on a (scary, precarious) alpine slide. It was really fun, despite a frigid three-hour wait in line. I decided to continue the terror-adrenaline surge by riding a go-cart for the first time in 26 years. (Have I ever mentioned my traumatic, humiliating childhood go-cart crash?) I'm not quite sure how I did it, but I survived without incident, and I even braved the "pro" course. I think conquering a life-long fear is a pretty good way to start a new year, don't you?
Why didn't I buy this sweatshirt?
Fantasy Mini Golf in Pigeon Forge...
Our "cabin" ended up being in a gated community of many near-identical chalet-style "cabins" all stacked together on a hillside... It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was very nice & cosy inside. And there was a lovely view from our porch. All in all, we had a great time.
Sigh.. back to real life. I have a ton of work to catch up on this week, but I am planning to finish some new pouches for the shop very soon. I've had some requests for more snail ornaments as well, so keep a look out for those. I got inspired to design some little mushroom gift tags for personal Christmas gifts, and I'm considering adding some to the shop. What do you think?
Wishing everyone much love & happiness in 2012! See you soon...
♥
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