My art gallery.

My sister-in-law, Tara, a most talented artist, had us for dinner the night after Christmas. She gave those of us in attendance our choice of one of her original mermangels. I thought long and hard about where to hang it, and finally decided to make a gallery consisting of all the hanging art she's given me over the years--at my kitchen sink. I chose this spot because they delight me to look at, and if they are here--where I will see them all the time-- I will always have something to smile about.

Even when I'm in my kitchen!

My advice for the New Year?

Set yourself up to find delight in something every day. That way lies peace and joy.

Tradelast, boys!

It's almost embarrassing how much I miss having my Mama share a tradelast with me. I have written about them before-those times when she passed along something nice someone had said about me. No one has stepped up to take her place in that department, so I have to take them where I find them now.

I ran across this note while I was cleaning out some drawers. It is a triple whammy since I am not sure to which son this note applied. They both spoke from the pulpit.

But it is also a sweet note to me, to let me know that somebody noticed that perhaps I had something to do with their gifts.

Technically, this isn't a real tradelast to my boys since I won't be making them ante up before they read this. That almost never works out anyway.

I'll just be adding this to their tabs.